Skip to main content

News

New California Bill Targets Retail Theft, ‘Unintended Consequences’ of Prop. 47

With retail theft crimes impacting communities across California, Assemblyman Carlos Villapudua (D-Stockton) is introducing legislation that will address concerns related to a measure passed by voters in 2014 to reform criminal justice laws.

At issue is Proposition 47, designed to reduce prison populations by recategorizing some felony drug and theft crimes as misdemeanors.

Stockton lawmaker releases referendum targeting parts of Prop 47

Asm. Villapudua wants to see the referendum on a ballot as soon as possible.

STOCKTON, Calif. — A state lawmaker from Stockton released a new referendum aimed at tackling retail theft.

"I've seen it done in my hometown of Stockton. Enough is enough. For us, it's all hands on deck. We need to do something. We should have done it yesterday, but we're on it today," said Democratic Assemblymember Carlos Villapudua (D-Stockton). 

Bill aims to ease truck driver shortage

CHICO, Calif. — Lawmakers are trying to ease the ongoing truck driver shortage with a new bill.

Under AB 376, introduced by San Joaquin Valley Democrat Carlos Villapudua, Cal Grant C would become open for students enrolled in entry-level driver training program. Lawmakers say programs can be costly and they don't currently qualify for the Cal Grant because they're typically less than four months in length.

Villapudua says he not only wants to attract prospective drivers, but dispel truck driver stereotypes.

Lawmakers propose $4.5B flood protection bond measure

CHICO, Calif. — Californians could be voting on a major flood protection bond next November.

State lawmakers are pushing a $4.5 billion bond measure which would help fund water infrastructure projects across the state. The bill's author, San Joaquin Valley Democratic Assemblymember Carlos Villapudua, said the language is not yet set in stone, but that funds from the bond would go to the Department of Water Resources (DWR).

San José Artist Isiah Daniels on What California Can Learn From Norway's Prison System

A California bill, which will be heard in the state Senate’s Public Safety committee Tuesday, intends to take the state’s prisons in a more Norwegian direction.

"It’s almost as if you're part of a dorm, and you're working with other folks to help each other," said Stockton Assemblymember Carlos Villapudua, who’s proposing AB 2730, about what he's learned about prisons there.

Prison rehab: Can California learn anything from Norway?

California has a recidivism problem. 

Two-thirds of people incarcerated in the state will return to prison within three years, either through new offenses or parole violations, according to California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation data. 

Bipartisan group proposes year-long gas tax suspension

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KTXL) — A group of bipartisan state lawmakers is now pushing for a year-long suspension of the state’s gas tax.

This comes as lawmakers said talks are stalling on the relief Californians were promised nearly two months ago.

“We have stalled out at a time when the state cannot afford to stall out,” said Assembly Member Jordan Cunningham, R-San Luis Obispo.

A group of Democratic and Republican lawmakers on Thursday announced they’re pushing for a year-long suspension of the state’s 51-cent gas tax.

Assemblyman names Tracy Interfaith Ministries Nonprofit of the Year

Tracy Interfaith Ministries learned this week that California Assemblymember Carlos Villapadua (D-Stockton) has selected the local charity a 2022 California Nonprofit of the Year.

Tracy Interfaith Ministries is one of more than 100 nonprofits that will be honored by their state senators and assemblymembers for their contributions to the communities they serve.

Californians should look to California for its oil

In the nearly two months since Russia invaded Ukraine, the images of wartime devastation continue to haunt us. Vladimir Putin’s war crimes have disrupted the world’s economy, driving up energy costs and affecting every Californian. To bring relief from high gas prices and reduce California’s reliance on foreign oil, we need to support more local production of the abundant energy sources we possess.