Welcome to "Catching Up With Cottie" - a weekly update about what I am working on as your representative in the California State Assembly.
My top priority in the legislature this year is reducing the cost of living for Californians—everything from the gas pump to the grocery store, from utility bills to rent payments. In my role as chair of Utilities and Energy committee, I have launched a series of hearings to examine growing utility costs, including those resulting from wildfire mitigation investments.
As the climate crisis intensifies, wildfires are no longer a seasonal threat—they are a year-round reality, and the risks will only continue to grow. Over the past five years, utilities have made historic investments in wildfire prevention, which has become the single largest factor driving rate increases for Californians. Our goal is to accelerate clean energy deployment, protect our communities, maintain grid reliability, and most importantly, keep utility costs manageable for consumers.
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
This weekend, we celebrated International Women's Day with an inspiring panel discussion in Laguna Woods. I had the honor of joining Congresswoman Laura Friedman, Professor Simon Chambers, and a group of phenomenal women to discuss the challenges facing women in America today.
This event marked the first Cece Sloan Memorial Lecture, honoring the legacy of an extraordinary leader and advocate. Together, we explored what's at stake for women—including the future of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs, the Department of Education, and the most effective ways individuals can advocate for women's rights.
A big thank you to the Orange County/Inland Empire Urban Land Institute Women's Leadership Initiative for inviting me to speak at their annual event. I am excited to see events like this where the industry and the cities are coming together to discuss practical solutions to the housing crisis and how important women are in leadership roles and in the real estate industry. It was truly inspiring to see the incredible impact women are making across their fields.
Celebrating Nowruz has become a cherished tradition, but this year was extra special as we marked the 10th anniversary of the Orange County Iranian American Chamber of Commerce! Congratulations to Shani Moslehi and the entire team on this incredible milestone. Wishing the Iranian American community a joyous Nowruz and a season of new beginnings as we welcome spring!
California is home to the world's leading public university system (UC Irvine, included!), and it is imperative that we continue to provide access and excellence to California's students. Unfortunately, Governor Newsom's proposed budget includes drastic cuts to the UC and CSU systems. Last week, I joined more than a dozen of my colleagues to reject the proposed cuts, thereby ensuring student access and protecting the critical contributions the system has to our workforce.
Flounder and I had a fantastic time celebrating the grand opening of Bark Barracks—Tustin's first-ever dog park! It's wonderful to see our furry friends have a space to run, play, and enjoy the outdoors. Congratulations to the City of Tustin on this exciting addition to the community!
Spending time with our next generation of leaders is always rewarding. I had the opportunity to speak to Katherine, a student in my Young Legislators Program, who interviewed me for her project on the future of women in government. It's always inspiring to see the next generation engaged in meaningful conversations and eager to make a difference.
Congratulations to Carol Burby Garrett on your well-deserved retirement! As the Executive Director of the Tustin Public Schools Foundation, your dedication and leadership have made a lasting impact on students, educators, and the entire community. Thank you for your years of service and commitment to strengthening education in Tustin. Wishing you all the best in this next chapter!
Team Cottie joined the Rotary Club of Tustin-Santa Ana at Beswick Elementary School in Tustin for Read Across America week! They loved sharing Grace for President with an amazing group of 2nd and 3rd graders—sparking big dreams and even bigger ideas! Who knows? They may have just inspired a future president!
COMMUNITY RECOGNITION
Team Cottie was thrilled to join the Greater Irvine Chamber of Commerce to celebrate the grand opening of The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill! From delicious flavors to a warm community atmosphere, this new spot is a must-visit. Congratulations to the team and welcome to Irvine!
RESOURCES
To learn more or to make a reservation, click below.
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!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Jan. 27 - Apr. 11 - OC Free Tax Prep
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.
OC Free Tax Prep provides free tax preparation services to thousands of low-income residents while also conducting outreach and education to raise awareness of and access to tax credits, like the California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC), which results in more money returned to our community, often bolstering a struggling family's ability to provide for their children, pay for rent, food, and medical expenses, while simultaneously stimulating the local economy.
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.
Mar. 13 - 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. 15 - Orange County Fire Authority Open House
Mar. 22 - Women's Health & Wellness Fair
To celebrate Women's History Month, the offices of Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris and Irvine City Councilmembers Melinda Liu and William Go, invite you to our first Women's Health and Wellness Resource Fair with Yoga Event!
Come join us to connect with organizations dedicated to enhancing the well-being of women and families of all ages across Orange County. Unwind and recharge with your community through a relaxing guided yoga session (please bring your own yoga mat).
Apr. 8 - Costa Mesa Small Business Clinic
The OCIE SBDC is excited to host the SBDC Small Business Clinic, a program offered in collaboration with Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris, the City of Costa Mesa, the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce, and the Coast Community College District for Costa Mesa-based businesses.
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 continuous, no-cost support in an effort to help them grow and expand their business.
