Welcome to "Catching Up With Cottie" - a weekly update about what I am working on as your representative in the California State Assembly.
As your elected official, my primary focus is addressing the issues that matter most to you and ensuring that your voice is heard in Sacramento. I deeply value your input and feedback on the critical public policy matters that shape our lives. Please take a moment to share your thoughts and feedback by filing out our annual survey by February 28.
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
As chair of Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee, I led our first informational hearing of the year focusing on how our state agencies and utilities can work smarter and more effectively to mitigate the devastating impacts of wildfires. Wildfires continue to pose a significant threat to our communities, infrastructure, and environment, making it critical to explore innovative solutions, enhance emergency preparedness, and strengthen utility accountability.
I participated in the Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 4 on Climate Crisis, Resources, Energy, and Transportation to review the Governor's 2025 budget and discuss key priorities for allocating Proposition 4 climate bond funds. Addressing the climate crisis demands strategic investments, and I'm committed to ensuring these funds drive meaningful impact.
I had a fantastic time visiting the Kia Tigers during their spring training here in 73rd Assembly District! It was an honor to join Irvine Councilmembers Melinda Liu and William Go to welcome the reigning Korean Series champions to Orange Coast College. Thank you to OCC for working with my team and Councilmember Liu's office to allow the Kia Tigers to use their facilities for the final days of spring training in the U.S.!
Congratulations to the South Coast Chinese Cultural Center on the 10th Annual OC Lantern Festival! Team Cottie had a wonderful time celebrating the Lunar New Year with the community. Thank you to SCCCC and Pacific Symphony for organizing such a beautiful event to welcome the Year of the Snake. Wishing everyone luck, success, and prosperity in the year ahead!
Team Cottie was honored to celebrate the grand opening of the new Chemistry Building at Orange Coast College! The Chemistry Building features lecture halls, faculty offices, meeting spaces, nine labs, and an interactive periodic table of elements. I am proud to have advocated for $18.8 million in the state budget to make this state-of-the-art facility a reality.
The City of Irvine is shining a spotlight on the Sweet Shade Park Universal Playground in the latest edition of Inside Irvine! This is Irvine's first fully inclusive playground—a place where children of all abilities can play, learn, and explore together. I'm proud to have secured $2.8 million in state funding to help bring this vision to life. Have you visited the newly renovated Sweet Shade Park yet? It's a must-see! Check out the highlights video to learn more.
Congratulations to the Trauma Intervention Program of Orange County on their 30th Anniversary as well as this year's Heroes with Heart honorees! A special shout out to the dedicated officers from Irvine and Costa Mesa—your compassion and tireless commitment ensure our community has the critical support it needs in times of crisis. Thank you for going above and beyond to make a difference!
TIP is a non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring that those who are emotionally traumatized in emergency situations receive the immediate assistance they need. TIP is comprised of over 100 specially trained and screened volunteers available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Proudly serving Orange County since 1995, TIP crisis volunteers are called by law enforcement, fire and hospital personnel to assist victims, families, friends, witnesses and bystanders by providing emotional support and practical resources.
COMMUNITY RECOGNITION
Team Cottie was thrilled to join the Greater Irvine Chamber of Commerce for the ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating Cityside Fiber's launch in Irvine! This exciting milestone marks a big step forward in enhancing connectivity across Orange County.
Congratulations to Jim Peterson, Executive Director of the Orange County Medical Association, on your well-deserved retirement! With an exceptional 30-year career in public service and nonprofit management, your leadership has made a lasting impact on Orange County's medical community. Wishing you all the best in this next chapter!
Did you know the OC Recycling Centerat Orange Coast College has reopened? Team Cottie was thrilled to celebrate the ribbon cutting and to see this vital resource back in operation to serve our community's recycling needs. Last fall, my office assisted the new operator, OC Recycling, in obtaining their certification from CalRecycle in response to the growing demand for accessible recycling services. This re-opening is a significant step toward promoting sustainability and reducing waste in Orange County.
RESOURCES
Caltrans is developing the Upper I-5 Comprehensive Multimodal Corridor Plan (CMCP) to improve how people travel through northern Orange County. This plan focuses on a 15-mile stretch of I-5, from Red Hill Avenue in Tustin to the Los Angeles County line, covering key cities including Tustin, Santa Ana, Orange, Anaheim, Fullerton, and Buena Park. Caltrans wants to hear from you. Your feedback will help them understand the needs of the people who use and live near this corridor. By taking this short survey, you'll play a key role in shaping solutions that improve mobility, reduce delays, and enhance transportation options for everyone in Orange County. Take the Survey by April 30.
Join your neighbors for the Third Annual Walk to Feed OC on Saturday, March 15 at Tanaka Farms in Irvine. This fun 1.5-mile non-competitive event is perfect for families, companies and community-minded individuals and groups. With every step, you're helping Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County provide dignified, equitable and consistent access to nutritious food for our neighbors in need. Registration is free!
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 are working with our community to increase the number of financially stable households in Orange County.
Do you know what tax credits you might be eligible to receive this tax season? Find out if you qualify for the California Earned Income Tax Credit, Young Child Tax Credit, federal tax credits, and more at caleitc.org.
The California Competes Tax Credit (CCTC) is an income tax credit available to businesses that want to locate in California or stay and grow in California. Businesses of any industry, size, or location compete for over $180 million available in tax credits by applying in one of the three application periods each year. Applicants will be analyzed based on fourteen different factors of evaluation, including number of full-time jobs being created, amount of investment, and strategic importance to the state or region.
GO-Biz will accept applications for the California Competes Tax Credit from February 24, 2025 – March 10, 2025.
The DMV urges Californians to obtain their REAL ID by May 7, 2025, the federal enforcement deadline. After this date, a REAL ID or another approved federal document will be required for domestic flights and access to secure federal facilities. Applying early will help prevent delays. To apply, visit REALID.dmv.ca.gov, complete the online application, and upload the necessary documents. Finalizing the process requires an in-person visit to a DMV office with the documents.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Mar. 6 - Tustin Small Business Clinic
The Orange County/Inland Empire Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is excited to announce the Tustin Small Business Clinic, a program offered in collaboration with the City of Tustin with the goal of bringing business assistance and support to small business owners in the community.
During the program, business owners will get the opportunity to meet with an SBDC consultant at no cost for a 30-minute one-on-one session/meeting to answer their immediate needs pertaining to marketing, operations, or financial assessment. All participants will also be aligned with a primary consultant for follow-up assistance to receive no-cost continuous support in an effort to help them grow and expand their business.
Mar. 11 - Irvine Small Business Clinic
The Orange County/Inland Empire Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is excited to announce the Irvine Small Business Clinic, a program offered in collaboration with the City of Irvine with the goal of bringing business assistance and support to small business owners in the community.
During the program, business owners will get the opportunity to meet with an SBDC consultant at no cost for a 30-minute one-on-one session/meeting to answer their immediate needs pertaining to marketing, operations, or financial assessment. All participants will also be aligned with a primary consultant for follow-up assistance to receive no-cost continuous support in an effort to help them grow and expand their business.
Mar. 27 - Women of the Year Celebration
You're invited to Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris' 7th Annual Women of the Year Celebration on Thursday, March 27 in Costa Mesa. During the event, we will honor three distinguished women from Costa Mesa, Irvine and Tustin for their extraordinary leadership and service in our communities. To watch highlights from last year's ceremony, click here.
