Also serving the communities of De Luz, Rainbow, Camp Pendleton, Pala and Pauma
Also serving the communities of De Luz, Rainbow, Camp Pendleton, Pala and Pauma
Sorted by date Results 176 - 200 of 220
The Santa Margarita River Preserve in Fallbrook is a unique bit of Southern California landscape in my assembly district that will remain wild and free in perpetuity. Having hiked along the river trail system many times, I was very happy to assist in obtaining the funding that allows the transfer of the property from the Fallbrook Public Utility District to the Wildlands Conservancy, California’s largest nonprofit preserve system. It's great to help local projects that b... Full story
California is the world’s fifth largest economy, but when our cost of living is considered, we have the nation’s highest poverty rate and some of the nation’s highest taxes and most stringent regulations. We are also considered one of least business-friendly states. For many working men and women, the "Golden State" has lost its luster. My husband and I have owned our own business in Escondido for 24 years. The problems we encountered running that business were some of the p... Full story
CHBRP is a strange sounding acronym for an important program providing Californians with better healthcare policy at lower costs. The California Health Benefit Review Program analyzes healthcare policies for efficiencies and cost effectiveness for the best available healthcare outcomes for patients. A Medi-Cal patient may not be able to access innovative treatments due to cost, insurance formularies or other issues. A CHBRP analysis of legislative policies may improve access... Full story
Last December’s Lilac fire devastated 4,100 acres in the Bonsall/Fallbrook area of my district and destroyed over 157 structures, including 75 manufactured/modular homes in Rancho Monserate Country Club, a 55+ resident-owned community near Fallbrook. When the fire struck at Dulin Road along Old Hwy 395, the close-knit community had about 400 residents living in 232 manufactured homes. Though the fire spread quickly, residents were evacuated in record time, many with just t... Full story
California’s recent fires remind residents of the importance of direct, rapid and coordinated response during emergencies. The safety of first responders can be seriously impacted by outdated communications systems. As a member of the Select Committee on Natural Disaster Response, Recovery and Rebuilding, I am working with my colleagues in the legislature to make sure first responders have the latest communications technology available. The importance of interagency c... Full story
Avocados are one of California’s signature crops. Though only five California counties have significant acreage, the state produces over 90 percent of the nation’s avocados. Hard to grow, sensitive to extreme weather and to a variety of pests, acreage is largely limited to San Diego, Riverside, Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, with San Diego County historically producing the most. Since thriving, well-irrigated avocado groves and row crops can help hin... Full story
This past year some of the worst wildfires in California history have killed 52 people, destroyed thousands of homes and scorched an area larger than greater Los Angeles. Surviving the Cedar (273,246 acres/2,820 structures), Witch (197,990 acres/1,650 structures), Cocos, Paradise and Lilac fires in San Diego has taught us a lot. Helping victims is our immediate priority, but we must develop policies that will prevent future mega-fires. Utilities, insurance companies,... Full story
In 1998, Proposition 10 established the First 5 program to provide early childhood development programs and services in each of California’s 58 counties. With 90 percent of brain development occurring by age 5, the importance of early childhood development cannot be overstated. The First 5 program focuses on four main areas: health, learning, family and community. Through First 5, our youngest children receive developmental screenings, high-quality preschool, dental care, p... Full story
The first national census was taken in 1790, and the nation is gearing up for the next one in 2020. There’s a lot riding on the census. For one thing, congressional representation is based on an accurate count, and distribution of around $65 billion in federal funding will be heavily impacted by the census. While every state gets two senators regardless of population, an incorrect count could easily impact representation in the House of Representatives. And if those r... Full story
So, can you live on 55 gallons of water a day? No one can. Legislation just enacted broadens authority of the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB), an unelected, unaccountable board. The new mandates establish an indoor water use budget of 55 gallons/day for all Californians until 2025, reduced to 50 gallons/day after 2030. Civil penalties apply to water districts that are unable to meet the new guidelines. I opposed both SB606 and AB1668 which created these regulations... Full story
This session my legislative package deals with public safety, health care, government efficiency and rebuilding after the recent fires. Only some are highlighted here. Public safety bills include AB 2720, reducing recidivism rates by providing more services for youth on parole from state prison to help them successfully re-enter society. AB 1983 improves school safety by requiring school districts and local law enforcement to collaborate on safety threat assessments of school... Full story
California's fresh-market citrus producers are working hard to prevent being affected by a disease called Huanglongbing, (HLB) or citrus greening disease. The disease, for which there is no known cure, is spread by an invasive pest known as the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), an aphid-sized insect that first appeared in our state in 2008. Since our region is a high producer of citrus, this is a concern for our growers and our local economy. Disease symptoms include asymmetrical... Full story
Electronic devices and virtual reality can be great, but there’s nothing like experiencing nature first hand. Unfortunately, many youth living in inner cities and underserved communities never have the opportunity to really experience the outdoors. The benefits of recreating are many, including healthy exercise, learning about nature, acquiring new skills and making friends. To help make that happen, I voted in favor of Assembly Bill 2614, introduced by Assemblymember Wendy C... Full story
Most of us love animals and want to see that they are treated humanely. That’s why I’m supporting several bills this session that will help ensure the safety and well-being of pets and wildlife. It often falls to first responders to provide life-saving first aid to animals during emergency situations. This is not infrequent, as thousands of pets are rescued by firefighters and other first responders each year. Senate Bill 1305, introduced by Senator Steve Glazer (D-... Full story
Even before the recent increase, Californians were paying some of the highest gasoline taxes in the United States. Despite this, our highways were consistently rated among the nation’s worst, and we were told a drastic tax increase would be necessary to fix the problem. But is that really true? Well no, it’s not. Alternatives we are working on, which would generate billions for transportation without raising taxes, are on the table. My legislation from last session would man... Full story
Recent changes in California’s criminal statutes resulting from passage of Propositions 47 and 57 have reclassified many serious crimes from felonies to misdemeanors. These changes have reduced the justice system’s ability to keep criminals off the street, impeded criminal investigations by restricting DNA collection, and redefined the definition of violent crimes for incarcerated criminals up for parole. While prisoners convicted of violent crimes often are not eligible for...
Our young people are facing dangers that many parents aren't aware of. Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that is 30 to 50 times more potent than heroin, can be disguised as over the counter medications like Xanax or aspirin, but kids have been killed who unknowingly take them. This session I introduced AB 3105 to increase penalties for selling fentanyl, a controlled Schedule II drug. Trafficking in Schedule II drugs currently results in county jail sentences of three to five... Full story
The Assembly Select Committee on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities works to ensure the rights and dignity of all Californians with developmental disabilities (I/DD) through advocacy and research, and by acting as an information resource for the Legislature as it develops policies impacting California’s I/DD population. I am pleased to announce that I have been asked to join in the work of this important committee. Beginning the first week in May, we will begin h... Full story
School safety has to be our first priority. That's why I introduced Assembly Bill 1983 requiring local school districts to collaborate with local law enforcement to create mandatory threat assessment protocols and facility reassessments so that all schools will have documented protections, advanced technologies and strategies in place should a threat arise. Unfortunately, a large majority of schools remain unprepared to deal with external or internal threats. While both law...
This week I joined Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia (D-Imperial County) to advocate for $25 million to fund our "Breaking Barriers" for career tech education initiative. Last year, as a principal co-author for Assembly Bill 1111, we worked to help vulnerable populations obtain important middle skills jobs to meet the growing economy. Under AB 1111, Local Workforce Development Boards partner with community-based organizations with proven track records of serving populations... Full story
When people think about major San Diego economic drivers, they look to the military, tourism, biotech and in North County, probably agriculture, including wineries. But they usually don’t think about beer. Even so, craft breweries have become a major economic engine throughout California, with the largest concentration located in San Diego County. It’s been estimated that 91.4 percent of all Californians live within 10 miles of a brewery, but it’s unlikely that very many... Full story
Representing everyone in my district and creating solutions that work for all requires working together with my colleagues of both parties in the legislature. This session I joined several legislators across the aisle to jointly author bills that will benefit millions of Californians. The sexual harassment issue has deservedly received a great deal of attention, resulting in two bills I have introduced with Democratic colleagues. Assembly Bill 1870, introduced with... Full story
As a member of the Rare Disease Caucus, the Assembly Health Committee, and as Vice Chair of the Select Committee on Infectious Diseases in High Risk Communities, I am a proud co-author of ACR 162, which declares Feb. 28 Rare Disease Day in California. A rare disease is defined as affecting fewer than 200,000 people in the United States. Over 7,000 of these diseases have been identified, but the Food and Drug Administration has approved treatments for less than 500. So, we... Full story
Last week I toured Oroville Dam in Northern California with other legislators to get a firsthand look at repairs underway. Fortunately, though almost 200,000 people downstream were evacuated, a major disaster was averted. Escondido has two dams, one at Lake Dixon and one at Lake Wohlford. My district also includes parts of Lake Hodges which has a dam we see from Via de la Valle. Dams in California are under the jurisdiction of the Department of Water Resources, Division of... Full story
Many California state agencies are burdened with archaic procedures that often get in the way of efficient public service. That’s why I have introduced Assembly Bill 2087, which will require all state agencies to establish modernization goals with specified objectives no later than Jan. 1, 2020. The bill seeks to establish flexible, family friendly workplaces and efficient, streamlined processes in a way that will enhance cyber security, save money, reduce emissions, i... Full story
