Arambula Focus - January 2008

Once again a brand New Year is upon us and with a New Year comes new changes for our great state and the Central Valley.

As 2007 came to a close, I met with many different people and visited the many cities in my district. I was able to meet with the Firebaugh, Mendota, San Joaquin and Kerman City Councils to discuss budget updates and the concerns they have for their communities. I was able to take part in wonderful changes like the Mendota Solar Farm and important meetings such as the Fresno County Meth Summit. There is no greater joy then being able to meet and talk with the people I serve so I can better understand the needs of the Thirty-First Assembly District.

With the start of a New Year, I will be introducing a new legislative package that will be in the best interest of the people living in the Central Valley and the State of California. In the coming months, I will also be hosting a series of roundtable sessions with local leaders to discuss the adjustments to the current state budget and I am also planning a number of events that will bring together community members and leaders throughout my Assembly District.

My commitment is to represent the Thirty-First Assembly District as best as I can and tomake sure the needs of the people I serve are met. That commitment is the most important job I can do. Thank you for allowing me to serve. Best wishes for a prosperous and healthy New Year!

The California Legislature will reconvene for the second year of the 2007-08 biannual legislative session on January 7, 2008.

This new year will pose many challenges. The most significant issue will be the $14 billion projected shortfall in the state budget. On January 10th, Governor Schwarzenneger will provide the Legislature, with his plan for state spending in the next fiscal year. However, because of the projected budget shortfall, the Governor will also use his authority to declare a fiscal emergency, and propose adjustments to the current state budget to reduce that shortfall.

My legislative colleagues and I will have 45 days to approve or modify the Governor's proposed mid-year adjustments. Failure to act in time will preclude us from acting on any other legislative business until the matter is addressed. Once we conclude making the mid-year adjustments, the Legislature will work through the spring to craft and adopt a new budget by July 1st, 2008.

While many legislative priorities exist, such as healthcare reform, water supply and public safety, the Legislature will not be able to do very much until it resolves the looming state budget problem. It is my intention to address our budget shortfall expeditiously, and in a manner which would help the state avoid facing these same circumstances in future years.

In my experience, the success of the future is best assured when building on past successes. In 2007, I enjoyed a great many successes as a legislator, including more money for Fresno flood protection, improved voter registration notification, more child care options and establishing a building block for economic development in the state. I am very proud to have these bills signed into law and I will continue to author bills that will help the Valley.

My legislative package for 2008 is not set yet, but I will be focusing on increasing the safety of our communities, increasing job opportunities for Valley residents, improving education for Valley children and continuing the push to get the Valley its fair share of state programs. I am considering legislation to help local fire departments do more fire prevention outreach and encouraging greater business investment in communities like the San Joaquin Valley.

In addition, as the chair of a budget subcommittee, I will be doing the critical bipartisan work to balance the state's budget without forfeiting our investments in children and Valley communities. It will not be easy, but with all parties working together, I believe sensible compromises can be reached.

The coming year will be full of challenges and successes for California and the San Joaquin Valley. While my office is generating ideas for legislation, I encourage all of the residents of the 31st Assembly District to contact my office with their ideas. By putting our heads together and working together, we can make positive impacts in our communities and change state law for the better.

This past holiday season, those living in the Valley really showed the true meaning of the season - giving! Once again my Holiday Open House on Thursday, December 6, 2007 was a great success (see photo below). We raised more than 150 toys for needy children living in the Thirty-First Assembly District. Thank you to everyone who attended the open house and donated a toy for such a great cause.

Santa also came early for a group of needy children in my Assembly District. Thanks to a generous donation from one of my constituents, 50 needy children were able to go on a Christmas shopping spree at Target on Tuesday, December 18, 2007. In partnership with Bill Bunnell, owner of an AM/PM gas station on Jensen and Cherry, and Target (Shields and First), needy children received Target gift cards to buy a toy for the Christmas holiday (see picture below). Students from the Sunnyside Doctors Academy, myself and my staff were able to chaperone the children on their shopping spree to help them pick out the perfect Christmas gift. Thanks to the generous donations from Mr. Bunnell and Target we were able to give the greatest gift of all - a smile on a child's face!

I am proud of the many people who donated this holiday season. For many of these children who received a toy this was the only gift they received. We could not have made the holiday season bright for so many children in the Valley without your generous support. Thanks for making this holiday season great!

February is African American History Month and to commemorate this important month I am honoring individuals who have made special contributions to the people living in the Thirty-First Assembly District.

Please join me Thursday, February 21st from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. to honor these outstanding individuals who continue to give so much to our communities. The reception will be held at the Hugh M. Burns State Building (2550 Mariposa Mall, Fresno) in the Assembly Room.

To nominate an outstanding individual for this very special award visit www.assembly.ca.gov/31 and click submit a nomination form. You can also call my office at (559) 445-5532 to request a nomination form. Nominations must be submitted by Friday, January 18, 2008.

"Save Me a Spot in College" is a wonderful program that offers college scholarships to more than 100 students from across California. As you know, California needs more of our young people to go to college and succeed. As California's need for educated workers grows, we need to ensure a spot in college for all students who prepare and seek it.

"Save Me a Spot in College" is encouraging all California 6th-12th graders to enter and answer the contest question: "Why should California leaders save you and your peers a spot in college?" You can submit your answer in word, poster, or TV ad. The deadline for all contest submissions is March 15, 2008. A total of $100,000 in scholarships will be awarded in late May 2008.

For more information on any of these events, please contact my district office in Fresno.