In this issue:
- A Message From Marty
- Bill Introduced to Create New Higher Education Opportunities in Chula Vista
- Annual Thanksgiving Turkey Give-Away Provides Meals for San Diego Families
- Hosting “Holiday Helping Hands” to Support Local Families and Expectant Mothers
- Remembering Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
- Response to Governor Brown’s Budget Proposal
- Visit the State Capitol!
- My District Office is Here to Serve You.
Dear Neighbors:
As 2011 begins, I look forward to another productive year focused on improving the economic health of our district, looking at ways to stimulate job growth and new strategies to increase educational outcomes for our students.
In Sacramento, the California State Legislature has begun a new two-year session. We also welcomed Governor Jerry Brown back to the Capitol for another term as our state’s chief executive. Governor Brown understands the nexus between a strong economy and ensuring that our children have access to affordable and quality education. At a time when increasing the number of students who finish high school and go on to college is important to the future of our economic competitiveness, I plan on working with Governor Brown to bring new educational opportunities to the San Diego region.
I am also glad to announce that I will continue serving as Chair of the Assembly Higher Education Committee. Last year, as Chair, I successfully helped ensure that qualified local students in San Diego were given the option of pursuing a college degree at their local CSU campus. This year I am continuing to safeguard our students in the region with Assembly Bill 24. AB 24 was the first bill I introduced in this new legislative session and it is the first step in expanding and providing new opportunities for pursuing higher education in Chula Vista. In addition to chairing the Higher Education Committee, I will also be serving on the Jobs, Economic Development and the Economy; Government Organization; Accountability and Administrative Review; and Veterans Affairs committees. My staff and I are currently in the process of developing a legislative package to address constituent concerns in the district, while also making improvements in the areas of public safety, education, job growth, health and improving the lives of our military and veteran populations.
California continues to face difficult budget challenges that require our immediate attention and action. Governor Brown released a somber budget proposal to address an estimated $25.4 billion budget gap through a mix of deep cuts and continued revenue streams to fund vital programs. Our first task in the Legislature is to work with the Governor to develop a budget plan that does minimal damage to the state’s economic recovery efforts. I will be advocating for a budget that protects vital services for our most vulnerable individuals, preserves funding for higher education and promotes job growth.
Overcoming our fiscal problems will lead to a brighter future and I hope you will all join me in the process of discovering solutions. I want to hear from you. Not just on the budget, but also your ideas for what we can do to help improve life in the 78th Assembly District. Please write, call or stop by the district office to say hello. Best wishes for a happy and healthy 2011!
Thank You,
Bill Introduced to Create New Higher Education Opportunities in Chula Vista
Following through on my commitment to increase access to higher education opportunities for students in our district, I introduced my first bill. AB 24 - the first step in expanding and providing new opportunities for pursuing higher education in Chula Vista, California.
More students are attending college closer to home. If we are going to meet the growing demand for more college graduates, we need to look at ways to increase higher education opportunities locally. With the demand to attend local colleges and universities at an all-time high, and without any viable alternatives, it has become difficult for some students in the community to make it through college. We must take a local approach to finding solutions that promote greater access and help students complete their degree in a timely manner. This legislation will provide us with a road map for identifying the best ways to create those opportunities in Chula Vista, which could include building a new university to serve additional students, help train our future workforce and most importantly, create jobs and spur economic activity.”
AB 24 requires the California Postsecondary Education Commission (CPEC) to review and make recommendations to the Legislature on establishing and expanding public or private higher educational opportunities in Chula Vista, California.
Annual Thanksgiving Turkey Give-Away Provides Meals for San Diego Families
In an effort to help support families in our communities during the holiday season, my office hosted our annual Thanksgiving Turkey Give-Away at the United African American Ministerial Action Council (UAAMAC) headquarters in San Diego.
The Thanksgiving Turkey Give-Away co-sponsored by UAAMAC, and El Super, Ralphs, Vons and Albertsons supermarkets gave away over 200 turkeys, hams and gift certificates along with bags of groceries. Thanks to the wonderful partnerships we were able to provide warm and hearty holiday meals for nearly 300 low-income underrepresented families in the 78th Assembly District.
Hosting “Holiday Helping Hands” to Support Local Families and Expectant Mothers
On December 16, 2010, my office hosted a “Holiday Helping Hands” event to help make the season brighter for local families in the 78th District. In partnership with the Barona Band of Mission Indians and Target, the 78th District Assembly Office distributed over 200 toys to children and families at Family Health Centers of San Diego’s Spring Valley site. Also donated were baby clothes and supplies to the health center’s Baby Boutique Program to provide assistance to expectant mothers and newborn babies.
Remembering Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Throughout history we have seen how individuals standing up for the rights of others can steer the course of society to a new horizon. There have been leaders who have embraced what it means for individuals to put aside their own wants to serve the greater good. These are people who understood that for our society to reach its greatest potential, everyone needed to be afforded the same rights, liberties and opportunities in life. In January, as millions of people in California make resolutions to live life differently, to be better at the start of a new year, it was fitting that we also honored the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a man who defines the power of the human spirit and the capacity of us all as individuals to have a positive impact on our society.
Dr. King once said, “An individual has not started living fully until they can rise above the narrow confines of individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of humanity.” Dr. King spent his life dedicated to others in service. Through his teaching of nonviolence, including unconditional tolerance, forgiveness and reconciliation he encouraged Americans to come together to strengthen communities, alleviate poverty and acknowledge dignity and respect for all human beings.
Today, his words remain just as powerful and I believe we can still learn from his teachings of peace and unconditional tolerance. By overcoming our challenges, reconciling our differences and doing our part as individuals we can work toward a more civil and just society. As the Assemblymember representing the 78th District in San Diego, I am privileged to be of service to my constituents joining with leaders throughout the community to build a better tomorrow for everyone. I sincerely hope that we continue to come together to make great strides that help improve our economy, keep our neighborhoods safe and ensure all of our children receive a quality education.
Response to Governor Brown’s Budget Proposal
The Governor’s budget proposal is a heavy dose of reality that asks for sacrifice from every area in state government – including a reduction in funding for the University of California, the California State University and the California Community College systems. It is very difficult to hear that a billion dollars will be cut from higher education programs at a time when our state needs more college graduates to boost our economy. Reduced funding means reduced access and that will impair our ability to grow California’s workforce over the long-term. It also increases the likelihood that students will continue to face fee increases that are pricing students out of an affordable college degree. These cuts underscore the difficult choices before us that must be made if we are to get our state back on the road to fiscal responsibility.
Every cut, reduction and elimination represents a choice to the people of California regarding what services and programs they believe should be a priority for a government facing chronic budgetary problems. I am pleased the Governor is giving the people the chance to decide between making additional cuts or maintaining continued revenue streams to keep schools open and provide important social services. The Governor has also proposed a realignment of services from the state to local government that could provide greater flexibility to schools that have had already reduced staff and classroom resources to balance their own budgets. The magnitude of our fiscal challenges requires swift action. We must get to work right away – exploring all options on the table, to approve a budget that protects vital services, preserves funding for higher education and promotes job growth in California.
If you and your family are in Sacramento, please stop by and say hi! My office can help you arrange tours of the Capitol building, can answer questions about the legislative process, and look forward to meeting constituents from the 78th Assembly District. Call my office at (916) 319-2078 if you would like to schedule an appointment while in Sacramento.
San Diego Community College District leaders recently visited the Capitol during their annual Community College League of California Annual Legislative Conference. Pictured here are Elizabeth Armstrong, Interim President of Mesa College; SDCCD Trustees Peter Zschiesche, Mary Graham, and President Rich Grosch; SDCCD Chancellor Constance Carroll; Assemblymember Marty Block; and SDCCD Board Secretary Margaret Lamb.
My District Office is Here to Serve You.
Please know my district office in Lemon Grove is always open to help you with any problems you are having with a state agency, to answer a question you may have about legislation, or to provide other information about state services. If you would like to make an appointment to meet with me or my staff, or would like someone to come visit your group, please call us at (619) 462-7878. You can visit my website here www.assembly.ca.gov/block for more information.
