Recent News in the 15th District

SACRAMENTO - Assemblymember Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) released the following statement today on the Boy Scouts of America’s decision to end its ban on gay scouts. Skinner acknowledged the efforts of Bay Area Boy Scout Ryan Andresen, who was denied his Eagle Award because he is gay:

“Today, young men like Ryan Andresen and so many more across America will no longer have to hide who they are to fully participate in scouting. I applaud the Boy Scouts of America’s decision to end their discriminatory policy that denied gay youth membership. This is progress, but not enough. BSA rules still prevent an adult, even an adult who achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, from being a scout leader solely because that person is gay. Polls demonstrate that a majority of Americans oppose bans on gay scouts and scout leaders. I call on BSA to do the right thing and eliminate bias and prejudice at every level.”

“Ryan Andresen turned a painful experience into national action, and he helped fuel the tipping point for this historic decision. Ryan could have responded with silence, but that would be uncharacteristic given his Scout training. He responded with bravery and is now an inspiration.”

Assemblymember Nancy Skinner and her guests on the Floor of the Assembly on May 20, 2013. From left to right: Linda Henry, Sue Farren, Assemblymember Nancy Skinner, Matthew Henry, Aileen Lee, Hunter Cairns, Jack Lee, Nicole Cairns, Dr. Rob Nied, Dr. Cindy Chang

On Monday, May 21, the Assembly passed ACR 47, a resolution by Assemblymember Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) to dedicate the first week of June as Commotio Cordis Awareness Week in California. Assemblymember Skinner was joined on the Floor of the Assembly by families that have been affected by this potentially fatal condition.

Read more: Assemblymember Skinner, Young Athletes Raise Awareness of Deadly Sports Injury

SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) issued the following statement today regarding Governor Jerry Brown's proposed May Revise to the state budget:

"The Governor's May Revise affirms that our state is out of deficit and on the way to economic recovery. With much healthier revenues, California is beginning to restore funding to our schools and community colleges. The Governor's funding increases schools and community college funds by $2.9 billion this year.

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The California Fire Fighter Joint Apprenticeship Committee (CFFJAC)’s Commission to Recruit Women for the Fire Service is holding one of its Firefighter Career Expos on Saturday, May 18th in Livermore. The event is designed to welcome and encourage interested candidates and help them find out if they “have what it takes” to enter this rewarding profession. Participants will have the opportunity to meet with fire department recruiters, try their hand at the Candidate Physical Ability Test, and enjoy refreshments and a barbeque. It is free for attendees.

More information is available here. For questions, please contact the CFFJAC at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call (916) 648-1717.

SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) released the following statement today regarding the U.S. Senate’s recent passage of the Marketplace Fairness Act, which would allow states to require online merchants to collect sales tax on Internet purchases. The federal legislation heads to the U.S. House of Representatives.

“Yesterday's passage of the Marketplace Fairness Act by the U.S. Senate is a great victory for the brick-and-mortar businesses that are the heart and soul of communities across America. I am proud that California's leadership in passing the Internet sales tax helped spearhead this national effort that supports our main street stores.

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New Bill Would Modernize Building Standards

BERKELEY, CA. – Assemblymember Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) joined by firefighters, a scientist, a physician and building experts expressed support for legislation today that would reduce toxic chemicals linked to cancer and other illnesses present in building insulation.

"Unhealthy flame retardant chemicals are ubiquitous in the buildings where we live, work and breathe," Assemblymember Skinner said. "California is acting to limit these chemicals in our furniture, now is the time to get them out of our walls."

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California Democratic Assemblymembers have announced numerous measures to help curb the ongoing epidemic of gun violence, and pledged to work with the State Senate and Governor to enact new weapons safety legislation. To learn more about the various measures introduced in the Assembly, click here.

SACRAMENTO – In this Democratic weekly radio address, Assemblymember Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley), Chair of the Joint Rules Committee, commemorates this week's 44th anniversary of Earth Day by announcing new energy-saving steps and other measures underway to green the 139-year old State Capitol and the nearby Legislative Office Building. The changes are projected to save California taxpayers over $500,000 per year.

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Assemblymember Nancy Skinner and Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) Unveil State of the Art Energy Plan for California’s 139-Year Old Capitol Building

SACRAMENTO, CA. – On Earth Day, Monday, April 22, Assemblymember Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) showcased new energy-saving and other greening measures under way at the 139-year old State Capitol and the nearby Legislative Office Building that are projected to save California taxpayers over $500,000 per year, $278,000 of which is from the SMUD partnership. Skinner, Chair of the Joint Committee on Rules, initiated the projects as a collaboration between the Assembly, the Senate, SMUD and the Department of General Services.

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SACRAMENTO, CA. – After a federal report issued by the U.S. Chemical Safety Board revealed Cal/OSHA was understaffed and lacked “technically competent regulators” to fully investigate and prevent incidents like the Chevron Refinery blaze in Richmond last year, Assemblymember Nancy Skinner testified today on behalf of additional staffing and training levels for the state agency.

At the request of Assemblymember Skinner, the Budget Subcommittee No. 4 on State Administration examined the Process Safety Management Unit, which works to prevent or minimize the consequences of catastrophic releases of toxic, flammable or explosive chemicals.

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