Click here to watch a special welcome message.

Welcome to my website!  I encourage you to visit frequently as this site is updated on a regular basis with events taking place in the 56th District and with information related to legislation and policies that affect you.

I also urge you to sign up for my monthly electronic newsletter.  Take advantage of this useful tool that is filled with articles on California programs that help you with business, the environment, education and much more!

And as always, I welcome your feed back – tell me what is on your mind by emailing, calling or writing me.

Again, thank you for visiting and I look forward to your next visit.

Sincerely,

Assemblyman Tony Mendoza
District 56

High School Seniors Encouraged To Attend Financial Aid Workshop

NORWALK - California's future workforce and economy is dependent upon students entering into institutions of higher learning. High school seniors looking to advance to a college or university in the fall are encouraged to attend workshops on the Cal Grant and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) programs. Read more...

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The 3rd Annual Cesar E. Chavez Humanitarian Award

Please join Assemblymember Tony Mendoza in recognizing the legacy of this remarkable man by nominating a fellow community member who has been instrumental in the positive growth of the local community.

Click here to download the application

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Pushing Limits And Testing Patience - Governor’s Budget Filled With Gimmicks And Hopes

SACARAMENTO – Governor Schwarzenegger’s 2010-11 budget proposal once again places the burden of balancing the state’s budget on the working class, children, the poor and the elderly by failing to develop a comprehensive, sensible plan to reduce the deficit and relying on the federal government to hand over $7 billion to assist with California’s budget. Read more...

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The 56th Assembly District’s 2010 Women Of The Year

Assemblymember Tony Mendoza is looking to honor and celebrate the work of deserving individuals making a difference in our community.

If you know of such a person, why not nominate them!

Click here for Nomination Form

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A Race To The Top Or A Rush To Judgement

A Real Look at California’s State of Education

By Assemblymember Tony Mendoza

President Kennedy once said, “A child miseducated is a child lost.”  I believe that we all can agree with that statement.  As a former elementary school teacher, I am well aware of the efforts taken by educators and administrators to teach students, even when faced with overcrowding, lack of funding and shrinking parental involvement. Read more...

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Assemblymember Tony Mendoza Kicks Off Season of Sharing With Toy Drive and Open House

NORWALK – Assemblymember Tony Mendoza (D-Norwalk) will host his Third Annual 56th Assembly District Open House and Toy Drive at his district office located at 12501 E. Imperial Highway, Suite 210 in Norwalk on Thursday, December 3rd from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.Read more...

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Mendoza To Kick Off Holiday Giving With 2009 Operation Gobble To Help Families In Need

NORWALK – The start of the holiday giving season will include Operation Gobble Annual event hosted by Assemblymember Tony Mendoza (D-Norwalk).  This year the Assemblymember will distribute over 100 turkeys to four (4) local area nonprofits on Monday, November 16th beginning at 10:00 a.m.  in Norwalk and ending at 2:00 p.m. in Long Beach. Read more...

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Assemblymember Mendoza To Lead Panel Discussion On Federal And State Grants

SANTA FE SPRINGS, CA – Assemblymember Tony Mendoza (D-Norwalk) will host a Grant Funding Workshop on Tuesday, October 27th from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Santa Fe Springs Town Center Hall located at 11740 E. Telegraph Road in Santa Fe Springs. Read More...

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It's Politics: Governor signs, vetoes bills from Calderon, Mendoza

Last weekend had highs and lows for state Sen. Ron Calderon and Assemblyman Tony Mendoza.

You see Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed eight each of Calderon's and Mendoza's bills this year. But he also vetoed three each of their bills. Read More...

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Pre-hire credit checks still OK; governor vetoes Mendoza bill

California employers can continue checking job applicants' credit histories.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed a bill this week by Assemblyman Tony Mendoza, D-Norwalk, that would have barred employers from reviewing most prospective hires' credit statements - but not their scores. Read More...

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Our View: Credit checks not needed for hiring

Imagine losing your home because you lost your job. You could no longer afford the mortgage payments. Most likely, you missed making credit card and car payments as well, sending your credit score plunging. Read More...

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Empowering Business Or Discriminating Against Workers?

Why the Governor Was Wrong for Not Signing AB 943

Assemblymember Tony Mendoza

On Sunday just before midnight, Governor Schwarzenegger for the second year in a row decided to overlook the needs of California workers and side with business on how to evaluate potential employees. Read More...

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Statement By Assemblymember Tony Mendoza On President Obama's Nobel Award

“The Nobel committee’s decision to award President Obama with the Peace Prize and for recognizing the President’s effort in rekindling peace efforts throughout the world should be applauded.  President Obama has, from the outset of his administration, made it a priority to restore the United States’ reputation and utilize diplomacy as a key means to peaceful actions.

The President’s charge to intercede in Iran’s dangerous actions, re-open dialogue with Cuba, provide humanitarian aide to countries ravaged by natural disaster, and avert a global economic meltdown by creating international cooperation is deserving of this recognition.

Americans should be proud to have, as a part of our collective history, three sitting President’s who have earned this distinguished award, with our current receiving praise in his first-term.”

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Statement on Commission's Anticipated Report

“The Commission on the 21st Century Economy suggestions on how to revamp California’s tax system is, at first glance, noble in attempting to create balance while generating new revenues. 

While it is true that our state’s tax system requires updates, it will be determined at the end of debates whether or not it demands an overhaul.  The important thing here is to create a fair and equitable tax plan for Californians of every income level and continue to make our state business friendly to attract diverse industries.”

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Child Safety Fair

Dear Parent:

As a father of four school-aged children, I know how important it is to keep our children safe from harm.  To help you protect your children, I am launching my new Child Safety Kit program during the month of September.

I have selected five locations throughout the 56th Assembly District where parents and their children can learn how best to avoid dangerous situations and what to do in the event of an emergency.

Click here to learn more

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Consumer Rights Extended Through Signing Of Warranty Bill

Mendoza’s AB 63 Saves Time & Headaches for Consumers

SACRAMENTO - Assemblymember Tony Mendoza (D-Norwalk) announced that his consumer bill, AB 63, has been signed into law by Governor Schwarzenegger.  The bill protects consumers by requiring retailers that issue a service contract or extended warranty to maintain a copy on file for the life of the contract and make it available to a consumer within 10 days of a request. Read More...

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Bill Provides Court Proceeding Clarification, Helps Streamline Courtroom Operations

SACRAMENTO - Governor Schwarzenegger signed into law AB 170, authored by Assemblymember Tony Mendoza (D-Norwalk), this afternoon, helping to define a legal nuance that could have affected cases throughout California. Read More...

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Moving Out Of The Red: Dropping The Two-Thirds Budget Voting Requirement

By Assemblymember Tony Mendoza

At the stroke of midnight on July 1st, the state of California plunged further into debt by $3 billion all because five Assemblymembers and two senators could not be convinced to vote on a compromised budget proposal approved by a majority of legislators.  This is ridiculous and must end!

California is becoming famous for its budget deadlocks and stalemates.  We need major reform in this area to end the cycle of impasse we experience every year.

California uses a budget voting system that requires a virtually impossible 2/3rds vote of both houses to pass a budget into law.  What this means and what it has caused is huge financial losses to our state and calamity in the budget process.

Two-thirds allows a small handful of legislators to, in-effect, hold the budget up for any political whim and without any particular cause other than negotiating a personal political goal.  Legislators, who withhold their votes and seek favor, of one-kind or another, put California families in danger, punish the disabled and our seniors and cause our state’s credit rating to plummet.

By utilizing a majority vote, California would align itself with 47 other states that have eliminated the old practice of a 2/3rds requirement.  Our budget process would be streamlined and the state would save millions in fees and interest it pays to borrow money during impasses.

Your voice counts in this debate.  I urge you to contact your state representative and ask them to support a change in the voting requirement today!

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California State Budget Updates

I don’t need to tell you that our state’s budget situation is serious and that we are now at a tipping point. I want to have an open dialogue with you on what we face in Sacramento and how we go about dealing with our problems.

As many of you know, our state budget is based mainly upon forecast projections of revenues and expenditures. Actuals can vary from month-to-month in any given budget year ending in a surplus or deficit.

Over the past two years California has faced a sliding housing market resulting in reduced revenues from property taxes. A slowing job market has decreased personal income taxes and a myriad of additional economic factors has hurt our state’s bottom line.

As an example, State Controller, John Chiang, released a cash report on June 10th that notes the state was down by over $800 million in May and up $1.3 billion so far in June.

This is the type of volatility we are faced with at the state level in dealing with the budget situation.

The governor has revoked the controller's authority to take out an emergency loan to keep the state running should talks fail and a budget is not in place by July 1st.

This means that should California need a “gap” loan to bridge the period between when we run out of cash and enact a budget, the controller no longer has the ability to take out such a loan to pay our bills.

As budget talks continue to progress, the numbers will change.  I have compiled a list of websites that will provide you with detailed up-to-the-minute updates on changes proposed and discussed.

I hope you will continue to visit my website as well and that you email or call my office with your thoughts and concerns on the budget.

Sincerely,

TONY MENDOZA
Assemmblymember

Essential Websites

Assemblymember Tony Mendoza
www.assembly.ca.gov/mendoza

Legislative Analysis Office
www.lao.ca.gov

Next 10 Challenge
www.next10.org

State Controller’s Office
www.sco.ca.gov

Employment Development Department
www.edd.ca.gov

Department of Finance
www.dof.ca.gov

CA Assembly Budget Committee
http://www.asm.ca.gov/budget

Assemblywoman Noreen Evans, Budget Committee Chair
http://californiabudget.blogspot.com/

California Tax Reform Association
www.caltaxreform.org

 

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Asm. Mendoza's Unemployment Bill Brings People Back Into The Equation

Asm. Mendoza’s AB 857 Helps Millions of Californians Get Answers to Benefits from Trained Professionals

SACRAMENTO - Assemblymember Tony Mendoza (D-Norwalk) is the Joint Author on a bill that will bring back the human element in filing unemployment claims and help those in need of additional services meet face-to-face with a trained employee at the Employment Development Department (EDD). Read More...

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Statement on the Passing of John F. Henning

By Assemblymember Tony Mendoza

“California has lost one of its true leaders with the passing of John F. Henning.  A labor pioneer, Mr. Henning devoted 26 years to the causes of working Americans as the Executive Secretary-Treasurer with the California Labor Federation. 

Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson saw John’s natural ability to lead and tapped him to serve as Undersecretary of Labor and as the Ambassador to New Zealand, respectively.

Although John may have retired in 1996, his family, whom he instilled the spirit of labor and a solid work ethic, carry on his legacy.  His son, Pat Henning, serves as the Director of the California Employment Development Department (EDD) while his grandson, Patrick Henning, works as a Legislative Advocate with the California State Council of the Laborers’ International Union of North America.

John Henning made California a better place and helped to provide a better standard of living for thousands of families.  He will be missed.”

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Assemblymember Responds to Governor's Comments on Undocumented Workers

SACRAMENTO - In a recent meeting with the Sacramento Bee's editorial board on , Governor Schwarzenegger, debunked claims that illegal immigrants are to blame for the state's current $24 billion deficit, calling it a myth.

Read More...

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Open Screening Of Award-Winning Film Presents Tribal Perspective On Early American Treatment Of Native Groups

Asm. Mendoza Invites Public to View “Older Than America” 2008 Winner of Two American Indian Movie Festival Awards

SACRAMENTO - Assemblymember Tony Mendoza (D-Norwalk) and members of the Latino Caucus, in conjunction with Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, Assembly Speaker Karen Bass and Tribal Alliance Productions, are pleased to present a public screening of the film, “Older Than America” on Monday, June 1, 2009 beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Crest Theatre located at 1013 K Street in Sacramento.

Read More...

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Statement By Assemblymember Tony Mendoza On May Revise Proposals

“Facing deficits that range between $12 and $23 billion in a down economy creates challenges to the state legislature unlike any other time in our history.  The Governor’s proposed budgets are a reflection of the dilemmas we face as a state and the decisions that will shape California for the next decade.

Read More...

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Higher Achievement Scores Earn Eight Schools State Recognition

NORWALK - Assemblymember Tony Mendoza (D-Norwalk) will visit William F. Elliott Elementary on Friday, May 15th beginning at 8:20 a.m. to present faculty and students with a state recognition for earning the 2008-2009 Title 1 Academic Achievement Award.

Read More...

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Is Your Child Safe & Secure?

You would be surprised by the number of car seats that are either improperly installed or are defective. Your child's safety is important - protect them from unwanted harm by attending this free community event!

FREE CHILD SAFETY SEAT CHECK-UP!!!

Saturday, May 2nd
8 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Target Parking Lot (Northeast Corner)
12051 E. Imperial Hwy
Norwalk, CA 90650

Click here for more information

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Assemblymember Tony Mendoza presents the 2nd Annual Cesar E. Chavez Humanitarian Awards

Please join Assemblymember Mendoza in recognizing the legacy of this remarkable man by nominating a fellow community member who has been instrumental in the positive growth of the local community.

Read More...

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Assemblyman Mendoza's Response To Governor's State Of The State Address

SACRAMENTO, California – Assemblymember Tony Mendoza (D-Norwalk) agrees with the governor’s take on the urgency to come to a resolve on budget matters and in moving California forward.

Read More...

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2009 Women of the Year

Assemblyman Tony Mendoza is looking to honor and to celebrate the work of deserving individuals who are making a difference in our communities and in their work industries.

If you know of such a person, why not nominate them!
Click here for more information and the official nomination form (PDF 109k)

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Statement by Assemblyman Tony Mendoza

"The Legislative Analyst Office's (LAO) report on the potential $28 billion-dollar deficit that could face California in 2010 is disturbing. It really sets into perspective the critical situation we now find ourselves in. In the coming weeks, the Legislature will face tough decisions that will challenge many Californians. In order to deal with a growing deficit, a rational approach must be taken to ensure that clear and reasonable measures are implemented to lift California out of its financial crisis.

As the Legislature convenes in a special session, I plan to address issues of importance to all Californians who find themselves struggling in today's economic climate. It would serve everyone well in state government to listen to and review all proposals and plans, whether from the LAO's office or otherwise, in order to determine the best and least harmful plan of action.

We must return our state to a level of economic activity that benefits businesses and individuals alike, without harming our academic institutions that provide our future workforce, or further affecting those currently facing financial setbacks."

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The Return of California's Economic Crisis

By Assemblyman Tony Mendoza

Just a day after an historic national election, California’s governor called for a special session of the state’s legislature to deal with a new budget shortfall of $11.2 billion.

The deficit facing California has increased since the budget was passed in September growing from $3 billion to its current projection.  The governor’s proposal to deal with the problem is a combination of tax increases and cuts.

First on his list, raise the state’s sales tax by 1.5 percent.  California already has the highest sales tax in the country.  For the residents of Los Angles County this means paying 10.25% on things we purchase.  The governor would also like to see a new $12 fee on vehicle registration, a five cent tax on alcoholic beverages served or purchased, and a $2 billion cut in spending on education.

Each of these items and the others proposed by the governor merit discussion, especially when you consider that major reform is in need throughout many facets of the state’s budget process and programs. 

Take for example the state’s unemployment insurance fund.  Without restructuring, the fund is in jeopardy of running out of money by January of 2009 and could leave the state with a new deficit of $5 billion by the end of 2010.

As the legislature convenes to work through these difficult decisions, one crucial question remains - a remnant that was never answered during the first budget debate: Has governor Schwarzenegger reached out to members of his own party to ensure that real discussions are ready to take place to solve these problems without delay or political stalemating?

The Republican leadership issued a letter to the governor in mid-October opposing any discussions that include increases in taxes. That, of course, is when the state was facing a $3 billion deficit.

Knowing that Republicans had railroaded discussions and passage of our current budget just a few months back, the governor should have begun talks with them  prior to announcing his November revise.

Having everyone on the same page makes dialogue on the issues a bit easier and prepares everyone for the tough decisions that must be made.

Perhaps, with this newly revised shortfall, the governor can convince others in his party to look at and discuss everything including strategic short-term taxes to carry us through.  If the governor is able to do that, then we would be witness to two truly historic events in less than a month.