Retail Theft Town Hall
Asm. Schiavo and Asm. Zbur held a retail theft town hall/round table discussion in Santa Clarita.
Community Excellence Awards
Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur congratulates Assembly District 51 Community Excellence awardees in Santa Monica on December 15 for their commitment and excellence to their community.
- Performance by the Trans Chorus of Los Angeles.
- Hollywood Food Coalition, represented by Arnali Ray, receives the Assembly District 51 Community Excellence Award for Social Justice.
- Rabbi Mari Chernow of Temple Israel Hollywood receives the Assembly District 51 Community Excellence Award for Social Justice.
- Williams Institute, represented by Founding Executive Director Brad Spears and Legal Director Christy Mallory, receives the Assembly District 51 Nonprofit of the Year Award.
- Kerry Morrison receives the Assembly District 51 Community Excellence Award for Homelessness Advocacy.
- Marian Dodge receives the Assembly District 51 Community Excellence Award for Environmental Protection.
- Dena Bloom receives the Assembly District 51 Community Excellence Award for Combating Antisemitism.
- Lauryn Harris receives the Assembly District 51 Community Excellence Award for Combating Antisemitism.
- Jonah Platt receives the Assembly District 51 Community Excellence Award for Combating Antisemitism.
- Brian Colker and Susan Sheu receive the Assembly District 51 Community Excellence Award for Neighborhood and National Advocacy.
- Cindy Chvatal-Keane receives the Assembly District 51 Community Excellence Award for Neighborhood Advocacy.
- Melrose Action, represented by Founder and Executive Director Peter Nichols, receives the Assembly District 51 Community Excellence Award for Public Safety Advocacy.
- Pink's Hot Dogs, represented by Gloria and Beverly Pink, receives the Assembly District 51 Small Business of the Year Award.
- Mickey Fine Pharmacy, represented by Jeff Gross and Gina Raphael, receives the Assembly District 51 Small Business of the Year Award.
- Rance Collins receives the Assembly District 51 Excellence in Journalism Award.
- Hon. Dr. Julian Gold receives the Assembly District 51 Community Excellence Award for Distinguished Service in Local Government.
- Dustin Lance Black receives the Assembly District 51 Community Excellence Award for LGBTQ+ Inclusion and Visibility.
- Lillian Raffel receives the Assembly District 51 Woman of the Year Award (seen with 2023 Woman of the Year Awardee Abbe Land).
- Tod Hallman receives the Assembly District 51 Man of the Year Award.
State Special Session Aims to Create 'Safeguard' Legal Fund
Beverly Press and Park Labrea News
"The special session is primarily to provide resources to the attorney general's office to both do research and to defend essentially California programs," Assemblyman Rick Chavez Zbur (D-Los Angeles) said.
Zbur said that the funding will undergo committee consideration in the following weeks, which will likely be considered by the legislature at the beginning of the new year.
Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur Reintroduces "The Local Electrification Planning Act" to Drive California's Clean Energy Transition
SACRAMENTO, CA—On the first day of the new legislative session, Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur (D-Hollywood) reintroduced the Local Electrification Planning Act (AB 39).
What We're Thankful for This Year
WeHo
Rick Chavez Zbur — WeHo’s new voice in the Assembly hit the ground running two years ago and has not slowed down since, authoring significant pieces of legislation and making sure WeHo always has a seat at the table.
Hollywood Legislators Still Confident in Tax Credit Expansion Despite Caution Over California Budget
TheWrap
California Gov. Gavin Newsom's expansion of the state's film and TV tax credits program to $750 million is still on track despite warnings from the state's legislative analyst that budget deficits could balloon to as much as $30 billion by 2028-29.
Last week, the California Legislative Analyst's Office (LAO) projected a deficit of $2 billion for the 2025-26 fiscal year in its annual fiscal outlook, a massive improvement from the $68 billion deficit the Golden State faced this past year. The budget is expected to be balanced with minor changes.
Assembly Democratic Caucus Chair Rick Chavez Zbur Condemns Racist Messages Targeting Students
Assemblymember Zbur issues statement on racist text messages targeting Black and Latino students in Assembly District 51 and nationwide
SACRAMENTO, CA— Today, Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur (D-Hollywood) released a statement condemning recent racist messages sent to students in the Santa Monica and other parts of Assembly District 51, calling these incidents a "deeply troubling violation of safety and dignity" for the affected students and families.
Opinion: California's Rare Disease Council Will Transform Care for People with ALS
Times of San Diego
One of the most powerful voices championing the RDAC bill was California state Assemblyman Rick Chavez Zbur, who has a personal connection to ALS. In advocating for the council, he recalled his late sister Jackie’s battle with the disease, describing her bravery through profound challenges:
"ALS is one of the cruelest conditions there is," said Zbur. "It's a disease that results in a gradual shutdown of one's body. Over two years, Jackie lost her ability to move her legs, then lost strength in her arms, and ultimately lost her ability to swallow and even communicate. That period of her life literally haunts me, as I watched her struggle, but with so much bravery and incredible dignity."