Year after year, both the University of California and the California State University hiked executives’ pay while raising student fees.  This is why I have introduced legislation to prohibit pay raises for top university administrators during bad budget years or when student fees are increased. 
This bill will also prohibit incoming executives from earning more than [...]

The California State Legislature reconvened last week, and I have already introduced a series of bills to bring greater transparency and accountability of state and local government. These three pieces of legislation will stop secrecy at the California Public Utilities Commission, help fund the Cal-Access database, ensure taxpayers have greater access to public documents, and [...]

As we approach the final days of the year, I reflect on our accomplishments this past year in the State Legislature.  We continued our efforts this year for open government, environmental protection, children and families, and public health.
I started the year by focusing on a signature legislative issue: government transparency and accountability.  Governor Jerry Brown [...]

This week I announced legislation that provide greater access to government records, specifically requiring public documents and data that are electronically available to be user-friendly and searchable by commonly used software.   Often when government agencies post electronic records online or provide electronic copies of documents in response to a public records request, the data provided [...]

As we get into the holiday rush and many begin to check off their holiday shopping lists, I am urging parents, families, and friends to avoid violent video game purchases for young children this holiday season.
It is vitally important that parents and grandparents consider the content in video games before making holiday purchases.  There is [...]

As an alumnus and as a State Senator, I stand with the students and faculty of the University of California and California State University in their two-day strike. If we are going to turn around our economy and give working families a chance in California, the UC and CSU governing boards need to stop [...]

As the holidays approach, all of us begin to look forward to some time with family and friends, an opportunity to give thanks for all that we have. While we enjoy this opportunity to celebrate with those closest to us, it is fitting and proper that we remember those in need, and that we [...]

As an alumnus and as a State Senator, I stand with the students and faculty of the University of California and California State University in their two-day strike. If we are going to turn around our economy and give working families a chance in California, the UC and CSU governing boards need to stop [...]

Earlier this fall, the Sierra Club San Francisco Bay Chapter announced my selection as the recipient of the Phil Burton Badge of Courage Award. The award is presented annually to an environmental leader in public office who has taken tough stands on issues even in the face of strong opposition.
Among my many environmental accomplishments, I [...]

Governor Jerry Brown has signed into law legislation to ensure workers receive prevailing wages on energy service contracts of public agencies. Senate Bill 136, which I authored and itroduced, closes a loophole that allowed work to be done without prevailing wage on public infrastructure projects offered at so-called “no cost” by Energy [...]