With street fentanyl surging in the western U.S. and causing thousands of deaths, Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) has reintroduced legislation to create a task force to improve Southern California’s response.
Authored in partnership with Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes, Senate Bill 75would require the California Attorney General to establish and chair the “Southern California Fentanyl Task Force.” The task force would enhance coordination of existing law enforcement efforts and assist local agencies in their work to reduce fentanyl-related deaths.
“As a former social worker who once worked in communities ravaged by drugs, California must do more to save people from fentanyl-related tragedies,” said Senator Bates. “That is why I am partnering with Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes and legislators from both parties to help increase law enforcement coordination. A task force would help maximize existing resources and improve communication among various agencies.�
SAN DIEGO (KUSI) – A number of California State Senators are urging Governor Newsom to reclassify California’s restaurants as essential businesses and allow them to reopen.
Currently, restaurants in regions around the state that are under a stay-at-home order are required to close indoor and outdoor dining, including Southern California.
State Senator Patricia Bates wrote Governor Newsom a letter, signed by a bipartisan group of eleven state senators, including Sen. Brian Jones saying the future of thousands of restaurants, their employees and local communities are dependent on the industry’s survival.
“Many restaurants have gone out of business, and now, with the approach of winter and new guidelines that restrict indoor dining, many others will be forced to consider a similar choice,” the letter said.
Some restaurants worry they won t survive the latest restrictions. Author: LaMonica Peters Updated: 5:37 AM PST December 16, 2020
SAN DIEGO Some in the restaurant industry are pushing back against the state’s current guidelines to keep restaurants closed except for take-out and delivery.
State Senators from the San Diego area have joined a petition that was sent to Gov. Gavin Newsom last week. The restaurant industry has been hit really hard during the pandemic, leaving a lot of employees struggling to make ends meet.
Eleven Senators from across the state said restaurants should be considered essential businesses. Without that classification, they say nearly 2 million jobs in California are at stake.
Dear Governor Newsom:
We write today out of great concern for the future of California’s restaurant industry. The COVID-19 guidelines implemented by your Administration have had a devastating impact on the restaurants that provide critical jobs and revenue to our communities. Many restaurants have gone out of business, and now, with the approach of winter and new guidelines that restrict indoor dining, many others will be forced to consider a similar choice.
We ask that you immediately reclassify the restaurant industry as critical infrastructure before even more damage is done to our communities. As is becoming obvious to Californians, these essential businesses do more than simply provide a place to eat. Restaurants are active participants in local neighborhoods, providing meals to senior citizens and working with food banks to feed families struggling to put food on their tables.
SAN DIEGO (KUSI) – A number of California State Senators are urging Governor Newsom to reclassify California’s restaurants as essential businesses.
State Senator Patricia Bates wrote Governor Newsom a letter, signed by a bipartisan group of State Senators, outlining their concerns regarding his ban on dining services, despite no evidence coronavirus is spread at restaurants.
State guidelines have had a devastating impact on restaurants that provide jobs & revenue to communities.
I sent a letter signed by senators of both parties to @GavinNewsom asking him to reclassify restaurants as essential & adopt safety protocols: https://t.co/vWQDCqLwoF. pic.twitter.com/x9sTFRPUvo