Get access to all of the profiles, as well as insights and analysis, in both database and e-book form FREE:
Padilla has stated that COVID-19 response and relief will continue to be a priority of his tenure in the Senate, especially vaccine distribution in the first few months of 2021.
According to his website, Padilla supports “universal health care” and an expansion of access to health care services. As state senator, Padilla abstained from a vote to establish a single payer health care system in 2012 (SB810).
As secretary of state after California’s 2016 vote to legalize recreational marijuana, Padilla helped implement legalization by licensing cannabis businesses and creating an online portal to help migrate the state’s legacy medical cannabis companies into the new regulation area. To promote that service, Padilla appeared in a public service announcement with comedian Cheech Marin. As state senator, Padilla voted to support employment protections for medical cannabis patients and opposed DEA raids on cannabis companies. Padilla has expressed support for the federal MORE Act.
In the summer of 2020, Padilla expressed support for a bill to improve parity for mental health services in California. Padilla also supported the development of a three-digit hotline for mental health support at the federal level. Sen. Padilla’s wife, Angela Padilla, is a mental health advocate and founder of FundaMental Change, an organization committed to eliminating the stigma associated with mental health conditions and improving access to quality care and resources for families impacted by a mental illness. Angela was inspired to start FundaMental Change after her experience as a caretaker for her mother, who was diagnosed with Bipolar I with schizoaffective disorder when Angela was a child. Sen. Padilla was honored by the organization as a champion of change at a gala in 2019. Sen. Padilla's wife, Angela Padilla, is a mental health advocate and founder of FundaMental Change, a organization committed to eliminating the stigma associated with mental health conditions and improving access to quality care and resources for families living with a mental illness. Angela was inspired to start FundaMental Change after her experience as a caretaker of her mother, who was diagnosed with Bipolar I with schizoaffective disorder when Angela was a child. Alex Padilla was honored by the organization as a champion of change at a gala in 2019.
No Data
No Data
Padilla is "100% pro-choice" and opposes efforts to overturn Roe v. Wade. He also opposed proposed cuts of federal funding for Planned Parenthood in 2019. As state senator, Padilla authored SB1770, a bill to bolster “the investigation and reporting of cases involving anti-reproductive-rights crimes.”
To address obesity and diabetes, Padilla authored the law that made California the first state in the nation to require chain restaurants to post calorie information directly on menus and menu boards. This practice was later implemented nationwide in the Affordable Care Act. Padilla has served on the Los Angeles Leadership Council of the American Diabetes Association for more than 15 years. As state senator, Padilla authored the California Genetic Information Non-discrimination Act, legislation protecting residents from discrimination based on genetic information. Padilla authored California's first smoke free housing law and fought to increase enforcement and penalties for the illegal sale of tobacco to minors. He also established a sustainable funding source for pediatric trauma care throughout the state.
