Capitol Office:
State Capitol
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0056
Tel: (916) 319-2056
Fax: (916) 319-2156
District Office:
12501 E. Imperial Highway
Suite 210
Norwalk, CA 90650
Tel: (562) 864-5600
Fax: (562) 863-7466
Welcome
 |
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
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
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...
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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)
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."
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.
