Legislative Wrap-Up: What Elected Officials Were Doing This Week

State Assemblywoman Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) applauded a report released by the Interagency Task Force on Refinery Safety. The report recommends increasing staffing at Cal OSHA and adjusting the penalties for refineries that don't comply with regulations. The report was in response to the fire at the Chevron refinery fire in Richmond almost one year ago.

Rep. George Miller (D-Concord) announced a $856,000 federal grant for the El Cerrito Fire Department. The funds will be used to purchase vehicles to enhance the department's firefighting capabilities as well as quicken its response time.

Rep. Mike Thompson (D-Napa) announced he has helped establish the Congressional Invasive Species Caucus. The bipartisan group's role will be to raise awareness about the problems created by invasive species, including crop damage, clogging of water pipes and infecting native plants and animals with diseases.

State Sen. Loni Hancock (D-Berkeley) held a hearing on Wednesday to look into the impact of media violence on public safety. Hancock said questions have been raised after nationally publicized shootings about the effect repeated exposure of violence has on young people and marginalized individuals.