Press Releases

The State of California has passed Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR) 18, titled “Compassionate California”. Introduced by Senator Dave Cortese (D-San Jose), the Resolution declares California to be the first Compassionate State in the United States of America.




State Senator Dave Cortese (D-San Jose), chair of the California Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee issued the below statement after a California Judge today ruled Proposition 22 unconstitutional.

Proposition 22 is a California ballot initiative that passed in the November 2020 General Election that exempts app-based transportation and delivery employers from providing the employee benefits that are granted under Assembly Bill 5, including collective bargaining rights, paid sick leave, and workers compensation.  




Senator Dave Cortese (D-San Jose) has selected local small business, Holy Cannoli San Jose, as his “Small Business of the Year” in honor of California Small Business Day™ 2021. Cortese will present a Senate Resolution to Holy Cannoli Chef and Owner Jamie Whitmire at today’s Small Business Day celebrations in Sacramento.

Holy Cannoli was set for their grand opening on March 17th of 2020, only a few days after shelter in place and local health orders went into effect in Santa Clara County.




Governor Newsom signed the following bills from Senator Dave Cortese (D-San Jose) on Friday:




San José – Evergreen Community College District (SJECCD) will receive $1 million in the 2021-2022 California state budget to “support planning and community engagement to explore ideas for development” of District-owned surplus land adjacent to Evergreen Valley College near the intersection of Yerba Buena and San Felipe Roads.