Representing the 20th District

Assemblymember Wieckowski was proud to honor Newark Junior High School teacher Tom Collett as one of the California Department of Education's "Teachers of the Year" in 2012.

Mr. Collett taught Earth Science for 17 years at Newark Memorial High School. The 2010-11 school year was his first at Newark Junior High School, where he currently teaches eighth grade science.

An eclectic mix of magician and scientist, Mr. Collett keeps his students actively engaged through a treasure trove of strategies that include hands-on learning and the use of new educational technology, like a student response system where responses to questions are sent directly to his computer.

Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson said of Collett, "Tom is a wonderfully effective teacher who employs a wide array of teaching techniques tailored to increase student motivation, achievement, and engagement. I appreciate his remarkable ability to prepare students for an increasingly competitive, scientific world."

Collett earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Performance with a minor in Biology from San Jose State University, and a Clear Single Subject Credential in Physical Education with Supplementary Authorization in Introductory Science.

Assemblymember Wieckowski would like to congratulate Mr. Collett and the other outstanding teachers recognized by the State of California. May they continue to enrich the lives of their students.

Introduces bill to boost California brick and mortar retail floral stores and eliminate consumer deception

Sacramento - Assemblymember Bob Wieckowski (D-Fremont) introduced legislation today, proposed by a Fremont florist through Wieckowski’s annual “There Ought to be a Law” contest, to crack down on out of state floral companies who misrepresent their geographic locations to lure customers to their websites.

AB 1581 will require floral retailers who choose to use local phone numbers or a local name to include their address and notice of their place of business in their advertisements.

Dirk Lorenz, the owner of Fremont Flowers, proposed the bill to combat companies that falsely portray themselves as a local floral shop.

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Sacramento – TechAmerica, a leading technology trade association, today named Assemblymember Bob Wieckowski (D-Fremont) as one of its California Technology Champions for 2011.

Wieckowski received the recognition along with Assemblymembers Nora Campos (D-San Jose) and Jerry Hill (D-San Mateo), and Senator Anthony Cannella (R-Ceres).

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(Sacramento) – Closing California’s 9.1 billion dollar budget gap seems like an impossible task.  But the Governor laid out a tough, yet reasonable plan in his State of the State Address.  California State Assemblymember Bob Wieckowski (D-Fremont) says he is ready to work long and hard to get a balanced, on-time budget.  Assemblymember Wieckowski vowed to balance the books, while trying to protect our state’s schools and support projects that generate job growth.  Learn more in this Assembly Access Video.

Assemblymember Wieckowski hosted his First Annual State of the Assembly District Address and Awards Ceremony on Thursday, December 15, 2011. The Assemblymember gave an update on successful legislation which dealt with issues such as job creation, investment in education, promoting green technology, and protecting our environment.

Local Hero honorees were recognized for their invaluable contributions to the 20th Assembly District. The honorees this year were:

Rennu Dhillon, Fremont Local Hero
Makhan Singh Bains, Union City Local Hero
Shirley Sisk, Newark Local Hero
Traci Cross, Castro Valley Local Hero
Obray Van Buren, Hayward Local Hero
Joyce and Bob Shapiro, Pleasanton Local Hero
Milpitas Firefighters IAFF Local 1699, Milpitas Local Hero
Thelma Boac, San Jose Local Hero
Citizens for Better Community, Community Partner of the Year
Steve Waterhouse, Distinguished Service Award
One Child, Non-Profit of the Year
Avanzando, Outstanding Organization Award
Jeevan Zutshi, Unity Award

This event also worked in conjunction with Viola Blythe Community Services to hold a toy drive for children for the holidays. Over 1,000 toys were collected.

Sacramento - Assemblymember Bob Wieckowski (D-Fremont), co-chair of the Assembly's Select Committee on California's Clean Energy Economy, is focusing on getting more people back to work by expanding manufacturing job opportunities in California. A recent hearing of the Select Committee centered upon how to continue California's great ecosystem for innovation and capture more clean energy manufacturing jobs. California is a global leader in clean energy, which is growing at a faster pace than the economy as a whole. To maintain that leadership, we must appropriately modify regulations, implement cost-effective incentives and meet the emission-reduction goals that Californians support. Here’s more from Assemblymember Wieckowski in this Assembly Access video.

(Sunnyvale) – Assemblymember Bob Wieckowski (D-Fremont), Co-Chair of the Assembly’s Select Committee on California’s Clean Energy Economy, talked recently about the need to remain focused on job creation during a news conference at Bloom Energy. Assemblymember Wieckowski said Bloom Energy is a  prime example of how innovation, technology and risk taking can create high paying, green tech jobs and boost the state’s economy. Here’s more from Assemblymember Wieckowski in this Assembly Access video.

Fremont, CA—Assemblymember Bob Wieckowski (D-Fremont) announced today that he is unveiling his 2nd annual "There Ought to be a Law" contest for residents of the 20th Assembly District. The contest invites community members to submit ideas and proposals for new state legislation with the goal of improving communities throughout the state of California.

"I am eager to hear ideas from 20th Assembly District residents about ways we can improve California," said Assemblymember Bob Wieckowski. "This is a good way to promote civic engagement and whether it's a new law or refining or eliminating a current one, there are many positive steps we can take to help people in California."

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(Sacramento) – Assemblymember Bob Wieckowski (D- Fremont) and his fellow California Assembly Democrats are praising Governor Brown for signing the California Dream Act into law. The new law allows California students to be eligible for state financial assistance to attend California colleges and universities. Assemblymember Wieckowski says the Dream Act will help all Californians because denying financial aid based on immigration status is a waste of a precious California resource. Here’s more in this Assembly Access video.

(Sacramento) – Assemblymember Wieckowski joined state legislative leaders and California Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Allan Zaremberg in a press conference that addresses the need for changing certain state regulations in order to make California’s regulatory environment friendlier to business. Assembly Speaker John A. Peréz and Senate Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg announced the reforms as a legislative package that would help make it easier for employers to create jobs in the state. This bill package would require regulators to consider economic impacts in the future and would create an Office of Economic Development to lure businesses to California. Assemblymember Wieckowski has authored AB 408, which will streamline safety processes for business dealing with hazardous waste. Here’s more in this Assembly Access video.

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