Press Releases

Sen. Cortese, Asm. Garcia, and Asm. Low Introduce Bills to Reform California’s Archaic Spousal Rape Designation

Today, Assemblymember’s Cristina Garcia (D-Bell Gardens) and Evan Low (D-Campbell) announced the introduction of AB 812, and Senator Dave Cortese (D-San Jose) introduced SB 530; both are bills that aim to bring California’s rape statues into parity by requiring the same standards for spousal rape that are currently in the penal code for rape. These bills will eliminate the “spousal rape exception” in the California Penal Code (Section 262) to ensure that “spousal rape” is treated and punished as seriously as rape of a non-spouse.



Cortese Issues Statement on Need for Changes in California’s Vaccine Distribution to Integrate Hardest-Hit Communities in the Bay Area

Senator Dave Cortese (D-San Jose) issued the following statement regarding a Bay Area-wide effort led by State Legislators, community leaders, and community-based organizations, urging the state to reformulate the latest state vaccine distribution plan unveiled late in the week of March 1st. Even though the Bay Area accounts for 20% of the population of California and includes many hard-hit communities with COVID-19 infection rates that are twice that of the state's overall rate, 



Senator Dave Cortese Issues Statement on Plan to Reopen California Schools

Senator Dave Cortese (D-San Jose) issued the following statement about School Reopening Legislation, SB/AB 86 as amended March 1st, 2021, that would provide funding to open California schools and aid in learning recovery efforts:



Senator Dave Cortese Introduces the “Special Education Inclusion Act” with the Santa Clara County Office of Education

Today, Senator Dave Cortese (D-San Jose) introduced SB 692, the “Special Education Inclusion Act”, sponsored by the Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE).

With numerous studies indicating that inclusion significantly increases graduation rates and academic performance for students with disabilities, SB 692 would create a disincentive for schools to segregate students with special needs into separate and unequal classrooms. 



Senator Cortese Introduces Legislation Supporting Tenant Preferences to Fight Displacement

Senator Dave Cortese (D-San Jose) has introduced SB 649 to make policy findings that allow the use of tenant preferences to prevent residential displacement and stabilize neighborhoods. The bill permits developers that receive local or state funds or tax credits designated for affordable housing to prioritize those at the highest risk of displacement and most in need of stable housing.