Press Release

Senator Josh Newman Announced as Chair of the Education Committee

Sacramento, Calif. — State Senator Josh Newman (D-Fullerton) has been named Chair of the Senate’s Committee on Education by Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins. The committee oversees an array of education issues, from early childhood and K-12 through higher education, including adult and special education; after-school programming; alternative education; career technical education; teacher credentialing; and school infrastructure.

“I’m very honored and grateful for Senator Atkins to have entrusted me with the responsibility of providing direction and oversight on some of the pressing issues facing California when it comes to the critical area of education,” said Senator Josh Newman. “Having served for the past two years as Chair of the Senate’s Special Committee on Pandemic Emergency Response, I’ve observed firsthand the challenges posed by the pandemic and seen how pre-existing problems, such as infrastructure, compounded these new problems. As Chair, I plan to focus my attention on providing students with urgently needed mental health services, restoring and modernizing our school campuses, re-engaging our students in civic education, and ensuring that every California family has access to the highest-quality education possible.”

In his time in the State Senate, Senator Newman has been a strong proponent of increasing funding for early childhood education, expanding access to college and career technical education and prioritizing student mental health as part of post-pandemic recovery plans. Senator Newman’s district is home to Cal State Fullerton, the largest school in the CSU system, as well as Cal Poly Pomona and three community colleges (Cypress College, Fullerton College, and Mt SAC). The greater Orange County region also hosts many other world-renowned institutions, including UC Irvine and Chapman University.

Senator Newman’s other recently announced committee assignments for the 2023-24 legislative session include the following:

  • Budget and Fiscal Review
  • Elections and Constitutional Amendments
  • Energy, Utilities and Communications
  • Transportation
  • Budget Subcommittee #5 (Corrections, Public Safety, Judiciary, Labor and Transportation)
  • Joint Committee on Rules

Senator Newman is also the State Senate’s ex officio representative to the California Transportation Commission.

“I’m excited and energized by the opportunity to serve on these committees, and I look forward to collaborating with my colleagues on making meaningful advancements on fiscal policy, electoral reform, alternative energy, and transportation in the coming legislative session,” said Senator Newman.

To schedule an interview with Senator Newman, contact Lizzie Cootsona at 916.651.4029.

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State Senator Josh Newman represents California’s 29th Senate District (which remains in place under the 2012 redistricting lines until 2024), which is comprised of portions of Los Angeles, Orange, and San Bernardino Counties. The 29th Senate District includes all or parts of the cities of Anaheim, Brea, Buena Park, Chino Hills, City of Industry, Cypress, Diamond Bar, Fullerton, La Habra, La Palma, Placentia, Rowland Heights, Stanton, Walnut, West Covina and Yorba Linda. Senator Newman is a former United States Army officer, businessperson, and veterans’ advocate, and lives in Fullerton with his wife and daughter.