Press Release Archive
January 2012
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
hide summary...
State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) today announced the availability of applications for the 2012-2013 California Senate Fellows program. The program provides college graduates an opportunity to become full-time Senate staff at the state Capitol in Sacramento for 11 months beginning in October 2012.
read more ...
Monday, January 23, 2012
hide summary...
State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) will hold an “Education Update” meeting on Saturday, January 28th, in Palo Alto to discuss this year’s proposed legislation and the budget challenges facing our public schools.
read more ...
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
hide summary...
The Power Association of Northern California (PANC), a nonprofit energy and utility association, has chosen State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) as their “Person of the Year.” Simitian is being recognized for his work authoring SB 2X, a bill which made California a national leader in its commitment to renewable energy. Simitian will be presented with the award on Thursday in San Francisco.
read more ...
Friday, January 06, 2012
hide summary...
CreaTV San Jose, a nonprofit community media center, will present State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) with its “Community Media Champion” award on Saturday at the historic California Theatre in downtown San Jose.
read more ...
December 2011
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
hide summary...
On issues ranging from clean energy to elder abuse and from drug abuse to consumer protection, these bills authored by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) will become law on or by January 1.
read more ...
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
hide summary...
On January 1, California will become the first state in the nation to prohibit the sale of over-the-counter cold and cough medications containing dextromethorphan (DXM) to minors.
Senate Bill 514, authored by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), will require store clerks to check identification to ensure that no one under 18 purchases these medications, which are known to cause a potentially life-threatening high when consumed in high doses.
read more ...
Thursday, December 08, 2011
hide summary...
State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) will honor Capitola Book Café as the 11th State Senate District Small Business of the Year on Dec. 12 at the Book Café. At the event, Simitian will present a resolution praising the store’s contribution to the community and its commitment to reading, customer service and high business ethics.
read more ...
Wednesday, December 07, 2011
hide summary...
SolarTech, a national renewable energy consortium, will present State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) with its annual “Solar Hero” award on Thursday in San Jose. As this year’s public sector honoree, Simitian is being recognized for his Senate Bill 2X, which made California a national leader in its commitment to renewable energy.
read more ...
November 2011
Monday, November 28, 2011
hide summary...
State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) today recognized the California Office of Privacy Protection with a resolution celebrating that Office’s tenth anniversary. Simitian was joined in the recognition by his colleagues on the Senate Select Committee on Privacy and State Senator Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
read more ...
Friday, November 04, 2011
hide summary...
The California Reading Association will honor State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) tonight as its Policymaker of the Year. Simitian is receiving the award for his Kindergarten Readiness Act of 2010 (SB 1381), which requires children to be five years old to start kindergarten and provides an additional year of “Transitional Kindergarten” for children with fall birthdays.
read more ...
October 2011
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
hide summary...
State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that he will extend the deadline for his 11th and final "There Oughta Be A Law" contest, which each year invites Californians to submit ideas for new state legislation. The new deadline is November 15, 2011.
read more ...
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
hide summary...
Governor Jerry Brown has vetoed State Senator Joe Simitian’s (D-Palo Alto) bill to improve breast cancer detection, notwithstanding the bill’s broad bipartisan support (35-1 in the Senate, 66-6 in the Assembly). Senate Bill 791 required that following a mammogram, women with dense breast tissue be informed that: they have dense breast tissue; that dense breast tissue can obscure abnormalities (i.e., cancer) on a mammogram; and that they may wish to discuss the potential value of additional screening(s) with their doctors.
read more ...
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
hide summary...
Legislation that will let California citizens continue making voluntary donations to two worthwhile causes when filing their personal income tax returns was signed by Governor Jerry Brown.
read more ...
Friday, October 07, 2011
hide summary...
Governor Jerry Brown has vetoed Senate Bill 29, legislation that would have protected the rights of drivers by regulating “red-light cameras.” The measure’s author, State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), called the veto “a lost opportunity to help restore public trust in the purpose and operation of red-light cameras by bringing accountability and fairness to the process.”
read more ...
Thursday, October 06, 2011
hide summary...
Governor Jerry Brown has signed State Senator Joe Simitian’s (D-Palo Alto) bill to expand the California Capital Access Program (CalCAP) for small businesses. Through Senate Bill 225, small trucking companies will be able to access financing mechanisms for fleet upgrades necessary to improve air quality.
read more ...
Wednesday, October 05, 2011
hide summary...
Governor Jerry Brown has signed into law State Senator Joe Simitian’s (D-Palo Alto) bill to streamline regulatory and environmental reviews for infill development and renewable energy projects.
read more ...
Monday, October 03, 2011
hide summary...
County governments will be better able to cover the growing number of California children who lack health insurance under legislation signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown. Senate Bill 36, introduced by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), enables counties that provide children’s health insurance to tap additional federal funds at no cost to the state. The bill goes into effect January 1, 2012.
read more ...
September 2011
Friday, September 30, 2011
hide summary...
State Senator Joe Simitian’s (D-Palo Alto) bill to make permanent protections against elder financial abuse has been signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown. The legislation, which makes permanent mandated reporting of elder financial abuse, passed the Assembly and the Senate with unanimous support.
read more ...
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
hide summary...
State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today a series of eight Town Hall meetings around the 11th State Senate District to talk with community members about state government issues. He invites residents to bring their questions, comments and concerns.
read more ...
Thursday, September 22, 2011
hide summary...
State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) kicked off his 11th annual “There Oughta Be A Law” contest today. The contest invites Californians to submit ideas for state legislation. Finishing his second and final term in the state Senate next year, this will be the last time Simitian holds the contest.
read more ...
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
hide summary...
Governor Jerry Brown has signed into law a bill by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) to revise and update California’s bond laws. Senate Bill 506 changes existing law to clearly allow the recipient of a registered warrant to use the warrant to offset or pay an existing tax liability.
read more ...
Thursday, September 15, 2011
hide summary...
Legislation that would streamline regulatory and environmental reviews for infill development and renewable energy projects passed the Legislature on a bipartisan vote last week and now heads to Governor Jerry Brown for approval.
read more ...
Monday, September 12, 2011
hide summary...
State Senator Joe Simitian’s (D-Palo Alto) bill to improve breast cancer detection has passed the State Legislature and now goes to the Governor for consideration. Senate Bill 791 requires that following a mammogram, patients with dense breast tissue be informed that they have dense breast tissue, that dense breast tissue can obscure abnormalities (i.e., cancer) on a mammogram and that they may wish to discuss the potential value of additional screening(s) with their doctors.
read more ...
Wednesday, September 07, 2011
hide summary...
Governor Jerry Brown has vetoed Senate Bill 28, which would have strengthened California’s hands-free and no-texting laws for motorists. The measure’s author, State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), called the veto “a lost opportunity to save more lives.” Simitian said he would, “review the Governor’s veto message to see if there is any room for compromise in the coming year.”
read more ...
Thursday, September 01, 2011
hide summary...
Legislation that protects the rights of drivers by regulating “red-light cameras” was approved by the Legislature on a bi-partisan vote, and now heads to Governor Jerry Brown for approval. Senate Bill 29, by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), would establish statewide standards for the installation and operation of traffic enforcement cameras, and make it easier to challenge unjustified tickets.
read more ...
Thursday, September 01, 2011
hide summary...
County governments will be better able to cover the growing number of California children who lack health insurance under legislation that passed the Assembly and the Senate today. Senate Bill 36, introduced by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), enables counties that provide children’s health insurance to tap additional federal funds at no cost to the state. The bill now goes to the Governor for his signature.
read more ...
August 2011
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
hide summary...
Governor Jerry Brown has signed into law Senate Bill 514, by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto). The bill prohibits the sale of over the counter cold and cough medicines containing dextromethorphan (DXM) to minors. California becomes the first state in the nation to take such action.
read more ...
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
hide summary...
Earlier today Gov. Jerry Brown signed into law a bill by State Sen. Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) to enhance consumer privacy protection when sensitive data is lost or stolen. Senate Bill 24 strengthens the state’s existing data breach notification requirements by providing consumers with the information they need to protect themselves against identity theft.
read more ...
Monday, August 29, 2011
hide summary...
State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) today said he welcomes the just- released statement from the California High Speed Rail Peer Review Group that supports “a blended system” for High Speed Rail on the San Francisco to San Jose corridor. The “blended” approach was proposed by U.S. Congresswoman Anna Eshoo, State Senator Joe Simitian and State Assemblyman Rich Gordon earlier this year in order to minimize community impacts and reduce the project’s cost.
read more ...
Friday, August 19, 2011
hide summary...
The California State Legislature has voted to approve Senate Bill 24 by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto); the bill now goes to Governor Brown for consideration. Senate Bill 24 strengthens and improves the state’s existing security breach notification requirements.
read more ...
Thursday, August 18, 2011
hide summary...
The California State Legislature has approved Senate Bill 514, by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), which prohibits the sale of over the counter cold and cough medicines containing dextromethorphan (DXM) to minors.
read more ...
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
hide summary...
State Senator Joe Simitian today said he welcomes the just released statement from Caltrain that its “…findings support a concept proposed by U.S. Congresswoman Anna Eshoo, State Senator Joe Simitian and State Assemblyman Rich Gordon that calls for the project to minimize community impacts and reduce the project’s cost…”
read more ...
Monday, August 15, 2011
hide summary...
Today, the California State Legislature passed Senate Bill 28, by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), which would strengthen California’s hands-free and no-texting laws for motorists. The bill heads to the Governor’s desk for consideration.
read more ...
Friday, August 05, 2011
hide summary...
State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) will be recognizing Eleventh Senate District Artist of the Year, Steve Curtiss, Friday, August 12th at an event in Los Altos.
read more ...
July 2011
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
hide summary...
Senate Bill 445 by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) to provide 21st century privacy protections for California library patrons, has been signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown. California’s library privacy laws were created before the use of the Internet. As a result, an individual’s interaction with the library outside of the typical library book circulation is not protected under current law.
read more ...
Friday, July 08, 2011
hide summary...
Governor Jerry Brown today signed legislation, Senate Bill 221, by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), to expand access to Small Claims Court, often called the “people’s court.” Senate Bill 221 increases the Small Claims Court jurisdictional limit from $7,500 to $10,000. It follows up on Simitian’s successful 2005 effort (SB 422) which raised the previous limit from $5,000 to $7,500. The bill passed both houses of the Legislature with bipartisan unanimous support.
read more ...
Friday, July 08, 2011
hide summary...
State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that he will be adding additional dates to his “sidewalk office hours” calendar. The Senator has scheduled seven additional dates in July and August. Simitian invites community members to visit and voice their questions and concerns about state legislative issues.
read more ...
Wednesday, July 06, 2011
hide summary...
The California Legislature has approved Senate Bill 445 by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) to provide 21st century privacy protections for California library patrons. California’s library privacy laws were created before the use of the Internet. As a result, an individual’s interaction with the library outside of the typical library book circulation is not protected under current law.
read more ...
June 2011
Monday, June 27, 2011
hide summary...
The California State Legislature has passed State Senator Joe Simitian’s (D-Palo Alto) bill to expand access to Small Claims Court, often called the “people’s court.” Senate Bill 221 increases the Small Claims Court jurisdictional limit from $7,500 to $10,000. It follows up on Simitian’s successful 2005 effort (SB 422) which raised the previous limit from $5,000 to $7,500. The bill passed both houses of the Legislature with bipartisan unanimous support.
read more ...
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
hide summary...
The Center for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Technologies (CEERT) named State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) a “Clean Power Champion” for 2011 at their annual awards benefit in Sacramento Tuesday night.
read more ...
Thursday, June 16, 2011
hide summary...
State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) will be joined by breast cancer survivor and “ARE YOU DENSE?” founder, Nancy Cappello, PhD and radiologist Dr. Judy Dean at a press conference to discuss Senate Bill 173 and the importance of a patient’s right to knowledge about breast density.
read more ...
Friday, June 03, 2011
hide summary...
County governments will be better able to cover the growing number of California children who lack health insurance under legislation that passed the Senate this week. Senate Bill 36, introduced by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), enables counties that provide children’s health insurance to tap additional federal funds at no cost to the state. The bill now moves to the Assembly.
read more ...
Thursday, June 02, 2011
hide summary...
Legislation to curb “pension spiking” in the state’s two largest pension systems has been passed by the State Senate. Senate Bill 27, by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), addresses pension spiking, the practice of boosting an employee’s final salary shortly before retirement. Simitian’s legislation applies to the California Public Employees’ Retirement System and the California State Teachers’ Retirement System.
read more ...
Thursday, June 02, 2011
hide summary...
State Senator Joe Simitian’s (D-Palo Alto) bill aimed to increase breast cancer detection passed the State Senate yesterday on a vote of 34 to 5. Senate Bill 173 requires that following a mammogram individuals with dense breast tissue be informed that dense breast tissue may make cancer more difficult to discern and that they may wish to discuss additional screenings.
read more ...
May 2011
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
hide summary...
State Senator Joe Simitian’s (D-Palo Alto) bill to expand access to Small Claims Court, often called the “people’s court,” passed the State Senate today on a vote of 37 to 0. Senate Bill 221 increases the Small Claims Court jurisdictional limit from $7,500 to $10,000.
read more ...
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
hide summary...
The State Senate voted today 37 to 0 to approve Senate Bill 514, by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), which prohibits the sale of over the counter cough medicine containing dextromethorphan (DXM) to minors.
read more ...
Friday, May 20, 2011
hide summary...
State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that he will hold an “Education Update” meeting on Saturday, June 4th in Palo Alto for school board members, superintendents, teachers, parents, and other education advocates.
read more ...
Monday, May 16, 2011
hide summary...
Legislation that protects the rights of drivers by regulating “red-light cameras” passed today on a bi-partisan unanimous vote of 36-0 in the State Senate. Senate Bill 29, by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), would establish statewide standards for the installation and operation of traffic enforcement cameras, and make it easier to challenge unjustified tickets.
read more ...
Monday, May 16, 2011
hide summary...
State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that he will hold his seventh annual Ice Cream Social and Open House on Thursday, May 26, from 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM at his office in Santa Cruz. He invites residents of the 11th State Senate District to drop in for informal conversation and ice cream.
read more ...
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
hide summary...
State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) was recognized as an Environmental Champion by Green California Tuesday night during its Advocacy Day reception in the capital. Green California is a network of more than 70 environmental, health and justice organizations who, with their more than 1 million memberships, support the state’s most pressing environmental issues.
read more ...
April 2011
Monday, April 25, 2011
hide summary...
Today, the State Senate passed Senate Bill 28, by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), which would strengthen California’s hands-free and no-texting laws for motorists. The bill passed by a vote of 24-12 and now moves to the State Assembly for consideration.
read more ...
Friday, April 15, 2011
hide summary...
Congresswoman Anna Eshoo (D-Palo Alto), State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) and Assemblymember Rich Gordon (D-Menlo Park) will join together Monday for a major announcement regarding the state’s High-Speed Rail project.
read more ...
Thursday, April 14, 2011
hide summary...
The California State Senate voted Thursday to approve Senate Bill 24 by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto). Senate Bill 24 strengthens and improves the state’s existing security breach notification requirements.
read more ...
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
hide summary...
Today Governor Jerry Brown signed into law Senate Bill 2X, putting California in the national forefront in its commitment to renewable energy. The bill authored by State Sen. Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) requires private and public utilities to obtain 33% of their electricity from renewable energy resources by 2020, raising the target from the current 20%, while providing the flexibility necessary to meet the higher standard.
read more ...
Monday, April 11, 2011
hide summary...
State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), the author of legislation requiring California to obtain 33% of its electricity from renewable resources by 2020, will be in attendance and available for interviews Tuesday when Governor Jerry Brown signs Senate Bill 2X into law at the SunPower/Flextronics solar manufacturing plant in Milpitas. The Governor and Simitian will be joined by U.S. Energy Secretary Dr. Steven Chu for the signing ceremony and dedication of SunPower’s new facility.
read more ...
March 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
hide summary...
Legislation authored by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) that would put California in the national forefront in its commitment to renewable energy is headed to Governor Jerry Brown. Senate Bill 2X would require private and public utilities to obtain 33% of their electricity from renewable energy sources by 2020, raising the target from the current 20%, while providing the flexibility necessary to meet the higher standard.
read more ...
Monday, March 21, 2011
hide summary...
State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today his selection of Melinda Cervantes, Executive Director and County Librarian of the Santa Clara County Library, as the 11th State Senate District’s Woman of the Year.
read more ...
Thursday, March 03, 2011
hide summary...
State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) has announced two winners in this year’s “There Oughta Be a Law” contest. The winning entries would improve screening for breast cancer, suggested by Amy Colton of Soquel, and update privacy protections for library patrons, suggested by Mary Minow of Cupertino. Simitian has introduced bills to turn those proposals into law
read more ...
February 2011
Thursday, February 24, 2011
hide summary...
The California Senate today passed legislation authored by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) that would require private and public utilities to obtain 33% of their electricity from renewable energy sources by 2020. Senate Bill 2X would raise the renewable target from the current 20%, while providing the flexibility necessary to meet the higher standard. The measure passed on a vote of 26-11.
read more ...
Monday, February 07, 2011
hide summary...
“The governor’s budget actually treats K-12 education pretty well,” State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) told an overflow crowd of 180 school board members, administrators, teachers and education advocates at his annual “Education Update” on Saturday, February 5th. “But ‘pretty well’ is in the context of having been beaten about the head and shoulders the last couple years.”
read more ...
Friday, February 04, 2011
hide summary...
State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) is reminding interested applicants that the deadline to apply for the 2011-2012 California State Senate Fellowship program is approaching. The Center for California Studies at California State University Sacramento is accepting applications for next year’s fellows until
February 23, 2011.
read more ...
January 2011
Thursday, January 27, 2011
hide summary...
County governments would be better able to cover the growing number of California children who lack health insurance under legislation, Senate Bill 36, introduced by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto). Counties that provide children’s health insurance could tap additional federal funds at no cost to the state.
read more ...
Monday, January 24, 2011
hide summary...
State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that he will hold an “Education Update” meeting on Saturday, February 5th, in Palo Alto for school board members, superintendents, teachers, parents, and other education advocates.
read more ...
Thursday, January 20, 2011
hide summary...
State Senator Joe Simitian announced today he has introduced a bill to enhance consumer privacy protection by strengthening the notification requirements when databases of personal information are compromised.
read more ...
December 2010
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
hide summary...
With the start of the new year, maliciously impersonating someone online – with a phony Facebook page or e-mails apparently sent from their account – isn’t just a cruel prank anymore. It’s a crime. Senate Bill 1411, authored by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), becomes law January 1, updating California’s 19th century impersonation law to the Internet age.
read more ...
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
hide summary...
The Consumer Federation of California (CFC), a statewide consumer rights organization, has recognized State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) for his 2010 voting record with a 100% score on its annual legislative scorecard.
read more ...
Monday, December 06, 2010
hide summary...
State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) today introduced legislation to require private and public utilities to obtain 33% of their electricity from renewable energy sources by 2020. The bill would raise the renewable target from the current 20%, while providing the flexibility necessary to meet the higher standard.
read more ...
Thursday, December 02, 2010
hide summary...
Lauding the efforts of State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) as an advocate for education, the California School Boards Association has honored him as 2010 “Outstanding Legislator of the Year.”
read more ...
November 2010
Monday, November 01, 2010
hide summary...
State Sen. Joe Simitian is holding a reception November 9 to honor two Palo Alto teachers, Diana Argenti and Natalie Bivas, who inspired him to author Senate Bill 1381, the Kindergarten Readiness Act of 2010, which was signed into law September 30. The reception will be from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
in the Palo Alto Unified School District Board Room, 25 Churchill Ave., Palo Alto.
read more ...
October 2010
Thursday, October 14, 2010
hide summary...
State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) will hold a series of Town Hall meetings in the Willow Glen neighborhood of San Jose, in Campbell and in Cupertino, on October 25, 26 and 27, to talk with community members about state government issues.
read more ...
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
hide summary...
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has vetoed accountability measures in the 2010-2011 state budget that would have required the California High-Speed Rail Authority to meet several benchmarks by February 1, 2011, in order to continue to receive state funding. State Sen. Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) characterized Schwarzenegger’s veto as “regrettable.” Simitian noted that “the High-Speed Rail Authority desperately needs to rebuild its credibility and public support. A failure to require accountability measures only makes that task more difficult.”
read more ...
Friday, October 01, 2010
hide summary...
California’s youngest students have been given a better chance to succeed from their first day in school with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s signature yesterday on the Kindergarten Readiness Act of 2010 by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto). Simitian’s measure requires children to be five years old to start kindergarten, and provides an additional year of “Transitional Kindergarten” for children with fall birthdays.
read more ...
September 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
hide summary...
Legislation authored by State Sen. Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) to streamline the state’s environmental review process without weakening essential protections has been signed into law, as Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger approved Senate Bill 1456 today.
read more ...
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
hide summary...
Legislation authored by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) to protect the privacy of drivers using the FasTrak payment system for toll bridges and roads has been signed into law by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
read more ...
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
hide summary...
Maliciously impersonating someone online – out of revenge, or jealousy, or a twisted sense of humor -- isn’t just a cruel game anymore. It’s a crime. California’s 19th century impersonation law was updated to protect victims of e-personation yesterday when Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed legislation, authored by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto). Senate Bill 1411 makes it a misdemeanor to impersonate someone online with intent to harm, intimidate, threaten or defraud.
read more ...
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
hide summary...
State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) kicked off his 10th annual “There Oughta Be A Law” contest today. The contest invites Californians to submit ideas for state legislation.
read more ...
Thursday, September 02, 2010
hide summary...
Legislation authored by State Sen. Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) to streamline the state’s environmental review process without weakening essential protections has passed the Legislature. Senate Bill 1456 now moves to the Governor’s desk.
read more ...
Wednesday, September 01, 2010
hide summary...
Aiming to give children a better chance to succeed from their first day in school, the California Legislature has approved Senate Bill 1381, the Kindergarten Readiness Act of 2010 by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto). The measure increases the minimum age for entering kindergarten from 5 years old by December 2 of the school year to 5 years old by September 1 of the school year. For children born between September 2 and December 2, a new Transitional Kindergarten would be established.
read more ...
August 2010
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
hide summary...
Legislation authored by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) to curb “pension spiking” in the state’s two largest pension systems has passed the Legislature. Senate Bill 1425, which pertains to the California Public Employees’ Retirement System and the California State Teachers’ Retirement System, now moves to the Governor’s desk.
read more ...
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
hide summary...
Legislation authored by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) to protect the privacy of drivers using the FasTrak payment system for toll bridges and roads has passed the Legislature and is on its way to the Governor.
“There’s just no reason for a government agency to track the movements of Californians, let alone maintain that information in a database forever and ever,” said Simitian.
read more ...
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
hide summary...
State Sen. Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), who authored the California law prohibiting coastal dumping by cruise ships and other oceangoing vessels, praised the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for its announcement today that it has proposed to ban all sewage discharges from large ships in state waters the length of the California coast.
read more ...
Friday, August 20, 2010
hide summary...
The California Legislature has acknowledged that the treatment of Italian Americans during World War II “represented a fundamental injustice” and has expressed its “deepest regrets.” Senate Concurrent Resolution 95, authored by State Sen. Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), has been passed by the Assembly and the Senate “to help repair the damage to the Italian American community, and to discourage the occurrence of similar injustices” in the future. The measure is consistent with action taken in the U.S. Congress earlier in the decade.
read more ...
Friday, August 20, 2010
hide summary...
The California Legislature has passed Senate Bill 1431, authored by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), to help county governments cover the growing number of California children who lack health insurance. The bill, which unanimously passed the Assembly on Aug. 18, now moves to the Governor’s desk.
read more ...
Thursday, August 19, 2010
hide summary...
The California Legislature has voted to enhance consumer privacy protection by passing Senate Bill 1166, by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), which strengthens the notification required when databases of personal information are compromised. The bill now moves to the Governor’s desk.
read more ...
Thursday, August 12, 2010
hide summary...
The California Legislature has taken an important step toward protecting victims of online impersonation, or e-personation, by passing Senate Bill 1411, authored by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto). The bill would make it a misdemeanor to maliciously impersonate another person online.
read more ...
Thursday, August 05, 2010
hide summary...
SACRAMENTO -- An informational hearing on the State Water Resources Control Board’s scientific report on the water flow required for a healthy ecosystem in the Delta will be held Monday, Aug, 9, by the Senate Select Committee on Delta Conservation, Conveyance and Governance, chaired by Sen. Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto).
The hearing will include 30-minute presentations from heads of state water agencies, the scientists who prepared the report, water providers and environmental groups.
read more ...
July 2010
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
hide summary...
State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) will present Books Inc. with the 11th Senate District “Small Business of the Year Award” at its Palo Alto store on July 28 at 7 p.m.
read more ...
Friday, July 16, 2010
hide summary...
Legislation to improve the Election Day experience at polling places, which began as an idea presented to State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) by two of his constituents, has been signed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. The bill, Senate Bill 1342, provides more flexibility in designating precincts and polling places.
read more ...
Wednesday, July 07, 2010
hide summary...
With less than three months to go in the Legislature’s two-year session, State Senator Joe Simtian (D-Palo Alto) has introduced legislation (Senate Bill 1456) to streamline the state’s environmental review process without weakening essential protections.
read more ...
June 2010
Thursday, June 24, 2010
hide summary...
Legislation authored by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) to require private and public utilities to obtain 33% of their electricity from renewable sources by 2020 passed the Assembly Utilities and Commerce Committee today. Senate Bill 722, passed 9-2, would raise the renewable target from 20%, while providing the flexibility necessary to meet the higher standard.
read more ...
Wednesday, June 09, 2010
hide summary...
The California State Senate has passed legislation, authored by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), to help county governments cover the growing number of California children who lack health insurance.
read more ...
Tuesday, June 08, 2010
hide summary...
The California State Senate took a step last week toward protecting victims of online impersonation by passing Senate Bill 1411, authored by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), which would make it a misdemeanor to maliciously impersonate another person online.
read more ...
Monday, June 07, 2010
hide summary...
Legislation authored by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) to protect the privacy of drivers using the FasTrak payment system for toll bridges and roads passed the State Senate last week.
read more ...
Friday, June 04, 2010
hide summary...
This week the California State Senate voted to approve State Senator Joe Simitian’s (D-Palo Alto) Senate Bill 1245. The bill would prohibit transit agencies from charging carpoolers for the use of high-occupancy traffic lanes.
read more ...
Thursday, June 03, 2010
hide summary...
Today the California State Senate passed State Senator Joe Simitian’s (D-Palo Alto) Senate Bill 1475 by a vote of 21-16. The bill would strengthen California’s hands-free and no-texting laws for motorists. SB 1475 now moves to the State Assembly for consideration.
read more ...
Wednesday, June 02, 2010
hide summary...
Today the State Senate approved legislation by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) to change the minimum age for children entering kindergarten.
read more ...
Tuesday, June 01, 2010
hide summary...
State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that his Senate Bill 1425, which aims to curtail the problem of pension spiking in California, was approved by the State Senate by a vote of 34-0.
read more ...
Tuesday, June 01, 2010
hide summary...
Today the State Senate passed Senate Bill 1362, by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), to protect drivers by regulating the use of “red light” cameras.
read more ...
May 2010
Friday, May 28, 2010
hide summary...
To ensure that drivers’ rights are respected as traffic control and enforcement technologies evolve, State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that he has introduced a trio of transportation bills that protect motorists.
read more ...
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
hide summary...
State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that he will hold “sidewalk office hours” in six local communities in June. Simitian invites community members to visit and voice their questions and concerns about state legislative issues.
read more ...
summary...