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Press Releases

Assemblymember Holden Names “Women Of The Year” For The 41st Assembly District

Pasadena –Assemblymember Chris Holden has named two women who represent opposite ends of the district but share a common dedication to their communities to be “Women of the Year” for the 41st Assembly District.

“Our state boasts a rich history of women who have made lasting contributions to their communities and state through their public spirit and activism,” said Assemblymember Holden. “It is my great pleasure to recognize Rachel Worby and Zephyr Tate-Mann as “Women of the Year.”

Assemblymember Holden's Bill to Fight Human Trafficing Passes First Committee Test

Human trafficking is the world’s fastest growing criminal enterprise with victims as young as 13 being forced into prostitution. *

Sacramento – Assemblymember Chris Holden’s bill to aid state law enforcement in stopping the trade of young men and women for prostitution was unanimously approved today by the Assembly Public Safety Committee. AB 156 would allow law enforcement to get a court order for a wiretap when they suspect human trafficking across state and national borders.

Assemblymember Holden's Bill to Fight Human Trafficking Passes First Committee Test

Human trafficking is the world’s fastest growing criminal enterprise with victims as young as 13 being forced into prostitution. *

Sacramento – Assemblymember Chris Holden's bill to aid state law enforcement in stopping the trade of young men and women for prostitution was unanimously approved today by the Assembly Public Safety Committee. AB 156 would allow law enforcement to get a court order for a wiretap when they suspect human trafficking across state and national borders.

"When I learned that criminal gangs were moving thousands of young women and men – some as young as 13 – into California each year and turning them into prostitutes, I was appalled and angry," explained Assemblymember Holden.

Assemblymember Holden Honors JPL Mars Scientists on Floor of California Assembly

Sacramento – Assemblymember Chris Holden (D-Pasadena) presented five members of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory's Mars Science Team – the folks who brought the Curiosity Rover to Mars last summer -- on the floor of the California Assembly today.

"From humble beginnings in an empty lot near La Canada Flintridge, JPL has grown to become the leading space exploration research facility in the world," said Holden. "Now more than 60 years later, these extraordinary scientists helped make a heart-stopping and technically pitch-perfect landing on Mars -- the beginning of the Curiosity rover's exploration of the Red Planet."

Assemblymember Holden To Welcome Mars Rover “Curiosity” To The State Capitol

Sacramento – Assemblymember Chris Holden (D-Pasadena) will welcome the Mars Rover “Curiosity” to the State Capitol on Monday while honoring the members of the team that brought the Rover to the Red Planet.

As part of Aerospace Week at the State Capitol, Assemblymember Holden will recognize the five team members on the Assembly floor Monday at noon for their role in the flawless entry and landing of Curiosity on the red planet.

Holden Introduces Bill to Change Prison Realignment

AB 1065 Keeps Criminals with Serious Mental Disorders or Sexual Offenses off County Streets

SACRAMENTO – Following numerous calls for changes to California’s 15-month-old prison realignment program, Assemblymember Chris Holden (D-Pasadena) has introduced a measure  to shut the revolving door of state parolees with serious mental disorders and mentally disordered sexual offenders from being transferred to county supervision.

“Many of these felons are being rushed through the system for early release onto our streets and in our communities without regard to the serious mental issues that some of them have,” said Assemblymember Holden.  “As recently reported, this shift has put a tremendous strain on county resources resulting in thousands of sex offenders removing their GPS tracking devices because they know they won’t be sent back to overcrowded prisons or jails.”

Assemblymember Holden Asks State Regulators to Examine Rate Increase by Golden State Water

Sacramento – Assemblymember Chris Holden (D-Claremont) today called on the California Public Utilities Commission to examine the 24.5% rate increase requested by Golden State Water Company which services the city of Claremont.

In a letter to PUC President Michael Peevey and Commission Members, Assemblymember Holden wrote:

I respectfully request that the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) meticulously scrutinize whether this rate increase is justified. Among the factors I hope you will consider, please examine both the benefits and the detriments of this requested rate increase in the context of GSWC's ability to deliver water resources and the economic impact this increase will have on homeowners and businesses.

My goal is to ensure that the interests of ratepayers are protected and I believe that a higher level of scrutiny is necessary to ensure this. It is imperative that the PUC fulfill this oversight role.

CONTACT: Wendy Gordon, (626) 720-3409.

Assemblymember Holden Calls On Franchise Tax Board To Reinstate Small Business Owners Tax Credits

SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Chris Holden (D-Pasadena) has added his name to the growing list of leaders calling on the state Franchise Tax Board to reinstate California’s Small Business Stock Tax Incentives.  Assemblymember Holden is also asking the FTB to eliminate the retroactive tax on more than 2,500 entrepreneurs and investors.

“This decision by the Franchise Tax Board just makes no sense for a state still struggling to recover from a recession,” said Holden. “California lost more than a million jobs in the Great Recession; a decision like this one could not only damage job recovery, but could also help other states recruit California businesses.”

Recently, the FTB cancelled California’s Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS) Incentives program. In addition, they announced they will be issuing retroactive tax assessments on some 2500 small businesses that had previously qualified for the tax incentives.

Assemblymember Holden Appointed To Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy Board

Sacramento - Assemblymember Chris Holden (D-Pasadena) has been appointed to the Governing Board of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy.  The announcement was made by Assembly Speaker John Perez.

“The Conservancy has helped preserve urban parks and wilderness access throughout Southern California and especially in the foothills region of the 41st Assembly District,” said Assemblymember Holden. “I look forward to working in partnership with local governments and private landowners to protect and preserve the natural treasures of the San Gabriel foothills.”

The Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy was established by the State Legislature in 1980. Since that time, it has helped to preserve over 69,000 acres of parkland in both wilderness and urban settings.

Valentine's Day reflections on ending violence against women: Opinion

Valentine's Day and its message of love has been around since at least Roman times. But, in recent years, it has taken on new significance as billions gather around the world to recognize that for too many women, sexual violence is an everyday reality.

This Valentine's Day I will join hundreds of women and girls and the men who support them on the steps of the state Capitol to put a stop to sexual violence as part of the "One Billion Rising" rally.

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