Assembly Majority Leader Chris Holden and Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins announce a landmark deal between the Assembly Democrats, Coalition of Franchisee Associations, SEIU, and the International Franchise Association to develop a Franchisee Bill of Rights to provide more protection to franchise operators who fear losing their businesses to powerful franchise corporations. This deal marks the first of its kind that the International Franchise Association has agreed to. “The Franchise Bill of … [Read more...]

Assemblymember Chris Holden’s (D-Pasadena) bill to expand the time limit for fi ling human rights claims in cases of torture, rape, and sex trafficking was approved late today in the Senate Judiciary Committee. AB 15 extends the statute of limitations on human rights abuse cases from two to ten years, bringing it into line with federal law. “I am extremely pleased that my efforts to ensure victims of Human Rights abuses will have their day in court has been approved in the Senate Judiciary … [Read more...]

Congresswoman Karen Bass (D-Calif.), a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, released the following statement after President Obama announced today that the Administration has reached a deal with Cuba to reestablish diplomatic relations and reopen embassies: "I commend President Obama for his announcement today that the United States is reestablishing diplomatic relations with Cuba and will soon reopen our embassy in Havana while welcoming the Cuban government to do the same in … [Read more...]

Assemblymember Chris Holden’s legislation to provide high school students with access to community colleges for college level coursework, career tech education or to help high school students improve their college readiness has been approved in the Senate Education Committee. AB 288 would create a partnership between high schools and community colleges to allow a broader range of students to take college-level courses at their high schools or on college campuses – what is known as concurrent or … [Read more...]