January eNews
Hello Again,
Everyone should be aware of new laws in the New Year. Check out the list of new laws that will be enacted on January 1st, 2015. The work we do in the Legislature has a profound effect on the lives of all Californians and it's important that our citizens are kept informed.
 IN THIS ISSUE:
IN THIS ISSUE:
A Note from Toni –
The New Year is upon us – as we reflect on the past year and celebrate our accomplishments, we also dream of the future and set resolutions to make 2015 an even happier, healthier year.
We in the State Assembly are also creating our New Year's resolutions and deciding on legislative priorities which aim to make California even more prosperous in 2015.
It was a great year—with historic water legislation, a rainy day fund to end the boom and bust of revenue cycles, and a balanced budget that once again invests in human services and infrastructure; we worked to make vast improvements in the lives of Californians.
We intend to carry this momentum forward into the New Year.
- We are resolved to support businesses so they can make bigger and stronger investments in California and create more good-paying jobs for Californians.
- We are resolved to provide for California's veterans by increasing access to support services and veterans housing.
- We are resolved to keep our world-class public universities affordable for all California families.
- And we are resolved to expand access to affordable housing and fair wages, so that no California families have to struggle with homelessness and poverty. After all, no Californian who works a full time job should be living in poverty.
California needs a strong economy, a healthy business climate, affordable education, good jobs, and opportunities for all. We in the State Assembly are committed to building a state where it is safe, healthy, and affordable to live, work, and raise a family.
As a member of the Assembly, I have been given the amazing opportunity to help shape a stronger, brighter future for California. With your support, I believe that we can make 2015 the best year yet, so here is a toast to you and yours!
Warmly,
Toni G. Atkins
Speaker of the Assembly
78th Assembly District
New Laws You Should Know About
 The following is a list of 16 laws being enacted on January 1st, 2015 that you should know about:
AB 1577 (Atkins) – Gender Identity
AB 1577 requires death certificates to reflect the decedent’s gender identity. Under this bill, authorities completing death certificates would be required to record the decedent’s sex consistent to other official documents, such as a birth certificate or driver’s license, if those have been legally changed to reflect a gender transition.
AB 952 (Atkins) – Low Income Housing
AB 952 allows projects in qualified census tracts or difficult to develop areas to receive state low-income housing tax credits, if certain conditions are met.
AB 2413 (John A. Pérez) – Agriculture
AB 2413 creates the Office of Farm to Fork within the California Department of Food and Agriculture. This office will coordinate with state and federal agencies to ensure that California residents have better access to local or regionally produced food. This law streamlines Farm to Fork efforts already in place and promotes more sustainable agricultural products.
AB 1700 (Medina) – Banking and Finance
AB 1700 requires a reverse mortgage lender to provide a prospective borrower with a reverse mortgage worksheet guide before money is loaned. This helps seniors evaluate whether or not a reverse mortgage is appropriate their financial situation. It provides elderly clients with additional time and resources to prevent them from defaulting on their loans down the line.
AB 215 (Buchanan) – Education
AB 215 specifies egregious misconduct against children by including sexual abuse, child abuse, and specific drug crimes. The bill creates a separate hearing process for these crimes and also sets the grounds for dismissal of employees charged with egregious misconduct.
AB 2127 (Cooley) – Education
AB 2127 limits the amount of full-contact football practices at California schools during the preseason and regular season to reduce the occurrence of mild traumatic brain injuries. In addition, an athlete who has sustained a head injury or concussion must complete a supervised return-to-play protocol of at least 7 days before returning to the athletic activity.
AB 2377 (John A. Pérez) – Higher Education
Existing law authorizes California Educational Facilities Authority to borrow money and issue bonds, notes and other obligations. AB 2377 authorizes the Authority to create a state-funded loan loss reserve leveraged by private lenders for the purposes of providing student loan refinancing options. These include loan consolidation, interest rate buy-down, debt restructuring, establishing a loan loss reserve account, and alignment with various federal student loan alternative repayment programs.
AB 219 (Perea) – Health
AB 219 ensures cancer patients can afford oral anticancer treatments that are covered by their health plan or insurance. Unfortunately, oral anticancer treatments are often subject to co-insurance, where the patient must pay a percentage of the cost. High out-of-pocket costs result in patients abandoning oral treatment. This bill requires health insurers to limit patient costs to $200 for a 30-day supply of covered oral anticancer medication.
AB 2171 (Wieckowski) – Elderly
This bill establishes specified rights for residents of privately operated residential care facilities for the elderly to ensure they are treated with dignity. Some of these rights include being granted a reasonable level of personal privacy, medical treatment, personal care and assistance, and confidential treatment of their records and personal information. The bill would also require a facility staff person to personally advise a resident and the resident’s representative of these and other specified rights and to provide them with a written copy of these rights.
Groundwater Bill Package: AB 1739 (Dickinson)/SB 1168 (Pavley) / SB 1319 (Pavley) – Water
Together, these bills require local agencies to review and consider groundwater sustainability plans when adopting or amending a general plan, authorize the State Water Resources Control Board to identify basins that are not managed, or that are managed by deficient plans, and require local agencies to remedy deficient basins. The bills also require all groundwater basins designated as high or medium priority to be regulated by a sustainable groundwater management plan.
AB 1453 (Quirk-Silva) – Veterans
AB 1453 requires the California Department of Veterans Affairs to construct a state owned and operated Southern California Veterans Cemetery in Orange County.
AB 1522 (Gonzalez) – Labor
AB 1522 requires employers to provide paid sick days to employees who work 30 (as of July 1, 2015) or more days within a year from commencement of employment.
AB 60 (Alejo) – Transportation
If someone cannot provide proof that their presence in the United States is authorized by federal law, AB 60 allows that person to receive a California driver's license so long as they can provide proof of their identity.
AB 1217 (Lowenthal) – Elderly
AB 1217 creates the Home Care Services Consumer Protection Act, which requires that home care organizations and their home care aides are licensed and regulated by the state. This law expands oversight to approximately 1,200 privately-funded service agencies and ensures that California’s growing senior population has improved access to quality care from properly screened and trained caregivers.
AB 2188 (Muratsuchi) – Local Government
AB 2188 requires local governments to adopt an ordinance by September 30th, 2015 that streamlines the permitting and inspection process for residential rooftop solar panels. This law continues California’s process of increasing homeowner’s access to solar energy systems both at the local and state levels.
AB 1035 (John A. Pérez) – Local Government
For four years, AB 1035 will extend the time period for families to collect workers’ compensation claims for families of deceased firefighters and police officers up to 420 weeks after an injury, but no more than one year after death.
Upcoming Events in the District
All of January
The Central Library is pleased to present Hiding in Plain Sight: Eight Voices in Contemporary Photography. This exhibition showcases San Diego-based artists using the medium of photography to create diverse and conceptual approaches to image making, using still photographs and video installation as a means of expression.
Museum and Garden Tour
San Diego Chinese Historical Museum, 404 Third Ave, San Diego
Starts at 11 a.m.
Cost: $0-$2
Enjoy a docent-led tour of the San Diego Chinese Historical Museum’s permanent collection and featured exhibit! Museum tours are held the first Saturday of every month at 11:00am. Space is limited and reservations are required. Please RSVP by 3:30pm on the Friday prior to the tour by calling the museum at 619-338-9888. The tour is included with museum admission. For more information, please contact the museum at 619.338.9888 or atinfo@sdchm.org.
History of Navy Seals in Coronado Exhibit
Coronado Museum of History and Art, 1100 Orange Ave., Coronado
Exhibit Hours: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays
Cost: $0-5
Coronado was the birthplace for Navy SEALs and is still, today, a center of SEAL operations. This exhibit has photographs, vivid chronological displays of memorabilia, and actual equipment used in special operations-- past and present.Visitors will discover how the SEALs and Coronado have grown up together. For more information, visit www.coronadohistory.orgor call 619.435.7242.
Fridays in January
Urban Mobile Market
The Headquarters, 789 West Harbor Dr., San Diego
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Free
Food and Fashion Fridays! Check out the Urban Mobile Market in downtown San Diego at The Headquarters in Seaport Village. San Diego’s best food trucks, fashion trucks and mobile businesses every Friday from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 4-7 p.m.! Outdoor games and activities for the family, musicians, furniture for you to sit and enjoy your food, and more.
January 11
Target Free Second Sunday
Children’s Museum, 200 W. Island Ave., San Diego
Free
12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
The New Children's Museum grants free admission on the second Sunday of each month. Sponsored by Target, the free day allows all children and families in the community to enjoy the Museum, and ensure that cost is not a barrier. Every Target Free Second Sunday also includes a variety of activities for children.
 January 27
Shakespeare Open Reading
La Jolla Library, 7555 Draper Ave., La Jolla
Free
6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
The Shakespeare reading of Julius Caesar is sponsored by the San Diego Shakespeare Society. Anyone can join in the reading or just come along to listen. Parts are re-assigned before each scene so everyone who wants to can read. Texts are provided or bring your own. It's fun, interactive, creative, and great public speaking and acting practice.
Trivia Day is January 4th
January 4th is National Trivia Day and in the spirit of the occasion I wanted to point out some interesting facts about the 78th District. Did you know…
- Balboa Park may soon be home to the largest outdoor pipe organ in the world? The Spreckels Organ is second only to Austria’s Kufstein Fortress. But it may not be for much longer. The Spreckels Organ Society is raising money to bring the total number of pipes on the massive instrument to more than 5,000, giving San Diego the top spot.
- A very famous classic rock song was finished in Hillcrest? If San Diego, like New York City or Los Angeles, could identify with a famous song, what would it be? Well, it may not have the city’s name in it, but we must give a nod to the Eagles’ “Peaceful, Easy Feeling” (which, of course, you get in San Diego). Songwriter Jack Tempchin wrote the last verse at an outdoor table at the Der Weinerschnitzel on Washington Street. Don’t believe it? There’s a plaque there to mark the spot.
- The Giant Dipper, the charming wooden rollercoaster in Mission Beach’s Belmont Park, is turning 90 this year – and it’s a U.S. landmark? The coaster was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1987 and is part of the National Register of Historic Places.
- Two films that are timeless classics were shot in the 78th district? The cross-dressing comedy, “Some Like It Hot,” in which Marilyn Monroe frolics on the beach in front of the Hotel del Coronado, and “Citizen Kane,” in which Balboa Park stands in for the grounds of the Florida mansion owned by the film’s media mogul.
Put Snoopy on your License Plate
I joined Assemblymember Ian Calderon (and Snoopy) at the Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento to encourage Californians to buy a Snoopy license plate and support our state’s wonderful museums.
Whether you’re a dog lover, a Peanuts comic strip enthusiast, or a fan of California museums, there’s a way to show it on your license plate.
In 2013 California Governor Jerry Brown signed into law a bill that I wrote creating a special license plate, whose proceeds benefit the California Cultural and Historical Endowment (CCHE) to help museums make badly needed capital improvements.
These new California license plate features Snoopy doing the “happy dance,” an image donated by Jean Schulz, the widow of Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz. The bottom of the plate reads “museums are for everyone.”
Our museums are such an important part of our history and culture—and we have to keep them strong and in place for future generations. Since Snoopy is someone who once had a Van Gogh in his doghouse (until the fire) and later an Andrew Wyeth, museums seem like a natural fit for him to lend his support.
The Department of Motor Vehicles will begin issuing plates once 7,500 are ordered. We currently have fewer than 2,700 to go. Once the plates are in production and people begin to see them on the road, we expect orders to increase exponentially.
The plates start at $50 for a sequential license plate, but you can buy a personalized plate for $98. There’s even a gift certificate option when you go to Snoopyplate.com, which makes for a fun way to surprise a loved one.
When you buy a plate, the proceeds will supply a competitive grant program headed by the CCHE to benefit the state's museums. It’s an entrepreneurial way to provide a new, sustainable source of funding for museums without drawing from the state’s general fund. There are an estimated 1,400 California museums in both rural and urban areas, so your support can be felt close to home and across the state.
Since this year marks the 65th anniversary of Peanuts, and the 50th anniversary of A Charlie Brown Christmas, we’re making a major push for orders so the plates can begin being issued in 2015.
As we begin the new year, let’s encourage even more California art lovers—and Snoopy lovers!—to join the cause by buying a Snoopy license plate to support the arts and sciences in our communities.
Mr. Schultz himself said, “What’s the good of living if you don't try a few things?” So why not put a beagle on your license plate? You’ll be the talk of the highway, and you’ll help our state’s great museums. If you’d like more information about the Snoopy license plates or the Endowment, you can go to www.Snoopyplate.com.
National Blood Donor Month
You never know when you or a loved one might need a life-saving blood transfusion. As a reminder, to honor those who give (and perhaps inspire others to start), January is National Blood Donor Month.
There are multiple blood drives planned in the 78th District during January, including:
- January 2, 1-6:30 p.m., Ripe North Park, 3302 32nd St., North Park
- January 7, 8 a.m.-7:15 p.m., RIMAC Arena, UCSD, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla
- January 11, 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Sacred Heart Church, 4776 Saratoga Ave., Ocean Beach
- January 12, 9:30 a.m.-3:45 p.m., Coronado Police Dept., 700 Orange Ave., Coronado
- January 19, 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m., San Diego Hall of Champions, 2131 Pan American Plaza, Balboa Park
- January 29, 8:30-2:45 p.m., UC Medical Center, 200 W. Arbor Dr., Hillcrest
The San Diego Blood Bank recently announced that their O-negative blood inventory is “critically low.” Officials there say they need 350 components of blood a day to meet the needs of patients in San Diego. (Each time a donor gives, his or her donation is broken down into multiple components for certain patients, for instance, platelets for those with leukemia or plasma for people who need help with proper blood clotting – so just one unit of blood can go a long way.)
If you’re going to donate though, it’s best to prepare a bit. According to the blood bank, remember to eat low-fat and iron-rich foods prior to going to the blood bank and drink a lot of fluids before and afterward. Here are other tips for donating.
#GetCovered Today
Covered California’s 2015 open enrollment period is currently underway. Don’t forget that the deadline to enroll is February 15th, 2015.
If you weren’t looking to make changes to your plan, then great news – plans were automatically renewed on December 15th. Be aware, though – plans have changed so you should check yours for any updates.
Covered California is the state’s health care marketplace that opened last year under the Affordable Care Act. During the first open enrollment period, 1.4 million Californians signed up for health care, indicating that the system is working and the demand and need for affordable health care is strong.
Covered California officials hope to increase enrollment, fix issues that consumers faced during the first open enrollment period and simplify the renewal process.
Health care is a necessity we cannot ignore – make sure that you and your loved ones are covered today.
To learn more or apply for coverage, please visit www.coveredca.com today. The website contains a wealth of information on plan options, community organizations that can assist you with enrolling, and costs.
Celebrities and politicians are using social media to urge everyone to #GetCovered:
Get a Flu Shot – It’s Not Too Late!
 Each year, more than 200,000 people are hospitalized because of the flu or flu-related complications. One simple way to protect yourself is to get a flu shot.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that everyone above the age of six months should receive a flu shot every year. Since the virus changes over time, it is important that you receive an annual flu vaccination to keep yourself protected.
The elderly, pregnant women, people with diabetes, asthma, lung or heart disease are groups who are especially at risk of complications from the flu.
The flu vaccination doesn’t have to be administered through a shot – another option is the nasal spray vaccine, which is a painless alternative. Unlike the shot, the spray uses live viruses, so it is only an option for those who are 2 to 49 years old and are not pregnant. For those over the age of 65, it is recommended that you receive a higher-dose flu shot, which provides greater protection.
The flu vaccine is available at pharmacies, doctor’s offices, community events, and even some workplaces. To learn more or find a flu vaccine location near you, please visitwww.flu.gov today.
San Diego Futures Foundation’s IT Technician Pathway Program
San Diego Futures Foundation/YouTube
A City Heights program is giving a tech boost to young people in need of job training – and best of all, it’s free and ready to begin this winter.
Young men and women who are out of school are eligible for the San Diego Futures Foundation’s IT Technician Pathway program, which includes training in how to become a computer support technician, along with test preparation to become CompTIA A+ certified.
The course also includes career guidance to create a resume and learn how to behave professionally.
Paid internships of about 150 hours are available as well.
The foundation will accept applications until about a week before the start of the latest cycle of the program, which will kick off in late January.
So if you or someone you know would like to try your hand at helping those befuddled by the latest computer or gadget, here are the requirements. Young people must:
- Be age 17 to 21.
- Be from metro San Diego.
- Not be enrolled in any other educational program. Those who have dropped out of high school or have GED’s will be considered.
- Be available for up to nine months, with classes set for mornings Monday-Thursday.
- Have faced some type of obstacle, whether related to education, income or family difficulties.
Around the Capitol
Last month, Assemblymembers took the Oath of Office in the Assembly Chamber at the Capitol. I was elected to another term as Speaker and 27 new Assemblymembers began their first day in office.
Around the District
Pearl Harbor Veteran Al Bodenlos passed away in November at 94. In June, we honored him at the Capitol as a California Veteran of the Year. On December 7th, we honored him with a wreath placed at the USS Arizona Memorial—in memory of those who lost their lives at Pearl Harbor, and Al Bodenlos, who spent a lifetime ensuring they were not forgotten.
Last month, Assemblymembers Lorena Gonzalez, Dr. Shirley Weber and I hosted the Holidays Around the World Giftraiser to benefit Promises2kids and the Polinsky Children’s Center Foundation. I was glad to see such a great turnout for such an important cause.
 On December 8th, I had the honor of swearing-in Kevin Beiser to his second term on the San Diego Unified School District board.
Proud to stand by Councilman David Alvarez for his inauguration, and glad to see him continue his efforts in bringing social, economic, and environmental justice to the people of San Diego.
I met with the hard-working leadership team for the Campaign to End Homelessness in Downtown, which includes government representatives and public and private sector service providers, all who work hard to serve this vulnerable population.
Mobile Office Hours
Tuesday, January 6
4 to 5 p.m.
Central Library
Mary Hollis Clark Conference Center
330 Park Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92101
Wednesday, January 7
6 to 7 p.m.
University Heights Library
4193 Park Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92103
Thursday, January 8
10 to 11 a.m.
Solana Beach County Library
Earl Warren Middle School
157 Stevens Ave.
Solana Beach, CA 92075
Thursday, January 8
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Del Mar County Library
1309 Camino Del Mar
Del Mar, CA 92014
Wednesday, January 14
1 to 2 p.m.
North Park Library
3795 31st Street
San Diego, CA 92104
Tuesday, January 20
4 to 5 p.m.
University Community Branch Library
4155 Governor Drive
San Diego, CA 92122
Tuesday, January 20
5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Pacific Beach Library
4275 Cass Street
San Diego, CA 92109
Thursday, January 22
4 to 5 p.m.
La Jolla/Riford Library
7555 Draper Avenue
La Jolla, CA 92037
Saturday, January 24
10 to 11 a.m.
Coronado Library
640 Orange Ave.
Coronado, CA 92118
Wednesday, January 28
12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
Pt. Loma/Hervey Library
3701 Voltaire Street
San Diego, CA 92107
Wednesday, January 28
5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
North Park Library
3795 31st Street
San Diego, CA 92104
Thursday, January 29
5 to 6 p.m.
Imperial Beach County Library
810 Imperial Beach Blvd.
Imperial Beach, CA 91932
Contact
Capitol Office:
State Capitol
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0078
Tel: (916) 319-2078
Fax: (916) 319-2178
District Office:
1350 Front St., Room 6054
San Diego, CA 92101
Tel: (619) 645-3090
Fax: (619) 645-3094
Warmly,
Toni G. Atkins
Speaker of the Assembly
78th Assembly District |
No comments:
Post a Comment