Press Releases

Senate Leader Atkins, Budget Chair Skinner Applaud Final Budget Allocations Approved by Legislature

August 31, 2022

SACRAMENTO – Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) and Senator Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley), Chair of the Senate Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review,  released the following statements regarding the Senate’s passage of the August Budget Package, a series of bills to further delineate 2022-23 budget funding that will bolster California’s commitment to putting its wealth to work to benefit all who live in the Golden State:

 Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins:

Senate Leader Atkins, Senator Grove’s Legislation to Bring Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Program to All of California Passes Legislature

August 30, 2022

Sacramento — Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) and Senator Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield) announced that their bipartisan legislation in partnership with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to establish California’s first Statewide Imagination Library Program unanimously passed the Senate Floor today and is headed to the Governor’s desk for signing.

Senate Leader Atkins’ Bill to Expand Abortion Services, Reproductive Care Passes Legislature

August 30, 2022

 

SACRAMENTO – With access to abortion care more critical than ever, the California State Senate today passed Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins’ (D-San Diego) SB 1375, legislation to allow qualified nurse practitioners to provide abortions without the supervision of a physician. The bill passed by a vote of 31-9.

Senate Leader Atkins Applauds Passage of Monumental Housing Streamlining Package

August 29, 2022

SACRAMENTO – Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) released the following statement on the passage of companion bills SB 6, by Senator Anna Caballero (D-Merced), and AB 2011, by Assemblymember Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland), a monumental housing streamlining package aimed at helping California’s housing crisis:

Legislative Leaders Applaud Agreement on Housing Affordability, Production Package

August 25, 2022

SACRAMENTO – Following weeks of negotiations, Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) announced today that an agreement has been reached on a package of legislation aimed at increasing California’s housing supply.

Senate Leader Atkins’ Bill to Enhance the San Diego River Conservancy Passes Assembly

August 24, 2022

SACRAMENTO – The California State Assembly passed Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins’ (D-San Diego) SB 1027, legislation that would expand the jurisdictional boundary of the San Diego River Conservancy (SDRC) to include the entire watershed of the San Diego River. The bill also expands the SDRC’s governing board to include a member of the El Cajon City Council and amends the definition of tribal nation to directly reference the Kumeyaay Bands associated with the area.

Debra Maxie Reappointed to the California Student Aid Commission

August 16, 2022

SACRAMENTO – The Senate Rules Committee, chaired by Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego), reappointed Debra Maxie to the California Student Aid Commission on Wednesday, August 10.

“Debra Maxie has decades of real world experience teaching in classrooms and counseling youth,” Pro Tem Atkins said. “Her keen understanding of the needs of California’s students has made her a critical voice on the Commission.”

Senate Leader Atkins Congratulates California Senate Fellows, Science and Technology Policy Fellows on Legislative Contributions

August 15, 2022

SACRAMENTO – Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) released the following statement following a recognition ceremony held during floor session today to honor the 2021-22 California Senate Fellows and the California Council on Science and Technology Policy Fellows placed in the Senate:

Senate Leader Atkins’ Bill To Support Navy, Marine Military Families Across California Passes Legislature

August 12, 2022

SACRAMENTO – The Legislature has passed Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins’ (D-San Diego) SB 1041, legislation that would make permanent the sales tax exemption for the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) and other qualifying organizations that provide financial, educational, and other assistance to members of the Armed Forces of the United States, their family members, and survivors. The bill passed out of the Assembly Thursday on a 76-0 bipartisan vote, and it now heads to Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk.

Senate Leader Atkins Moderates Discussion on Reproductive Access with Vice President Kamala Harris

August 11, 2022

SACRAMENTO –  As California continues to safeguard protections for abortion access following the overturn of Roe v. Wade, Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) moderated a roundtable discussion on reproductive rights with Vice President Kamala Harris and other California leaders today in San Francisco.