Dear Friends and Neighbors:

I hope you are enjoying springtime in San Diego.  It has been a busy time for me in Sacramento, as I have been developing my first legislative package and promoting my bills through the committee process and, just recently, on the floor of the Assembly.  I want to update you on some key bills that you may find important in our district, give you an update on some recent and upcoming events, and introduce you to my Capitol staff.  As always, I welcome your involvement and encourage you to contact me with suggestions and concerns.

Thank you!

Legislation to Watch

By the end of February, I developed 23 bills that will make a difference for our communities.  In these difficult times for our state budget, I made sure to only author legislation that will have no impact to the state’s General Fund.  Here is a sample list of some key bills:

• AB 24 calls for a feasibility study for a San Diego State University satellite program, and ultimately, an independent CSU campus, in the City of Chula Vista.

• AB 374 requires public schools to obtain written consent from students and their parents or guardians if the student intends to drop out from high school.  This would inform students and parents of the negative consequences of not finishing high school.  Similar efforts in the Chicago public school system have resulted in a reduction in the number of drop outs.

• AB 434 supports after school programs by reducing the one-third funding requirement to 15% of cash or in-kind local fundraising support from school districts, governmental agencies, community organizations, or the private sector. This eases the fundraising burdens on local after school programs.

• AB 628 permits toll roads (like the South Bay Expressway) to begin using their vehicle identification cameras, which they now use to capture toll violators, for payment of normal toll rates.  Incase drivers want to use the toll road but don’t have exact change or a Fastrak transponder, they could now drive through the toll point and have a picture of their license plate taken.  Agencies would then send drivers a bill in the mail for the normal toll rate.

• AB 667 clarifies who may apply fluoride varnish once it has been prescribed by a dentist or physician in order to expand its use in public and school-based health programs to prevent and control dental disease.  This increases the opportunities available to children to obtain fluoride varnish treatments.

• AB 1317 requires a warning in all advertisements for oocyte (egg) donation associated with the delivery of a fertility treatment. The warning informs patients that there are potential health risks associated with human egg donation and advises consulting with one's own physician.

For more information on my legislative package, including fact sheets and to check the up-to-date status of bills, please visit my website here. To provide your opinions on these or other bills, you can leave a comment through my website.

78 Minute Lunches with Assemblymember Block

Community activists have a unique opportunity to share their concerns and views during my “78 Minute Lunches.”  These lunches occur at our district office throughout the year, with each having a different policy or neighborhood focus.  Over a relaxed and informal hosted lunch, groups of 78th District residents discuss their views on legislation currently before the Assembly, share their thoughts on potential legislation and examine ways in which I can assist them with their community concerns.  Recently, the Council of Philippine American Organizations, the Mexican American Business and Professional Association, the United African American Ministerial Action Council, as well as representatives from the Allied Gardens, Del Cerro and San Carlos communities met in our office for 78 minute lunches.

78th District residents have a wealth of information to share with me, and their feedback on state issues is critical for me to hear.  78 minute lunches are a great way for me to learn about their issues.  Be sure to contact my office if you are interested in participating.

Pictured above: COPAO members visited my office during a 78 Minute Lunch

Photos From Around the Block

A healthy diet and exercise was the message of the day to participants at the Chula Vista YMCA’s Health Kids Day.

I welcomed members of the 9th District PTA during it's February visit to the State Capitol

I joined San Diego City Councilmember Todd Gloria in celebrating Opening Day of the Mid City Little League.

Internships in my District Office

Interns are an integral part of our office.  From handling casework and constituent relations to conducting community outreach efforts, interns gain valuable experience into the inner workings of a state assembly office.

On May 15th, I held a thank-you celebration for our spring interns from San Diego State University.  Left to right: Eddie Maravilla, Scott Zindell and Lorena Damian. (not pictured: Samantha Shaw)

Congratulations to our graduating interns!  We wish them well as they pursue their future goals.

We have openings for the summer period - if you or someone you know are interested in becoming an intern, please contact the district office to request an application.

Upcoming Events in the 78th District

Be sure to mark your calendars for these upcoming events!

Sat June 6:      
Council of Philippine American Organizations (COPAO) is organizing the                         
Philippine Faire which celebrates the 111th year of Philippine independence.  At the Plaza Bonita shopping mall,
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Dollars and Sense Workshop
Volunteer CPAs from the California Society of Certified Public Accountants will provide timely and helpful tips on managing personal finances in these difficult economic times.

Thursday, June 18
7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Blessed Sacrament Church Social Hall
4540 El Cerrito Drive (at El Cajon Boulevard)
San Diego, CA  92115

78th District Office Open House
We had a great open house last December, and I would like to repeat that so you may meet my new staff and hear about state services that the office can help you with, information you can obtain through the office, and my legislative services and updates.  Our office is your office - drop by and say hi!

Friday, July 10
4:30 – 6:30 p.m.
78th Assembly District Office
Lemon Grove Plaza (above the Blockbuster)
7144 Broadway
Lemon Grove, CA  91945

HOME Clinic
Having problems paying your mortgage? I am teaming up with Housing Opportunities Collaborative for this workshop which will enable you to access existing resources and services pertinent to your difficulties in making monthly mortgage payments.

Saturday, July 11
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
San Diego County Library
Bonita/Sunnyside Branch Community Room
4375 Bonita Road
Bonita, CA  91902

Meet Additional 78th District Staff

In my previous e-newsletter, I introduced some of my district staff.  Here are some key people in my Capitol office, as well as some new district staff hires, here to help me to serve you better.

Christopher Ward serves as Assemblymember Block’s Chief of Staff.  He has nearly a decade of experience with community projects and civic leadership in the San Diego area, and Assemblymember Block thought it was essential to have a chief of staff in Sacramento that came from the district.  He was most recently employed with EDAW, Inc. as an Environmental and Urban Planner, and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners.  In addition to working with all of the staff. Mr. Ward monitors environmental, land use, housing, transportation, water, local government, energy and budget issues.  He remains personally committed to proactive interaction with local groups and individuals to strengthen the communication of district interests on behalf of Assemblymember Block. He also facilitates the values, goals and public service accomplishments of Mr. Block and his staff.  Mr. Ward earned his B.A. from Johns Hopkins University, and his Masters in Public Policy and Urban Planning from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government.

Margaret Peña is a 78th District native who grew up in Bonita.  As Assemblymember Marty Block’s Legislative Director, she oversees legislative operations in Sacramento and assists the Assemblymember in the development of policy and advocacy on issues of concern to the 78th District.  She has vast experience in policy, politics and the law and is grateful for the opportunity to use these skills for the betterment of 78th District constituents.  Most recently, she served as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Senator Elaine Alquist and policy director for Senate Majority Leader Gloria Romero.  Prior to that, she led advocacy efforts on behalf of California’s counties on health and human services issues, and spent several years in Washington D.C. as a labor attorney and as an advocate on Capitol Hill for federal employee worker protections.  Ms. Peña earned a J.D. degree from Georgetown University Law Center and a B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley.

Kevin Powers serves as Assemblymember Block’s Legislative Aide, and is the lead staff on issues pertaining to higher education, K-12 education, and veterans Affairs.  Prior to working in the Legislature, he was a fellow and field organizer with the California Public Interest Research Group, and served as a field director on CALPIRG’s successful “Yes on Proposition 1A” campaign in support of High-Speed Rail.  From 2007-2008, he was a fellow and regional legislative director for the Roosevelt Institution, a progressive think tank headquartered in Washington, D.C.  He is a graduate of the University of California, Davis, where he received an B.A. in Political Science with minors in English and History and served as the Associated Students Chief of Staff.  Outside of the Legislature, Kevin sits on the advisory board of the Sacrmaneto New Leaders Council and proudly serves in the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary.

Summer Gibson serves as Assemblymember Bloc k’s Field Representative for the southeastern San Diego neighborhoods.  She has a background in campaigns and political canvassing and helped run the most successful voter registration drive in the state: the California Voter Project.  Ms. Gibson earned her BA in Political Science from the University of California, San Diego, and has since made her home in San Diego.  She has a passion for creating public awareness of important issues, and serves to be an informational tool available to all members of the District.

Melissa Dye serves as a Legislative Assistant for Assemblymember Block and serves as his lead staff member for the Assembly Committee on Jobs, Economic Development and the Economy.  Prior to starting work with the Assembly in 2005, she earned a prestigious scholarship with the Semester at Sacramento program through Sacramento State University, and interned for then-Assemblymember Mark Leno. Following the internship, she served as an Assistant for Assemblymember Betty Karnette.  Ms. Dye graduated from Sacramento State University with a B.A. in Government/Public Policy.  She also completed coursework at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo and CSU Stanislaus.

Kate Lyon serves as a Field Representative for the 78th District, working with constituents and community groups.  She advises Assemblymember Block on a number of issues including health care, judiciary, and women’s issues.  Prior to her work for Assemblymember Block, she worked in the reproductive health community and on domestic violence issues. A member of the State Bar of California, Ms. Lyon earned a B.A. from the University of California, San Diego and a J.D. from California Western School of Law. She currently serves as Vice President, Young Feminists for California NOW and as the Women’s Caucus Chair of the San Diego Democratic Club.