Senate District 33

Senator Lena Gonzalez

Welcome! I’m Senator Lena Gonzalez and I represent the 33rd District. The 33rd District represents nearly 1 million residents of Los Angeles County, including Long Beach, and the Southeast Los Angeles cities of Bell, Bell Gardens, Cudahy, Huntington Park, Lakewood, Lynwood, Maywood, Paramount, Signal Hill, South Gate, and part of Los Angeles.

I’m honored to represent the working people of the 33rd District who drive California’s economy, from the Port of Long Beach to the transportation corridor that links California to the rest of the country. Please do not hesitate to contact my capitol or district office for assistance with state agencies or to voice your opinion about matters facing the legislature.

Sincerely,
State Senator Lena A. Gonzalez

Latest News & Videos

Telemundo 52: Newsom ratifica ley que otorga cinco días por enfermedad a los trabajadores de California

October 05, 2023

SACRAMENTO.- Los trabajadores de California pronto recibirán un mínimo de cinco días de licencia por enfermedad remunerada al año, en lugar de tres, según una nueva ley firmada el miércoles por el gobernador Gavin Newsom.

“Esta es una oportunidad para brindar dos días más de enfermedad a las personas para que puedan quedarse en casa y recuperarse de una enfermedad y con esperanza sentirse mejor y regresar”, dijo Lena González, senadora por el Distrito 33 y una de las propulsoras del proyecto de ley SB 616.

Según la senadora González, California estaba rezagada con esta legislación ya que doce estados de la nación ya cuentan con leyes similares. La legislación prohibirá, además, represalias por parte de los empleadores.

Sac Bee: Gavin Newsom just approved more sick days for California workers. What does it mean for you?

October 05, 2023

BY MAYA MILLER

Some California workers are in line to earn more sick days starting in January, as Gov. Gavin Newsom handed labor advocates another victory. 
 
The governor on Tuesday signed Senate Bill 616 from state Sen. Lena Gonzalez, D-Long Beach. The new law requires employers to allow their workers to accrue five days of sick leave each year, up from the current statewide minimum of three days. Workers can start accruing those extra days beginning Jan. 1, 2024. 
 
Gonzalez said she authored the bill out of concern that workers would not have enough sick days if they or a child fell ill with COVID-19. 
 
“This reinforces our state’s values and commitment to protecting the health and well-being of our workers,” Gonzalez said in a statement Tuesday.

AP News: California workers will get five sick days instead of three under law signed by Gov. Newsom

October 04, 2023

BY SOPHIE AUSTIN AND TRÂN NGUYỄN

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Workers in California will soon receive a minimum of five days of paid sick leave annually, instead of three, under a new law Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Wednesday.

LA Times: California moves one step closer to five paid sick days, with unions banking on COVID lessons

September 13, 2023

BY MACKENZIE MAYSSTAFF WRITER 

Gonzalez said the pandemic acted as a good test case for extended sick leave, and the temporary policies are proof that they can succeed without decimating businesses.
 
“The economy wasn’t falling apart. The state still remained healthy,” Gonzalez said. “And fortunately, more importantly, the workforce felt supported.”

SD Union Tribune: California could add more paid sick days for workers. Here’s how much time they would get

September 13, 2023

BY CATHIE ANDERSON | THE SACRAMENTO BEE | TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE

COVID-19 left people unable to work for significant periods, Gonzalez said, and federal and state laws ensured they got the supplemental recovery time and sick pay to avoid infecting co-workers and suffering financial setbacks. Even now, it can take five days or longer for COVID-19 to clear the body, supporters say.

“Families no longer have the temporary protections afforded by COVID-19 supplemental paid sick leave, which ended last year,” Gonzalez said. “This back-to-school season, let’s commit to ensuring that parents can take the sick leave they need to take care of their health and the health of their children.”

Senator Lena Gonzalez Presents AB 1078 Textbook Diversity in School Curriculum

September 07, 2023

AB 421 Referendum Reform Co-authored by Sen. Lena Gonzalez Passes Senate

September 05, 2023

Common Dreams: 'Powerful Example': California Now Largest Economy to Back Fossil Fuel Nonproliferation Treaty

September 01, 2023

By JESSICA CORBETT

California Senate Majority Whip Lena Gonzalez (D-33), who spearheaded SJR 2, declared Friday that "it is essential that we commit once and for all to ending our reliance on fossil fuels. People around the world, especially low-income people of color, are suffering the adverse health impacts of fossil fuel pollution, from asthma to cancer. The recent devastating fires and hurricanes emphasize the urgency of taking action, to prevent further extreme weather changes."