Political Watch

• U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-California) cosponsored the introduction of two bills that expand access to paid leave in the United States, according to a May 19 statement from Padilla’s office. The Healthy Families Act would ensure that workers can earn up to seven job-protected sick days each year to recover from their own illnesses, […]

• U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara), U.S. Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Alex Padilla, and 12 other California members of Congress urged the U.S. Department of Commerce to prioritize completing the designation process for the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary off the Central Coast, according to a May 10 statement from Carbajal’s office. The Department […]

• U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) recently visited the North T-Pier in Morro Bay to highlight the impact that $1.5 million in federal funds will have in repairs and upgrades to the structure, which is critical to the city’s residents, industries, and tourism revenue, according to a May 4 statement from the congressman’s office. […]

• The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) was set to host a public forum on May 3 to discuss the license renewal process for Diablo Canyon Power Plant, agreeing to an invitation from U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara), according to a statement from the representative’s office. The commission planned to answer questions directly from Central […]

• Sen. Monique Limón (D-Santa Barbara) recently introduced Senate Bill 584: The Laborforce Housing Fund, alongside the State Building and Construction Trades Council of California. This bill will establish an ongoing funding source for local governments to create needed low-income and middle-income housing units across California, according to Limón’s office. Specifically, the Laborforce Housing Fund […]

• U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-California) met with families, small-business owners, and farmers in Watsonville and Pajaro impacted by the recent storms in California, according to an April 12 statement from the senator’s office. During his visit, Padilla surveyed damage near Highway 1 where the breached Pajaro River levee caused devastating flooding to surrounding communities. […]

• On July 25, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that the state and a group of automakers signed an agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions produced by cars and trucks. Newsom announced this plan as President Donald Trump and his administration prepare to reduce federal vehicle emission standards. Ford, Honda, BMW of North America, and the […]