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 you and your loved ones had a meaningful Memorial Day. Memorial Day is an opportunity for reflection, remembrance, and gratitude. It is a time to honor the brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect and defend our great nation. This past weekend, we remembered the 53 Californians—active duty service members—who gave their lives in service to America. We are profoundly grateful for their courage, their dedication, and their unwavering commitment to our country. Because of their service and their sacrifice, our families know peace and freedom. May God bless their families, and may God bless the United States of America.
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
I'm proud to recognize Pretend City Children's Museum as the 2025 Nonprofit of the Year for the 73rd Assembly District! Thanks to the visionary leadership of Ellen Pais and the dedicated team at Pretend City, this incredible museum has become a place where children learn through play, creativity, and hands-on exploration.
Pretend City Children's Museum is more than just a museum—it's a hub for early childhood development, parent education, and community connection. Their work empowers families and builds brighter futures for the next generation. Congratulations to the entire Pretend City team on this well-deserved honor!
The MADD Law Enforcement Recognition Awards was such an inspiring event honoring those who save lives every day! I'm grateful to join Mothers Against Drunk Driving to recognize our officers for keeping our roads safe. With my bill AB 366, I'm working hand in hand with law enforcement to strengthen DUI prevention and protect our communities.
It was great seeing Mayor Larry Agran, Vice Mayor James Mai and Councilmember Betty Martinez Franco in Sacramento to talk all things Irvine — from the Great Park to affordable housing, homelessness prevention, Irvine Cares, and transportation. Grateful for their partnership!
Nothing beats some friendly Northern vs Southern California competition…particularly when Southern California brings home the victory!
Last week, I joined my colleagues on the field for the 8th Annual Capitol Cup, the Legislature's annual charitable soccer match, to raise money for the California Fire Foundation. It was a fun and competitive game, and we raised $70,000 to support families of fallen firefighters, firefighters in need, and the communities they protect. I am grateful to be part of this meaningful tradition and am already looking forward to next year!
A little Disney magic goes a long way! I had a great time connecting with representatives from Disney for an update on the DisneylandForward project, their continued investment in the community and workforce, and the exciting plans on the horizon.
Always grateful for the insightful conversations with our California Teachers Association representatives. We discussed the state budget and key legislative issues impacting our public schools, students, and educators.
I had the pleasure of meeting with CALNENA, the dedicated professionals behind our state's public safety emergency dispatch systems, during their Capitol visit. Grateful for their tireless work keeping our communities safe!
My team was honored to meet with representatives from NAACP CA/HI, including Terri Lewis-Jones, who also serves as President of the OC Chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women. We discussed shared priorities around equity, empowerment, and strengthening our communities. Grateful for their leadership and partnership in driving positive change!
Our Young Legislators session with UC Irvine was a fantastic deep dive into the intersection of healthcare and public policy. Huge thanks Alberto Sandoval, Assistant Vice Chancellor, and Dr. Susanne Phillips, Senior Associate Dean at the Sue & Bill School of Nursing, for sharing insights and leading an engaging discussion. Our Participants also got a behind-the-scenes look at UCI's Nursing Simulation Lab, where future healthcare professionals train using cutting-edge clinical tools. Grateful for this inspiring and informative visit!
Happy almost Pride Month! Team Cottie was proud to join the celebration at the City of Irvine's Pride event this week—connecting with the community, sharing resources, and honoring the legacy of leaders like Harvey Milk, who paved the way for equality and inclusion.
Irvine just got another delicious addition! Congratulations to Monaco Kitchen on their grand opening! From elevated dishes crafted with care to bold new takes on timeless flavors, Monaco is redefining Italian cuisine in the best way. Wishing the team much success and many happy customers ahead.
Irvine continues to shine as one of the best places to live and raise a family! WalletHub recently ranked Irvine the 4th best city in the U.S. to raise a family, based on a comprehensive study of over 180 cities and 45 key metrics—including housing affordability, school quality, healthcare access, and family-friendly amenities.
One of the standout reasons families thrive in Irvine is the city's incredible park system. Just this week, the Trust for Public Land ranked Irvine 2nd in the nation—and 1st in California—in its 2025 ParkScore Index. This marks the 10th consecutive year Irvine has earned a top 10 ranking, highlighting the city's ongoing investment in green spaces, outdoor recreation, and a high quality of life for residents of all ages.
COMMUNITY RECOGNITION
Congratulations to this year's Save Our Youth's (SOY) scholarship recipients! 55 incredible students were awarded a total of $300,000 in scholarships—an amazing testament to their hard work, leadership, and commitment to academic excellence. Your dedication is inspiring, and we can't wait to see all the great things you'll accomplish. The future is bright!
The sky's the limit! Congratulations to the graduates of the John Wayne Airport Air Academy! Participants got a behind-the-scenes look at how tech, service, and strong partnerships keep the airport running smoothly.
Team Cottie was honored to be a part of the PFAS Treatment Plant Dedication in the City of Tustin. Thank you to the city and the Orange County Water District for your unwavering commitment to delivering clean, safe, and reliable drinking water to our communities. This milestone is a big step forward in protecting public health and our environment.
Behind every great school are incredible people making it all happen! Congratulations to the outstanding recipients of the Tustin Unified School District's Classified Employee of the Year award! Your dedication, hard work, and heart make a world of difference for TUSD students every single day.
Also recognizing the amazing classified employees at the Newport-Mesa Unified School District, whose tireless efforts and commitment to excellence help shape a strong, supportive learning environment. Your work often happens behind the scenes, but its impact is front and center. Thank you for going above and beyond for our schools, our students, and our future.
RESOURCES
Missed our "Protect Yourself from Frauds and Scams" webinar? We teamed up with the Department of Financial Protection & Innovation to share important tips on how to spot and avoid common scams. Click the link above to watch the full webinar or view the presentation to catch up on what you missed!
Struggling to land interviews? EDD has got you covered! Their workshops are designed to help you boost your job search skills and land the role you've been aiming for. Check out our upcoming workshops below and take the next step in your career journey.
California is launching a new incentive that will provide income-eligible Californians up to $2,000 toward the purchase of a new e-bike – the latest example of how the state is expanding access to zero-emissions transportation options to residents who need the boost the most. Up to 1,000 online applications will be approved. Applications will only be accepted on May 29 from 5-6 p.m. Check eligibility and apply below.
UPCOMING EVENTS
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!
June 4 - Protect Yourself from AI Scams Webinar
AI-powered scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, making it harder to distinguish fact from fiction. Join our crucial webinar to explore the emerging landscape of AI-related scams and fraud. We'll talk about deepfakes, AI-generated phishing attempts, and other manipulative tactics. Learn how to spot the red flags, protect your identity, and safeguard your finances in the age of AI. Don't be caught off guard – register today and stay ahead of the curve!
June 4 - Costa Mesa Dental Clinic
Join us to receive dental services for all ages from Families Together of Orange County, including Dental Exams and Cleanings. Families Together accepts Medi-Cal and PPO insurance. Patients with HMO insurance are kindly referred to the dental provider assigned to them by their plan.
Uninsured? You are welcome. Families Together can provide a free dental exam at the clinic. Some patients may be referred to their office for follow-up care, which may include a charge.
June 7 - Irvine Free Paper Shredding Event
In partnership with the City of Irvine, Waste Management is hosting a free paper-shredding event Saturday, June 7, 9–11 a.m. at Lakeview Senior Center. Irvine Residents can safely and securely dispose of up to five banker-size file boxes. The event is first-come, first-served and will end early if the truck capacity is reached. Customers who wish to watch their paper be shredded will need to park in a designated area away from the truck and staff.
June 7 - Costa Mesa Community Health Resource Fair
You're invited to join Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris, Supervisor Katrina Foley, Congressman Dave Min, CalOptima Health, County of Orange, City of Costa Mesa, and nonprofit organizations for a FREE Community Health Resource Fair at Lions Park in Costa Mesa!
- Learn about community resources for basic needs, health and wellness and mental health resources
- Apply for CalFresh and Medi-Cal
- Free health and dental screenings
- Free diapers and food distribution (while supplies last)
- Enjoy family-fun activities
