AM Alert: California lawmakers head overseas for spring break
It’s spring in Sacramento, which means pollen is in the air, our clocks are sprung forward and lawmakers have fled the Capitol on vacation.
With little planned during the recess, things will be quiet over the next week. Most legislators are home in their districts, though a dozen have international travel on the docket.
State Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de León, Senate Republican Leader Bob Huff and Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson, D-Santa Barbara, left last week for Japan to study the country’s approach to transportation, environmental policy and earthquake prepapredness. Today they will attend a briefing at the U.S. Embassy and meet with Japanese officials to discuss their high-speed rail and rebuilding efforts following the massive 2011 earthquake. The coming days will also include a visit to Japan’s legislature, the Diet, and meetings with the mayors of Kobe and Kyoto.
Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins and Assemblyman Henry Perea, D-Fresno, are leading nine Democratic Assembly members on a farm-focused trade mission to Cuba. They are joined by agricultural organizations and businesses, including the California Rice Commission, a wine company and almond producers.
VIDEO: Attorney General Kamala Harris seems more interested in impressing Washington politicians and the East Coast media than the people of California, Dan Walters says.
CELEBRATIONS: Happy birthday to Rep. Janice Hahn, D-San Pedro, who turns 63 today.
Call The Bee’s Alexei Koseff, (916) 321-5236. Follow him on Twitter @akoseff.
This story was originally published March 29, 2015 at 11:00 PM.