Press Release

SACRAMENTO – Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, made the following comment today on the announcement that PG&E would pursue bankruptcy protection:

“I’m disappointed that PG&E's hubris and mismanagement have led to this unfortunate point,” said Sen. Dodd. “While the CEO has resigned, there must be further change on the board of directors. Now, the Public Utility Commission’s priority must be to protect ratepayers and residents. And above all, PG&E must be held to safety mandates.”

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SACRAMENTO – Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, made the following statement today about Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposed 2019-20 state budget, which includes an historic $81 billion investment in K-12 education, $1.4 billion to fund free community college and millions more for emergency readiness, response and recovery:

SACRAMENTO – Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, commended Gov. Gavin Newsom today for a slate of new disaster prevention and preparedness measures that will build on recent legislation to protect Californians from the growing threat of wildfires.

“The governor and I have talked about wildfire safety and today’s actions show he is making it a priority,” Sen. Dodd said. “I look forward to working with him on these new safeguards.”

SACRAMENTO – Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, was reappointed today to the chair of the powerful Senate Governmental Organization committee, which oversees a wide array of important policy areas – from emergency services to alcoholic beverage laws.

NAPA – Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, called today for change of executive leadership at Pacific Gas and Electric Co. following a California Public Utilities Commission report alleging the utility falsified documents relating to underground gas pipelines, like the one that exploded in San Bruno in 2010, killing eight people.  The findings come as the utility faces billions of dollars in potential legal liability for the series of historic wildfires that swept across the state over the past year, taking many more lives and threatening the very existence of some communities.

SACRAMENTO – Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, announced today his package of new laws taking effect Jan. 1 will help Californians in important ways including protecting them from wildfires and floods, extending disaster insurance coverage, improving schools and guaranteeing access to drinking water.

SACRAMENTO – Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, introduced legislation today that would allow Napa County to negotiate with the state Department of General Services to buy the 850-acre Skyline Wilderness Park, ensuring the prime land with popular hiking trails and views of the Bay Area remains a public open space forever.

“This is such an important community asset, both from a recreational and environmental perspective,” said Sen. Dodd. “It needs to be preserved for the public and placed under local control so it remains parkland in perpetuity.”  

SACRAMENTO – Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, introduced legislation today that would help the state manage its water, protecting the precious resource for people and the environment.

“We’re faced with a constant cycle of droughts and flooding, and this bill is an important step toward managing our water for the long run,” Sen. Dodd said.  “Stream gages provide important information. Unfortunately, gaps in the current system make it difficult to ensure water is going where it’s needed. You can’t manage what you don’t measure.”

NAPA – After receiving strong opposition to the project from a group of Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta lawmakers, including Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, the federal government has rejected a request for a loan to pay for California WaterFix, a controversial twin-tunnels project that threatens the environmental and economic vitality of the state’s most important waterway.

PETALUMA – Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, and the Petaluma People Services Center will convene a panel of experts Dec. 11 in Petaluma to discuss topics of importance to seniors such as healthcare and fraud protection and the slate of public services available to them.

State and local government officials will speak along with senior advocates. A question-and-answer period will follow.

Who: Sen. Bill Dodd, Petaluma People Services Center and officials.

What: Senior Issues Forum

When: Dec. 11, 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.