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MAY 2007
IN THIS ISSUE Assemblymember Mike Eng Holds Briefing with Local Electeds Assemblymember Eng Selected to Chair Business & Professions Committee and Serve on Three Others Assemblymember Eng Names Josephine Blanco "Woman of the Year" Assembly Member Mike Eng Lobbies For 710 Freeway Funding Assemblymember Mike Eng's 2007 Legislative Package Complete Assemblymember Mike Eng Hosts Open House At New District Office Asian Pacific American Dispute Resolution Center Honors Assemblymember Mike Eng |
Welcome Message Hello and welcome to the first edition of my e-newsletter. As you may already know, I was elected to the California State Assembly last November to represent the Forty-Ninth District, which includes the eastern Los Angeles County cities of Alhambra, El Monte, Monterey Park, Rosemead, San Gabriel, San Marino, and South El Monte. Immediately after being sworn into office, I made it one of my top priorities to reach out and connect with as many constituents as possible. It is my hope that this newsletter will help me in meeting that objective. In this introductory newsletter, I have summarized some of my outreach efforts in the San Gabriel Valley and recent work in Sacramento. If you would like to receive updates such as this on a regular basis, please visit my website at http://www.assembly.ca.gov/eng and click on the link, "Sign-Up for E-Updates." I hope you enjoy reading my e-newsletter. Please do not hesitate to contact me at Assemblymember.Eng@assembly.ca.gov if I can be of assistance to you. Sincerely, MIKE ENG ASSEMBLYMEMBER MIKE ENG HOLDS BRIEFING WITH LOCAL ELECTEDS
On March 2, 2007, Assemblymember Mike Eng held a briefing with the mayors, city councilmembers and city managers of the seven cities in the 49th Assembly District. The purpose of the briefing was to discuss the availability of funds for housing and parks, transportation projects such as the 605 and 710 freeways, and the impact of the state's projected budget shortfall on local cities. The March 2nd briefing featured guest speakers Lynn Jacobs, director of the California Department of Housing and Community Development, and Lee Dolley, an attorney who has advised local governments on transportation issues. Assemblymember Eng plans to set quarterly briefings with representatives from Alhambra, El Monte, Monterey Park, Rosemead, San Gabriel, San Marino, and South El Monte as a way to keep open communication between state and local governments. Assemblymember Eng hopes to inform local representatives about available state resources while also keeping in touch with the district by receiving their feedback. "Local cities need to have a voice in critical state issues such as the proposed plan for universal health care and the upcoming allocation of voter approved bond monies," said Assemblymember Eng, who himself was a former mayor and city councilmember in the San Gabriel Valley. "I look forward to working with local elected officials to ensure that I can represent their voice in the State Capitol." Assemblymember Eng also plans to meet regularly with local school district representatives and to start an advisory committee of local leaders to advise him on issues involving small business and environmental concerns. ASSEMBLYMEMBER ENG SELECTED TO CHAIR BUSINESS & PROFESSIONS COMMITTEE AND SERVE ON THREE OTHERS Soon after being sworn into office in December, Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez selected Assemblymember Mike Eng to Chair the Assembly Committee on Business and Professions. The jurisdiction of the Business & Professions Committee includes a wide range of important issues, including the creation and elimination of regulatory agencies, scope of practice, licensing and enforcement of issues for all boards and bureaus at the Department of Consumer Affairs, and governmental efficiency and cost control. "I'm really pleased with this appointment because the main policy focus of this committee is consumer protection," stated Assemblymember Eng. "As a former Vice Chair and member of the California Acupuncture Board, I think this appointment is the perfect fit for me." Assembly Speaker Núñez also appointed Assemblymember Mike Eng to three key standing policy committees. The committee assignments include the Assembly Education Committee, the Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee, and the Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee. "Being chosen to serve on these vital standing committees is truly an honor,"" stated Assemblymember Eng. "Whether it's reducing the size of our classrooms, ensuring that we have clean air to breath and safe water to drink, or tackling the underground economy, I really look forward to addressing the myriad of issues impacting our great state." ASSEMBLYMEMBER ENG NAMES JOSEPHINE BLANCO "WOMAN OF THE YEAR"
Josephine Blanco is a well respected community volunteer who has served the residents of South El Monte and the Greater San Gabriel Valley for the past twenty years. She began her volunteer work by providing home cooked meals to the homeless at Legg Lake in the Whittier Narrows Recreation area and continued to do so for over ten years. "Josephine is an inspirational grass-roots activist with a long history of service to the community," Assemblymember Eng said. "I am pleased to pay tribute to such a talented and giving woman." Ms. Blanco, who also donates her time to Catholic Charities, is actively involved with Club Latino at the South El Monte Senior Center, where she continues her efforts to assist senior citizens by providing them with transportation to local food banks and doctor appointments. Currently, Ms. Blanco serves as a member of the South El Monte Community Services Commission, where she has represented senior citizens for the past three years. "Josephine is an exemplary model for civic participation," Assembly Member Eng added. "Her passion for helping those in need is truly commendable." ASSEMBLY MEMBER MIKE ENG LOBBIES FOR 710 FREEWAY FUNDING The Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority's (MTA) Board of Directors voted unanimously on March 22nd to authorize their Chief Executive Officer to program $5 million in preliminary engineering and technical studies for a Route 710 tunnel. The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) agreed to match the $5 million should MTA approve the funding. Assemblymember Mike Eng (D-Monterey Park) attended the MTA hearing to speak in favor of the funding allocation. "The population of Los Angeles County is projected to grow by 2 to 3 million people within the next 25 years," stated Assemblymember Eng. "Completing the 710 freeway will provide necessary relief to Los Angeles County commuters who currently gridlock other areas when they divert themselves to other freeways in northern Los Angeles County and to the side streets in the cities of the 49th Assembly District." Representatives from the cities of Alhambra, El Monte, Monterey Park, Rosemead, San Gabriel, San Marino, and South El Monte also came out to support the funding. All of the mayors signed onto a letter Assemblymember Eng drafted and sent to the MTA board members prior to the hearing to encourage them to vote in favor of the funding. "I am very pleased with the Board's decision to take the next step towards completing the 710 freeway," stated Assembly Member Eng, "I look forward to working with local community members, the California Legislature, MTA, and Caltrans towards finding a solution to the 710 gap." ASSEMBLYMEMBER MIKE ENG'S 2007 LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE COMPLETE On February 23rd, the deadline to introduce bills in the Legislature, Assemblymember Mike Eng introduced his 24th and final bill for the 2007 legislative session. His legislative package covers a wide array of policy areas, ranging from consumer protection to helping the environment. One of his consumer protections measures will prohibit the use of "Gag Clauses" by healthcare professionals. AB 249 would specifically ban the use of regulatory "gag clauses" in the settlement of lawsuits against healthcare professionals licensed by a Department of Consumer Affairs agency. Gag clauses prevent injured or cheated people from filing complaints or cooperating with state regulatory agencies that have a responsibility to investigate the misconduct of licensed professionals under their jurisdiction. Expanding on one of his successes while serving in local government, Assemblymember Eng introduced AB 704, which would require all local governments to establish resident advisory commissions on the environment to assist with issues relating to environmental awareness, education, and preservation of community natural resources. Under the provisions of AB 704, which is sponsored by the Planning and Conservation League, these commissions will also address issues relating to recycling and waste reduction, sustainable, practices for water and energy conservation, storm drain issues, and air quality. AB 1693, which is sponsored by the New America Foundation, will amend our income tax forms to provide California tax refund recipients with the option to invest all or some of their refund into U.S. Savings Bonds. According to the Pew Research Center, personal savings in the United States have recently hit an all-time low. Every year, however, eight million California families receive an average of $800 in their state income tax refund. These tax windfalls present one of their best opportunities to save. "I am very pleased with the substance and focus of my very first legislative package," stated Assemblymember Eng. "Fighting for a healthier environment, improving the lives of working class families and increasing consumer protections are some of the goals I have set for myself this year." To express support for Assemblymember Mike Eng's legislation, please call (626) 450-6116. ASSEMBLYMEMBER MIKE ENG HOSTS OPEN HOUSE AT NEW DISTRICT OFFICE
The district office is a great resource for those constituents seeking help in dealing with state bureaucracies, as well providing various kinds of information and services. If you weren't able to make the event, we encourage you to drop by our district office anytime and say hello. We're located at 9420 Telstar Avenue, Suite 103, El Monte, CA 91731. The district office's regular office hours are from Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN DISPUTE RESOLUTION CENTER HONORS ASSEMBLYMEMBER MIKE ENG The Asian Pacific American Dispute Resolution Center (APADRC) honored Assemblymember Mike Eng with the "Community Partner Award" at their 6th Annual Conversity Award Dinner on Thursday, March 29, 2007. APADRC selected Assemblymember Eng for exemplifying the term "conversity" through his work to achieve positive human and race relations. The term "conversity" was coined by Daniel Bowling and is defined as "turning together, with and among others, celebrating and joining our differences". "I am honored and humbled by this award," stated Assemblymember Eng. "Being associated with the Asian Pacific American Dispute Resolution Center and their critical work at improving human relations is very exciting." Founded in 1989, the APADRC is a nonprofit organization that provides mediation and conflict resolution services to the diverse communities in the Los Angeles area, with a focus on the Asian Pacific Islander Population. They strive to improve human relations and race relations by addressing complex, cross cultural community conflicts and their root causes with community partners through education, training, and development of new models and techniques. APADRC looks toward the future by training youth in the techniques of mediation and conflict resolution. ASSEMBLYMEMBER MIKE ENG, CONGRESSWOMAN HILDA SOLIS & CIVIL RIGHTS GROUPS SPEAK OUT AGAINST CITIZENSHIP FEE INCREASES
Assemblymember Mike Eng (D-Monterey Park) was joined by Congresswoman Hilda Solis (D-El Monte) at a press conference on March 24th to protest the proposed U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS, formerly INS) citizenship filing fee increase. Civil rights groups and diverse members of the Latino and Asian Pacific Islander American community also participated in the event. "A 69% fee hike will undoubtedly have a chilling effect on those low-income and working class immigrants wishing to pursue the American Dream of becoming a citizen," stated Assemblymember Eng. "In essence, this proposal equates to a modern day 'poll tax.'" Under the USCIS proposal, the fee for filing the form N-400 for naturalization and citizenship would increase from its current level of $330 to $595, and the fee for FBI background checks, also referred to as biometrics fees, would increase from $70 to $80. Also present to speak in opposition to the proposed fee increases were civil rights groups such as the Asian Pacific American Legal Center, the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles, the National Association of Latino Elected & Appointed Officials and the Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County. "What concerns me most is that many immigrants are going to lose the most fundamental of all rights, the right to vote," stated Assemblymember Eng. Since his installation to the California State Assembly in December of 2006, Assemblymember Mike Eng has assembled a talented team of district staff members that are now available to assist you. They are:
If you would like to contact them, call our District Office at (626) 450-6116. 5/24 - APIA Heritage Month Celebration Assemblymember Mike Eng is hosting an awards reception for APIA Heritage Month honorees. Thursday, May 24, 2007 from 4:30pm - 6:30pm For more information or for a nomination package please call Phong Ly at 626 450-6116 or email phong.ly@asm.ca.gov. CONTACT ASSEMBLYMEMBER MIKE ENG We invite everyone to visit our website, http://www.assembly.ca.gov/eng to keep up to date on district and Capitol news and events. You can also email me at Assemblymember.Eng@assembly.ca.gov. District Office: Capitol Office: |
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