During his time in the Assembly, Assemblymember Pedro Nava has worked hard to make California ready for disasters.

Sacramento - Assemblymember Pedro Nava was appointed by Assembly Speaker Fabian Nuñez to serve on the California Emergency Council.

Membership on the 10 member council includes the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, President pro Tempore of the Senate, representatives from city and county government, law enforcement, fire services, a local public health agency, and the American Red Cross.

The California Emergency Council serves as the official advisory body to the Governor during times of emergency and on matters pertaining to emergency preparedness. The Council advises the Governor on the full range of California's emergency preparedness needs, efforts, and funding.

"I am honored that Speaker Núñez has appointed me to the California Emergency Council," said Nava. "During my tenure in the Assembly, I have worked hard to increase California's readiness to deal with natural and man-made disaster including tsunamis, floods, fires, earthquakes and terrorist attacks. I will continue this work on the Council."

To reform the Council, which was originally created in 1945, Assemblymember Nava authored into law, AB 1889 (2006), to facilitate integrated emergency preparedness efforts of communities, businesses, schools, and government agencies.

"In the aftermath of recent natural disasters such as Hurricane Katrina, with the state being faced with the threat of pandemics and catastrophic disasters, and with our National Guard and Reserve troops called into active duty around the world today, an integrated, effective civil support effort is more important then ever before," said Nava. "I look forward to making California better prepared. Our lives depend on it."

Ventura - Taking a statewide leadership role, Ventura County Supervisor Steve Bennett is working hard to make sure mobile home park residents are secure in their homes around the state and in Ventura County. Mobile home parks are an affordable housing option for many seniors and families, and affordable housing is a critical issue for California families.

Supervisor Steve Bennett

When Supervisor Bennett learned of this loophole, he mobilized the local mobile home park residents in Ventura County and embraced a statewide issue. He won passage of a resolution from the Ventura County Board of Supervisors calling on the state legislature to close the loophole, and traveled to Santa Maria to successfully secure the Santa Barbara Board of Supervisors support. "Finding a way to preserve protection for our seniors in mobile home parks is my top priority," said Supervisor Bennett.

Bennett has been to Sacramento to lobby for Assembly Bill 1542, authored by Assemblymember Noreen Evans, and Senate Bill 900 authored by Senator Ellen Corbett, which will protect existing mobile home park residents. He tracks the legislation weekly as it moves through legislative committees. More importantly, he energized mobile home park residents around the state to assist him in his lobbying efforts with key legislators including Assemblymember Pedro Nava. Nava said, "Steve really understands how important this is to all Californians. Security in your home is paramount. I support his work and respect his efforts."

According to the Academic Director of APPLe, Lawrence Gamble, students involved in APPLe participate in collaborative projects, a lecture series, internships in public policy organizations, advanced curriculum, the summer institute, and on-campus leadership. Gamble helped to create the academy and the idea for the summer institute, and seeks to build a student body ready to engage in the world of public policy after high school. This goal is accomplished in three key areas, rigorous academic curriculum, civic engagement, and 21st century relevance.

"I am so impressed at the level of research and analysis that the institute participants have engaged in at this early point in their lives," said Assemblymember Nava. "Our communities will be well-served by their future contributions and thoughtful examination of the issues facing our world today." For more information about the summer institute and APPLe, visit the APPLe website at: www.sbhsdons.org/academics/academies/apple.php.

Assemblymember Nava (left) with Tri-Counties Regional Center representatives.

Santa Barbara - Assemblymember Pedro Nava met with constituents and representatives from the Tri-Counties Regional Center (TCRC) at his Santa Barbara District Office to discuss the TCRC Strategic Plan and various bills currently in the California State Legislature.

The delegation included both staff from TCRC as well as clients who are served by the Center. The group gave a presentation regarding issues representing the needs of Californians with developmental disabilities. They also thanked Assemblymember Nava for authoring House Resolution 11, which designated April as Autism Awareness Month in the State of California.

The TCRC serves Santa Barbara, Ventura, and San Luis Obispo Counties, and provides person and family centered planning, services and support for individuals with developmental disabilities to maximize opportunities and choices for living, working, learning, and recreating in the community.

For more information, please contact Tri-Counties Regional Center at (805) 884-7289, or on their website at
www.tri-counties.org.

Assemblymember Nava and Ventura County Officials Unveil Updated Display Case in the State Capitol

Incoming Region 13 Co-Vice President of Legislative Action, Marcia Turner, presented the award to Assemblymember Nava, stating ACSA's appreciation of his support for public education legislation and funding during his years in the California State Assembly.

"I am honored to be named as a 'Friend of Education' by ACSA," said Assemblymember Nava. "Public education continues to be a legislative priority for me, and I appreciate the work that ACSA does in advocacy for our children and the schools that serve them."

ACSA's mission is to support California's educational leaders, ensure all students have the essential skills and knowledge needed to excel, and champion public education. ACSA focuses on school leadership and education policy issues at the local, state and federal levels. Region 13 of ACSA represents school administrators who serve Santa Barbara, Ventura, and San Luis Obispo counties. For more information on Region 13 of ACSA, visit www.acsaregion13.org.

Deadline: October 15, 2007

Assemblymember Nava's assistant, Jesus Torres, helps constituent with Homeowner/Renter Assistance form in Oxnard.

Each year, the State of California provides homeowners and renters who meet certain eligibility requirements with a homeowner or renter assistance refund. To qualify, an individual must be 62 years of age or older or blind or disabled, who has in 2006 either paid $50 or more dollars in rent per month or lived in their own home, and had a household income of less than $42,770. Qualified individuals may receive up to $347.50.

"I am pleased to offer this service to my constituents," said Nava. "Many individuals are not even aware that this program exists. It is a real benefit to those who qualify."

Assemblymember Nava's Office will be providing the forms as well as offering free filing assistance. The forms must be filed with the Franchise Tax Board (FTB) by the October 15, 2007 deadline.

To obtain a free form or to get free filing assistance please call Assemblymember Nava's Ventura County District Office at 805-483-9808 or Santa Barbara District Office at 805-564-1649. You may also log onto www.ftb.ca.gov for more information.

Sandra Greenberg explains the production process to Assemblymember Nava.

Ventura - Assemblymember Pedro Nava toured the Ventura College Alternate Text Production Center (ATPC) and met with the staff that run the center.

"The Center is a state of the art text production facility serving all of California's Community Colleges by providing Braille and electronic text to disabled community college students throughout California," said Nava. "Ventura College plays a vital role by providing educational opportunities to people in our community, but also serves as a vital resource through this institute by providing educational materials to those who have physical limitations," said Nava.

The mission of Ventura College's ATPC is to assist the California Community Colleges in meeting their obligation to provide students with access to alternate text products including, e-text, Braille, and tactile graphics which is created from existing print or electronic documents. In addition, the ATPC provides on a contract basis their services to other public and private educational institutions throughout the United States.