Press Releases

This has been a very difficult and agonizing few weeks – considering the proposed extension of the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant, which is located in my district. I have long-time friends on both sides of this issue, and at a virtual town hall meeting on the subject almost three weeks ago, nearly seven hundred people attended – many of whom were constituents – and there was a strong and passionate divide on the administration’s proposal.

Here is the history of Diablo Canyon:

It was first proposed in the 1960’s;




SACRAMENTO – State Sen. John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) issued the following statement today regarding the finalization of the purchase of Watsonville Hospital by the Pajaro Valley Healthcare District:

“It is heartening to know that the purchase of Watsonville Hospital by the Pajaro Valley Healthcare District has been finalized, ensuring this vital facility is entrusted to public hands. Watsonville Hospital is a lifeline for the Pajaro Valley – from the beginning of life to the end, this facility will remain steady in its mission.




SACRAMENTO - The Clean Energy, Jobs, and Affordability Act of 2022 (SB 1020) led by State Senator John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) and jointly authored by Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego), Senator Anna Caballero (D-Merced), and Senator María Elena Durazo (D-Los Angeles) is poised to pass the State Senate today on a 30 to 9 vote, and will head to Governor Gavin Newsom for his consideration once a final vote is tallied. SB 1020, which earlier passed the State Assembly by a 54 to 17 bipartisan vote, will ensure benchmarked accountability to ensure California reaches its goal of achieving 100 percent renewable energy use by 2045. 



SACRAMENTO – Today, Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill 850 authored by Senator John Laird to ensure families of fallen officers receive their full survival benefits regardless of family structure.



Contact: Richard Stapler

Richard.Stapler@sen.ca.gov

SACRAMENTO, CA --  State Senator John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) gave the following statement at the opening of the State Legislature’s Select Committee on Monkeypox:

“I would like to thank the Pro Tem for establishing this Select Committee on Monkeypox and my colleague from San Francisco for so doggedly pursuing answers and clarity on addressing this public health crisis.