Dear friends,

In this issue of the Mendoza Messenger I share my thoughts on California’s budget debate, profile my young legislators' program, and highlight my landmark bill, AB 97, banning trans fats.

By Assemblyman Tony Mendoza

As the state continues to negotiate a new fiscal budget for the 2008-2009 year, that old saying of “Time is Money” comes to mind. The end of August will mark two-months of operating California on auto-pilot and without a budget.

What does this mean?

It means that the state is unable to pay for certain school and social programs and vendors that provide services to the state will not see a dime until a budget is passed.

By most accounts California is at-risk of running out of cash by the end of September and will be unable to pay its bills. After that the state will have to borrow from Wall Street, which has it own problems, forcing California to pay back loans set at a very high interest rate.

Even though there is a majority consensus on a budget compromise that balances cuts with increased revenue streams, as with previous budgets, a small number of folks will hold the state and its budget hostage until they get what they want.

California is home to the eighth largest economy in the world with all of its economic engines and its cultural diversity. Yet we use the same method of budget approval as Arkansas and Rhode Island – two states whose entire population equals that of the City of Los Angeles.

These two states do not compare in size or have the same level of complexities as California. Continuing to use the two-thirds voting requirement will allow one or two individuals to hold up the budget process every year costing the state time and money.

California needs to move forward and transition itself from a two-thirds vote to a simple majority. Our current archaic voting structure makes progress on social and economic issues impossible at times and impedes the legislature’s ability to lead the state in any direction.

A simple majority vote is the best solution for our state when it comes to dealing with our problems and is the best possible action we can take to once again make California an innovator in education and business.

I urge Californians to take note of the hostage situation taking place in Sacramento and act to end this practice by demanding that the two-thirds voting requirement be abolished.

If the voters of this state do not act then the irony will remain that in order to switch the state to a simple majority voting system it will take a two-thirds vote of the state legislature. Until then, our debt continues to pile up and time continues to pass us by.

On July 24, 2008 Assemblyman Mendoza celebrated the achievements of 32 high school seniors as they successfully completed a year-long training in the Young Legislators' Program.

The program, offered exclusively through Assemblyman Mendoza’s office, provides a chance for high school juniors and seniors to learn about the political and legislative process. 

Students enrolled in the program attend lectures given by Assemblyman Mendoza, hear from other elected officials and visit the state capitol in Sacramento to see first-hand how the legislature operates.

Participants also attend community events and volunteer time at state-sponsored town halls and forums.  At the conclusion of the program, participants take part in a graduation ceremony hosted by the Assemblyman and receive certificates of recognition for their work and efforts.

The 2008 graduating class was flown to Sacramento and enjoyed a full day visiting with department heads, other elected officials and took a tour of the capitol and city sites.

“It is a true joy to be able to take these students from campuses throughout the 56th Assembly District and show them what it takes to be involved politically and the effect policy has on everyday life,” said Assemblyman Mendoza.

New applications for the 2009 program are now being accepted.  For more information on the program and to obtain an application, please call Assemblyman Mendoza’s district office at (562) 864-5600.

Assemblyman Mendoza is pleased to announce the appointment of Sergio Contreras to District Director and Rolando Soriano to Senior Field Representative effective August 1, 2008.

Sergio joined Assemblyman Mendoza’s office in the fall of 2007 and served as a special assistant to the Assemblyman while Rolando has served in the office as a field representative serving Santa Fe Springs and Whittier since March of 2007.

Assemblyman Mendoza wishes to thank both Sergio and Rolando for their work and commitment to serving the constituents of the 56th Assembly district.

July was a busy month for many of Assemblyman Mendoza’s legislative bills.  Of special significance are AB 97 that makes California the first state in the nation to ban harmful trans fats from our food and AB 518 that allows salons throughout the state to offer and perform hair threading removal without fear of fines.

AB 97

CALIFORNIA BECOMES FIRST IN NATION TO BAN UNHEALTHY INGREDIENT –
HEALTH CONCIOUS GOVERNOR SIGNS BAN ON TRANS FATS

SACRAMENTO, California – It’s official, California is the first state in the nation to place a ban on trans fats served in all of its restaurants and cafeterias. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed AB 97, authored by Assemblyman Tony Mendoza (D-Norwalk), into law today that will eliminate trans fats from food preparation by January 1, 2010 and from baked goods by January 1, 2011.

Trans fat is a known ingredient that lowers good cholesterol and raises bad cholesterol while contributing to diabetes and heart disease. Trans fats are created during the cooking process with oils, margarines and shortenings that are hydrogenated.

“This has always been about the health of our citizens and the simple fact that this ingredient places them at risk,” said Assemblyman Mendoza. “AB 97 is a call to action that takes into consideration the health of our families by having restaurants replace unhealthy cooking methods with healthier alternatives. I hope that others will take note of what we have done here in California and use it as catalyst to take action in their state ensuring and protecting the health of their citizens.”

Governor Schwarzenegger agrees, “California is a leader in promoting health and nutrition, and I am pleased to continue that tradition by being the first state in the nation to phase out trans fats,” said Governor Schwarzenegger. “Consuming trans fat is linked to coronary heart disease, and today we are taking a strong step toward creating a healthier future for California.”

With the support of groups such as the California Academy of Family Physicians, American Heart Association and American Academy of Pediatrics, Assemblyman Mendoza has successfully navigated his health awareness bill, AB 97, through the state legislature bringing about awareness on how certain ingredients affect a consumer’s quality of life.

Assemblyman Tony Mendoza is a former teacher that proudly serves the communities of Norwalk, Buena Park, Cerritos, Santa Fe Springs, Artesia,
Hawaiian Gardens and portions of Whittier and Lakewood.

TRANS FACTS:

• Trans fat increases the risk of developing coronary heart disease – the leading cause of death in the U.S. “Like saturated fat, trans fat also raises the low density lipoprotein (LDL or “bad”) cholesterol in the blood. But, unlike saturated fat, trans fat lowers high density lipoprotein (HDL or “good”) cholesterol in the blood. An elevated LDL cholesterol increases the risk of developing coronary heart disease.” (U.S. FDA: Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, “Questions and Answers about Trans Fat Nutrition Labeling,” Press Release, 1/1/06)
  
  
• University of Maryland research suggests that kids who consume trans fats early on will develop heart disease sooner. “Children who start at age three or four eating a steady diet of fast food, pop tarts, commercially prepared fish sticks, stick margarine, cake, candy, cookies and microwave popcorn can be expected to get heart disease earlier than kids who are eating foods without trans fats… Some of our research here at the University of Maryland has shown that kids as young as eight, nine and 10 already have the high cholesterol and blood fats that clog arteries. By starting healthy eating habits early, parents can help their children avoid heart attacks and stroke.” (Mary Beth Sodus, “Trans Fats 101,” University of Maryland Medical Center)
  
  
• According to the American Heart Association, trans fat should make up less than one percent of calories for Americans over two. “Another major change in the dietary recommendations is a lower goal for saturated fat — from less than 10 percent to less than seven percent — and establishing a goal for trans fatty acids of less than one percent of total calories.” (American Heart Association, “Association releases new diet and lifestyle recommendations,” Press Release, 6/19/06 )

AB 518

Governor Signs Threading Bill Expanding Services Offered By The Beauty Care Industry

SACRAMENTO, California – Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed into law AB 518 (D-Mendoza) this afternoon allowing hair, nail and beauty salons across the state to perform hair removal using an ancient technique known as hair threading without fear of fines.

Prior to the signing of AB 518 hair threading had been excluded from the jurisdiction of the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology. Individuals or salons performing this type of removal were subject to fines by the state.

Last year, Assemblyman Mendoza authored AB 265, a bill Governor Schwarzenegger agreed with and signed, extending a sunset provision set in a previous bill until July 1, 2009 to study the technique and better define it.

“I, along with many in the beauty care industry, am extremely pleased that the governor signed AB 518,” said Assemblyman Tony Mendoza. “This is a practical bill that will allow salons the opportunity to expand their clientele by offering a new service while those who have used this technique in the past can resume and promote it.”

Threading is an ancient method of hair removal predominant in the South Asian and Middle Eastern cultures. A cotton thread is used to remove hair from its follicle; the thread is twisted and pulled along a row of unwanted hair. The process does not involve the use of heat or chemicals making hair threading a reliable and a non-invasive procedure.

AB 518 will take effective on January 1, 2009.

Assemblyman Mendoza with graduates of the 2008 Young Legislators Program in Sacramento	Assemblyman Mendoza interviewed on Trans Fat Bill
Assemblyman Mendoza welcomes Madame President, Michelle Bachelet, of Chile to Sacramento.	Assemblyman Mendoza participates in “Across the Aisle” basketball game between Democrats and Republicans to raise money for charities.
Assemblyman Mendoza participates in “Across the Aisle” basketball game between Democrats and Republicans to raise money for charities.	Assemblyman Mendoza (middle) joins Assemblyman Michael Eng and State Senator Gill Cedillo at local rally in support of service workers.
Assemblyman Mendoza interviewed by local news network on his bill, AB 97, banning trans fats.