Sacramento - Associate Justice of the California Supreme Court, Carlos R. Moreno, officially swore into office Dr. Ed Hernandez.  He joins one of the largest classes of freshman members ever to be sworn in at once (36 of the legislators are brand new members mostly due to term limits).

Dr. Hernandez is also expected to play a critical role in shaping the future of the state’s retirement system.  Speaker of the California State Assembly, Fabian Nunez (Los Angeles-D) tapped Hernandez to chair the Assembly Committee on Public Employees, Retirement and Social Security (PERS).

“Today was very exciting and I am grateful that my parents, my two daughters, my wife and numerous friends were with me enjoying this.  We celebrate today but tomorrow begins the work that we were sent here to do”, said Hernandez.

“Establishing an accessible district office, meeting with all local elected officials and drafting a legislative agenda are my immediate tasks - - and now having been given the Chairmanship of the PERS committee I will work on progressive strategies that ensure the financial stability of California’s public retirement system”, added Hernandez.

Major issues confront this incoming class of legislators including a projected $5 billion budget shortfall, providing health insurance to the 6.5 million uninsured, and fully funding public education.

The Assembly PERS committee oversees all legislation dealing with the State’s Public Employee Retirement System (CAL-PERS).  CAL-PERS manages pension and health benefits for approximately 1.5 million California public employees, retirees, and their families.  Over the years this committee has dealt with issues ranging from cracking down on excessive corporate executive pay to establishing accounting principles that protect Californians against Enron style abuses.