Welcome to "Catching Up With Cottie" - a weekly update about what I am working on as your representative in the California State Assembly.
I hope everyone had a joyful and meaningful Mother's Day! To the incredible moms, mother figures, and caregivers in our community—your strength, love, and unwavering dedication are the foundation of our families and the heart of our neighborhoods. Thank you for everything you do.
I'm especially grateful to have spent the day surrounded by family, soaking up quality time with the amazing boys I'm proud to call my sons.
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
Join us and Orange County Coastkeeper on Satuday, May 17 from 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM at the Santa Ana-Delhi Channel (corner of Mesa Dr. and Irvine Ave.) for a community cleanup on Love Costa Mesa Day. Your efforts will help prevent hundreds of pounds of plastic and trash from polluting our beautiful coastal waters. Let's come together to protect our coastal waters and show our love for Costa Mesa!
I chaired an annual oversight hearing in the Utilities and Energy Committee focused on electric reliability—an issue that is foundational to California, the world's fourth-largest economy. As we continue our transition to clean energy, ensuring a stable and reliable electric grid is more important than ever. The hearing reviewed the progress California has made so far, provided a reliability outlook for summer 2025, and examined the mid-to long-term challenges we face. We also discussed the steps the Utilities and Energy Committee and the broader Legislature can take to keep California on a strong and resilient path forward.
As California works toward our ambitious goal of a net-zero carbon economy by 2045, we must find innovative ways to support renewable energy projects while safeguarding our state's rich biodiversity. That's why I'm proud to author AB 550, which creates a more streamlined path for renewable energy development while maintaining strong environmental protections. Read more here.
I adjourned in memory of Jean Forbath—beloved community leader, founder of Share Ourselves, and a tireless advocate for dignity, equity, and care in Costa Mesa. Known as "the mother of Costa Mesa's safety net," Jean dedicated her life to serving others and building a stronger, more compassionate community. Her legacy lives on in the lives she uplifted, the programs she built, and the city she helped shape.
It was an honor to meet with members of the Jewish Public Affairs Committee during Jewish Heritage Month. We had meaningful conversations about combating antisemitism, protecting civil rights, and strengthening our communities.
Doctors from the American Academy of Pediatrics, representing Costa Mesa and Los Angeles, stopped by to discuss the importance of investing in children's healthcare. We had a thoughtful conversation about ensuring families have access to the care they need and the vital role that programs like Medi-Cal play in supporting healthy communities.
Protecting our coast is protecting our future. It was a pleasure meeting with the Surfrider Foundation on Ocean Advocacy Day to talk about safeguarding our beaches, oceans, and marine life. Their advocacy is essential in the fight for clean water, healthy ecosystems, and resilient coastlines.
Marking Small Business Month, it's time to celebrate the backbone of our economy—California's 4.2 million small businesses! Here in Orange County, 96% of businesses have fewer than 50 employees and power nearly 44% of our workforce. Know a standout local business making a big impact? Nominate them for Small Business of the Year and help us recognize their hard work, innovation, and dedication to our community.
May is Wildfire Awareness Month! On May 28, I'm co-hosting a virtual one-hour presentation with the American Red Cross focused on practical steps you can take to prepare yourself, your home, and your loved ones in case of an earthquake or wildfire. We'll cover key actions for the most common hazards - and leave plenty of time for your preparedness questions, too. I hope you'll join us for this important conversation.
COMMUNITY RECOGNITION
What a great day at the Irvine Junior Games! The energy, the spirit, and the smiles were unforgettable and all for a great cause. Huge thanks to the Irvine Children's Fund for hosting this event and to help raise critical funds for Irvine's before and after-school programs.
Academic excellence and community impact deserve to be celebrated—and these students embody both. It was a pleasure to recognize the recipients of the Les Miller Outstanding Student Award for the 2024–2025 school year. Your hard work, leadership, and dedication are making a real difference.
In celebration of Teacher Appreciation Month, I'd like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to these three incredible Irvine Unified teachers who were named Teachers of the Year! Their commitment to student success remind us why great teachers make all the difference. Thank you for going above and beyond!
Team Cottie had a blast celebrating at the Tustin Public Schools Foundation's Teacher of the Year reception—spotlighting educators whose passion, creativity, and unstoppable energy ignite every classroom. Here's to the champions shaping tomorrow, one lesson at a time!
Congratulations to the outstanding Tustin Unified students who received the Gerry Aust Scholarship! We were proud to join the Rotary Club of Tustin-Santa Ana in celebrating their remarkable achievements and recognizing their hard work, dedication, and bright futures ahead. Keep reaching for the stars!
RESOURCES
In honor of Older Californians Month this May, we recognize and celebrate the invaluable contributions of older adults throughout our state. It's a time to reaffirm our dedication to helping older Californians live with dignity, independence, and a strong sense of community. The California Department of Aging provides a variety of resources designed to support older adults, individuals with disabilities, and family caregivers.
Applications are now open for the Minerva Scholarship, established by Women in California Leadership.
The Minerva scholarship offers female students financial assistance to meet educational expenses. This year there are up to 126 one-time $3,000 scholarships and one $10,000 Golden Minerva Scholarship. The deadline to apply is May 31st, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.
Requirements to be eligible for a Minerva Scholarship:
- All California residents may apply and will be considered
- Applicants must be enrolled full-time in an accredited college for the 2025-2026 academic year
- Minimum GPA of 2.5
- Eligible students must gender identify as a woman or girl, or are female regardless of gender identity
UPCOMING EVENTS
May 17 - Love Costa Mesa Day
Join Trellis, the City of Costa Mesa, and your neighbors for the 8th Annual Love Costa Mesa Day, a community-wide event where we come together to serve, connect, and celebrate our city! This is a day dedicated to making a difference through meaningful volunteer projects that benefit our local community.
May 21 - Protect Yourself From Fraud Webinar
Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris and the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) are hosting a free webinar to help you learn how to protect yourself from fraud. Topics will include identity theft, email/texting scams, mail fraud, credit monitoring, and much more.
May 28 - Earthquake & Wildfire Preparedness Webinar
Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris and the American Red Cross invite you to join us to learn how you can prepare yourself and your household for earthquakes and wildfires.
In this virtual 1-hour presentation, we will talk about how to take action at home during the focus hazards and what steps to take to prepare yourself and your loved ones. We will also have time for you to ask your preparedness-related questions.
May 31 - Costa Mesa Compost Giveaway & Shredding Event
Costa Mesa Sanitary District, CR&R Environmental Services, and Orange Coast College invite CMSD customers to a free drive-thru Shredding and Compost Giveaway Event!
