For more information, contact Mary Lynne Vellinga
MaryLynne.Vellinga@sen.ca.gov
916-599-3724
In my role chairing a Budget subcommittee, I have spent months pushing back against proposed cuts that would hurt the residents and institutions of California and Senate District 3. I’ve also questioned new spending proposed by the governor.
On Friday, June 13, Sen. Christoper Cabaldon, D-Yolo, joined his Senate colleagues in approving an alternative to the governor’s proposed budget. The Legislature’s proposed budget makes about $12 billion in cuts, the amount needed to address the current deficit, but preserves funding for the state’s top priorities: higher education, housing, and reducing unsheltered homelessness. It also contains key items that will help District 3.
Sen. Christopher Cabaldon, D-Yolo Tuesday voiced his strong support for the choice of Senator Monique Limón as the Senate’s next leader. The Senate Democratic Caucus Monday voted unanimously for Limon to succeed current Senate President Pro Tem Mike McGuire in January.
Limón, a Latina from Santa Barbara, will be the first woman of color to hold the post.
“Senator Limón is a valued colleague and friend, and I’m thrilled for the people of California that she will hold this leadership position,” said Senator Christopher Cabaldon. “She has an inclusive style that will serve us well as we balance the many issues facing California.
In a bipartisan vote, the California State Senate Monday passed SB 790, a bill by Sen. Christopher Cabaldon that would remove barriers that today prevent California universities and students from pursuing online learning opportunities. Today, California is the only state that doesn’t belong to the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement, an interstate pact allowing higher education institutions to offer online classes in other states. SB 790 authorizes the governor to join the agreement.
Community colleges in Yolo County could finally unite in the same district under SB 226, a bill by Sen. Christopher Cabaldon that passed the state Senate on a bipartisan vote. SB 226 would create a process for the Community Colleges Board of Governors to transfer Woodland Community College into the Los Rios Community College District or consolidate the county into a single new district. The legislation will now move to the Assembly.
A bill by Sen. Christopher Cabaldon preventing developers from taking advantage of the state’s special protections for farmland to generate more money for urban improvements passed the state Senate Monday on a bipartisan vote. SB 5 would prohibit acreage protected by the Williamson Act from being placed in an Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District (EIFD) until it is rezoned to reflect its future use.
The California State Senate passed SB 351 by Sen. Christopher Cabaldon (D-Yolo), which would give the California Attorney General the right to investigate and bring action against private equity firms or hedge funds that own medical or dental groups and interfere with patient care decisions.
The California State Senate Wednesday unanimously passed SB 640, a bill by Senator Christopher Cabaldon (D-Yolo) to automatically offer CSU admission to every qualifying high school senior in the state. Students who meet the requirements for California State University would no longer need to submit an application. They instead would receive a congratulatory letter in the mail from CSU informing them they are admitted to a list of campuses with enrollment capacity. The measure is designed to increase opportunity for Californians and boost enrollment at CSUs that have seen student populations decline.
Sen. Christopher Cabaldon (D-Yolo) Wednesday welcomed Gov. Gavin Newsom’s expression of support for a housing bond on the 2026 ballot. Cabaldon is the author of SB 417, a $10 billion bond to support the construction, rehabilitation, and preservation of affordable housing. At the same time, Sen. Cabaldon said he would push for the restoration of funding for homelessness, housing, and the University of California and California State University systems