Press Releases

Senator Thomas J. Umberg Denounces Online Lies and Harassment by Vietnamese Communists

April 13, 2021

(Sacramento, CA) – Senator Thomas J. Umberg (D – Orange County) is denouncing online attacks to his social media pages, in particular, that surfaced overnight. His Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts have all been “spammed” with lies perpetuated and directed by the Vietnamese Communist Government under the guise of Học viện phòng chống phẚn động (the Anti-Reactionary Academy).

Senator Thomas J. Umberg Commemorates the 46th Anniversary of Black April on Senate Floor

April 7, 2021

(Sacramento, CA) – Earlier this week, on Monday April 5, 2021, Senator Thomas J. Umberg (D – Orange County) presented Senate Concurrent Resolution 2 (SCR 2) on the California State Senate Floor to proclaim the month of April as Black April Memorial Month.

Senator Umberg Applauds Governor Newsom for Incorporating SB 49 in 2021-22 Budget

Senate Bill 49 Would Waive Fees for Small Businesses that have Sustained Financial Losses during the COVID-19 pandemic

January 6, 2021

SACRAMENTO – This week, it was announced that the principles and proposals outlined in Senate Bill 49 (SB 49), by Senator Thomas J. Umberg (D – Orange County), will be included in Governor Gavin Newsom’s 2020-21 Budget Proposal to be released later this week. The Budget proposes $70.6 million for fee waivers to individuals and businesses most impacted by the pandemic – including barbers, cosmetologists, manicurists, bars and restaurants. These waivers will assist those who have not been able to operate or are operating at reduced capacity during the pandemic.

Senator Tom Umberg Named Chair of California State Senate Judiciary Committee

December 14, 2020

SACRAMENTO — Today, Senator Tom Umberg (D - Orange County) was named Chair of the California State Senate Judiciary Committee by State Senate Pro Tem Toni Atkins. Senator Umberg has served as a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee since 2018. Prior to being appointed as Chair of Senate Judiciary Committee, Senator Umberg chaired the Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments Committee.

Senator Umberg Introduces Elections Reform Measures to Protect Voters and Election Workers

Package includes Minimum Standards for Counties Conducting Elections in 2021, Added Penalties for Fraudulent Official Vote Centers, Expansion of the 100 ft. Buffer Zone around Polling Places, and Institutes Permanent Universal Voting-By-Mail in Californi

December 8, 2020

(SACRAMENTO) – On the first day of the 2021-22 Legislative Session, Senator Thomas Umberg (D-Santa Ana) introduced and coauthored four measures pertaining to elections reform and equity.  “I have fought for fair and just elections my entire career,” said Senator Umberg.  “Given the circumstances, it is worth mentioning that California’s November 2020 Presidential Election was an unqualified success. But this is an area where we must always pay attention – and in that vein, and in memory of Congressmember John Lewis, who was an ardent and vigilant defender of voting - there continue to be things we can do to make our elections process more efficient and protect the voting rights of all Californians.”

Senator Umberg Honors Vietnamese Americans and Their Contributions to California

December 7, 2020

SACRAMENTO — Today, Senator Tom Umberg (D - Orange County) introduced 3 Senate Concurrent Resolutions to honor the contributions of the Vietnamese American community in California. These resolutions help to celebrate the rich diversity of cultures across the state and specifically call attention to the proud history of Vietnamese Americans. By far, California has the largest concentration of Vietnamese Americans than any other state. This community has made, and continues to make, integral contributions in the fields of finance, technology, law, medicine, education, sports, the media, the arts, the military, and government.

Senator Umberg Announces Legislation to Waive Fees for Businesses Heavily Affected by Stay at Home Orders

December 4, 2020

SACRAMENTO – Today, Senator Thomas J. Umberg (D – Orange County) announced plans to introduce a bill that would provide relief to businesses heavily impacted by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and subsequent Stay at Home Orders. Businesses who have been forced to operate at a diminished capacity, or oftentimes shut down entirely, have compounded their sacrifices by also continuing to dutifully pay their state and local mandated operating fees. This proposed legislation would alleviate these state and local fee obligations to heavily impacted businesses.

Senator Tom Umberg Honors Power of One Foundation as 2020 Nonprofit of the Year

December 3, 2020

SACRAMENTO – Today, Senator Tom Umberg (D-Orange County), and the California State Senate, announced that the Power of One Foundation, and Executive Director Andre Roberson, have been honored as the 34th Senate District 2020 Nonprofit of the Year Award. Since they began in 2019, the Power of One Foundation has worked tirelessly to help feed 1.7 million individuals, and they continue to expand their operation to help more people in the state of California.

EIGHT OC ARTS PROGRAMS SERVING COMMUNITIES OF COLOR AWARDED GRANTS

October 24, 2020

OCTOBER 22, 2020 – IRVINE, CALIFORNIA – Arts Orange County, the nonprofit official local arts agency and State-Local Partner for the County of Orange, has awarded grants to eight (8) local arts programs that primarily serve communities of color. This program is funded by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act through the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency, and the California Arts Council, a state agency.

State Election Leaders, Umberg and Berman, Condemn Fake Ballot Boxes & Issue Warning to Partisan Perpetrators

October 15, 2020

(Sacramento, CA) – Today, Senator Thomas J. Umberg (D-Orange County), Chair of the Senate Committee on Elections and Constitutional Amendments, and Assemblymember Marc Berman (D-Menlo Park), Chair of the Assembly Committee on Elections and Redistricting, condemned the recent reports of unauthorized ballot drop boxes appearing throughout California. Metal containers marked “Official ballot drop-off box” have been popping up in gyms, gun stores, campaign headquarters, and even churches across the state in recent weeks, with Republicans urging voters to drop their ballots inside. As the Legislature’s elections experts, Senator Umberg and Assemblymember Berman are informing anyone involved in the Republican Party’s illegal activity that doing so may be a crime under California law.