Latest Updates from Assemblymember Bloom

SACRAMENTO - In response to the hateful and discriminatory protests by the West Baptist Church over the last two days in Malibu, Hollywood, and Santa Monica, Assembly Member Richard Bloom (D-Santa Monica) issued the following statement:

"I condemn the Westboro Baptist Church's hate-filled and disgusting antics. Their unwelcome and sick behavior has no place in our community. I applaud those who are responding by either ignoring Westboro Baptist Church or engaging in a measured response that reflects civility and promotes tolerance, compassion, and inclusiveness."

SACRAMENTO – Assembly Member Richard Bloom (D-Santa Monica), Chair of the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Resources and Transportation, today sent a letter to Ken Pimlott, Director of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) requesting a thorough explanation of the recently discovered Wildland Fire Investigation Training and Equipment Fund. Bloom's letter is in response to reports over the weekend that the department may have mishandled $3.6 million in public funds.

"I am deeply concerned that a state department has potentially mismanaged taxpayer dollars," said Bloom. "I sincerely hope that the department will be able to provide a reasonable explanation and accounting within the next few weeks along with a plan for taking corrective action."

SACRAMENTO – Assembly Member Richard Bloom (D-Santa Monica), Chair of the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Natural Resources and Transportation, released the following statement today on the Governor's State of the State Address:

"The Governor has done an admirable job at triaging California through our financial emergencies over the last few years however we still have a long road of rehabilitation before we fully recover. We can't forget that the additional revenue from Prop 30 will expire in a few years but the demands and needs will not. We have to continue to push policies that help grow our economy so that the revenue is there for us to take care of our overwhelming transportation needs, reinvest in schools and higher education, re-open our local court houses, and to provide the core services for our most vulnerable population: the poor, elderly and disabled. As Chair of the Assembly Budget Committee on Resources and Transportation and a member of the budget committee, I look forward to working with the Administration over the next few months with this in mind."

CONTACT: Sean MacNeil, 916-319-2050

SACRAMENTO – Assembly Member Richard Bloom (D-Santa Monica), Chair of the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Natural Resources and Transportation, released the following statement today on the Governor's 2013-14 Budget Proposal:

"I am encouraged by the Governor's continued fiscal discipline where the goal is to eliminate future budget deficits while placing a high priority on minimizing the impacts on those who are most in need. While not always popular, reducing our budget deficit is the only way for us to seriously assess our needs, refine our priorities, and appropriately fund essential state services and infrastructure needs. This is the only way that we will ever come close to fully funding our schools, solving our transportation needs, and providing for our most vulnerable populations: the poor, elderly and disabled."

CONTACT: Sean MacNeil, 916-319-2050

(SACRAMENTO) -  Richard Bloom (D-Santa Monica) was sworn in today as the Assemblymember for the California’s 50th Assembly District.  The district is comprised of Agoura Hills, Malibu, Topanga, Pacific Palisades, Bel Air, Brentwood, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood and areas of West Los Angeles and Hollywood.  The ceremony was held on the Assembly Floor at the State Capitol.

“This is an great honor, and I am humbled that the people of the 50th District put their faith in me,” said Bloom.

First elected to the Santa Monica City Council in 1999, Bloom just completed his third, non-consecutive, term as Mayor.  He has also served two terms as Mayor pro Tem during his 13 years on the City Council.