Press Releases

Friday, October 11, 2019

New laws are the culmination of this year’s effort by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel and his colleagues to make California a national leader in gun violence prevention

SACRAMENTO — Today, Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law a package of bills championed by the Legislature’s Gun Violence Prevention Working Group. The Working Group was organized earlier this year by Assemblymembers Jesse Gabriel (D-San Fernando Valley) and Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland) and launched following a meeting with former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords in February 2019. 

The signing ceremony was the culmination of a yearlong effort to advance innovative gun safety bills and create a national model for state gun violence prevention. Under the leadership of Assemblymembers Gabriel and Wicks, the Working Group welcomed Congresswoman Giffords to the State Capitol for a legislative roundtable, coordinated an ambitious legislative package, advocated for interstate coordination on gun safety measures, and represented California at the Giffords and March For Our Lives 2020 Presidential Gun Safety Forum in Nevada.

Friday, October 11, 2019

SACRAMENTO — Today, Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law Assembly Bill (AB) 1548 by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D-San Fernando Valley), which establishes the California State Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) to provide security funding to nonprofit organizations at risk of hate-motivated violence.  This legislation builds upon California’s historic commitment to allocate $15 million in security funding in this year’s state budget, which was made following the deadly attack at the Chabad Synagogue in Poway, California earlier this year.

Friday, September 27, 2019

New law is based on research from Dr. Margot Kushel and will encourage landlords and tenants to open their homes and help those most in need remain sheltered

SACRAMENTO — Yesterday, Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law Assembly Bill (AB) 1188, an innovative measure by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D-San Fernando Valley) that will empower landlords and tenants to provide temporary shelter to individuals at risk of homelessness. Most significantly, AB 1188 makes it easier for tenants to enter into an agreement with their landlord allowing them to temporarily house a friend or family member in need, and creates a new legal framework that will incentivize both landlords and tenants to assist persons at risk of homelessness.

AB 1188 is based on research and recommendations from Dr. Margot Kushel, a leading researcher at UC San Francisco, who has identified temporary housing with family or friends as a critical and underutilized tool in homelessness prevention, especially for vulnerable seniors. Dr. Kushel recently received a $30 million grant from Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff to conduct further research on evidence-based solutions—such as those provided in this bill—that will help to prevent and end homelessness.

“Experts have told us repeatedly that keeping more folks from slipping into homelessness is the most important step we can take to address the current crisis,” said Assemblymember Gabriel. “AB 1188 will remove legal barriers and provide tenants with greater flexibility to assist friends or loved ones in a time of desperate need. Keeping folks sheltered will save lives and taxpayer resources and give the most vulnerable Californians an opportunity to regroup while searching for more stable housing.”

Tuesday, July 23, 2019
 
Northridge, CA – On Tuesday, July 23, Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D-San Fernando Valley) hosted a special ceremony and luncheon to recognize distinguished military veterans from across the San Fernando Valley. California Veterans Affairs Secretary Vito Imbasciani, who served in the U.S. Army for 27 years and is now the top state official for veterans’ issues, delivered the keynote address. The honorees—who span several generations and conflicts—were presented with special resolutions from the State Legislature recognizing their meritorious service in defense of our nation.
 
“It’s a privilege to be able to honor such an amazing group of veterans from across the San Fernando Valley,” said Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel. “Many of these veterans continued to serve after they hung up the uniform—as first responders, educators, volunteers, and active members of our community. We owe them a great debt of gratitude for everything they have done—and continue to do—for the San Fernando Valley and our nation.”
Wednesday, June 5, 2019

Los Angeles, CA – Today, Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel honored New Friends Homeless Center as Nonprofit of the Year for the 45th Assembly District. The Recognition Ceremony took place at the State Capitol in Sacramento.

In presenting a Resolution honoring New Friends founder Pastor April Belt, Assemblymember Gabriel said “It is an honor to recognize New Friends Homeless Center and Pastor April for the amazing work they do on behalf of our community.  I’ve personally witnessed their incredible efforts to uplift and care for folks in the West Valley who are experiencing homelessness.  The recent news about the devastating increase in homelessness is another reminder of why it’s so important to support New Friends and the work they are doing to help some of the most vulnerable members of our community.”

Thursday, May 9, 2019
Legislation is based on recommendations from Dr. Margot Kushel, a leading researcher on
homelessness and recent recipient of $30 million grant from Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff
 
SACRAMENTO – Today, the California State Assembly voted 75 - 0 to pass Assembly Bill (AB) 1188, authored by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D – San Fernando Valley), which would make it easier for both landlords and tenants to allow persons at risk of homelessness to temporarily reside on their property.
 
Tuesday, May 7, 2019
Legislation would address concerns from the 2017 federal tax overhaul and build on
Governor Newsom’s call for California to direct investments in low income census tracts
 
SACRAMENTO, CA – Yesterday, the Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee voted unanimously to advance legislation by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D – San Fernando Valley) that would provide a major new incentive for the production and preservation of affordable housing in low income census tracts known as “Opportunity Zones.” The legislation—Assembly Bill (AB) 791—would provide $200 million in new tax credits for the construction of affordable housing in Opportunity Zones, and $100 million in new tax credits to preserve affordable housing stock in Opportunity Zones.
Wednesday, April 24, 2019

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SACRAMENTO – Yesterday, the Assembly Judiciary Committee unanimously voted to approve Assembly Bill (AB) 1132, authored by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D – San Fernando Valley), which would prohibit telemarketers and scammers from impersonating the caller ID information of state or local government entities. The practice of misrepresenting caller ID information—known as “spoofing”—has become commonplace and poses significant risks to unsuspecting consumers. In recent weeks, scammers have used spoofing technology to impersonate local law enforcement and demand payment for the expungement of fake warrants.

After the Committee vote, Assemblymember Gabriel made the following remarks:  

“As millions of Californians know far too well, spam calls and caller ID fraud are out of control.  These practices are more than just annoying—they are the favored tools of those seeking to defraud California consumers. AB 1132 will crack down on these abusive practices and help protect California consumers.”

“Caller ID spoofing has become ubiquitous, with some consumers receiving dozens of calls each day,” said Ignacio Hernandez on behalf of the Consumer Federation of California. “Consumers should not have to endure a distracting sales pitch, or worse fraud and identity theft, as a result of answering their phone,” he added. “AB 1132 will discourage these activities and help restore trust in government.”

AB 1132 is supported by law enforcement and consumer groups and will be heard next in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

Thursday, April 11, 2019

SACRAMENTO – Undeterred by attacks from anti-choice activists, the Assembly Education Committee voted last night to approve Assembly Bill (AB) 624. The bill, authored by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D – San Fernando Valley), would require schools serving grades 7-12, as well as institutions of higher education, to include the phone numbers for sexual assault, domestic violence, and reproductive healthcare hotlines on student ID cards.  AB 624 builds on SB 972, signed into law by Governor Brown in 2018, which requires that schools provide the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on student ID cards.

Friday, March 8, 2019

Los Angeles – In response to recent hate incidents targeting Armenian and Jewish institutions in the San Fernando Valley, Assemblymember Adrin Nazarian and Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel brought together religious and lay leaders from the Armenian and Jewish communities for an inter-community dinner and dialogue. The discussion focused on efforts to work together to combat hate and discrimination of all forms.

On January 29, 2019, hate incidents occurred at two Armenian schools in the San Fernando Valley, with Turkish flags being hung at Holy Martyrs Ferrahian Armenian School and AGBU Manoogian School. The following day, Mishkan Torah Synagogue in Tarzana was vandalized with anti-Semitic graffiti.