In the News

Friday, September 7 2018

We all know a teenager who is nearly impossible to get out of bed in the morning. And research provides some relatively simple answers why: Sleep cycles make it hard for teenagers to fall asleep before 11 p.m. — and that does not leave them enough time to get a full night’s rest before school starts the next morning.

Thursday, September 6 2018

California legislators passed a dozen new restrictions on gun purchases and access in the waning hours of this year’s legislative session, amassing what is likely to be the most ambitious effort by any state to combat mass shootings and suicides using firearms.

“Listening to the Stoneman Douglas students and the parents, there was a plea there for us to step up,” said state Sen. Anthony Portantino (D).

Tuesday, September 4 2018

A two-year battle to set middle and high school start times at 8:30 a.m. or later was finally put to bed in the Legislature when the measure squeaked through Friday night. 

Last year, Senate Bill 328 by Sen. Anthony Portantino (D-La Cañada Flintridge) failed to pass the Assembly by 15 votes. Since then, the bill was amended to exempt rural school districts in order to accommodate farming needs.

Tuesday, September 4 2018

The California Legislature defied teachers and school boards late Friday to pass a mandate that all middle and high schools delay the start of classes until 8:30 a.m.

Tuesday, September 4 2018

Senate bills 1100 and 1177, both gun control bills authored by Pasadena-area Senator Anthony J. Portantino, have passed both the State Senate and State Assembly and are headed to the Governor’s desk for signature into law.
SB 1100 raises the age for anyone to be allowed to purchase firearms to 21 years. SB 1177 prohibits the purchase of more than one long gun a month. Both bills make California law consistent for handguns and long guns.