Welcome to "Catching Up With Cottie" - a weekly update about what I am working on as your representative in the California State Assembly.
April is both Earth Month and National Volunteer Month, a time to raise environmental awareness, to celebrate and recognize the contributions of volunteers, and to inspire people to take a part in protecting and uplifting our community.
On Saturday, I hosted an event with Second Harvest Food Bank to harvest fresh produce that will be distributed to individuals and families served by the Food Bank's distribution network throughout the county. Despite the forecast, more than ONE HUNDRED volunteers joined my team, and together, we harvested more than 12,000 pounds of broccoli!!
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
Last Monday, the Assembly Budget Committee met to make our first set of recommendations to address the state's budget shortfall. It is inevitable that we will make tough decisions to close the budget gap, but our goal is to protect education, public safety, and housing and homelessness programs. As we work with the Senate and the Governor to address the deficit, I will continue to prioritize transparency and accountability.
On Tuesday I met with the Association of California Cities - Orange County during their annual advocacy day. We had great discussions on OC cities priorities and issues related to energy.
I also met with Planned Parenthood of Orange County and San Bernardino (PPOSBC). I am proud to stand with PPOSBC and to support their work improving access to physical, mental, and reproductive healthcare in our community. Last year, alone, our local affiliate served more than 130,600 unique patients in our community - an astonishing number!
It was quite the week to see friends from home in Sacramento! Wednesday included a meeting with local doctors from the Orange County Medical Association. We had a lively conversation about the role of artificial intelligence technologies in medicine!
I am honored to be among only a handful of women to ever chair the Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy, and I was honored to speak last week at the monthly "Women In Energy" lunch meeting! The group was formed to bring together women working in all parts of the energy sector to explore new technologies, understand complicated issues, and to pursue reasonable policy solutions in a safe space. Thank you for letting me share my story with you and for your support as I take on chairing this committee!
Over the weekend, I met with Orange County Fire Authority Chief Brian Fennessy to discuss the County's wildfire mitigation efforts and to see some of the equipment that our brave firefighters use to combat wildfires. In 2019, I secured $4.5 million for OCFA's Fire Integrated Real Time Intelligence System (FIRIS), a program that uses up-to-date technology (ex: drones) to identify fires in their infancy to prevent growth. Due to its success, the program has since been duplicated and expanded throughout California! Thank you to OCFA for their continued efforts to keep our communities safe every day.
Team Cottie attended the Orange County United Way's annual Scorecard Event to learn about the remarkable milestones that include helping students succeed, housing individuals, and assisting families with gaining financial independence. Thank you for making a difference!
COMMUNITY RECOGNITION
On Thursday, Team Cottie was honored to join the Tustin Area Council for Fine Arts in celebrating Tustin's outstanding student artists and incredible teachers. Thank you TACFA for helping develop, showcase, and support the arts in our community.
We were also honored to join the ribbon cutting for the Jessie Rees Foundation in the city of Irvine. The Jessie Rees Foundation was inspired by eleven-year-old Jessica Joy Rees (Jessie), who fought terminal brain cancer. During Jessie's courageous fight, she realized thousands of other kids could not leave the hospital. This inspired Jessie to create her fun-filled JoyJars ® and deliver them to kids battling cancer while encouraging them to NEGU ® (Never Ever Give Up).
I join you in carrying on Jessie's legacy and her vision to instill hope and joy in the hearts of children fighting their toughest battles. Thank you for your tireless work to provide JoyJars to children all over the world. Your inexhaustible empathy is truly inspirational.
Congratulations to Malaia's Microgreens for receiving the 2023 CDFA Urban Agriculture Grant! This opportunity will ensure they can double the size of their hydroponic vertical farm by the end of 2024. To give back to the community, they have committed to dedicating 10% of their new farm space to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County. I had the distinct opportunity to meet owners Malaia Martinez and Jaebin Yoo during one of my small business roundtable discussions, so I was proud to support their grant application.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Apr 20 - Earth Day River Channel Cleanup
Join me and Orange County Coastkeeper for a River Channel Cleanup in celebration of Earth Day. You can prevent hundreds of pounds of trash from entering the marine environment. Invite your friends and family to take action, preserve California's coastal waterways for generations to come, and discuss legislation protecting the oceans and environment.
Apr 20 - Costa Mesa Household Waste Event
Do you have bulky household items you need to throw away? Bring your household waste to the Costa Mesa Senior Center on Saturday, April 20 from 8-11 a.m.
Apr 20 - Costa Mesa Earth Day Festival
Join me at Costa Mesa City Hall for an Earth Day Festival on Saturday, April 20, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for a day of fun activities and sustainable education.
Apr 24 - DFPI Financial Literacy Resource Webinar
Unlock the Path to Financial Empowerment! Register for and join the California Department of Financial Protection & Innovation's (DFPI) 2024 Financial Literacy Resource Webinar. This year, DFPI is highlighting how you can safeguard your finances, spot the red flags, and protect yourself from frauds and scams.
Apr 27 - Costa Mesa Prescription Drug Take Back Event
On April 27, the Costa Mesa Police Department is participating in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day by providing a safe, convenient and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs. You are encouraged to drop off - anonymously and free of charge - your expired, unused or unneeded prescription drugs to the Costa Mesa Police Department. No RSVP required. For more information, please contact the Costa Mesa Police Department at (714) 754-5280.
Apr 27 - Irvine Prescription Drug Take Back Event
On April 27, the Irvine Police Department is participating in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. Community members can drop off unwanted medications (excluding sharps and liquids) for free at two designated locations in the City of Irvine - Hoag Health Center and Irvine Police Department.
