Democrats on the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee approved Governor Newsom’s proposal to change state law retroactively to hand over $35 million to the partisan political firm SKDK, who simultaneously campaigned to elect President Biden last year and conducted “voter outreach.” Their work included e-mails to legislative staff. As …continue reading
Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) announced that she has reintroduced “Brandon’s Law” (Senate Bill 434) to prohibit an operator of rehabilitation treatment facilities from providing any form of false advertising or marketing services. The new bipartisan bill is identical to last year’s Senate Bill 863, which Sen. Bates placed on …continue reading
With street fentanyl surging in the western U.S. and causing thousands of deaths, Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) has reintroduced legislation to create a task force to improve Southern California’s response. Authored in partnership with Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes, Senate Bill 75would require the California Attorney General to establish …continue reading
Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) sent a letter signed by senators of both parties to Governor Gavin Newsom last Friday evening asking him to “reclassify restaurants as essential businesses, and adopt the industry’s protocols that would allow restaurants to operate safely.” The text of the letter is attached below. Click …continue reading
The California Chamber of Commerce (CalChamber) has awarded Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) a high score in its 2020 Vote Record on issues important to the state’s job creators. “I am pleased to be recognized by CalChamber yet again for my work to protect economic growth and opportunity in California,” …continue reading
Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) has announced that the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) has awarded a $500,000 Local Early Action Planning (LEAP) grant to the County of Orange to help create more housing supply. “I thank the California Department of Housing and Community Development for awarding …continue reading
Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) thanked the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) for awarding more than $4.5 million in COVID-19 homeless aid to the Counties of Orange and San Diego. The money will help fund homeless prevention, emergency shelters, street outreach, and more. “COVID-19 has made homelessness …continue reading
Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) issued the following statement after a fatal deputy-involved shooting occurred in San Clemente: “Yesterday was a sad day for our community. As we mourn the life of Kurt Reinhold and express our concern about his death and concern for the deputies involved, we have the …continue reading
Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Senate Bill 934 by Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) into law that will eliminate filing fees for non-profit organizations applying for a state tax exemption. Senator Bates authored SB 934 in partnership with the Franchise Tax Board (FTB). “I thank the Governor for signing my …continue reading
On a partisan vote, the California State Senate on Sunday rejected an amendment from Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) to Assembly Bill 323 (Rubio) that would have significantly helped community newspapers keep their doors open for the long-term. Instead, the Senate passed AB 323 that will only give newspapers another …continue reading
Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) announced that the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) has awarded $6 million to organizations in Orange and San Diego counties to help Californians with low incomes become or remain homeowners. “The economic disaster caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has jeopardized the dream …continue reading
Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) announced that the State of California has awarded almost $20 million to help house military veterans in San Diego and Orange counties who are or at risk of becoming homeless. “Our military veterans have made significant sacrifices to serve our country and no one should …continue reading
Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) announced that the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) has awarded state funding to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and the Oceanside Police Department to reduce alcohol-related crime in their jurisdictions. Both public safety agencies operate in the 36th Senate District, which is represented …continue reading