Assemblywoman Toni Atkins, D-San Diego, began her first full term as speaker of the Legislature’s lower chamber Monday following a unanimous vote by her colleagues.
Atkins succeeded former Assemblyman John Perez, D-Los Angeles, in the leadership post in May after he launched an unsuccessful bid for state controller. She is the first San Diegan and first lesbian in charge of the body.
She began her new term with a call on her fellow Assembly members for civility.
“Some of the Assembly’s biggest successes last year were all achieved on a bipartisan basis,” Atkins said. “I’d like to see that record continue. By serving in the Assembly, we all have an amazing opportunity to help shape a stronger, brighter future for California.”
Also sworn in Monday were Sens. Joel Anderson, R-El Cajon, and Ben Hueso, D-San Diego; along with Assembly members Brian Jones, R-Santee; Marie Waldron, R-Escondido; Rocky Chavez, R-Oceanside; Brian Maienschien, R-San Diego; Shirley Weber, D-San Diego; and Lorena Gonzalez, D-San Diego.
Gonzalez introduced a bill that would provide home healthcare workers three annual paid sick days. Gonzalez authored a bill in the last legislative session to give three paid sick days to people employed in California, but home healthcare workers were not included.
“All Californians deserve the basic right to seek medical care when they’re sick without risking the loss of pay or even their job,” Gonzalez said. “This Legislature and governor made it clear that paid sick days are a step forward in protecting California’s working families when we guaranteed three sick days for all private sector workers last year.”
She said that the estimated 7 million people who provide assistance in patients’ homes should be given the right to seek their own medical care.
— City News Service
