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, my Capitol and district staff came together in Sacramento, to discuss our legislative priorities for the year, with a strong focus on ensuring reliable, affordable energy and enhancing public safety to keep our neighborhoods secure and resilient. I am incredibly grateful for this stellar team's dedication and hard work to serve the constituents of the 73rd Assembly District and deliver real results for California!
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
Touring the San Joaquin Valley was an insightful experience, offering the chance to engage in meaningful discussions on environmental justice and the impact of CEQA and permitting reform on frontline communities. We delved into critical topics such as bioenergy, carbon capture, climate resilience, water infrastructure, and the urgent need for affordable housing.
I was pleased to join the California Hydrogen Business Council to speak about the role that hydrogen can play in powering our clean energy economy.
The second session of our Young Legislators Program offered an incredible learning experience for our future leaders. Dean Jon Gould from UCI's School of Social Ecology opened the session with an in-depth analysis of polling data, shedding light on California's most pressing challenges.
This was followed by an engaging panel discussion with three distinguished experts—Michael Shepherd of Orange County United Way, Costa Mesa Police Chief Ron Lawrence, and OC Health Care Agency Director Dr. Veronica Kelley—who shared their insights on critical issues including homelessness, public safety, and mental health. Their perspectives were both enlightening and thought-provoking, providing valuable knowledge to the next generation of leaders.
A sincere thank you to our speakers for their generosity in sharing their expertise and for inspiring our young participants through dynamic and impactful discussions. Thank you to SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union for hosting the first two sessions of our inaugural Young Legislators Program!
Team Cottie was proud to attend the Coast Community College District and South Orange County Community College District State of the District events! Supporting our local community colleges means investing in the future—ensuring students have access to quality education and opportunities to thrive. Thank you to both districts, including Irvine Valley College and Orange Coast College, for your dedication to empowering students and strengthening our community!
Team Cottie joined in celebrating Working Wardrobes' exciting rebrand and the launch of their 35th anniversary! For over three decades, Working Wardrobes has been a cornerstone of workforce development, helping thousands of job seekers each year build the skills, confidence, and opportunities needed to succeed. Their comprehensive support—from career coaching and soft skills training to interview attire and job placement—reflects a deep commitment to empowering individuals on their career paths.
COMMUNITY RECOGNITION
Congratulations to Arc Solutions and Riot Creative on your ribbon-cutting ceremony! Team Cottie was thrilled to join the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce and community leaders in celebrating this milestone with you. Wishing you continued success and growth!
Also sending a heartfelt congratulations to Quantum eMotion on their ribbon cutting in Irvine! Exciting to see innovation in cybersecurity growing right here in our community. Wishing you great success as you continue to lead in quantum-based encryption technology!
RESOURCES
Have you seen the City of Tustin's 2024 Year in Review? Take a look at the city's biggest accomplishments and milestones from the past year!
Great News! The California Student Aid Commission is pleased to share that the March 3, 2025 state financial aid priority deadline has been extended to April 2, 2025 to all students across California. Also, check these upcoming dates for additional resources.
Statewide Virtual Cash for College Webinars
- March 3, 2025 5:30 p.m. - 6:45 p.m. (English with Spanish translation)
- March 11, 2025 6:00 p.m. - 7:15 p.m. (English with Spanish translation)
- March 25, 2025 6:00 p.m. - 7:15 p.m. (English with Spanish translation)
- April 2, 2025 5:30 p.m. - 6:45 p.m. (English with Spanish translation)
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.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Mar. 5 - Protect Yourself from Mail Fraud Webinar
Have you witnessed suspicious offers in the mail or scam texts asking for personal information? Join the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) to learn how to identify and avoid common mail scams, including phishing, lottery, and imposter scams. Also learn how to safely dispose of unwanted mail, how to protect your sensitive information, and where to report crimes related to the mail. The guest speaker features a federal agent from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the law enforcement, crime prevention, and security arm of the Postal Service.
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.
