In the News

Press-Telegram: Gov. Newsom visits LA, Long Beach ports as focus shifts to supply chain fixes

November 17, 2021

By DONNA LITTLEJOHN

California Gov. Gavin Newsom and White House appointee John D. Porcari toured Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach terminals on Wednesday, Nov. 17, as attention shifts to a new phase in fixing the supply chain logjam — identifying the funding and projects that will be needed quickly.

California will have to fight for its share of the $17 billion included for ports and waterways in the infrastructure bill President Joe Biden signed this week, Newsom said about will be a competitive grant process for those funds.

CALMATTERS: Cars and trucks: How international climate promises compare to California’s mandates

November 10, 2021
By Rachel Becker
Nations convening at the United Nations climate conference pledged today to end the sale of new gasoline-powered cars in major markets by 2035 and globally by 2040, mirroring California’s plans. 
 
The nations took another major step: a plan to eliminate sales of trucks and buses that pump out planet warming pollution by 2040. But even though it was inspired by California, the international agreement goes beyond the state’s current mandates, which ramp up sales of zero-emission trucks, starting in 2024. 
 
California signed on in support of both international agreements. Notably absent from both: the United States government and other major car markets, including China and Germany. 

CALMATTERS: What’s at stake for California as climate conference begins?

October 28, 2021
By Rachel Becker 
It’s what some are calling the last, best chance for world leaders to agree on how to stop catastrophic climate change, and what others say could be fruitless. Either way, California will be well-represented. 
 
The 26th United Nations climate change conference will draw global leaders to Glasgow, Scotland this week, including a 23-member official delegation from California led by Gov. Gavin Newsom. 
 
The meeting comes as the extreme impacts of climate change continue to pummel California, which saw torrential rains last month even in the midst of a devastating drought. 

AP News: California proposes new oil drilling ban near neighborhoods

October 21, 2021
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California’s oil and gas regulator on Thursday proposed that the state ban new oil and gas drilling within 3,200 feet of schools, homes and hospitals to protect public health in what would be the nation’s largest buffer zone between oil wells and communities.
 

Long Beach Business Journal: New law takes aim at ‘bad actors’ in trucking—and the companies using their services

October 21, 2021

By Alena Maschke

Big box retailers moving product through California will soon have to take a closer look at the company they keep—or pay the price.

A state Senate bill recently signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom speeds up the process for companies who have been found to misclassify drivers to be added to a state blacklist, and places additional liability on customers—largely retailers—who continue to use their services.

League of Cities CA: California moves one step closer to closing the digital divide, a top priority for Cal Cities in 2021

October 13, 2021
Securing resources for local infrastructure projects, including broadband, was a top priority for the League of California Cities in 2021. Cal Cities delivered by working in tandem with lawmakers and coalition partners. 
In a significant win for cities, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed AB 14 (Aguiar-Curry) and SB 4 (Gonzalez) last Friday, two Cal Cities-supported measures that prioritize the broadband needs of California's unserved and underserved communities while providing local governments the flexibility and funding to expand deployment. The two bills complete an earlier $6 billion legislative package that enables and encourages local governments to take an active role in last-mile deployment and, in doing so, drive competition and increase access.

Random Length News: Monumental Broadband Legislation Signed Into Law

October 12, 2021

Gov. Newsom Oct.8, signed into law Senate Bill (SB) 4 by Senator Lena Gonzalez (D-Long Beach) and Assembly Bill (AB) 14 by Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters) to advance digital equity in the state and provide high-speed internet access to more Californians. These new laws will complement the recent $6 Billion budget...

Techwire: Governor Signs Broadband, Cybersecurity Bills by Deadline

October 11, 2021
By Theo Douglas
The legislative session officially ended Sunday, which was the last day for Gov. Gavin Newsom to sign or veto proposed laws sent to his desk by elected representatives.
 
And as expected, Newsom signed several significant pieces of technology and innovation-related legislation. This year’s crop of new laws is intended to hone existing cybersecurity and data legislation and smooth the way for getting more and better broadband out to residents. Among the takeaways:
 

Governor signs Aguiar-Curry and Gonzalez bills to provide internet for all

October 09, 2021
New bills signed into law this week aim to modernize and expand the internet across California.
 
Assembly Bill 14, written by Assembly member Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters), and Senate Bill 4 by Sen. Lena Gonzalez (D-Long Beach), were signed into law this week by Gov. Gavin Newsom.
 
AB 14 and SB 4 are meant to revolutionize the state’s broadband deployment program under the California Advanced Services Program, and provide increased funding to bring California into the technological 21st Century.
 
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare the massive gaps in internet connectivity at sufficient speeds for too many Californians.

CSAC: CSAC Applauds Broadband Bill Signing By Governor Newsom

October 08, 2021
SACRAMENTO–California State Association of Counties, the voice of California’s 58 Counties, reacts to Governor Newsom signing broadband legislation.
 
California’s Counties applaud Governor Newsom, Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, and Senator Lena Gonzalez for working together to seize the moment and answer the call to increase broadband access and affordability this legislative session. AB 14 (Aguiar-Curry) and SB 4 (Gonzalez), which were signed today, join SB 156 in a series of legislative victories including historic broadband infrastructure funding to close the digital divide in California.