Category: legislature

COVID-19: Bonta calls for release of low-risk prisoners who can’t afford bail

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 bail or low-income residents and minorities. Senate Bill 10, coauthored wth Southern California state Sen. … Continue reading COVID-19: Bonta calls for release of low-risk prisoners who can’t afford bail →

Skinner would support a pause on new housing in fire-prone areas

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 Sen. Henry Stern of Calabasas, who lost his home in the 2018 Woolsey fire last … Continue reading Skinner would support a pause on new housing in fire-prone areas →

Wieckowski recycling bill, opposed by wineries, fails in state senate

Bill would have removed exemptions for wine and beer bottles.

Bonta tops East Bay legislators with $2.4 million in cash reserves

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 in cash on hand, according to finance reports released last week.The only other East Bay state … Continue reading Bonta tops East Bay legislators with $2.4 million in cash reserves →

Bauer-Kahan’s bill proposes to increase jail time for auto burglars

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 property is both costly and a personal violation of our residents," Bauer-Kahan said in a … Continue reading Bauer-Kahan’s bill proposes to increase jail time for auto burglars →

Skinner’s game-changing ‘Fair Pay for Fair Play’ bill heads to governor’s desk

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 and clear: Our student athletes will no longer be denied the right to their name, … Continue reading Skinner’s game-changing ‘Fair Pay for Fair Play’ bill heads to governor’s desk →

Skinner on rent control bill

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%.

Nancy Skinner gets an assist from LeBron James

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 ability to be paid when their likeness is used by for profit by their college … Continue reading Nancy Skinner gets an assist from LeBron James →

Amazon’s facial recognition software IDs Steve Glazer as a criminal

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 the California state lawmakers who were mistakenly identified by facial-recognition software to have committed crimes … Continue reading Amazon’s facial recognition software IDs Steve Glazer as a criminal →

Quirk helps Assembly committee turn away concealed carry weapons bill

Assemblymember Bill Quirkwasn't in the mood Tuesdayto 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 right to protect themselves and their loved ones," Allen told the Assembly Public Safety Committee.Just 179 concealed carry permits … Continue reading Quirk helps Assembly committee turn away concealed carry weapons bill →

Quirk co-authors bill requiring ‘panic buttons’ for hotel maids in danger of sexual harassment

Assemblymember Bill Quirk20TH 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 a large shadow over the state Legislature this year, a bill co-authored by Hayward Assemblymember Bill … Continue reading Quirk co-authors bill requiring ‘panic buttons’ for hotel maids in danger of sexual harassment →

5 THINGS I THINK: THANKSGIVING EDITION

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 their profile in Washington. It started with clever, cutesy social media postings--"#swalwelling on Twitter and … Continue reading 5 THINGS I THINK: THANKSGIVING EDITION →

Bonta hopes Trump continues to be successful at failure

Assemblymember Rob Bonta hopes Trumpcontinues 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, Bonta said he hopes Trump's agenda continues to fail. Bonta made the comment in response to a councilmember's … Continue reading Bonta hopes Trump continues to be successful at failure →

5 THINGS I THINK ABOUT EAST BAY POLITICS

Assemblymember Bill Quirk needs asignature legislative achievement andhe 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 going to result in some special elections across the state next year. ➤I think if you have followed the … Continue reading 5 THINGS I THINK ABOUT EAST BAY POLITICS →

Governor vetoes Glazer bill to ban smoking on state beaches

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 can't smoke even on a deserted beach, where can they? There must be some limit to … Continue reading Governor vetoes Glazer bill to ban smoking on state beaches →