State Senator Toni G. Atkins, who represents the 39th Senate District, will be completing her 14-year tenure in the Legislature in 2024. She currently leads the Senate as President pro Tempore, a position she will be turning over to Senator Majority Leader Mike McGuire, who represents California’s North Coast, in early February.

Atkins noted that “2023 was a year of wins for California. We saw substantial legislative gains in the areas of climate, health care, LGBTQ+ equality, labor, public safety, human services, transportation, and housing and homelessness.

“Despite the tough economy, we passed a balanced budget that protected Californians from cuts to core programs or tax increases, and included higher levels of reserves ($37.8 billion), maintained historic levels of climate investments, and provided record funding for schools” she added.
All four of Senator Atkins’ priority bills in 2023 passed the Legislature and were signed by the Governor.

• Senate Bill 385 established a clear pathway for physician assistants to access aspiration abortion training, increasing the number of practitioners available to provide this critical reproductive care.
• Senate Bill 447, the BRIDGE Project, lifted California’s travel ban to states with policies that discriminate against LGBTQ+ individuals and created in its place a fund to create non-partisan, inclusive messaging, discourage discrimination, and help members of the LGBTQ+ community feel less isolated.
• As a result of Senate Bill 487, California health care providers performing abortion or gender-affirming care services can now support Californians without fear of penalties from Medi-Cal or health insurers.
• Senate Bill 519 increases transparency and accountability for local detention facilities by making investigatory reports conducted by a sheriff’s office of an in-custody death available to the public and by creating a statewide Director of In-Custody Death Review at the Board of State and Community Corrections.

In December, the Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) issued its Fiscal Outlook for the 2024-25 fiscal year, estimating a $68 billion deficit. Atkins responded, “The LAO report includes challenging news – we can withstand this, but we will need to be cautious and mindful as we approach our budgeting and legislation next year and in the years to come. California is prepared to withstand these budget challenges. Our record reserves and other budgeting tools will help us weather this shortfall, while at the same time protecting middle class taxpayers and the programs and resources that help Californians and families.”

Atkins will focus her final month before she becomes President pro Tempore Emeritus on moving two-year bills out of the Senate. She is still determining her own 2024 legislative package, but it will likely include issues that have always been important to her such as affordable housing, reproductive rights, LGBTQ+ equality, and health care access.

“When I think about the California dream, I feel like I could be on the poster,” said Atkins. “Growing up poor in southwest Virginia, I could never have imagined that I would have the opportunity to become the Assembly Speaker and Senate Leader of our nation’s largest state. Serving in these roles has been an honor beyond words,” said Atkins. “I will keep working for the people and communities I represent right up to the last minute – and beyond.”

Atkins can be reached at sd39.senate.ca.gov/contact or call her district office at 619-688-6700.