(Sacramento, CA) – Senator Thomas J. Umberg (D-Santa Ana), Chair of the California Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the statement below in response to today’s State of the Judiciary. 

“It was a real pleasure to participate in today’s State of the Judiciary.  This is a statement, I realize, that only a legal nerd would make.  That said, it has been great to see Chief Justice Guerrero hit stride in her role.  She made sure to touch on some very important issues today that have absolutely been on my mind, but will also resonate with the broader public including the unwinding of last month’s State Bar Examination mess, the ongoing administration of CARE Court, the proliferation of other collaborative courts including drug courts as a part of Proposition 36 implementation, and the ability for us to maintain maximum access for all via remote proceedings. All of this will be dependent upon a fully funded judicial branch and court system. As Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I look forward to working hand-in-hand with Chief Justice Guerrero, Governor Newsom, and the Legislature in the coming months to realize all of these goals.”

Today’s State of the Judiciary delivered to a joint convening of both houses of the California State Legislature can be viewed here.

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Senator Thomas Umberg is the Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee and represents the 34th Senate District, which includes the cities of Anaheim, Buena Park, Fullerton, Garden Grove, La Habra, Orange, Placentia, and Santa Ana in Orange County as well as South and East Whittier in Los Angeles County. Umberg is a retired U.S. Army Colonel and former federal prosecutor. He and his wife, Brigadier General Robin Umberg, USA (ret.), live in Orange County.