Winter 2016 District Update
Dear Friends,
We are only a few months into the 2016 legislative session and there is already so much to share. As always, whether through new budget talks or recently introduced legislation, I look forward to improving the lives and communities in the 41st Assembly District and the state.
I am happy to report that our victories in Sacramento continue. Earlier this month, thanks to a bi-partisan effort, the California State Legislature passed a package of major health care reform bills. The first is a lowered, but more broadly distributed, Managed Care Organization (MCO) Tax that will secure federal funding for Medi-Cal. The second increases funding for developmental disability services by $306.5 million.
We also recently passed sweeping tobacco control legislation that increased California's smoking age to 21, and regulates electronic cigarettes as tobacco products. The new health care reforms provide momentum to pass my tobacco cessation legislation, AB 1696, which requires smoking cessation medications, counseling, and assessments to be covered for Medi-Cal patients.
Additionally, I have introduced AB 2525 that establishes the California Water Efficient Landscaping (CWEL) Program. This program creates urban landscaping incentives, such as lawn replacement, that help the state reach its climate, water and energy goals. Through the California Conservation Corps, the bill will also create green jobs for underserved youth.
I will keep you updated on other legislative proposals in upcoming newsletters. It is going to be a busy year, and my staff and I look forward to serving you.
Sincerely,
Chris Holden
41st State Assembly
- District Open House
- Unsung Hero
- Women of Distinction
- Young Legislators Program
- State of the State
- Legislative Update
- Upcoming Events
- Internships
- Veteran of the Year
- More Photos from the Season
41st District Office Open House
With over 250 constituents and community members attending, our District Office Open House was a huge success.
It was an honor to recognize Danny Bakewell, Sr. as the 41st Assembly District’s Unsung Hero. Bakewell, Sr. is an American civil rights activist and entrepreneur. He is the co-founder of the National Black United Fund and served as president of the Brotherhood Crusade for over thirty years.
41st District Women of Distinction
I was thrilled to honor centenarian Marilee Scaff, Ph.D. of Claremont as the 2016 Woman of Distinction for the 41st Assembly District. Dr. Scaff celebrated her 100th birthday last November. She has been active in the local League of Women Voters where she was President 1988-1990 and received their Ordway Award for “Performing Outstanding Service to the Community.” She also dedicated 30 years to volunteering and organizing the Santa Ana Botanic Garden’s volunteer organization while serving nine years on its Board of Overseers.
Honorees from throughout the district include Ruth Hopkins (Altadena), Valerie Bires (Alta Loma), Devorah Lieberman, Ph.D. (La Verne), Janie Duncan (Monrovia), Cynthia Olivo, Ph.D. (Pasadena), Theresa Bruns (San Dimas), Kristine Lowe (Sierra Madre), Dr. Marina Khubesrian (South Pasadena), and Wendy Dean (Upland). Please click here to read more about their accomplishments and contributions to the district.
Earlier this year I kicked off the Young Legislators Program at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena with twelve participating high school students from the 41st Assembly District. The six-month long program will provide the students an opportunity to learn about the legislative process, services provided to constituents by elected leaders, and the relationship between local and state governments. The twelve students participating are from Pasadena, Sierra Madre, Monrovia, San Dimas, and Claremont.
Here’s my response to Governor Brown’s State of the State address to the Legislature where he outlined his vision for maintaining California’s growing economy while preparing our state to lessen the impact of any potential global economic turmoil.
Here are highlights of some of the bills I have introduced:
AB 1696 – Tobacco Cessation
- Requires tobacco cessation medications, counseling, and assessments to be covered for Medi-Cal patients and prohibits certain barriers or restrictions that hinder patients from pursuing smoking cessation treatment.
AB 2068 – Talent Agency Scams
- Helps implement the Talent Scam Prevention Act by expanding the list of communication forms that can be regulated, such as computer applications and smartphone apps.
AB 2148 – Wildlife Protection
- Provides the National Resources Agency the ability to develop regulations regarding drone use on publically managed lands. The regulations can include conditional use permitting when necessary to protect the safety of wildlife, natural habitats, or visitors.
AB 2222 – Public Transportation for Students
- Establishes the Transit Pass Program which will provide low-cost transit passes for K-12 and college students.
AB 2248 – Teacher Credentialing
- Streamlines the credentialing process and provides greater reciprocity with other states so highly qualified and experienced teachers can teach more readily in California.
AB 2303 – Legacy License Plate Program and Bike Infrastructure
- Adds the classic 1980's "Golden State" license plate design to the California Legacy License plate program and uses proceeds to provide funding for bicycle transportation infrastructure.
AB 2525 – Water Efficient Landscaping
- Creates the California Water Efficient Landscaping (WEL) program that promotes water conservation in urban landscapes. AB 2525 would provide incentives for lawn replacement to help the State reach its climate, water and energy goals while saving money and creating jobs for underserved youth.
AB 2552 – Clothing Allowance for Approved Relative Caregivers
- Provides a clothing allowance, in addition to CalWORKs, for families adopting through the Approved Relative Caregiver program.
AB 2610 – Securities Regulation
- Helps small businesses raise capital by making it easier to take advantage of the Small Corporate Offering Registration.
Read more on my entire legislative package here - http://asmdc.org/members/a41/legislation/2015-2016
Senior Scam Stoppers Seminar
March 23rd, 9:00 – 11:00 AM
Joslyn Center
660 N. Mountain Avenue
Claremont, CA 91711
Senior Scam Stoppers Seminar
May 13th, 4:00 – 6:00 PM
South Pasadena Senior Center
1102 Oxley Street
South Pasadena, CA 91030
Budget Town Hall
May 21st, 10:00 – 11:30 AM
Alexander Hughes Center
1700 Danbury Road
Claremont, CA 91711
My Pasadena and Claremont offices are now accepting internship applications from high school and college students.
Internships are open to full or part-time students who are at least 15 ½ years of age or older. Depending on their school, students may also receive school credit. It’s a good way to learn more about the work of the legislator’s office, including community outreach and constituent services.
For more information and to receive an application, please call our Pasadena office at 626.351.1917.
Veteran of the Year (calling for submission)
Our military men and women have always been our country's strength, our backbone, and our pride. In June, I will honor a Veteran from the 41st Assembly District whose service and work have made a positive impact in my District and the nation. My office is accepting nominations until March 24th, which you can find here - /sites/a41.asmdc.org/files/pdf/41st-AD-Veteran-of-the-Year-2016-Flyer&Nomination-form.pdf
Riding the Gold Line Foothill Extension on Opening Day with Mayor Eric Garcetti.
Open House with Claremont Mayor Corey Calaycay, Woman of Distinction Dr. Marilee Scaff, and Claremont City Councilmember Sam Pedroza.
As part of Read Across America, my staff and I read to preschool students.
Assemblymember Bill Quirk and me with Larry James, Deputy Director of NASA-JPL; Eugene Tu, Director of NASA Ames Research Center; and David McBride, Director of NASA Armstrong.
With members of the Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority: Gene Masuda, Vice-Mayor, City of Pasadena; Sam Pedroza, Councilmember, City of Claremont; and Habib F. Balian, Chief Executive Officer, Foothill Gold Line Extension.
With representatives of United Steelworkers Local 7600, Diana Gandara and Lynn Summers.
With University of La Verne students.
Reception for new Director of the Taipei Economic and Cultural office in San Francisco, Mr. Joseph Ma.
With Altadena resident Warner Backstrom, Sr., Warren Backstrom, Jr., and Brian McCleave.
With comedian and actor Kevin Hart.
Black History Parade in Pasadena/Altadena with 105-year-old Ms. Corey Harris.
With Danny Bakewell, Jr. accepting 41st Assembly District’s Unsung Hero Award on behalf of his father Danny Bakewell, Sr.
Receiving the Outstanding Leadership and Public Service Award from the California Black Chamber of Commerce. With Aubry Stone and Eric Brown.
With Los Angeles Laker champion Jerry West.
At the Monrovia Station Square Park with Monrovia Mayor Tom Adams.
With talented artists from the Light Bringer project.
In Tel-Aviv with US Ambassador, Dan Shapiro.