Click here to watch the video.
California Senate Republicans reaffirmed their commitment to Fix California with a list of 2024 legislative proposals that focus on lowering living costs, tackling crime, acting on homelessness, and investing in students.
Senate Minority Leader Brian W. Jones (R-San Diego), who is authoring measures to lower living costs and compassionately clear homeless encampments, pointed to last year’s success as a sign of hope for the state.
“It was senators in the Republican Caucus who held sex traffickers accountable and held Democrats’ feet to the fire on issues like fentanyl, energy costs, and homelessness last year,” Leader Jones said. “With the help of California families who are rightfully fed up with the status quo, we’re going to achieve collective wins again this year.”
The 2024 proposals continue efforts on key issues following several victories in 2023.
Senator Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield), author of 2023’s landmark law, SB 14, which made sex trafficking of children a serious felony, is once again working to tackle trafficking. This year, her SB 1414 seeks to strengthen protections for children further by making the act of soliciting sex with a minor a felony.
“With the passage of SB 14, we went after the sellers and now we are going after the buyers, those who are purchasing sex from children,” said Senator Grove. “Families in the Golden State deserve to feel safe and know that our state’s laws protect and safeguard neighborhoods, not empower criminals.”
After securing a statewide audit of homelessness spending, Senator Roger Niello (R-Fair Oaks) has introduced a measure to help protect homeless children.
“Addressing the homelessness crisis head on remains a priority for Senate Republicans,” Senator Niello said. “The state has thrown $24 billion at the issue in the last several years and it’s only gotten worse. Our communities deserve results, not spending that seemingly throws unlimited taxpayer dollars at broken programs.”
Vice chair of the Senate Education Committee and champion for students, Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (R-Yucaipa) has authored several education measures, including a bill to require that algebra courses are offered to 8th graders and another to support college preparation for K-12 graders.
“Our future is in the hands of our children,” said Senator Ochoa Bogh. “If this state isn’t investing in quality education and supporting parents in the system, then it is failing in two very fundamental tasks. Senate Republicans maintain our support for strong educational systems that empower students and parents and work to provide quality education.”
Senate Republican Caucus Chair Kelly Seyarto (R-Murrieta), who is working to address human trafficking, bring transparency to government spending, and support veterans in education, points out that Senate Republicans’ efforts will provide families a better experience every day.
“Families deserve stronger support from their state laws,” Senator Seyarto said. “Our efforts will restore common sense on many issues that are causing heartache for families all across this state. Together, we can Fix California.”
In a video released today, Senate Republicans urge Californians to join in the fight by using the hashtag #FixCalifornia and follow along with our legislative efforts.
What other Senate Republicans are saying about the effort:
“It doesn’t take 20-20 vision to see the clear deterioration of quality of life in California under one-party rule,” said Senator Brian Dahle (R-Bieber). “Senate Republicans remain steadfast in our efforts to fix this broken state and ensure families can afford to live and thrive here.”
“California is so unaffordable that my own daughter’s family joined the masses of people who’ve left the state for a better quality of life,” said Senator Scott Wilk (R-Santa Clarita). “There’s a reason why the governor hasn’t given his State of the State. The reality is this - the phony ‘California Way’ drives up costs, drives up crime, and drives people out. “I’m proud to stand up with my colleagues to speak the truth, and help rebuild this state.”
“We have such a diverse state filled with opportunity, yet far too many have lost hope because of misguided laws,” said Senator Janet Nguyen (R-Huntington Beach). “I am proud that my colleagues and I continue our efforts to better this state for this generation and future ones.”
Learn more about the Senate Republican efforts to Fix California here.