AB 2410 would ban elected officials convicted of a crime violating the public trust from running for office for 20 years after their parole ends.

SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Felipe Fuentes’ bill AB 2410, which would ban an elected official who has committed a felony that violates the public trust from running for office for 20 years after their parole ends, passed the State Assembly with a unanimous 57-0 vote today. This law would include - but isn’t limited to - felonies such as accepting a bribe, committing voter fraud or perjury.

“Unfortunately we’ve seen recently in the Cities of Los Angeles, Hawthorne, Bell and Vernon, public officials have been accused or convicted of misusing their authority and violating the public’s trust.  We can show our constituents that we understand their concerns about public corruption with AB 2410,” said Assemblymember Fuentes.  “The majority of elected officials and candidates for office are honorable, upstanding individuals who have a genuine desire to serve their communities. But as the saying goes, one bad apple can ruin the bunch.”

The intent of this bill is to both serve as a deterrent, while creating accountability and ensure that those seeking to represent Californians have proven they act with the highest ethical standards.  Numerous other states including Indiana, North Carolina and Texas have similar laws in place.  Hawaii and Missouri are also considering similar proposals.

“This bill sends a clear message to anyone who wants to use an elected or appointed position for personal gain, that this is not what public service is about,” said Assemblymember Fuentes.  “Public service is first, foremost, and only about the people we serve.  People who have already demonstrated they are not worthy of the public’s trust should suffer more severe consequences.”

Sacramento - Assemblymember Felipe Fuentes (D-Sylmar) is part of the growing chorus of support for Speaker John A. Pérez's proposed Middle Class Scholarship Act (www.middleclassscholarship.com). Assemblymember Fuentes says middle class family budgets are being severely squeezed by the struggling economy and fast rising tuition and fees at CSU, UC and community colleges. The Middle Class Scholarship Act will reduce those higher education costs by two-thirds by closing a tax loophole for out-of-state corporations. Here's more from Assemblymember Fuentes is this Assembly Access video.

SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Felipe Fuentes and a broad coalition of film industry stakeholders introduced a bill today, AB 2026 that would extend the State's successful Film and Television Tax Credit Program by an additional five years. The original credit was enacted in 2009 as part of a targeted effort to create jobs, increase production spending, and tax revenues for the State. Assemblymember Fuentes authored AB 1069 last year, which extended the Program by one additional year – which allows for the last credits to be authorized in July 2013.

"By creating tens of thousands of jobs and pumping billions into our economy, the film and television tax credit program has truly been a statewide economic stimulus package," said Assemblymember Fuentes. "With the State's unemployment rate hovering around 12%, we need to extend this targeted incentive to help keep Californians employed. Extending this program will prevent production companies from moving their projects, jobs and spending out of California."

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