Press Releases

Bill would require Attorney General to appoint special prosecutor to investigate civilian shootings

(SACRAMENTO, CA) - Today, the Assembly Committee on Public Safety passed AB 86 (Kevin McCarty, D-Sacramento) on a vote of 5 to 2.  This bill requires the Attorney General (AG) to appoint a special prosecutor to conduct the investigation, when a police shooting where a civilian death occurs.  The bill further requires the special prosecutor to have the authority to determine whether criminal charges should be filed.

“For far too long there has been a cloud of confusion surrounding police shootings, now is the time for California to be a leader on this issue.  The appointment of a special prosecutor is a common sense solution which will increase trust between the police and the community,” said Assemblymember McCarty.  “District attorneys will no longer have to worry about investigating the police with whom they work so closely with.  No one should be able to police themselves.”

Over $20 Million Awarded Statewide

SACRAMENTO – Today, Assemblymember Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento) announced that a combined total of $50,000 in tax credits was awarded to Fatzer Appraisal Group, Inc.  With the support of these tax credits, this business will add a combined total of 5 additional full time employees in Assembly District 7 through the California Competes Tax Credit program.

“Sacramento, although having better recent job growth than the national numbers, still has a higher unemployment rate than the rest of the nation,” said Assemblymember McCarty.  “Programs like California Competes help improve Sacramento’s economy by allowing more businesses to hire our neighbors who are out of work.”

Bill Would Increase State’s Role in Nursing Home Oversight

(SACRAMENTO, CA) – This week, Assemblymember Kevin McCarty (D–Sacramento) introduced Assembly Bill (AB) 927, which would establish additional oversight and transparency for nursing home ownership.  Specifically, AB 927 would clarify the California Department of Public Health’s (DPH) duty to review and approve changes of nursing home ownership and management at the corporate structure, improves DPH’s ability to share nursing home ownership information to provide consumer protection, and prevents persons and/or companies with poor track records from acquiring nursing homes by strengthening suitability of ownership requirements.

“It is incumbent upon us to ensure that our seniors, who are often at their most fragile and vulnerable in nursing home settings, are protected,” said Assemblymember McCarty.  “It is in the best interest of the State to protect consumers and prevent existing owners with a bad track record from licensing them to open additional facilities.  Consumers can’t even determine from the Department’s website who owns each home – it’s a lack of transparency that just isn’t appropriate.”

Hearing focus on Overview of UC’s Growing Expenditures

(SACRAMENTO, CA) – Today, Assemblymember Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento), Chair of the Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Education Finance, convened the first overview hearing on the University of California’s (UC) budget.  In an indication of the gravity of the task at hand, the members of the committee were joined by Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) who noted the enormity of the undertaking.  This hearing marks the beginning of the Assembly's zero-based budget review process.  Through this approach, every line item of UC’s budget must be approved, rather than only the changes from the previous year, to foster increased transparency and public discussion of the use of taxpayer dollars.

“This is the first of many hearings to review UC’s budget and examine the system’s enrollment patterns, performance, and growing expenditures” said Assemblymember McCarty.  “Our primary goal for higher education is to ensure access and affordability for our students, and to assure taxpayers and hard working families that their investment has been a wise one.  As such, any fee increases that may occur, for whatever reason, are absolutely necessary and accounted for by the State of California.”   

Statement from Assemblymember Kevin McCarty (D – Sacramento) Chair of Budget Sub- Committee 2 on Education Finance, regarding the 2015-16 proposed budget:

“I am pleased with the Governor’s proposed budget blue print. The Governor’s focus is rightly on fiscal prudence, but also significantly reinvests in education from K-12, community colleges, and our higher education institutions.  This framework is a good starting point for the Legislature to engage the administration and I look forward to working with the Governor on these issues and others, particularly increasing access for low income families to preschool.”   

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Bill would require independent panel to investigate civilian shootings

(SACRAMENTO, CA) - Under legislation introduced today, cases like those of Eric Garner and Michael Brown in California would be investigated by a state independent law enforcement panel rather than a local district attorney.  AB 86 (McCarty, D-Sacramento) would require that any officer-involved shooting that results in the death of a civilian must be reviewed by an independent law enforcement panel established within the California Department of Justice.  The bill further requires the results of the investigation be submitted to the district attorney where the incident occurred, and the Attorney General.

“For far too long there has been a cloud of confusion surrounding police shootings, now is the time for California to be a leader on this issue.  The creation of an independent police review panel is a common sense solution which will create trust between the police the community,” said Assemblymember McCarty.  “District attorneys will no longer have to worry about investigating the police with whom they work so closely.  No one should be able to police themselves.”

SACRAMENTO - Today, Assemblymember Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento) introduced a groundbreaking legislative proposal to ensure that all children have access to preschool regardless of their family’s income.  Under the provisions of AB 47, the California Department of Education will be required to work with the Legislature and the Department of Finance on how to bridge the preschool gap for the children of low income parents who aren’t already covered by the state’s preschool coverage efforts, which passed earlier this year as part of the state’s budget.

Will work to restore public safety and invest in public schools

(SACRMENTO) – Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento) was sworn in as the Assemblymember for California’s 7th Assembly District today.

“It is an honor to serve residents of the 7th Assembly District,” said Assemblymember McCarty. “I grew up in this community and will dedicate my time in office to restoring the California Dream for future generations – starting with reinvesting in our P-16 education system. I am humbled by this opportunity and ready to get to work.”

Assembly District 7 includes the communities of Sacramento, West Sacramento, Rio Linda, Elverta, and Antelope. The ceremony was held on the Assembly floor of the State Capitol.

The oath of office was administered by California Supreme Court Associate Justice Goodwin Liu.