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Welcome to "Catching Up With Cottie" - a weekly update about what I am working on as your representative in the California State Assembly.

I hope that you had a wonderful Mother's Day weekend. Happy Mother's Day to all of the women who nurtured us, sacrificed for us, and have made us who we are. I am thankful to be a mama to my two amazing boys!

I am grateful for the opportunity to serve, and I am committed to addressing the issues that are important to you. As always, if there is anything that my team or I can do to assist you with a local or state issue, if you have questions or concerns about what I am working on, or anything in between, please contact my office. My team and I are here to help!

Yours faithfully,


Cottie Petrie-Norris
California State Assemblywoman

This week, I was honored to join Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) to recognize the remarkable dedication of our local law enforcement officers and their unwavering commitment to safeguarding our community from the dangers posed by drunk drivers on our roads.

I am honored to stand arm-in-arm with MADD and our law enforcement partners to confront the serious threats posed by drunk driving, all with the shared goal of preserving lives. This steadfast commitment is why advocating for my bill AB 2210, to require mandatory Ignition Interlock Device (IID) installation for all DUI offenders to prevent drunk driving, remains one of my top priorities.

On Monday, we gathered at the Capitol to observe the 46th annual California Peace Officers Memorial Ceremony, a solemn tradition which honors the brave officers who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. This year, the names of eight officers were added to the Memorial Monument, joining more than 1,600 others whose lives were also taken too soon. Their unwavering dedication to safeguarding and protecting our communities will never be forgotten.

Several of my colleagues and I had an in-depth conversation with Jigar Shah, who oversees the U.S. Department of Energy Loan Programs Office. His office oversees $400 billion in clean energy loans and tax credits that will be critical in the development of clean energy infrastructure across the country. His office's goal is to make investing in cutting-edge, clean energy technologies cost-effective for investors, businesses, and ultimately, consumers.

And, a fun fact … TIME magazine named him one the "100 Most Influential People of 2024!"

Represenatives from the Electric Vehicle Charging Association also stopped by my office last week! I'm proud to partner with them on AB 2815, my bill to make it easier for communities to repair or replace older EV chargers. There is nothing more frustrating than arriving at an electric vehicle charging station with only a few miles left in your range, only to discover that the charger is out of order! Working together, we can alleviate this frustration and promote seamless electric vehicle charging experiences for all.

On Wednesday, I joined Reproductive Freedom for All and TEACH to kick off their annual Capitol lobby day! I am proud to be collaborating with you on AB 2490, my bill to expand and improve reproductive and sexual healthcare services in emergency departments to ensure equitable access for all patients - no matter their point of entry.

A huge thank you to the CalChamber for inviting me to be a part of its annual Capitol Summit! I joined representatives of the California Office of Small Business Advocate and the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce in a thoughtful conversation about empowering our local small businesses from the ground up so that they can grow and thrive.

Team Cottie was thrilled to participate in the groundbreaking of the Cultural Terrace at The Great Park. The project will soon be home to a constellation of cultural gems, including Pretend City Children's Museum, OC Music & Dance, Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum, and an upcoming Asian American heritage museum!

What a fitting tribute to close out Teacher Appreciation Week! It was a privilege for Team Cottie to participate in the Tustin Public School Foundation's "Teacher of the Year" reception, where we recognized the exceptional teachers who are shaping the next generation. Their commitment, creativity, and excellence, are truly commendable.

COMMUNITY RECOGNITION

Congratulations to these exceptional achievers for their well-deserved recognition as the distinguished students of the 2024 Coastline Regional Occupational Program! Your dedication and academic brilliance are paving the way for bright futures ahead!

"The Crewmates" from Irvine High School, are the champions of this year's Air & Space Force Association's StellarXplorers National Space Design Competition. They competed against more than 300 teams to solve various aviation and aerospace-related scenarios. I have no doubt your stellar academic abilities will take you up, up, and away!

Warm congratulations to Shake Shack on the grand opening of its Costa Mesa location - the second location in both Orange County and AD 73! Here's to your ongoing success!

RESOURCES

May is Bicycle Safety Month, and as we head into the warm summer months, let's remember to be safe on the roads. Nearly 1,000 bicyclists die and over 130,000 are injured in crashes that occur on U.S. roads every year-approximately 8,800 crashes in California, alone. Injuries and deaths among bicyclists are preventable through effective interventions.

The deadline for the "Minerva Scholarship" and the "Breaking Barriers Scholarship" is May 31st, 2024!

UPCOMING EVENTS

May 18 - Costa Mesa Household Waste & Shredding Event

Do you have bulky household items you need to throw away or important documents to shred? Bring your household waste, e-waste and documents to Estancia High School on Saturday, May 18, from 8-11 a.m. (or until intake capacity is reached).

May 18 - Love Costa Mesa Day

Join my office, Trellis, City of Costa Mesa, and your neighbors for the 7th Annual Love Costa Mesa Volunteer Day! You can participate by hosting a volunteer project or volunteering.

May 22 - Home Insurance Workshop

Join a FREE interactive virtual workshop hosted by my office and the Automobile Club of Southern California that is designed to educate the public on insurance coverage, risks and claims. This workshop will help you better understand policies and coverage, and provide practical and simple tips to help avoid potential losses.