One of the most important lessons from the pandemic is the need to prioritize reliable prescription drug manufacturing. California, especially this region, has long been a center for medical research, and one of our top priorities should be to encourage more drug research, innovations, and manufacturing, especially for generic drugs. That’s why I support Senate Bill 852.

Since joining the Legislature I have authored and supported many bills protecting pets and native wildlife, most of which are now law.

I recently joined my legislative colleagues to recognize over 100 nonprofits that work tirelessly to enhance our communities and the lives of our citizens. Due to the pandemic, we were unable to have the usual ceremony at the Capitol, but the lack of a formal celebration cannot diminish the important contributions made by California’s nonprofits.

Sacramento, CA - Today, Governor Newsom signed a historic bi-partisan package of criminal justice reform bills, including AB 1304, authored by Assemblymember Marie Waldron, which provides that eligible parolees who volunteer and receive six months of Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) upon release from prison will be eligible for reductions of 30 days off their parole sentences, up to a maximum 90-day reduction.

Assistance League of Inland North County was picked as a California Nonprofit of the Year by Assemblymember Marie Waldron and is among more than 100 nonprofits recognized by their state senators and assemblymembers for their significant contributions to the communities they serve.

This session, I am honored to be recognized as a “Mental Health Super Hero” by the Steinberg Institute, because of my work on mental health policy, advancing mental health parity to physical health and working to expand access to care.  In addition I supported 9 bi-partisan bills, which were all forwarded to the Governor for his signature. 

The Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce's State of the Chamber event was unlike any other in the business-promoting organization's history. Also speaking during the event was State Assemblymember Marie Waldron and Fallbrook Honorary Mayor Carlos Perez, who will be the honorary mayor again, MacDonald said.

This year, devastation from California’s wildfires is at record levels of destruction - about 3.4 million acres already burned!  We have some of the toughest environmental standards in the nation, but our success in reducing greenhouse gas emissions is wiped out by tons of carbon dioxide spewed into the atmosphere by these fires.  

With the final adjournment of the Legislature on August 31, hundreds of bills were forwarded to the Governor, who now has until September 30 to decide their fate.

The 2019-2020 legislative session ended on August 31. During this two-year period, 5,423 bills of all types were introduced. Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, we had two unexpected shutdowns, and in the last weeks some members were absent and Senators were forced to vote remotely. At one point, there was an unsuccessful attempt to limit Senate debate to save time. In a normal year, the fate of much important legislation is often decided during the final few days, but this year was even more hectic.