Press Releases

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.”

 

Tuesday, January 22, 2019

California Would Join Nearly Half the States in the Country

Sacramento – Assembly Speaker pro Tem Kevin Mullin continues to advocate for 17 year-old primary voting and he is not alone.  Currently, there are 23 states plus the District of Columbia that allow 17 year olds to vote in Presidential primaries, provided they will be 18 by the time of the General Election.

“I find it hard to believe that the state of California is behind 23 other states when it comes to this important issue,” Mullin said. “Studies have shown that voting is habit forming and it is a habit worth encouraging.  If a voter is going to eligible to vote in a General Election, why wouldn’t we want to allow them to also have a say in who they will be voting for in that election?”

Tuesday, January 15, 2019

Sacramento – Today, Assembly Speaker pro Tem Kevin Mullin introduced AB 214 which would reinstate funding that could be leveraged and utilized to attract private investment for spinal cord injury research grants at California research institutions.

“I am very excited to be working with Roman Reed and many other advocates to restore state funding for the Roman Reed Spinal Cord Injury Research Act,” Mullin stated. “Sadly, efforts to continue this funding stream that expired in 2011 have failed and critical research in this area has suffered. The absence of state funds has limited the programs ability to attract private investment, limiting the work being done.”  

Wednesday, September 26, 2018

California leads the nation in social media finance disclosure

The social media disclose act

Sacramento - Today, Governor Jerry Brown signed the Social Media DISCLOSE Act (AB 2188), another landmark campaign disclosure bill that makes California a national leader in the area of disclosure in online political ads.

"Last year, AB 249 (the DISCLOSE Act) set the standard for campaign finance disclosure for print, television and radio ads, generated for and against state initiatives and candidates," Mullin said. "AB 2188 extends those tough requirements to social media, giving voters the ability to see the top three funders of political ads on the various social media platforms."