Hello and happy September to everyone!
It is my pleasure to represent the 48th Assembly District in the California State Legislature. This term serves as my 8th year as a Legislator in the California State Assembly. It is an honor to serve over 498,000 residents in our district and collaborate with nine cities in the San Gabriel Valley. I am excited to share our 2024 August Newsletter and ensure our communities stay up-to-date with state-related matters.
Community Engagement
Pride of the Valley Run/Walk
City of Baldwin Park’s 29th Annual 5K Pride of the Valley Run/Walk was a great event—a fun and positive way to kick off the weekend! It was so cool to see everyone out there moving their bodies, making new friends, and creating fantastic memories!
City of Azusa National Night Out
This was a great opportunity for community building and connecting with our public safety officers and constituents. Thank you to everyone who came out, to all who organized this fantastic event, and to our public safety officers for their service.
Summerfest
I was honored to join the West Covina Historical Society in recognizing Beverly Bulthuis for earning the 2024 Historical Preservation Award. I also extend my congratulations to the Citizen of the Year nominees: Michael Flowers, Gene Holocomb, and David Wallace. Their passion for service will be remembered for generations to come. I am looking forward to next year!
Back to School Supply Drive
It was great to be part of the Foothill Unity Center's Annual Back to School and Resource Event. Families gathered to receive school supplies, uniforms, haircuts, manicures and health resources. Thank you, Foothill Unity, for your continuous efforts to ensure students have a successful school year.
City of Azusa, Kathy’s Cool Cuts
I was happy to support the City of Azusa’s efforts at their 15th Annual Back-to-School Event, Kathy's Cool Cuts! This amazing event provided school supplies and free haircuts just in time for our Azusa kids heading back to school. Look at all the exciting supplies that went to students who needed them. What a great way to start the school year!
Welcome Home
I had the privilege of joining the Azusa City Council in welcoming home A Troop, 1st Squadron, 18th Cavalry Regiment, California Army National Guard! I am honored to have received an American flag with all the soldiers' signatures. Thank you for protecting our freedom, and thank you for bestowing me with this beautiful gift.
Legislative Update
We are at the finish line as far as legislation goes. By the time you read this, we will be in the midst of the "End of Session." This means that all bills have been proposed, analyzed, discussed in their respective committees, heard on their respective house floors, given a price tag (or sometimes, optimistically, no price tag), and have returned to their place of origin after any issues have been ironed out. This stage of the process is called "concurrence" or "third reading."
We currently have two bills signed into law by the governor: AB 2213 and AB 1935. AB 2213 allows the County’s five oversight boards to update their borders to align with the borders of the board of supervisors’ districts, as those district boundaries are determined and adjusted by the Citizens Redistricting Commission. AB 1935 seeks to bolster our tribal governments' efforts to provide essential services—such as education, health, safety, and general welfare—to their citizens by redirecting surplus monies paid by gaming tribes into the Indian Gaming Special Distribution Fund.
Awaiting the Governor's signature are AB 2735: JPA Insurance, which provides insurance stability for water providers during the instability experienced by the insurance market; and AB 438: Pupils with Exceptional Needs: Individualized Education Programs: Postsecondary Goals and Transition Services. This bill changes the point at which postsecondary transition planning for students with exceptional needs begins from age 16 to when the student enters grade 9, effective July 1, 2025.
We have three other bills awaiting a final vote after being assigned a price tag and taken up on the floor in front of the legislative body. We will update you in the next newsletter on what happens! Don’t you love a cliffhanger?
Intern Spotlight
We are sad to part ways with our fabulous intern Christopher as he continues his education this semester. Chris consistently showed up ready for anything that came his way, eager to learn, and was incredibly meticulous in his understanding of policy and bill analysis. He quickly became a friend to everyone who met him, thanks to his warm, engaging, and curious nature—qualities that will serve him well throughout his life. We were truly blessed to have him in our office, and we are excited to see what the future holds for him.
Monthly Resource
We want to give a nod to Shepherd's Pantry, a nonprofit that seeks to provide the community with food, resources, and services from a faith-based perspective. We are grateful for the work you do and encourage everyone to share their information as needed.
While we are proud to showcase our efforts which bring needed services to our communities -- the work does not stop here! Each month, we will be sharing additional information regarding upcoming legislation, community events, and highlighting local leaders in the 48th Assembly District. Be sure to look out for our September 2024 newsletter. Want real time updates? Follow our social media platforms to get timely updates and all things about the #Fighting48th. See you then!