December 08, 2006 (AsianWeek) - Ma Named Majority Whip

Ma Named Majority Whip

December 8, 2006
By Julie D. Soo, AsianWeek

SAN FRANCISCO - Before being sworn in at the Capitol last Monday, Assemblywoman Fiona Ma was named Majority Whip. She will be responsible for ensuring passage of legislation important to democrats. The post, which ranks her fourth behind the powerful Speaker’s position, is a major sign of the first-term legislator’s clout.

Ma introduced Assembly Bill 23, requiring crosswalk-stoplights on urban state highways be equipped with numbered countdown.

Fourteen deaths and 700 injuries during 2005 exemplified the "most critical pedestrian safety problem" in San Francisco, she said.

Ma affirmed that her platform will continue to focus on affordable housing, economic growth, education, health care and transportation.

Two days earlier, several hundred denizens joined in a three-hour San Francisco celebration filled with school-aged performers and a swearing-in ceremony for Fiona Ma before she headed to Sacramento to represent the 12th Assembly District. Covering the westside of San Francisco and northern San Mateo County, the district is home to the state’s largest Asian Pacific American-populated district with nearly one-half of residents being APA.

S.F. Superior Court Judge Lillian Sing, one of Ma’s mentors, administered the oath. Inside the Parkside district’s Dianne Feinstein Elementary School, Ma was also joined by her immediate family and senior San Francisco Assembly Member Mark Leno, representing the eastern half of San Francisco.

With Leno heading the Appropriations Committee, the two will make a powerful team. Ma, a trained CPA and tax consultant, aspires to head Appropriations during her tenure.

Budgets for the new Assembly members have yet to be assigned so Ma did not have set plans yet for her Capitol and district offices. Bill Barnes, her aide during her tenure as San Francisco county supervisor, will be joining her in Sacramento, and for now, she will have some assistance from staff of termed-out Assembly members.

"Get used to this; I like being involved in the community," said Ma to new interim staff.

Moments later, as if on cue, Leno took to the podium and said, "I look forward to working with Fiona Ma in Sacramento. ‘Community’ is her middle name!"

The especially auspicious occasion for the Sunset District Chinese American community also brought out Ed Jew, San Francisco District 4 Supervisor-elect who assumed Ma’s vacated seat this week. Ma had supported two other candidates in the race, but the two vowed to join efforts in advancing their constituencies.

Ma succeeds Leland Yee, who became state senator.

###



Ma Named Majority Whip

December 8, 2006 By Julie D. Soo, AsianWeek SAN FRANCISCO - Before being sworn in at the Capitol last Monday, Assemblywoman Fiona Ma was named Majority Whip. She will be responsible for ensuring passage of legislation important to democrats. The post, which ranks her fourth behind the powerful Speaker’s position, is a major sign of the first-term legislator’s clout. Ma introduced Assembly Bill 23, requiring crosswalk-stoplights on urban state highways be equipped with numbered countdown. Fourteen deaths and 700 injuries during 2005 exemplified the "most critical pedestrian safety problem" in San Francisco, she said. Ma affirmed that her platform will continue to focus on affordable housing, economic growth, education, health care and transportation. Two days earlier, several hundred denizens joined in a three-hour San Francisco celebration filled with school-aged performers and a swearing-in ceremony for Fiona Ma before she headed to Sacramento to represent the 12th Assembly District. Covering the westside of San Francisco and northern San Mateo County, the district is home to the state’s largest Asian Pacific American-populated district with nearly one-half of residents being APA. S.F. Superior Court Judge Lillian Sing, one of Ma’s mentors, administered the oath. Inside the Parkside district’s Dianne Feinstein Elementary School, Ma was also joined by her immediate family and senior San Francisco Assembly Member Mark Leno, representing the eastern half of San Francisco. With Leno heading the Appropriations Committee, the two will make a powerful team. Ma, a trained CPA and tax consultant, aspires to head Appropriations during her tenure. Budgets for the new Assembly members have yet to be assigned so Ma did not have set plans yet for her Capitol and district offices. Bill Barnes, her aide during her tenure as San Francisco county supervisor, will be joining her in Sacramento, and for now, she will have some assistance from staff of termed-out Assembly members. "Get used to this; I like being involved in the community," said Ma to new interim staff. Moments later, as if on cue, Leno took to the podium and said, "I look forward to working with Fiona Ma in Sacramento. ‘Community’ is her middle name!" The especially auspicious occasion for the Sunset District Chinese American community also brought out Ed Jew, San Francisco District 4 Supervisor-elect who assumed Ma’s vacated seat this week. Ma had supported two other candidates in the race, but the two vowed to join efforts in advancing their constituencies. Ma succeeds Leland Yee, who became state senator.
###
Copyright © 2006 - AsianWeek