Releases and Articles

Governor Must Release Federal Dollars to Local Government, Says Senate Budget Vice Chair

May 27, 2020
States such as California are withholding federal funding from cities and counties, revealed in a recent report by the National League of Cities . To maintain local services during this pandemic, Congress passed the CARES Act, which created the Coronavirus Relief Fund to provide $150 billion for...

Newsom Administration Claims Another '$1.831 Billion Needed' by June 30

May 22, 2020
In a last-minute call Thursday evening, Department of Finance officials notified the Legislature that Governor Newsom is transferring an eye-popping $1.831 billion to the Disaster Response-Emergency Operations Account to spend through the current fiscal year with only limited details. “The spending...

Newsom Proposes to Abandon Paradise Recovery Effort

May 15, 2020
While unveiling his revised budget Thursday, Governor Gavin Newsom turned his back on fire victims and the struggling Town of Paradise. The Governor’s May Revise budget claws back $7.3 million in funding that was approved in last year’s budget to help keep the Paradise Irrigation District (PID)...

Republican Senator Jim Nielsen Reacts to Governor's May Budget Revision

May 14, 2020
Due to the government-mandated shelter in place to slow down the spread of COVID-19, the state budget went from a $6 billion surplus to an estimated $18 - $54 billion deficit. Governor Gavin Newsom today submitted his 2020-21 May Revision budget proposal to the Legislature. Senator Jim Nielsen (R-...

ICYMI: Suicides, alcohol, drugs: Pandemic could result in 75,000 'deaths of despair,' study says

May 13, 2020
Isolation, unemployment and fear brought on by the coronavirus could result in 75,000 “deaths of despair” years after the worst of the pandemic is over, a new study suggests.

Butte County Receives State Approval to Reopen

May 12, 2020
Leaders of Northern California congratulated Butte County for being the first county in the state to receive approval of its plan to reopen. These rural elected officials also rallied in support of Yuba and Sutter Counties for their foresight in demonstrating that rural counties can safely reopen...

Expert Independent Review Is Needed to Comb through PPE Contracts, Says Senate Budget Vice Chair

May 11, 2020
Today, the Assembly Accountability and Administrative Review and the Assembly Governmental Organization Committees will host panel discussions on the state’s failed contract with one company – Blue Flame. News reports have since exposed more troubling failures in administration contracting efforts...

Lawmakers React to New State Guidelines for Reopening

May 7, 2020
Sacramento – Today, Governor Gavin Newsom unveiled new indicators and conditions to safely re-open certain segments of the state’s economy in Phase Two. Senator Jim Nielsen (R-Tehama) and Assemblyman James Gallagher (R-Yuba City), who have fiercely advocated for small businesses and their employees...

Republican Lawmakers Request Immediate Audit of $1 Billion Contract with BYD for PPE

May 7, 2020
Sacramento – Several Republican lawmakers submitted a request to pro Tem Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) and Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) to immediately convene the Joint Legislative Audit Committee (JLAC) for the purpose of hearing our audit request of the state’s handling of all 2020 spending on...

North State Senator Jim Nielsen Issues Statement on Governor's Re-Opening of Phase Two

May 4, 2020
Sacramento - Governor Gavin Newsom unveiled his plan to re-open certain segments of the state’s economy. Senator Jim Nielsen (R-Tehama), who represents northern rural counties, issued the following statement: "Governor Newsom is responding to the messages from so many of California's counties that...

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North State Lawmakers Announce Legislation to Combat Power Shutoffs

October 28, 2019
BUTTE COUNTY – To further protect their constituents, state lawmakers - Senator Jim Nielsen (R-Tehama) and Assemblyman James Gallagher (R-Yuba City) - who represent the Town of Paradise and Camp Fire survivors, announced their intent to introduce legislation that will help prevent future wildfires...

Senator Nielsen's Measure to Bring Emergency Care Back to Paradise Signed into Law

October 17, 2019
Standing at the entrance of the emergency department of the damaged Feather River Hospital, state lawmakers and community leaders praised the Governor’s signing of Senator Jim Nielsen’s legislation to bring back emergency care to Paradise. Senate Bill 156 was co-authored by Assemblyman James...

PG&E's Power Shutoff is Unacceptable

October 9, 2019
PG&E shut off power to residents of the North State shortly after midnight Wednesday. More shutoffs are expected today. In total, 800,000 customers will be negatively impacted. An estimated 2.5 million Californians will not have electricity. Senator Jim Nielsen (R-Tehama), who represents...

Senator Nielsen & Parent Advocate Applaud Governor’s Crackdown on Vaping and e-Cigarettes

September 16, 2019
Today, Governor Gavin Newsom issued an Executive Order to develop recommendations to remove illegal and counterfeit vaping products from stores, direct a public awareness campaign, develop recommendations to place warning signs and impose stricter age verification requirements. Senator Jim Nielsen...

Chico Enterprise-Record: Restoring health care in Paradise a vital step

September 8, 2019
Eighty-six (86) lives lost, 13,000 homes destroyed and 150,000 acres charred devastating the Town of Paradise and nearby communities. Ten months following the state’s most destructive wildfire, the rebuilding efforts begins. Fire survivors prove their resilience every day. … The Camp Fire disaster...

Democrats Once Again Fail to Protect Californians from Guns Owned by Convicted Criminals & Known Individuals with Mental Illness

August 30, 2019
Today, the Democrat-controlled Assembly Appropriations Committee failed to heed Governor Newsom’s outcry on the need for greater gun control. Without debate or public discussion, the Committee refused to pass Senate Bill 257, a measure to require the Attorney General to notify local law enforcement...

Rural Communities to Receive $130 Million to Clean Up Drinking Water

July 24, 2019
Today, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 200, the Safe and Affordable Drinking Water Fund. Senate Budget Vice Chairman Jim Nielsen (R-Tehama) issued the following statement: “Clean water is vital to life. “This $130 million in funding is needed to clean up water for communities across...

Humboldt's Sexually Violent Predator Will Not Be Placed in Tehama County

July 19, 2019
Humboldt Superior Court Judge John Feeney abandoned a proposal to house a Sexually Violent Predator in Red Bluff Friday morning. “The collective voices of our citizens were heard by Judge Feeney,” said Senator Jim Nielsen (R-Tehama). “As one of the original authors of the Sexually Violent Predator...

Wildfire Legislation Ensures Payment to Victims and Protects Ratepayers

July 9, 2019
With Camp Fire survivors at the forefront of his mind, Senator Jim Nielsen (R-Tehama) pushed for the passage of Assembly Bill 1054, a bill to secure compensation for fire victims and protection for utility ratepayers. “Eight-five lives lost. 14,000 homes burned. Camp Fire survivors lost everything...

Paradise to Receive $12.8M in State Budget Says Senator Jim Nielsen

June 13, 2019
Senator Jim Nielsen (R-Tehama), Senate Budget Vice Chair, issued the following statement regarding the passage of the state’s spending plan: “Survivors of Camp Fire will receive much-needed monies to rebuild Paradise and the Ridge in this year’s state budget. “The Town of Paradise and surrounding...

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Senator Nielsen Sworn-in to Represent Citizens of the Fourth District

December 3, 2018
Respected for his leadership, experience and public service, Senator Jim Nielsen (R-Tehama) was sworn-in for a new four-year term in the State Senate. Senator Nielsen won the November election with 57 percent of the vote. “Representing the citizens of the Fourth Senate District is an honor and a...

Stakeholders to Meet Tuesday on Progress of Oroville Dam

October 29, 2018
Members of the Oroville Dam Safety and Reliability Ad Hoc Committee are scheduled to meet Tuesday, October 30, at 8 a.m. to discuss the progress of the Oroville Dam Spillway construction. These local leaders and experts will follow up with DWR officials regarding the safety of the department’s work...

DMV Must Get Out of the Business of Registering Voters

October 17, 2018
Given the fiasco of botched voter registrations at the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), Senator Jim Nielsen (R-Tehama) will introduce legislation to get the DMV out of the voter registration business so it can focus on issuing licenses and car registrations. “Voter registration is the...

Let's Make the DMV Audit a Reality

September 20, 2018
Motorists across the state have had to wait in hours-long lines at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to register their vehicle or license renewal. Some have spent an entire day waiting in line. Upset drivers have flooded my office with calls and emails. To make matters worse, DMV personnel...

Pouring More Water into the Pacific Ocean Hasn't Worked

August 23, 2018
Following Wednesday night’s hearing by the California State Water Board on its proposal to increase water flows into the Pacific Ocean, former rancher turned State Senator – Jim Nielsen – issued the following statement: “At what point do we say enough is enough? This water grab would take millions...

Bail Reform Will Make Criminal Justice System Worse, Says Former Chair of Board of Prison Terms

August 21, 2018
Senate Bill 10 (Hertzberg), a bill to eliminate the current money bail system, passed both houses of the Legislature and is on its way to the Governor’s desk for his consideration. Senator Jim Nielsen (R-Tehama), who served as Chair of the Board of Prison Terms, issued the following statement: “...

Senator Nielsen's Legislation to Encourage More Pilots to Fight Wildfires Moves a Step Closer to Reality

August 17, 2018
Wildfires are raging across California, and aircraft pilots are an integral part of fighting these devastating blazes. But cost-prohibitive regulations discouraged contracted pilots from partnering with CAL FIRE to battle the fires. “Hundreds of thousands of acres of land are burning, endangering...

Senator Jim Nielsen Votes to Protect Californians' Privacy Online

June 28, 2018
(State Capitol, Sacramento) – “The right to privacy is a fundamental right cherished by Americans,” said Senator Jim Nielsen (R-Tehama), who voted in support of AB 375 to protect users' privacy online. “Whether in our homes or online, we value our privacy and want to protect our personal...

Former Chair of the Board of Prison Terms Says PPIC Study Overlooked Data

June 13, 2018
The Public Policy Institute of California issued a report, The Impact of Proposition 47 on Crime and Recidivism , today claiming there is “no evidence that violent crime increased as a result of Proposition 47” in its summary. It further asserted that “Recidivism rates decreased due to Proposition...

Keeping Californians in the Dark -- Budget Deal Done the Same Way as Car & Gas Tax

June 9, 2018
Democrat Assembly Budget writers continue to be tone-deaf to the needs and desires of everyday Californians. The Democrat-controlled Legislature canceled a day of public hearings to negotiate behind closed doors and then emerged in the morning to announce a budget deal. Vice Chairman of the Senate...

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Senator Jim Nielsen's Statement on Tehama County Shooting

November 14, 2017
Senator Jim Nielsen (R-Tehama) released the following statement regarding Tuesday morning’s mass shooting: “My heart goes out to the victims and loved ones affected by Tuesday morning’s horrific shooting in Rancho Tehama. “We are heartbroken over this senseless violence, and will be praying for the...

Local Leaders Take Dam Advocacy Efforts to D.C.

November 4, 2017
YUBA CITY – Senator Jim Nielsen (R-Tehama), Assemblyman James Gallagher (R-Yuba City) and representatives from the Oroville Dam Coalition will be traveling to Washington D.C. next week to seek federal assistance with outstanding issues relating to the spillway crisis. “My constituents living...

Work at Oroville Dam Far from Complete Warn Northstate Lawmakers

November 1, 2017
With most of the work on the Oroville Dam Spillway complete, North State's Legislators - Senator Jim Nielsen (R-Tehama) and Assemblymember James Gallagher (R-Yuba City) - thank the dedicated men and women who have worked around the clock to repair the Spillway and ask the state to clean up the...

Lawmakers, Local Leaders and Residents Protest Gas Tax Increase

October 30, 2017
On November 1, the largest gas tax increase in California history will go into effect. Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale), Senator Jim Nielsen (R-Tehama), and Assemblymember James Gallagher (R-Yuba City) joined their constituents and local leaders in Chico to protest the $52 billion...

Senate Republican Caucus Chairman on the Las Vegas Massacre

October 2, 2017
Senator Jim Nielsen (R-Tehama) released the following statement following the mass shooting in Las Vegas: “Marilyn and I are heartbroken over the massacre in Las Vegas. We are fervently praying for the victims and their families. “We are all grieving about this tragedy from the bottom of our hearts...

Senator Jim Nielsen's Statement on Independent Forensic Report on Oroville Dam

September 5, 2017
Senator Jim Nielsen (R-Tehama) issued the following statement regarding the interim status memo by the Oroville Dam Spillway Incident Independent Forensic Team: “This memo outlines the deficiencies in the spillway and continues to confirm my observations, those of my father-in-law who worked as an...

Senator Nielsen's Statement on DACA Program

September 5, 2017
Senator Jim Nielsen (R-Tehama) issued the following statement today regarding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program: “Through no fault of their own, these youth were brought to or sent by their parents to the United States. Many have made great contributions to our communities...

State Easing of Public Safety Laws Emboldens Criminal Behavior

August 31, 2017
According to authorities, Thomas Daniel Littlecloud fired multiple shots at officers who knocked on the front door and walls of a motel room in their search for a different parolee’s room. Littlecloud struck and injured two CHP officers before he attempted to exit through the back balcony. Using a...

State Supreme Court Makes it Easier for Local Government to Raise Taxes, Assessments & Fees on Homeowners

August 30, 2017
In a 5-2 decision, the California Supreme Court ruled that tax, assessment and fee increases proposed by citizens require only a simple majority vote, and that the stricter two-thirds vote requirement imposed by Proposition 218 only applies to government entities, not citizen initiatives. “The...

Law Enforcement and Local Officials Applaud Passage of Nielsen Bill to Protect Children from Marijuana - Urging Governor to Sign SB 663

August 24, 2017
On January 1, 2018, Californians over the age of 21 will legally be able to buy recreational marijuana including edibles and other products. Children will inadvertently be exposed to the marketing of this drug. “Studies have shown the dangers that accidental marijuana ingestion poses to young...

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Time for Caution; Not for Spending Spree

November 16, 2016
Vice Chair of the Senate Budget Committee Senator Jim Nielsen (R-Gerber) issued the following statement regarding the Legislative Analyst’s budget forecast for 2017-18: “Legislative leadership should heed the independent Legislative Analyst’s warning of uncertainty about our economy. His forecast...

California State Senate Calls on Congress to Bring Permanent Solution to Repayment of California National Guard Reenlistment Bonuses

October 31, 2016
The California State Senate today requests, in the strongest possible terms, for Congress to expedite all actions necessary to permanently waive the requirement that our state’s Army National Guard members repay federal financial incentives they received in exchange for wartime reenlistment.

Chairman of CA State Senate Veterans Affairs Issues Statement Regarding Forced Repayment of CalGuard Enlistment Bonuses

October 24, 2016
Chair of the California State Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, Senator Jim Nielsen (R-Gerber), telephoned the Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-Texas), and members of the California Congressional Delegation to urge them to take action to end the aggressive...

California's Small Businesses Praise Senator Nielsen's Voting Record

October 4, 2016
Citing his experience and strong advocacy of small businesses, the National Federation of Independent Business/California (NFIB) awarded Senator Jim Nielsen (R-Gerber) a perfect score of 100 percent. “California continues to be a difficult place to do business – from the burdensome regulations to...

Ag Overtime Law Will Hurt Family Farms and Farm Workers

September 12, 2016
Governor Brown today signed Assembly Bill 1066 (D-Gonzalez), a measure that will require farmers to pay overtime after eight hours or 40 hours per week. Vice Chair of the Senate Budget Committee Senator Jim Nielsen (R-Gerber), a life-long farmer and advocate, issued the following statement:

SB 32 Not Good for Californians nor Our Economy

August 24, 2016
The California Legislature voted to extend greenhouse gas mandates today by passing Senate Bill 32. The measure, if signed by the Governor, would require the California Air Resources Board to impose regulations to ensure statewide greenhouse gas emissions are reduced to 40% (or higher) below the 1990 levels by December 31, 2030.

Cap-and-Trade Program Auction a Flop

August 23, 2016
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) held the eighth auction of greenhouse gas allowances on August 16, 2016. Today, CARB released the results. Senate Republican Caucus Chair - Senator Jim Nielsen (R-Gerber) – issued the following statement:

Lawmakers Ask Citizens to Speak Out Against Placement of Sexually Violent Predator in Marysville

July 20, 2016
Senator Jim Nielsen (R-Gerber), former Chairman of the Board of Prison Terms and helped draft Marsy’s Law and the Sexually Violent Predator Act, and Assemblyman James Gallagher (R-Plumas Lake) opposed the placement of Sexually Violent Predator Fraisure Earl Smith in Marysville and sent the attached letter to the courts.

GOP Caucus Chairman Issues Statement on Passing of Senator Sharon Runner

July 14, 2016
Chairman of the Senate Republican Caucus, Senator Jim Nielsen (R-Gerber) issued the following statement upon receiving news of the passing of his friend and colleague, Senator Sharon Runner (R-Lancaster):

Nielsen: State Needs to Prioritize Spending and Proceed with Caution

May 13, 2016
Vice Chair of the Senate Budget Committee Senator Jim Nielsen (R-Gerber) issued the following statement regarding the Governor’s release of his revised budget:

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