East Bay Assemblymember Rob Bonta coauthored landmark legislation two years ago to abolish California’s money bail system. In the past, criminal suspects who could not afford to pay bail while awaiting trial were held in jail. Many who can’t afford… Read More ›
During a floor debate on Senate Bill 50, East Bay state Sen. Nancy Skinner said she would support a housing moratorium in areas across the state at risk of wildfires. Her comments on Wedneday were in response to Democratic state… Read More ›
Bill would have removed exemptions for wine and beer bottles.
The lack of competitive state legislative races in the East Bay has not stopped some incumbents from fattening already plump campaign cash reserves. Assemblymember Rob Bonta continues to sport the East Bay’s largest cash reserves. His campaign reported $2.4 million… Read More ›
East Bay Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, along with a Southern California Republican, introduced a bill last week that would change the definition of an auto burglary and increase jail time for its offenders. “Every smashed window and every piece of stolen… Read More ›
East Bay state Sen. Nancy Skinner’s game-changing legislation that could potential move the NCAA toward paying its student athletes was approved by the state Legislature Wednesday. Senate Bill 206 heads to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk for consideration. “California is loud… Read More ›
I don’t want any more to be displaced. My heart can’t take it.-State Sen. Nancy Skinner on the landmark rent control bill that was approved by State Senate on Tuesday. AB 1482 caps annual rent increases at 5%.
East Bay state Sen. Nancy Skinner’s “Fair Pay for Fair Play” bill could drastically change how the NCAA, the powerful governing body of college sports in the U.S., does business. Skinner’s legislation to give college student athletes in California the… Read More ›
East Bay State Sen. Steve Glazer, with his mortician-like visage, does not exactly fit the stereotypical image of an unsavory character, although, BART union members might disagree. Glazer, who represents the 7th State Senate District, is among 26 members of… Read More ›
Assemblymember Bill Quirk wasn’t in the mood Tuesday to debate concealed guns. 20TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICTRepublican gubernatorial candidate and Assemblymember Travis Allen confidently laid out a case Tuesday for reform of the state’s concealed carry permitting rules. “Innocent Californians deserve a… Read More ›
Assemblymember Bill Quirk 20TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICTMaids and other hotel employees who find themselves alone in rooms with guests in a daily basis often face high incidents of sexual harassment, surveys have found. And with the issue of sexual harassment casting… Read More ›
THINGS I THINK1➤I think Rep. Eric Swalwell is the greatest salesman in America. Over the past two years or more absolutely nobody, except for fellow Golden State Rep. Adam Schiff, has leveraged cable news and social media better to raise… Read More ›
Assemblymember Rob Bonta hopes Trump continues to be the failure-in-chief. 18TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICTAssemblymember Rob Bonta had some negative thoughts about President Donald Trump at Tuesday night’s Oakland City Council meeting. In attendance to discuss his legislative year in the Assembly,… Read More ›
Assemblymember Bill Quirk needs a signature legislative achievement and he needs it to happen soon. ELECTION 2018➤I think the burgeoning scandal in Sacramento with legislators meting out punishment in secret to colleagues accused of sexual harassment in the workplace is… Read More ›
LEGISLATURESmoking hot butts will still be found on California state beaches after Gov. Jerry Brown vetoed a bill introduced by East Bay State Sen. Steve Glazer that would have banned smoking on coastal beaches and some state parks. “If people… Read More ›
Protesters in Berkeley last April. 9TH STATE SENATE DISTRICTBefore the events last week in Charlottesville brought national focus to skirmishes between white supremacists groups and counter-protesters, East Bay State Sen. Nancy Skinner‘s district, which prominently includes Berkeley, was the epicenter… Read More ›
18TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICTPotential landmark legislation that would reform the state’s troubled money bail system was narrowly defeated Thursday night in the Assembly. East Bay Assemblymember Rob Bonta’s Assembly Bill 42 failed by one vote, 36-37, after seven legislators did not… Read More ›
Assemblymember Rob Bonta says AB 22 was intended to clean-up language in state law long deemed unconstitutional. 18TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICTA bill that would have stricken a Cold War-era reference in state law that allows for the firing of a state… Read More ›
Assemblymember Rob Bonta during a Public Safety Committee hearing in April. 18TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICTA legislative analysis of East Bay Assemblymember Rob Bonta’s widely-watched bail reform bill estimates its costs will run in the “hundreds of millions of dollars” in state… Read More ›
THE WEEK OF APRIL 14-20Spring Break and Easter in the rearview window, East Bay government begins to heat up again and many of the pressing questions that will begin to be asked revolve around the upcoming budget season. Here’s your… Read More ›
LEGISLATUREEast Bay State Sen. Steve Glazer (D-Orinda) broke from his Senate Democratic Caucus Thursday after casting a no vote against Gov. Jerry Brown’s $52 billion transportation bill. Senate Bill 1, backed by Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon and… Read More ›
15th District Assemblymember Tony Thurmond is running for state superintendent in 2018. 15TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICTEast Bay Assemblymember Tony Thurmond wants to be California’s top educator. The two-term Richmond state legislator announced Monday that he is running for state superintendent of… Read More ›
THE WEEK OF MAR. 31-APRIL 6Saturday is April Fool’s Day. Sadly this first item isn’t a prank. The city of Hayward is celebrating the life of labor leader Cesar Chavez at City Hall on Saturday morning. Aside from Chavez’s inspiring… Read More ›
PHOTO/Wikicommons 18TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICTEast Bay Assemblymember Rob Bonta wants California to cease doing business with for-profit private prisons. Bonta introduced legislation Thursday that would prevent the renewal of state contracts with private prison operators by 2018.In a terse set of… Read More ›
THE WEEK OF MARCH 24-30A quiet week in East Bay government is on the horizon, although, not surprising for the end of the month. Nevertheless, “resistance” to President Trump and his policies continue to erupt or constantly percolate all over… Read More ›
Assemblymember Rob Bonta addressing the Alameda City Council last December. PHOTO/Zac Goldstein ASSEMBLY |East Bay Assemblymember Rob Bonta’s rise to the leadership of the state party continued with his appointment as assistant majority leader. Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon unveiled leadership… Read More ›
State Sen. Nancy Skinner will also chair one other committee, serve on four others. LEGISLATURE | East Bay State Sen. Nancy Skinner was tabbed by Pro Tem Kevin de Leon Wednesday to become the Democratic majority whip. In addition to… Read More ›
Oakland Assemblymember Rob Bonta previewed legislation Monday to reform the state’s bail system and protect immigrants. ASSEMBLY | 18TH DISTRICT |The state is paying more than $4.5 million per day to jail suspects yet to be sentenced for crimes, many… Read More ›
Nancy Skinner won 60 percent of the vote Tuesday night in an impressive win over Sandre Swanson. STATE SENATE | 9TH DISTRICT |ELECTION 2016 |The East Bay is sending Nancy Skinner back to Sacramento following a two-year hiatus. Skinner, a… Read More ›
EDEN HEALTH DISTRICT | Legislation that could be the first nail in the Eden Health District’s coffin was signed last week by Gov. Jerry Brown. The new law, authored by East Bay Assemblymember Rob Bonta, requires the struggling Eden Health… Read More ›
