This week, the California Senate and the Assembly passed an unprecedented budget. While Governor Gavin Newsom has yet to sign Assembly Bill 129: the Budget Act of 2021, this measure does represent a three-party agreement between the Senate, Assembly, and the Newsom Administration.
Today, SB 796, a bill championed by Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn which would allow Los Angeles County to return the Bruce’s Beach property to the descendants of Willa and Charles Bruce, cleared another legislative hurdle in Sacramento.
California is determined to stay on a path to a brighter future and, “won’t change course just because of a few naysayers and doomsdayers,” said Gov. Gavin Newsom in his third State of the State Address as he reflected on California’s year-long battle against the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic instability it has caused.
Last week, Gov. Newsom signed AB 5, the “Employee Misclassification Bill,” into law. The legislation changes the classification of more than one million jobs in California from “contractor” to “employee.”
A bill that would expand CEQA exemptions for certain supportive housing projects crossed a significant hurdle in the California Senate this week, earning unanimous support in the Environmental Quality Committee. AB 1197, authored by Assemblymember Miguel Santiago (D-Los Angeles), would ensure that state and local funding to build temporary and supportive housing projects can be spent more quickly and efficiently in the city of LA.
Watch and listen to Sen. Holly J. Mitchell, chair of the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee, give opening and closing statements as the California Senate approves on a 29-11 vote the 2019-20 state budget.
In March, San Diego Democrat Sen. Toni G. Atkins will become the first woman to lead the California Senate. She replaces former Senate President pro Tempore Kevin de Leon (D-Los Angeles) who is running against Sen. Dianne Feinstein for a seat in the U.S. Senate. Before being elected to the State Senate, Atkins worked as director of clinic services at Womancare Health Center and served as a city council member and mayor of San Diego. She was later elected to the State Assembly eventually serving as speaker.