Arambula Focus - February 2008

I would like to begin this month's newsletter with a note of thanks; in January, I was named "2007 Small Business Legislator of the Year" by Small Business California. I was also named "Outstanding Assemblymember of the Year" by the California State Sheriff's Association (CSSA).

I am humbled and honored to receive these very special recognitions. I will continue to work on behalf of my constituents and will maintain my commitment to represent the Thirty-First Assembly District in the best way I can. Thank you for allowing me to serve.

As chair of the budget subcommittee on state administration, I will continue to work hard with my colleagues on the budget crisis and try to resolve the projected $14.5 billion state budget deficit. All members of the legislature will have to work together to find a solution that is acceptable to both parties. I am meeting with representatives from schools, local governments and public safety officials to inform them of the more significant cuts to state programs that will impact their operations. I will also be listening to their perspectives on the current budget crisis. I believe these meetings will help me provide better representation for the district as the legislature begins a very difficult deliberation on state finances. We will do the critical work necessary to ensure essential services to the Valley continue without squandering away our children's future.

This past month, I joined hundreds of Hmong community members, leaders and supporters as well as Assemblymember Dave Jones on the steps of the State Capitol in the hopes of sending a message to the legislature to help end human rights violations against the Hmong.

Because of past wording in the Patriot Act, Hmong in this country were unjustly labeled as "terrorists" or "terrorist groups." Meanwhile, human rights violations continued in their home countries of Laos and Thailand.

I introduced AJR 37, to commend the President and federal government for recently amending the Patriot Act and the REAL I.D. Act so the law would no longer inaccurately label Hmong and other groups as "terrorists."

AJR 36, authored by Assemblymember Jones, urges the federal government to take action in the reported human rights violations of the Hmong in Laos and Thailand.

I am proud to announce both resolutions have received overwhelming support from the Hmong community. AJR 36 and AJR 37 were both heard in Assembly Committee on Judiciary and will soon head to the Assembly Floor.

Legislation Helps Provide Smoke Detectors to Low-Income Families and Will Save Lives

Tragedy struck the small community of Calwa last year when a house fire claimed the lives of two young girls. Sadly, those deaths could have been prevented by simply installing a smoke detector. As a result of this terrible event, I have partnered with the Fresno County Fire Protection District to ensure that no one else loses their life or a loved one in a house fire.
I have introduced legislation that will generate new funds to help firefighters provide smoke detectors to low-income households throughout California.

In a year when the state cannot pay for new programs, AB 1812 will establish a tax check-off for California taxpayers to voluntarily give funds to local fire departments for fire alarm safety programs. The tax check-off is similar to other voluntary donation programs such as breast cancer research and Alzheimer's disease research. It is a wonderful opportunity to raise funds to provide smoke detectors to low-income families. These smoke detectors will ultimately help save lives in the event of a house fire.

AB 1812 will help fund programs like The Early Detection Program that was created after the deaths of the two young girls in Calwa. Since the program's inception in March 2007, firefighters have installed more than 1100 smoke detectors in homes and have contacted more than 1600 homeowners in four communities.

The Early Detection Program is a shining example of the type of programs that will be funded through the passage of AB 1812. I commend the Fresno County Fire Department for taking the initiative to create a program that is effective and will prevent tragedies like the deaths in Calwa from occurring again.

Rural communities have very different and unique needs when it comes to protecting the most vulnerable members of society, our children. Under current law, registered sex offenders cannot live within 2000 feet of any public or private school or park where children regularly gather. While larger cities are cracking down on registered sex offenders, our fear is that they may flee to smaller rural cities which have fewer resources to monitor these predators. We have to protect our children and improve the law whenever it is lacking. I have introduced AB 601 that will create a task force to develop model ordinances to help rural communities best use Proposition 83, also known as Jessica's Law, which determines where registered sex offenders can live once paroled.

It is my sincere hope that this law will help rural communities keep their neighborhoods safe and offer protection to children from registered sex offenders.

February is African American History Month and to commemorate this important month I am pleased to honor individuals who have made special contributions to the Thirty-First Assembly District. Nominees were selected for the following categories; Community Volunteer, Education, Public Safety, Non-Profit Employee, Public Safety, Youth, Small Business Owner, Medical, Legal/Justice and Special Tribute.

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. Please R.S.V.P by February 18th at (559) 445-5532.

This past month I had the pleasure of meeting with people from all around the Valley. I met with Fresno firefighters to introduce legislation that will save lives. Together, members of the Valley and I celebrated the 100th anniversary of William Saroyan's birth. I hosted the Budget Roundtable and met with local leaders, including Mayors, City Managers, City Councilmembers and Supervisors from all over the 31st Assembly District. I attended a mock election at Washington Union High School and had the opportunity to see students get involved with the democratic process. I feel very fortunate to have been able to meet with so many of you and share in your lives this past month. I look forward to speaking with even more of you in the upcoming months.

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