Releases and Articles

Governor Must Direct EDD to Pay Hard Working Californians, NOT Murders, Rapists, Child Molesters

November 24, 2020
According to The Los Angeles Times , California prison inmates, including murderers on death row like Scott Peterson, have received $140 million in unemployment benefits while a huge backlog of legitimate claims remain unprocessed. Senator Jim Nielsen (R-Tehama), former Chair of the Board of Prison...

Governor: Curfew for All except some Bay Area Counties

November 19, 2020
Today, Californians living in “Purple Tier” counties were told to comply with a draconian curfew from 10pm to 5am. Senator Jim Nielsen (R-Tehama) issued the following statement: “It concerns me that the Governor has an ever-changing policy that attempts to dictate our way of life and commerce. It...

Senate Budget Vice Chair Jim Nielsen Reacts to LAO's Forecast of $26 Billion in One-time Surplus

November 18, 2020
California is predicted to receive $26 billion more than anticipated according to today’s report by the non-partisan Legislative Analyst. Republican Senator, Jim Nielsen (R-Tehama), issued the following statement: “California’s state budget is projected to receive $26 billion in one-time surplus,...

Out-of-Work Californians Urge Governor to Expedite Unemployment Benefits

October 7, 2020
Standing in front of California’s Employment Development Department (EDD) headquarters, seven residents of Northern California urged Governor Newsom to be more hands-on with helping those in need. Like millions of Californians, these residents lost their jobs after the Governor triggered a shutdown...

Late Saturday Night Announcement of Two Week Closure of EDD Shatters Public Confidence

September 21, 2020
In a late Saturday night announcement, the Newsom Administration said they will not accept new unemployment claims over the next two weeks. Advocating for his frustrated constituents, Senator Jim Nielsen (R-Tehama) issued the following statement: “Since the Governor shut down the state’s economy in...

CEQA Law Denied Clearing of Forest to Prevent Wildfires in Berry Creek Resulting in Human and Animal Lives Lost

September 16, 2020
Over three million acres charred and lives have been unnecessarily lost across California. Today, the Butte Fire Safe Council made public to KRCR TV Redding/Chico that the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) prevented fire mitigation to clear access roads in Berry Creek, a rural community...

Statement from North State Lawmakers

September 11, 2020
Governor Gavin Newsom toured the North Complex Fire today. Local lawmakers who represent the region, Senator Jim Nielsen (R-Tehama) and Assemblyman James Gallagher (R-Yuba City), issued the following statement: “The excuse of climate change cannot be used to deflect from the fundamental failure to...

Governor Newsom and Democrat Lawmakers Have Only Themselves to Blame for AB 5 Catastrophe

August 20, 2020
Following Sacramento politicians’ mandate to do away with independent business contracts as dictated by Assembly Bill 5, many businesses and professionals fought for exemptions. Ridesharing companies, Uber and Lyft, the main targets of labor unions and Democrat lawmakers, were not successful in...

Survey: 59 Percent Say to Give Students Option for In-person or Distance Learning

August 6, 2020
In a survey emailed to constituents, Senator Jim Nielsen (R-Tehama) asked for their thoughts on the distance learning and its impact. Respondents overwhelmingly disagreed with the Governor’s and school boards’ order to close schools and offer only distancing learning. Fifty-nine (59) percent of the...

Governor Must Do Better to Serve Unemployed Californians

August 5, 2020
With over half of all adults in California reporting lost income since March and a 17% unemployment rate across the state, Senator Jim Nielsen (R-Tehama) joined over 60 lawmakers to demand the Employment Development Department (EDD) to do better to serve Californians. “The first and last priority...

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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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