SACRAMENTO – California lawmakers have approved $8 million dollars towards the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to conserve Banning Ranch, one of the last remaining parcels of privately owned land along the Southern California coast. The 385-acre property has long been eyed for its potential as a public park, nature preserve, and outdoor recreation destination.
SACRAMENTO – Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Laguna Beach), Chair of the Accountability & Administrative Review Committee, released the following statement after voting for Senate Bill 129, the 2021-22 state budget bill:
“A budget is a statement of values, and this year’s budget opens windows of opportunity and invests billions in California’s future.
SACRAMENTO – Laguna Beach-based Pacific Marine Mammal Center (PMMC) is being honored by the State Legislature as the 2021 California Nonprofit of the Year for Assembly District 74. The Pacific Marine Mammal Center focuses on rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing marine mammals and inspiring ocean stewardship through research, education and collaboration. To date, the center has rescued more than 10,000 animals ranging from seals and sea lions to dolphins and sea turtles.
SACRAMENTO – Laguna Beach Books has been selected as part of the Small Business Spotlight for Assembly District 74. This Laguna Beach-based small business was founded in 2006 and is one of the last remaining independent bookstores in Orange County.
SACRAMENTO – Toast Kitchen + Bakery has been honored as part of the Local Restaurant Spotlight for Assembly District 74. This Costa Mesa-based restaurant is known for its tasty pies, chicken & waffles and ice cream.
Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Laguna Beach) has signed on to a letter authored by her colleagues Assemblymembers Tim Grayson (D-Concord) and Tom Daly (D-Anaheim) urging Governor Gavin Newsom to increase reserves in the proposed 2021-22 State Budget. Several other members joined the authors in support, including: Assemblymembers Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, Marc Berman, Jim Frazier, Laura Friedman, Jesse Gabriel, Eduardo Garcia, Jacqui Irwin, Evan Low, Jose Medina, Sharon Quirk-Silva, James Ramos, Robert Rivas, Blanca Rubio, Rudy Salas, and Carlos Villapudua.
SACRAMENTO – Legislation to expand access to domestic violence services, authored by Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris, has passed the Senate Public Safety with unanimous bipartisan support. AB 689 will allow for survivors of domestic violence to seek help via text and other computer-based technologies.
SACRAMENTO – The State Assembly has passed legislation to expand access to community-based care for medically frail seniors. The Program for All-Inclusive Care (PACE) provides medical and dental care, meal assistance, transportation services, family caregiver respite, physical therapy and socialization activities that enable seniors to age in the comfort of their own home instead of nursing homes.
SACRAMENTO – After tens of thousands of fraudulent claims and more than $810 million taxpayer dollars lost, the California State Assembly voted to pass legislation to implement standard fraud-prevention practices at California's Employment Development Department (EDD). AB 110, authored by Assemblywoman Cottie-Petrie-Norris, will require the Employment Development Department (EDD) to cross-check incarceration records in order to prevent paying fraudulent benefits and wasting taxpayer dollars.
SACRAMENTO – With bipartisan support in the Legislature, AB 72 – The 2021 Coastal Adaptation Permitting Act – passed out of the Assembly. AB 72, authored by Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris, will rationalize the regulatory approval process for critical coastal adaptation projects.