Press Releases

Irvine, CA — Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Irvine) and Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County hosted Hunger Action Month volunteer events at the Second Harvest Distribution Center and Harvest Solutions Farm in Irvine. September is Hunger Action Month – a nationwide campaign uniting food banks, anti-hunger organizations and community members to raise awareness and inspire action against hunger. Over 100 volunteers harvested and packaged 16,000 pounds of mixed produce.

San Francisco, CA — Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a sweeping package of landmark energy bills designed to lower electricity costs for families, strengthen California’s energy reliability, stabilize fuel markets, and accelerate the state’s progress toward clean energy and climate resilience.

Sacramento, CA — Affordability remains one of the most pressing challenges for Californians. This year, Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Irvine) delivered major wins to lower costs for ratepayers and accelerate California’s clean energy transition. Working closely with colleagues in the Legislature, she championed landmark legislation that puts money back in families’ pockets while building a more reliable and sustainable energy future.

Costa Mesa CA — Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris celebrated the groundbreaking of the Avon River Apartments, a new Homekey-funded development that will transform a former Travelodge motel into permanent supportive housing for Orange County residents experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Assemblywoman Petrie-Norris helped secure $29 million in Homekey grant funding to support the project.

Tustin, CA – Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris, Orange County United Way and local partners provided over 1,400 school supply kits to students in the Tustin Unified School District through the 3rd Annual Tustin School Supply Drive. The school supply kits—filled with essential items like backpacks, notebooks, paper and writing utensils—will be distributed to elementary students at Title I schools by teachers and Family Resource Centers as the new school year begins.

Tustin, CA – Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris honored Arvida Book Co., a woman-owned, independent bookstore in Old Town Tustin, as the 2025 Small Business of the Year for California’s 73rd Assembly District. 

Each year, Assemblywoman Petrie-Norris invites community members to nominate a local small business that has made a meaningful and lasting impact in their community. This year’s honoree, Arvida Book Co., stood out as a vibrant cultural and community hub, promoting literacy, inclusivity, and a love for storytelling in Orange County.

Irvine, CA – On Friday, July 18, Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris and Girls Inc. of Orange County hosted the 2nd Annual IgniteHER Girls Summit at Irvine Valley College, attended by over 200 7th-11th grade girls from across Orange County.

The City of Costa Mesa has received state funding from Assembly Woman Cottie Petrie-Norris to expand the existing behavioral health care program at the Costa Mesa Bridge Shelter by assigning 15 additional beds.

The $750,000 in state budget funding secured by Petrie-Norris (D-Irvine) will assist individuals experiencing homelessness who have serious mental illness or substance abuse disorders.

Sacramento, CA – This year, Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris proudly launched the inaugural Young Legislators Program, welcoming a cohort of 29 passionate and civic-minded high school students from Costa Mesa, Irvine and Tustin.

“This extraordinary group of young leaders gives me so much hope for the future,” said Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Irvine). “They showed incredible insight, dedication, and compassion—and I’m so proud to have shared this journey with them.”

Irvine, CA – On Saturday, Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris and Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County hosted a Harvest Solutions Farm Volunteer Event in Irvine to help harvest seasonal produce so that Orange County residents have consistent access to nutritious food creating a foundation for community health and well-being.