California Legislature postpones return as virus surges
December 18, 2020 GMT
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) California lawmakers have delayed their return to the state Capitol because of the coronavirus.
Lawmakers were scheduled to return to Sacramento on Jan. 4. Friday, Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon and Senate President Pro Tempore Toni Atkins said lawmakers would return Jan. 11.
Lawmakers met for one day earlier this month to swear-in new members and introduce bills.
In a joint statement, Rendon and Atkins said they made the decision to “keep members, Legislative staff, and all staff in the Capitol as safe as possible” as the number of new COVID-19 cases in California is at an all-time high.
Thursday, December 17, 2020 | Sacramento, CA
In this May 4, 2020 file photo signs posted in the Assembly gallery remind visitors to stay 6 feet apart, at the Capitol in Sacramento, Calif.
AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File
Updated Dec. 18:
Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon announced Friday that because of the increase in COVID-19 cases at the Capitol, they will move the start of the Legislative session from Jan. 4 to Jan. 11. This story has been updated to reflect that.
Since the start of the legislative session last Monday, the Senate and Assembly have sent more than half-a-dozen memos to employees, notifying them of Capitol workers who tested positive for COVID-19.
Dodd lauded by Disability Rights California
State Sen. Bill Dodd, author of a law this year to help protect nursing home residents from coronavirus by allowing them to receive care in their homes, was recognized for his legislative leadership by Disability Rights California.
“The board of Disability Rights California is pleased to recognize Sen. Dodd as one of our legislative leaders of the year,” said Andrew Imparato, the organization’s executive director. “Sen. Dodd has a long history of supporting disability rights issues and supporting persons with disabilities. We appreciate his leadership and commitment to inclusiveness of all persons and ensuring the rights of persons with disabilities are advanced.”
Speaker selects Frazier to lead Assembly committee
Assemblyman Jim Frazier
FAIRFIELD Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon announced Saturday that Assemblyman Jim Frazier will be the new chairman of the Governmental Organization Committee.
Frazier, D-Fairfield, has been the Assembly Transportation Committee chairman for the past five years.
“I am honored and look forward to working collaboratively with my colleagues and advocates in my new role,” Frazier in a press release from his office.
Frazier represents the 11th Assembly District, which in Solano County includes Fairfield, Travis Air Force Base, Suisun City, Vacaville and Rio Vista as well as the surrounding rural areas.
[LISTEN] Imam Mohammad “Yasir” Khan, First-Ever Muslim Chaplain Appointed to California Legislature in US Imam Speaks to Radio Islam
Dec 10, 2020
A graduate of Darul Uloom Zakariyya in Johannesburg, South Africa, Imam Mohammad “Yasir” Khan has been appointed the first ever chaplain of the California State Assembly in the United States.
California Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon made the announcement on Monday.
The California chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CA) says Khan is the first-ever Muslim chaplain appointed to the California Legislature, and potentially the first Muslim chaplain for any state legislature in the United States.
In an exclusive interview with Radio Islam on Thursday, Ml Khan says he is ecstatic by his appointment, but it was only with Allah’s permission that he achieved the post.