Assembly Concludes Productive, Prudent & Progressive 2015-16 Legislative Session
SACRAMENTO—Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount) released the following statement after the Assembly gaveled down on the 2015-2016 legislative session:
“Tonight, a very productive, prudent, and progressive two-year legislative session comes to a close. We conclude a session where we passed landmark legislation on climate change, on parental leave, on the minimum wage, on tobacco, and on the state earned income tax credit. We increased funding for early childhood education and repealed the maximum family grant. We helped put more diplomas into the hands of California college students and took dangerous firearms out of the hands of criminals. And we crafted a budget that the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst says is better prepared for economic downturn than at any point in decades.”
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING:
“We applaud the Legislature’s leadership in passing SB 32 and AB 197 because these bills are a down payment on the state's commitment to equitable solutions to the climate crisis. Low-income, Asian immigrants and refugees across the state, from Richmond to Los Angeles to Coachella, have long endured fossil fuel pollution in the places where we live, work, and play. With the passage of these bills, we are two steps closer to climate solutions that improve the air our children breathe and reduce climate pollution. This legislative victory is a landmark victory for environmental justice and will serve as a model for states across the country."
- Miya Yoshitani, Executive Director, Asian Pacific Environmental Network
“The Legislature has once again exhibited bold leadership and passed model policy for other states in the nation and countries around the world. The passage of AB 197 and SB 32 continues California’s commitment to combating climate change. We have led by example and are dedicated to ensuring that all Californians, including communities frequently left behind, can breathe clean air, drink clean water and have the quality of life we all deserve.”
- Jena Price, Legislative Affairs Manager, California League of Conservation Voters
“California's historic minimum wage increase solidifies our state's position as the national leader in advancing the rights of working people. For low-wage workers, 15 isn't just a number; it's a path to a better life for them and their families. The California Labor movement is proud to partner with the Speaker and Legislature to make the American Dream possible for all workers.”
- Art Pulaski, Executive Secretary-Treasurer, California Labor Federation
“I've never met my five-year-old grandson because I haven't been able to save money for a plane ticket. $15 means I can finally save to visit him and my other grandchildren.”
- Lisa Scott, home care provider, El Dorado County
"We are excited by the strong support demonstrated by Speaker Rendon and the Legislative Women's Caucus to the early childhood education system. The multi-year commitment to increase reimbursement rates to providers is critical in sustaining the important work they do with the children. In addition, the creation of a Blue Ribbon Commission to study policy and budget investments will help build a world class early care and education system worthy of California's children and working families."
- Cristina Alvarado, Executive Director, Child Care Alliance of Los Angeles
“The law should never treat children differently because of the income of their parents when they were conceived. California law did for 20 years. This year's repeal of the Maximum Family Grant rule ends this vestige of the 1990’s and reinforces our shared value that the California Dream should be within every child's reach.”
- Jessica Bartholow, Policy Advocate, Western Center on Law & Poverty
"We were pleased that leadership in the state Assembly chose to invest in the future of California by prioritizing funding to the California State University system. These funds helped provide access to thousands of students who would have otherwise been unable to obtain a four year degree, helped move current students closer to graduation, and began to address issues of deferred maintenance throughout the system.
- David Lopez, student at CSU East Bay; President, California State Student Association
“By prioritizing gun violence prevention policies, California has taken important steps that will reduce gun violence and spare other families from feeling the pain that mine has felt."
- Richard Martinez, father of Isla Vista shooting victim; Senior Outreach Associate, Everytown for Gun Safety
"The American Heart Association is proud to have co-sponsored historic tobacco regulations to raise the age to purchase tobacco products from 18 to 21, ensure all schools are tobacco-free, regulate e-cigarettes as tobacco products and strengthen smoke-free workplace laws. We thank the Assembly for leading on these groundbreaking bills and improving the public health of our state, protecting children from picking up the deadly habit, and safeguarding the health of our workforce."
- Dr. John Maa, Board Member, American Heart Association
CONTACT: Kevin Liao, (916) 319-2063
Website of Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon: a62.asmdc.org