Press Releases

Friday, January 31, 2020

Armenian Caucus Announces 5th Annual Essay & Visual Arts Winners

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                     

CONTACT: Dan Savage

PHONE: (916) 319-2046

EMAIL: daniel.savage@asm.ca.gov

 

(Sacramento, CA) The California Armenian Legislative Caucus is holding two scholarship contests for the 2020 commemoration of the Armenian Genocide. California high school students in 9th through 12th grade are invited to participate in an essay contest and/or a visual arts contest to increase greater awareness of the Armenian Genocide on its anniversary. 

All winners will be contacted directly and announced to mainstream and Armenian media by the California Armenian Legislative Caucus on Friday, April 16, 2020. All winners will be awarded scholarships and a trip to the State Capitol in Sacramento to be acknowledged at the California Armenian Legislative Caucus’ annual Armenian Advocacy Day during a press conference on April 27, 2020 and receive special recognition from the members of the Armenian Caucus. Original artwork will be requested from visual arts applicants if they are selected as a finalist, for display in the California State Capitol.

Thursday, October 3, 2019

Divest from Turkish Bonds Act Signed into Law

(Sacramento, CA) Governor Newsom has signed AB 1320, the Divestment from Turkish Bonds Act, into law.

“California stands on the side of justice and remembers the 1.5 million souls lost during the Armenian Genocide,” stated Governor Gavin Newsom. “Today and everyday, let us recommit ourselves to making certain that we never forget and that we always speak out against hatred and atrocities anywhere they occur. I am proud to stand with friends and sign AB 1320 into law.”

Thursday, September 12, 2019

(Sacramento, CA) Today, California’s State Assembly passed Assembly Bill 114, which includes a ground breaking effort to reduce wealth inequality for all California children. This effort complements Governor Newsom’s vision to expand child savings accounts similar to the program he started as Mayor of San Francisco.

Earlier this year, Assemblymember Nazarian advocated for the State budget to include $25 million for the creation of a statewide child savings account (CSA) program known as the California Kids Investment and Development Savings program. AB 114 adjusts the program to allow the ScholarShare Investment Board to open college savings accounts for all California children born on or after July 1, 2020, not only children from low-income backgrounds.

Wednesday, September 11, 2019

Landmark Turkish Divestment Bill Passes California State Senate

(Sacramento, CA) AB 1320, the Divestment from Turkish Bonds Act, passed the California State Senate 33-0-7. Last year, the State Senate and Assembly passed the Divestment from Turkish Bonds Act but the bill was vetoed by former Governor Jerry Brown.

California has a long history of divesting from countries that violate human rights, South Africa (apartheid policy), Sudan (Darfur genocide), and Iran (international terrorism, human rights violations). A divestment from Turkish bonds over Turkey’s denial of the Armenian Genocide, the continued funding of a campaign of genocide denial, and the recent erosion of democratic principles would send a clear message internationally that California, the fifth largest economy in the world, demands justice for 1.5 million Armenians killed.

Friday, July 5, 2019

Earthquake damage 

Urges the California State Senate to pass AB 429, Earthquake Inventory Act and AB 393, Strengthening Building Codes

(Sacramento, CA) Assemblymember Nazarian urges the California State Senate to pass AB 429, Earthquake Inventory Act and AB 393, Strengthening Building Codes. Both bills are currently in Senate Appropriations.

Press Releases

2019-20 State Budget

Friday, June 28, 2019

The Budget creates the biggest reserve in state history, pays off the Wall of Debt and helps Californians tackle the cost crisis

Governor Gavin Newsom signed a balanced, on-time state budget that builds a strong fiscal foundation and makes significant progress toward combatting the affordability crisis that impacts too many Californians.

“This fiscally responsibly budget provides immediate help to families struggling to stay in their homes, helps the homeless get off our streets and back on their feet, and provides record education funding,” stated Assemblymember Adrin Nazarian.

Friday, May 24, 2019

(Sacramento, CA) On a vote of 52-11-17, the California Assembly passed Assemblymember Adrin Nazarian’s (D-Van Nuys) Assembly Bill 479, incentivizing K-12 public schools to offer healthier, climate-friendly lunch options.

Called the Healthy Climate-Friendly School Lunch Act, AB 479 would provide schools with additional state funding for serving plant-based entrées and plant-based milk. The bill also includes critical state support for staff training, student engagement, recipe development, and other technical assistance needed to help public schools boost participation rates and successfully serve plant-based foods.

“We’re passed the stage where our only school lunch options are meat and potatoes,” stated Nazarian. “Plant-based meals are healthier for our children and will reduce our state’s carbon footprint.”