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OCTOBER 2007
IN THIS ISSUE Assemblymember Eng Ready To Tackle Water Issues During Legislative Special Session Assemblymember Mike Eng Honors Latino Heritage Month Assemblymember Mike Eng Visits Rosemead Assemblymember Mike Eng Participates In Labor Day Festivities Assemblymember Eng Appointed To Two Legislative Select Committees Assemblymember Mike Eng Participates In Los Pobladores Assemblymember Mike Eng Visits Montebllo Unified School District Assemblymembe Eng Celebrates A Successful Legislative Session |
ASSEMBLYMEMBER ENG READY TO TACKLE WATER ISSUES DURING LEGISLATIVE SPECIAL SESSION
On September 13, 2007, Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez appointed Assemblymember Mike Eng to the Working Group on Water for special session. The working group will explore possible legislation to address water storage and clean-up problems in the state of California. "I look forward to working with all of the stakeholders to develop environmentally sound solutions to California's water problems," stated Assemblymember Eng, "I will fight for more resources to ensure safe drinking water for my constituents who depend on the San Gabriel Valley Basin for their water." The Assembly Working Group on Water will consist of Assemblymembers: Mike Eng (D-Monterey Park), John Laird (D-Santa Cruz), Lois Wolk (D-Davis), Juan Arambula (D-Fresno), Mary Salas (D-Chula Vista), Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael), Paul Krekorian (D-Burbank), and Mike Feuer (D-Los Angeles). Governor Schwarzenegger called for a Special Legislative Session on September 11, 2007, to address growing water problems in the state. ASSEMBLYMEMBER MIKE ENG HONORS LATINO HERITAGE MONTH
In honor of Latino Heritage Month, Assemblymember Mike Eng hosted the 49th Assembly District's 5th Annual Latino Heritage Month Awards Ceremony on September 20, 2007, at the Grace T. Black Auditorium in El Monte. At the event, Assemblymember Eng presented awards to 13 outstanding community leaders in ten distinct categories. Local elected officials, residents, community leaders, and friends and families of the honorees attended the celebration. More than 200 people filled the auditorium. Speaking at the event, Assemblymember Eng expressed his appreciation for the honorees' outstanding dedication to serving the local communities. "The Latino community, like so many other California communities, represents a diversity of history, culture and heritage," said Assemblymember Eng. "I am proud to recognize these outstanding individuals who have contributed so much to the diversity and prosperity of the 49th Assembly District." This year's Latino Heritage Month honorees included Joe Pavon for Business Owner/Entrepreneur; Mary Garcia and Gloria Guerrero for Community Activist/Leader; Dolores Preciado for Education; Dr. Marie Torres for Health; Margaret Alvarado for Labor; Rebuilding Together Central San Gabriel Valley and Rebuilding Together West San Gabriel Valley for Non-Profit; Anna Gutierrez for Senior; Arthur Lopez for Veteran; Irene Portillo for Women's Advocate; and Blaise Garcia and Claudia Preciado for Youth. The tradition of celebrating Latino Heritage Month began in 1968 with an act of Congress, authorizing President Lyndon B. Johnson to proclaim a week in September as National Hispanic Heritage Week (September 10-16). In 1998, the observance was expanded to a month-long celebration (September 15 - October 15). Latino Heritage Month provides an occasion to recognize the admirable and outstanding contributions made by Latino Americans to our society and our nation as a whole. "Latinos, as a community, have a long history and legacy of hard work, pride and overcoming barriers," continued Eng. "It is important for me to recognize these outstanding individuals because they are living examples of that legacy." Joining Assemblymember Eng at the ceremony was a long list of local elected officials including city councilmembers from El Monte, Alhambra, Rosemead, San Gabriel, San Marino, South El Monte, as well as school board members from Alhambra Unified School District, El Monte Union High School District, Garvey School District, Mountain View School District, Rosemead School District, and Rio Hondo Community College. ASSEMBLYMEMBER MIKE ENG VISITS ROSEMEAD
In a continued effort to reach out to local cities, Assemblymember Mike Eng made a special trip to the City of Rosemead on August 14, 2007, to be briefed on the pressing issues important to the citizens of Rosemead. The first item on the itinerary consisted of a meeting with Mayor John Tran, Mayor Pro Tem John Núñez, and City Manager Oliver Chi, where Assemblymember Eng was updated on issues related improving public safety, creating more open space, and the need for more community centers. Assemblymember Eng was then taken on a tour of the city. Assemblymember Eng met with Deputy Fire Battalion Chief Johnny Gee at their first stop - the Rosemead Fire Station. Chief Gee gave Assemblymember Eng a tour of the station and the two discussed the important services the station provides to the residents of Rosemead. Assemblymember Eng also visited the LA County Sheriff's Temple Station, where he was given a tour of the facility as well by Sheriff Lt. Coronne Jacob. The group then visited several sites throughout the city where redevelopment projects are either in the planning or construction stage. The trip ended at Rosemead City Hall, where Mayor Tran, Mayor Pro Tem Núñez, and City Manager Chi expressed their appreciation for the visit. Assemblymember Eng thanked the city leaders for their hospitality and expressed his interest in building a stronger relationship with the city. ASSEMBLYMEMBER MIKE ENG PARTICIPATES IN LABOR DAY FESTIVITIES
On September 3, 2007, Assemblymember Mike Eng participated in the second annual Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO Labor Day Breakfast held at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angeles. The festivities continued in Wilmington with the Labor Solidarity March and Rally held at Banning Park. The theme was "Workers of the World Unite for Health Care, Pensions, and Wages." Assemblymember Eng stood in solidarity with other statewide elected officials and workers to raise awareness of the victories and struggles of workers in 2007 and what is ahead in 2008. In 2008, more than 200,000 Los Angeles county workers, belonging to 30 local unions and 14 international unions, must renegotiate their union contracts. ASSEMBLYMEMBER ENG APPOINTED TO TWO LEGISLATIVE SELECT COMMITTEES Sacramento, CA - Speaker Fabian Núñez appointed Assemblymember Mike Eng to the Select Committee on Biotechnology and the Select Committee on the Census. Biotechnology is the application of cellular and bimolecular processes applied to research and product development, which includes the development of pharmaceuticals, agriculture, bioinformatics, genomics, industrial and environmental biotechnology. In past years, the Select Committee explored the growing life sciences industry in California. The Census serves as the leading source of quality data about the people and economy of California. Data on California's population plays a vital role in the legislative process by helping lawmakers decide where to best provide needed state services and how to provide these services equitably. "I am honored to have been selected for such prestigious committees," stated Assemblymember Eng, "I look forward to working with all of the interested parties on these issues to explore policy that will improve the quality of life for all Californians." ASSEMBLYMEMBER MIKE ENG PARTICIPATES IN LOS POBLADORES
On Sunday, September 2, 2007, Assemblymember Mike Eng joined San Gabriel City Council Members, Los Angeles officials, and San Gabriel residents in the annual "Los Pobladores - Walk to Los Angeles." In 1781, during the first week of September, a group of 44 persons in 11 families and 4 soldiers (known as Los Pobladores or the settlers) left San Gabriel Mission Archangel and walked 9 miles down what we now known as Mission Road to the river, where on September 4, 1781, they established El Pueblo de la Reina de Los Angeles, which became the great City of Los Angeles as we know today. The annual 9-mile walk re-enacts the historical march as well as celebrates the birthday of Los Angeles. This year, San Gabriel celebrates its 236th birthday while Los Angeles celebrates its 226th. Beginning at 7:00 am, Assemblymember Eng walked alongside local community members to honor the shared living history between San Gabriel and Los Angeles and to celebrate the ethnic and cultural diversity of the two cities. Assemblymember Eng joined a group of distinguished walkers such as San Gabriel Mayor Kevin Sawkins and Councilmembers David Gutierrez, Albert Huang, Los Angeles City Council President Eric Garcetti, and Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael Antonovich. The trip ended at El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument where the walkers were greeted by Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, LA City Councilmembers, colorful indigenous dancers, and hundreds of Los Angeles residents. In his speech at the event, Assemblymember Eng congratulated Los Angeles on its birthday and highlighted the rich, cultural and ethnic diversities of the two great cities of Los Angeles and San Gabriel. The crowd sung Happy Birthday to Los Angeles and shared a birthday cake at the end of the ceremony. ASSEMBLYMEMBER MIKE ENG VISITS MONTEBLLO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
On Friday, September 28, 2007, Assemblymember Mike Eng visited the Montebello Unified School District (MUSD) headquarters and Macy Intermediate School located in the city of Monterey Park. During this visit, Assemblymember Eng met with MUSD Board President Edwin Chau, Superintendent Edward Velasquez, Assistant Superintendent Robert Henke, Montebello Teachers Association President Dianne Garcia Stevens and Executive Director Kathie Kohn. At the meeting, Assemblymember Eng was updated on the various issues facing the district, such as declining enrollment, lack of special education teachers, and the need for building more facilities to ease the overcrowding of schools. Assemblymember Eng was also informed about the district's plan for completing a technical high school by the year 2010. Next, Assemblymember Eng visited Macy Intermediate School, located in the City of Monterey Park. At the school site, Assemblymember Eng and School Board President Chau met with Principal Stacy Honda, Assistant Principal Martha Mestanza-Rojas, PTA President Chris Guzman, PTA Second Vice President Toni Lopez, Student Body President Kayla Ichiba and other school and district administrators. Principal Honda, PTA members and the student leader took this opportunity to discuss with Assemblymember Eng those issues that are important to students and parents, such as public safety, after school programs, and supportive services. The Montebello Unified School District serves various cities in the San Gabriel Valley including parts of the cities of Monterey Park and the unincorporated areas of South San Gabriel and Rosemead.
During the month of October, Assemblymember Mike Eng will be participating in numerous Red Ribbon Week events throughout the 49th District. Red Ribbon Week is a celebration that occurs between October 23rd and October 31st of each year that encourages children, adolescents and even adults to live healthy lifestyles, free from drug abuse. Throughout the state, young people and adults demonstrate their commitment to a safe, healthy and drug free lifestyle by wearing such things as red ribbons, red waistbands and red tee shirts. The Red Ribbon celebration was originally established to commemorate the sacrifices of Enrique Camarena, a drug enforcement officer from Imperial County who was tortured and murdered by drug dealers in Mexico in 1985. In 1986, the non-profit organization Californians for Drug-Free Youth, Inc. organized the first week-long statewide Red Ribbon Campaign to commemorate Enrique's death. Two years later, the campaign was renamed the Red Ribbon Celebration. For more information about Red Ribbon Week or related activities in your community, please feel free to contact our district office at (626) 450-6116. ASSEMBLYMEMBE ENG CELEBRATES A SUCCESSFUL LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Assemblymember Eng had a very triumphant legislative session this year with 15 assembly bills making it to the Governor's office for consideration to become law. Four of these bills have already been signed into law. Listed below are summaries of some of the bills that Assemblymember Eng has authored that are currently enrolled and on the Governor's desk. For more information on all of Assemblymember Eng's bills, you may visit http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/ the official website for California legislative information. Assembly Bill 249 - Gag Clauses: This bill will protect the public from becoming victims of unscrupulous or incompetent healthcare professionals licensed by agencies within the California Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA). Assembly Bill 249 will prohibit the use of regulatory "gag clauses" in the settlement of lawsuits against healthcare professionals licensed by a DCA 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. Assembly Bill 843 - Property Taxation: AB 843 increases the penalty cap for failure to respond to a Change of Ownership Statement (COS) request by a County Assessor from $2,500 to $10,000, unless the property is eligible for the homeowner's exemption. For some taxpayers, such as large commercial property owners, a $2500 penalty is not a burden and, therefore, does not serve as a good incentive to comply with state law. By increasing the penalty cap, which has not been changed since 1981, non-compliant taxpayers will be forced to look at COS requests more seriously and provide County Assessors with accurate information in a timely manner, which will ultimately result in fair and equitable property valuations for all taxpayers and a more efficient use of our scarce and valuable public resources. Assembly Bill 969 - California Use Tax Compliance: According to the Board of Equalization, California loses over $1 billion every year as a result of unreported use tax from the purchase of electronic and mail-order goods. AB 969 will require consumers who have failed to directly report their use tax liabilities to the BOE for the preceding year to report that liability on their income tax returns for the taxable year in which the liability was incurred. Currently, if consumers fail to report their use tax liability directly to the Board, they can "elect" to report this liability on their income tax returns. The term "elect" is misleading and adds to the misconception that reporting use tax liabilities on income tax returns is optional. By increasing compliance and capturing a portion of that unreported tax revenue, we could help prevent the unnecessary elimination and reduction of core state services. To express support for Assemblymember Mike Eng's legislation, please call (626) 450-6116.
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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