District Update

Dear Friends,

We recently wrapped up the 2016 legislative session and I am pleased to report that we accomplished so much this year, including getting 10 of my bills signed into law. Throughout the year, we made historic gains that will provide a better quality of life for all Californians.

At the start of the year, we passed a package of major health care reform bills to secure federal funding for Medi-Cal and increase funding for developmental disability services by over $300 million. Later, we passed a historic minimum wage law, increasing California's minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2023. These were major victories for families across the state struggling to make ends meet.

In the final days of session, we passed two climate bills to further reduce our emissions and make sure our largest reduction programs are held accountable. We also agreed to an aggressive and responsible cap-and-trade spending plan that will provide ongoing funding for transit and housing programs that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help Californians obtain clean fuel vehicles and access renewable energy.

As for my legislative accomplishments this year, I'm proud to report that two of our victories came directly from folks like you in the district! Assembly Bill 2442 (AB 2442) was signed into law and will give local governments the ability to provide housing developers density bonuses if the housing development sets aside ten percent for former foster youth, disabled veterans, or formerly homeless individuals. Additionally, Assembly Bill 2552 (AB 2552), which provided additional financial support for relative caregivers of foster youth, was adopted into our state budget and implemented immediately. You can see the full update on my legislation here.

The successful year was not limited to Sacramento. Just last week in Los Angeles, as chair of the Assembly Select Committee on Regional Transportation and Interconnectivity Solutions, I hosted an oversight hearing, "Funding Transportation: Meeting the Challenge," to discuss and address timely transportation issues for the region and state.

Earlier in the year we partnered with The Education Trust-West to host an informational briefing, "Black Minds Matter," to discuss educational disparities facing California's nearly one million black youth; worked with the California Contractors State License Board to host "Senior Scam Stoppers" seminars; and teamed up with the California Board of Equalization to provide families with free tax preparation services.

While the legislative session has ended, there is still much more work to be done at the Capitol and in the district. I look forward to keeping you up to date on our progress, and I hope to see you at our upcoming Living with Urban Wildlife Community Meeting on October 18.

Sincerely,

Chris Holden
41st State Assembly

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

Dear Friend,

The Legislature recently wrapped up its marathon legislative session, hearing hundreds of measures as they were voted on in their house of origin. I am pleased to report that 16 of my bills were approved in the Assembly and are now being heard in Senate policy committees. All bills must be approved and sent to the Governor by the last day of session - September 11.

Education from K-12 through college is the big winner in this year's budget. The revised budget made big headlines with news that K-12 education will be receiving an infusion of billions of dollars. That's good news for school districts that faced drastic cuts during the recession.

As part of the Governor's budget deal with higher education, the University of California will freeze tuition for California undergrads for the next two years and will receive an additional $25 million. The Cal State University system also receives an additional $97 million.

There was also good news for California's low-income wage earners. The budget enacts the California Earned Income Tax Credit that should benefit some two million working Californians. One of the reasons I am proud to support this budget is because it represents an effort to uplift the working poor while not raising taxes or complicating our business climate.

California is mired in the worst drought in recent history. Recognizing the need for immediate action, the budget allocates the first round of the Water Bond, spending $2.38 billion on groundwater cleanup, desalination technology and projects to preserve our water supplies.

And, as part of the state's commitment to a sustainable environment, this budget provides millions in new funding to hire 42 new well inspectors to ensure that any drilling activity in California is conducted in a safe and responsible manner.

So, while we head into the summer, I want to remind you we still have lots on tap at the Capitol and in the district. We'll be hosting our annual Block Party and Community Resource Fair on August 8. I hope to see you there. Enjoy your summer.

CHRIS R. HOLDEN

Dear Friends,

As we begin the 2015 legislative session, education and economic growth are two of my key concerns for this term. California has made progress on many important issues including a stronger business climate and balancing our budget. But there is still much to be done to improve middle-class job growth.

As you may have seen in news reports, I am taking steps to introduce a school facilities bond of $1.8 billion. It will not come as a surprise to you that our public schools are in bad shape lacking proper air conditioning and heat, toilets that work and up-to-date classrooms. Building classrooms and modernizing facilities must be a statewide priority, especially for poorer districts that lack the ability to raise funds on their own.

You may have heard me discuss "concurrent enrollment" - I'm bringing it back this session because it's obvious that high school students can benefit from taking college and tech courses while still in high school.  Concurrent enrollment isn't just for high-performing students. Studies show that underachievers benefit significantly when they are exposed to college courses and college life.  For many, it opens a door to higher education they never anticipated.

I'm also introducing a bill to help consumers who turn to Buy Here, Pay Here auto loans as a last resort. Many of these car buyers have poor credit histories and no other way of purchasing a car.  They often end up paying tremendous interest rates, agreeing to payments they can't make and having their cars repossessed if they are even 48 hours late with their payment.

We'll have more 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