Welcome to "Catching Up With Cottie" - a weekly update about what I am working on as your representative in the California State Assembly.
I was thrilled to welcome President Bill Clinton to Irvine this week. He joined Masimo CEO Joe Kiani to discuss the inspiring work that the Clinton Foundation and Masimo are doing to combat the opioid crisis, highlighting how we all have a role to play to curb the effects of this epidemic and save lives. It was great to learn about Masimo's innovative devices designed to prevent overdoses, save lives, and reduce the stigma surrounding opioid use.
Last year alone, over 100,000 lives were lost to the opioid epidemic. That's too many. As a mother of two boys, this crisis deeply concerns me. I am committed to ensuring our communities are safe from the opioid crisis.
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
At this week's budget committee meeting, I was particularly focused on the Legislature's renewed commitment to ensuring that the dollars we spend deliver tangible results. As elected officials, we are responsible for allocating your tax dollars, so it is imperative that we also rigorously track the impact they have on the ground. Since my first day in office, I have prioritized government efficiency and accountability.
Team Cottie hosted several successful events throughout the district last week, including a car seat safety event at Free Chapel Orange County in Irvine. Officers from our local California Highway Patrol field office helped make this event happen, safely securing almost two-dozen car seats! When traveling with your little ones, it's important to make sure that your car seats and booster seats are properly installed and used. Effective January 1, 2017, children under 2 years old must use a rear-facing child safety seat unless they exceed either 40 pounds or 40 inches in height. Stay tuned for more car seat inspection events!
Turnout for our final Household Waste and Shredding event of the year did not disappoint! Thank you to the City of Tustin and Caltrans for co-hosting the event with me - it was one of our most successful household waste events of the year.
Congratulations to the OC Sheriff on the grand opening of the new Technology Center in Tustin! This state-of-the-art facility will bring three divisions under one roof, boosting operational efficiency and effectiveness. It is important for Orange County to have the best tools and technologies available to prevent crime from occurring and to keep our communities safe.
Team Cottie was delighted to partner with the City of Tustin and Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County at the Tustin Area Senior Center to connect with our senior community, ensuring they are informed about the some of the available state resources, including the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI), the Bureau of Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse, and the California State Controller and exploring how we my office can best support them!
I will be hosting a Senior Scam Stopper Seminar in Tustin on September 18th in partnership with the Department of Financial Protection & Innovation and the Department of Insurance.
Thank you Girls Inc. of Orange County for inviting Team Cottie to attend the 2024 Smart-Ups Business Demonstration & Live Shark Tank event! The participants presented very impressive ideas and showed true leadership and confidence. Congratulations to all awardees and participants! I also want to take this opportunity to congratulate Girls Inc. on celebrating their 70th anniversary this year and thank them for the incredible work they do to empower our next generation of girls and young women! I look forward to our IgniteHer Summit on July 26th!
COMMUNITY RECOGNITION
Congratulations to Dr. Phyllis Agran for being named the Physician of the Year by the Orange County Medical Association! Thank you promoting optimal health for children through educating care providers, creating health initiatives, and advocating for all OC pediatricians.
Congratulations to Big Blue Swim School on making a splash with your grand opening in Tustin! Wishing you continued success and many more waves of achievement.
RESOURCES
The Judicial Council of California has launched the "MyCitations" tool to allow people to look up their citation, answer a series of simple questions and submit a request to the court for a possible reduction in the amount owed. Users can also request a payment plan, more time to pay or community service. An important alternative to appearing in person, this new option saves both the public and the courts significant time and resources.
California is investing in the next generation! High School students will now be taught financial literacy as a graduation requirement. Also, The State of California launched CalKIDS, a new program that provides eligible families with free money for college. California newborns can receive up to $175 and eligible California public school students can receive up to $1,500. CalKIDS was created to help families kickstart their college savings plan and increase access to higher education.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Jul 3 - Costa Mesa Independence Day Celebration
The City of Costa Mesa is hosting a FREE Independence Day Community Celebration on July 3 at the OC Fair & Event Center. Bring your own picnic, lawn chairs and blanket and create a memorable day as we celebrate our nation's independence! Food and drinks will be available for purchase. Live music performance by the Tijuana Dogs and 80's All-Starz!
Jul 4 - Tustin Fourth of July Celebration
The City of Tustin invites you to its annual Fourth of July celebration at Tustin High School! The celebration will feature live music, fireworks, and delicious food. Festivities begin at 6:00 p.m. and fireworks at 9:00 p.m.
Jul 13 - Sustainable Saturday Social
Victoria Square will be hosting a Sustainable Saturday Social in Costa Mesa on July 13, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Join your neighbors to learn about sustainable living, protecting our environment and shopping local.
Jul 26 - IgniteHer Girls Summit
Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris and Girls Inc. of Orange County invite 7th-9th Grade girls to participate in a FREE IgniteHER Girls Summit on Friday, July 26, from 10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. at Orange Coast College.
