Thursday, February 11, 2016

"Financial Aid Workshops" Speaker of the Assembly Toni G. Atkins of Sacramento and San Diego, California, United States for Thursday, 11 February 2016

"Financial Aid Workshops" Speaker of the Assembly Toni G. Atkins of Sacramento and San Diego, California, United States for Thursday, 11 February 2016

Attend a Financial Aid Workshop
Dear Friends,

Not sure you can afford college? California offers two ways to help you and your family pay for school:
Cal Grant Financial Aid Program - Guarantees financial aid based on need to every qualified student who applies.
Middle Class Scholarship - Significantly reduces fees at the California State University and University of California for families who qualify.
In order to qualify, students must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application by March 2, 2016.
The California Student Aid Commission is offering free workshops to help students complete their application. At these workshops, advisors will be available to discuss financial aid opportunities and assist students with completing the FAFSA. Below is a list of upcoming workshops. Visit my website for more information.
Local Cash for College Workshops
Saturday, February 20
9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Hoover High School
4474 El Cajon Boulevard.
San Diego, California 92115, United States

Saturday, February 27
9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Mission Bay High School
2475 Grand Avenue
San Diego, California 92109, United States

Warmly,

Toni G. Atkins
Speaker of the Assembly
78th Assembly District
P.S. Social media is a great way to connect with my office! Use the icon below to like my page on Facebook.

Website: http://www.asmdc.org/speakerEmail: Speaker Toni G. Atkins
Capitol Office:
State Capitol
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, California 94249-0078, United States
Tel: (916) 319-2078
Fax: (916) 319-2178
District Office:1350 Front Street
Room 6054
San Diego, California 92101, United States
Tel: (619) 645-3090
Fax: (619) 645-3094
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"February eNews" Speaker of the Assembly Toni G. Atkins of Sacramento and San Diego, California, United States

February eNews
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Check out my February newsletter to get information on tax assistance, help filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), learn more about the historic Hotel del Coronado, and get the scoop on fun family events in your area.
IN THIS ISSUE:

Warmly,

Toni G. Atkins
Speaker of the Assembly
78th Assembly District

WildCoast co-founder and Imperial Beach Mayor Serge Dedina joined me at the Capitol for a meeting. I love seeing my local fellow San Diegans in Sacramento!
P.S. Social media is a great way to connect with my office! Use the icon below to like my page on Facebook.
 
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eNewsletters
February 2016 eNews

Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Check out my February newsletter to get information on tax assistance, help filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), learn more about the historic Hotel del Coronado, and get the scoop on fun family events in your area.

IN THIS ISSUE:
WildCoast co-founder and Imperial Beach Mayor Serge Dedina joined me at the Capitol for a meeting. I love seeing my local fellow San Diegans in Sacramento!
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A Note from Toni
Last month, the Assembly passed HR 33, a resolution that I co-authored with Assemblymember Mark Stone proclaiming January 22nd to be California Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day.
And on that day, I held an event at the Jacobs Center in Valencia Park aimed at promoting the state’s new Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). I want everyone who’s eligible for this benefit to claim it on their tax return. It’s extra money for the lowest-income workers and their families.
I can tell you from my own experience growing up poor in Virginia how much every little bit helps when it comes to putting better meals on the dinner table and new shoes on the kids’ feet.
I’d like to acknowledge a few of the people who participated in the kick-off on January 22nd; Dr. Shirley Weber (who moved the EITC through the budget process last year), and Joe Sanberg, who has generously funded the outreach campaign CalEITC4me. Also speaking were Mark Cafferty, president and CEO of the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation; Doug Moore, executive director UDW Homecare Providers Union; and Laura Tancredi-Baese, CEO of Home Start. And thanks to everyone who attended.
The federal Earned Income Tax Credit is widely recognized as one of the most effective ways to fight poverty. But too many people who are eligible for the benefit – up to thousands of dollars every year – don’t file for it, not only depriving themselves and their families of money they are entitled to, but also depriving local communities of an economic boost.
Now, many low-income Californians have a second benefit that they can claim, and so we have yet another reason to spread the word and make sure people know how easy it is to get these helpful credits.
The state credit will help roughly 1.5 million low-income working Californians and pump $380 million into local economies throughout the state. Families can get up to roughly $2,600 depending on their number of children and level of income, lifting tens of thousands of people out of poverty.
But for that to happen, people have to know about it. That’s where Joe Sanberg is helping. CalEITC4me is a public-private partnership that is funding a statewide outreach campaign and hosting a website (CalEITCforme.org) that provides all the information people need to find out if they qualify for the state and/or federal EITC and how to claim them.
The state’s economy is rebounding from the recession, but the recovery hasn’t reached all Californians. Wages are still lagging. But the state’s budget is strong, and so in addition to paying down debt, saving more money for a rainy day, and bolstering education, the Legislature is continuing to strengthen the social safety net for those who are struggling.
The state EITC is the cornerstone of those efforts, and an effective way to invest in people. Please help me spread the word.
Warmly,

Toni G. Atkins
Speaker of the Assembly
78th Assembly District
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2016-17 Budget Highlights
Gov. Jerry Brown in January proposed a budget for the next fiscal year. The next step is for the Assembly and Senate to hold budget hearings as we ramp up to negotiations with the Governor later in the spring. Here are some highlights in the Governor’s proposal:
K-12 education
An increase of $3.2 billion statewide, $368-per-pupil more than 2015-16.
This includes $2.8 billion to implement the Local Control Funding Formula, an increase of 5.4% over FY15-16.
In addition, the budget provides $1.2 billion to pay down debt owed to schools for state education mandates, consistent with the overall goal of paying down the wall of debt while building reserves. The funding is unrestricted.
$7.3 million in Prop. 47 savings to reduce truancy and help students at risk of dropping out or who are crime victims.
Higher education
The budget provides CSU and UC with enough money to avoid tuition increases for California students.
Thousands more California students will be enrolled in both CSU and UC.
10,000 more California students will be enrolled at UC campuses over next three years.
The budget fully funds the next phase of the Middle Class Scholarship, reducing CSU and UC fees by 30% for middle- and lower-income families.
Enough funding for 50,000 additional students at community colleges – including an estimated 1,750 new students at San Diego colleges.
This budget creates the Strong Workforce Program at community colleges, the largest investment in workforce training in recent memory.
Public Safety
$10 million to help local law enforcement combat racial profiling.
Funds a new “Court Innovation Grant Program” with $30 million to promote and reward creative ways to improve public access to justice.
This budget is the first to realize savings from Prop. 47—tens of millions of dollars every year that will be spent on helping keep people out of incarceration.
$15.2 million to expand access to addiction treatment in 11 institutions that currently don’t provide it. This will help former inmates stay out of trouble.
$25 million to help local governments create reentry housing.
Healthcare
Fully funds CA’s implementation of the Affordable Care Act, providing many more residents access to medical care. Nearly 790,000 Californians have been newly enrolled in Medi-Cal since FY 14-15.
Nearly $170 million in increased federal and state funding to help counties enroll eligible residents in Medi-Cal.
Includes part of the $6.2 billion in federal funding that will be coming to California for healthcare during the next five years (Medi-Cal 2020 Waiver).
Provides funding to shore up early detection of, and response to, infectious-disease outbreaks--$1.6 million.
Implements the package of bills passed last year to finally create a sensible system to license and regulate medical-marijuana providers.
Social Services
State Supplementary Program: $40.7 million cost-of-living increase for the elderly and disabled.
$17 monthly increase for individuals when combined with increase in federal SSI grant, $31 for couples. These payments help offset cost for residential care.
Budget envisions extending restoration of 7% cut in IHSS service hours that began last year.
Budget continues to restore safety-net cuts made during the recession for low-income families (an additional $15 million in FY15-16, $17.4 million in FY16-17).
Drought
More than $75 million extra in one-time funds to fight and prevent wildfires.
$5 million to address drinking-water crises in small communities.
More than $18 million to continue the Drought Food Assistance program.
Environment and water
Eight new positions at the Department of Fish and Wildlife to bolster enforcement of the stricter ban on sales of elephant ivory and rhino horn.
$80 million in Prop. 1 funds to suppress dust and expand habitat for migratory birds at the Salton Sea.
$15 million for the California Conservation Corps’ Energy Corps Program to conduct energy audits and install energy-efficiency and water-conservation upgrades in public buildings.
Budget appropriates roughly $563 million toward the Governor’s Water Action Plan, a five-year blueprint for sustainable water management in California.
Transportation
$490 million for local streets and roads.
Cap and Trade
$3.1 billion in spending from the Cap and Trade program includes $400 million for affordable housing and sustainable communities and $200 million for public transit (both ongoing every year), and $1 billion to help the state reduce petroleum use by 50%.
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Where to Get Tax Assistance
Did you know that your family may qualify for free tax preparation services?
Monday, April 18th, is Tax Day. It sounds far off now, but with so many other things going on in life, it can sneak up on you. That isn’t helped by how complicated paying your taxes can seem when you don’t know what you are doing. Fortunately, that’s what VITA is for.
VITA, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, provides free tax assistance for some full-time California residents. It’s geared toward assisting those with limited English speaking ability, low income workers, and disabled persons. Additionally, there’s Tax Counseling for the Elderly, which provides specialized assistance for older taxpayers.
Much of VITA’s work is done by volunteers. All materials needed for volunteering are online, including the tests you need to pass. Anyone can volunteer.
To learn more about the program or to sign up to volunteer:
https://www.ftb.ca.gov/individuals/vita/index.shtml
To learn about locations in San Diego where you can go to get help with your taxes:
https://211sandiego.communityos.org/zf/taxonomy/detail/id/583458
And remember, VITA can help you determine if you qualify for the state’s new Earned Income Tax Credit, or the federal EITC. For more see page 1.
Don’t forget to bring the following documents to your VITA appointment:
Valid photo identification
Valid Social Security Card / ITIN letter
Birth dates for primary, secondary, and dependents on the tax return
Wage and earning statement(s) Form W-2, W-2G, 1099-R, from all employers
Bank routing number and account number for direct deposit (your bank checkbook)
College Tuition Document (Form 1098-T), Student Loan Interest Form (1098-E), if applicable
To claim the California Renter's Credit, bring your landlord's name, address, and phone number
Total amount paid for daycare, if applicable
Daycare provider's identifying number, if applicable
Form 1095A if insurance was purchased through the marketplace
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Meet the Regulators: the Coastal Commission
A few years ago, I set out to help the California Coastal Commission ensure that members of the public continue to enjoy unfettered access to the beach up and down the coast.
One of the problems was that even though state law requires such access, for decades it’s been difficult, time-consuming and cumbersome for the Coastal Commission to enforce the law when beachfront property owners put up barriers or discouraging signage.
I authored a bill that would, among other things, allow the Commission to impose administrative fines on scofflaw property owners; unfortunately, the bill never reached the Governor’s desk. But the issue was too important—I refused to give up. So, in 2014, shortly after I became Speaker, I fought successfully to give the Commission that authority through the budget process.
Eighteen months later, the folks at the Commission tell me that they consider that action to be the most important amendment to the California Coastal Act in the past 20 years or so. It turns out that for the most part, fines don’t need to be levied—just the threat of a penalty leads to resolution. That makes me feel great! I’m very proud of the accomplishment, and so happy to have been in a position to help the public.
Providing unimpeded access to California’s breathtaking coastline is the driving force behind the Coastal Commission and the Coastal Act, the landmark 1976 law that serves as the basis for its mission and its work. The guiding principle is that the shoreline belongs to everyone.
The Coastal Act, in turn, was the result of a ballot proposition four years earlier that activists fought valiantly to convince the voters to pass. Those activists were worried that without intervention, special interests would effectively wall off the 1,100-mile coastline with scaled up development in the post-war growth boom and only the wealthy would be able to enjoy it.
The law gave the Commission the authority to approve development projects in a carefully mapped coastal zone; under it, project applicants must maintain adequate shoreline access. The goal was for city and county governments to pass their own so-called Local Coastal Plan (LCP), adhering to the overarching Coastal Act, so that most development decisions are made locally.
Today, 86% of the coastal zone is covered by a certified LCP, and local governments in those areas are issuing coastal permits. Some of those permits are appealable to the 12-member Coastal Commission, whose members are appointed in equal measure by the Governor, the Senate Rules Committee, and the Speaker of the Assembly. It’s been my honor to appoint one new commissioner during my two years as speaker, and reappoint another.
You might not know the name Peter Douglas, but as the author of the ballot measure that led to the Commission’s creation and the Commission’s executive director from 1985 to 2011, he’s arguably one of the most important figures in California history, at least in terms of environmental stewardship. He passed away in 2012.
Owing to his leadership role, Mr. Douglas was no stranger to controversy, and neither is the Commission. While the lion’s share of permit applications are noncontroversial, high-profile decisions have often taken center stage in the news. That’s no surprise: California’s coastline is some of the most valuable property in the world, and there’s a lot of money at stake when it comes to big development proposals.
As the Commission celebrates the 40th anniversary of the California Coastal Act in 2016, the agency finds itself in the middle of one of the major issues of our time: climate change. Last August, the Commission adopted the Sea Level Policy Guidance document to give an overview of the science surrounding sea-level rise and help local communities plan for it. The project is a particular passion of Executive Director Charles Lester, who succeeded Peter Douglas in 2011.
That document and information on all of the Commission’s work can be found athttp://www.coastal.ca.gov/.
If you’re lucky enough to have some time to visit the coast sometime soon, and you’re anywhere from just north of Ventura on up to the Big Sur area—the Central Coast—you’ll see a vast example of the Coastal Commission’s legacy. Much of that area has been largely unchanged during the past half-century, save for some vineyards replacing cattle grazing.All that beauty can be easy to take for granted until you think about all the hard work it’s taken to preserve it. We owe the Coastal Commission, Executive Director Lester, staff, and Commissioners a debt of gratitude for protecting our coastline – and preserving our natural resources and California’s legacy.
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Cash for College
California’s students have the right to affordable, quality education. In fact, it’s part of California’s Master Plan for Education. That’s why we have programs like the Cal Grant and Middle Class Scholarship to help families afford some of the finest universities in the country.
Unfortunately, many families don’t take advantage of these programs. That’s why the California Student Aid Commission hosts Cash for College workshops. These workshops are held across the state and help students and families fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and Cal Grant GPA Verification Form, which are time-consuming and often confusing to many first-generation college students.
Below is a list of Cash for College workshops in the area:
Saturday, February 6th, 9 a.m. to noon
Morse High School, 6905 Skyline Drive, San Diego
El Camino High School, 400 Rancho Del Oro Drive, Oceanside
Montgomery High School, 3250 Palm Ave., San Diego
Saturday, February 20th, 9 a.m. to noon
El Cajon Valley High School, 1035 E Madison Ave., El Cajon
Hoover High School, 4474 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego
CSU San Marcos, 333 S. Twin Oaks Valley Road, San Marcos
Chula Vista High School, 820 Fourth Ave., Chula Vista
Saturday, February 27th, 9 a.m. to noon
Mission Bay High School, 2475 Grand Ave., San Diego
Orange Glen High School, 2200 Glenridge Road, Escondido
Eastlake High School, 1120 Eastlake Pkwy., Chula Vista
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The Hotel del Coronado’s Hollywood and Political Connections
There’s possibly no greater connection to Hollywood – outside of Hollywood itself – than the Hotel del Coronado. Located in the city of Coronado, the Hotel Del is situated right on the water, ensuring great views and ease of access for guests.
When the Hotel del Coronado opened in 1888, it stood out as one of the U.S.’s premier destination resorts. It’s no wonder why Hotel Del has also served as a major filming location for movies throughout the years. In the late 1890s, the Edison Moving Picture Company filmed short documentaries, beginning the hotel’s connection to the film industry. Perhaps the most famous film to be shot at the hotel was the 1959 classic Some Like It Hot, featuring Marilyn Monroe.

Maiden and Men (1912)
The Married Virgin (1918)
Beyond the Rocks (1922)
My Husband’s Wives (1924)
The Coast of Folly (1925)
The Flying Fleet (1929)
Yours for the Asking (1936)
Some Like It Hot (1959)
Wicked, Wicked (1973)
The Stunt Man (1980)
Loving Couples (1980)
K-9 (1989)
My Blue Heaven (1990)
Mr. Wrong (1996)

In addition to its Hollywood connection, the Hotel Del has a political connection; it’s hosted Presidents Benjamin Harrison, William H. Taft, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard M. Nixon, Gerald R. Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George H. Bush and Bill Clinton.
Hotel Del has also hosted many television shows. The luxury, refinement, beautiful views, and abundance of activities in the area ensures the longevity of the venerable locale as a leisurely seaside resort, celebrity playground, and filming location.
For more information about Hotel del Coronado’s Hollywood Connection, visit:http://hoteldel.com/press/hollywood-connection/.
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Valentine’s Day in the District
The beginning of February is when couples start thinking about how best to show their love on Valentine’s Day. Not surprisingly, San Diego has been ranked as one of the most romantic cities in the country. Fortunately, we have many beautiful – and free! – options for celebrating, and several of these romantic spots are in my district.
Many of them also have been cited as some of the top places for couples, in media outlets like USA Today, NBC San Diego and the San Diego Union-Tribune. Here are some of the top choices:
Enjoy the sunset at the Glide Port over Black's Beach or at Sunset Cliffs in Ocean Beach.
Visit Fletcher Cove Beach in Solana Beach.
Take in the view at Del Mar Bluffs.
Hike or glide at Torrey Pines.
Look over the city from the Mount Soledad Cross.
Paddle out on Mission Bay.
Stroll through Heritage Park in Old Town.
Picnic under the stars in Balboa Park.
Take a walk through Little Italy.
Walk the Embarcadero to Seaport Village.
View the San Diego skyline from the Coronado Ferry Landing.
Take in the iconic surfboard sculpture and long pier in Imperial Beach.
Visit the Balboa Park Japanese Friendship Garden.
Check out Paradise Point, Heritage Park or the San Diego Museum of Art Outdoor Sculpture Garden.
These are great and beautiful options for enjoying Valentine’s Day and getting to know our great city and region a little better. Have a happy February 14th with your sweetheart!
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V-Day
The United Nations found that worldwide, one in three women will be victimized by physical or sexual violence in their lifetime. A woman is beaten every nine seconds in the United States. One in five women in college will be raped or face attempted rape. The third leading cause for homelessness is domestic violence.
The 2011 California Women’s Health Survey found that approximately 40% of women face violence from an intimate partner and that women 18 to 24 years old were more likely to be victims of violence.
These statistics are disheartening and upsetting. It’s clear that more needs to be done.
On February 14, 1998, Eve Ensler, the writer of the acclaimed play The Vagina Monologues, established the first V-Day to raise awareness about violence against women and girls. Today, V-Day is a worldwide activist movement. On this day, groups around the world will perform The Vagina Monologues and the proceeds will go to local programs that support victims of violence and rape.
V-Day has raised more than $100 million, taken place in 200 countries, and benefited 13,000 community anti-violence programs, and its message has reached more than 1 billion people.
This year, California is supporting these efforts to raise awareness about violence against women. That’s why we’re declaring February 14th to be V-Day. While February 14th is Valentine’s Day, we hope that more people can share the message that no person should ever be a victim of assault or rape.
During my time in the Assembly, I’ve fought for victims of domestic violence. Last year, I authored a bill allowing wireless telephone-service providers – like Verizon and T-Mobile – to transfer the accounts of domestic violence victims away from their abusers.
This is crucial because a cellphone account holder can monitor calls, texts and, potentially, the GPS coordinates of the cellphones covered by that account. Access to a victim’s phone account allows an abuser that much more control over a victim and certainly makes for a dangerous situation when a victim attempts to escape violence in her home.
I’ve also strengthened family justice centers, which give victims better access to services while increasing offender accountability by bringing together law enforcement, medical practitioners, social-service providers, and child-welfare personnel.
Lastly, I’ve amended the family-law code to ensure that victims of sexual violence are not required to pay spousal support to their abusers. While these are some fixes to crucial issues facing victims, it’s important that we continue fighting for their rights so that we eliminate violence against women once and for all.
If you or someone you know is a victim of sexual assault or domestic violence, please contact the resources below:
BridgeHotline & Shelter for Adolescents
3151 Redwood Street, San Diego, CA 92104
(619) 521-3939
Center for Community Solutions Rape Crisis Center
(888) 272-1767
Center for Community Solutions - Legal Clinic for Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault & Stalking Only
(858) 272-1574
Women’s Resource Center
(760) 757-3500 *Accepts collect calls
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February is Black History Month
Black History Month, begun as an answer to a national interest in African-American history, was nationally recognized in 1976 based on efforts made by the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History.

The theme this year is “Hallowed Grounds: Sites of African American Memories.” There are many sites in San Diego that house African-American memories. You can check out the Douglas Hotel’s commemorative plaque on the corner of Second Avenue and Market Street, as well as the Claremont / Coast Hotel, five blocks away on the Northeast Corner of Seventh and Island Avenues.
These two hotels are significant for having accommodated African-American visitors during the Jim Crow era. The Douglas Hotel not only served as the main hotel for African-American visitors; it was also the most important entertainment venue where celebrities such as Billie Holiday, Duke Ellington, and the Mills Brothers preformed and stayed. It was demolished in 1985 and replaced with a mixed-use commercial and residential building.
In contrast, the Claremont / Coast hotel was labeled as the first building designated as an African-American site in San Diego and commemorated with a bronze plaque.
The difference between these two divergent outcomes was an effort led by Karen Huff of the Gaslamp Black Historical Society to reverse the San Diego Historical Resource Board’s determination that the Claremont / Coast hotel had no historical significance. Her research, showing that the hotel is unique and historically significant because it served people of color exclusively, saved it from demolition.
We must continue to learn about African-American history to understand the value and significance of the people and places that shape our communities. This knowledge will help us preserve these significant sites for future generations.
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Accomplishments for Women
Women are the cornerstone of many California families and leaders in sectors as diverse as biotech, hospitality, and education. Unfortunately, gender disparities still exist in the workplace, in healthcare, and in society at large, and women still lack representation in the state Legislature, Congress, and the White House.
Early in my career, I worked in women’s health clinics in San Diego. This firsthand experience inspired me to work in public service as an advocate for women. Promoting women’s health and prosperity has continued to be a central tenet of my legislative agenda throughout my tenure. Some of the actions I’ve taken include:
Increasing access to early abortion by allowing nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, and physician assistants to perform the procedure within the terms of their licenses.
Strengthening family justice centers to give victims of domestic violence, abuse, and human trafficking better access to services while increasing offender accountability by bringing together law-enforcement and medical, social-service, and child-welfare personnel.
Amending family-law code to ensure that victims of sexual violence are not required to pay spousal support to their abusers.
Allowing wireless telephone-service providers to transfer the accounts of domestic-violence victims away from their abusers, thereby giving victims access to possible life-saving resources and emotional support.
Prohibiting the use of the most restrictive and dangerous kinds of shackling, belly chains, and ankle shackles on incarcerated pregnant women and girls.
Protecting immigrant victims of human trafficking, domestic violence, and other crimes by compelling local law enforcement to issue documentation that protects immigrant victims from deportation in cases where they are or could be helpful to law enforcement.
Supporting Women’s Caucus legislation for economic parity, including the California Fair Pay Act.
Securing $500,000 in ongoing funding for the Commission on the Status of Women and Girls.
Creating the Select Committee on the Status of Women and Girls of Color.
Budget actions that help support women and strengthen families including access to childcare, CalWorks, the Affordable Care Act, the state Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), increasing funding for K-12 education and community colleges, expanding Medi-Cal eligibility for pregnant women, allocating funds for victims of human trafficking, and increasing the minimum wage.
I know that supporting women’s health and economic prosperity creates better opportunities not only for women, but also for families and entire communities. Issues that women face will continue to be a top priority for me.
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Heart Health Month
February is Heart Health Month! Healthy heart awareness has never been more important in our society, as heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. Fortunately, there are a variety of ways Americans can take action and prevent heart disease, and just being aware of the dangers of heart disease and actively trying to change unhealthful habits is a great start.
One tip for avoiding heart disease is to not smoke or use tobacco products. Abstaining from smoking and avoiding secondhand smoke greatly reduces risks. Other important aspects of heart health relate to diet and exercise. Studies show that dietary factors and regular exercise habits influence our heart health, so it is important to incorporate good habits for both into our daily lives. From a dietary standpoint, it is important to consume plenty of foods that are good for your heart, such as fruits, vegetables, beans, and low-fat dairy. It is also important to reduce consumption of both sodium and unsaturated fats, as they have been linked to heart attacks and strokes.
Staying active also greatly reduces the risk of heart disease, as it helps moderate stress, reduce blood pressure, and decrease the chance of forming blood clots – all of which are factors related to heart disease.
Creating healthful heart habits does not mean that major lifestyle changes to your diet or exercise regimen are necessary. Small changes, like using herbs and spices instead of salt to season food or simply walking several times a week, can help improve one’s overall heart health. Keep your heart healthy this February by using these tips, from minimizing sodium intake to avoiding tobacco, and spend this February reducing the chance of heart disease.
San Diegans are lucky; we’ve got so many scenic places for walks! From Balboa Park to the beaches, there’s no shortage of locations to take in the view while staying healthy. Check out my guide for all the great places to get active in the area from last month’s newsletter.
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Helping a New Mom
We want to be there for local residents when they need to understand how to find the support they need from state agencies.
Our district office staff guides constituents in their dealings with a variety of agencies, from Covered California and the Employment Development Department to the Department of Consumer Affairs and the Franchise Tax Board.
In one such case last month, a woman on maternity leave had experienced months of delays gaining access to her state disability insurance benefits.
By the time she contacted us after a few rounds of unsuccessful claims, she was struggling, having gone without income for several weeks. We helped her take the next steps, assisting her in submitting the proper documents for a wage investigation.
It proved successful. The new mother was not only granted benefits; she also received payments back-dated to when she first filed her claim.
If you find you need help getting answers or results from a state agency or department, please call our office at (619) 645-3090. You’ll be referred to one of our field reps, who maintain contact with all of our key state agencies. They will be happy to offer any guidance they can to try and resolve your issue.
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Around the District

Top: Ran into student leaders Guillermo Rogel, Jr. and Christina Guimera from UC Santa Cruz at the airport; Center and right, I spoke and attended the San Diego Human Trafficking Awareness Rally.
Middle: My staff and I chose to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a day of service by supporting LGBTQ homeless youth with the San Diego Human Rights Campaign and San Diego Youth Services; I joined Assemblymember Shirley Weber for the Martin Luther King Day Parade; at the San Diego AIPAC dinner.Bottom: We celebrated officers for their fine work in the past year and wished the best to new ones stepping in at the San Diego Realtors dinner; The 2016 All Peoples Celebration had some all-stars honoring Dr. King, including Rep. Susan Davis, Assemblymember Shirley Weber, Chula Vista Mayor Mary Salas and City Councilmembers David Alvarez and Todd Gloria. ---------------------
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ContactWebsite: http://www.asmdc.org/speakerEmail: Speaker Toni G. Atkins
Capitol Office:
State Capitol
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, California 94249-0078, United States
Tel: (916) 319-2078
Fax: (916) 319-2178
District Office:1350 Front Street
Room 6054
San Diego, California 92101, United States
Tel: (619) 645-3090
Fax: (619) 645-3094---------------------
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