Press Releases

Thursday, June 13, 2019

Speaker pro Tem Mullin’s Statement on the California Legislature’s Adoption of the State’s 2019-20 Spending Plan

“Today, the California State Legislature passed its ninth on-time, balanced budget in as many years. As Speaker pro Tem and a member of the Assembly Budget Committee, I am proud of the hard work done by everyone involved, from the budget sub-committees, the two house conference committees and Governor Newsom and his staff.

The 2019-20 budget is both fiscally prudent and progressive. This budget increases the Rainy Day Fund to a total of $19.4 billion and also contributes to pension obligations by over $4 billion which helps ease the burden on school districts.

 

Wednesday, May 29, 2019

Bills address issue ad disclosure and local campaign finance

 

Sacramento – Today, two election bills authored by Assembly Speaker pro Tem Kevin Mullin, passed off of the Assembly floor with bi-partisan support and now move on to the Senate. AB 1217 seeks to extend the California DISCLOSE Act to cover issue ads and AB 571 would establish local campaign contribution limits.

Thursday, May 23, 2019

Bills address climate adaptation, lithium-ion battery recycling and zero-emission buses

Sacramento – Today, three environmental bills authored by Assembly Speaker pro Tem Kevin Mullin passed off of the Assembly floor and now move on to the Senate. Collectively, the bills address climate adaptation, the deployment of zero-emission buses and the recycling of lithium-ion batteries.

Tuesday, May 14, 2019

San Francisco Bay AreaSacramento – Earlier today the State Auditors Office released the findings of their audit of the Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC) which was requested by a bipartisan coalition of legislators and approved by the Joint Legislative Audit Committee in August of 2018. The legislative coalition led by Speaker pro Tem Kevin Mullin (D-South San Francisco) included Assembly Republican Leader Marie Waldron (R-Escondido), Senator Jerry Hill, (D-San Mateo), and Assemblymember Marc Berman (D-Palo Alto) requested the audit investigate the organization’s enforcement activities, adherence to its mission as well as funding and operational needs and structure.

“The State Auditor’s comprehensive report makes abundantly clear that a legislative audit request of BCDC was absolutely necessary,” stated Speaker pro Tem Kevin Mullin. “As I suspected, the State Auditor has found that the Commission has struggled to perform key responsibilities related to consistent enforcement and as a result, has allowed ongoing harm to the Bay.”     

Friday, March 22, 2019

 Bill creates Stem Cell Clinic Advisory Group

Sacramento - California is a longtime leader in biotechnology and stem cell research.  Prop 71, approved by voters in 2004, created the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) and authorized $3 billion in funding for stem cell research. As a result, significant advancements in stem cell research and treatments have been realized. Unfortunately, not all stem cell clinics are adhering to the expected high standards of review within the industry and, as a result, patients have been subjected to unscrupulous, sometimes harmful practices. AB 617 will address those entities by creating a Stem Cell Clinic Regulation Advisory Group.

“California has been a leader in the research and development of stem cell therapies,” said Speaker pro Tem Kevin Mullin. “As a result of California’s leadership, doctors have used stem cells to treat patients with cancer and disorders of the blood and immune system and other conditions.”

Wednesday, March 13, 2019

“Today Governor Newsom took the bold step of ordering a moratorium on the death penalty in California. As a longtime opponent of the death penalty, I support this action, especially in light of evidence that the death penalty has not reduced the number of homicides or other serious crimes. We must also examine the numbers that demonstrate that our criminal justice system has historically been more punitive to people of color, those who are limited financially, as well as people suffering from mental illness.  We must look to new and better ways to reduce crime and recidivism.

Friday, February 22, 2019

AB 1168 By Speaker Pro tem Kevin Mullin Would Require Statewide Implementation of Text to 9-1-1

Sacramento – Assembly Speaker pro Tem Kevin Mullin has introduced AB 1168 requiring emergency dispatch/call centers statewide to implement text to 9-1-1 services so the deaf and hard of hearing have equal access to emergency services.

“As someone who is hard of hearing, I believe it is critical that we expand the ways people access 9-1-1 in an emergency,” said Speaker pro Tem Mullin. “California companies are creating cutting edge technology on a daily basis and I believe we have the capability to launch Text to 9-1-1 statewide by 2021.”