Welcome to "Catching Up With Cottie" - a weekly update about what I am working on as your representative in the California State Assembly.
The last few weeks in Sacramento have been particularly busy, with more than a dozen committee hearings taking place weekly. This week, I finished presenting all of my bills to Assembly policy committees, as we approach the deadline for legislation to pass the Assembly on May 24.
I am proud of the bill package that I introduced this year. It includes bills to combat gun violence in our communities, increase access to high-quality reproductive healthcare, keep drunk drivers off our roadways, and protect taxpayer dollars. I am also hard at work on a package of bills that will ensure California's clean energy transition remains affordable and reliable for everyone - stay tuned for more!
On a personal note, Colin and I celebrated our wedding anniversary on Sunday, April 28th. The photo below was taken the day that we were engaged - April 2000!
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
Last week, I shared that I was preparing to present my legislation to require all individuals convicted of drunk driving to install a breathalyzer in their vehicle. I am proud to announce that, on Tuesday, it passed out of the Assembly Public Safety Committee with unanimous, bipartisan support!
Every day, drunk drivers kill 37 people in this country. If signed into law, AB 2210 will be called "Angel's Law," after Angel Renteria, a young woman who was only 16 years old when she was struck by a drunk driver while walking her dog. Angel spent five months in the hospital and suffered severe brain injuries, which left her paralyzed and unable to speak or feed herself. Angel and her mother joined me to testify in support of the bill, and I am incredibly thankful for their bravery.
Angel's Law provides a real opportunity to save lives by preventing tragedies like these before the car even starts. You can learn more about Angel's story and my bill by watching this ABC10 segment or this Spectrum News segment.
I met with the Federation of Teachers representatives to discuss the importance of high quality education on our campuses and of ensuring that our students have the conditions necessary to achieve academic success.
It was also great to catch up with the American Council of Engineering Companies of California who represent over 1,000 engineering and land surveying firms and nearly 25,000 professionals. We had a robust discussion around public works and infrastructure projects in California.
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and every year, the legislature observes Denim Day to protest the myth that the clothing you wear invites sexual assault and rape - two of the most common, but hidden, traumas and crimes. The "Denim Day" campaign began after the Italian Supreme Court overturned a rape conviction because the justices felt that the tight jeans that the victim was wearing implied consent. The following day, the women in the Italian Parliament came to work wearing jeans in solidarity with the victim.
Every year since, on the last Wednesday in April, individuals all over the world wear denim on this day as a visible means of protest against the misconceptions that surround sexual violence. When we stand together and bring these issues out of the shadows, we can force change, change the narrative, and expand services for survivors.
On Wednesday, Team Cottie had the opportunity to listen to Costa Mesa Mayor John Stephens deliver the City's annual "State of the City" address. Mayor Stephens highlighted the city's successful efforts to expand shelter beds and improve access to mental health services. He shared accomplishments in public safety, infrastructure, and education that make Costa Mesa "The Place we Belong."
Some tragedies in human history are so great, so far reaching, that their impacts are felt through the centuries. Wednesday, April 24th marked the very somber 109th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, a horrific atrocity that ended with the deaths of 1.5 million men, women, and children. On Sunday, my team joined City of Irvine, at the Great Park, for a site dedication for the future Armenian Genocide Memorial to remember the lives lost and to honor the resilience of the Armenian community.
COMMUNITY RECOGNITION
Team Cottie joined the Rotary Club of Tustin-Santa Ana to honor their long time member, Gerry Aust, by celebrating the Gerry Aust High School Scholarship recipients. Gerry was a lifelong educator, dedicated to uplifting our Tustin students and community. Congratulations to the awardees - your futures are incredibly bright.
In Irvine, we got to see the wonderful art exhibition up at the City Hall and recognize the incredibly talented High School student artists!
RESOURCES
Applications are now open for the Legislative Women's Caucus's scholarship programs - the "Minerva Scholarship" and the "Breaking Barriers Scholarship."
The Breaking Barriers Scholarship Program is designed to support female students enrolled in certification, apprenticeship, or other STEM-specific job training programs, or who are pursuing a degree in a STEM field. The Minerva Scholarship Program is a more general scholarship program designed to support female students in their pursuit of a higher education degree. More information about each program is available on the foundation's website.
Last year, we had two incredible Minerva Scholarship awardees in the 73rd Assembly District. Melany Castaneda, a SOY Youth Ambassador with an outstanding 3.8 GPA. She was accepted at UC Santa Cruz. The second awardee was Daisy Gomez, a very hard working single mom of two girls, who was attending UC Irvine.
The California State Library provides free online tutoring for California K-12 students, available through public libraries. Through HelpNow, live real-time homework assistance is available 24 hours a day by laptop, tablet, or phone from qualified tutors using state curriculum and standards. Anyone using a computer inside of California can benefit from the live "HelpNow" program. Simply visit the HelpNow login page to get started with a live tutoring session now. The average wait time is 23 seconds.
UPCOMING EVENTS
May 4 - CicloIrvine Open Streets Event
The City of Irvine is excited to celebrate community, connection, and clean air through its first-ever car-free open streets event, CicloIrvine, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 4. Residents, visitors, and businesses are invited to stroll, bike, and roll along nearly 2 miles of streets closed to cars along Barranca Parkway and Harvard Avenue.
May 18 - Costa Mesa Household Waste & Shredding Event
Do you have bulky household items you need to throw away or important documents to shred? Bring your household waste, e-waste and documents to Estancia High School on Saturday, May 18, from 8-11 a.m. (or until intake capacity is reached).
May 18 - Love Costa Mesa Day
Join my office, Trellis, City of Costa Mesa, and your neighbors for the 7th Annual Love Costa Mesa Volunteer Day! You can participate by hosting a volunteer project or volunteering.
May 22 - 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 provide practical and simple tips to help avoid potential losses.
