Recent News in the 22nd District
Assemblymember Fong Election Bill Heads to Floor Vote
SACRAMENTO— Today, Assemblymember Paul Fong (D-Cupertino) announced his Assembly Bill (AB) 1413 passed the Assembly Committee on Elections and Redistricting unanimously. AB 1413 streamlines the election process to ensure that California's new "top two" primary election system is efficient and cost effective.
In February 2009, the Legislature approved Senate Constitutional Amendment 4, which was passed by the voters as Proposition 14 during the June 2010 statewide primary election. As a result, a "top two" primary election system in California for most elective state and federal offices was authorized. In March 2010, Assemblymember Paul Fong, Chair of the Assembly Elections and Redistricting Committee, held an oversight hearing on the impacts of the “top two” primary election system. Election officials testified with concerns about unnecessary ballot printing requirements and significant costs to implementing the “top two” primary election system.
Assemblymember Fong Announces Legislation to Name the Leatherback Sea Turtle as California's State Marine Reptile
SACRAMENTO—Today, Assemblymember Paul Fong (D-Cupertino) announced he will be introducing legislation to help protect the Pacific Leatherback Sea Turtle by naming it California's Marine Reptile.
The leatherback sea turtle is the most majestic of all sea turtles and can grow up to nine feet long and weigh up to 2,000 pounds. Since the 1980’s, the Pacific leatherback sea turtles have declined more than 95 percent and are now on the critically endangered species list. In order to search for food sources to survive, these endangered animals migrate from their nests in Indonesia to the coast of California and often encounter obstacles such as nets and hooks, where they are tangled and drowned. With the leatherback sea turtle populations dwindling, we may be the generation responsible for the extinction of a creature that has existed for over 100 million years.
Assemblymember Fong Election Bill Passes Senate Floor
SACRAMENTO— Today, Assemblymember Paul Fong (D-Cupertino) announced his Assembly Bill (AB) 1413 passed the Senate Floor unanimously 36-0. AB 1413 streamlines the election process to ensure that California's new "top two" primary election system is efficient and cost effective.
In February 2009, the Legislature approved Senate Constitutional Amendment 4, which was passed by the voters as Proposition 14 during the June 2010 statewide primary election. As a result, a "top two" primary election system in California for most elective state and federal offices was authorized. In March 2010, Assemblymember Paul Fong, Chair of the Assembly Elections and Redistricting Committee, held an oversight hearing on the impacts of the “top two” primary election system. Election officials testified with concerns about unnecessary ballot printing requirements and significant costs to implementing the “top two” primary election system.
Assemblymember Fong and NBC Bay Area Celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service
Joined by Volunteers in Ulistac Natural Area Restoration
SANTA CLARA—Assemblymember Paul Fong (D-Cupertino) and NBC Bay Area joined almost 200 volunteers at Ulistac Natural Area to clean up trash and restore the park’s habitat to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service is an annual national event where people of all ages and backgrounds can come together to improve lives, bridge barriers, and empower communities in order to create a just and peaceful world as Dr. King envisioned. Dr. King’s teachings of community service, helping your neighbors, and nonviolence, can resolve problems, such as poverty, inadequate education, and prejudice. The 2012 King Day of Service is chance for all everyone to practice the teachings of Dr. King and cultivate healthy relationships with other members of their community.
Assemblymember Fong Election Bill Passes Senate Committee
SACRAMENTO— Today, Assemblymember Paul Fong (D-Cupertino) announced his Assembly Bill (AB) 1413 unanimously passed the Senate Committee on Elections and Constitutional Amendments. AB 1413 streamlines the election process to ensure that California's new "top two" primary election system is efficient and cost effective.
In February 2009, the Legislature approved Senate Constitutional Amendment 4, which was passed by the voters as Proposition 14 during the June 2010 statewide primary election. As a result, a "top two" primary election system in California for most elective state and federal offices was authorized. In March 2010, Assemblymember Paul Fong, Chair of the Assembly Elections and Redistricting Committee, held an oversight hearing on the impacts of the “top two” primary election system. Election officials testified with concerns about unnecessary ballot printing requirements and significant costs to implementing the “top two” primary election system.
Assemblymember Fong Joined by San Jose Leaders and San Jose City Workers Call For Zero Cuts Budget
SAN JOSE - Today, Assemblymember Paul Fong (D-Cupertino) joined by Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors President Dave Cortese, Santa Clara County Supervisor George Shirakawa, and a coalition of San Jose City workers gathered in front of City Hall to call for a zero cuts budget for next year and propose a new pension proposal that would roll back benefits to 1996 levels. On Thursday, revised pension cost projections slashed San Jose's budget deficit from $80 million to $40 billion dollars.
Fong Holds Community Discussion on Solutions to End Chronic Homelessness in Silicon Valley
SAN JOSE - Assemblymember Fong (D-Cupertino) hosted a community discussion on solutions to end chronic homelessness in the Silicon Valley. Joined by Assemblymember Toni Atkins (D-San Diego), County of Santa Clara Supervisor Mike Wasserman, Campbell Mayor Jason Baker, and San Jose Councilmember Ash Kalra, elected officials were presented information from housing advocates and representatives from the City of San Jose and the County of Santa Clara, with solutions that have been effective in the Silicon Valley in reducing homelessness.
Opinion: The time has come to make the initiative process better
A century ago, the ballot initiative process was established in the state of California. This form of direct democracy gives voters the right to enact legislation through the vote of the people. Supported by progressives such as Gov. Hiram Johnson, the initiative process was seen as a way to promote social and political reform, particularly to break the Southern Pacific Railroad's influence on the Legislature. Though the initiative process was successful in bringing much needed reform to the state, the process, much like the state of California, has evolved over time. However, it remains a popular tool among voters as a check on the power of the Legislature.
Assemblymember Fong Honored With Henry J. Mello Award
SACRAMENTO — Assemblymember Fong (D-Cupertino) was honored by the California Senior Legislature (CSL) with the Henry J. Mello Legislator of the Year Award at their annual legislative session. This award is given to a member of the Legislature for his or her distinguished legislative service to the senior citizen community. Assemblymember Fong has been chosen by the CSL for this honor for his work and advocacy on the behalf of aging Californians and their families.
"I am honored to receive the Henry J. Mello Award," said Assemblymember Fong. "The Honorable Henry J. Mello was a distinguished public servant who dedicated his life to ensuring that the best possible care is given to California's senior population. It is a pleasure to work with a group dedicated to this noble cause and I look forward to working with CSL in the future."
Assemblymember Fong Given President's Award by Chinese Historical and Cultural Project
SACRAMENTO—Assemblymember Fong (D-Cupertino) was honored by the Chinese Historical and Cultural Project (CHCP) with the 2011 President's Award. This award is presented to a person of Chinese descent who exemplifies commitment to leadership in promoting and preserving Chinese American history and culture.
"I am honored to receive the 2011 President's Award," said Assemblymember Fong. "We must continue to play an active role in leading our communities in order to best promote, educate, and preserve our Chinese culture and history for our children in California and throughout the U.S."
Assemblymember Fong Receives Shark Steward Award
SACRAMENTO— Assemblymember Fong (D-Cupertino) was honored by SeaStewards and the Gulf of Farallones National Marine Sanctuary for authoring, AB 376, the California Shark Protection Act. Assemblymember Fong, joined by David McGuire, Director of Sea Stewards, and Maria Brown, Superintendent of the Gulf of Farallones National Marine Sanctuary, was presented with the Shark Steward Award for his leadership in protecting the shark population.
"I am honored to receive the Shark Steward Award," said Assemblymember Fong. "The Shark Protection Act demonstrates California's partnership with the global community in protecting the shark population and our ocean's ecosystem for future generations. I would like to thank SeaStewards for their years of hard work and dedication to this important environmental issue."
Governor Signs Fong's Historic California Shark Protection Act
SACRAMENTO - Today the historic California Shark Protection Act, AB 376, by Assemblymembers Paul Fong (D-Cupertino) and Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) was signed by the Governor.
"Governor Brown has chosen to protect our ocean's ecosystem and help end the decimation of the shark population. As the 2nd largest consumer of shark fins, California is now a partner in the global effort to end the practice of finning and in the preservation of the shark population for generations to come," said Assemblymember Fong. "I would like to thank the Asian Pacific American Ocean Harmony Alliance, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Humane Society of the United States, Center for Ocean Awareness Research & Education, WildAid, Sea Stewards, and the numerous supporters of this historic act for their tireless efforts in ensuring the passage and signature of this bill throughout the process. It is because of your advocacy that the California Shark Protection Act is now law."
"With the Governor's signature today, California leads the way in ending the destruction of shark species globally. Californians can be proud of their role in giving these remarkable top predators a chance to recover their populations and helping to restore balance to our oceans," said Assemblymember Huffman.
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Capitol Office:
State Capitol
Sacramento, CA 94249-0022
Tel: (916) 319-2022
Fax: (916) 319-2122
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274 Castro Street, Suite 202
Mountain View, CA 94041
Tel: (408) 277-2003
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