In This Issue:
Sacramento News
District News
Announcements
Upcoming District Events
Sacramento News
I'd first like to mention how thankful I am for all of your support during my first year in office. With your help and support, we made 2017 a year in which we brought back more than just hope to our District. Many of my bills were signed by the Governor and will have an immediate impact and continue to be felt in our District, like AB 523 that will bring an extra $60 million through the EPIC program (Electric Program Investment Charge) to low-income and disadvantaged communities including San Bernardino.
In Sacramento, we've also just finalized our bill package for the 2018 legislative year after consulting with stakeholders and advocates from all over the 47th District and the state. If you or someone you know has input on how to help out in our district, please contact my office through my website. As always, my priorities are the needs of the people in our District and to that end, the size of our bill package this year reflects how great that need is. Some of the bills are listed below.
- AB 1870 - The SHARE Act (Stopping Harassment and Reporting Enforcement), would extend the statute of limitations for reporting harassment complaints under the Fair Employment and Housing Authority, for both public and private employees in California, from one year to three years.
- AB 2122 - Would require the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), to ensure that every child enrolled in Medi-Cal will receive blood lead screening tests between 12 and 24 months and at 2 or 6 years of age if there is no prior test administered.
- AB 2268 - Would restore Vehicle Licensing Fee (VLF) revenue to cities that have expanded or incorporated additional areas. Fontana and San Bernardino were among the cities that lost the most revenue, collectively losing almost $1 million annually. This money is vital for funding city services including public safety.
- AB 2757 - This bill would increase the fee charged by court reporters on documents they produce. The fee for this service hasn't been raised in 27 years and this increase would help to bring wage parity to a profession that is about 96% female.
District News
Assemblymember Reyes on the Move
Rosa Parks Statue Unveiling Photos
"There is work to do; that is why I cannot stop or sit still. As long as a child needs help, as long as people are not free, there will be work to do. As long as an elderly person is attacked or in need of support, there is work to do. As long as we have bigotry and crime, we have work to do." - Rosa Parks
On February 2, my office, in partnership with the San Bernardino Black Culture Foundation, CalTrans and artist Patrick Jewett unveiled the Rosa Parks statue in Downtown San Bernardino at the Rosa Parks Memorial Building with over 3,000 community members attending from throughout the Inland Empire and Southern California region. It is the first statue of an African American leader inside of a state building. It was truly a momentous day in the history of San Bernardino and California as we were also joined by members of Rosa Parks' family. This project was made possible by the San Bernardino Black Culture Foundation along with other partners and members of the community like Dr. Margaret Hill, Rev. Bronica Martindale-Taylor, Dr. Dotti Garcia of the San Bernardino Arts Commission, Genevieve Echols, Evelyne Gonzalez, Jessica Garcia, Troy Ingraham, and Ezequiel Adeleke, Gigi Hanna, the San Bernardino City Council and many more who pushed for years to get this project completed.
Young Legislator's Corner
On January 20, I graduated the 1st group of the 47th Assembly District Young Legislators. I want to personally thank these young men and women for their dedication and commitment to their community. I enjoyed welcoming them on their graduation trip to the State Capitol, so they could learn first-hand the process of public policy making.
Young Legislators Take the Capitol
The Young Legislators of the 47th Assembly District were welcomed at the State Capitol on February 21t and 22. The group of 30 high schoolers came to the Capitol to learn, first hand, about the legislative process. This fully sponsored trip gave these distinguished Young Legislators the opportunity to tour the Capitol, Stanley Mosk Library and Courts building, and the California State Library. Most importantly, during their time in Sacramento, we were excited to bring the Young Legislators face-to-face with professionals and stakeholders across government and the legislative process during a variety of panels and meet-and-greets.
Announcements
Assemblywoman Reyes Selects Mary Valdemar as #FAB47 Recipient
Mary Valdemar has been an advocate in the Inland Empire and San Bernardino Valley College for over 20 years. Her passion for advocacy started as a student where she actively served in leadership of student organizations at both Humboldt State University and SBVC. As a struggling student, single mother, Chicana feminist and environmental advocate, her passion for justice continued throughout her career at SBVC. She currently serves the campus in the SBVC Library and Learning Support Services division where she finds the time and energy to contribute to several organizations both on and off campus. She is the Vice President of the Latino Faculty and Staff Association of the district, the Political Action Coordinator for the California School Employees Association (CSEA) Chapter #291, an active member on the Arts, Lectures and Diversity Committee, Hispanic Serving Institute Advisory Task Force and the District EEO Committee.
In Mary's community she is the Co-Chair of the Ethnic Studies Inland Empire Coalition; Co-Founder of ChICCCAA a grassroots service cooperative in the IE, and the lead organizer for Village and Child Co-Op/Women's Sacred Circle. She also serves as Chair of the Metro Conservation Committee for San Bernardino and Riverside of the Sierra Club and is an active member of the Indigenous D.R.U.M. Coalition and the Progressive Alliance.
Mary has served as a panelist and conference presenter on the Chicano Identity Crisis, Environmental Racism, Decolonizing Community, Cooperative Justice, Parenting/Child Development Advocacy, and Equity Issues in Higher Education. From her biography: "…she has a strong commitment to innovating, developing and implementing alternative solutions to our communities' struggles with a perspective rooted in indigenous practices, dismantling systems that perpetuate oppression and creating autonomous thriving communities that honor all beings, including our Mother Earth as sacred."
Notice - Satellite Office Hours
Our office is partnering with the City of Fontana to host satellite office hours on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month from 2 - 6 p.m. at Fontana City Hall, 8353 Sierra Ave., Fontana, CA 92335. Please call Maha Rizvi at (909) 381-3238 for an appointment.
Our office is partnering with the City of Rialto to host satellite office hours on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month from 1-5 p.m. at 141 S Riverside Ave., Rialto, CA. Please call Daniel Peeden at (909) 381-3238 for an appointment.
Our office is partnering with the City of Grand Terrace to host satellite office hours on the 1st Wednesdays of the month from 4-5 p.m. at 22795 Barton Rd, Grand Terrace, CA 92313. Please call Daniel Peeden at (909) 381-3238 for an appointments.
District Events Coming Up In March!
The Bridge - Interfaith Conference
Together we can bridge the gap between faith-based organizations, our community and public officials.
Who: Assemblymember Eloise Gómez Reyes
Where: San Bernardino Valley College - Room B-100
701 S Mt Vernon Ave, San Bernardino, CA 92410
When: Saturday, March 10 from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Girls and Young Women's Leadership Conference
Middle and high school girls will attend different workshops ranging from STEAM, online literacy, job readiness, and healthy relationships. Continental breakfast and lunch will be provided.
Who: Assemblymember Eloise Gómez Reyes, State Senator Connie Leyva and the Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio
Where: Arroyo High School
1881 W Base Line St, San Bernardino, CA 92411
When: Friday, March 16 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.