Press Releases

Senate Leader Atkins, Budget Chair Skinner Commend California’s Strength, Readiness in Response to Governor’s Budget Proposal

January 10, 2023

SACRAMENTO – Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) and Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee Chair Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) released the following statements on the 2023-24 state budget proposal released by Governor Gavin Newsom today:

 

Pro Tem Atkins:

Senate Leader Atkins Announces Committee Membership for the 2023-2024 Legislative Session

January 5, 2023

SACRAMENTO –Senate President pro Tempore, Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego), today announced the Senate’s committee membership assignments for the 2023-24 Legislative session. The Senate Rules Committee will ratify the committee memberships on Wednesday, January 11, 2023.

Standing Committees

 

Agriculture

Senate Leader Atkins Announces Democratic Leadership Team, Senate Rules Committee for 2023-2024 Legislative Session

January 5, 2023

SACRAMENTO –Senate President pro Tempore, Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego), today announced the Senate’s Democratic Leadership Team and Senate Rules Committee members for the 2023-24 Legislative session. Members of the Senate Rules Committee were confirmed by the Senate today in a unanimous vote.

Senate Democratic Leadership

Senate Leader Atkins on Enactment of State Constitutional Amendment to Protect Abortion, Contraception: California Will Continue to Lead the Nation

December 21, 2022

SACRAMENTO – Following months of legislative work and pivotal approval by California voters, a state constitutional amendment to enshrine the right to abortion and contraceptives takes effect today, further solidifying California’s longtime standing as a nationwide leader on reproductive rights. 

Senate Pro Tem Atkins, California Leaders Issue Condolences on Passing of Labor, Civic Luminary Michael Hardeman

December 13, 2022

SACRAMENTO – Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego), California leaders and elected officials, and the community are mourning the passing of Michael Hardeman, a longtime San Francisco labor and civic champion.

San Diego Leaders Reflect on Deanna Spehn’s Lasting Impact on Community, State

November 17, 2022

SAN DIEGO – City and county leaders, public officials, and community groups have issued statements commemorating the life and legacy of Deanna Spehn, longtime district policy director for Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego).

Senate Leader Atkins on Legislative Analyst’s Office Economic Forecast: We Can Protect our Progress

November 16, 2022

SACRAMENTO – Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) released the following statement today regarding the Legislative Analyst’s Office report on California’s fiscal outlook for 2023-24:

“The Legislative Analyst’s Office report indicates that California faces challenging times ahead. In the past, tough forecasts like this would have meant painful program cuts and middle class tax increases – things that actually cause more economic harm. That does not have to be the case this year, however.

Senate Leader Atkins, Former Senator Kehoe Mourn Passing of Longtime District Policy Advisor Deanna Spehn

November 14, 2022

SAN DIEGO – Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego), former Senator Christine Kehoe, colleagues, and the community are mourning the passing of Deanna Spehn, a beloved policy director who served both leaders.

Senate Leader Atkins Hails Passage of Constitutional Amendment to Protect Abortion Rights, Commits to Continued Legislative Action

November 9, 2022

SACRAMENTO – Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) released the following statement regarding the apparent victory of Proposition 1, which will enshrine the right to abortion and contraceptives in the California State Constitution, and further legislative efforts to protect reproductive rights:

Senate Leader Atkins, Legislators, Health Care Leaders Celebrate Signing of SB 1375, Reproductive Access Legislation

October 10, 2022

SAN DIEGO – Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego), fellow legislators, and reproductive rights leaders from across the state gathered in San Diego today to celebrate Pro Tem Atkins’ bill, SB 1375 being signed into law, as well as the more than a dozen additional pieces of legislation from the California Legislative Women’s Caucus. These laws will work in concert to shore up reproductive rights in California, expanding and protecting access to reproductive health for all who need it.