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MAY 2007
IN THIS ISSUE WORKING FOR A HEALTHY CALIFORNIA Californians Rally to End Hepatitis B: Yes on AB 158 Toxic Toys Bill Moves to Assembly Floor HIV Research Bill Earns Bi-Partisan Support KEEP CALIFORNIA MOVING Governor Jumps on Board the Train Making Transit Village Plans Work KEEPING IT LOCAL |
WORKING FOR A HEALTHY CALIFORNIA As part of the Democratic leadership team, I am working to keep healthcare as the top priority this legislative session. I am a proud original co-author of SB 840, Senator Sheila Kuehl's plan to guarantee universal healthcare in California. Together, we will ensure that all Californians will have access to quality health.CALIFORNIANS RALLY IN SUPPORT OF AB 158
On Tuesday April 24, over 150 Californians and District 12 residents gathered on the steps of the State Capitol to support my legislation, AB 158, and to urge the public, specifically Asian Americans, to get tested and vaccinated for hepatitis B. AB 158 establishes hepatitis B prevention and management pilot programs in the Los Angeles and San Francisco Bay Areas. The programs will provide culturally and language-appropriate public awareness and other activities relating to the prevention and management of hepatitis B. Hepatitis B is a virus that causes liver damage and in the most extreme cases, liver cancer. Of the approximately 1.4 million Americans who are infected with hepatitis B, more than half are Asian/Pacific Islander Americans. As a carrier of hepatitis B, I am promoting early detection and good treatment to ensure that all Asian/Pacific Islander Americans are aware of the disease and the vaccine to stay healthy and maintain productive lives. I want to especially thank Leon Chow and SEIU United Healthcare Workers for their assistance with the rally. Their support played a critical role in raising awareness and the passage of the legislation in the Health Commitee. Also, the passage of AB 158 coincides with the start of The SF Hep B Free campaign, which puts San Francisco at the forefront of America in fighting chronic hepatitis B. The campaign seeks to test and vaccinate all Asian /Pacific Islanders in San Francisco for hepatitis B. You can visit the campaign's website by clicking here. TOXIC TOYS BILL MOVES TO ASSEMBLY FLOOR On May 8, the Assembly Health Committee passed Legislation that I authored to make California the first state in the country to ban dangerous chemicals used in baby toys. Despite heavy opposition from the chemical and toy industry, the bill has successfully moved to the Assembly floor where it is expected to be voted on later this month. The bill, AB 1108, will prohibit the manufacture, sale, and distribution of toys and child care products intended for use by children under the age of three that contain certain phthalates. Some of these phthalates are listed on California's Proposition 65 list as reproductive toxins. Fourteen countries and the European Union have already banned or are phasing out the chemical. A number of US toy and baby bottle manufacturers have already stopped using phthalates in baby toys. Disney and Gerber no longer use the chemical in mouthing products and Evenflo, First Years, an Gerber stopped using the chemical in all of their toys and child care products. Click here to read the San Jose Mercury article DEMOCRATS & REPUBLICANS SUPPORT HIV RESEARCH: YES ON AB 659 On April 17, the Assembly Higher Education Committee passed AB 659, my bi-partisan legislation that funds a groundbreaking study on HIV/AIDS among older Californians. As many Californians live longer and healthier lives with HIV, it is important for medical providers to know the best clinical practices. Researchers at UCSF in the 12th Assembly District have long led the way in this area of medical research and California has the opportunity to continue that leadership. Click here for a copy of the bill. KEEP CALIFORNIA MOVING GOVERNOR JUMPS ON BOARD THE TRAIN
Click here to read the Governor's Op-Ed I am sure many of you who ride Muni have experienced delays. One of my top transportation priorities is to ensure that public transportation is timely and reliable. This is why I have introduced AB 101, which will allow cameras to be placed on Muni buses to take pictures of cars that are illegally parked in bus lanes. The bill is sponsored by Mayor Gavin Newsom and the San Francisco MTA. Earlier this month, the bill passed unanimously in the Assembly and will now move to the Senate where it awaits a hearing. Click here to read a recent article on the bill MAKING TRANSIT VILLAGE PLANS WORK On May 9, the Assembly Local Government Committee passed AB 1221, which would allow local governments to use tax increment financing (TIF) for transit villages. By allowing local governments to use TIF, additional financing for transit oriented development (TOD) will be made available. The benefits of using TOD as an urban planning tool can help communities deal with the impacts of unrestricted growth and sprawl. Some of these impacts include growing traffic gridlock and commuting times, the loss of open space, and increased air and water pollution. The bill is sponsored by BART and the California Transit Association. Click here for a copy of the bill. KEEPING IT LOCAL CALIFORNIA SMALL BUSINESS DAY HONOREE
As your Assemblywoman, it is one of my top priorities to ensure that you and your loved ones are prepared in the event of a life-threatening situation. In an emergency, loved ones can be hurt and response teams could be delayed. However, knowing critical and basic information may protect your family and friends during major emergencies. Later this year, I plan to host a series of life-saving workshops with the American Red Cross on earthquake preparedness, fire preparedness, CPR/AED, and basic first-aid. There will also be opportunities to learn how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED) for victims of sudden cardiac arrest. If you are interested in attending, please let me know.
Since the time car owners were first able to purchase the arts license plate in 1994, the plate design-featuring a palm tree, seashore and sunset motif-has become an icon for the Golden State. Theater, music, dance and the visual arts are a crucial part of a well-rounded education, said Muriel Johnson, Director of the California Arts Council. The funding from the Arts License Plate helps organizations teach children how to use their creative minds through hands-on activities. Anyone who owns a car can get the Coastline plate by ordering online from the Department of Motor Vehicles at http://www.dmv.ca.gov . Fees are $50 for a standard plate ($40 renewal) and $90 for a personalized plate ($70 renewal). More information is available through the California Arts Council's website at http://www.cac.ca.gov.
Thank you for taking the time to read my monthly newsletter and I encourage you to let others know that they can sign up for e-updates. I am always looking for interns and volunteers from the community to participate in the office in a wide variety of ways both in Sacramento and San Francisco. If you are interested, please contact my District or Capitol office. We invite everyone to visit our website to keep up to date on district and Capitol news and events. You can also email me at District Office: Assemblymember.ma@assembly.ca.gov. 455 Golden Gate Ave., Suite 14600 Capitol Office: |
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