Catching up with Cottie - 10/01

Welcome to "Catching Up With Cottie" - a weekly update about what I am working on as your representative in the California State Assembly.

It was wonderful to catch up with OC Sheriff Don Barnes and to tour the new Technology Center in Tustin. This state-of-the-art facility brings 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.

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 am proud to announce that 12 of my bills were signed into law by Governor Newsom! These bills represent my priorities in the State Capitol including: protecting the community, especially children, from gun violence and strengthening California’s gun safety laws, lowering energy costs and strengthening the reliability of our electricity grid.

I was back in Sacramento this week to chair a final Assembly hearing of the Special Session Committee on Petroleum & Gasoline Supply. I introduced a new bill, ABX2-9, to combat fuel supply disruptions, improve market liquidity, and lower costs for California families. I’m pleased to share that the bill received unanimous, bi-partisan support from the Committee. I’ll keep you posted on our progress!

A huge thank you to the Orange County Inland Empire Small Business Development Center, City of Costa Mesa, and Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce for your incredible partnership! Our Small Business Clinic was a success! Local business owners had the opportunity to receive free, one-on- one consultations with experts, equipping them with the tools they need to grow and thrive.

My team was excited to be part of this year’s Costa Mesa Senior Center Knowledge & Health Fair Expo, hosted by the City of Costa Mesa, where seniors and their families came together to learn about the invaluable resources and services available in our community. Team Cottie is here to support and connect with our amazing seniors, sharing important information about our services and how we can help!

To wrap up Emergency Preparedness Month, Team Cottie partnered with the American Red Cross for a lifesaving CPR! Having these critical skills is essential for everyone—being prepared can make all the difference in an emergency. I invite you to check out their preparedness resources!

COMMUNITY RECOGNITION

The Costa Mesa Sanitary District is celebrating 80 years of service! Thank you for your remarkable commitment to keeping our city clean, sustainable, and thriving. Here's to many more years of exceptional service!

Team Cottie was excited to join the Greater Irvine Chamber for a couple of grand openings this week in Irvine! Our team was there to celebrate Lazy Dog’s newest location.

The team also welcomed Hera Hub, a business accelerator that offers private offices, meeting and conference rooms, and collaborative workspace! Congratulations to both businesses and wishing you continued success!

RESOURCES

The California Department of Motor Vehicles announced that drivers 70-years-old and older in California whose licenses expire in 2024 and beyond will no longer be required to take a written knowledge test beginning October 1st. An office visit is still required for a vision exam and an updated photo for those 70 and older who are renewing a driver’s license.

California Clean Air Day is October 2. Enjoy a FREE ride on OC Bus or Metrolink and make a difference for the planet. By choosing sustainable transportation, you're helping to reduce pollution and decrease traffic on our roads.

OCTA crews are preparing to reconfigure the northbound MacArthur Boulevard off-ramp for the SR-55 Improvement Project, which requires an extended ramp closure scheduled from Friday, Oct.11, to Monday, Oct. 21.

As part of its ongoing sustainability efforts, Costa Mesa Sanitary District (CMSD) is implementing a residential three-cart curbside collection program! This new system is customer friendly, increases diversion from landfills, promotes source separation and will meet State regulatory requirements. Starting on October 7, 2024, there will be some changes in how customers sort their waste and in how CMSD's waste hauler, CR&R, collects and processes organic and recyclable materials.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Oct. 2 - Path to Homeownership Webinar

Are you ready to take the first step toward owning a home? Join this FREE webinar to learn about the homebuying process, how to prepare, how to avoid mistakes, and the resources and financial assistance to achieving the dream of homeownership. Special guest speakers include the California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA) and Department of Real Estate (DRE); who will also be answering your questions live!

Oct. 3 - Home Insurance Workshop

Join a FREE interactive virtual workshop hosted by my office and the Automobile Club of Southern California that is designed to educate the public on insurance coverage, risks and claims. This workshop will help you better understand policies and coverage, and private practical and simple tips to help avoid potential losses.

Oct. 4 to 6 - Tustin Tiller Days

The Tustin Tiller Days Festival features a carnival with rides, midway games, and food wagons. Admission is free.

Oct. 4 - Costa Mesa Coffee With A Cop

The Costa Mesa Police Department is hosting an event for National Coffee with a Cop Day. Next Friday, Oct. 4, from 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., for a free cup of coffee, pastries, and a friendly chat with officers at the Northgate Mercado.

Oct. 5 - Irvine Global Village Festival

The Irvine Global Village Festival returns to the Great Park Saturday, October 5, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. This vibrant celebration of cultures offers a variety of interactive, family-friendly experiences for the community.

Oct. 10 - Costa Mesa Dental Clinic

Join us during National Dental Hygiene Month at the Costa Mesa Senior Center to receive free dental care from Families Together of Orange County. Services provided include dental exams, cleanings, and x-rays.

Oct. 12 - Tustin E-Bike Community Presentation

Join the Tustin Police Department on Saturday, October 12th from 10:00 am - 11:00 am, at the Tustin Area Senior Center located at 200 S. C St. in the city of Tustin, for a free presentation on E-bike classifications, rules of the road, and more!