CFA Legislators of the Year

CFA is excited to announce our 2021 Legislators of the Year: state Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins and Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez. Both elected officials are guided by an anti-racism and social justice lens, and have recently championed bills CFA believes will ensure a more inclusive learning environment, as well as a safer CSU and California.

Senator Atkins’ (D-San Diego) commitment to CFA and her crucial work on getting Assembly Bill 1460, our Ethnic Studies Requirement bill – approved and signed into law – makes her a compelling choice as Senator of the Year.

Assemblywoman Gonzalez’ (D-San Diego) Assembly Bill 66, which would have prohibited law enforcement officers’ use of tear gas on peaceful protestors and her subsequent Assembly Bill 48, which speaks to use of both chemical agents and “nonlethal projectiles” by law enforcement, are vital components of law enforcement reform and epitomize the thoughtful and persistent approach that enables societal change.

“CFA is proud to work with our legislative allies on a wide array of issues,” said Steven Filling, CFA Political Action and Legislative Chair. “We are especially pleased to honor two of those allies.  Both Senator Atkins and Assemblywoman Gonzalez have repeatedly demonstrated that they share CFA’s core values and that they are effective in implementing those values. California is blessed to have such committed legislators working so diligently on behalf of its residents and institutions.”

CFA will honor State Senator Atkins and Assemblywoman Gonzalez next week during our annual Lobby Days.