Press Releases

“History was made today.  I commend the Supreme Court for standing up for equality under the law and affirming the rights of Californians to marry the person they love.  I am especially happy for my LGBT friends in California, who are no longer subject to the unfair restrictions of Proposition 8 and now have the same rights and protections as my own marriage.

I applaud the Court’s decision to hold the federal Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional, no longer forcing some married couples to be viewed differently under state and federal law. This is a great day for our state, our nation and the values of liberty and equality that we all hold so dear.”

2013 Veteran’s Recognition Ceremony

Assemblymember Holden honors Nathan Kemnitz an Iraqi War Veteran at the State Capitol Veteran’s Recognition Ceremony on June 26, 2013

Sacramento – “Throughout the history of the United States, ordinary men and women have been inspired to do extraordinary things for this country.  Nathan Kemnitz is one of those ordinary men whose heroic deeds we honor today,” said Assemblymember Chris Holden (D-Pasadena).

“I am disappointed by today’s Supreme Court Decision to invalidate the formula used to assess states’ and counties’ application of the 1965 Voting Rights Act.  The Court focused its decision on the fact that the “racial gap in turnout” had been reduced in states subject to oversight since the 1980’s.

I believe this is evidence that the Voting Rights Act has been working as intended and should have been left alone.  The court’s dissent noted that 700 state and local voting changes were rejected by the Department of Justice between 1982 and 2006—strong evidence that the coverage formula and federal oversight has averted minority voter suppression of various forms.

AB 72 – Water District Directors

Sacramento - Water District Directors has been signed by Governor Brown.  It is the first bill from freshman Assemblymember and Majority Whip Holden (D-Pasadena) to be signed into law and goes into effect January 1, 2014.

“I appreciate Governor Brown’s support for this good government measure and applaud the overwhelming bi-partisan support for the bill shown by my colleagues in both the Assembly and the Senate,” Assemblymember Chris Holden’s bill to standardize the start date of newly elected Municipal stated Assemblymember Holden. “This bill will ensure water districts are able to move swiftly between terms and critical business is not delayed unnecessarily.”

Sacramento - Assemblymember Chris Holden’s (D-Pasadena) legislation to make the Small Business Loan Guarantee program more accessible and user friendly has been approved in the Senate Government Organization Committee.

“At a time when California is striving to rebound from a long recession, this program can play a pivotal role in making much needed capital more accessible to thousands of small businesses so they can expand, create new jobs, and save the jobs of existing employees,” stated Assemblymember Holden.

Sacramento – At an awards ceremony in Sacramento today, Awards by Champion owner Joe Fransen was named Small Business honoree for the 41st Assembly District.  Assemblymember Chris Holden (D-Pasadena) selected Fransen for his contributions to the San Dimas business community and his many years of public service.

AB 139 – Domestic Violence Fees - A Technicality that Makes a Difference

Sacramento – Assemblymember Chris Holden’s AB 139 to strengthen penalties that abusers are required to pay to ensure that more funding is available to Domestic Violence Shelters was unanimously approved today in Senate Public Safety.

AB 139 clears up a technicality in order to provide more funds for local domestic violence shelters. The bill stipulates that the $500 payment imposed upon every individual who is granted probation for a crime of domestic violence is a fee, and not a fine. This clarification is important because the probationer’s fee strengthens the programs available for survivors and their children.

SACRAMENTO – The California Assembly has approved several bills by Assemblymember Chris Holden. These bills now move to the Senate for consideration.  In his first legislative session, Assemblymember Holden authored measures to help homeowners avoid foreclosure, streamline programs for small businesses, and encourage state agencies to buy California first.

AB 250 iHub

Sacramento – Assemblymember Chris Holden (D-Pasadena) hopes to expand on the state’s iHub innovation network with a new plan to create economic opportunities for pioneering start-up companies. It’s part of his legislation (AB 250) that was approved with bi-partisan support today in the Assembly on a vote of 63 to 2.

“We want to put California in a position to cultivate and incubate young companies that are developing new technologies that will promote conservation and other public policy goals,” explained Assemblymember Holden. “Establishing the iHub Accelerator Fund will allow the state to compete for grant funding from the federal government, private sector and foundations.”

Sacramento – Assemblymember Chris Holden’s legislation to give active duty military personnel a tax break when they are transferred into California was approved by the state Assembly late Wednesday.  AB 143, the Military Use Tax Exemption, would eliminate use taxes – a type of sales tax – on personal property purchased by an active duty military member who has been transferred into the state.

“It just doesn’t seem fair to tax our active duty military personnel when they are already making so many sacrifices,” explained Assemblymember Holden.  “California is home to nearly 13% of active duty members stationed in the U.S. It just seems the right thing to do to relieve some of the burden for those who may least be able to afford it,” concluded Holden.