Releases and Articles

Sen. Nielsen on Revised State Budget Proposal

May 13, 2022
Senator Jim Nielsen, R-Red Bluff, issued the following statement today in response to Governor Newsom’s revised 2022-23 State Budget proposal: “It’s nice we have extra revenue, but we have to be careful with how we spend it. We absolutely should not create new, future funding obligations. Budget...

Senator Nielsen Honored with a Fresno State 2022 Top Dog Alumni Award

May 4, 2022
Fresno State has honored Senator Jim Nielsen (R-Red Bluff) with a 2022 Top Dog Alumni Award. The Top Dog awards recognize a select group of accomplished Fresno State alumni who have made significant contributions to society, and whose accomplishments, affiliations and careers have honored Fresno...

April 15 is Enrolled Agents Day

April 22, 2022
Senate Concurrent Resolution 87, which Senator authored, recognizes Enrolled Agents (EAs) for their valuable work in California in helping taxpayers comply with the tax code by resolving that April 15 is EA Day. EAs have been at the forefront of effective tax administration working together with...

Senator Nielsen joined the Senate and Assembly Republicans Urging Early Release of Criminals be Halted

April 14, 2022
In a joint letter , Senator Nielsen joined members of the Senate and Assembly Republican Caucuses in California urging the withdrawal of pending regulations which would make the expansion of early release credits permanent for felons in the state.

Senator Nielsen’s APAPA-Sponsored K-12 AAPI History Bill Passes out of Key Committee

April 7, 2022
The Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs Association (APAPA) is pleased to announce that Senate Bill 1363 , sponsored by APAPA and known as the K-12 AAPI History Bill, has passed out of the Senate Education Committee. The K-12 AAPI History Bill has earned bipartisan support and passed out...

Sen. Nielsen: ‘Early Release Policy May be a Factor in Deadly K Street Shootings’

April 5, 2022
Senator Jim Nielsen (R-Red Bluff), who served as chair of the California Board of Parole Hearings for nine years, issued the following statement in reaction to a news report that the second person arrested in the deadly K Street shooting should still be in prison. “The alleged gunman should still...

SENATOR NIELSEN BILL TO REQUIRE STATE PARKS TO FOLLOW LOCAL FIRE RULES CLEARS COMMITTEE ON UNANIMOUS VOTE

March 23, 2022
Legislation that would help prevent catastrophic wildfires by limiting open fires in state park campgrounds during the fire season was approved unanimously Tuesday by the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Water. Senate Bill 1012, by state Sens. Steve Glazer (D-Contra Costa) and Jim Nielsen...

Sen. Nielsen Applauds Possibility of $2.2 Billion to Help Build Sites Reservoir

March 17, 2022
Today, the United States Environmental Protection Agency formally invited the Sites Project Authority to apply for a Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program loan. “This is good news, especially after Senate Democrats recently killed my legislation – Senate Bill 890 – that...

Sen. Nielsen’s Water Bill Killed: ‘It’s Absurd and Irresponsible’

March 8, 2022
As California’s precious water continues to be flushed out to sea, Democrats today killed Senate Bill 890, a measure Senator Jim Nielsen (R-Red Bluff) authored to secure funding to build and repair critical water infrastructure. “Another historic drought, billions in extra funding and legislative...

Sen. Nielsen Honors Calli-Jane West as Senate District 4’s ‘2022 Woman of the Year’

March 1, 2022
Senator Jim Nielsen (R-Red Bluff) announced today that he has chosen Butte County Fire Safe Council (BCFSC) Executive Director Calli-Jane West as Senate District 4’s “2022 Woman of the Year.” “Heartfelt thanks to Calli-Jane for her passionate commitment to wildfire safety education and protection...

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We Will Never Forget 9/11

September 11, 2021
Senator Nielsen commemorates the 20 th Anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attack in the Senate Chambers.

North Complex Fire 1-Year Anniversary

September 8, 2021
Today we remember the 16 lives lost in the North Complex Fire that raged through the communities of Berry Creek and Feather Falls in Butte County.

In Case You Missed It: Los Angeles Times: “Lawmakers winnow bills requiring fixes to California’s troubled unemployment agency”

August 27, 2021
Seven months after the state auditor recommended an overhaul of California’s unemployment benefits system, a bill to speed up action on the changes by the state Employment Development Department fizzled Thursday when it was sidelined by lawmakers in a partisan dispute. The measure by state Sen. Jim...

Democrat Lawmakers Kill Sen. Nielsen’s Bill to Fix EDD: ‘It’s unconscionable’

August 26, 2021
Senator Jim Nielsen, R-Red Bluff, issued the following statement after Democrat lawmakers effectively killed his Senate Bill 232, which would have helped fix the gross mismanagement of the Employment Development Department (EDD): “Governor Newsom and the Democrat-controlled Legislature don’t have...

Sen. Nielsen: “This is outrageous political gamesmanship.”

August 19, 2021
Sen. Nielsen issued the following statement regarding the indefinite postponement of a joint legislative hearing on the mismanagement of the Employment Development Department (EDD) scheduled for Aug. 24: “There are hundreds of thousands of Californians struggling to put food on the table and keep a...

California taxpayers OK’d reservoir funds. Why is Newsom avoiding water storage projects?

August 5, 2021
When it comes to spending on water infrastructure to enhance water supply, protect farmers’ livelihoods and provide safe and affordable drinking water to California’s nearly 40 million residents, this state has flubbed it repeatedly. Californians desperately need Gov. Gavin Newsom to step up and be...

Sen. Nielsen Bill Helps Colusa and Glenn Counties with Road Maintenance

June 30, 2021
Senator Jim Nielsen, R-Red Bluff, today announced his Senate Bill 79 was signed into law, enabling Colusa and Glenn Counties to continue receiving monthly Highway User Tax Account (HUTA) money to fund the maintenance and preservation of their county roads. SB 79 brings much-needed relief to Colusa...

Civil Engineers Name Sen. Nielsen ‘Legislator of the Year’

June 29, 2021
The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Region 9 has named Senator Jim Nielsen, R-Red Bluff, its “State Legislator of the Year” for 2020. “Senator Nielsen played a significant role in supporting the clean-up and reconstruction efforts in Paradise after the devastating Camp Fire,” said Louay...

Sen. Nielsen on Budget Bill Jr.: ‘I’m disgusted”

June 28, 2021
Sen. Jim Nielsen, R-Red Bluff, issued the following statement in reaction to today’s passage of “Budget Bill Jr.” and a handful of budget trailer bills: “The majority party has fully corrupted the budget process. This year they are in rare form, with in-the-dead-of-night deals that rob transparency...

Sen. Nielsen Calls for Joint Oversight Hearing on Wildfire Prevention Efforts

June 25, 2021
Senator Jim Nielsen, R-Red Bluff, is requesting a joint Senate Budget Committee oversight hearing with the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee and the Environmental Quality Committee to review the progress of wildfire fuel reduction activities in California. “This oversight hearing request...

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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...

Democrat Legislative Leaders Thwart Audit of Botched Billion Dollar PPE Contracts

July 30, 2020
The California Legislature cancelled the August 11 hearing of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee (JLAC), effectively abandoning all efforts to bring transparency and shining light on the spending of billions of taxpayer dollars on personal protective equipment with companies like China-owned BYD...

Governor's Shutdown Order Kills Small Businesses & Further Deteriorates Mental Health of Millions of Californians

July 13, 2020
Sacramento – Today, Governor Gavin Newsom ordered small businesses across the state to close indoor operations including restaurants, wineries, movie theaters, family entertainment centers, zoos, museums, cardrooms and bars. The Governor also shutdown indoor operations in counties on “ County...

Paradise Irrigation District to Receive Promised Funding

June 30, 2020
After much advocacy from Senator Jim Nielsen (R-Tehama), Assemblyman James Gallagher (R-Yuba City), community and business leaders and Paradise residents, the Governor signed the $202 billion budget Monday evening that continues the promised $7.3 Million to Paradise Irrigation District. This...

Governor and Democrats Ignore Millions of Californians in Budget Deal

June 26, 2020
The Legislature sent the Governor a budget that increases billions of dollars in taxes, prevents funding for charter schools and jeopardizes public safety. This deal was cobbled together with little public input – an agreement that lacked transparency. Senator Jim Nielsen (R-Tehama), Vice Chair of...

Senate Budget Vice Chair: Budget Prolongs State's Financial Problems

June 15, 2020
Today, the Legislature passed its version of the state budget, a framework that increases taxes and relies on subsidies from the federal government. Senator Jim Nielsen (R-Tehama), Vice Chairman of the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee, issued the following statement: “This budget does not...

California lawmaker scrambles to fix bill to make it clear ballots won't go to phantom voters

June 5, 2020
“If the Democrats are intent on expanding vote-by-mail to all voters, we must also enact protections so the possibility of fraud is reduced,” Nielsen said.

Senate Democrats Refuse to Clean Up Voter Rolls

June 2, 2020
To ensure trust in California’s statewide all vote-by-mail system planned by Governor Gavin Newsom and the Democrat-controlled Legislature for the November 2020 election, Senator Jim Nielsen (R-Tehama) introduced an amendment to improve ballot security in Assembly Bill 860. Senator Nielsen proposed...

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...

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Senator Jim Nielsen Welcomes Brian Dahle to the Senate

June 12, 2019
Senator Jim Nielsen (R-Tehama), Dean of the Senate, issued the following statement regarding the swearing-in of Senator Brian Dahle (R-Bieber): “Congratulations to Senator Brian Dahle. It is great to have another farmer in the Senate. “Brian is passionate in his representation of the citizens of...

Paradise's State Senator Commends PG&E for Plan to Rebuild Electric Lines Underground

May 23, 2019
Following Cal Fire’s finding that PG&E’s transmission line caused California’s deadliest and most destructive wildfire in the state’s history, PG&E announced it will rebuild electric distribution lines underground in the town of Paradise and in nearby communities like Magalia. Senator Jim...

Paradise's State Senator Calls for Rebuilding of Camp Fire Caused by PG&E

May 15, 2019
CAL FIRE found PG&E to be the cause of California’s deadliest and most destructive fire in the state’s history. Investigators determined that PG&E’s electrical transmission lines caused the Camp Fire. Senator Jim Nielsen (R-Tehama) issued the following statement: “This finding is not a...

Senator Nielsen: More Money Required for Camp Fire Rebuild; No New Taxes Needed with $21 Billion in Surplus

May 9, 2019
Senator Jim Nielsen (R-Tehama), Senate Budget Vice-Chair, issued the following statement regarding the Governor’s revision of his spending plan: “The state budget is flush with billions in surplus revenue. Twenty-one billion dollars ($21 billion), to be exact. “But that’s not enough for some in the...

Sacramento Prioritizes Convicted Murderers over Victims

April 25, 2019
This week, Legislation to keep unremorseful convicted murderers behind bars was denied a public hearing by Sacramento Democrats. Traditionally, all bills are allowed at least one hearing during a policy committee. The Chairman of the Assembly Public Safety Committee was responsible for the...

Golden State Killer deserves death, but Newsom's moratorium may save him

April 3, 2019
Shortly after Lyman and Charlene Smith drifted off to sleep, they were awakened by a bright beam of light shining in their eyes. A strange voice ordered them to get out of bed. Blinded, shaken, frightened – they complied. The intruder demanded Charlene tie Lyman’s hands. He then dragged Charlene...

Legislation to Ban Sale of Nitrous Oxide - 'Whippits' - Unanimously Passes First Committee

March 26, 2019
The Senate Public Safety Committee unanimously passed Senate Bill 193, a measure to ban smoke shops from selling “whippits.” “Nitrous oxide is a legal chemical for legitimate use but when abused, it is extremely lethal,” said Senator Jim Nielsen (R-Tehama), who authored the measure. “Young people...

Senator Jim Nielsen: 'Camp Fire Must Not Happen Again'

March 22, 2019
Governor Newsom today proclaimed a State of Emergency on wildfires and launched a $50 million public campaign on preparedness. Senator Jim Nielsen (R-Tehama), who represents the Town of Paradise and the surrounding communities devastated by Camp Fire, issued the following statement: “Proper...

ICYMI: OC Register Op Ed: Newsom's moratorium on the death penalty is neither right nor just

March 18, 2019
Newsom’s moratorium on the death penalty is neither right nor just The Governor signed an executive order to impose a moratorium on the death penalty. ... Make no mistake; this decision was neither right nor just. Victims who survived the calculated and horrific murder of a child, parent or spouse...

Former Chair of the Board of Prison Terms: Governor's Death Penalty Decision is Affront to Crime Victims, Voters & Jurors

March 13, 2019
Senator Jim Nielsen (R-Tehama) who served on the California Board of Prison Terms, the largest parole authority in the nation, from 1990 to 2007, issued the following statement: “Victims who survive the horrific murder of child or a parent or a spouse suffer a pain that never completely goes away...

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Convicted Sexually Violent Predator Christopher Lawyer - Return to Colorado

June 6, 2018
Under the provisions of the Interstate Compact for Adult Offender Supervision, convicted Sexually Violent Predator Christopher Lawyer was allowed to move to California and resided in Carmichael. Today, Judge Fiorini revoked his parole and ordered that state corrections officials advise Colorado...

Residents can Breathe Easier by Arrest of East Area Rapist

April 25, 2018
State Senator Jim Nielsen (R-Tehama), who represents the area where the suspect apparently lived and committed many of his crimes, released the following statement following the arrest of the East Area Rapist: “Like many California residents who lived through this time when these horrific crimes...

Senator Jim Nielsen Remembers First Lady Barbara Bush

April 19, 2018
Senator Jim Nielsen (R-Tehama) shared his memories of former First Lady Barbara Bush during Thursday's floor session of California State Senate. Known for her straight talk and love of family, Mrs. Bush was memorialized in the California State Senate Journal for “a life of service to others.”...

Oroville Dam's Senator Jim Nielsen Says DWR Must Do Better

January 5, 2018
Today, the Oroville Independent Forensic Team released its final investigative report on what caused the Oroville Dam spillway failure in February 2017. Senator Jim Nielsen (R-Tehama), who represents Oroville and the surrounding communities, issued the following statement: “From my initial review...

North State Lawmakers Urge Delay of Oroville Dam Licensing

January 4, 2018
OROVILLE – Today, Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale), Senator Jim Nielsen (R-Tehama), and Assemblymember James Gallagher (R-Yuba City) reiterated their request to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) that it delay the issuance of the new license for the Oroville Dam Facilities until...

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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...

Democrats' Cap-and-Trade Bill is Another Massive Gas Tax in Disguise

July 25, 2017
The Governor today signed Assembly Bill 398 (Eduardo Garcia, D-Coachella), an onerous measure that will raise an additional $0.63 per gallon in taxes on California drivers. In total, drivers will be forced to pay an additional $0.82 per gallon once the gas taxes passed earlier this year – which...

Another Gas Tax Heads to Governor's Desk

July 18, 2017
The Legislature yesterday passed out two onerous measures – Assembly Bill 398 (Eduardo Garcia) and Assembly Bill 617 (Cristina Garcia) – that will raise taxes on California drivers. Once fully implemented, Californians will have to pay another $0.63* per gallon to fuel our cars, on top of the...

Another Gas Tax Imposed on Californians

July 17, 2017
Following the presentations of Assembly Bill 398 (Eduardo Garcia) and Assembly Bill 617 (Cristina Garcia), two measures that push for the expansion of the cap-and-trade program and raise more taxes on all Californians, Democrat members of the Senate Appropriations Committee passed both measures...

UC Admits Fewer California Students for Fall 2017

July 7, 2017
Less than six months after a scathing audit of its budgetary practices, the University of California (UC) once again betrayed the trust of Californians and the Legislature by admitting more out-of-state students – who each pay an additional $26,000 in annual fees – over Californians who are...

Overwhelming Majority of Law Enforcement Opposes Sanctuary State Proposal

July 5, 2017
SACRAMENTO – Despite opposition from the overwhelming majority of police chiefs, county sheriffs and law enforcement officials, Assembly Democrats approved a proposal that would make California a safe haven for convicted felons who are in the country illegally. Former chairman of California’s...

Money in the State Budget for Pork Projects; NONE for Oroville Levees

June 27, 2017
Governor Brown signed a record setting budget - $183 billion – that Sacramento Democrats packed with pork and pet projects. Senate Budget Vice Chairman, Senator Jim Nielsen (R-Tehama), issued the following statement: “Negotiated behind closed doors, this budget shows the Democrats’ priorities, and...

Frustrated Residents Rally to Prevent Flood Devastation

June 23, 2017
Please click here to view video footage of Senator Nielsen . Please click here to view video footage of Assemblyman Gallagher . YUBA CITY – Today, hundreds of North State residents held a rally urging the Governor and state leaders to prioritize funding for flood control. Levees in the North State...

Lawmakers Ask Governor to Directly Intervene to Fund $100 Million in Flood Control Needs

June 15, 2017
Senator Jim Nielsen (R-Tehama) and Assemblyman James Gallagher (R-Yuba) today asked Governor Brown once again to directly intervene to fund urgent levee repair needs. Below is an excerpt from the letter to Governor Brown: “In the aftermath of the recent spring storms, levees throughout the region...

Sacramento Democrats' Budget Empowers Themselves and their Pet Projects, Not the People

June 15, 2017
The Democrat-controlled Legislature passed a record spending budget today by a vote of 28 to 10. Vice Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee Senator Jim Nielsen (R-Tehama) issued the following statement:

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