Press Releases

SACRAMENTO – On Monday, July 12, 2021, Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris, Chair of the Select Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, will convene a hearing focused on small business recovery following the COVID-19 Pandemic. Panelists will present data of the current state of recovery and policy solutions for critical challenges facing small businesses. 

SACRAMENTO — The Senate Health Committee has passed legislation to increase access to wraparound healthcare services that enable seniors to age in the comfort of their own communities instead of nursing homes. AB 540 will help thousands of California’s growing population of seniors by improving beneficiary awareness and access to the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). 
 

SACRAMENTO – After more than $810 million taxpayer dollars were stolen last year, a bill to implement standard fraud-prevention practices at California's Employment Development Department (EDD) passed out of the Senate Public Safety Committee. Authored by Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris, AB 110 will require the Employment Development Department (EDD) to cross-check incarceration records with unemployment claims in order to prevent paying fraudulent benefits and wasting taxpayer dollars.
 

SACRAMENTO – In a win in the fight against climate change, Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris’ bill to expand critical coastal restoration work passed through the Senate’s Natural Resources and Water Committee with unanimous support. AB 63 permits restoration in marine conservation areas, expanding opportunities for marine life restoration projects that reduce the effects of climate change and human impacts like oil spills and overfishing.

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.