Dear Friends:

Last month, we celebrated Veterans Appreciation Month and Memorial Day by honoring our service men and women who have given and sacrificed so much in defense of our nation's freedom. At my District Office, I hosted a Veterans Reception to honor distinguished local veterans on Thursday, May 15. My hope is to make this an annual event.

This year, I honored the following individuals for their commitment to duty and our country:

I strongly believe it is important to honor those who have served by recognizing and remembering the historic contributions of California veterans. That is why I have joined with my colleagues in the Assembly to author legislation that will provide California veterans with workforce training; more assistance in obtaining federal health-care benefits and housing; and increases in the responsibility of counties to provide mental health services.

I am also authoring Assembly Bill 2508 so that we can better memorialize the legacy of California veterans in the California Military Museum. This bill will make acquiring military relics and wartime equipment more efficient.

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please contact my office. It is a pleasure to have met with the veterans and their families and friends during this event.

Yours truly,

Wilmer Amina Carter
Representing the 62nd Assembly District

Assembly Member Carter pictured with the 2008 Veteran Honorees at the May 15 Veterans Reception at the Rialto District Office. Top Row: 2008 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place California Cadet Corps State Competition Major Awards Recipients, Assembly Member Carter, Freddie Martinez, Rialto ~ 62nd Assembly District 2008 Veteran of the Year. Bottom Row: Joseph Dean, Fontana; Gregory Bell, California National Guard 1-185th Armor CAB, San Bernardino Headquarters; Celeste Williams, San Bernardino; Marion Black, Rialto; Vickie Wilson, Colton.

Carter appointed to Assembly Health Committee

Assembly Member Carter was recently appointed to serve on the state Assembly Health Committee for the 2008 legislative session. She will continue to serve on seven standing committees: Aging and Long-Term Care; Business and Professions; Insurance; Rules; Transportation; Veterans Affairs; the Select Committee on the Census and Chair the Select Committee on Inland Empire Transportation.

Grant for San Bernardino High School

Barona Band of Mission Indians in San Diego has awarded San Bernardino High School a $5,000 education grant that will be used to purchase classroom photography equipment. Assembly Member Wilmer Amina Carter nominated San Bernardino High School for the Barona Education Grant, which is the first program of its kind in California, created and administered by an Indian tribe. Each grant awarded is $5,000 and can be used to purchase supplies and materials that promote academic improvement, including books, computers, and other educational materials.

State Funds for the 62nd District

Training Grants from the California Employment Training Panel

Brithinee Electric of Colton - $46,200

Microdyne Plastics of Colton - $49,686

Cedar House Social Services Inc. of Bloomington - $722,000 low interest loan from California Health Facilities Financing Authority to purchase land across the street from the existing substance abuse treatment facility

Planning For College

Californiacolleges.edu is a website to help plan for college. It's the official state source for college and career planning in California. The California Department of Education; California State University; University of California; California Community Colleges; and the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities have collaborated to create this site that will help students explore possible career and educational choices, select a California college or university, understand how to finance a college education, or determine admission requirements.

For more information on college and career planning visit www.californiacolleges.edu.

Digital Television (DTV) Transition

In 1996, Congress passed a law that all over-the-air broadcast stations must cease broadcasting in analog format and begin broadcasting in digital format. The date for this "DTV" transition is February 17, 2009. As of that date, no TV station in the country will broadcast in analog. If your analog TV is hooked up to cable or another video service, your ability to watch local broadcast TV signals will not be affected. If your TV is not connected to cable and receives a picture with "rabbit ears" or a rooftop antenna, it will stop receiving signals on February 17, 2009. You will need to purchase a new digital TV, buy a converter box, or connect your current television to cable or another video service provider. Congress required the Department of Commerce to provide government coupons worth $40 to individuals who need to buy converter boxes that retail from $40 to $70. Each household may receive up to two coupons. For information on receiving the coupon, go to https://www.dtv2009.gov/

For more information on the Digital Television Transition, visit: www.dtv.gov

Legislative Updates

AB 2282 (Carter)
Fiscal Independence for San Bernardino County Office of Education

AB 2282 establishes fiscal independence for the San Bernardino County Office of Education by providing an unprecedented opportunity to secure the long-term support of the County of San Bernardino in a state, local government and education agency partnership. Given the current fiscal constraints faced by the state, this opportunity to secure local funding for an education agency should not be missed.

AB 2648 (Carter, Bass and Furutani)
Statewide Master Plan for Career Technical Education

AB 2648 requires the California Department of Education, commencing July 1, 2009, in conjunction with other departments, agencies, and stakeholders to develop a five-year plan to expand multiple pathways programs to prepare students for careers and college.

Multiple Pathway programs are multi-year, comprehensive high school programs that engage and motivate students by connecting academics to real-world applications. The programs are organized around a broad theme, interest area or industry sector (e.g., biomedical and health sciences, construction and building design, agriculture and renewable resources, arts, media and entertainment, performing and visual arts, international studies, and social justice). The programs ensure that all students are prepared for a full range of postsecondary options.

This measure balances the need to meet workforce demands without restricting an individual's personal choice, thereby allowing that individual to retain his/her skill competitiveness in the face of various economic trends or an individual's desire to transition between careers to meet changing personal obligations.

AB 3019 (Carter and Lieber)
Parolees with Disabilities

AB 3019 requires the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to create a Developmentally Disabled Prisoner Program to identify inmates who are eligible for services under the Lanterman Act and create an administrative plan to monitor each individual to ensure that they are identified and receiving services from the appropriate regional center.

Carter in the Community

New Cell Phone Laws Take Effect

Assembly Member Carter reminds all motorists that there are two new vehicle laws going into effect this July 1 that affect all California drivers! The first law prohibits all drivers from using a handheld wireless telephone while operating a motor vehicle. Drivers may use a hands-free device, such as a Bluetooth device or the speaker function on a cell phone while operating a vehicle, but are prohibited from using a push-to-talk function while driving. The second law prohibits all drivers under the age of 18 from using any wireless telephone or hands-free device while operating a motor vehicle.

If drivers are caught violating these laws, penalties range from fines of $20 for the first offense, with additional offenses costing $50. Officers may still pull over drivers who appear distracted while driving, and the CHP advises that all drivers should avoid text messaging or engaging in other activities that distract drivers from safely operating a vehicle.

The new laws are intended prevent car accidents that are the result of distracted driving. The CHP reports that using a cell phone while driving has been linked to higher rates of traffic collisions.

The California Highway Patrol has more information regarding this law at http://www.chp.ca.gov/pdf/media/cell_phone_faq.pdf

If you have any questions or concerns regarding this new law, please contact my district office or visit my website.