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04.21.21 New bill would expand domestic violence hotline services in California

Excerpted from Spectrum News 1

By Sarina Sandoval and Hannah Poukish

A Southern California legislator proposed a new law to help domestic violence centers expand their hotline services for victims of abuse.

Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Laguna Beach) introduced Assembly Bill 689 to support these organizations as they update their services to include computer chat and phone text platforms.

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04.21.21 Ghost guns could be regulated by new California bill

Excerpted from the Orange County Register

By Brooke Staggs

A man who went on a shooting rampage in the tiny Northern California town of Rancho Tehama Reserve in 2017, killing five people, had a court order prohibiting him from buying or owning guns.

But Kevin Janson Neal took advantage of a loophole in California laws aimed at keeping guns away from people flagged as dangerous: He built his own rifles at home.

04.19.21 Community picnic at Huntington Beach Central Park celebrates diversity

Excerpted from the Los Angeles Times

By Matt Szabo

Ample sunshine in Huntington Beach on Sunday provided a pleasant backdrop for hundreds to meet up at Central Park for a community picnic held to promote inclusion and diversity.

Attendees talked to community leaders, watched live music performances and visited a variety of food trucks.

04.19.21 Wealth Tax Proposal In California Splits Progressive, Moderate Lawmakers

Progressive lawmakers in California are pushing for an ambitious wealth tax on the ultra-rich, but moderate Democrats have chafed at the idea. 

Assembly Bill 310, dubbed The California Tax on Extreme Wealth, would impose an annual 1% tax on net worth over $50 million, and a 1.5% tax on net worth over $1 billion. It would also require a constitutional amendment to increase the state’s current wealth tax cap. 

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Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris (D–Laguna Beach) is one of several moderate Democrats who say the proposal is unworkable. 

04.19.21 Newport Beach planning $12 million system to fight Balboa Island flooding

Newport Beach isn’t alone in its fight against rising seas, lawmakers are also paying more attention to the coast’s vulnerability to sea level rise.

On April 15, two coastal protection bills authored by Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Laguna Beach) were passed unanimously by the Assembly’s Committee on Natural Resources. There are a slew of other bills under consideration in the Legislature with various proposals for addressing sea levels.

04.08.21 California advances bill aimed at massive unemployment fraud

Excerpted from the Los Angeles Times

By Don Thompson

California lawmakers on Thursday advanced what they called common sense legislation requiring two state agencies to share information aimed at helping stop billions of dollars in pandemic-related unemployment fraud.

The measure that cleared its first committee would require the beleaguered Employment Development Department to crosscheck unemployment applications with inmate records to identify fraudulent claims.

03.25.21 A wealth tax could sabotage California’s recovery

Excerpted from CalMatters

By Cottie Petrie-Norris, Tom Daly, Tim Grayson, Sharon Quirk-Silva, James Ramos, Carlos Villapudua and Blanca Rubio, Special to CalMatters

Feeling overtaxed and frustrated with the cost of doing business in California, some of the state’s wealthiest residents abruptly moved out of state in recent months.

03.23.21 Sen. Atkins Calls for Californians to Support Legislation to Fight Sea Level Rise

Excerpted from The Times of San Diego

By Chris Jennewein

Funding for SB 1 is included in a $5.5 billion bond measure that includes $970 million for coastal protection and restoration. That funding is intended to address sea level rise, which includes better local and regional planning and project investment. Some $100 million per year would be allocated for this effort.