Representing the 14th District

SACRAMENTO - Statement from Assemblywoman Susan A. Bonilla (D-Concord) on today’s key actions by the Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Education Finance on the Governor’s proposed budget for 2013-14:

“The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance took action today on two underfunded areas that need higher priority in the Governor’s proposed budget. I voted to approve $1.5 billion for Common Core professional development and technology upgrades for California schools – an increase from the Governor’s original $1 billion proposal that was announced last week in his revised 2013-14 state budget. Our students deserve this opportunity to be challenged by standards that require analytical thinking, and this targeted use of one time money provides educators with the tools to advance instruction and integrate technology into the learning environment.

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SACRAMENTO - Statement from Assemblywoman Susan A. Bonilla (D-Concord) on the Governor's release today of the revised 2013-14 state budget, which includes $1 billion to implement the Common Core State Standards for education:

"The infusion of at least a billion dollars for Common Core professional development and technology upgrades, into California schools, means we are positioned to transition to a successful twenty-first century model of education. Our students deserve this opportunity to be challenged by standards that require analytical thinking, and this targeted use of one time money provides educators with the tools to advance instruction and integrate technology into the learning environment.

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Assemblywoman Susan A. Bonilla and Assemblymember Jim Frazier invite residents to come out and take the Next 10 California Budget Challenge on May 16 at 5:00 pm at Los Medanos College in Pittsburg.

Assemblymembers Bonilla and Frazier represent the cities of East Contra Costa County and are working collaboratively with the Los Medanos Political Science Department, Professor Milton Clarke, and Next 10, an independent, nonpartisan organization, to present the Interactive Budget Workshop, “The California Budget Challenge.” This simulation allows participants to make tough choices that state lawmakers face in trying to balance the state’s $90 billion general fund budget.

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Top administrator admits tunnels won’t save the Delta

SACRAMENTO—Amid calls from California's Congressional delegation for the resignation of Governor Brown's leader of the Bay Delta Conservation Plan to build two massive tunnels beneath the Delta, state legislators today asked for an immediate halt to all efforts to implement the project to export more Northern California water south under the guise of saving the imperiled Delta.

While speaking with Tom Stokely of the California Water Impact Network (C-WIN) at a meeting with Northern California's Native American Tribes on Monday, April 15, Natural Resources Agency Deputy Director Jerry Meral said, "BDCP is not about, and has never been about saving the Delta. The Delta cannot be saved."

In response, the following statement was signed by Senators Lois Wolk (D-Davis), Mark DeSaulnier (D-Concord), Senate Majority Leader Ellen Corbett (D-East Bay), and Assembly Members Susan Bonilla (D-Concord), Joan Buchanan (D-Alamo), Susan Eggman (D-Stockton), Jim Frazier (D-Oakley), Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley), Mariko Yamada (D-Davis):

"Recent comments made by the top administrator of the proposed Delta tunnels plan only serve to confirm what many have known for some time, that the poorly named Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP) is not really designed to save the Delta, but is primarily focused on exporting more water from the North to the South, in clear defiance of the legally mandated co-equal goals that include water supply reliability and Delta restoration, as well as reduced reliance on the Delta.  Dr. Meral's comments, made in a rare moment of candor in a remote location, reveal why northern California communities have been locked out of the development of this plan, and why more thoughtful and affordable alternatives have been repeatedly brushed aside.  Dr. Meral told the truth, and while his resignation may be appropriate, the far bigger problem is the BDCP itself, and the rush to push it through without full public review, legislative approval, or oversight by anyone other than the water contractors behind it.  Accordingly, we state legislators call for an immediate halt and reassessment of the entire BDCP process. It's time to reassert the proper legislative role in the most significant water project proposal of the 21st century."

A much-disputed daily fee for families with children in state-funded preschool programs likely will be removed from next year's state budget over concerns it has kept families from enrolling.

Assembly Member Susan Bonilla, D-Concord, who chairs the budget subcommittee on education finance, said the fee, which was added to the budget last year to help offset state costs, was a mistake.

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SAN FRANCISCO -- A majority of Californians support the governor's proposal to give more money to school districts with a high percentage of low-income and English learner students, a new survey shows.

"Many Californians believe that student achievement will improve if we allocate more state money to disadvantaged students," said Mark Baldassare, president and CEO of the Public Policy Institute of California, or PPIC, which released the survey results Wednesday. "Still, most residents also say that we need to use existing funds more wisely to improve schools."

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SACRAMENTO- Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla (D-Concord) announced today that she has been named the 2012 Legislator of the Year by the California Association of County Veterans Service Officers. The award acknowledges Bonilla’s leadership in the Assembly, her authorship of legislation to increase resources for County Service Offices, and her longstanding support of veterans.

“I am honored to be recognized by the California Association of County Veterans Service Officers,” said Bonilla. “It is important that the Legislature focus on supporting veterans as California has the largest population of veterans in the nation with over 37,000 veterans returning to California each year.” Elected to the Legislature in 2010, Assemblywoman Bonilla has always considered supporting veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces as one of her top priorities. During the 2012 legislative session, she introduced AB 1550 which was signed into law by Governor Brown to provide additional revenue to County Veteran Service Offices (CVSOs).

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SACRAMENTO – Assemblywoman Susan A. Bonilla (D-Concord) has introduced a bill that would include the Department of Motor Vehicles’ (DMV) Investigations Division among the government agencies authorized to access Employment Development Department (EDD) records.  This access would aid DMV in investigations of crimes associated with identity theft, counterfeiting, and consumer fraud.

“Identity theft has become rampant in our digital age and providing useful resources to law enforcement investigators can help prevent fraud and apprehend suspects,” said Assemblywoman Bonilla. That is why it is vital that Department of Motor Vehicles Investigations Division is provided this investigative tool to help in their efforts to expeditiously investigate crimes associated with identify theft, counterfeiting, and consumer fraud.”

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SACRAMENTO – Assemblywoman Susan A. Bonilla (D-Concord) has introduced a bill that will create equity in the field of medical research compensation by removing the prohibition on compensation for women participating in egg donation for medical research.  All other research subjects are compensated for their time, trouble, and inconvenience involved in participating in research.  The proposed legislation would ensure that women are treated equally to all other research subjects - allowing them to actively evaluate their participation in research studies.

“It is time to let women, just as any other research subject, make an informed decision as to participation, and justly compensate them for doing so,” said Assemblywoman Bonilla. “AB 926 will create equity in the field of medical research compensation by removing the prohibition on compensation for women participating in egg donation for medical research."

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SACRAMENTO - Statement from Assemblywoman Susan A. Bonilla (D-Concord) on her appointment by Speaker John A. Pérez to chair the “Assembly Select Committee on Increasing the Integration of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math in Education in California K-14 Schools:

“In order to compete and succeed in the 21st Century economy, it is essential for students to excel in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). STEM-based curriculum can improve educational outcomes of all students, support students’ progress toward higher education and prepare students for success in the workplace. The goal of this Select Committee is to work toward providing all students in our public schools access to engaging, project–based STEM education programs. Greater integration of STEM in our classrooms will ultimately enable California to more successfully compete in the global economy.

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