Press Releases

Torres Joins Food For Life To Help Warehouse Workers

October 26, 2012

Assemblymember Norma Torres on Wednesday collaborated with Food for Life, a local non-profit based out of Chino, Calif., to donate groceries to the families of striking warehouse workers. By the end of the day, a total of 53 families received over a weeks’ worth of groceries.

Two Torres Housing Bills Signed By Governor Brown

October 01, 2012

Assemblymember Norma Torres today announced that two of her housing bills, Assembly Bills 1551 and 1797 have been signed by the Governor and will become law on January 1, 2012. Assembly Bill 1551 will allow homeowners with second mortgages from California Housing Finance Agency (CalFHA) to refinance their primary mortgages to take advantage of lower interest rates and to avoid foreclosure. Assembly Bill 1797 authorizes the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) to offer an interest rate below 3% on loans to help mobilehome owners purchase their mobilehome parks.

Four Torres Bills Approved By Governor Brown

October 01, 2012

Assemblymember Norma Torres today announced that four of her bills, Assembly Bills 2552, 1855, 1699 and 1672 received the Governor’s approval and will become law. Assembly Bill 2552 is a major public safety measure that will help curb drug-impaired driving. Assembly Bill 1855 will provide temporary warehouse workers the same workplace protections as those afforded to temporary workers in other occupations. Assembly Bill 1672 will streamline the park grant process for cities that produce affordable housing. Assembly Bill 1699 authorizes the Department of Housing and Community Dev

Lincoln Elementary School To Receive Education Grant

September 07, 2012

Assemblymember Norma Torres will present a $5,000.00 grant from the Barona Band of Mission Indians to help Lincoln Elementary School in Pomona purchase a variety of nonfiction books for the school's Accelerated Reading Program.

“I am grateful to the Barona Band of Mission Indians for their ongoing support of our schools,” said Torres. “These grants are a big help to our schools, enabling them to purchase much-needed supplemental educational materials.”

Torres' Warehouse Workers Bill Approved by the State Legislature

August 28, 2012

Assemblymember Norma Torres announced today that the State Legislature has approved Assembly Bill 1855. This legislation protects warehouse worker’s rights by prohibiting contracts or agreements where a contractor knows or should know that there are insufficient funds to comply with basic labor laws. The bill has been sent to Governor Brown for his signature.

Torres' Criminal History Bill Approved by the State Legislature

August 22, 2012

Sacramento, CA – Assemblymember Norma Torres announced today that Assembly Bill 2343 was approved by the State Legislature and will soon be sent to Governor Brown for his signature. Assembly Bill 2343 will streamline California's criminal history information notification system. This legislation authorizes the California Department of Justice (DOJ) to provide private and public employers with up-to-date state and federal arrest, disposition and sentencing information for all employees or licensees that require a criminal background check.

Senate Committee Fails to Approve Bill to Stop Copper Thieves

June 20, 2012

Sacramento, CA – Assembly Bill 2003, by Assemblymember Torres, which would have helped law enforcement catch copper thieves by requiring recyclers to make payments by check only for copper recycling, was rejected by the Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee.

Metro Gold Line Extension Bill Approved by the Assembly

May 31, 2012

The legislation would authorize the Gold Line extension from Claremont to Montclair

Sacramento, CA – Today, the State Assembly approved legislation to facilitate the expansion of the Metro Gold Line Light-rail service to the City of Montclair.

“Currently, the project is limited to Los Angeles County and with this measure we will bring light-rail service to San Bernardino County,” said Torres. “This is a vital regional transportation project and extending it from downtown Los Angeles to Montclair will have multiple benefits.”

Ontario College Receives $301,436 Grant for Job Training Programs

May 30, 2012

Sacramento, CA – Assemblymember Norma Torres announced that the State of California’s Employment Training Panel (ETP) awarded $301,436 to Westech College located at 3491 E. Concours, Ontario, CA 91764. The funding will help update the skills of 145 employees.

ETP was created in 1982 to support the overall California economy by ensuring that employers have the trained workers that they need to compete in a global economy. ETP has been an effective tool for retaining and attracting California businesses.

Drugged Driving Bill Approved by the State Assembly

May 21, 2012

Sacramento, CA – Driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs is a growing public safety problem in California. Today, the California State Assembly took a step forward and approved Assembly Bill 2552 by Assemblymember Norma Torres. The bill will help law enforcement break up the code section of the law used to charge individuals for DUI into three sections.