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Assemblymember Pedro Nava appointed Chair of Assembly Transportation Committee
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SACRAMENTO - Assemblymember Pedro Nava has been selected by Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez to be Chair of the Assembly Transportation Committee. This thirteen member Committee has jurisdiction over legislation and policy pertaining to public transportation systems, highways, airports, ports and harbors, motor vehicles, and waterways. Additionally, the Committee oversees legislation and policy relating to the Department of Transportation (Caltrans), the California Highway Patrol (CHP), and the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
"The Transportation Committee is an important committee that will impact major transportation issues and projects facing our state", Assemblymember Nava said. “As the Vice Chair of the Joint Committee on Emergency Services and Homeland Security, I will look for ways to combine transportation policy and the security and safety of all Californians. I am honored to have been afforded this responsibility and look forward to serving my constituents and the people of California in this capacity."
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Assemblymember Pedro Nava restores $10 million for full funding for the Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation Program (EEMP)
Since 1991, EEMP has funded various projects in Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties. Some of these projects include:
- Enhancement of plants and wildlife along 35 acres of coastal bluff in Santa Barbara
- Acquisition and development of the Goleta Old Town Neighborhood park
- Ventura Beach project to restore floodplain habitats and provide flood control
- Conservation of Ventura farmland and the Oxnard Plain Greenbelt
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SACRAMENTO - Assemblymember Pedro Nava restored full funding ($10,000,000) for the Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation Program (EEMP) as Chair of the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Information Technology and Transportation. The Governor signed the fiscal year 2006-2007 State Budget, which includes the $10 million for the program.
Established in 1989, the EEMP offers a total of $10 million in grants for projects that mitigate the environmental impacts of transportation projects.
“It is important to invest in highway and transit projects to ease congestion and improve the state’s economy. It’s no less important to invest in the state’s natural resources and ensure that our recreational areas and the beauty of this state are not threatened,” said Nava.
Grants may be used by local, state, and federal agencies and nonprofit organizations to improve highway landscape and urban forestry, improve resource lands, and develop roadside recreation.
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| Legislative Update: 2006 A Success! |
| The 2006 legislative session saw great success for Assemblymember Nava’s legislative package. He moved 13 bills through the legislative process and to the Governor’s Desk this year. These bills deal with a range of issues that affect his constituents in Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties, as well as individuals throughout California. These issues include emergency services, disaster relief, education, health, environment, veterans affairs, and insurance.
He also successfully worked on two resolutions: AJR 55, which requests that Congress continue the federal offshore oil and gas leasing moratorium, and ACR 161, which extends the sunset of the Joint Legislative Committee on Emergency Services and Homeland Security. For questions on any of these measures, please contact Assemblymember Nava’s Capitol Office at (916) 319-2035.
Assemblymember Nava, Senator Barbara Boxer, Congresswoman Lois Capps, and local elected officials tell the federal government to “Keep your hands off our coast."
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| Assemblymember Nava, with (from left to right) Senator Boxer, Congresswoman Capps, and SB Mayor, Marty Blum. |
SANTA BARBARA - Standing shoulder to shoulder at Santa Barbara’s Shoreline Park, Assemblymember Pedro Nava joined Senator Barbara Boxer, Congresswoman Lois Capps, and Santa Barbara City Council members Helene Schneider and Das Williams in forceful opposition to coastal drilling.
In response to Republican Congressional actions, Assemblymember Nava authored AJR 55, supported by 29 California environmental groups, to express the California Legislature’s strong opposition to any renewed efforts by the federal government to expose our coast to offshore oil and gas drilling. The federal legislation attempted to shred the existing Congressional moratorium that has protected America's coastlines, beaches, and coastal economies for the past 25 years.
“AJR 55 reiterates the California Legislature’s strong and continued opposition to any legislation or proposal that would open California’s coast to offshore oil and gas drilling. Proponents of the new drilling are once again trying to overturn the will of the people. AJR 55 clearly states that California does not want offshore drilling, and we reject any legislative scheme from the Bush Administration and Congress to lift the moratoria,” stated Assemblymember Nava.
To register your support for legislation that will protect California’s coast, please contact Assemblymember Nava at (805) 564-1649.
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Assemblymember Nava’s 11 bills that were signed by the Governor in 2006:
1. AB 1889 –Revamps the California Emergency Council to better respond to emergencies
2. AB 1942 – Protects children of incarcerated parents
3. AB 1943 –Gives community colleges the ability to adapt to local educational and workforce needs
4. AB 1946 – Protects residential property insurance customers
5. AB 2007 – Ensures correct funding for Montecito Union Elementary School District
6. AB 2041 – Provides for improved emergency services interoperability
7. AB 2068 – Preserves injured employees’ physician choice
8. AB 2265 – Funds emergency room and trauma services in SB County
9. AB 2293 – Protects part-time community college faculty
10. AB 2735 – Provides relief to the victims of the ’05-‘06 natural disasters
11. AB 2972 – Closes a loophole used by oil and gas companies
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Assemblymember Pedro Nava Hosts Santa Barbara Business Resource Expo
SANTA BARBARA - Assemblymember Nava hosted his first annual Santa Barbara County Business Resource Expo at the Cabrillo Pavilion Arts Center in Santa Barbara. Assemblymember Nava partnered with the Santa Barbara Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Goleta Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Carpinteria Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Santa Barbara Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and the Solvang Chamber of Commerce. More than two hundred people attended the event representing every segment of the business community.
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| Assemblymember Nava with (from left to right) Lin Graf, CEO, Carpinteria Chamber, Kristen Amyx, CEO, Goleta Valley Chamber , Rodrigo Gonzales, SB Hispanic Chamber, and Linda Jackson, Executive Director, Solvang Chamber. |
Over 250 individuals were on hand to explore ways to grow their business during the Business Expo. |
The expo focused on bringing resources to the Santa Barbara business community regarding how to do business with the federal, state, and local governments. Additionally, many public and private organizations were on hand to provide information and resources to businesses and prospective entrepreneurs.
The state, federal, and local governments look to the private sector to fulfill many important roles. There are many opportunities available to the local business community and prospective business owners. Every year, millions of dollars in opportunities are awarded to qualified businesses in our state. However, as with anything, Assemblymember Nava realizes that many businesses do not have the background information or the time to benefit from these opportunities. He looks forward to working with his sponsors and partners for an even better expo next year. If you would like more information regarding the expo or on any other business related matter, please call (805) 483-9808.
Assemblymember Nava Hosts Veterans Health and Resource Fair
| OXNARD – Assemblymember Nava co-sponsored the first annual Veterans Health & Resource Fair in Oxnard with the VA Steering Committee of Ventura County and ProCare Foundation. The fair featured more than forty vendors offering veterans information on short and long term health care options, as well as resources, such as waivers, discounts, and special veteran home loans offered by government agencies.
“Veterans have to jump from agency to agency to find out what benefits are available to them. That is why I believe it is vitally important to bring the state, federal, and local services together in one place, to cut through all the red tape and confusion. We owe them a great deal and have an obligation to help. I want to thank Col. Compton, the Veterans Affairs Officer, and all the community organizations that stand tall for our veterans and their families,” said Assemblymember Nava.
If you are a veteran and would like information regarding your entitled benefits, please call the Ventura County District Office at (805) 483-4808.
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| Assemblymember Nava with Colonel George Compton (far left), Ventura County Veteran Services Officer, and members of the Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 24. |
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| Assemblymember Nava discusses ways to improve the flow of benefits to veterans during the Veterans Health and Benefits Fair, held on August 12, 2006. |
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Assemblymember Nava Joins Survivors and Families in Relay for Life Event for Cancer Survivors in Oxnard
| OXNARD – Assemblymember Pedro Nava joined survivors, families, and supporters at the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life event at Oxnard High School. He addressed the crowd and praised cancer survivors for their strength and perseverance. He urged everyone to continue having hope that those lost to cancer will never be forgotten and that one day we will find a cure and eliminate cancer. Assemblymember Nava joined survivors and their loved ones for a relay lap around the track to close the event.
In the State Assembly, Nava has actively supported legislation and funding for cancer screenings and treatments. He supported AB 2339, which would have established the Colorectal
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| Above: Assemblymember Nava walks with Relay for Life cancer survivors. Below: Assemblymember Nava addresses the audience and calls for increase hope to fight and beat cancer. |
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Cancer Screening and Treatment Program within the Department of Health Services to provide colon cancer screening for low-income and under-insured individuals. He also supported another measure that authorizes the addition of the California Colorectal Cancer Prevention Fund income tax check-off to the personal income tax form. Check-off contributions would be directed to the Department of Health Services for making grants to foundations that work for the prevention of colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer in the United States for men and women combined. But 90% of all colorectal cancer cases and deaths are preventable and the disease is easily treated when detected early. For a free brochure on colorectal cancer, please contact our District Offices at (805) 564-1649 or (805) 483-9808. |
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