California's Sexual Assault Survivors' Bill of Rights Is A Landmark Step In The State

Amidst all the dreary news of sexual harassment and assault coming out of Hollywood, the Golden State got some good news. On Thursday, Oct. 12, California became the latest state to pass the Sexual Assault Survivors' Bill of Rights, giving much-needed protections to survivors of sexual assault. The bill provides a number of provisions that are designed to make the process of reporting an assault to authorities and pursuing criminal cases easier.

Governor Signs Bill to Crack Down on Efforts to Mislead Voters

SACRAMENTO – On Sunday night, Governor Jerry Brown signed a bill by Assemblymember Marc Berman (D-Palo Alto) to curb deceptive signature-gathering practices. Assembly Bill 1367 extends criminal penalties to any individual, company, or organization that directs or allows a signature gatherer to misrepresent an initiative, referenda, or recall petition.

Governor Signs Bill to Help Communities Adapt to Climate Change

SACRAMENTO – Today Governor Brown signed a bill by Assemblymember Berman (D-Palo Alto) that provides communities with a financing tool to prepare for and respond to the impacts of climate change. Assembly Bill 733 allows local governments to fund climate change adaptation efforts using Enhanced Infrastructure Financing Districts (EIFDs).

Governor Brown Signs Bill to Preserve the Sea Level Rise Database

SACRAMENTO – Today Governor Brown signed a bill by Assemblymember Berman (D-Palo Alto) that reaffirms California’s commitment to preparing for and adapting to sea level rise. Assembly Bill 184 extends the Planning for Sea Level Rise Database to January 1, 2023.

Here’s a bill that will help you figure out who’s trying to buy your vote

Knowledge is power. When a person meets with us, argues for or against legislation, and asks for our votes, we and our legislative colleagues insist on knowing who they are representing, because that’s critical in helping us assess the credibility of the arguments.

But when voters do the same thing we do – vote to make laws through ballot measures – it's not always clear who’s asking for their votes. Special interests often hide on campaign ads behind happy-sounding committee names that leave voters in the dark about their real agendas.

Senior Scam Stopper Seminar at EPA Senior Center Recap

Here’s a nifty little scam for you: Someone knocks on the door after turning your water main off. He says he was just checking your neighbor’s water pressure and was wondering if you would like yours checked. You let him in, he “checks” it and it’s quite low. He offers to fix it for $200. You agree, he turns it back on, checks it again, you pay him and he’s on his way.