Transcript California Policy Issues & Legislation

Kristy Wiese
Lobbyist
Capitol Advocacy LLC
Wrapped Up 2013-2014 Session
 Legislature adjourned on August 31, 2014
 Governor Brown finished acting upon all bills
September 30, 2014
 Legislature returns to officially begin 2015-16 session
December 1, 2014
 Regular floor sessions resume January 5, 2015
 Most bills that passed and were signed by the
Governor in 2014 will go into effect January 1, 2105
2
2015 Legislative Process
Next year will be the first year of a two-year session. This
means the focus in January and February will be on bill
introductions.
The bill introduction deadline will likely be February 20,
2015.
Policy Committee hearings will take place in full force in
April and May.
The Legislature will likely adjourn mid-September, 2015.
3
November General Election
 The General Election is November 4, 2014. This is a
gubernatorial election year, so the Governor and all statewide
offices are up for election in addition to most legislative offices.
 At least 23 Assembly seats and 10 Senate seats will turn over, with
the potential for more turnover in the Assembly if Democrats
lose their seats in two contested races.
 Democrat Sharon Quirk-Silva is battling to keep her Orange
County seat from Republican Young Kim, and Democrat Steve
Fox is fighting to defend his North Los Angeles County/Kern
County seat against Republican Tom Lackey.
4
November General Election
 In the Assembly, Democrats currently hold 55 seats, one
above the 54 necessary to maintain their supermajority. If
Republicans defeat Quirk-Silva and Fox, the Assembly
Democrat supermajority will be eliminated
 In the Senate, Democrats currently hold 27 seats, the bare
minimum to keep their supermajority. If Republican Janet
Nguyen bests Democrat and former Assemblyman Jose
Solorio for Democrat Senator Lou Correa’s seat, the
supermajority could be eliminated, assuming Democrats
do not gain any Republican seats.
5
New Northern CA Legislators
 Sonoma County Supervisor Mike McGuire is the incoming
Senator to succeed Noreen Evans, representing the North
Coast, which includes Santa Rosa, Sonoma and Marin.
 Napa County Supervisor Bill Dodd will replace Mariko
Yamada to represent the counties of Lake, Sonoma, Napa,
Solano and Yolo.
 Healdsburg City Councilman Jim Wood will succeed Wes
Chesbro to represent Del Norte, Humboldt, Trinity, and
Mendocino Counties, as well as northern and coastal
Sonoma County.
 CANP will work to build relationships with these members,
including grassroots engagement on the part of CANP
members and allies
6
Proposition 46 - MICRA
 Prop 46, which asks voters to raise the cap on non-economic
damages in medical malpractice cases, is on the November
General Election Ballot.
 Sponsored by the trial attorneys, Prop 46 more than quadruples
the pain and suffering cap, which will substantially increase
lawyer’s legal fees in healthcare lawsuits, which in turn will
increase health care costs and reduce access to care.
 Both proponents (trial attorneys and consumer groups) and
opponents (healthcare providers and business groups) of Prop
46 are spending millions in support and opposition of the
initiative.
7
CMA Political Spending
 CMA continues to spend heavily to promote its political
agenda in California:
 CMA physician issues committee: $5,313,184 in
expenditures January 1 – September 30, 2014
 CMA Independent Expenditure Committee: $615,620 in
expenditures January 1 – September 30, 2014
 CMA Political Action Committee (CALPAC): $952,920 in
expenditures January 1 – September 30, 2014
 CMA Small Contributor Committee: $175,007 in
expenditures January 1 – September 30, 2014
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Going Forward…..
 CANP is ramping up its grassroots advocacy program.
 Each Chapter is being charged with expanding their relationship
with local legislators.
 Opportunities to invite legislators to chapter meetings, NP
participation at community events, meetings in district offices.
 Resources on CANP website.
 Grassroots Advocacy coordinator, Stephanie Nied Tseu, to
support chapter efforts.
Questions?