News Update

Newman to chair Senate education committee; Laird remains on budget committee

State Sen. Josh Newman (D-Fullerton), a longtime advocate for early childhood education, career and technical training and youth mental health, will take over the helm of the California State Senate’s Committee on Education.

Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins named Newman to the position on Friday.

“As chair, I plan to focus my attention on providing students with urgently needed mental health services, restoring and modernizing our school campuses, re-engaging our students in civic education, and ensuring that every California family has access to the highest-quality education possible,” Newman said.

Newman served the past two years as chair of the Senate’s Special Committee on Pandemic Emergency Response. Prior to being elected in 2016, Newman served as an officer in the Army and later started a nonprofit that helps veterans transition to the workforce.

In addition, State Sen. John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) will continue chairing the Senate’s budget subcommittee on education, a powerful post in determining school funding.