District Update

District Update

May/June 2014

Tuesday, July 1, 2014 - 00:00

A Note From Chris Holden

Dear Friends,

This Fourth of July we will celebrate the 238th birthday of the Declaration of Independence.  The Fourth is a time to get together with family and friends and enjoy the festivities.  But I want to take a moment to remind you that we are facing extremely dry and dangerous conditions in our hillsides, so leave the fireworks to the professionals.  All it takes is one spark to ignite a wildfire.  Please make safety your top priority this holiday.  And if you are celebrating with alcohol, designate a non-drinking driver. 

I'll be out celebrating our nation's birthday in several areas around the district.  I hope you can join me at one of the following festivities:

Pancake Breakfast with the Kiwanis in South Pasadena
7:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
South Pasadena Fire House | 817 Mound Avenue | South Pasadena

Sierra Madre Fourth of July Parade
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Starting Point -- Corner of Sunnyside & Sierra Madre Boulevard | Sierra Madre

La Verne Fourth of July Parade
10:00 a.m.
3660 D Street | La Verne

4th of July Concert & Fireworks Show | City of Monrovia
7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Library Park | 321 South Myrtle Avenue | Monrovia

Make it a safe Fourth of July.

Sincerely,

Signature

Chris Holden

Monday, April 7, 2014 - 00:00

Dear Friend,

Congratulations to my friend and colleague Toni Atkins for making history as Speaker-elect of the California State Assembly. I had the privilege of nominating Ms. Atkins who I believe will do great things for California.

One of my goals is to keep students in the classroom and out of the courtroom. I recently joined Attorney General Kamala Harris and other legislators at a Capitol press conference to tackle the issue of California's truancy crisis. I introduced a bill that requires local boards to report information on truancy rates and intervention outcomes. If schools aren't tracking what students are missing the state won't be able to effectively fix the problem.

Monday, January 27, 2014 - 00:00

Dear Friends:

What a difference a year makes. It’s a new year and a new outlook. In the wake of an improving economy that has generated a surplus in the billions of dollars, California is back and stronger than ever. The severe cuts experienced by our public schools and colleges during the recent recession are being reversed with local school districts seeing increases in K-12 funding for the first time in years. Our community colleges, such as Pasadena City College, Citrus, Mt. San Antonio and Chaffey Community College will also see an increase in support that will allow them to restore much needed classes. And there is more good news for the California State Universities and the University of California. The economic recovery will put California on solid ground to build up reserves, pay down debt, and invest in a growing economy.

I am pleased to report that during the 2013 session I scored well on both the Sierra Club and California League of Conservation Voters scorecards, and received a top grade from the Congress of California Seniors. Locally, I am working with South Pasadena to identify funding for a bike trail along the Arroyo Seco. At the request of the City of Rancho Cucamonga, I am advocating for inclusion of Cucamonga Canyon in the San Gabriel Mountains National Recreation Area.

Thursday, December 12, 2013 - 00:00

Dear Friends,

As we gather with family and friends this festive time of year, I want to wish everyone a Happy Holiday.

This is always a hopeful time, and while 2013 has been difficult for many Californians, it also offers a chance to look ahead to brighter days.  Our economy has stabilized; we have renewed our support for public education and are committed to restoring the promise of a golden state.

I hope that Californians of all faiths take this opportunity to reach out to those who are less fortunate, those who are alone or ill this holiday season. Your generosity and your spirit of volunteerism helps make California the great state that it is.

In that spirit, Melanie and I wish you and your family a year of health and happiness.

Sincerely,

Chris Holden

District Update

Fall 2013

Friday, October 25, 2013 - 00:00

As I near the completion of my first year in the Assembly, I want to convey my appreciation for the privilege of representing you in the 41st Assembly District.

Over these past ten months I believe the Legislature has made progress on many important issues. We passed an on-time balanced budget,  expanded funding for education and extended access to health care.

I am very proud to report that Governor Brown signed seven of my bills into law this session including measures to improve the business climate of the state, support our veterans and develop funding for domestic violence shelters.   Other bills would streamline oversight of airport infrastructure projects and safeguard the work of architects.  I also joined Sen. Carol Liu to preserve the integrity of our cities by ensuring that the 710 freeway surface route is no longer an option, and that state-owned homes can now be sold.  

California is back on track after years of financial distress. Of course, there is much left to do as we work to make California an even better place to live. Not only as a state legislator, but as a parent, I know that we can do more.

I look forward to working together in the months and years ahead, and hope to see you soon in the communities of the 41st Assembly District.

District Update

August-September 2013

Tuesday, August 13, 2013 - 00:00

A Capitol First ~ Summer Block Party and Resource Fair ~ March on Washington ~ All-Star Teacher of the Year

Dear Friends:

Just as students are preparing for back-to-school, it is back-to-work at the state Capitol following the California Legislature’s summer recess.  Over the next several weeks, we will vote on hundreds of bills as we sprint toward the September 13 deadline for measures to be approved by the Legislature.

Education has been a top priority for the Assembly this year.  Earlier this summer, we made a significant investment in California’s schoolchildren by approving the Governor’s reforms to education funding.  I am pleased to say that after years of cutbacks, schools will have additional resources and more control over how that money is spent.

Another important education issue is legislation that will dramatically reduce college fees at the University of California and the California State University system by 40% for California families making under $100,000 a year, and 10% for families making under $150,000. Let’s hope that relieves some of the heavy financial burden placed on middle class families.

There is still more work to be done, but I am optimistic that the worst is behind us, and we now have the opportunity to put the “golden” back into the Golden State.

District Update

May/ June 2013

Thursday, May 16, 2013 - 00:00

Leg Update ~ Small Business Award ~ Veteran of the Year ~ First Dog Meets Big Chief

Dear Friends,

We are heading into the summer with some good news on the economic front. The State Tax Board reports that personal income tax collections are running well ahead of expectations. That's welcome news for the state budget and for California's six -million public school children, because under the state's budget formula, much of the windfall should go to schools.

On the Legislative front, I am hopeful that my foreclosure prevention bill will be approved soon in the Assembly. While the number of foreclosure filings has dropped dramatically, there are still many California homeowners who need help. I also appreciate the support from seniors, retail pharmacies, women's groups and many others who have rallied around my measure to provide patient choice in pharmacy health benefits. Please see below for details.

District Update

April 2013

Monday, March 25, 2013 - 00:00

Dear Friend,

It was wonderful to see so many of you at our recent Open House in the district office. Thank you for helping to make it such a special afternoon. There are several photos posted on my website, so please take a look.

The 2013 legislative session is in full swing with hundreds of bills making their way through both the Assembly and Senate. Two of my measures which provide protections for the victims of domestic violence and human trafficking were passed with unanimous, bi-partisan support.

As a member of the Assembly Committee on Transportation, I have been working with Metropolitan Transportation Authority to ensure completion of the Gold Line. I held a roundtable discussion with all the stakeholders, including leaders from the 41st Assembly District, and the Gold Line Extension Construction Authority.

District Update

February 2013

Monday, February 11, 2013 - 00:00

Dear Friends,

Photo
Assemblymember Holden escorts Governor Jerry Brown into the Assembly Chambers for his State of the State Address on January 24.
I am off to an excellent start to my first year as your Assembly representative.  As the newly appointed Majority Whip, my days are packed with meeting various constituencies.  I am so honored to be working in one of the most beautiful buildings in California.   I actually have a view of the Capitol dome from my office desk.  If you are ever in Sacramento be sure to visit.

I was pleased with Governor Brown's optimistic outlook for California in his State of the State speech. As he said, California is back, but it is going to take a lot of hard work to restore fiscal stability in the state and in the nation.  I am committed to restoring California's economy by stimulating private sector business, encouraging job creation, expanding light rail in the San Gabriel Valley, providing help for struggling homeowners and restoring funding and confidence in our public schools.

As of February 5th, my district office relocated to 600 N. Rosemead Blvd, Suite 117, Pasadena.  For those of you familiar with East Pasadena, this is north of Foothill Blvd in the Hastings Ranch area.

District Update

January 2013

Friday, January 4, 2013 - 00:00

Dear Friends,

I hope everyone had a great holiday whether you celebrated Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or the winter solstice.  I trust that you and yours were blessed with family, fellowship and love.  Melanie and I were thankful to be surrounded by family and friends.  All five of our children, Nicholas, Alex, Austin, Mariah and Noah were home for the holidays, and it was an amazing time.

From Altadena to Monrovia to Claremont and Upland, December was packed with terrific community events.  I was especially pleased to see many of you when Congress Member Judy Chu swore me into office at a special ceremony in Pasadena on Sunday, December 9.

The Legislature begins its new session this month, and it is an honor to be starting my first term as your state representative in the 41st Assembly District.  If you are receiving this newsletter, you are a part of this new Assembly seat that stretches from Altadena, Pasadena, South Pasadena and Sierra Madre in the west through Monrovia to La Verne, San Dimas, Claremont and Upland in the east.

Our state economy is among the largest in the world, but it has been shaken by economic insecurity, business failures and home foreclosures.  I am planning to tackle many of these issues that greatly affect our communities, and I want to help put California back on the road to recovery.  I began this commitment my first day in office by introducing Assembly Bill 9 addressing job creation and economic development, and with your help, I plan to do much more. 

  •