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California is ramping up efforts to ensure as many residents as possible are counted in the 2020 Census. At stake is billions of dollars, congressional representation and concerns surrounding the treatment of immigrants.

Assemblymman Marc Berman, D-Palo Alto, along with others, is convening a hearing at 11 a.m. today to unite public and private groups. Berman said his primary goal is to get everybody “on the same page on the strategy leading up to the 2020 census.”

A slate of election reform bills, housing protections and improved student safety and well-being are among the initiatives local legislators are hoping continue to gain momentum when the state Legislature reconvenes Aug. 6.

Out on summer recess as of Friday, July 13, legislators had a chance to catch their breath from a busy year of drafting and tracking progress on bills aimed at a range of goals, from securing state elections from cyber threats to protecting veterans from housing discrimination.

State legislators are hoping California voters won’t have to worry about “fake news” or other attempts to troll online ahead of November’s election.

Assembly Bill 1678, authored by Assemblyman Marc Berman, D-Menlo Park, aimed at securing California’s voting system, criminalizes any attempt to tamper with voting information ahead of elections. The bill was signed by Gov. Jerry Brown on Monday, and took effect immediately.

Los Altos resident Ron Labetich deeply appreciates the sacrifices veterans have made in serving their country. He’s shown his gratitude in numerous ways over the past several years, primarily by spearheading fundraising efforts for the Veterans Resource Center at Foothill College.

State Assemblyman Marc Berman, whose 24th District includes Los Altos, recognized Labetich’s contributions last month by naming him Veteran of the Year. Berman presented Labetich, a U.S. Coast Guard vet, with the award during the 11th annual Veterans Recognition Luncheon June 20 in Sacramento.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Journalists, researchers and political campaigns that receive voter data must tell California officials if it may have been stolen under a new law Gov. Jerry Brown announced he signed Monday.

It requires people and organizations that have California voter registration data to report security breaches affecting the storage of that information, which can include names, birth dates and addresses.

Signs of trouble at the Charlotte School of Law percolated for years.

In exchange for the median $161,910 graduates had borrowed to pay tuition, fees and other costs, according to the American Bar Association, only 45 percent were passing the bar exam. That was far below the state average.

Several states have created funds to support suicide prevention training for students and teachers and have made significant changes to existing policies.

California Governor Jerry Brown has set aside $1.7 million to fund online suicide prevention training for all public middle and high school students and staff in the state, reports Palo Alto Online.

With sweeping ocean views and a check in hand that was large both literally and figuratively, state and local leaders celebrated at what will be the trailhead to the Tunitas Creek Beach County Park on Friday.

The gathering commemorated the state’s allocation of $6 million to increase the public’s access to “coastal treasures” Tunitas Creek Beach and Martin’s Beach. Gov. Jerry Brown signed the state budget on Wednesday.

HALF MOON BAY, Calif. (KGO) -- New facilities are coming to a San Mateo County beach known for big parties and the mess left behind.

The Peninsula Open Space Trust purchased 58 acres of land next to Tunitas Creek Beach for a new county park.

At a press conference Friday morning, State Sen. Jerry Hill, Assembly Speaker Pro Tempore Kevin Mullin, and Assembly Member Marc Berman announced $5 million in state funds will go to creating the Tunitas Creek Beach County Park.

HALF MOON BAY, Calif. (CN) – California lawmakers unveiled their strategy for the next round in the long-running feud between the state and a Silicon Valley billionaire over public access to one of the state’s most picturesque beaches.

An assemblage of California legislators gathered on the San Mateo County Coast about 50 miles south of San Francisco Friday to announce the creation of a fund to provide money for the purchase of an easement to facilitate public access to Martins Beach.