senate district 33 newsroom

press releases


Legislation to Secure Savings for Oil Cleanup Fund in Long Beach Signed Into Law by the Governor

“This law puts California on track to funding our obligation to pay for the safe cleanup and remediation of the oil operations in Long Beach. I am thankful to Mayor Richardson and our partners in Long Beach for helping advance this proactive legislation and to the Governor for signing it into law,” said Majority Leader Gonzalez.

Governor Vetoes Climate Resilient Schools Act, Delaying Critical School Infrastructure Planning to Protect Students, Teachers, and Communities Impacted by Climate Change and Severe Weather

Sacramento, Calif. – On September 22, 2024, The Climate Resilient Schools Act by Majority Leader Gonzalez (D-Long Beach) was vetoed by Governor Newsom for the second consecutive year after successfully passing the Legislature with a strong majority vote. The legislation would have created a roadmap for California school districts to access federal funding to upgrade school facilities amidst a changing climate and increasingly severe weather.

LEGISLACIÓN PARA PROTEGER A LAS COMUNIDADES CERCADAS DE LA CONTAMINACIÓN DAÑINA DEL AIRE, VETADA POR EL GOBERNADOR

Sacramento, California – El 19 de agosto de 2024, el Gobernador Newsom vetó el Proyecto de Ley del Senado (SB) 674, Ley de Transparencia y Reducción de la Contaminación en Refinerí

Legislation to Protect Fenceline Communities from Harmful Air Pollution, Vetoed by Governor

“This is a devastating blow to the years of hard work and advocacy by communities affected by refinery air pollution,” said Majority Leader Gonzalez (D – Long Beach). “Fenceline communities urgently need improved air monitoring, and it shouldn’t be this difficult to establish a system that provides them with the most basic necessities—transparency and information about the toxic chemicals being released into their neighborhoods. I am deeply disappointed by this outcome, but we cannot walk away from this issue. Our communities demand and deserve stronger protections.”

Climate Resilient Schools Act to Protect Students and Vulnerable Communities from the Impacts of Climate Change and Extreme Weather Advances to the Assembly Floor for a Vote

“Students and their families deserve schools that offer a quality learning environment. With severe weather becoming more frequent in recent years due to climate change that also means updating our school facilities to handle these growing challenges.” said Senator Lena Gonzalez (D-Long Beach). “I am thankful to the incredible organizations and community leaders who have helped us get this far, and I urge my Assembly colleagues for their support on the Assembly Floor for the Climate Resilient Schools Act so that we can help prepare our schools for the future.”

Legislación Para Mejorar El Monitoreo Del Aire y La Transparencia En Las Refinerías Aprobada Por La Legislatura, Espera La Luz Verde Del Gobernador

“El éxito del Proyecto de Ley Senatorial 674 hoy es un hito prometedor y motivador para las comunidades cercadas”, dijo la Líder de la Mayoría González (D-Long Beach). “Este proyecto de ley establecerá un sistema estandarizado de monitoreo del aire que exige transparencia a las refinerías sobre los químicos tóxicos que liberan y garantiza que se implementen las mejores prácticas y tecnologías para prevenir los peligros de las refinerías que nuestras comunidades han soportado durante años. A medida que el proyecto de ley avanza hacia su etapa final, insto al gobernador Newsom a que lo promulgue para salvaguardar la salud y el bienestar de los californianos que han sido perjudicados por la contaminación de las refinerías durante demasiado tiempo”.

Legislation for Enhanced Air Monitoring and Transparency at Refineries Clears Legislature, Awaits Governor’s Approval

“The success of SB 674 today is a promising and motivating milestone for fenceline communities,” said Majority Leader Gonzalez (D-Long Beach). “This bill will establish a standardized air monitoring system that demands transparency from refineries about the toxic chemicals they release and ensure the best practices and technologies are in place to prevent the refinery dangers our communities have endured for years. As the bill moves to its final step, I urge Governor Newsom to sign it into law to safeguard the health and wellbeing of Californians who have been harmed by refinery pollution for far too long.”

Majority Leader Gonzalez Issues Statement on Climate and Education Bond Measures Approved by the Legislature

"The climate and education bond measures, SB 867 and AB 247, signed today by Acting Governor McGuire, offer a bold opportunity to invest in California’s future."