Council Scores Big Legislative Wins, Urges Governor’s Signature

When the state’s solons adjourned late Wednesday (Aug. 31), two major bills the Council sponsored were headed to Governor Jerry Brown’s desk for his signature along with a handful of others for which we advocated. The biggies were SB 1069 (Wieckowski), which addresses California’s epic housing shortage by easing restrictions on granny units, and AB 1755 (Dodd), which addresses the state’s historic drought by providing the data needed to establish a functioning water market. Gov. Brown has until the end of the month to act on legislation, and the Council is continuing its advocacy to secure his signature.

In the area of commute improvement, the Council was instrumental in sending AB 1889, AB 2126 and AB 2763 to the Governor’s desk. AB 1889 authored by Assemblyman Kevin Mullin helps the state access Proposition 1A high speed rail bond proceeds for the Caltrain electrification and modernization project and AB 2126, also authored by Mullin, would expedite traffic congestion relief improvements on the Highway 101. AB 2763 authored by Assemblyman Mike Gatto revises the public utilities code to include leased or rented vehicles to allow individuals who do not own a car to drive for transportation network companies like Lyft.
The Council also scored huge wins in our work to create the workforce of the future. We supported AB 2329 by Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla to promote computer science education and SB 66 by Senator Connie Leyva to authorize the Department of Consumer Affairs to make licensure information available to the California community colleges. This information is critical in measuring employment outcomes of students who participate in career technical education programs and identifying ways these programs may be improved. To engage in the Council’s government relations work, please contact Policy Manager Cornelious Burke.