Press Releases

SB 850 was introduced in honor of Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Deputy Sgt. Damon Gutzwiller

Contact: Richard Stapler

Richard.Stapler@sen.ca.gov

SACRAMENTO – Today, Senator John Laird (D – Santa Cruz) introduced Senate Bill 850 to ensure families of fallen officers receive their full survival benefits regardless of family structure.




Contact: Richard Stapler, Richard.Stapler@sen.ca.gov

SACRAMENTO – The chair of the Senate Budget Subcommittee on Education Sen. John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) made the following statement today on Gov. Gavin Newsom’s January budget proposal for 2022-23:




Contact: Richard Stapler, Richard.Stapler@sen.ca.gov

Governor Newsom Signs Senator Laird’s Legislation to Improve the EDD




Contact: Richard Stapler, Richard.Stapler@sen.ca.gov

SACRAMENTO, CA – Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill 456, authored by Senator John Laird (D – Santa Cruz).  This bill will require the state to establish a long-term fire-prevention action plan to ensure statewide investments to combat fires are comprehensive, science-based, and utilize complementary partnerships.




Contact: Richard Stapler

Richard.Stapler@sen.ca.gov

SACRAMENTO, CA –Governor Newsom recently signed budget trailer bill AB 170 that includes $1 million for existing Garrapata State Park trails.

Garrapata State Park is situated on the northern end of the Big Sur coast and features seven miles of scenic rocky shoreline, coves, and the sandy expanse of Garrapata Beach. The park extends along four miles of State Coast Highway 1, encompassing a total of 2,902 acres.




Contact: Richard Stapler

Richard.Stapler@sen.ca.gov

SACRAMENTO, CA – Governor Newsom has announced the signing of Senate Bill 496, authored by Senator John Laird (D – Santa Cruz) to fund the Pajaro River Flood Risk Management Project. This bill directs the Department of Water Resources to pay 100 percent of the state’s cost share for reconstruction of the Pajaro River Flood Risk Management Project. This funding will enable environmental projects including groundwater management, floodplain recharge, and fishery protection.




Contact: Richard Stapler

Richard.Stapler@sen.ca.gov

Senator John Laird Celebrates End of Legislative Session

SACRAMENTO, CA – State Senator John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) completes his first legislative session in the California State Senate.




Contact: Richard Stapler

Richard.Stapler@sen.ca.gov

PRESS RELEASE: Senator John Laird Appointed to California Coastal Conservancy

SACRAMENTO, CA- Today, Senate pro Tempore Toni Atkins appointed Senator John Laird to serve on the Coastal Conservancy of the State of California.