Press Releases

Wednesday, June 21, 2017

First Class Petty Officer John Ceccoli

Assemblymember Adam Gray honored First Class Petty Officer John Ceccoli of Merced as the Veteran of the Year for the 21st Assembly District. First Class Petty Officer Ceccoli was honored today at a luncheon in Sacramento.

Thursday, June 15, 2017

ASSEMBLYMEMBER ADAM C. GRAY
21ST ASSEMBLY DISTRICT
For Immediate Release: June 15, 2017
Contact: Adam Capper
Phone: (916) 319-2021

(Sacramento) – Assemblymember Adam C. Gray (D-Merced) praised the passage of the 2017-18 California State Budget and highlighted a number of local investments vital to the success of working families in the San Joaquin Valley including $5 million in dedicated funding to Merced and Stanislaus County to combat homelessness.

Monday, June 5, 2017

Assemblyman Adam Gray (D-Merced) named Do Good Distillery of Modesto as the 2017 Small Business of the Year for the 21st Assembly District. Jim and Liz Harrelson, owners of the Do Good Distillery, were honored today at a luncheon in Sacramento.

Wednesday, May 31, 2017

ASSEMBLYMEMBER ADAM C. GRAY
21ST ASSEMBLY DISTRICT
For Immediate Release: May 31, 2017
Contact: Megan Belair
Phone: (916) 319-2021

05.31.17 New Dems CT.pdf

New Democrats Outline Key Provisions for Cap-and-Trade Extension

Group wants to ensure California’s continued environmental leadership while also protecting state’s economy

SACRAMENTO – As a result of Governor Jerry Brown’s signal that the Legislature should agree by June 15 on legislation to extend the Cap-and-Trade program, today the New Democrats outlined key points that the extension must include to ensure the state’s continued environmental and economic leadership in climate policy.

“Over the past several weeks, the New Democrats have had lengthy conversations on components that we believe are fundamental to an all-encompassing, effective response to the threat of climate change,” said Assemblymember Adam Gray (D-Merced). “California must continue to lead the world by implementing a strong climate policy that ensures both a healthy environment for future Californians and growth in all sectors of our economy.”

Among the provisions the New Democrats believe must be included in the extension of the Cap-and-Trade program:

  • Cap-and-Trade must be the primary greenhouse gas reduction method for California to meet its 2030 goals.
  • Cap-and-Trade needs to be a cost-effective mechanism to fight climate change and, therefore, must include cost containment tools like carbon offsets and free allowances that reduce the direct burden on consumers and limit emissions leakage to other states.
  • Any Cap-and-Trade extension should sunset in 2025 to ensure continued legislative oversight. Furthermore, an analysis by the Legislative Analyst’s Office is crucial to evaluating the performance of the program in its entirety.
  • Workforce development and job training for the green economy are fundamental to achieving our climate goals and transitioning California’s workforce.
  • Program revenues should prioritize addressing localized air pollution, particularly in non-attainment zones.
  • Rural California and impacted industries - like agriculture and goods movement - should benefit from equipment upgrade incentive programs to allow them to be more competitive in the marketplace, while reducing their emissions.

Tuesday, May 30, 2017

SACRAMENTO – California lawmakers acted decisively Tuesday to make fixes to the state’s broken water management structure. Assembly Bill 313, introduced by Assemblyman Adam C. Gray (D-Merced), overwhelmingly passed the California Assembly with an initial 55-0 vote. The bill makes necessary reforms to how the state manages water rights.

“Anyone who deals with California water knows the system is broken,” Gray said. “Today’s vote sends a clear message that we realize it’s time to get to work, starting with restoring the fairness our water rights holders expect and deserve.”

Wednesday, May 3, 2017

SACRAMENTO –Assemblymember Adam Gray (D-Merced) was joined at the State Capitol today by the 4th Grade GATE class of Margaret Sheehy Elementary School in Merced. The class of gifted and talented 4th graders served as Gray’s expert witnesses in support of a bill, AB 1067, to designate the almond as the state’s official state nut.

Friday, April 28, 2017

ASSEMBLYMEMBER ADAM C. GRAY
21ST ASSEMBLY DISTRICT
For Immediate Release: April 28, 2017
Contact: Megan Belair – (916) 319-2021

 

New Democrats Form Executive Committee and Name Assemblymember Gray as Convener

 

SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Rudy Salas (D-Bakersfield) and Assemblymember Jim Cooper (D-Elk Grove) today announced that Assemblymember Adam Gray (D-Merced) has been named the convener of the informal caucus of moderate Democrat Assemblymembers known as the New Democrats, effective immediately.

 

“I am honored to have been selected as convener by my colleagues and look forward to working to find common ground and real solutions to the problems facing our state,” said Assemblymember Gray. “The New Democrats are committed to a pragmatic approach that promotes the interests of hard-working Californians alienated by the extreme partisanship of both the left and the right.”

 

In addition, the New Democrats today announced the creation of an executive committee that will collaboratively set policy discussion.

 

"With 37 million residents in California, it takes a collaborative approach from each of our members to tackle the myriad of issues facing Californian families and businesses everyday,” said Assemblymember Salas. “The restructuring of the New Democrats will allow each of our members to utilize their strengths in tackling these issues."