News

Senator Bob Hertzberg Demystifies California’s Landmark $308 Billion 2022/23 Budget

July 20, 2022

This article was originally published by VerdExchange Conference.

In the days after Governor Newsom signed California’s $308 billion budget—which includes record spending across sectors bolstered by a nearly $100 billion surplus—TPR/VXNews interviewed California Senate Majority Leader Emeritus Robert Hertzberg on the highlights of the 2022-23 state budget package. The Senator elaborates on the one-time infrastructure investments embedded throughout the budget for climate resilience—including grid reliability, EV charging, wildfire, water recycling, and more. While state reserves this year benefit from significant windfall in capital gains taxes, Hertzberg emphasizes the long term need to correct California’s financial structure to avoid volatile impacts to the state budget year after year.

Sen. Bob Hertzberg on the assassination of former Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe

July 8, 2022

SACRAMENTO – Sen. Bob Hertzberg of Van Nuys released the following statement after the assassination yesterday of former Japan prime minister Shinzo Abe.

California sets nation’s toughest plastics reduction rules

July 1, 2022

This article was originally published by AP.

Companies selling shampoo, food and other products wrapped in plastic have a decade to cut down on their use of the polluting material if they want their wares on California store shelves.

Senate sends Gov. Newsom bill allowing lawsuits against those providing dangerous firearms

June 29, 2022

SACRAMENTO – Sen. Bob Hertzberg of Van Nuys released the following after the state Senate late Wednesday sent Gov. Newsom  Senate Bill 1327, a plan to help end gun violence by allowing private citizens to sue gun manufacturers.  

 

“If we save one life – one life! – we’ve done the right thing,” Hertzberg said shortly before the 26-to-9 vote.

 

Gov. Newsom backs the first-in-the-nation law and is expected to sign the bill almost immediately.

 

Reacting to the End of Roe

June 29, 2022

This article was originally published in the Jewish Journal.

“I am worried sick about the women who will have to risk their lives either by getting unsafe abortions or from being forced to have a child they cannot financially or emotionally support.  I fear for the marginalized children and communities this decision will most impact. 

No, it wasn’t your imagination – those were legal earthquakes last week, and as a result increased injuries and deaths will be the fallout.

June 29, 2022

This op-ed was originally published in the Daily Journal.

By: Senator Bob Hertzberg

If you thought you recently felt two seismic earthquakes, it wasn’t your imagination.
 
Thanks largely to three trumped-up appointees to the U.S. Supreme Court, a shocking pair of ground-shaking changes to American equality took place last week that will literally prove to be deadly.

Full Assembly endorses plan to allow citizens to sue those who provide dangerous firearms

June 27, 2022

SACRAMENTO – Sen. Bob Hertzberg of Van Nuys released the following after Senate Bill 1327, a plan to help end gun violence by allowing private citizens to sue gun manufacturers, passed its first Floor vote by the California Assembly.

The first-in-the-nation law, backed by Gov. Newsom, passed on a 50-19 vote in the 80-member Assembly. It next returns to the Senate for consideration later this week.

California State Senator Anthony J. Portantino Gun Control Bills Pass Assembly Appropriations Committee

June 27, 2022

June 27, 2022 - Sacramento, CA - Senate Bills 906 and 1327 – two gun safety and reform measures - passed the Assembly Appropriations Committee last week.  SB 906, authored by Senator Anthony J. Portantino (D – La Cañada Flintridge), prioritizes student and campus safety by promoting safe at-home storage of firearms and robust investigations of imminent violent school threats. SB 1327 is jointly authored by Senate Majority Leader Emeritus Bob Hertzberg (D-Van Nuys).  It creates a new tool for California to combat the rise in gun violence and save lives – a private right of action.  Governor Gavin Newsom is the official sponsor of the legislation.

California advances Texas-style lawsuits over illegal guns

June 27, 2022

This article originally ran in AP.

California legislators on Monday approved Texas-style lawsuits over illegal guns, mimicking the Lone Star State's law aimed at deterring abortions and obliquely linking the two most controversial U.S. Supreme Court decisions from last week.

Sen. Bob Hertzberg statement on SCOTUS revoking Roe V Wade

June 24, 2022

SACRAMENTO – Senate Majority Leader Emeritus Bob Hertzberg of Van Nuys released the following statement today after the US Supreme Court overturning Roe V Wade, eliminating the Constitutional right for women to obtain an abortion:

“The Supreme Court is criminalizing women,” Hertzberg, a father of two sons and a daughter, said flatly. “The majority’s theological bent wants to keep women barefoot and pregnant and is a throwback to when women were property and knew their place. That past is our future if Americans don’t wake up and vote.”