California’s opioid and heroin use disorder has become a major threat to public health, especially among the young.  Drug overdose, mostly from opioids, is the leading cause of death among those under 50, with nearly 2,000 Californians dying from opioid overdoses in 2016 alone.  However, California has a severe lack of certified providers to treat the condition.  That's why I have authored Assembly Bill 319 along with Assemblymember Blanca Rubio (D – Baldwin Park), which will go a long way to encourage more providers and treatment options around our state, including underserved rural areas,… read more

Are you tired of the government telling you what you can eat or drink? What car you need to be driving or how much water you’re allowed to use?  Well, the California Democrats are at it again with their new idea: tax you for drinking soda, since it’s not really the best choice for you.  Public health is one of my passions – it’s why I serve on the Assembly Health Committee. In my personal life as a wife and mother, I work hard my family healthy. A big part of that is making sure we eat properly, stay active and limit our sugar intake. We take personal responsibility seriously. … read more

We have some of the best medical care in the world, but accessing that care can be difficult for millions of Californians. Unfortunately, we don’t have enough doctors and nurses, and the situation is likely to get much worse in the near future.  According to the California Future Health Workforce Commission, we don’t have enough healthcare professionals practicing in the right places to meet the needs of our growing and aging population. Many rural areas, including parts of Riverside and North Inland San Diego County in my district, feel the effects of this shortage. Seven million… read more

Last month I introduced House Resolution 7 (HR 7), which is jointly authored with Assemblymember Eloise Gómez Reyes (D – San Bernardino). HR 7 declares January Human Trafficking Awareness Month in California, part of a nationwide effort to combat this growing menace. A form of modern slavery, human trafficking has grown 842% in the United States since 2007. Unfortunately California and Nevada have become the primary location for human trafficking in the western United States. Worldwide, it is a $150 billion per year industry, with 40.3 million victims -- 25% are children, and 75% women and… read more

California has been transitioning from residential to community-based care for people with developmental disabilities, with the state expecting to see substantial cost savings.  While Gov. Newsom’s budget proposal diverts that money to pay for other state programs, myself and other legislators want to provide a secure source of funding for some of the most vulnerable people in the state.  We are calling on the Governor to support Californians with developmental disabilities and their caregivers by permanently dedicating savings from the closure of developmental centers to increase pay for… read more

California appears to be flush with cash. Last November, the Legislative Analyst’s office reported a $14.8 billion surplus for the fiscal year beginning July 1st. That was later updated to a projected $20.6 billion, while Governor Newsom’s finance department is predicting a surplus of $21.4 billion.   Unfortunately, that surplus can quickly disappear. During the Great Recession, California faced annual budget deficits over $20 billion, a situation that could be repeated when another economic downturn hits. A recession is inevitable; we just don’t know when it will come.  That’s why I… read more

We have a new Governor, a new budget plan and a new legislative session that just began. Needless to say, many very important issues will be discussed in Sacramento over the coming months.  The budget’s education initiatives would freeze UC and CSU tuition, make the first two years at community colleges free, make Cal-Grants more widely available and expand other aid programs. K-14 education funding would grow, including plans for universal preschool and efforts to help districts resolve their unfunded pension liabilities.  The budget includes a proposal to create a statewide purchasing… read more

As most of you know, Proposition 13 limits annual property tax increases to a maximum of 2% each year and continues to save California homeowners money ever since it was overwhelmingly passed by voters in 1978.  Unfortunately, proposals to weaken Prop. 13 protections are on the table this year. Under the ‘split roll’ proposal, Prop. 13 would remain in place for homeowners, but would be eliminated for many commercial properties; allowing their property taxes to increase beyond the 2% cap annually based on inflating market values.    In reality, it won’t be just business owners who are forced… read more

On January 7, 120 California legislators will assemble in the State Capitol to begin the 2019-2020 session.  Almost 3,000 bills will probably be introduced over the next few weeks. Some will be controversial, though I’m hoping that many important issues that face us, regardless of party, including disaster preparedness, water infrastructure, healthcare, transportation, education and many more, will generate bi-partisan solutions.  Proposals for new legislation must be submitted to the Legislative Counsel’s office by January 25 so that bill language can be drafted by February 22, this year’s… read more