Public Safety
“I have worked tirelessly to ensure everyone feels safe in their neighborhoods, and I won't rest until they do.”
Catherine Stefani is unafraid and unwavering in her commitment to fight for a safer California for all.
As a former prosecutor, national gun violence prevention advocate, and County Supervisor, Catherine increased police staffing, cracked down on car break-ins, and passed comprehensive gun safety laws. Now, she's ready to take the fight to Sacramento.
Catherine remains resolute in her fight for comprehensive gun violence prevention laws to address the alarming rates of gun-related incidents in our schools and communities. Catherine introduced the first ghost gun ban in California. She recognizes the importance of enforcing firearm-related sentencing enhancements, further strengthening California's gun laws. She plans to address gun violence in schools by funding in-school threat assessment teams to prevent tragedy before it occurs. Catherine also believes that we must expand services and enforce mental health screenings before an individual purchases a firearm and will commit to funding this in the Assembly.
Catherine's leadership has been particularly evident in her efforts to protect crime victims. In 2022, she authored Proposition D and created the Office of Victims and Witness Rights to provide victims with access to financial, medical and mental health services. When Catherine is in the Assembly, she will work to redefine domestic violence as a violent crime, recognizing its severe consequences and advocating for appropriate measures.
Catherine is also determined to combat the pervasive open-air drug dealing on our streets. She will push for increased accountability measures for fentanyl dealers––especially those who know that they are distributing deadly poison into our communities, and those who are part of organized networks engaged in other criminal acts. In the Assembly, she will continue to work with federal and local partners to cut off the supply of deadly drugs on our streets. While Catherine believes in a compassionate approach to addiction, by emphasizing rehabilitation services and access to a full spectrum of treatment options, she knows that we can no longer ignore the willful destruction of our communities by drug traffickers.
Catherine is unafraid and unwavering in her commitment to creating a safer California for all.
Housing
“I will fight to address the urgent housing crisis in our state so families can stay together in our communities.”
California's housing crisis is hurting working families and we must take action. As Supervisor, Catherine has been a leader in making it easier to build housing affordable to everyone. She approved over 1,000 housing units during her tenure and supported efforts to streamline the building permit process.
In the Assembly, Catherine will hold other cities and counties accountable for their housing efforts or lack thereof. She will work to close any existing loopholes within the Housing Accountability Act, ensuring local governments actively contribute to creating more housing.
Catherine will continue to advocate for the construction of housing across all income levels, focusing on affordable and middle-income housing. She will implement comprehensive statewide zoning requirements, prioritizing density close to transit hubs and promoting the construction of affordable housing throughout the state.
Catherine is dedicated to spearheading a substantial increase in social housing initiatives to ensure that we can deliver the affordable homes that low to moderate-income families and individuals so desperately need
Healthcare
“I will always protect reproductive freedom and ensure every Californian has access to quality healthcare.”
Catherine has been unwavering in her support of reproductive freedom and will be a leader in the fight to protect women's healthcare autonomy in Sacramento.
In the Assembly, Catherine will stand up for reproductive healthcare providers who provide care for out-of-state patients and ensure they don't face adverse actions. She will also support legislation that protects patient confidentiality from being reported to other states automatically so we can remain a safe haven for everyone.
Catherine believes we must provide everyone with access to quality, affordable healthcare. She supports Governor Newsom's comprehensive single-payer healthcare system. In the Assembly, she will work toward a healthcare system that addresses the pressing concerns of mental health services, directing attention towards underserved and overlooked communities by expanding the availability of shelter beds and advocating for innovative housing solutions to bridge gaps in care.
Moreover, Catherine will prioritize the well-being of frontline workers, advocating for their safety and ensuring they receive a living wage.
Public Education
“Ensuring our public education system works for all students is at the forefront of my efforts, because all children deserve to thrive in school.”
As a mother of two and long-time community advocate, Catherine knows how important education is to our families and thriving communities.
In the Assembly, Catherine will advocate for increased funding for schools and teachers to ensure they have the resources to support our students. We need fully funded schools to attract and retain talented educators, maintain smaller class sizes, and reinstate essential programs such as music, arts, library, and special education.
Catherine will fight for state funding for building and renovating school facilities, advocate for additional matching funds to ensure optimal learning environments and promote transparency and accountability, guaranteeing that every dollar is spent wisely. She will hold districts and their leadership responsible for addressing achievement gaps across student populations.
Catherine aims to eliminate one-time state funding and instead champion longer-term, dependable funding sources. By providing schools with more predictable financial support, Catherine seeks to empower them with better planning capabilities.
Catherine is committed to advancing public education and creating opportunities for all children to thrive.