Sacramento Snapshot: New bill aims to protect students from ‘institutional debt’ ramifications
Assemblymember Blanca Pacheco wants to ensure college students finish their education — and one way to do that is by helping them with debt owed directly to schools.
Bill aims to protect California college students owing ‘institutional debt’
A bill in the California state Assembly proposes a variety of consumer protections for students who owe debts directly to a college or university related to a mid-semester withdrawal from classes, unpaid meal plans or other outstanding fees.
Assemblywoman Pacheco, Students and the Campaign for California Borrowers’ Rights coalition unveil the Increasing Institutional Debt Transparency and Protecting Students Act
SACRAMENTO, CA – Assemblywoman Blanca Pacheco (D-Downey) today introduced AB 850, known as the Increasing Institutional Debt Transparency and Protecting Students Act, which addresses debts students owe directly to their college or university, called institutional debt.
You loot, we prosecute
“Voters spoke loud and clear that they don't want crime within their communities,” Assemblymember Blanca Pacheco, a Los Angeles County Democrat behind a proposal to stiffen penalties for looting and impersonating first responders during emergencies, told Playbook. “People are frustrated that they don't feel safe, and as you know, perception is reality.”
California lawmakers want tougher penalties for looting and first responder shams
Assemblymember Blanca Pacheco, (D-Downey), a co-author of the bill whose brother is a Los Angeles County firefighter who responded to the Eaton fire, noted the “clear risks” that these deceptions pose to public safety and emergency operations. “When people see a firefighter or other first responders during an emergency, they need to know with absolute certainty that the uniform and equipment is being worn and used by someone who is sworn to protect,” Pacheco said
California Lawmakers Announce Legislation to Strengthen Penalties for Looting, Impersonation of Emergency Personnel During Wildfires and Other Emergencies

LOS ANGELES, CA – Today, Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D - Encino), Assemblymember Blanca Pacheco (D - Downey), and Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D - Thousand Oaks) announced the introduction of Assembly Bill 469, bipartisan legislation that provides law enforcement with better tools to crack down on looting and imp
Why California Doesn’t Allow Accent Marks On Official Documents
Does your name have a hyphen or accent mark that isn’t reflected on your California driver’s license or birth certificate? This is the norm in the Golden State, which doesn’t allow accents or hyphens in official documents. However, a proposed bill would allow residents to change their names to include diacritical marks — like accents and tildes — on government documents.
New Legislation Introduced on Police K9s
(SACRAMENTO) – Today, Assemblywoman Blanca Pacheco (D-Downey), introduced new legislation to standardize the use of police K9s across California.