Press Releases

Sen. Blakespear’s Legislation to Improve Bike Safety Passes Senate, Goes to Governor

SACRAMENTO – Legislation by Sen. Catherine Blakespear, D-Encinitas, to improve bike safety by prohibiting new sharrows from being installed on roads with speeds of 30 mph or greater passed the Senate on Thursday and was sent to Gov. Gavin Newsom to sign.



Legislation to Collect Expired Marine Flares Passes Senate, Goes to the Governor

SACRAMENTO – Legislation by Sen. Catherine Blakespear, D-Encinitas, requiring manufacturers of marine flares to establish and run a program to collect expired and unwanted flares passed the Senate on Thursday and was sent to Gov. Gavin Newsom to sign.



Legislation to Ban Plastic Bags from Grocery Store Checkouts Passes Assembly and Senate

SACRAMENTO – Legislation by Sen. Catherine Blakespear, D-Encinitas, and Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, D-Orinda, to ban the distribution of plastic bags at grocery store checkouts have passed the Assembly and Senate.



Legislation to Revitalize Southern California Rail Passes Senate, Is Sent to Governor

SACRAMENTO – Legislation by Sen. Catherine Blakespear, D-Encinitas, to revitalize the rail corridor that runs from San Diego through six Southern California counties to San Luis Obispo passed the Senate on Wednesday and was sent to the Governor to sign.



Legislation to Speed Up Development of Bike Lanes, Walkways in Coastal Areas Goes to Governor

SACRAMENTO – Legislation by Sen. Catherine Blakespear, D-Encinitas, to cut unnecessary red tape in the development of bike lanes, dedicated transit lanes and pedestrian walkways along California’s coastline passed the Senate on Thursday and was sent to Gov. Gavin Newsom.



Gov. Newsom Signs Legislation to Protect Services and Shelters for Homeless

SACRAMENTO – Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday signed legislation by Sen. Catherine Blakespear, D-Encinitas, to prevent shelters and services provided to the homeless through contracts with local governments from being delayed or blocked by legal challenges under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).



Statement on Governor’s Executive Order on Homelessness Encampments

SACRAMENTO – Sen. Catherine Blakespear, D-Encinitas, issued the following statement on Gov. Gavin Newsom’s executive order issued on Thursday regarding homelessness encampments:



2nd Annual Ending Homelessness Summit Highlights Need for Greater Accountability

SAN DIEGO – State and local elected officials gathered with leading experts on homelessness on Thursday at UC San Diego for Sen. Catherine Blakespear’s 2nd Annual Ending Homelessness Summit to consider how to improve government response to a problem that only seems to worsen year to year.