Latest News in the 53rd District

AB 2611 Would Assist Veterans in a New Court System

SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Betsy Butler (D-Los Angeles) announced her bill to authorize the development of Veterans’ Courts throughout the state cleared the Assembly with a bipartisan vote.  In addition to authorizing the creation of these courts, Assembly Bill (AB) 2611 would provide uniform guidelines to assist counties charged with implementation of the new law.

"Our current court and corrections system is not equipped to address the unique needs of veterans struggling because it lacks rehabilitation services and fails to address the underlying issues that specific to the traumas of military service,” said Assemblymember Butler. “AB 2611 provides that those individuals who have honorably served our country get the assistance they need and deserve."

Read more...

SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Betsy Butler (D-Los Angeles) issued the following statement, in light of the today’s announcement by President Barack Obama that he supports same-sex marriage:

“I am thrilled to hear President Barack Obama supports same-sex marriage and is working to extend equal rights to all.  The President has shown leadership on an important issue that has for far too long unnecessarily categorized a segment of the American population as somehow less than equal.  The President’s announcement today marks another step in the great journey of the promise of the United States of America to treat all people, regardless of race, religion or sexual orientation, as equals.  As a longtime advocate for the LGBT community and a board member of Equality California, I applaud the President’s decision and vow to continue fighting with other equal rights champions for liberty and justice for all.”

SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Betsy Butler (D-Los Angeles) issued the following statement today, in light of the recent decision by Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez to utilize money from the Assembly's own operating budget to continue funding the Commission on the Status of Women:

"Earlier this week, Speaker John A. Pérez, my colleagues and actress Geena Davis, among others, gathered to support the Speaker's announcement that the Commission on the Status of Women will temporarily be funded through money from the Assembly's own operating budget to ensure that the battle against gender disparity continues to be a priority in California. It is fitting that this announcement came as we observe Denim Day, a day which addresses ongoing misconceptions about sexual violence against women.

Read more...

(Sacramento) - In order to make college less expensive and more accessible, Assemblymember Betsy Butler (D-Marina del Rey) is joining Speaker John A. Pérez (D-Los Angeles) in the effort to pass a bold plan to close a tax loophole that only benefits out-of-state corporations in order to cut college fees by two-thirds for middle class Californians. Assemblymember Butler says the twin pressures of a struggling economy and massive fee increases over the past decade have eroded the dream of higher education for too many California families and she says the Middle Class Scholarship (www.MiddleClassScholarship.com) will reinvigorate that dream. Here’s more from Assemblymember Butler in this Assembly Access video.

Sue Dunlap a Tireless Advocate for Women’s Health

Los Angeles, CA—Assemblymember Betsy Butler today honored Planned Parent Los Angeles President and CEO Sue Dunlap as the 53rd Assembly District Woman of the Year for her advocacy on behalf of women.

“Sue Dunlap epitomizes what it means to be a ‘Woman of the Year,’” said Assemblymember Butler. “She works tirelessly on behalf of women’s health, and is a fierce advocate of safe, compassionate care. I look forward to working with her for years to come.”

Read more...

SACRAMENTO, CA – Assemblymember Betsy Butler, (D-Los Angeles) today unveiled Assembly Bill (AB) 2346, which was introduced to save the lives of some of California’s hardest working people:  our farm workers.  At least 16 California farm workers have died in the fields of heat-related illness since 2005 when regulations were passed to protect farm workers.

Continue Reading...

(Sacramento) – California State Assemblymember Betsy Butler (D-Marina del Rey) thinks Governor Brown is making some tough but responsible moves to close California’s $9.1 billion budget gap. Assemblymember Butler was heartened to hear the balanced approach in the Governor’s State of the State Address. She agrees that finding new revenue to avoid even further devastating cuts to schools and public safety is just one of the ways to get California back on the road to a bright future. Hear more in this Assembly Access Video.