The Leno Report - August 2007
LENO TAKES AIM TO PROTECT CITY STREETS FROM GUN VIOLENCE
Responding to the growing concerns of area residents, Leno announced legislative action, with support from Mayor Gavin Newsom, District Attorney Kamala Harris, and Chief of Police Heather Fong, to ban the sale of guns and ammunition at the state-owned Cow Palace.
LENO RECOGNIZED FOR WORK ON BEHALF OF VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT
The California Coalition Against Sexual Assault (CALCASA), honored Leno in June with their "Extraordinary Activist" Award for his work on behalf of victims of sexual assault. (Leno pictured with Robert Coombs, Director of Public Affairs for CALCASA).
ASSEMBLYMAN LENO TAKES "FOOD STAMP CHALLENGE"
As part of National Hunger Awareness Week, Leno took the "Food Stamp Challenge," living on the national average food stamp budget of $21 for the week. He is pushing legislation to bring relief to California's working families.View Leno's KTVU interview.
GLORIA BONILLA NAMED "WOMAN OF THE YEAR"
Assemblyman Leno was proud to honor Gloria Bonilla as his "Woman of the Year" for her accomplishments on behalf of low-income seniors and at-risk youth.
LENO ADDRESSES BERNAL HEIGHTS CENTER'S COMMUNITY CONGRESS
(photo courtesy of Kingmond Young)
Leno addressed Bernal Heights Neighborhood Center's annual Community Congress in May and shared his work to stop the Bush Administration's assault on seniors, women and children.
GUY'S FLOWERS NAMED "SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR"
Leno was proud to honor Guy Clark, owner of "Guy's Flowers," with the Assembly's Small Business of the Year Award.
LENO HONORED FOR HUMAN RIGHTS WORK
Leno, pictured here with Mike Farrell, President of Death Penalty Focus (DPF), was honored by the Friends Committee on Legislation and DPF for his human rights record.
LENO CELEBRATES
JAMES LICK
MIDDLE SCHOOL'S 75TH
(photo courtesy of David Perry)
Principal Carmelo Sgarlato with Leno celebrating the school's 75th anniversary and dedication of the Carlos Santana Peace Garden.
You can also access news releases and learn more about legislation by visiting http://www.assembly.ca.gov
/Leno. If you would like further information on topics discussed in this newsletter or any other issue, please feel free to contact us at (415) 557-3013.
Leno Tapped for Critical Leadership Posts
Assemblyman Mark Leno was honored to join the Assembly leadership through key appointments by Speaker Fabian Núñez. Leno was one of only six legislators on the Joint Budget Conference Committee. Additionally, as chair of the Appropriations Committee, Leno oversaw the hearing of 591 bills throughout the spring - an Assembly record.
Leno Measures Move to the Senate
Assemblyman Leno's diverse legislative package, including measures to combat global warming, protect public health, assist foster youth get a college diploma and bring sunshine to our state government, is moving through the State Senate. Below are a few legislative successes in 2007:
49ers Quarterback Joins Assemblyman Leno in Advocating for Foster Youth
Alex Smith, quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, and Assemblyman Leno, testified before the Assembly Higher Education committee in support of Leno's AB 1578, a comprehensive set of reforms to assist foster youth get a college diploma. AB 1578 passed the Assembly 75-3 and is currently in the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Listen Here to KNBR Interview with Smith & Leno
Leno Champions Environment & Public Health Measures and is Honored by Environmental Organizations
Assemblyman Leno scored a perfect 100% on scorecards from Environment California, the Sierra Club, the California League of Conservation Voters and the California Public Interest Research Group (CALPIRG). Here are a few of his measures this year:
- Assemblyman Leno introduced AB 1056 along with Assemblyman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael), to provide greater protections to California's coastline and ocean. AB 1056 passed unanimously through the Assembly and is currently in the Senate Appropriations Committee.
- Leno's AB 1451 renews incentives for the expansion of solar electricity. AB 1451 passed unanimously through the Assembly and is currently in the Senate Revenue & Taxation Committee.
- Leno's "Complete Streets" legislation, AB 1358, will make our roads safer and more convenient for bicyclists, pedestrians and all other road users, while helping to reduce carbon emissions and ease traffic congestion. AB 1358 passed the Assembly 48-30 and is currently in the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Assemblyman Leno works for Greater Public Health
AB 706 will create an improved fire-safety standard for upholstered furniture and bedding products without the use of toxic fire retardants linked to many health problems including cancer.View Leno's KTVU interview. AB 706 passed the Assembly 46-31 and is now in the Senate Appropriations Committee.
- Leno's AB 1472, the "California Healthy Places Act," would assist communities in designing healthy environments and address many of today's leading health concerns, including diabetes and asthma. AB 1472 passed the Assembly 46-31 and is now in the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Marriage Equality Bill, AB 43 Moves Forward
Repeating their history-making vote of 2005, the California State Assembly voted in favor of recognizing the basic human right of all people to marry whom they love. AB 43, the Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act, was passed by the Assembly 42-34 is now in the Senate Appropriations Committee.
2007 Youth in Action Awards
In collaboration with the Youth Leadership Institute, Assemblyman Mark Leno honored local students for their exceptional commitment to community service through his 3rd Annual "Youth in Action" recognition event.
"Pride, Not Prejudice"
Assemblyman Leno hosted an energetic and proud contingent of over 120 community friends and neighbors who marched with him during the LGBT Pride Celebration in June. (photo courtesy of Michael Polanski)
In Memoriam: Pablo Heising
San Francisco lost a beloved neighborhood activist and community organizer when Pablo Heising, affectionately known as the Mayor of Haight Street, passed away in late December. Heising was the founder of the Haight Ashbury Street and Castro Street Fairs, as well as the recent Asian Heritage Street Festival. Their ongoing successes are testaments to his love of community. Along with other community leaders, Assemblyman Leno spoke at Pablo's memorial service at Kezar Stadium. (photo courtesy of Chet Helms and the Haight Ashbury Street Fair)
Staff News
We greatly appreciate the hard work of our District Office Interns Erin Guzdar, Ella Wolfgramm, Jack Mui (shown here registering to vote on his 18th birthday!), Alan Durand Lightfeldt, Kimberly Hargrove, Kaimi Bailey, and James Borolo. As always, we are grateful for the continuing contributions of our District Office volunteers Bruce Traficante and Michael Chan.
We would like to welcome Rachel Linn and Michael Tamariz to Team Leno as new office and legislative assistants, respectively, in the Capitol. We also thank Stephanie Roberson for her contributions in the Capitol and wish her well in her new position with the California Nurses Association. Finally, a big welcome to a new member of the Leno family - Isabella Sun-Ting, District Director Susan Sun's new daughter!
Last year, Assemblyman Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) sponsored a bill banning two types of toxic chemicals used as fire retardants in foam padding in furniture. These chlorinated and brominated chemicals are linked to cancer, birth defects and reproductive disorders; they migrate from furniture to dust particles, are breathed in by children and pets, and are found in the breast milk of nursing mothers. That bill, however, never reached Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's desk, falling victim to election-year squabbling.
