Press Releases

Monday, May 18, 2020

(Sacramento, CA) - Today, the California Assembly Health Committee overwhelmingly passed AB 2203 by Assemblymember Nazarian (D-Van Nuys), which would cap insulin copays at $50. Diabetes affects millions of Californians a year and the soaring prices of insulin have disrupted millions of lives. People with Type 1 diabetes and some with Type 2 diabetes must have insulin to live, but price increases for those whose coverage requires significant cost-sharing have made insulin unaffordable. This should not be the case. This bill implements much needed legislation that puts patients above profit. Ab 2203  is a concrete solution to the high-cost of insulin that is burdening people with diabetes across the state and an essential step to fulfilling our promise to all working families of California.

“I know that this uncertain time during the COVID-19 pandemic is difficult for us all, and many Californians are struggling to survive. My bill, AB 2203, aims to help Californians with diabetes by lowering the out-of-pocket costs for insulin so they can stick to their treatment plan outlined by their physician. When insulin is not taken appropriately, the risk of serious complications and death increases quickly. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it is even more critical to lower copays to ensure Californians with diabetes can afford their life-saving insulin prescriptions and stay on their insulin regimens,” said Assemblymember Nazarian.

Wednesday, March 11, 2020

Northridge Meadows collapsed after the 1994 Northridge Earthquake, killing 16 people.

California Must Build to a Seismic Resilient Standard

(Sacramento, CA) On a unanimous vote, the Assembly Committee on Housing and Community Development today approved Assemblymember Adrin Nazarian’s (D-Van Nuys) Assembly Bill 1997, allowing the state to consider whether it is time to address the performance objective of our current building code given California’s high seismic risk and lengthy wait time of the national code development process.

“By strengthening our building codes we are proactively preventing catastrophic property damage, economic disruption, and loss of homes,” stated Assemblymember Adrin Nazarian. “Our building code policy should reflect the evolutions in earthquake science and engineering practice.”

Monday, March 9, 2020

(Sacramento, CA) Today Assemblymember Adrin Nazarian presented HR 78, an API Legislative Caucus House Resolution, to commemorate March 19, 2020 as the beginning of Nowruz, the Persian New Year.

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.