Press Releases

SACRAMENTO – Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Irvine) presented Assembly House Resolution 121 to proclaim the week of August 29, 2022 as Overdose Awareness Week in California, a week to recognize and commemorate individuals who have lost their lives to overdose, as well as supporting families and those struggling with substance use disorder. The resolution passed the State Assembly. Advocates and organizations will be taking action by sharing statistics and personal stories to shine a light on the issue that is destroying lives and communities with a single pill.

HUNTINGTON BEACH — On Saturday, August 13, Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris along with OC Coastkeeper hosted a beach cleanup at the Huntington Beach State Park. The event saw a large turnout of 190 volunteers who quickly geared up and spread out across the coast to collect trash. Nearly 200 pounds of trash ranging from bags, bottles, cigarettes and other micro plastics.

NEWPORT BEACH — Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris honored Rose Bakery Café in Corona Del Mar as the restaurant spotlight for this month. Rose Bakery Café is a favorite among many Newport Beach residents and its popularity even extends out of state as many people come and enjoy dining there during their summer vacation.

Santa Ana, Calif. (July 21, 2022) The Orange County Board of Supervisors announced today that the County of Orange was awarded $10 million in state funding to continue delivering mental health services, support and resources for children in crisis and their family members. The Board has prioritized the transformation of Orange County’s approach to behavioral health through the “Be Well Orange County” initiative, a coalition between the County and behavioral health stakeholders in the private and public sectors.

Thanks to Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris for advocating local young people through investment in a new and improved play yard at the Boys & Girls Club in Laguna Beach. California’s Governor Gavin Newson has signed off on SB/AB 178 that includes: “$400,000 for the play yard for the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach to address physical, socio-emotional, and academic well-being with more PLAY and learning for local youth.

The State of California has approved $5 million in funding for the Cal-Bridge program which provides a pathway for underrepresented students in Community Colleges and the California State University system to pursue advanced Ph.D. degrees through the University of California   system and join the California science and technology workforce, including as public university faculty.

Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris recently secured $2.8 million in funding for the City of Irvine to renovate the playground at Sweet Shade Neighborhood Park, updating the recreational space to a Universal Playground that will meet the need of all residents regardless of ability. Sweet Shade is home to Sweet Shade Ability Center, where the City's Disability Services program provides activities for individuals with sensory, physical, or cognitive disabilities, and their family members.

Irvine, Calif., July 5, 2022 — The state of California, through an agreement between Gov. Gavin Newsom and the Legislature, has allocated $1.8 million to expand the University of California, Irvine’s Leveraging Inspiring Futures Through Educational Degrees effort, the first in-prison B.A. program in the UC system. LIFTED enables incarcerated individuals at the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego County to earn a bachelor’s degree in sociology from UCI.

SACRAMENTO—Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris, Chair of the Accountability & Administrative Review Committee, released the following statement after voting for the 2022-23 California State budget bills:

Huntington Beach- Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris has recognized Plants By Yours Truly and BYO as the Local Business Spotlight for June. These businesses operate in collaboration with one another to offer quality products that promote personal, mental and environmental wellbeing. Plants By Yours Truly owner, Melissa Murillo, provides a variety of services including plant care, interior plant design, and plant design for events while championing mental health awareness.