Welcome to "Catching Up With Cottie" - a weekly update about what I am working on as your representative in the California State Assembly.

This week, I was thrilled to kick off my inaugural Young Legislators Program! We welcomed 30 bright and motivated students who are eager to learn about public service and the legislative process.

During our first session, we dove into the roles and responsibilities of different levels of government, sparking insightful conversations about how policies shape our communities. The highlight of the day was an engaging panel discussion on the impact of public service, featuring Supervisor Katrina Foley, Irvine Councilmember Melinda Liu, Costa Mesa Councilmember Manuel Chavez, Tustin Unified School District Board Member Allyson Muniz Damikolas, and the Office of Congressman Dave Min.

I am grateful for the opportunity to serve, and I am committed to addressing the issues that are important to you. As always, if there is anything that my team or I can do to assist you with a local or state issue, if you have questions or concerns about what I am working on, or anything in between, please contact my office. My team and I are here to help!

Yours faithfully,

Cottie Petrie-Norris
California State Assemblywoman

With recovery efforts underway to support those impacted by the Los Angeles Fires, I was proud to support legislation to provide $2.5 billion in state funding for wildfire response and recovery. This critical funding will immediately bolster ongoing emergency response efforts and accelerate recovery initiatives in communities impacted by wildfires - providing funding to expedite firestorm response and recovery efforts, streamline rebuilding efforts and help rebuild fire-damaged school facilities.

This legislation passed with unanimous, bi-partisan support, reflecting the urgency and unity Californians embody in the face of disaster. When tragedy strikes, we come together - rural and urban, Democrats and Republicans - to support those who need it most.

To those affected by the fires: immediate help is on the way. The Assembly remains committed to helping communities and school districts rebuild as quickly and effectively as possible, as demonstrated by the funding included in these bills. Together, we'll recover and rebuild stronger.

In commemoration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, I joined an incredible group of community volunteers at the OC Food Bank for Community Action Partnership of Orange County's 26th Annual MLK Day of Service. Over 1,000 volunteers packed 11,624 food boxes to help families in need across Orange County.

It was standing room only for the community swearing in of our new Congressman, Dave Min. Congressman Min was sworn in by Orange County Fire Authority Chief Brian Fennessy. Over the last four years, I have worked closely with Dave in the Legislature on many programs and initiatives. I look forward to continuing our work together to serve our communities!

I am honored to announce my committee appointments for the 2025-2026 session. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Speaker Rivas for his continued trust and support. I'm ready to work alongside my colleagues to tackle the challenges ahead and deliver results for our communities.

Thank you to the Northern California Power Agency for inviting me to serve as the Keynote Speaker at their annual Strategic Issues Conference. It was an honor to join industry leaders and policymakers to discuss the future of energy in California, the importance of sustainability, and innovative solutions to meet the challenges ahead.

I was honored to moderate the Workforce Development Panel at the California Biotechnology Foundation Annual Briefing. California leads the way in life sciences innovation, and this panel highlights the critical work being done to build a diverse, skilled workforce for the future. Excited to join industry leaders driving this mission forward!

I always love welcoming Orange County visitors to the Capitol! It was great meeting with the Orange County Business Council in Sacramento to discuss our legislative priorities for the upcoming session. I appreciate everything that OCBC does to ensure that Orange County remains a vibrant place to live, work, and thrive.

As your representative, my top priority is addressing the issues that matter most to you and ensuring your voice is heard in Sacramento. I deeply value your input on the public policy decisions that shape our lives and remain committed to transparency and accountability in everything I do. It's important to me that you stay informed about the progress we've made together in 2024 and throughout my previous terms in Sacramento. Please take time to review my 2024 annual report for updates related to my legislative and budget wins, and a roundup of community events and recognitions.

Congratulations to St. Mary Armenian Church on the ribbon cutting of the Stambolian Family Assembly Hall in Costa Mesa! Team Cottie was delighted to celebrate this new space for community gatherings and events! Here's to a future filled with joy and meaningful moments!

Congratulations to E20 Training on your grand opening in Costa Mesa! Wishing you great success as you empower our community to reach their fitness goals and embrace healthier, stronger lifestyles. Here's to an exciting journey ahead and a thriving future.

Did you make less than $67,000 in 2024? You might be eligible to file your taxes for free and claim cash-back credits. Through the OC Free Tax Prep program, Orange County United Way and countless dedicated partners work to increase the number of financially stable households in Orange County.

California's unclaimed property laws require "holders," such as corporations, business associations, financial institutions, insurance companies, and others, to annually deliver and report to the State Controller's Office after there has been no customer contact for over three years. Often the owner forgets that the account exists, moves and does not leave a forwarding address, or the forwarding address expires. To find potential money, visit the State Controller's Office and search the Database of Unclaimed Properties for money that the state may owe you.

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