Senator Joseph Simitian was elected in November of 2004 to represent the 11th District, which includes portions of San Mateo, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz counties. He serves on a number of committees, including the Budget Subcommittee on Education and the Senate Committee on Education, which considers all legislative measures dealing with K-12 education and the state’s colleges and universities.

A number of bills authored by Senator Simitian are regarding California schools, both elementary and secondary, and teachers. Additionally, he has authored SB 156, the Library Bond, which would fund library construction and renovation in an effort to promote literacy in the state.

Senator Simitian has received Legislator of the Year awards from the California School Boards Association, the California Association of Student Councils and the Association of Low Wealth Schools.

Senator Simitian received a Bachelor of Arts degree, with academic honors, from The Colorado College; a Master of Arts degree in International Policy Studies from Stanford University; a Master in City Planning degree from the University of California at Berkeley; and a Juris Doctor law degree from the University of California at Berkeley (Boalt Hall).