__SALUTATION__

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

The 2024 Legislative Session is in full swing. This year, I have introduced bills to address some of the key issues facing Orange County and California. I have authored bills to accelerate clean energy deployment, combat retail theft, and keep our communities safe from gun violence.

I am excited to share that I was appointed to Chair the Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee. In this role, I am working to lower utility prices and accelerate California's clean energy transition. These are critical priorities for our community and for all of California. We have a busy agenda for the year ahead.

As always, if you have questions or need assistance with a state program or agency, please reach out to my office. We are here to help!

Yours faithfully,


Cottie Petrie-Norris
California State Assemblywoman

I am committed to being accessible and available. To stay up to date, follow me on Facebook, Instagram and X.

Last week was a busy week for hearings in the Capitol! I chaired my first hearing as the Chair of the Assembly Committee on Utilities & Energy. 

I also partnered with Assemblymember Pilar Schiavo to host a joint hearing on electric vehicle charging infrastructure. There is nothing more frustrating than pulling up to an EV charger only to find it broken. Ensuring our communities have a reliable charging network is so important - California has got to get this right!

In the district, I had the opportunity to speak to a group of dynamic young women as part of GovTrek's leadership development program. I shared highlights about my journey as a businesswoman and an Assemblywoman, the work that I have done in the State Assembly, and how state government really works. I love connecting with our next generation of women leaders!

My team joined more than 600 Orange County business and community leaders as the 2024 Orange County Business Council Board of Directors was installed at OCBC's annual dinner. Congratulations to incoming Chairman Kevin Haboian and the board. I am looking forward to continuing our work together to help Orange County business thrive.

The evening also served to spotlight four OCBC member companies that have contributed to economic investment in our region. Honorees from this year's "Invest in OC Economic Development" award included Chipotle Mexican Grill for relocating its headquarters, Coca-Cola for consolidation, TS Conductor for new business, and Disneyland Resort for its expansion.

Congratulations to Waymakers for its 50^th celebration and grand opening, and welcome back to Irvine! Thank you for all you do to empower vulnerable members in our community and to ensure they have the resources they need to navigate through a crisis.

Finally, I want to send a heartfelt congratulations goes to students at University High for earning first place at the Los Angeles regional Ocean Sciences Bowl tournament. I am very proud of their academic excellence!

UPCOMING EVENTS

Mar 2 - 8^th OC Lantern Festival 2024

I will be joining the event hosted by South Coast Chinese Cultural Center and Pacific Symphony to celebrate the Lunar New Year. I look forward to meeting the community there!

Mar 9 - Car Seat Safety Event

Please join me, the California Highway Patrol, the Costa Mesa Police Department and the City of Costa Mesa for a car seat safety check-up event at Costa Mesa City Hall.

Mar 14 - 6^th Annual Women of the Year Event

In honor of Women's History Month, I will be recognizing three extraordinary women in the 73rd Assembly District for their service and leadership within our communities. Honorees will be announced soon!