Press Release Archive
November 2012
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
hide summary...
State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today his selection of Kepler’s Books and Magazines as the 11th Senate District’s Small Business of the Year. This is the second time Simitian has given the award to Kepler’s.
read more ...
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
hide summary...
State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) was recently honored by a breast cancer advocacy group for championing legislation to improve breast cancer detection in women with dense breast tissue.
read more ...
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
hide summary...
State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), who is leaving office at the end of November due to term limits, will hold a telephone town hall and “exit interview” this Sunday from 11 a.m. to noon.
read more ...
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
hide summary...
On Saturday, State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) and Assemblyman Rich Gordon (D-Menlo Park) will jointly host an Education Update to discuss school funding,
K-12 legislation, and the status of the California education system. The update, which is open to the public, will be held from 10 a.m. until noon at the Palo Alto Unified School District board room.
read more ...
Monday, November 05, 2012
hide summary...
On Wednesday, surrounded by four-year-olds in a transitional kindergarten (TK) classroom created by his legislation, State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) will be recognized for his work championing the cause of early childhood education.
At 10 a.m. at Taft Elementary, the nonprofit advocacy group Preschool California will present Simitian with its Early Learning Lifetime Achievement Award.
read more ...
October 2012
Monday, October 01, 2012
hide summary...
Governor Jerry Brown signed legislation Friday providing schools with a construction alternative proven to save millions in school construction dollars, provide added flexibility and speed up the construction process.
read more ...
September 2012
Friday, September 28, 2012
hide summary...
Today, Governor Jerry Brown signed a bill to keep the public safe and protect the rights of drivers by regulating red-light cameras.
read more ...
Friday, September 28, 2012
hide summary...
Today, Governor Jerry Brown signed a bill by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) that would make it easier for surplus, unopened medication to be donated to uninsured Californians.
read more ...
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
hide summary...
A winning entry in State Senator Joe Simitian’s (D-Palo Alto) 2011-12 "There Oughta Be a Law" contest was signed into law Tuesday by Governor Jerry Brown. Senate Bill 1191 will warn prospective tenants when the property they are looking to rent is subject to foreclosure.
read more ...
Monday, September 24, 2012
hide summary...
A bill to allow voluntary contributions to two popular cancer research tax check-off funds was signed by the Governor yesterday.
read more ...
Saturday, September 22, 2012
hide summary...
Governor Jerry Brown has signed a bill to improve breast cancer detection in women with dense breast tissue, Senate Bill 1538, authored by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto).
read more ...
August 2012
Thursday, August 30, 2012
hide summary...
Today, the State Senate passed a bill by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) that would make it easier for surplus, unopened medication to be donated to uninsured Californians. Senate Bill 1329, passed out on a 38-0 vote, is now headed to Governor Jerry Brown’s desk for approval.
read more ...
Thursday, August 30, 2012
hide summary...
A bill to improve breast cancer detection in women with dense breast tissue passed unanimously out of the State Senate and is now headed to Governor Jerry Brown’s desk.
read more ...
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
hide summary...
A bill to allow voluntary contributions to two popular breast cancer research tax check-off funds passed unanimously out of the State Senate today and is now headed to Governor Jerry Brown’s desk. The vote was 37-0.
read more ...
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
hide summary...
Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo alto), Chair of the Senate Select Committee on Breast Cancer Awareness and Detection, invites the public to attend an important “Are You Dense?” forum on Tuesday, September 11th to talk about the risks associated with dense breast tissue and what women should be discussing with their doctors.
read more ...
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
hide summary...
Today, the California State Senate passed Senate Bill 1310, a bill by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) which would strengthen California’s hands-free and no texting laws for motorists. The vote was 28-9. The bill now heads to Governor Jerry Brown’s desk for approval.
read more ...
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
hide summary...
State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that he will hold “sidewalk office hours” in San Carlos, Redwood City and Campbell on September 6th, 8th and 9th. Simitian invites community members to stop by with their questions and concerns about state legislative issues.
read more ...
Monday, August 27, 2012
hide summary...
A bill to protect the rights of drivers by regulating red-light cameras passed today in the State Senate and is now headed to the Governor for approval. The vote was 34-0. Senate Bill 1303, 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, August 23, 2012
hide summary...
A winning entry in State Senator Joe Simitian’s (D-Palo Alto) 2011-12 “There Oughta Be a Law” contest passed recently out of the Legislature and is now headed to Governor Jerry Brown’s desk. Senate Bill 1191 would warn prospective tenants when the property they are looking to rent is subject to foreclosure. It requires that a landlord who receives a Notice of Default provide written notice to any prospective tenant before a lease is signed.
read more ...
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
hide summary...
As the school year begins, districts throughout California will begin offering transitional kindergarten (TK) – the first new grade level in the state since 1891. This school year, more than 800 school districts are expected to offer transitional kindergarten, the first year of a two-year kindergarten for children with fall birthdays who will be too young under a new cutoff date to enter regular kindergarten.
read more ...
Monday, August 06, 2012
hide summary...
Are you dense? Ask your doctor.
That’s the tagline State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) will be using this week to raise awareness among Californians about dense breast tissue, a common yet little-known condition that increases the risk for developing breast cancer and makes it more difficult to detect cancer on a mammogram. Simitian is the author of Senate Joint Resolution 27 declaring August 8 “Are You Dense? Day” in California.
read more ...
June 2012
Friday, June 01, 2012
hide summary...
The State Senate this week passed a bill by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) to ensure that any liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals built in California are done in a safe and environmentally responsible manner.
read more ...
May 2012
Thursday, May 31, 2012
hide summary...
A bill to protect the rights of drivers by regulating red-light cameras passed unanimously today in the State Senate. The vote was 37-0. Senate Bill 1303, 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 ...
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
hide summary...
A winning entry in State Senator Joe Simitian’s (D-Palo Alto) 2011-12 “There Oughta Be a Law” contest passed Tuesday off the Senate floor. Senate Bill 1191 would warn prospective tenants when the property they are looking to rent is subject to foreclosure. It requires that a landlord who receives a Notice of Default provide written notice to any prospective tenant before a lease is signed.
read more ...
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
hide summary...
A bill to improve breast cancer detection in women with dense breast tissue passed unanimously out of the State Senate today. Senate Bill 1538, authored by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), would require that following a mammogram, women with dense breast tissue be informed that they have dense breast tissue, which 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 ...
Friday, May 25, 2012
hide summary...
The Elder Financial Protection Network (EFPN), a nonprofit that works to combat elder financial abuse, honored State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) yesterday for his work protecting the state’s seniors.
read more ...
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
hide summary...
A proposal by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) and State Senator Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa) to keep open up to 50 state parks slated for closure will be up for a vote in a Senate budget subcommittee on Wednesday morning, May 23. The parks proposal will most likely start to be heard between 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
read more ...
Thursday, May 17, 2012
hide summary...
Today, the State Senate unanimously passed a bill by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) which would make it easier for surplus, unopened medication to be donated to uninsured Californians. The vote was 38-0.
read more ...
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
hide summary...
State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that he will hold his eighth annual Ice Cream Social and Open House on Thursday, May 24, 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 ...
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
hide summary...
State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) will hold a community celebration May 22 at the Los Altos History Museum to honor Monique Kane as the 11th State Senate District’s Woman of the Year. Kane is Executive Director of the Community Health Awareness Council (CHAC), a nonprofit mental health services agency in Mountain View.
read more ...
Monday, May 14, 2012
hide summary...
Today, the California State Senate passed Senate Bill 1310, a bill by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) which would strengthen California’s hands-free and no texting laws for motorists. The vote was 24-9.
read more ...
Thursday, May 10, 2012
hide summary...
The Junior League of California, a non-partisan organization with more than 11,000 volunteers throughout the state, has named State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) their "Legislator of the Year." Simitian was honored this week at a luncheon at the Citizen Hotel in Sacramento, where he was singled out for his public policy work on behalf of children and families.
read more ...
Tuesday, May 08, 2012
hide summary...
Today, State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) and State Senator Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa) unveiled a budget proposal to keep open up to 50 state parks slated for closure this year, and reverse the closure of still more in 2013, while providing a stable and long-term funding solution. As many as 70 state parks had been slated for closure beginning July 1, 2012.
read more ...
Monday, May 07, 2012
hide summary...
In a media call 11 a.m. Tuesday, State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) will unveil a budget proposal to stop the shutdown of up to 50 state parks and provide a long-term funding plan to protect them. Simitian will be joined on the call by State Senator Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa), a longtime advocate for the state parks.
read more ...
April 2012
Friday, April 27, 2012
hide summary...
On Monday at 11 a.m., State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) will hold a media call to bring attention to the importance of press freedom and the many countries in which it is threatened.
read more ...
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
hide summary...
State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) will read to a class of fourth-grade students, taught by Holly Harrison and Jessica Tolerba, at Walter Hays Elementary School on Friday morning.
read more ...
Wednesday, April 04, 2012
hide summary...
State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today his selection of Monique Kane, Executive Director of the Community Health Awareness Council, a nonprofit mental health services agency in Mountain View, as the 11th State Senate District’s Woman of the Year.
read more ...
March 2012
Thursday, March 29, 2012
hide summary...
Inspired by a breast cancer survivor in his district, State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) is reintroducing legislation to improve breast cancer detection.
read more ...
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
hide summary...
On Wednesday at 10:30 a.m., State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) will hold a media call on a bill that he’s reintroducing to improve breast cancer detection in women with dense breast tissue. A prior version of the bill was vetoed last year by Governor Jerry Brown.
read more ...
Thursday, March 22, 2012
hide summary...
State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) will speak to Palo Alto High School students on Friday about what it’s like to be a state Senator as part of the school’s annual Career Month Speaker Series.
read more ...
Friday, March 16, 2012
hide summary...
Early Intervention for School Success (EISS), a statewide program dedicated to increasing student achievement and lowering retention rates, has named State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) “Education Advocate of the Year” for his work authoring Senate Bill 1381, the Kindergarten Readiness Act of 2010.
read more ...
Thursday, March 08, 2012
hide summary...
State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) will convene a Senate Informational Hearing on High-Speed Rail on March 13 in Mountain View to hear from High-Speed Rail experts and officials and to give the public an opportunity for input.
read more ...
Monday, March 05, 2012
hide summary...
A study released today by the California Office of Traffic Safety shows that deaths due to hand-held cell phone use by drivers dropped dramatically following the enactment of the hands-free legislation authored by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto).
read more ...
February 2012
Friday, February 24, 2012
hide summary...
Every year, more than $9 billion in unused medicine and supplies are wasted in the United States. At the same time, studies show that more Americans are going without prescription drugs because of costs.
A new bill introduced by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) would address these two problems by making it easier for surplus prescription medication to be donated to uninsured Californians.
read more ...
Thursday, February 23, 2012
hide summary...
State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), the author of the state’s online privacy law, today praised Attorney General Kamala Harris for the plan she announced Wednesday to bring the millions of users of mobile device applications, called “apps,” under the law’s protection.
read more ...
Thursday, February 23, 2012
hide summary...
On Friday, State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), in partnership with a Stanford-based nonprofit, will introduce legislation to redistribute unused prescription drug medication to Californians in need. This new measure builds on legislation passed by Simitian in 2005.
read more ...
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
hide summary...
State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) was awarded a “Making a Difference Award” recently from Friends for Youth, a non-profit mentoring organization based in Redwood City. Simitian was recognized as part of the organization’s 13th annual mentoring conference on February 10.
read more ...
Monday, February 13, 2012
hide summary...
State Senator 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 is finalizing a rule to ban all sewage discharge from large ships in state waters along the California coast.
read more ...
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 ...
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
hide summary...
State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today his selection of Books Inc. as the 11th State Senate District Small Business of the Year.
read more ...
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
hide summary...
State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that he will hold his sixth annual Ice Cream Social and Open House on Thursday, May 27, from 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM at his office in Santa Cruz.
read more ...
April 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
hide summary...
State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) will host a community celebration to honor San Jose Vice Mayor Judy Chirco, the 11th State Senate District’s Woman of the Year, in San Jose on May 6. Simitian selected Chirco for the award to recognize her decades of community service and leadership.
read more ...
Friday, April 16, 2010
hide summary...
The California State Senate voted Thursday to approve Senate Bill 1166 by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto). Senate Bill 1166 would strengthen and improve the state’s existing security breach notification requirements.
read more ...
Thursday, April 15, 2010
hide summary...
Fight Crime: Invest in Kids California has named State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) as the recipient of its 2010 Crime Fighter Award. Simitian was singled out for his legislation to benefit youth and public safety.
read more ...
Monday, April 12, 2010
hide summary...
Today State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced legislation to change the minimum age for children entering kindergarten. The proposal, supported by policy experts and education advocates, would boost kindergarten readiness and save an estimated $700 million annually, totaling $9.1 billion over a 13 year period.
read more ...
Monday, April 05, 2010
hide summary...
The award-winning local documentary $100 a Day will be screened at back-to-back community events this month: at Stanford Law School on April 21st and at the Santa Cruz Police Department on April 22nd. Both screenings are free and open to the public.
read more ...
March 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
hide summary...
State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) has announced three winners of this year’s “There Oughta Be A Law” contest. Since 2001, Simitian has invited Californians to submit suggestions for new legislation. To date, fifteen winning ideas have been signed into law. This year, his office received 426 proposals from residents throughout his district and across the state.
read more ...
Thursday, March 11, 2010
hide summary...
State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) has introduced Senate Bill 1425 which aims to curtail the problem of pension spiking in California. Pension spiking is a term used when an employee boosts their final salary before retirement by cashing out on vacation time or administrative leave, among other things, in order to get a higher payout.
read more ...
Tuesday, March 09, 2010
hide summary...
Wednesday State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) will join representatives of the National MS Society, the Diabetes Coalition of California, the California Conference of Environmental Health Directors and other consumer health organizations to present criteria that will be used to evaluate safe needle disposal plans prepared by drug manufacturers. The criteria come on the heels of Simitian’s Senate Bill 486, which was signed into law by Governor Schwarzenegger last fall.
read more ...
Monday, March 08, 2010
hide summary...
State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today his selection of San Jose Vice Mayor Judy Chirco as the 11th State Senate District’s Woman of the Year.
read more ...
Thursday, March 04, 2010
hide summary...
Today State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) reintroduced legislation that requires all energy providers to buy 33 percent of their energy from clean, renewable energy sources by 2020.
read more ...
February 2010
Thursday, February 25, 2010
hide summary...
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society has named State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) their California Legislator of the Year.
read more ...
Monday, February 22, 2010
hide summary...
State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today the introduction of Senate Bill 1475 which strengthens the state’s hands-free and anti-texting laws for motorists.
read more ...
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
hide summary...
Recently released collision and fatality data from the California Highway Patrol (CHP) confirms that California’s streets and highways are safer following the implementation of California’s “hands-free” cell phone law.
read more ...
Monday, February 01, 2010
hide summary...
State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) was recognized today with a 2009 distinguished leadership award by the Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA). The organization recognized Simitian for his work in the legislature dating back to 2001, when he became one of the first legislators to pass design-build laws for public agencies, focusing on K-12 school districts.
read more ...
January 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
hide summary...
Simitian, a member of the Senate Education Committee, will provide an in-depth update on K-12 education funding, “Race to the Top”, and legislation pending in Sacramento.
read more ...
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Friday, January 15, 2010
hide summary...
The Consumer Federation of California and the California Public Interest Research Group (CALPIRG), two statewide consumer rights organizations, have recognized State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) for his 2009 voting record. Both organizations gave Simitian 100% scores on their annual legislative scorecards.
read more ...
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
hide summary...
State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that he will hold a public informational hearing on California’s high-speed rail project on Thursday, January 21st at Palo Alto City Hall.
read more ...
Friday, January 08, 2010
hide summary...
Governor Schwarzenegger signed Senate Bill (SB) 2 (in the 5th Extraordinary Session), authored by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto). Senate Bill X5 2 expands and improves public access to California’s student performance data (CALPADS). The bill passed during a special session focused on enacting legislation to qualify California to compete for up to $700 million in federal “Race to the Top” funding.
read more ...
Thursday, January 07, 2010
hide summary...
State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that he will hold an “Education Update” meeting on Saturday, January 23rd in Palo Alto for school board members, superintendents, teachers, parents, and other education advocates.
read more ...
December 2009
Friday, December 18, 2009
hide summary...
The State Legislature approved Senate Bill (SB) X5 2, authored by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto). The legislation, passed Thursday in a special session focused on education reform, would expand and improve public access to California’s student performance data.
read more ...
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
hide summary...
State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) has received top marks from state environmental and senior groups for his voting record this year.
read more ...
November 2009
Thursday, November 12, 2009
hide summary...
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today signed legislation by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), which aims to restore the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and ensure an adequate supply of water for California in the years ahead.
read more ...
Thursday, November 05, 2009
hide summary...
The hearing will be held in collaboration with the Senate Select Committee on Bay Area Transportation, Chaired by Senator Mark Leno, (D-San Francisco) and the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee’s sub-committee on Caltrans’ budget, headed by Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto).
read more ...
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
hide summary...
SACRAMENTO - The California State Legislature has approved a package of legislation which aims to restore the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and ensure an adequate supply of water for California in the years ahead. A key element of the package is Senate Bill 1 (in the Seventh Extraordinary Session), authored by State Senator Joe Simitian (D- Palo Alto). Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg (D- Sacramento) is a joint author.
read more ...
October 2009
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
hide summary...
Sacramento – As the first major storm of the season hits much of California today, State Senator Joe Simitian (D – Palo Alto) joined law enforcement officials in reminding drivers about the importance of keeping “Wipers On, Lights On.”
read more ...
Monday, October 12, 2009
hide summary...
Sacramento – Governor Schwarzenegger signed Senate Bill 486, authored by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto). The new law – suggested by a constituent in Simitian’s annual “There Oughta Be A Law” contest – will help an estimated one million Californians safely dispose of their “sharps” (a type of medical waste that includes syringes and needles).
read more ...
Sunday, October 11, 2009
hide summary...
Statements of Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) and Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) on Governor Schwarzenegger’s veto of SB 14, Senator Simitian’s bill that would have required all electric utilities to generate a third of their power from renewable resources.
read more ...
Sunday, October 11, 2009
hide summary...
Today Governor Schwarzenegger vetoed State Senator Joe Simitian's (D-Palo Alto) Senate Bill 20. The bill would have strengthened and updated California's landmark privacy protection law that requires businesses and state agencies to notify residents when sensitive personal information is lost or stolen from their databases.
read more ...
Sunday, October 11, 2009
hide summary...
Today Governor Schwarzenegger signed into law Senate Bill 19, by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), which ensures California’s eligibility to compete for $4.35 billion in federal school funding.
read more ...
Friday, October 09, 2009
hide summary...
Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) and Senator Joe Simitian (D- Palo Alto), Chair of the Senate Environmental Quality Committee, sent the Governor the following letter requesting continued productive conversations working toward adopting an enforceable renewable portfolio standard.
read more ...
Monday, October 05, 2009
hide summary...
State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that he will hold town hall meetings in Campbell on October 14th and in San Jose’s Willow Glen neighborhood on October 15th to talk with community members about state government issues.
read more ...
September 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
hide summary...
Sacramento – State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) will be participating in U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood’s Distracted Driving Summit this week in Washington, D.C. The Department of Transportation has invited 200 participants from around the country to determine the best ways to reduce the number of crashes and deaths due to distracted driving.
read more ...
Monday, September 28, 2009
hide summary...
State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) is set to meet with top U.S. Department of Education officials in Washington, D.C. Tuesday regarding California’s “Race to the Top” eligibility; and specifically his legislation, Senate Bill 19, which is on its way to the Governor’s desk for a signature.
read more ...
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
hide summary...
State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) kicked off his ninth annual “There Oughta Be A Law” contest today. The contest invites Californians to submit ideas for state legislation.
read more ...
Monday, September 14, 2009
hide summary...
State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) and supporters of his legislation, Senate Bill 14, called on the Governor today to reconsider threats of a possible veto.
read more ...
Monday, September 14, 2009
hide summary...
State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) will hold a conference call with members of the media to discuss SB 14, his bill to require all electric utilities in California to generate one third of their power from renewable sources by 2020.
read more ...
Saturday, September 12, 2009
hide summary...
Sacramento – Senate Bill 14, which requires all energy providers to buy 33 percent of their energy from clean renewable energy sources by 2020 has been approved by the legislature. The bill, authored by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) now heads to the Governor who has until October 11th to either sign the legislation or veto it.
read more ...
Friday, September 11, 2009
hide summary...
Sacramento- The State Legislature has passed SB 19 by State Senator Joe Simitian, (D-Palo Alto). The measure is designed to put to rest a controversy Simitian describes as “a tempest in a teapot” over California’s eligibility for federal funds for schools.
read more ...
Thursday, September 10, 2009
hide summary...
State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that his bill, SB 486, to facilitate the safe disposal of “sharps” (a type of medical waste that includes syringes and needles) passed its final hurdle in the Legislature.
read more ...
Wednesday, September 09, 2009
hide summary...
The State Legislature approved State Senator Joe Simitian’s (D-Palo Alto) SB 20, a bill to strengthen and update California’s landmark privacy protection law.
read more ...
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
hide summary...
State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today a series of town hall meetings this month in Cupertino, Redwood City, and Palo Alto to talk with community members about state government issues.
read more ...
August 2009
Monday, August 31, 2009
hide summary...
Sacramento- Today the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa released a letter in strong support of SB 14 by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto). The bill requires investor owned utilities, publicly owned utilities, and energy service providers to procure 33% of their electricity from renewable sources such as wind, solar and geothermal by 2020. SB 14 passed the Assembly Appropriations Committee last week, and is currently on the Assembly floor awaiting a vote.
read more ...
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
hide summary...
State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that he will hold “sidewalk office hours” in Willow Glen on August 29th and Campbell on August 30th.
read more ...
Thursday, August 06, 2009
hide summary...
Sacramento- Today Governor Schwarzenegger signed Senate Bill 159, by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), making legislation that requires drivers to move over or slow down when approaching roadside emergency scenes along the highway, permanent.
read more ...
July 2009
Thursday, July 23, 2009
hide summary...
State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that he will hold “sidewalk office hours” in Los Altos on July 30th and San Carlos on August 6th.
read more ...
June 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
hide summary...
State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that he will hold “sidewalk office hours” in Redwood City on July 11th and Menlo Park on July 12th.
read more ...
Monday, June 15, 2009
hide summary...
State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that he will hold “sidewalk office hours” in Palo Alto on Saturday, June 27. Simitian invites community members to visit and voice their questions and concerns about state issues.
read more ...
Monday, June 08, 2009
hide summary...
State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) today announced his selection of Campbell-based painter Sonya Paz as the Eleventh Senate District Artist of the Year. Born and raised in the South Bay, Paz designs and sells artwork from her newly-expanded studio and gallery in downtown Campbell.
read more ...
Friday, June 05, 2009
hide summary...
State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that he will hold “sidewalk office hours” in Campbell on June 14, Cupertino on June 19, and San Jose’s Willow Glen neighborhood on June 20. Simitian invites community members to visit and voice their questions and concerns about state issues.
read more ...
Thursday, June 04, 2009
hide summary...
The League of Women Voters of Palo Alto will host a screening of a new documentary, titled $100 a Day, in Palo Alto on June 11. California State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) will participate in a panel discussion following the film, along with filmmaker Gwen Essegian and Rick Walker, the film’s subject.
read more ...
Monday, June 01, 2009
hide summary...
State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that he will hold an “Education Update” meeting on Saturday, June 13 in Palo Alto for school board members, superintendents, teachers, parents, and other education advocates.
read more ...
May 2009
Monday, May 18, 2009
hide summary...
State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that he will hold three “sidewalk office hours” on May 29-31 in Cupertino, Campbell, and San Jose’s Willow Glen neighborhood.
read more ...
Monday, May 11, 2009
hide summary...
State Senator Joe Simitian announced today that he will hold his fifth annual Ice Cream Social and Open House on Thursday, May 21, from 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM at his office in Santa Cruz. He invites residents of the 11th Senate District to drop in for informal conversation and ice cream.
read more ...
Friday, May 08, 2009
hide summary...
Sacramento – The California State PTA honored State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) with an Honorary Service Award at its 110th annual convention held last week in San Jose.
read more ...
Monday, May 04, 2009
hide summary...
Sacramento – State Senator Joe Simitian is inviting constituents in the 11th State Senate District to participate in the Senate’s first ever live streaming town hall from the State Capitol. “E-Upd@te With State Senator Joe Simitian” will take place from 7 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 13th. All topics will be open for discussion during the one hour event.
read more ...
April 2009
Thursday, April 30, 2009
hide summary...
Sacramento – Winners in State Senator Simitian’s 2009 “There Oughta Be A Law” contest traveled to Sacramento this week to testify in the State Senate – with good results. Advocates for all three bills persuaded Senate Committee members that each of their bills should become state law. Each of the bills now moves onto the next steps of the legislative process.
read more ...
Monday, April 27, 2009
hide summary...
Sacramento – The California State Senate approved today SB 20, legislation by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), which aims to strengthen existing privacy protection laws for California consumers. The new law builds on legislation authored by Simitian in 2002 that requires a business or government agency that incurs a data breach to provide notice to the individual(s) whose information was compromised. More than 40 states have adopted similar legislation since that time, largely based on the California measure.
read more ...
Thursday, April 16, 2009
hide summary...
Sacramento -- The State Senate Thursday voted to approve legislation to provide for creation of a regional park and open space district in Santa Cruz County. SB 211, authored by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) and co-authored by State Assemblymember Bill Monning (D-Santa Cruz) is sponsored by the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County.
read more ...
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
hide summary...
Palo Alto -- State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) will host a community celebration in honor of Naomi Nakano-Matsumoto, the 11th State Senate District’s Woman of the Year, in Cupertino on April 23.
read more ...
Thursday, April 09, 2009
hide summary...
Palo Alto -- State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today his selection of Hicklebee’s as the 11th Senate District Small Business of the Year.
read more ...
March 2009
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
hide summary...
Sacramento – Senate Bill 14, which requires all energy providers to buy 33 percent of their energy from clean renewable energy sources by 2020 has been approved by the Senate 21-16. The bill, authored by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) now heads to the Assembly.
read more ...
Thursday, March 19, 2009
hide summary...
Sacramento -- After reviewing 331 proposals from residents around the state, State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today the three winners of this year’s “There Oughta Be A Law” contest. Simitian’s annual contest invites Californians to submit suggestions for new legislation.
read more ...
Thursday, March 12, 2009
hide summary...
SACRAMENTO – State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today his selection of Naomi Nakano-Matsumoto as the 11th State Senate District’s Woman of the Year.
read more ...
January 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
hide summary...
Sacramento - State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced that he will hold an “Education Update” meeting on Saturday, January 24 in Palo Alto for school board members, superintendents, teachers, parents, and other education advocates.
read more ...
Thursday, January 15, 2009
hide summary...
Sacramento - Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) announced that he has appointed State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) as Chair of the Senate Budget Subcommittee on Resources, Environmental Protection, Energy & Transportation. Steinberg also reappointed Simitian as Chair of the Senate Environmental Quality Committee, with jurisdiction over environmental quality, air quality, toxics, water quality, and hazardous waste.
read more ...
December 2008
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
hide summary...
Palo Alto – As Californians usher in the New Year, they will find new protections for many including victims of sexual abuse, veterans and seniors. The protections will come from laws that State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) authored and will take effect on January 1, 2009. The following are among the 14 bills that Simitian received signatures on this fall from the Governor.
read more ...
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
hide summary...
Sacramento – State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that he introduced Senate Bill 14, which requires the state to buy 33 percent of its energy from clean, environmentally friendly renewable energy resources by 2020. Simitian said he introduced the bill on the first day of session, “because of the urgency of this issue.”
read more ...
October 2008
Monday, October 06, 2008
hide summary...
Palo Alto – State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) kicked off his eighth annual “There Oughta Be A Law” contest today. The contest invites Californians to submit ideas for state legislation.
read more ...
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
hide summary...
Sacramento – State Senator Joe Simitian’s legislation (SB 31) to outlaw “skimming,” the covert reading of personal information stored on RFID-enabled ID cards, was signed into law by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. The bill makes it a crime to surreptitiously read information stored on tiny electronic devices known as RFID tags.
read more ...
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
hide summary...
Palo Alto – State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that Governor Schwarzenegger has signed his Senate Bill 1400, which provides greater protection for the elderly and vulnerable against deceptive sweepstakes solicitations. Simitian’s measure is the first such effort in the past 10 years.
read more ...
September 2008
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
hide summary...
Sacramento – Governor Schwarzenegger today signed legislation to address the needs of the Sacramento San Joaquin Delta in the event of an emergency. Senate Bill 27, authored by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), requires the Office of Emergency Services to convene a Multi-Hazard Coordination Task Force that is responsible for emergency response planning in the Delta. Simitian said his goal with SB 27 is, “to make sure that at the moment of emergency, we know who’s in charge and what’s to be done; and that folks are properly trained for a successful response.”
read more ...
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
hide summary...
Sacramento – Governor Schwarzenegger today signed legislation creating outreach programs for veterans to learn about and seek treatment for traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Senate Bill 1401, authored by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), ensures that service men and women returning from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars are aware of the causes, symptoms, impacts and treatment options for these injuries.
read more ...
Monday, September 29, 2008
hide summary...
Palo Alto – State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that Governor Schwarzenegger signed his Senate Bill (SB) 1298, which will create the Education Data and Information Act of 2008, an unprecedented first step towards linking data about K-12 education with databases of dozens of state agencies. Armed with the data from these linked systems, policymakers will be able to make more informed decisions about how to spend the more than $50 billion education budget in California.
read more ...
Monday, September 29, 2008
hide summary...
Sacramento – Governor Schwarzenegger today signed legislation to ensure that first-responders are adequately trained and prepared to take action on marine oil spills. Senate Bill 1739, authored by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), addresses a variety of key obstacles to ensure the environmental health of California’s coast and ocean.
read more ...
Monday, September 29, 2008
hide summary...
Palo Alto – State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that Governor Schwarzenegger signed his Senate Bill 509, which establishes the Toxics Information Clearinghouse to allow consumers, businesses, and workers to gain knowledge about chemicals. SB 509 helps form the foundations for the Governor's Initiative on Green Chemistry, the most comprehensive in the nation, as a means for establishing a scientific-based process to evaluate chemicals and alternatives.
read more ...
Sunday, September 28, 2008
hide summary...
Palo Alto – State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that Governor Schwarzenegger signed his Senate Bill (SB) 640. The measure is designed to close a loophole in the law that currently prevents victims of childhood sexual abuse from seeking justice later in life, and which inadvertently creates an incentive for school districts to look the other way in cases of sexual misconduct by their staff.
read more ...
Saturday, September 27, 2008
hide summary...
Sacramento – State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that Governor Schwarzenegger has signed his Senate Bill 1311, which will make more small business loans available to California businesses.
read more ...
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
hide summary...
Sacramento – State Senator Joe Simitian’s legislation (Senate Bill 28) to prohibit text messaging while driving was signed into law today by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. The measure takes effect January 1, 2009.
read more ...
Monday, September 22, 2008
hide summary...
Palo Alto – State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) will hold town hall meetings in Campbell, Cupertino and Willow Glen on Wednesday, October 1, Wednesday, October 15 and Thursday, October 16, respectively. He invites residents of the 11th Senate District to bring their questions, comments, and concerns about state government.
read more ...
August 2008
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
hide summary...
Palo Alto – State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that he will hold his “sidewalk office hours” on Friday, September 5 in Cupertino and Sunday, September 7 in Campbell. Simitian once again invites community members to visit and voice questions and comments about state legislative issues.
read more ...
July 2008
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
hide summary...
Sacramento – The contentious issue of “trees versus solar power” –– that produced a criminal conviction and drew international attention –– has been put to rest. State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that Governor Schwarzenegger has signed his Senate Bill 1399.
read more ...
Thursday, July 03, 2008
hide summary...
SACRAMENTO – Governor Schwarzenegger today signed legislation extending the life of the San Mateo County Child Care Subsidy Pilot Project. Senate Bill 1304, authored by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), which extends the life of San Mateo County’s “first in the state” affordable child care program. Because the cost of living in San Mateo County is high, many of the state’s rules and regulations have historically not allowed San Mateo County residents to qualify for affordable child care. As a result, fewer children were served and unspent funds had to be returned to the state.
read more ...
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
hide summary...
Sacramento - State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today the Governor’s signature of his Senate Bill (SB) 612 which gives victims of identity theft a better opportunity to obtain justice. “As criminals adapt technology to devise new ways to steal, the state must adapt its laws to prosecute them,” said Simitian.
read more ...
June 2008
Monday, June 09, 2008
hide summary...
Palo Alto – State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that he will hold his “sidewalk office hours” on Saturday, June 14 in Palo Alto and Sunday, June 15 in Menlo Park. Simitian once again invites community members to visit and voice questions and comments about state legislative issues.
read more ...
May 2008
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
hide summary...
Sacramento - State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today his selection of Linden Tree Children's Recordings and Books as the 11th State Senate District’s Small Business of the Year.
read more ...
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
hide summary...
Sacramento - State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that he will host an “Education Update” meeting on Saturday, May 17 in Palo Alto for local school board members, superintendents, teachers, parents and other education advocates.
read more ...
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
hide summary...
Sacramento – State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that research conducted by the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) estimates 300-900 lives will be saved annually once California’s hands-free cell phone law goes into effect.
read more ...
Thursday, May 08, 2008
hide summary...
Students, parents, teachers and officials of the Redwood City School District will present Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) with ten boxes full of their letters and artwork expressing concern about proposed budget cuts to education. Simitian plans to personally deliver the letters to Governor Schwarzenegger when he is in Sacramento on Monday.
read more ...
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
hide summary...
Sacramento – State Senator Joe Simitian announced today that he will hold his fourth annual Ice Cream Social and Open House on Thursday, May 22, from 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM at his office in Santa Cruz. He invites residents of the 11th Senate District to drop in for informal conversation and ice cream.
read more ...
April 2008
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
hide summary...
Sacramento – State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that his Senate Bill 1399, which strikes a balance between trees and solar, and provides a clear exemption from the California Solar Shade Control Act law for pre-existing trees, passed the California State Senate on a unanimous 38-0 vote. The bill now moves to the State Assembly for a hearing in June or July.
read more ...
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
hide summary...
Sacramento – Legislation aimed at curbing cruise ship crime and pollution passed its first hurdle today –– with flying colors. On a bipartisan 5-0 vote, the Senate Public Safety Committee approved State Senator Joe Simitian’s Senate Bill 1582, legislation that protects the public, enhances homeland security and ensures compliance with laws banning offshore dumping of cruise ship waste. The measure requires that every cruise ship entering and exiting a California port have a qualified Ocean Ranger on board.
read more ...
Thursday, April 03, 2008
hide summary...
Sacramento – State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), author of the bill that established the San Mateo County Child Care Subsidy Pilot Project, announced today that SB 1304, his bill to extend that program for another 5 years, has passed out of the Senate Education Committee on a 6-0 vote. The bill will next go to the Senate Floor for approval.
read more ...
March 2008
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
hide summary...
Sacramento – After reviewing 429 bill ideas from within and outside of his district, State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) today announced three winners in this year’s “There Oughta Be A Law” contest.
read more ...
Monday, March 10, 2008
hide summary...
Sacramento – State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today legislation to require that every cruise ship entering and exiting a California port have a qualified Ocean Ranger on board to protect the public, enhance homeland security and ensure compliance with laws banning offshore dumping of cruise ship waste.
read more ...
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
hide summary...
Sacramento - State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that Campbell resident Jeanette Watson has been named the 11th Senate District’s Woman of the Year. She was chosen because of her leadership in civic improvement and historical preservation, including spearheading projects for seniors, community beautification, and cultural growth.
read more ...
February 2008
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
hide summary...
Sacramento - Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California (PPAC) has recognized State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) for scoring 100% on his 2007 voting record on legislation to protect reproductive health and rights. Simitian has consistently scored 100% for his voting record on pro-choice measures.
Simitian was previously honored by Planned Parenthood Advocates Mar Monte in 2007 with their “Voices for Change” Legislator Award.
read more ...
Friday, February 01, 2008
hide summary...
Sacramento - State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced that he will host an “Education Update” meeting on Thursday, February 7 in Santa Cruz for local school board members, superintendents, teachers, parents, and other education advocates.
Simitian timed this meeting with the recent release of the Governor’s budget proposal. Simitian said, “I’m particularly anxious to hear from folks given these tight budget times and the Governor’s proposal that the state suspend Proposition 98, the voter-approved minimum guarantee for education funding.”
read more ...
Friday, February 01, 2008
hide summary...
Sacramento - “As criminals adapt technology to devise new ways to steal, the state must adapt its laws to prosecute them,” said State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), praising Senate approval of his Senate Bill (SB) 612, which would give victims of identity theft a better opportunity to obtain justice.
Simitian introduced SB 612, which passed 40-0, to allow identity theft to be prosecuted in the county in which the victim lives, which is not always the case now. Current law permits prosecution in the county in which the theft occurred or the county in which the information was illegally used, both of which may be hundreds of miles away from the victim’s home.
read more ...
January 2008
Thursday, January 31, 2008
hide summary...
Sacramento - The California State Senate passed Senate Bill (SB) 364, authored by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), which would require that consumers receive a clear, informative notification letter when personal data kept by a business or public agency has been stolen. It also requires the state to establish a central reporting site to catalog security breaches. The vote of 30-7 moves the bill to the State Assembly.
read more ...
Thursday, January 31, 2008
hide summary...
Sacramento - The world's warming climate is a prime concern of California's elected officials, international diplomats, venture capitalists, and even Hollywood filmmakers.
"California's students need to understand what's happening and what's causing it," said State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), announcing passage of his Senate Bill (SB) 908 in the Senate. The bill would require climate change to be included in California schools’ science curriculum and in textbooks for environmental education.
read more ...
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
hide summary...
Sacramento - The California State Senate has endorsed the important principle that consumers should be able to find out what is in the products they purchase by passing a “disclosure of ingredients” bill introduced by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto).
The measure, Senate Bill (SB) 509, would require manufacturers of consumer products to publish on the Web a list of every substance in a product that makes up more than one-tenth of one percent of the whole. While previous laws have mandated disclosure of ingredients in food and cosmetics, no similar requirement exists for the thousands of consumer products that people buy and use every day.
read more ...
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
hide summary...
Sacramento - The California State Senate took action today to outlaw “skimming,” the surreptitious reading of personal information stored on RFID-enabled ID cards, State Sen. Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto, announced today.
RFID stands for radio frequency identification. It involves placing a “tag,” a tiny receptor device containing electronic information, on an object. The tag can be read by directing radio waves at it, which causes the tag to send back a signal containing the information.
“The problem is real,” Simitian said. In a controlled experiment, “the card I use to access the State Capitol was skimmed and cloned by a hacker in a split second. Minutes later, using that clone of my card, he was able to walk right into the Capitol through a ‘secure’ and locked entrance.”
read more ...
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
hide summary...
Sacramento - The world’s warming climate is a prime concern of California’s elected officials, international diplomats, venture capitalists, and even Hollywood filmmakers.
“California’s students need to understand what’s happening and what’s causing it,” said State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), announcing that he has proposed his Senate Bill (SB) 908, which would require climate change to be included in California schools’ science curriculum and in textbooks for environmental education. The bill is slated to be voted on by the State Senate tomorrow. If passed, it will move next to the State Assembly.
read more ...
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
hide summary...
Sacramento - State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that he will host a pair of “Education Update” meetings on Saturday, January 26 in Palo Alto and Thursday, February 7 in Santa Cruz for local school board members, superintendents, teachers, parents, and other education advocates.
read more ...
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
hide summary...
“The Governor’s continued commitment to work with the Legislature in a “post-partisan” fashion is both welcome and encouraging.”
“However, the notion that we can solve a $14 billion budget shortfall with across-the-board cuts –– in education, health care and public safety –– is simply unrealistic. The real solution is as challenging as it is simple: Spend less. Collect more. Do it now."
“My own efforts will continue to focus on protecting public education and our environment. These issues remain a priority for me, my constituents and Californians throughout the state.”
read more ...
October 2007
Monday, October 15, 2007
hide summary...
Sacramento – Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced that he has signed SB 898, a bill by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) to continue two voluntary tax check-off programs, the State Children’s Trust Fund for the Prevention of Child Abuse and the Rare and Endangered Species Preservation Program
read more ...
Friday, October 12, 2007
hide summary...
Sacramento – State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that Governor Schwarzenegger signed his Senate Bill 362, which would prohibit employers and others from forcing anyone to have a radio frequency identification (RFID) device implanted under their skin. The bill will go into effect on January 1, 2008.
read more ...
Friday, October 12, 2007
hide summary...
Sacramento – Governor Schwarzenegger announced today that he has signed Senate Bill 966, a bill by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) to put in place a drug “take-back” program to help ensure proper disposal of over the counter drugs and prescription pharmaceuticals.
read more ...
Friday, October 12, 2007
hide summary...
Sacramento – State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that Governor Schwarzenegger signed his Senate Bill (SB) 614, which would help build schools in California that are completed faster, cost less, and make the best use of tax dollars. SB 614 dramatically expands the number of K-12 schools eligible to use the “design/build” method of construction, and authorizes all community college districts to use design/build.
read more ...
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
hide summary...
Palo Alto – State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) will hold a Town Hall meeting in Santa Cruz on Thursday, October 11. He invites residents of the 11th Senate District to bring their questions, comments, and concerns about state government.
read more ...
September 2007
Monday, September 24, 2007
hide summary...
Palo Alto – State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) kicked off his seventh annual “There Oughta Be A Law” contest today. The contest invites Californians to submit ideas for new state legislation.
read more ...
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
hide summary...
Palo Alto – State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) will hold Town Hall meetings in Redwood City, Palo Alto and Los Altos on Thursday, September 27, Saturday, September 29 and Thursday, October 4, respectively. He invites residents of the 11th Senate District to bring their questions, comments, and concerns about state government.
read more ...
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
hide summary...
Governor Schwarzenegger announced today that he will hold a bill signing ceremony in Redwood City to sign into law State Senator Joe Simitian’s (D-Palo Alto) SB 33, which will prohibit drivers under the age of 18 from using a cell phone, pager, text messaging device, or laptop while driving. The bill will go into effect on July 1, 2008.
read more ...
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
hide summary...
Sacramento – State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that his Senate Bill (SB) 966, which puts in place a drug “take-back” program, passed the California State Senate by a 28-11 vote on Monday. The bill now goes to the Governor, who has 30 days to sign or veto it.
read more ...
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
hide summary...
Sacramento – State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) was named Legislator of the Year today by Californians Against Waste, a statewide organization dedicated to advancing waste reduction and recycling policy in California.
read more ...
August 2007
Thursday, August 30, 2007
hide summary...
Sacramento – State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that his Senate Bill 362, which would prohibit any person from forcing any other person to undergo an implant in their body of a radio frequency identification (RFID) device, passed the Senate Floor on a 28-9 vote today. The bill now goes to the Governor.
read more ...
Monday, August 27, 2007
hide summary...
Sacramento – State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that the State Assembly passed SB 33, his bill to prohibit drivers under the age of 18 from using a cell phone, pager, text-messaging device, or laptop while driving, on an initial vote of 62-5. The bill, which passed the State Senate in April, now goes to the State Senate for a final vote on Assembly amendments, then on to the Governor who has 30 days to sign or veto the bill.
read more ...
Thursday, August 23, 2007
hide summary...
Santa Cruz –The Santa Cruz County Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) announced today that State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) is being honored for his work to protect the privacy rights of Californians. Simitian will accept the “True Patriot” award at the chapter’s annual awards ceremony in Santa Cruz on Sunday.
read more ...
Monday, August 20, 2007
hide summary...
Sacramento – State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) received the 2006 “Legislator of the Year” Award today from the California County Superintendents Educational Services Association (CCSESA) at the group’s monthly board meeting.
read more ...
Thursday, August 16, 2007
hide summary...
Sacramento — The Consumer Federation of California, a statewide nonprofit consumer rights advocacy organization, has recognized State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) for scoring 100% on his 2006 voting record on consumer protection legislation.
read more ...
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
hide summary...
Palo Alto – State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that he will hold his “sidewalk office hours” on Saturday, August 25 in Redwood City and Sunday, August 26 in Campbell. Simitian once again invites community members to visit and voice questions and comments about state legislative issues.
read more ...
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
hide summary...
Sacramento – State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) today announced his selection of Palo Alto-based muralist Greg Brown as the Eleventh Senate District Artist of the Year.
read more ...
July 2007
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
hide summary...
Palo Alto - State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that he plans a series of visits to California State Parks in his district “to see firsthand the impact of budget cuts on our state parks.” This weekend Simitian will tour Castle Rock State Park in the Santa Cruz Mountains, where he will meet with a Park Ranger to discuss the state’s limited funding for parks and the impact on staffing, maintenance, and other needs. After the briefing, Simitian will spend the afternoon hiking in Castle Rock State Park.
read more ...
June 2007
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
hide summary...
Sacramento – State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that he will hold a public forum in Palo Alto on Saturday, June 23 to discuss Assemblymember Lloyd Levine’s AB 1634, known as the California Healthy Pets Act, which would prohibit any person from owning a cat or dog over the age of four months that has not been spayed or neutered, unless that person has a permit that allows them to own an unaltered cat or dog.
read more ...
Friday, June 08, 2007
Monday, June 04, 2007
hide summary...
Sacramento – State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that his SB 412, which establishes a review and approval process for pending liquefied natural gas (LNG) proposals along the California coast, passed the California State Senate on a 22-12 vote. The bill now moves to the Assembly for a hearing in June or July.
read more ...
Monday, June 04, 2007
hide summary...
Palo Alto - State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that he will hold his “sidewalk office hours” on Saturday, June 9 in Palo Alto and Sunday, June 10 in Menlo Park. Simitian once again invites community members to visit and voice questions and comments about state legislative issues.
read more ...
May 2007
Thursday, May 31, 2007
hide summary...
Sacramento – State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that his SB 966, which puts in place a prescription drug disposal plan, passed the California State Senate on a 21-13 vote, with no margin to spare. The bill now moves to the State Assembly for a hearing in June or July.
read more ...
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
hide summary...
Palo Alto – State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that he will hold his annual “sidewalk office hours” on Saturday, June 2 in Redwood City and Thursday, June 7 in San Carlos. Simitian once again invites community members to visit and voice questions and comments about state legislative issues.
read more ...
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
hide summary...
Sacramento – State Senator Joe Simitian announced today that he will hold his third annual Open House and Ice Cream Social on Thursday, May 24, from 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM at his office in Santa Cruz. He invites residents of the 11th Senate District to drop in for informal conversation and ice cream.
read more ...
Friday, May 18, 2007
hide summary...
Sacramento – State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) today commended the Schwarzenegger administration for the Governor’s denial of a pending LNG proposal. The project has previously been rejected by both the State Lands Commission and California Coastal Commission.
read more ...
Thursday, May 17, 2007
hide summary...
Sacramento – State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that his SB 411, which accelerates the state’s commitment to buy energy from clean, environmentally friendly renewable energy resources passed the California State Senate on a 21-15 vote. The bill now moves to the State Assembly for a hearing in June or July.
read more ...
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
hide summary...
Sacramento – State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) today expressed “deep concern” about the $366 million missing for low-wealth schools in Governor Schwarzenegger’s May Revision to the 2007-08 budget, which was released yesterday.
read more ...
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
hide summary...
Sacramento - State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today his selection of Bookshop Santa Cruz as the 11th State Senate District’s Small Business of the Year.
read more ...
April 2007
Thursday, April 26, 2007
hide summary...
Sacramento – State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that the State Senate passed SB 33, his bill to prohibit drivers under the age of 18 from using a cell phone while driving, on a bipartisan 21-14 vote. The bill will now be sent to the Assembly for a hearing in June or July.
read more ...
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
hide summary...
Sacramento – State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that his Senate Bills 28 and 29, which would protect information in driver’s licenses and sensitive student data by issuing a three-year moratorium on the use of radio frequency identification (RFID) or ‘smart chip’ technology in schools and driver’s licenses, have advanced through the Senate. They will be heard next in the Assembly.
read more ...
Monday, April 09, 2007
hide summary...
Sacramento – Senate Democrats unveiled legislation today to improve the management of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Senate Bill 27 will, among other things, bolster emergency preparedness, identify levees that need strengthening and enhance wildlife restoration.
read more ...
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
hide summary...
Sacramento - After reviewing more than 250 bill ideas from within and outside of his district, State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) today announced this year's winners in his "There Oughta Be A Law" contest. read more ...
March 2007
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
hide summary...
Sacramento - State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) was named "Legislator of the Year" by two education groups recently, the California Association of Student Councils and the Association of Low Wealth Schools. read more ...
Monday, March 05, 2007
hide summary...
Sacramento – State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that Linda Williams of Palo Alto has been named the 11th Senate District’s Woman of the Year. The President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Mar Monte, Williams was chosen for her dedication to ensuring underserved women and families receive necessary services to fulfill their potential as equal partners in society.
read more ...
February 2007
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
hide summary...
Sacramento – Senate President pro Tem Don Perata (D-Oakland) announced that he has appointed State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) to three key posts: as Chair of the newly formed Senate Select Committee on Privacy; as a member of the State Allocation Board; and as a member of the State Coastal Conservancy.
read more ...
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
hide summary...
Palo Alto – State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) today received the 2007 Award for Excellence in Public Policy at the opening session of the 16th annual RSA Conference, the world’s largest event for cyber security professionals to share and exchange ideas to address identity theft and security breaches. This year’s conference is expected to draw 15,000 computer security experts from around the world.
read more ...
January 2007
Monday, January 29, 2007
hide summary...
Palo Alto - State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that he will host his semi-annual “Education Update” meetings on Saturday, February 10 in Palo Alto and Thursday, February 15 in Santa Cruz for local school board members, superintendents, teachers, parents, and other education advocates.
read more ...
Monday, January 22, 2007
hide summary...
State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) is going ‘back to school.’ He will visit three high schools that serve students in Redwood City, Los Altos and Mountain View. Among his scheduled engagements, Simitian will meet with student leaders at Sequoia High School in Redwood City. At Summit Preparatory Charter High School, he will meet with faculty. Simitian will address students about his privacy legislation at Freestyle Academy, an alternative technology and communications arts school for high school juniors and seniors in the Mountain View-Los Altos School District.
read more ...
Monday, January 08, 2007
hide summary...
“I’m pleased that the Governor has committed himself to work with the Legislature on a bi-partisan basis once again this year. His pledge to work together on a shared vision for the state was an encouraging sign.”
“The issues he addressed are challenging, though – education, health care and prison overcrowding for example. My hope is that the willingness to find common ground will be sustainable through the push and shove that is an inevitable part of the process.”
read more ...
Sunday, January 07, 2007
hide summary...
Sacramento - State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) will be available to meet with media representatives in the media tent outside of the State Capitol before Governor Schwarzenegger’s State of the State address tomorrow, and available after the address in the State Capitol. Simitian will also issue a statement following the speech.
read more ...
December 2006
Friday, December 29, 2006
hide summary...
Sacramento – Effective January 1, 2007, a new state law will require drivers approaching a roadside emergency scene to move over one lane to create a safety buffer for emergency crews, or to slow down if they can’t move over safely. Drivers who disobey the law risk receiving a $50 ticket. The law, introduced as SB 1610 by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), was signed by the Governor in September.
read more ...
Thursday, December 28, 2006
hide summary...
Sacramento – As calendars turn to 2007 next week, California’s seniors will have one more set of eyes looking out for them. SB 1018, a law that will protect elders by making bank, savings and loan, and credit union employees mandated reporters of elder financial abuse, will go into effect on January 1. The bill was authored by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) and signed into law in 2005.
read more ...
November 2006
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
hide summary...
Sacramento – The Sierra Club and the California League of Conservation Voters have recognized State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) for his 100% voting record on environmental issues in 2006.
read more ...
October 2006
Thursday, October 12, 2006
hide summary...
The Senate Select Committee on California’s Master Plan for Education, chaired by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), will hold an informational hearing in San Jose to discuss California’s charter schools. Simitian has expressed concern over the “increasingly contentious” atmosphere surrounding the charter school application and approval process.
read more ...
Sunday, October 01, 2006
hide summary...
Sacramento – State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that his Senate Bill 768, which would have made California the first state in the nation to require privacy and security protections for the use of radio frequency identification (RFID) or ‘smart chip’ technology in government-issued identification documents, was vetoed by Governor Schwarzenegger on Saturday.
read more ...
September 2006
Saturday, September 30, 2006
hide summary...
Sacramento – Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced today that he has signed SB 423, a bill by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), to allow energy companies to donate electricity to non-profit organizations. Under SB 423, non-profits will still pay all normal transmission costs for the energy, so as not to affect other ratepayers, but the organization will receive the energy itself at no cost.
read more ...
Friday, September 29, 2006
hide summary...
Sacramento – Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced today that he has signed SB 202, authored by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), which protects consumers’ phone records from being unknowingly obtained by others.
read more ...
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
hide summary...
The Senate Environmental Quality Committee will hold a hearing in Los Altos Hills to discuss the challenges and opportunities for California’s businesses to design, manufacture, and use alternatives to hazardous materials that are safer for the public’s health and the environment. Panelists will discuss, for example, how companies can produce non-toxic consumer products ranging from toys to the carpet in your home.
read more ...
Monday, September 25, 2006
hide summary...
Palo Alto – State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) will hold a Town Hall meeting in Redwood City on Thursday, September 28. He invites residents to bring their questions, comments, and concerns about state government.
read more ...
Thursday, September 21, 2006
hide summary...
Sacramento – Governor Schwarzenegger announced today that he has signed Senate Bill 1610, by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), a bill to require motorists to move over or slow down when approaching roadside emergency scenes along the highway. The new “Move Over, Slow Down” law takes effect January 1, 2007.
read more ...
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
hide summary...
Palo Alto – State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) kicked off his sixth annual “There Oughta Be a Law” contest today. The contest invites Californians to submit ideas for new state legislation.
read more ...
Thursday, September 14, 2006
hide summary...
Governor Schwarzenegger announced today that he will hold a bill signing ceremony in Oakland to sign into law State Senator Joe Simitian’s (D-Palo Alto) SB 1613, which will require California drivers who choose to use a cell phone while driving to use a hands-free device. The bill, which will go into effect on July 1, 2008, allows exceptions for drivers calling law enforcement or public safety agencies, as well as emergency services personnel driving authorized vehicles.
read more ...
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
hide summary...
Sacramento – State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) will hold Town Hall meetings in Palo Alto and Redwood City on Saturday, September 16 and Thursday, September 28, respectively. He invites residents to bring their questions, comments, and concerns about state government.
read more ...
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
hide summary...
Governor Schwarzenegger announced today that he will hold a bill signing ceremony in Palo Alto to sign into law State Senator Joe Simitian’s (D-Palo Alto) SB 1609.
read more ...
August 2006
Thursday, August 31, 2006
hide summary...
Sacramento – State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that his SB 497, the Coastal Ecosystems Protection Act, has been sent to the Governor for signature. SB 497 creates standards for the discharge of ballast water, which is used by cargo vessels to maintain balance when not fully laden.
read more ...
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
hide summary...
Sacramento – Senior groups are urging Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to sign State Senator Joe Simitian’s (D-Palo Alto) Senate Bill 1609, a bill to protect seniors from predatory lending practices and abuse in connection with reverse mortgages, a popular type of loan that allows seniors age 62 or older to receive cash by borrowing against the equity of their homes.
read more ...
July 2006
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
hide summary...
The Senate Select Committee on California’s Master Plan for Education will hold the first in a series of hearings to discuss the state of California’s charter schools.
read more ...
Monday, July 24, 2006
hide summary...
Palo Alto – State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that he will hold his annual “sidewalk office hours” on Saturday, August 5 and Sunday, August 6, 2006 in Palo Alto, Redwood City, and Menlo Park. Simitian once again invites community members to visit and voice questions and comments about state legislative issues.
read more ...
June 2006
Monday, June 26, 2006
hide summary...
The Senate Environmental Quality Committee will hold a hearing to discuss findings in the University of California Policy Research Center’s Report, “Green Chemistry in California: A Framework for Leadership in Chemicals Policy and Innovation.” Panelists will provide information about how and where Californians are using various chemicals and what effect these substances are having on the public’s health and the environment.
read more ...
May 2006
Friday, May 26, 2006
hide summary...
Sacramento – State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that SB 1613, his bill to require the use of hands-free cell phone devices while driving, passed the State Senate on Thursday on a 21-14 vote. The bill now moves to the State Assembly.
read more ...
Friday, May 26, 2006
hide summary...
Sacramento – State Senator Joe Simitian (D – Palo Alto) announced today that Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed Senate Bill 201, Simitian’s legislation to regulate aquaculture (also known as fish farming) along California’s coast. In his signing message, Schwarzenegger called the legislation a “common sense proposal” that would “provide strict protections for the environment and consumers.
read more ...
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
hide summary...
Sacramento – State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today his selection of Kepler’s Books and Magazines as the 11th Senate District’s Small Business of the Year. Kepler’s will be honored at a luncheon in Sacramento sponsored by the California Small Business Association later this month.
read more ...
Thursday, May 18, 2006
hide summary...
Sacramento – State Senator Joe Simitian announced today that he will hold his second annual Open House and Ice Cream Social on Thursday, May 25, from 4 PM – 6 PM at his office in Santa Cruz. He invites residents of the 11th Senate District to drop in for informal conversation and ice cream.
read more ...
Thursday, May 11, 2006
hide summary...
Sacramento – State Senator Joe Simitian (D – Palo Alto) announced today that Senate Bill 201, a bill to regulate aquaculture (also known as fish farming) along California’s coast, has been approved by the Legislature and awaits the Governor’s signature. Simitian said he introduced the bill because of concerns about the fish farming industry’s potential impact on “our coastal environment and economy, as well as the public’s health and safety. The standards are rigorous, but attainable,” said Simitian. “My hope,” he added, “is that these standards will be a model for other states, and for the nation.”
read more ...
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
hide summary...
Sacramento - State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) has been forced to cancel his “Education Update” meeting on Thursday, May 4 in Santa Cruz. Simitian and the rest of the State Senate have been called to a special session to vote on a package of four infrastructure bonds including a $10 billlion education bond.
read more ...
April 2006
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
hide summary...
Sacramento - State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that he will host his semi-annual “Education Update” meeting on Thursday, May 4 in Santa Cruz and Saturday, May 6 in Palo Alto for local school board members, superintendents, teachers, parents, and other education advocates.
read more ...
Thursday, April 20, 2006
hide summary...
A broad coalition comprised of MAVIN Foundation, the Association of MultiEthnic Americans (AMEA), the Multiethnic Education Program, Swirl, Inc, iPride, Asian Americans for Civil Rights & Equality, the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL), and the Chicano Consortium, will hold a press conference to discuss their support of SB 1615, authored by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto).
read more ...
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
hide summary...
Palo Alto – State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) will hold a community reception in honor of Paula Uccelli, the 11th State Senate District’s Woman of the Year, in Redwood City on Thursday, April 27.
read more ...
March 2006
Thursday, March 30, 2006
hide summary...
Sacramento – California National Organization of Women (NOW) yesterday named State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) 2005 Legislator of the Year.
read more ...
Monday, March 27, 2006
hide summary...
Sacramento – State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), a member of the Senate Budget Subcommittee on Education, today proposed an additional allocation of $500 million from the current year budget to serve as a good-faith down payment on paying back money the state borrowed from schools in 2004-2005. Simitian’s motion was approved today by the Senate Budget Subcommittee on Education by a 2-0 vote with one member abstaining.
read more ...
Monday, March 20, 2006
hide summary...
Sacramento – The Sierra Club and the California League of Conservation Voters (CLCV) have recognized State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) for his 100% voting record on environmental issues in 2005.
read more ...
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
hide summary...
Palo Alto –State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that Paula Uccelli of Redwood City has been named the 11th Senate District’s Woman of the Year. A true mainstay in her community, Uccelli was chosen because of her tireless efforts to promote education, the arts, and volunteerism.
read more ...
February 2006
Monday, February 27, 2006
hide summary...
Sacramento – After reviewing more than 260 bill ideas from within and outside of his district, State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) today announced this year’s winners in his “There Oughta Be A Law” contest.
read more ...
Friday, February 24, 2006
hide summary...
The Senate Environmental Quality Committee will hold a hearing to consider the air quality, climate change, and planning ramifications of the Governor's transportation bond proposal.
read more ...
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
hide summary...
Sacramento – State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that he has introduced SB 1358 to help low-wealth, under-funded school districts across California.
read more ...
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
hide summary...
Sacramento – State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) will serve on a keynote panel about data breach notification laws at the 2006 RSA conference, the world’s largest event for cyber security professionals.
read more ...
January 2006
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
hide summary...
Palo Alto – State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced that the California State University, Sacramento’s Center for California Studies is currently accepting applications for four prestigious State government fellowship programs: the California Senate Fellows, the Jesse M. Unruh Assembly Fellowship Program, the Executive Fellowship Program, and the Judicial Administration Fellowship Program. The application deadline is February 22, 2006.
read more ...
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
hide summary...
Sacramento - State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that he will host his semi-annual “Education Update” meeting on January 28 for local school board members, superintendents, teachers, parents, and other education advocates.
read more ...
Thursday, January 19, 2006
hide summary...
Sacramento — CALPIRG, one of the state’s leading consumer advocacy organizations, has recognized State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) for scoring 100% on his 2005 voting record on consumer protection legislation.
read more ...
November 2005
Thursday, November 17, 2005
hide summary...
Palo Alto – The Congress of California Seniors and the California Alliance for Retired Americans (CARA) released their annual legislative scorecards, giving State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) a 100% voting record on legislation supporting seniors.
read more ...
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
hide summary...
Sacramento - Senate President pro Tem Don Perata announced today that he has appointed State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) as Chair of the Senate Environmental Quality Committee, with jurisdiction over environmental quality, air quality, integrated waste management, toxics, water quality, and hazardous waste.
read more ...
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
hide summary...
Sacramento – State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that this month's guest on his monthly television show Capitol Focus is Tim Eichenberg, Director of the Pacific Regional Office for The Ocean Conservancy, a leading environmental organization dedicated to protecting oceans.
read more ...
October 2005
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
hide summary...
Sacramento – Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced that he signed SB 422, by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), which will give Californians access to affordable justice by raising the threshold for individuals in small claims court from $5,000 to $7,500.
read more ...
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
hide summary...
Sacramento – Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed SB 798 and SB 802, by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), which will help people of modest means gain access to unused prescription drugs, and protect consumers against identity theft, respectively.
read more ...
Friday, October 07, 2005
hide summary...
SACRAMENTO – Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced today that he has signed SB 771, by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), a bill to protect California’s coast and ocean by prohibiting the rapidly growing commercial shipping industry from dumping harmful substances into California’s water and air.
read more ...
September 2005
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
hide summary...
Sacramento – Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced today that he has signed SB 687, by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), a bill to increase the information that school districts share in their annual School Accountability Report Cards (SARC) about school spending per school site, including how much they spend per student and on teacher salaries.
read more ...
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
hide summary...
Sacramento – Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced today that he has signed SB 679, by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), a bill to allow San Mateo County to operate group homes for emotionally disturbed young people who require out-of-home care.
read more ...
Friday, September 23, 2005
hide summary...
Palo Alto – State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) kicked off his fifth annual “There Oughta Be a Law” contest today. The contest invites Californians to submit ideas for new state legislation.
read more ...
Thursday, September 22, 2005
hide summary...
Sacramento – Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced today that he has signed SB 439, by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), a bill to ensure California’s public pension systems continued access to top-tier, highly profitable alternative investment funds such as venture or hedge funds.
read more ...
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
hide summary...
Palo Alto – State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that he will hold “sidewalk office hours” on Sunday, September 25, 2005 in Campbell and Cupertino. Simitian once again invites community members to visit and bring questions and comments about state legislative issues.
read more ...
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
hide summary...
Palo Alto – State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) will hold a Town Hall meeting on Saturday, September 24. He invites residents of the 11th Senate District to bring their questions, comments, and concerns about state government.
read more ...
August 2005
Monday, August 29, 2005
hide summary...
Sacramento – State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed SB 1018, his bill to protect elders by making bank, savings and loan, and credit union employees mandated reporters of elder financial abuse. Governor Schwarzenegger signed the bill in a ceremony in his office.
read more ...
July 2005
Thursday, July 28, 2005
hide summary...
Sacramento – State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) today announced his selection of Bell’s Books, a family-owned bookstore in Palo Alto, as Senate District 11’s Small Business of the Year. The announcement comes on the eve of Bell’s 70th anniversary.
read more ...
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
hide summary...
Sacramento - State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) today announced that SB 1018, his bill to protect elders by making bank, savings and loan, and credit union employees mandated reporters of elder financial abuse, has passed out of the Assembly on a 54-10 vote. The bill will go back to the Senate for approval of the amendments taken in the Assembly, and then will go to the Governor.
read more ...
June 2005
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
hide summary...
Palo Alto – State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) today announced that he will hold “sidewalk office hours” on July 7, 9, and 10 in six different locations – Palo Alto, Redwood City, Los Altos, San Carlos, Menlo Park, and Campbell. Simitian once again invites community members to visit and bring questions and comments about state legislative issues.
read more ...
Wednesday, June 01, 2005
hide summary...
MEDIA ADVISORY
June 1, 2005
For More Information, Contact:
Hema Sareen Mohan (650) 688-6384
NEWS CONFERENCE ABOUT ELDER ABUSE PROTECTIONS
WHAT:
State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) and Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis) will discuss their measures, SB 1018 and AB 1605, respectively, to require that bank employees who suspect elder financial abuse immediately notify Adult Protective Services (APS), which investigates reports of elder abuse, or law enforcement authorities.
Bank employees would join other mandated reporters of elder abuse including health care professionals, social workers, nursing home workers, and clergy. As with other mandated reporters, bank employees would not be liable if their suspicions prove unfounded.
Both SB 1018 and AB 1605 have generated widespread support from law enforcement, senior groups and county welfare officials. SB 1018 was approved by the State Senate on May 26 on a 24-14 vote, and will be heard next in the Assembly. AB 1605 will be heard on the Assembly floor later this week.
WHEN:
Thursday, June 2, 2005 at 11:30 AM
WHERE:
State Capitol, Sacramento, Room 1190, Governor’s Press Room
SPEAKERS:
Attorney General Bill Lockyer
State Treasurer Phil Angelides
Assemblywoman Lois Wolk
State Senator Joe Simitian
HOW:
Media can also listen in by phone:
Dial-In Telephone Number: (888) 285-4585
Participant access code: 598641
###
read more ...
May 2005
Thursday, May 26, 2005
hide summary...
SACRAMENTO - State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) today announced that SB 1018, his bill to make bank, savings and loan, and credit union employees mandated reporters of elder financial abuse, has advanced through the Senate on a 24-14 vote. It will be heard next in the Assembly.
read more ...
Monday, May 23, 2005
hide summary...
Sacramento - State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) today announced that SB 680, his bill to provide additional funding to help reduce traffic congestion in Santa Clara County, has advanced through the Senate on a majority vote. It will be heard next in the Assembly.
read more ...
Thursday, May 19, 2005
hide summary...
Sacramento – State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) today announced his selection of Santa Cruz-based nature photographer Frans Lanting as Senate District 11’s Artist of the Year.
read more ...
Wednesday, May 11, 2005
hide summary...
Sacramento - State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) today announced that his bill to require motorists to move over or slow down when approaching tow trucks or other emergency crews along the highway has been approved by the State Senate. It will be heard next in the Assembly.
read more ...
April 2005
Thursday, April 28, 2005
hide summary...
Sacramento - State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) today announced that he will host his semi-annual “Education Update” meeting on May 7 for local school board members, superintendents, teachers, parents, and other education advocates.
read more ...
Thursday, April 14, 2005
hide summary...
A coalition comprised of EdVoice, Education Trust-West, Public Advocates Inc., and the Pacific Institute for Community Organization (PICO) California Project will hold a press conference to discuss their support of Senate Bill 687, authored by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto).
read more ...
Friday, April 08, 2005
hide summary...
The American Civil Liberties Union will hold a press briefing about SB 682, Identity Information Protection Act of 2005, authored by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto). The measure would prohibit state and local governments from using radio frequency identification tags (RFIDs) that broadcast people’s most private information in driver’s licenses, library cards, and other identity documents. These tags put an individual’s privacy, safety, and financial security at risk. Speakers will discuss their support of the bill. After the press briefing, the Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing about the bill.
read more ...
March 2005
Thursday, March 31, 2005
hide summary...
Sacramento – After reviewing 129 bill ideas from within and outside of his district, State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) today announced this year’s winners in his “There Oughta Be A Law” contest. The annual competition invites Californians to submit ideas for new state legislation. Three of the five winning entries will first be heard in the Senate April 5, and local contest winners will be traveling to Sacramento to testify on behalf of their proposals.
read more ...
Tuesday, March 08, 2005
hide summary...
Palo Alto – State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that Betsy McCarty, recently retired Chief of Public Health for Santa Cruz County, has been named the 11th Senate District’s Woman of the Year. She was chosen because of the leadership and commitment she has shown in her 32 years at the Health Services Agency.
read more ...
October 2004
Tuesday, October 12, 2004
hide summary...
Palo Alto - Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) will host an “Education Update” meeting on October 16th for San Mateo County and Santa Clara County school board members, superintendents, teachers, staff and parents.
read more ...
September 2004
Thursday, September 30, 2004
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), chair of the Select Committee on Elder Abuse, announced that the Governor signed two of his three bills combating elder abuse.
read more ...
Friday, September 24, 2004
hide summary...
Palo Alto - Arnold Schwarzenegger signed Assembly Bills 471 and 2672 this week, authored by Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D - Palo Alto). AB 471 prohibits cruise ships from incinerating garbage within three miles of the coastline. AB 2672 bans the release of sewage into state waters. The bills will go into effect on January 1, 2005.
read more ...
Tuesday, September 21, 2004
hide summary...
Palo Alto– Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) kicked off his fourth annual “There Oughta Be A Law” contest today, following the news that Governor Schwarzenegger signed one of this year’s “There Oughta Be A Law” bills.
read more ...
Friday, September 17, 2004
hide summary...
Palo Alto – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) invites residents of the 21st Assembly District to bring their questions, comments and concerns about state government to his Town Hall meeting.
read more ...
Friday, September 03, 2004
hide summary...
Palo Alto – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) will set up his “sidewalk” office next weekend at the Redwood City Kiwanis Farmers Market.
read more ...
August 2004
Thursday, August 26, 2004
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian, Chair of the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance, announced today that he would hold hearings next month to investigate the University of California’s admissions process and use of funds in readmitting applicants who were initially offered deferred admission to UC campuses.
read more ...
Wednesday, August 25, 2004
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian, Chair of the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance, will hold a press conference on Thursday, August 26, at 10 AM, to discuss University of California admissions policy, including the subsequent denial of admission to students who were conditionally accepted, despite recent State action to provide additional funds to UC.
read more ...
June 2004
Friday, June 18, 2004
hide summary...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 18, 2004
For More Information, Contact:
Daryl Savage at (650) 688-6384
SIMITIAN ANNOUNCES WEEKEND OFFICE HOURS
PALO ALTO – Assemblyman Joe Simitian’s (D-Palo Alto) “Sidewalk Office Hours” has been announced for next weekend at five locations up and down the peninsula.
Because of its popularity, this is the fourth year Simitian has scheduled office hours in public locations.
“I enjoy meeting people face-to-face. These events give both the public and me a chance to interact in an informal, friendly atmosphere. I want to know what people are talking about. This is an ideal way to keep in touch,” Simitian said.
The locations for Assemblyman Simitian’s Sidewalk Office Hours are:
Saturday, June 26
Palo Alto - 9:00 am to 10:30 am
Palo Alto Farmers’ Market, behind the downtown post office at Hamilton and Gilman.
Redwood City - 11:00 am to 12:30 pm
Redwood City Farmers’ Market, Hamilton and Winslow Streets.
Sunday, June 27
Menlo Park - 9:30 am to 11:00 am
Menlo Park Farmers Market, in the parking area between
Crane and Chestnut Streets.
Los Altos - 11:30 am to 1:00 pm
In front of Citibank, 130 Main St.
San Carlos - 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm
San Carlos Library, 610 Elm St.
###
read more ...
May 2004
Wednesday, May 19, 2004
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian, Chair of the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance, announced today that the Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance has voted to restore funds to the 2004-05 higher education budget that would allow more than 23,000 students back into the UC and CSU systems.
read more ...
Tuesday, May 11, 2004
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), chair of the subcommittee that oversees the State’s higher education budget, will be available to speak to press following Governor Schwarzenegger’s 11:00am press conference announcing a new compact for funding UC and CSU schools.
read more ...
Monday, May 10, 2004
hide summary...
Palo Alto - Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that he will host an “Education Update” meeting on May 16th for San Mateo County and Santa Clara County school board members, superintendents, teachers, staff and parents.
read more ...
April 2004
Thursday, April 29, 2004
hide summary...
Sacramento – The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance honored retiring State Librarian Kevin Starr yesterday with a resolution detailing his decade of service to the people of California.
read more ...
Friday, April 16, 2004
hide summary...
Palo Alto – A major State environmental group has recognized Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) for his 2003 voting record on environmental issues.
read more ...
March 2004
Friday, March 19, 2004
hide summary...
Palo Alto – A frightening and dangerous way for teens to get high has caught the attention of State Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto). Known by names such as ‘robotripping’ or ‘tussing,’ this growing trend for kids is gaining popularity for those looking for an inexpensive and easy method to abuse drugs.
read more ...
Friday, March 05, 2004
hide summary...
Palo Alto – An award-winning journalist and grandmother of seven has been named the 21st Assembly District’s Woman of the Year.
read more ...
February 2004
Friday, February 20, 2004
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), chair of the Select Committee on Elder Abuse, introduced an omnibus bill package today designed to combat the growing problem of elder abuse in California.
read more ...
Wednesday, February 18, 2004
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that he has introduced legislation to help equalize school funding for underfunded schools across the State. AB 2178 allocates $110 million in equalization funds for K-12 schools, and $80 million for community colleges in the next fiscal year. The amounts match the proposed equalization funding contained in the Governor’s 2004-05 budget.
read more ...
Tuesday, February 10, 2004
hide summary...
Palo Alto – Assemblyman Joe Simitian will be the featured speaker at an Education Town Hall meeting at Rogers Middle School in San Jose on Thursday, February 12.
read more ...
Monday, February 09, 2004
hide summary...
Palo Alto – All 23 school districts in San Mateo County have pledged their support on a measure to lower the threshold needed to approve a school parcel tax. They join 138 other school districts around the state in support of State Assembly Constitutional Amendment, ACA 4, authored by Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto).
read more ...
Sunday, February 01, 2004
hide summary...
Sacramento – After reviewing 231 individual ideas from around the State, Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) today announced this year’s winners in his “There Oughta Be A Law” contest. The third annual competition, which gives Californians a chance turn their ideas into State law, saw a record number of entries this year.
read more ...
January 2004
Friday, January 30, 2004
hide summary...
Palo Alto – Once again, California leads the nation on child safety and environmental policy. Legislation authored by Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) and passed in 2002 has been introduced at the federal level by Congressman Gary Ackerman (D-New York).
read more ...
Monday, January 26, 2004
hide summary...
Palo Alto - Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that he will provide an “Education Update” on February 4 for Santa Cruz County school board members, superintendents, teachers and parents. Simitian, Chair of the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance, will give an in-depth update on the latest state budget issues affecting education, as well as education related legislation.
read more ...
Thursday, January 22, 2004
hide summary...
Palo Alto – The Commonwealth Club, in partnership with the Stanford Macintosh Users Group (SMUG), welcomes Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) to their February 2 meeting which will be held at Stanford University. Simitian will address the nation’s oldest and largest public affairs forum on “Online Privacy Protection: How a Bill Becomes a Law (Really).”
read more ...
Monday, January 19, 2004
hide summary...
Palo Alto – The issue of hands-free cell phones is back on the Legislative Agenda. Assemblymember Joe Simitian will introduce a new version of his cell phone bill tomorrow afternoon at the State Assembly. The legislation requires drivers to use hands-free technology while talking on phones in their cars.
read more ...
Friday, January 16, 2004
hide summary...
Palo Alto - Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that he will host an "Education Update" meeting this month for San Mateo County and Santa Clara County school board members, superintendents, teachers and parents.
read more ...
Thursday, January 15, 2004
hide summary...
Palo Alto – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) has been named the “2003 Legislator of the Year” by the California Library Association. The group selected Simitian for the honor because of his “tremendous leadership by rejecting reductions of library programs,” said CLA President Les Kong.
read more ...
Friday, January 09, 2004
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) released the following statement today following the Governor’s budget announcement.
read more ...
Thursday, January 08, 2004
hide summary...
Sacramento - Providing welcome relief to worried high school seniors and their parents, the State Board of Education today agreed to waive a new algebra requirement for graduating seniors in the Santa Cruz City Schools. The algebra requirement, passed by the State Legislature in 2000, went into effect this school year. Seniors were caught off guard because the school district failed to notify students of the change prior to the school year.
read more ...
Tuesday, January 06, 2004
hide summary...
Sacramento - Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that this month's guest on his television show Capitol Focus is Governor Schwarzenegger’s Chief of Staff, Patricia Clarey. In addition to speaking with Clarey about her role in the new Governor’s administration, Simitian discusses the budget outlook, and the key challenges facing legislators this year.
read more ...
Tuesday, January 06, 2004
hide summary...
Sacramento – Santa Cruz high school seniors may be able to breathe a sigh of relief about graduating this year, thanks to a bill Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) plans to introduce on Wednesday.
read more ...
Monday, January 05, 2004
hide summary...
Palo Alto – The Ravenswood City and Cambrian Union School Districts breathed a sigh of relief on January 1st when laws granting these districts access to greatly needed funds went into effect. AB 1350 and AB 1649 were part of a three-bill education package authored by Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) and signed into law by the Governor.
read more ...
December 2003
Wednesday, December 31, 2003
hide summary...
Palo Alto - As of January 1 California’s environment is protected by a new three-bill package authored by Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto). Simitian’s most recent environmental bill package covers a wide range of environmental issues - from forest protection and clean oceans, to ensuring public participation in the environmental review process.
read more ...
Monday, December 29, 2003
hide summary...
Palo Alto – As New Year’s Eve approaches, law enforcement has a new tool to combat teenage drinking and driving.
read more ...
Monday, December 29, 2003
hide summary...
The California State Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) has released a December 22nd report that revisits last spring’s discussion of a property tax take-away from “basic aid” school districts around the state.
read more ...
Tuesday, December 23, 2003
hide summary...
Palo Alto – A new law takes effect January 1 to prevent accidental poisonings of children, pets and wildlife in California.
read more ...
Friday, December 12, 2003
hide summary...
Palo Alto – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), Chair of the Assembly Select Committee on Elder Abuse, will be the guest speaker at next week’s Commission on Aging in San Mateo County.
read more ...
Monday, December 08, 2003
hide summary...
Sacramento - Assemblymember Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced that applications are currently being accepted for three State government fellowship programs. The application deadline for all three programs is February 25, 2004. The programs are the Jesse Marvin Unruh Assembly Fellowship Program, the California Senate Fellows Program, and the Executive Fellowship Program.
read more ...
Monday, December 01, 2003
hide summary...
Palo Alto – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that the Assembly Select Committee on Elder Abuse will hold two public hearings on financial and physical elder abuse. Referring to increased incidences of crime on the elderly, he said, “It’s time. With our aging populations, particularly in our region, we can’t sit back and be passive about this. We need to confront the problem head-on.”
read more ...
November 2003
Monday, November 10, 2003
hide summary...
Palo Alto – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) today was named by Scientific American magazine as one of the “Scientific American 50” – the noted magazine’s annual list recognizing outstanding leadership in science and technology from the past year. Simitian was the only elected official in the country to be so honored.
read more ...
Friday, November 07, 2003
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), Supervisor Rose Jacobs Gibson, and nonprofit community leader One East Palo Alto will host a community forum on Ravenswood School District on Wednesday, November 12, 2003, from 7:00pm to 9:00pm at Faith Baptist Church in East Palo Alto. The forum is being held to discuss the current fiscal state of the school district, the progress it has made with community-based literacy programs, and challenges and goals for the future.
read more ...
Friday, November 07, 2003
hide summary...
Palo Alto - Assemblyman Joe Simitian’s (D-Palo Alto) “Sidewalk Office Hours” has been announced for next weekend at four locations - Los Altos, Redwood City, San Carlos and Menlo Park.
read more ...
October 2003
Thursday, October 23, 2003
hide summary...
Palo Alto - The Congress of California Seniors, representing more than 600,000 seniors, released its sixth annual report card today, giving Assemblyman Joe Simitian a 100% voting record on legislation supporting seniors. The group evaluates State Assemblymembers on a wide range of bills of concern to California seniors.
read more ...
Thursday, October 16, 2003
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that Ravenswood City School District’s long financial struggle with the State over the reimbursement of special education costs is finally over. Assembly Bill 1350, which sought to reimburse the school district $1.33 million for special education costs incurred in complying with a court order, has been signed into law.
read more ...
Tuesday, October 14, 2003
hide summary...
Sacramento - Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), Chair of the Assembly Select Committee on Privacy, announced today that Governor Davis signed Simitian’s bill (Assembly Bill 68) to protect the privacy of online users.
read more ...
Monday, October 13, 2003
hide summary...
Palo Alto –Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that the Governor signed Assembly Bill 47, Simitian’s bill to more fully protect sensitive forest habitat and watershed. Davis signed the bill over the weekend, in an effort to beat the Sunday midnight deadline. AB 47 is the fourth and final piece of Simitian’s environmental legislation for this year.
read more ...
Friday, October 10, 2003
hide summary...
Last week's tumultuous recall was proof positive to anyone who needed it that Californians can and will engage in the political process - and in substantial numbers.
The recall, however, is a big blunt instrument, for use in extraordinary circumstances. The more interesting question is whether or not the public has the will and the ability to engage in the day-to-day work of governance.
As I kick off my third annual "There Oughta Be A Law" contest, I can tell you without a doubt that the answer is "yes."
read more ...
Friday, October 10, 2003
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced that he is hosting two “Education Update” meetings in October for San Mateo County and Santa Clara County school board members, superintendents, teachers, parents, and other education advocates.
read more ...
Friday, October 10, 2003
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that the Governor signed Assembly Bill 1326, which establishes the San Mateo County Child Care Subsidy Pilot Project, a first of its kind program designed to give counties more flexibility in providing subsidized child care. “The problem with state-subsidized child care is that one size doesn’t fit all, especially when it comes to high cost areas like ours,” said Simitian.
read more ...
Friday, October 03, 2003
hide summary...
Palo Alto – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) will be setting up shop in San Carlos and Palo Alto next Saturday, October 11, for his “Sidewalk Office Hours.”
read more ...
Friday, October 03, 2003
hide summary...
Palo Alto – Governor Gray Davis today signed Assembly Bill 1330, by Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D - Palo Alto) establishing the California Outdoor Environmental Education Program. Simitian’s measure establishes the program, provides a mechanism for private funding of such programs and an evaluation of program effectiveness. The bill takes effect on January 1, 2004.
read more ...
Wednesday, October 01, 2003
hide summary...
Palo Alto – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) kicked off his third annual “There Oughta Be A Law” contest today after learning that the Governor had just signed two of this year’s “There Oughta Be A Law” bills. “The two winning entries from the 2002-2003 contest show that individuals really can make a difference,” Simitian said. “These proposals are now law in California.”
read more ...
September 2003
Tuesday, September 30, 2003
hide summary...
Palo Alto – Assemblyman Joe Simitian announced today that the Governor has signed Assembly Bill 1649 into law, clearing the way for state support of some of California’s most fragile and needy students.
read more ...
Saturday, September 27, 2003
hide summary...
Palo Alto – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) will be setting up shop in Los Altos next Saturday, October 5, for his “Sidewalk Office Hours.”
read more ...
Friday, September 26, 2003
hide summary...
Palo Alto - Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) will host an open house at his office on Wednesday, October 1, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Simitian invites community members to visit and bring questions and ideas regarding state legislative issues. Staff members from Simitian’s Sacramento and local offices will be on hand to chat with community members. Free brochures on a variety of topics will be available, and refreshments will be served.
read more ...
Wednesday, September 24, 2003
hide summary...
Palo Alto –Governor Gray Davis signed Assembly Bill 121 earlier this morning, Assemblyman Joe Simitian’s (D-Palo Alto) cruise ship pollution bill.
read more ...
Friday, September 19, 2003
hide summary...
Palo Alto – The first-ever award from a leading environmental group will be presented to Assemblyman Joe Simitian tonight. The unprecedented honor, officially called the Bluewater Network Environmental Leadership Award, will recognize Simitian for his recent environmental accomplishments.
read more ...
Monday, September 15, 2003
hide summary...
Palo Alto - Assemblyman Joe Simitian’s (D-Palo Alto) “Sidewalk Office Hours” has been announced for next Sunday at two locations - Menlo Park and Redwood City.
read more ...
Thursday, September 04, 2003
hide summary...
Palo Alto – A Santa Cruz non-profit could directly benefit from an innovative attempt by Assembly Joe Simitian to get kids out to sea. Literally.
read more ...
August 2003
Friday, August 29, 2003
hide summary...
Palo Alto –The opportunity for children from low-income families to learn basic geometry while sailing at sea is just one of several outdoor education opportunities that may get a boost under legislation poised for passage in the California State Legislature. Assembly Bill 1330 establishes the California Outdoor Environmental Education Program, which provides a mechanism for private funding of such programs and an evaluation of program effectiveness.
read more ...
Wednesday, August 20, 2003
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblymembers Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), George Nakano (D-Torrance), and John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) are calling for passage of three bills regulating cruise ship pollution along the California Coast.
read more ...
Monday, August 18, 2003
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblymembers Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), George Nakano (D-Torrance), and John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) will hold a press conference on Wednesday, August 20, at 10:00AM in the Governor’s Press Room (Room 1190, Capitol) calling for passage of three bills regulating cruise ship pollution along the California Coast.
read more ...
Friday, August 15, 2003
hide summary...
Palo Alto - Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) will be setting up shop this weekend for “Sidewalk Office Hours” at four different locations -- Redwood City, Palo Alto, San Jose and San Carlos.
read more ...
July 2003
Wednesday, July 30, 2003
hide summary...
Sacramento – Underfunded school districts got a surprise piece of good news yesterday. As part of a last minute budget compromise, the California State Assembly voted Tuesday to spend $50 million to equalize school funding for underfunded school districts throughout the State.
read more ...
Thursday, July 03, 2003
hide summary...
Palo Alto – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) will be in Redwood City and Los Altos on Saturday, July 12, and in Menlo Park on July 20 to host his “Sidewalk Office Hours.”
read more ...
Thursday, July 03, 2003
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian’s (D-Palo Alto) bill, AB 45, which requires cell phone users to use hands-free technology while driving, is expected to be heard in the Senate Transportation Committee on Tuesday, July 8, 2003. The Senate Transportation Committee is scheduled to meet at 1:30 p.m. in Room 3191 of the State Capitol.
read more ...
May 2003
Thursday, May 29, 2003
hide summary...
Palo Alto – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) will be in East Palo Alto on Saturday, June 7, to host his “Sidewalk Office Hours.”
read more ...
Thursday, May 29, 2003
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that Assembly Bill 45, which requires cell phone users to use hands-free technology while driving, passed off the Assembly floor and is one step closer to becoming California law.
read more ...
Wednesday, May 28, 2003
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced he will present Assembly Bill 45, which requires cell phone users to use hands-free technology while driving, on the Assembly floor tomorrow, Thursday, May 29, 2003.
read more ...
Tuesday, May 20, 2003
hide summary...
Sacramento – A key vote on Assemblyman Joe Simitian’s cell phone bill, which requires cell phone users to use hands-free technology while driving, is expected to take place in the Assembly Appropriations Committee tomorrow, Wednesday, May 21, 2003.
read more ...
Monday, May 19, 2003
hide summary...
Sacramento - The Junior Leagues of California State Public Affairs Committee, a non-partisan advocacy and non-profit organization, recently honored California State Senator Jackie Speier and Assembly Member Joe Simitian with their annual Legislator of the Year awards for 2002-2003. The State Public Affairs Committee (SPAC) held their award ceremony last week at the Sutter Club in Sacramento.
read more ...
Wednesday, May 14, 2003
hide summary...
Sacramento - Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that the Governor has dropped his proposal to take $126 million in excess property taxes from basic aid school districts.
read more ...
Friday, May 09, 2003
hide summary...
Palo Alto – Trying to stay one step ahead of the growing concerns of parents and teachers on the proposed budgetary slashes in education, Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) has scheduled two community meetings this month. The informal gatherings will focus on the Governor’s projected cutbacks.
read more ...
Thursday, May 08, 2003
hide summary...
Palo Alto – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) is one step closer to giving cities more incentive to build senior housing. Assembly Bill 218, which changes the way cities can count units to meet the State’s affordable housing requirement, passed out of the Assembly Housing Committee yesterday with near unanimous approval.
read more ...
Monday, May 05, 2003
hide summary...
Berkeley -- For many Internet users, logging onto the Web and anonymously posting their thoughts in a chat room, Web log, or other interactive site is part of the allure of the World Wide Web.
But while the Web may appear to be an open and free area for comment, a controversial remark posted about a company or individual by a Web user can quickly draw Web users into a complex and protracted legal battle.
read more ...
Monday, May 05, 2003
hide summary...
Sacramento - Tomorrow Assemblymember Joe Simitian (D - Palo Alto) will present to the California Assembly's Judiciary Committee a bill designed to protect the privacy of anonymous Internet speakers.
read more ...
Monday, May 05, 2003
Thursday, May 01, 2003
hide summary...
Palo Alto – A pair of “Clean Coast” environmental bills to reduce air pollution and the amount of sewage dumped from cruise ships made headway this week after both bills passed in the Assembly Environmental Safety Committee. The legislation, introduced by Assemblymember Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), seeks to strictly regulate cruise ship waste along the California coast.
read more ...
April 2003
Monday, April 28, 2003
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian’s Assembly Bill 49, a bill to create the California Cyber Crimes Task Force, was passed by the State Assembly today and is now headed to the State Senate. Assembly Bill (AB) 49 aligns California’s High Technology Theft Apprehension and Prosecution Program with the national Homeland Security Act to create a truly statewide system, and makes California eligible for federal anti-terrorism funding.
read more ...
Tuesday, April 22, 2003
hide summary...
Sacramento – On a motion by Assemblymember Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), the Assembly’s Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance has rejected the Davis Administration’s proposed taking of $126 million in property tax revenues from so-called Basic Aid school districts. Simitian, who chairs the Assembly’s Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance, called the 5 to 0 vote (with 2 members absent) to reject the proposal “good news for students on the Peninsula and in the South Bay.”
read more ...
Tuesday, April 15, 2003
hide summary...
Palo Alto – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) has plans to walk his talk. He kicks off his 2003 schedule for “Sidewalk Office Hours” the first week-end in May in San Jose’s Almaden Valley and Los Gatos.
read more ...
Thursday, April 10, 2003
hide summary...
Sacramento – In recognition of “the positive … impact of public libraries, librarians, and library workers,” the State Legislature declared the week of April 6–12 to be National Library Week. Assembly Concurrent Resolution 77, authored by Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), passed unanimously out of the Assembly today.
read more ...
Wednesday, April 09, 2003
hide summary...
Sacramento - Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced that his bill to expand child care opportunities passed out of the Assembly Local Government Committee today.
read more ...
March 2003
Friday, March 28, 2003
hide summary...
Palo Alto – A Woman of the Year celebration to honor Pat Briggs, the Director of Palo Alto Children’s Theatre, will take place on April 13. The event is free and open to the public. Refreshments and hors d’oeuvres will be served.
read more ...
Thursday, March 27, 2003
hide summary...
Sacramento - Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that this month's guest on his television show Capitol Focus is State Senator Jackie Speier (D-San Francisco/San Mateo). In addition to speaking with Speier about her role as a consumer and financial privacy advocate, Simitian discusses mid-year budget cuts, community colleges, and his district’s Woman of the Year: Palo Alto Children’s Theater director, Pat Briggs.
read more ...
Thursday, March 20, 2003
hide summary...
Palo Alto – Pat Briggs, the long-time Director of Palo Alto Children’s Theatre, has been named the 21st Assembly District’s Woman of the Year, Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today.
read more ...
Wednesday, March 19, 2003
hide summary...
Sacramento - Top state legislators have introduced bills that will reform logging practices on state and private lands in California. The legislators, as well as a coalition of statewide environmental groups, gathered Wednesday to announce the bills, and outline the package’s importance to California.
read more ...
Monday, March 17, 2003
hide summary...
Palo Alto – There actually ‘oughta be’ several new laws, if the record number of entries for Assemblyman Joe Simitian’s annual contest is any indication. More than 100 people submitted their ideas to put new laws on the books.
read more ...
Thursday, March 06, 2003
hide summary...
Sacramento – Three separate state education groups are honoring Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) for his efforts on behalf of California schools and kids. The California County Boards of Education, the Association of California School Administrators and the California League of Middle Schools have all announced special recognition for Simitian’s work in the 2002 Legislative session.
read more ...
Monday, March 03, 2003
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian’s bill to require cell phone users to use hands-free technology while driving has passed out of the Assembly Transportation Committee. Assembly Bill 45 passed out of Committee 14 to 5, with 1 abstention.
read more ...
February 2003
Friday, February 28, 2003
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) will hold a press conference on Monday, March 3, 2003, at 10:00 a.m. in the Governor’s Press Room (Room 1190), to discuss developments on Assembly Bill 45 (which requires California drivers to use a hands-free device when talking on a cell phone while driving), including new data from the California Highway Patrol and the Harvard Center for Risk Analysis.
read more ...
Monday, February 24, 2003
hide summary...
Sacramento – Students from the Peninsula area are getting on board, literally, to try to protect their schools from drastic budget cuts, proposed by the Davis Administration.
read more ...
Wednesday, February 19, 2003
hide summary...
It’s been a little more than two years since I first came to the State Assembly. Since then, a lot has happened. The challenges of the first session were many— from the energy debacle to the budget crisis, to the tragedy of September 11th, which cast our sense of safety in an entirely new light.
The question now is, how do we face the challenges ahead?
read more ...
Wednesday, February 19, 2003
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) has formally requested Governor Gray Davis to withdraw the Administration’s proposal to take local property tax revenues from Basic Aid school districts. Simitian, who chairs the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance, received bi-partisan support from members throughout the State for his February 18th letter to the Governor regarding school funding.
read more ...
January 2003
Thursday, January 09, 2003
hide summary...
Palo Alto – Responding to expressions of concern from parents, educators, and local school supporters, Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) has scheduled an informal community meeting this Saturday to discuss the Governor’s proposed budget cutbacks for education.
read more ...
Wednesday, January 08, 2003
hide summary...
Sacramento – In response to Gov. Gray Davis’ State of the State Address, Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) said, “the Governor’s proposals to focus on job growth and economic development are right on target.”
read more ...
December 2002
Friday, December 20, 2002
hide summary...
Palo Alto – The words ‘El Camino Real’ and ‘beautiful tree-lined boulevard’ don’t often appear in the same sentence. But now, after numerous delays and complex negotiations, all that may change. Trees will be planted up and down El Camino Real.
read more ...
Monday, December 16, 2002
hide summary...
Sacramento – Fewer books, increased class size, dusty classrooms. This may be just the tip of the iceberg for school kids in California. With the state budget deficit at $20-plus billion, and headed toward $30 billion, education will be taking a big hit, to the tune of $3.1 billion in cuts, as proposed by the Governor.
read more ...
November 2002
Thursday, November 07, 2002
hide summary...
Sacramento – School kids are the beneficiaries of Assemblyman Joe Simitian’s (D-Palo Alto) latest round of legislation. The Governor signed into law three of Simitian’s four bills that provide funding to schools in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties.
read more ...
October 2002
Friday, October 25, 2002
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) can now add another achievement to his list of accomplishments. The California School Boards Association has chosen Simitian as the 2002 Outstanding Legislator of the Year.
read more ...
Tuesday, October 08, 2002
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced that he is hosting two “Education Update” meetings in October for San Mateo County and Santa Clara County school board members, superintendents, teachers, parents, and other education advocates.
read more ...
Monday, October 07, 2002
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) will be visiting Oak Elementary School in the Los Altos School District on Thursday, October 10, from 11:15 A.M. – 1:00 P.M.
read more ...
Tuesday, October 01, 2002
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) will be the guest storyteller at the Palo Alto Children’s Library storytime for preschoolers and toddlers on Thursday, October 3, at 10:30 a.m.
read more ...
September 2002
Monday, September 30, 2002
hide summary...
Sacramento— Throughout the State of California, tens of thousands of dangerous weapons, including machine guns, grenades, cannons, missiles, and rockets, are unaccounted for. No one knows whether these weapons are in the hands of their lawful owners or have made their way into the hands of would-be criminals or terrorists. To remedy that situation Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D- Palo Alto) authored Assembly Bill 2580. The bill has now been signed by the Governor.
read more ...
Friday, September 27, 2002
hide summary...
Sacramento – Winners of Assemblyman Joe Simitian’s (D-Palo Alto) “There Oughta Be a Law” Contest joined Simitian and Governor Gray Davis today in Sacramento as their bills were signed into law by the Governor.
read more ...
Wednesday, September 25, 2002
hide summary...
Sacramento – If highjacked Flight 93 had reached the U.S. Capitol building last September and killed a substantial portion of Congress, it would have taken about 6-7 months to conduct the elections necessary to restore that body to full strength. Now, however, Assembly Bill 2760, authored by Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) and signed by the Governor, will provide California with an expedited elections process for members of the House of Representatives. Simitian’s bill provides for expedited elections if 25% of the United States House of Representatives or the California delegation is killed, missing, or disabled.
read more ...
Monday, September 23, 2002
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) will host an open house at his district office on Thursday, September 26, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Simitian invites community members to visit and bring questions and ideas regarding state legislative issues. Staff members from Simitian’s Sacramento and local offices will be on hand to chat with community members. Free brochures on a variety of topics will be available, and refreshments will be served.
read more ...
Tuesday, September 17, 2002
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that Assembly Bill 2140, designed to combat elder abuse, passed out of the State Legislature and has been signed into law by the Governor. Simitian’s bill earned widespread, bipartisan support along the way.
read more ...
Monday, September 09, 2002
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today his second annual “There Oughta Be a Law” contest. Beginning Monday, September 9th, Simitian will be accepting entries – ideas for new legislation – from his constituents in the 21st Assembly District.
read more ...
Friday, September 06, 2002
hide summary...
Sacramento - Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that Assembly Bill (AB) 400, which will allow candidates to use “Community Volunteer” as a ballot designation, has been signed into law by the Governor. Would-be candidates for whom volunteer work is their principal activity outside the home will now have a ballot designation that acknowledges and accurately reflects the work they do.
read more ...
Thursday, September 05, 2002
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), Chair of the Assembly Select Committee on Privacy, announced today that his four-bill package to protect consumer privacy has cleared the Legislature and is pending the Governor’s signature. The centerpiece of the bill package is AB 2297, the Online Privacy and Disclosure Act of 2002. If signed by the Governor, AB 2297 will be among the most substantial state-initiated online privacy legislation in the United States.
read more ...
August 2002
Monday, August 26, 2002
hide summary...
Sacramento – A demonstration project at the California State Capitol using least toxic alternatives to traditional pesticides will be implemented as a result of Assemblyman Joe Simitian’s (D-Palo Alto) Assembly Bill 2472, one of the winners of Simitian’s “There Oughta Be a Law” contest. Today, Governor Gray Davis signed Simitian’s bill into law.
read more ...
Monday, August 12, 2002
hide summary...
Sacramento – Prior to the Governor’s signing of Assemblyman Joe Simitian’s (D-Palo Alto) AB 2760, it would take about six months to fill a vacated seat in the House of Representatives, even if the vacancy was created by a catastrophic event (e.g, a terrorist act or act of war) that resulted in the death of many members. Now, in such a circumstance, it will take only two months.
read more ...
Monday, August 12, 2002
hide summary...
Sacramento - Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that Assembly Bill (AB) 400, which will allow candidates to use “Community Volunteer” as a ballot designation has passed out of the Legislature and is headed to the Governor for his consideration.
read more ...
Wednesday, August 07, 2002
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) will host sidewalk office hours in front of the San Carlos Library on Sunday, August 11, from 10 A.M. – 12 P.M. Simitian invites community members to visit and bring questions and ideas regarding state legislative issues. Free brochures on a variety of topics will be available.
read more ...
Wednesday, August 07, 2002
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) will host sidewalk office hours in downtown Palo Alto on Sunday, August 11, from 1:30 – 3:30 P.M. Simitian invites community members to visit and bring questions and ideas regarding state legislative issues. Free brochures on a variety of topics will be available.
read more ...
July 2002
Wednesday, July 31, 2002
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) will host sidewalk office hours at the Redwood City Farmers Market on Saturday, August 3, from 10:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M. Simitian invites community members to visit and bring questions and ideas regarding issues affecting the community. Free brochures on a variety of topics will be available.
read more ...
Wednesday, July 31, 2002
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) will host sidewalk office hours in downtown Los Altos on Saturday, August 3, from 1:30 P.M. – 3:30 P.M. Simitian invites community members to visit and bring questions and ideas regarding state legislative issues. Free brochures on a variety of topics will be available.
read more ...
Tuesday, July 16, 2002
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D - Palo Alto) announced today that the Governor signed into law Assembly Bill 886, Simitian's bill to protect the educational rights of "court-orphaned minors." AB 886 will help ensure that these youth aren’t trapped between the court system and school bureaucracies.
read more ...
Thursday, July 11, 2002
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that Assembly Bill 2831, which will provide women with electronic access to Pap smear results, has been signed into law by the Governor. Suggested by Dr. Paul Tang of the Palo Alto Medical Foundation, AB 2831 adds e-mail and internet postings as patient-approved options for sharing Pap smear test results with patients.
read more ...
Wednesday, July 10, 2002
hide summary...
Sacramento - Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) will host sidewalk office hours in front of the San Carlos Library on Sunday, July 14, from 1:30 P.M. – 3:30 P.M. Simitian invites community members to visit and bring questions and ideas regarding state legislative issues. Free brochures on a variety of topics will be available.
read more ...
Wednesday, July 10, 2002
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) will host two sets of sidewalk office hours on Saturday, July 13: at the Palo Alto Farmers’ Market from 10 A.M. – 12 P.M. and in front of California Bank & Trust in East Palo Alto from 1:30 P.M. – 3:30 P.M. Simitian invites community members to visit and bring questions and ideas regarding state legislative issues. Free brochures on a variety of topics will be available, and fingerprint kits for children will be available in Palo Alto.
read more ...
Wednesday, July 10, 2002
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) will host sidewalk office hours at the Menlo Park Farmers Market on Sunday, July 14, from 10 a.m. to noon. Simitian invites community members to visit and bring questions and ideas regarding state legislative issues. Free brochures on a variety of topics will be available.
read more ...
June 2002
Tuesday, June 25, 2002
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that Assembly Bill 2831 to improve women’s access to Pap smear results has passed out of the Legislature and is headed to the Governor for signature. Suggested by Dr. Paul Tang of the Palo Alto Medical Foundation, AB 2831 adds e-mail and internet postings as patient approved options for sharing these test results with patients.
read more ...
Tuesday, June 11, 2002
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) and San Mateo County Supervisor Rose Jacobs Gibson will host joint sidewalk office hours at the Redwood City Farmers Market on Saturday, June 22, from 10:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M. Simitian and Gibson invite community members to visit and bring questions and ideas regarding issues affecting the community. Free brochures on a variety of topics will be available.
read more ...
Tuesday, June 11, 2002
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) will host sidewalk office hours in downtown Los Altos on Saturday, June 22, from 1:30 P.M. – 3:30 P.M. Simitian invites community members to visit and bring questions and ideas regarding state legislative issues. Free brochures on a variety of topics will be available.
read more ...
Wednesday, June 05, 2002
hide summary...
Sacramento – The American Leadership Forum – Silicon Valley has elected Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) to its Board of Directors.
read more ...
May 2002
Friday, May 31, 2002
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), Chair of the Assembly Select Committee on Privacy, announced today that his legislation to enhance online privacy protection was narrowly passed by the 80-member State Assembly (42-28) and is headed to the State Senate for consideration.
read more ...
Wednesday, May 29, 2002
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that legislation to streamline state accounting and reporting requirements for mental health service providers has passed off the Assembly Floor and is headed to the Senate. Assembly Bill 2296, authored by Simitian, will reduce the time and money mental health providers spend on duplicative paperwork and administrative reporting, so that those resources may instead be devoted to providing mental health services to patients in need.
read more ...
Tuesday, May 28, 2002
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced that Assembly Bill 2472, one of the winners of Simitian’s “There Oughta Be a Law” contest is scheduled for a vote on the Assembly Floor tomorrow. AB 2472 addresses the proliferation of toxic pesticides in our environment by directing the State to obtain grant funding for a demonstration project at the State Capitol that uses least toxic alternatives to pesticides.
read more ...
Friday, May 24, 2002
hide summary...
Sacramento – After a year-and-a-half effort, Assemblyman Joe Simitian’s legislation to return local property taxes to local communities for local needs has been approved by the Assembly Appropriations Committee and is on its way to the full Assembly for consideration. Assembly Bill (AB) 2100, authored by Simitian (D - Palo Alto), returns to local governments the property taxes that the state diverted to bridge budget deficits in the early and mid-1990s.
read more ...
Wednesday, May 08, 2002
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that a winner of his “There Oughta Be a Law Contest” was in Sacramento to testify on behalf of her entry which will protect consumers using gift certificates. Assembly Bill 2473, regarding gift certificates in bankruptcy, was unanimously approved by the Assembly Committee on Business and Professions on Tuesday, May 7th. This bill protects consumers by requiring businesses that have declared bankruptcy to honor gift certificates issued prior to the date of the bankruptcy filing.
read more ...
Tuesday, May 07, 2002
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that Esther Wojcicki received special honors from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Simitian nominated Wojcicki, an English and journalism teacher at Palo Alto High School, for the prestigious award, which is given annually in connection with the Day of the Teacher (May 8 this year).
read more ...
Monday, May 06, 2002
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), Chair of the Assembly Select Committee on Privacy, announced today that his legislation to enhance online privacy protection will be heard in the Assembly Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, May 7th.
read more ...
Friday, May 03, 2002
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) and the Redwood City Education Foundation will host sidewalk office hours in Redwood City on Saturday, May 11, from 10:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M. Simitian invites community members to visit and bring questions and ideas regarding state legislative issues. The Redwood City Education Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides music education for students in the Redwood City School District, will also be on hand to share information and answer questions.
read more ...
April 2002
Monday, April 29, 2002
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) hosted a State Budget update on Sunday, April 28th for Santa Clara County school board members, superintendents, teachers, parents, and other education advocates. As Chair of the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance, Simitian provided an update on the state budget as it relates to K-12 education and invited questions, comments and suggestions regarding funding priorities and solutions.
read more ...
Thursday, April 25, 2002
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D - Palo Alto) announced today that the California State Senate’s Education Committee has approved Assembly Bill 886, Simitian's bill to protect the educational rights of "court-orphaned minors." The bill now goes to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
read more ...
Wednesday, April 24, 2002
hide summary...
Sacramento - Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced that his bill to expand child care opportunities is scheduled for a vote in the Assembly Local Government Committee today, April 24, 2002.
read more ...
Monday, April 22, 2002
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian announced today that his Assembly Bill 2474 regarding antifreeze poisoning will be heard in the Assembly Committee on Business and Professions on April 23, 2002. By adding a bittering agent to antifreeze, the bill is designed to improve consumer safety and reduce the number of accidental poisonings suffered by children and animals.
read more ...
Friday, April 19, 2002
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), chair of the Assembly Select Committee on Privacy, announced today that his legislation to enhance the privacy of Californians has cleared its first hurdle – passage in the Assembly Committee on Jobs, Economic Development and the Economy on Tuesday, April 16th. Assembly Bill 2922 seeks to hold the State more accountable for its data collection and sharing practices by establishing the first ever California Personal Information Inventory. The bill now moves to the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
read more ...
Thursday, April 18, 2002
hide summary...
Sacramento – Winners of Assemblyman Joe Simitian’s (D-Palo Alto) “There Oughta Be a Law” Contest will be coming to Sacramento to testify on behalf of their bills. Three different winners were selected by Simitian, who introduced three bills based on their proposals.
read more ...
Thursday, April 18, 2002
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that his Assembly Bill (AB) 953, designed to help preserve open space, has been signed into law by the Governor. The bill contains an “urgency” clause and takes effect immediately.
read more ...
Friday, April 05, 2002
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) was honored today as one of the American Electronics Association’s (AeA) “High-Tech Legislators of the Year”. Simitian and fellow honorees attended a celebratory luncheon at Techmart in Santa Clara where they received official recognition. The AeA selected Simitian for this honor based on his commitment to the advancement of high-tech legislation.
read more ...
Wednesday, April 03, 2002
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) will host a reception honoring Judy Hannemann, Simitian’s recent selection for the 21st Assembly District’s Woman of the Year and veteran school board member from Los Altos. The event will also honor the elected women of San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties. Simitian invites community members to help him celebrate women who have made a commitment to public service. “Judy and our other elected officials have made invaluable contributions to our region. It is a pleasure to host an event in their honor and I encourage folks to attend.”
read more ...
Monday, April 01, 2002
hide summary...
Sacramento - Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that this month’s guest on his monthly television show, Capitol Focus, Joanne McNabb, Director of the CA Office of Privacy Protection. The Office of Privacy Protection was created by State legislation, and opened its doors in July of 2001. Its role is to be the State's "watchdog" on privacy issues and to help Californians prevent and recover from identity theft. In addition to speaking with McNabb about how consumers can protect themselves from becoming victims of identity theft, Simitian discusses the highlights of his current bill package and some of the exciting things that he's been doing in Sacramento.
read more ...
March 2002
Wednesday, March 13, 2002
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that he has selected Judy Hannemann as the 21st Assembly District’s Woman of the Year.
read more ...
Monday, March 11, 2002
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) will receive the Legislator of the Year Award from the Alumni Associations of the University of California (AAUC) on Tuesday, March 19, 2002.
read more ...
Wednesday, March 06, 2002
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) will host sidewalk office hours in downtown San Carlos on Saturday, March 16, from 10:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M. Simitian invites community members to visit and bring questions and ideas regarding state legislative issues. Free brochures on a variety of topics will be available.
read more ...
Wednesday, March 06, 2002
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) will host sidewalk office hours in downtown Palo Alto on Saturday, March 16, from 1:30 – 3:30 P.M. Simitian invites community members to visit and bring questions and ideas regarding state legislative issues. Free brochures on a variety of topics will be available.
read more ...
Wednesday, March 06, 2002
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian announced today that there are three winners in his “There Oughta Be A Law” contest. Simitian sponsored the contest last fall to solicit ideas for new legislation. Nearly 100 people entered the contest. The winning legislative ideas covered diverse issues including consumer rights, environmental protection and public health.
read more ...
Friday, March 01, 2002
hide summary...
Sacramento - Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that this month’s guest on his monthly television show, Capitol Focus, is Orange County Republican Assemblywoman Lynne Daucher. Simitian and Daucher work together in the Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance which oversees the state's 52 billion dollar education budget. In addition to speaking with Daucher about education issues, Simitian discusses the highlights of his current bill package and announces the winners of his "There Oughta Be a Law" contest.
read more ...
February 2002
Thursday, February 28, 2002
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) hosted two Sequoia Union High School District students as part of the Groundhog Job Shadow Day Program on February 22, 2002.
read more ...
Tuesday, February 26, 2002
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) encouraged students in the 21st Assembly District to apply for a scholarship from the revised Cal Grant Program before the deadline of March 2, 2002. Simitian serves as Chair of the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance and emphasized that an unprecedented level of support is now available.
read more ...
Friday, February 15, 2002
hide summary...
Sacramento - Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that the State Assembly’s Select Committee on Privacy will conduct a hearing on online privacy on Tuesday, February 19th. The hearing is titled: “Privacy in an Online Age” and is intended to explore issues of online privacy including the reliability and enforceability of privacy statements.
read more ...
Thursday, February 14, 2002
hide summary...
Sacramento - Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that this month’s guest on his monthly television show Capitol Focus is Assemblyman Tom Calderon, Chair of the Assembly Insurance Committee. In addition to speaking with Calderon about recent changes with respect to earthquake insurance in California, Simitian discusses pending legislation, how the state budget process works, and some highlights of his current bill package.
read more ...
Tuesday, February 05, 2002
hide summary...
Sacramento - Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that he will introduce a bill later this month to clarify and protect consumers’ online privacy rights. Preparatory to the introduction of his bill, Simitian has invited representatives from online companies and consumer advocacy groups to join him in a discussion of online privacy issues. Two meeting dates have been scheduled. Simitian
read more ...
January 2002
Wednesday, January 30, 2002
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that his Assembly Bill (AB) 953, designed to help preserve open space, passed out of the Assembly and is headed to the State Senate.
read more ...
Thursday, January 24, 2002
hide summary...
Sacramento - Assemblymember Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that applications are currently being accepted for three State government fellowship programs. The application deadline for all three programs is February 28, 2002. The programs are the Jesse Marvin Unruh Assembly Fellowship Program, the California Senate Fellows Program, and the Executive Fellowship Program.
read more ...
Thursday, January 17, 2002
hide summary...
Sacramento - Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that legislation to return local property taxes to local communities for local programs was approved by the Assembly Local Government Committee and forwarded to the Assembly Appropriations Committee for its consideration. Assembly Bill (AB) 100, authored by Assemblyman Simitian, returns to local governments the property taxes that the state diverted to bridge budget deficits in the early and mid-1990’s.
read more ...
Friday, January 11, 2002
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblymember Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that Assembly Bill 911, requiring the use of hands free technology by motorists who talk on cell phones while driving, will be reconsidered by the Assembly Transportation Committee on Monday, January 14, 2001. The bill failed to win Committee approval when it was first considered in April 2001, coming up one vote short of the 10 votes required in the 19-member Committee.
read more ...
December 2001
Tuesday, December 18, 2001
hide summary...
Sacramento - Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that this month’s guest on his television show Capitol Focus is Shannon Eddy, Senior Legislative Advocate of V. John White Associates. In addition to speaking with Eddy about current environmental policy and the role of lobbyists in Sacramento, Simitian discusses the current state budget crisis and his current work to develop his 2002 Legislative Session bill package.
read more ...
November 2001
Friday, November 02, 2001
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that the Assembly Select Committee on Privacy will hold an informational hearing entitled "Financial Privacy: Where does California go from here?" on Thursday, November 15, 2001 from 2:30 PM – 6:00 PM in the Palo Alto City Council Chambers. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend.
read more ...
Thursday, November 01, 2001
hide summary...
Sacramento - Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that this month’s guest on his television show Capitol Focus is D.O. “Spike” Helmick, Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol (CHP). In addition to speaking with Helmick about the mission of the CHP, Simitian discusses the importance of building relationships with colleagues in Sacramento, his current activities in the District, and the process for developing his 2002 Legislative Session bill package.
read more ...
October 2001
Monday, October 29, 2001
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) will host sidewalk office hours in downtown San Carlos on Saturday, November 10, from 1:30-3:30 P.M. Simitian invites community members to visit and bring questions and ideas regarding state legislative issues. Free brochures on a variety of topics will be available.
read more ...
Friday, October 26, 2001
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that he and San Mateo County Supervisor Rose Jacobs Gibson will co-host a Town Hall Brunch on November 10, 2001 in Menlo Park. Simitian and Gibson invite members of the community to join them and bring questions and ideas regarding state and county issues. Free brochures on a variety of useful topics will be available, and a complimentary brunch will be served.
read more ...
Thursday, October 25, 2001
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian announced today that his bill to create 10 new high-tech high schools in California has won approval from the Governor.
read more ...
Monday, October 22, 2001
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that $1.5 million has been allocated toward the acquisition and preservation of coastal bluffs and open space in Half Moon Bay along the San Mateo County coastline.
read more ...
Tuesday, October 16, 2001
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that he will be participating in “Teach for America Week,” an annual nationwide event in which prominent Americans teach a class in one of 16 regional sites.
read more ...
Tuesday, October 16, 2001
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that he will be participating in the “Principal for a Day” program, an initiative sponsored by the Redwood City-San Mateo County Chamber of Commerce to help community leaders learn more about what is happening in local schools.
read more ...
Wednesday, October 10, 2001
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that he will be speaking at a Child Care Forum on October 24th at 10 AM in the Redwood City Council Chambers. The event is open to the public and free of charge.
read more ...
Tuesday, October 09, 2001
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that his bill to study the electronic transmission of prescriptions by physicians, surgeons and other health care providers has been signed into law.
read more ...
Tuesday, October 09, 2001
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that his Assembly Bill 1187 was signed into law by the Governor. The new law contains two key provisions that should boost recycling rates for household hazardous waste (HHW).
read more ...
Tuesday, October 09, 2001
hide summary...
Sacramento - Assemblymember Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that his legislation to enhance law enforcement programs targeting high tech crime was signed into law by the Governor. Assembly Bill 821, now law, authorizes grants to local law enforcement programs to train prosecutors, investigators and officers to combat high tech crime. It also recognizes the need of law enforcement programs to focus on high tech financial crimes, often the goal of identity theft criminals, by including financial experts on the State’s High Tech Crime Advisory Committee.
read more ...
Friday, October 05, 2001
hide summary...
Sacramento - Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that he has completed taping the October show of Capitol Focus. The featured guest on this month’s show is Loretta Lynch, President of the California Public Utilities Commission. In addition to speaking with Lynch about the status of California’s energy crisis, Simitian reviews the final weeks of the 2001 legislative session and his plans for work in the District this fall.
read more ...
Tuesday, October 02, 2001
hide summary...
Sacramento - Assemblymember Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that the Stanford University Community Plan and General Use Permit (GUP) have been awarded the Outstanding Planning Project award by the Northern Section of the California Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA). The annual award singled out the Stanford Community Plan and GUP for recognition from among all such planning efforts in Northern California.
read more ...
September 2001
Friday, September 28, 2001
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblymember Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) will host sidewalk office hours at the Redwood City Kiwanis Farmers Market on Saturday, October 13, from 11 A.M.- 1 P.M. Simitian invites community members to visit and bring questions and ideas regarding state legislative issues. Free brochures on a variety of topics will be available.
read more ...
Thursday, September 27, 2001
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) will host sidewalk
office hours in the La Piazza Courtyard at the corner of Miramontes and Main street in Half Moon Bay on October 6, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Simitian invites community members to visit and bring questions and ideas regarding state legislative issues. Free brochures on a variety of topics will be available.
read more ...
Monday, September 17, 2001
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian announced today that his bill to create 10 new high-tech high schools in California has won approval from both the State Senate and Assembly, and has gone to the Governor for signature.
read more ...
Friday, September 14, 2001
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) will host sidewalk
office hours in front of the Los Altos Library on San Antonio in Los Altos on Saturday, September 29, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Simitian invites community members to visit and bring questions and ideas regarding state legislative issues. Free brochures on a variety of topics will be available.
read more ...
Friday, September 14, 2001
hide summary...
Sacramento - Assemblymember Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that his legislation to enhance law enforcement programs targeting high tech crime was approved by the State Legislature. Assembly Bill 821 authorizes grants to local law enforcement programs to train prosecutors, investigators and officers to combat high tech crime. The bill also recognizes the need of law enforcement programs to focus on high tech financial crimes, often the goal of identity theft criminals, by including financial experts on the State’s High Tech Crime Advisory Committee.
read more ...
Thursday, September 13, 2001
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that he will be speaking at the Palo Alto League of Women Voters’ Fall kickoff event, which is open to the public and free of charge.
read more ...
Thursday, September 13, 2001
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that his bill to combat financial abuse and help prevent the financial destitution of elders won approval from both the State Assembly and State Senate, and now goes to the Governor for signature.
read more ...
Wednesday, September 12, 2001
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) will host sidewalk office hours at the Palo Alto Farmer’s Market on October 6, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Simitian invites community members to visit and bring questions and ideas regarding state legislative issues. Free brochures on a variety of topics will be available.
read more ...
Wednesday, September 12, 2001
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian’s bill to study the electronic transmission of prescriptions by physicians, surgeons and other health care providers has won approval both from the State Senate and Assembly, and now goes to the Governor for signature.
read more ...
Wednesday, September 05, 2001
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today his first annual “There Oughta Be a Law” contest. Beginning Friday, September 14th, Simitian will be accepting entries – ideas for new legislation – from his constituents in the 21st Assembly District.
read more ...
August 2001
Friday, August 31, 2001
hide summary...
Sacramento - Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that his office is producing a new monthly television show, Capitol Focus. The 30-minute monthly show will follow the legislative calendar and inform Peninsula residents about current events in Sacramento. Each show will cover a range of topics of interest to the community and feature a significant special guest. California Superintendent of Public Instruction Delaine Eastin is the special guest for the September show, Simitian’s first.
read more ...
Thursday, August 30, 2001
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that his Assembly Bill 1187 cleared a significant hurdle making it off the Senate floor and heading to the Governor where it’s expected to be signed before the 12-day deadline.
read more ...
Tuesday, August 28, 2001
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) will host sidewalk
office hours in front of Trader Joe’s in downtown Menlo Park (near the Farmers’ Market) on Sunday, September 16, from 10 a.m. to noon. Simitian invites community members to visit and bring questions and ideas regarding state legislative issues. Free brochures on a variety of topics will be available.
read more ...
Tuesday, August 28, 2001
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that his “design-build” bill authorizing school districts to use a more streamlined process in building schools has been approved by the Legislature and now awaits the Governor’s signature. Assembly Bill 1402 allows school districts to put together architectural services, engineering services, and construction services in a single package, called a “design-build” package, for large projects of $10 million or more.
read more ...
Tuesday, August 28, 2001
hide summary...
Sacramento – As over six million students start school in California this fall, I think about what schools should look like and what students should know by the time they graduate from high school. I want schools to be stimulating places for students. I want students to have a firm understanding of their academic subjects and graduate with a thirst and skills for further learning. In addition, I believe that students should know how to use technology in order to excel in higher education and the workforce.
For these reasons, I authored a bill this year, AB 620, with Assemblyman Howard Wayne (D-San Diego), to create 10 new high-tech high schools in California. Governor Gray Davis asked me to carry the bill because of my background as a Silicon Valley legislator, Chair of the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance, and former school board member.
read more ...
Wednesday, August 22, 2001
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) will host an open house at his district office on Thursday, September 20, from 4:00 to 6:30 p.m. Simitian invites community members to visit and bring questions and ideas regarding state legislative issues. Staff members from Simitian’s Sacramento and local offices will be on hand to chat with community members. Free brochures on a variety of topics will be available, and refreshments will be served.
read more ...
July 2001
Thursday, July 26, 2001
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that funding to support construction of the first homeless service center for women and children between San Francisco and San Jose was approved by the Governor.
read more ...
Wednesday, July 25, 2001
hide summary...
Sacramento – The California State Assembly voted Monday (75 – 0) to approve Assemblyman Joe Simitian’s bill (AB 441) to spend $40 million to equalize funding in under-funded school districts throughout the State. Simitian’s bill also states the Legislature’s intention to provide additional equalization funding in subsequent years. The ultimate goal is to ensure that every youngster in the state is funded at the 90th percentile of school funding.
read more ...
Tuesday, July 24, 2001
hide summary...
Sacramento - Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that his proposed $300,000 in state funding to upgrade the sound and lighting systems at the Palo Alto Children’s Theatre is included in the recently adopted State budget. The funding proposed by Simitian has already been approved by the State Legislature – “a good start” says Simitian – and now goes to Governor Gray Davis, who will have 12 days to either approve or deny the funding once it reaches his desk.
read more ...
Tuesday, July 03, 2001
hide summary...
There are 25 million cars and trucks in California, and 11 million cell phones. It’s a potentially deadly mix, but there’s a ready solution, if only we’d take action.
Assembly Bill 911 would require California drivers who choose to use a cell phone to do so “hands-free”. It’s as simple as that. Keep using the phone if you like; just use any of the readily available technology which allows you to keep both hands on the wheel. I introduced this bill because I know it will save lives. And I believe most Californians support a sensible, safe and sane approach like the one I’ve proposed and New York just adopted.
read more ...
Tuesday, July 03, 2001
hide summary...
Sacramento - Assemblyman Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that $1.5 million has been included in the State Budget for the acquisition and preservation of coastal bluffs and open space along the Half Moon Bay coastline. Simitian has championed the project as a member of the California State Assembly’s Budget Committee. Once the Legislature approves the State budget, the fate of the bluffs will rest with Governor Gray Davis, who will have 12 days to approve or deny the funding.
read more ...
June 2001
Monday, June 04, 2001
hide summary...
Sacramento- Assemblymember Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that he
has been selected by Assembly Speaker Robert M. Hertzberg to serve on the California Debt and Investment Advisory Commission (CDIAC).
read more ...
May 2001
Thursday, May 24, 2001
hide summary...
Sacramento - Assembly Speaker Robert M. Hertzberg (D-Van Nuys) announced today that he has selected Assemblymember Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) to Chair the Assembly Select Committee on Privacy. Hertzberg noted that, “Privacy is a matter of growing concern to the public,” as more and more transactions are conducted online. The Select Committee on Privacy will initially focus on the issue of Internet privacy and then expand its scope to consider various other aspects of privacy.
read more ...
Thursday, May 24, 2001
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblymember Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today he has introduced a resolution proclaiming May 21 – 27 California Wireless Safety Week. National Wireless Safety Week sponsored by the Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association (CTIA) was established in 1995 to remind wireless phone customers that safety is their most important call, and to provide information consumers need to use their wireless phones responsibly.
read more ...
Tuesday, May 08, 2001
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblymember Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that the Assembly Elections, Reapportionment and Constitutional Amendments Committee will hold a public Redistricting Hearing for the Bay Area on May 18, 2001 in San Francisco. During the next few months, the Committee will hold a series of hearings across California to gather input into the process of drawing new lines for California’s Assembly, Senate, Congressional and Board of Equalization districts.
read more ...
Tuesday, May 08, 2001
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblymember Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that the Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team (FCMAT) will present the teleconference, “The Governor’s May Revision – 2001,” on Tuesday, May 15, 2001 from 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM. Ken Hall from School Services of California will moderate the telecast and be joined by Simitian, Chair of the Assembly Budget Subcommittee for Education Finance, Senator Jack O’Connell, Chair of the Senate Budget Subcommittee for Education, and Kerry Mazzoni, Secretary for Education.
read more ...
April 2001
Wednesday, April 18, 2001
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblymember Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that foster parents and relative caregivers are one step closer to receiving child care for their foster children. Assembly Bill 1105, introduced by Assemblymember Simitian, would enable counties to provide child care as a supportive service to foster parents and relative caregivers as well as provide high quality early childhood education opportunities to foster children. The bill successfully passed through the Assembly Human Services Committee yesterday on a 6-0 vote.
read more ...
March 2001
Monday, March 12, 2001
hide summary...
Sacramento – Assemblymember Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today his selection of Angel Batt, Executive Director of Clara-Mateo Alliance, as the 21st Assembly District’s Woman of the Year.
read more ...
February 2001
Wednesday, February 14, 2001
hide summary...
Sacramento - Assemblymember Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that applications are currently being accepted for three state government fellowship programs. The application deadline for all three programs is February 28, 2001. The programs are the Jesse Marvin Unruh Assembly Fellowship Program, the California Senate Fellows Program, and the Executive Fellowship Program.
read more ...
Tuesday, February 06, 2001
hide summary...
This regional hearing will provide an opportunity for Santa Clara and San Mateo County residents to learn more about the recent actions of the Assembly to address the problems brought about by energy deregulation. In addition, members of the Assembly and energy experts will be on hand to hear from and respond to questions from members of the community.
read more ...
January 2001
Friday, January 26, 2001
hide summary...
Sacramento - Assemblymember Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that, in addition to the previously announced assignment as Chair of the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance, Assembly Speaker Robert M. Hertzberg has appointed Simitian to serve on the Assembly’s Transportation, Utilities and Commerce, Budget, and Appropriations Committees.
read more ...
Wednesday, January 17, 2001
hide summary...
Sacramento - Assemblymember Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that he has been selected by Assembly Speaker Robert M. Hertzberg to Chair the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance. Over half of the State’s $82.9 billion General Fund budget goes through the Budget Subcommittee on Education.
read more ...