COLLABORATIVE EFFORT LEADS TO GOOD LEGISLATION

The workers compensation legislation (AB 338) by Assemblyman Joe Coto (D-San Jose) was recently signed into law. The enactment of this bill is the result of bipartisan legislative efforts and a testament to the collaborative approach. This common sense solution to a real problem affecting working people is a long sought after compromise by many groups. The fact that the Governor signed AB 338 after vowing to veto any legislation that might "undermine" the Governors 2004 workers' compensation reforms shows how effectively working together can lead to legislation positively impacting the people of California.

AB 338 solves a problem in the law governing temporary disability (TD) benefits. The current law limits an injured employee to 104 weeks of TD benefits, but requires these benefits to be received within 2 years of when payments commence. The reality is that many injured employees are not 100% temporarily disabled, and they try to return to work as they go through the healing process. In fact, returning to work is widely viewed as a highly positive factor in ultimate recovery, and the 2004 reforms made this a goal. But the actual law currently in place created a disincentive to return to work.

Working in collaboration with the California Chamber of Commerce, as well as other employer groups, such as the California Federation of Labor, the legislation fixes this part of the workers compensation system in a way that benefits both business and labor. The ability to bring often adversarial parties together is a testament to working to improve the lives of working people and the prosperity of California.

LATINO VETERANS TELL THEIR STORY

On October 15th the Digital Clubhouse Network of San Jose "Stories of Service" Program held a successful event honoring Latino Veterans of WWII at the Martin Luther King Jr. Library . "Stories of Service" is pushing for a national effort to capture as many stories from ALL veterans of WWII. By taking action now they hope to preserve the Latino Veterans' legacy of service before their voices are silenced forever.

"As the National Stories of Service Youth Director, I am inviting youth in every state to step forward and produce the digital stories of WWII veterans in their local community. I also encourage you to travel to Washington, D.C. for a National Memorial Day Rally next spring where you and your veteran will be awarded the prestigious Community Historian Award and represent their school in the National Memorial Day Parade," said Robert Corpus, organizer of the Stories of Service WWII Latino Legacy Project.

Assemblymember Coto would like to commend Robert Corpus and the entire team at "Stories of Service" for their commitment to preserving and honoring the significant contributions of the Latino community in World War II.

To get involved or tell your story please contact Robert Corpus at generalcorpus@gmail.com

BECOME A MAIL IN VOTER AND VOTE FROM HOME

Getting to the polls can be difficult for many reasons such as transportation, work, school, illness or disability. Voting by mail allows the convenience of using the postal service as a way to send your ballot rather than driving to the polls. Voting by mail also allows for more time to review the candidates and issues listed on the ballot at home and the option to vote early.

A mail in ballot is a paper ballot, with the same candidates and measures on it as you would receive at your polling place on Election Day. The ballot is mailed to you with instructions on how to mark it and how to return it. Any California registered voter may vote by a mail in ballot. You do not have to be "absent" or "out of town on election day" to vote by mail in California. You may vote by mail just because you want to. However, you must request a mail in ballot for each election unless you complete a permanent mail in voter status.

Voting By Mail - As required by law, the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters provides voting materials in the following languages: English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese and Tagalog.

To reach the Registrar of Voters bilingual staff for assistance, please call:
Spanish: (408) 282-3095
Vietnamese: (408) 282-3097
Chinese: (408) 282-3086
Tagalog: (408) 535-3916.

Or call: (408) 299-VOTE [8683] or, toll free: (866) 430-VOTE [8683]

Mail In Request Forms: Mail In ballots must be requested in writing at least seven days before an election

Permanent Mail In - Anyone may apply for permanent mail in voter status by checking a box and signing your name on a mail in ballot request form. You will automatically be mailed a ballot for each election as long as you continue to vote. You will not need to request a mail in ballot for each election. If you fail to vote in a statewide election, your name will be deleted from the permanent mail in voter list and you will have to request permanent mail in voter status again. Failure to vote does not affect your registration status.

To learn more about mail in voting please visit http://www.sccgov.org/portal/site/rov/.

NOVEMBER IS INDIAN HERITAGE MONTH

The purpose of National American Indian Heritage Month is to honor and recognize the original people of this land and to celebrate the multitude of contributions that American Indians and Alaskan Natives have made to this country. Throughout the years, American Indians and Alaskan Natives have been an integral part of America. Today, Americans of all ages recognize the many outstanding achievements of this country's original inhabitants and their descendants. California was the most densely (Indian) populated of the states at the time of the European arrival, with a population of approximately 150,000 (1.5 persons per square mile). A large number of unrecognized Native Americans still live in California today. There is a large urban Indian population in California, particularly in Los Angeles, from tribes in other states that have migrated throughout the history of our nation.

The 2000 Census showed over 500,000 American Indian and Alaskan Natives living in California alone. Today, there are 104 reservations and rancherias in California and an additional 40 groups that have applied for federal recognition. The government-to-government relationship between the tribes and the United States embodies the fundamental American belief that people of widely varied and diverse cultural backgrounds can join together to build a great country.

It is with recognition of California's moral and legal obligations to American Indians and the unique relationship between California, the United States and tribal governments that we celebrate American Indian Heritage Month.

For more information please visit the U.S. Department of Indian Health Services http://www.ihs.gov/PublicAffairs/Heritage/index.cfm

NON-PROFIT LEADERS DISCUSS COMMUNITY NEEDS

On October 22 2007, the Office of Assemblymember Joe Coto hosted a second in a series of meetings with representatives of the Vietnamese non-profit community. Assemblymember Joe Coto's office discussed the recommendations from the previous meeting and received feedback from the various organizations. The meeting provided a forum for discussion on the various issues facing the Vietnamese community and an opportunity for non profits to exchange ideas on how to expand the social network of services available to the Vietnamese community. The staff also prepared a brief informational presentation on the legislative process providing awareness on ways to introduce bill ideas, influence legislation and increase civic participation. The group will continue to dialogue and develop solutions to the various issues in the Vietnamese community.

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT - THLEMA BOAC

Assemblymember Coto would like to congratulate Thelma Boac for being selected one of the 100 Most Influential Filipina Woman in the United States by The Filipina Women's Network. Thelma was honored in the Builders & Emerging Leaders award category recognizing Filipina women who are making their mark in a workplace environment, displaying high energy and skill in a leadership role at a nonprofit institution, government agency, or organization in any field. Thelma was awarded this prestigious honor at the Gala awards dinner on Thursday evening, October 25, 2007 in Washington D.C.

Mrs. Boac has dedicated a good part of her career to helping second language learners find success in school. She has worked for the East Side Union High School District for over 26 years, starting as a teacher of English as a Second Language at Independence High School. Over the years, she served as in a variety of leadership positions at Independence: Chair of the ESL Department, Resource Specialist, Instructional Team Leader for ESL and Sheltered Classes and Villa Principal. In 2005, she was appointed Principal of Silver Creek High School and she is doing an outstanding job.

HAVE A HAPPY AND SAFE THANKSGIVING

For most people, the five weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day will be a time of family celebrations and happiness, of seeing old friends and reflecting on our good fortune and good health. Unfortunately, many car crashes happen over the holidays, a time when our roads are used most heavily. It only takes a few seconds to fasten your seat belt and buckle up your child. These few seconds could be the difference between life and death. By buckling your seatbelt you increase the chance of surviving a crash by nearly 45 percent. Riding in a safety seat reduces the risk of death by at least 69 percent for infants and 47 percent for toddlers.

Seatbelts will help protect you and your family if you encounter a drunk driver. Every 33 minutes someone dies in an alcohol-related crash. If you are going to drive, refrain from drinking at your holiday celebration. If you cannot refuse that next glass of wine, make alternative arrangements for getting home. Have a designated driver, get a ride with a non-drinking driver, call a cab or delay your departure until the next day.

The Office off Assemblymember Coto wishes you a very Happy and Safe Thanksgiving!

COTO COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Vision New America 10th Anniversary & Fall Graduation Gala
November 1. 2007
Where: India Community Center, 555 Los CochesSt., Milpitas - 5:30 pm
Norman Mineta, former U.S. Secretary of Transportation, will be this year's keynote speaker. For more information contact Christine Ngo, Christine@visionnewamerica.org

Latina Coalition of Silicon Valley
November 2, 2007
Where: Bella Mia Restaurant
58 S. First Street, San Jose, CA 95113
Between San Fernando St. & Santa Clara St. Validated parking provided at local lots including the San Fernando lot
Assemblymember Joe Coto will be this month's speaker
http://www.latinacoalition.org/

Dia de los Muertos Celebration
November 4, 2007
Where: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library Karet Plaza (behind the main library on the San Jose State University campus) corner of 4th and San Fernando Streets
12:00 to 5:00 pm free/gratis
Presented by the San Jose Multicultural Artists Guild and Teatro Familia Aztlan
LA COMPARSA procession starts at 11:00AM at the San Jose Museum of Art corner of
Market and San Fernando Streets. FREE Parking at both locations

TECH Awards Gala
November 7, 2007
Where: San Jose McEnery Convention Center, 150 West San Carlos Street, San Jose
When: Wednesday, November 7, 2007, 6pm
The Tech Museum Awards is an international Awards program that honors innovators from around the world who are applying technology to benefit humanity. Each year, 25 Tech Award Laureates are honored at a black-tie Gala at The Tech Museum of Innovation in San Jose, California. Laureates are recognized onstage and presented with an award trophy to celebrate their accomplishment. One Laureate in each award category receives a $50,000 cash prize.
Call: (408) 795-6322
Visit at http://www.techawards.org

Home & Family Disaster Preparedness
November 7 & 14, 2007
Where: Gardner Senior Program, 520 W. Virginia St., San Jose
The Office of Emergency Services is offering a FREE two-hour Home and Family Disaster Preparedness class to San Jose senior center participants.
For more information call: (408) 277 - 4598 or email sjpprepared@sanjoseca.gov

Golden Guardian 2007
November 14, 2007
Where: San Jose Municipal Stadium, 588 E Alma Ave., San Jose, CA
Event starts at 8:30, and runs through 3:30 pm.
The Volunteer Center of Silicon Valley will simulate an emergency and/or disaster situation at a public venue. No experience is necessary. FREE BBQ lunch. Pre-registration is required.
For more information call: (408) 247 - 1126, or visit:
www.vcsv.us

Domino's Festival of Giving
November 18, 2007
Where: Eastridge Mall, San Jose - 6pm to 9pm
Eastridge Mall is holding a shopping event called "Domino's Festival of Giving." The mall will be open after hours for a private evening of shopping for customers who have purchased a $5 ticket from a participating nonprofit organization or school. This year, the East Side Schools CHI Collaborative has been invited to be a beneficiary of this event. Special features of this shopping event include discounts to over 50 Eastridge retailers, a silent auction to benefit Habitat for Humanity Silicon Valley, door prizes to the first 200 guests, live music, and photos with Santa (to help kick-off the holiday shopping season).
Tickets are $5 for each individual (children up to the age of 5 are free).

3rd Annual Applied Materials Silicon Valley Turkey Trot
November 22, 2007
Where: Guadalupe River Park/Confluence Meadow
9 am Start for the 5K run or walk and 10K run.
5K run or walk, and 10K run
Benefits the Second Harvest Food Bank, Santa Clara Family Health Foundation, and Housing Trust of Santa Clara County
For more registration information please visit:
www.svlg.net

To add a community event to the Coto Calendar, please email the event details to darcie.green@asm.ca.gov before the 15th of each month.

For more information on please contact:
Assemblymember Joe Coto's office
State Capitol, Room 2013
Sacramento, CA 95814
916.319.2023 (phone)
916.319.2123 (Fax)
assemblymember.coto@assembly.ca.gov

San Jose District Office
100 Paseo de San Antonio #319
San Jose, CA 95113
408.277.1220 (phone)
408.277.1036 (fax)