“I believe that ideas matter. I’ve tried to bring the same spirit of innovation to policy-making that our Silicon Valley entrepreneurs bring to technology.”
-Sen. Joe Simitian
In just four years in the State Senate, Joe has taken on some of California’s biggest problems – and most powerful interests. Through persistence and thinking ahead of the curve, he’s made real improvements in the lives of Californians.
Economy
Joe has worked to build the new green economy of California’s future. Last year, the Governor signed Joe’s bill to expand the availability of micro-finance loans for small businesses, who are the engines of economic growth. And Joe’s legislation to increase the use of renewable sources of energy will power the green collar jobs of the future.
Learn more about Joe's small business loan legislation
Environment
As the Chair of the Senate Environmental Quality Committee and Budget Subcommittee #2 on Resources, Environmental Protection and Transportation, Joe is a legislative leader on environmental issues. He wrote the bill that requires utility companies to get 20% of their power from renewable sources, and he's fighting to raise that standard to 33% by 2020. In changing the way we respond to oil spills, protecting our oceans from pollutants and mandating transparent information about consumer chemicals, Joe has found workable, common sense solutions to environmental problems.
See all of Joe’s bills to safeguard California’s environment
Privacy & Consumer Protection
Joe has been a tireless advocate for consumer protection, chairing the Senate Select Committee on Privacy and leading the fight to make businesses disclose breaches in customer privacy. In 2007, the Governor signed Joe’s bill to protect senior citizens from financial abuse.
View Joe's bills to protect Californians' privacy
Highway Safety
Joe has successfully passed legislation to make our state safer. His landmark hands-free cell phone law, the first of several highway safety bills, takes phones out of driver’s hands and keeps them focused on the road.
Learn more about Joe's work to improve public safety
Education
A staunch advocate for public education and a former school board member, Joe believes we have a responsiblity to make our schools the best in the nation. Joe passed a bill last year that creates a comprehensive database for school and teacher information, increasing the information we have about how well our schools are working for our students. He continues to lead the battle to reverse the trend of low expectations, and to fully and equitably fund our schools. And he is working to make it easier for school districts to get the resources they need to get the job done.
See Joe’s bills to strengthen and streamline California’s education system