Representing the 5th District

Packed House Discusses Ways to Support Universities, Forms Student Advisory Council, Tours Dr. Pan's Sacramento State District Office

Sacramento - Dr. Richard Pan (D-Sacramento) and Mayor Kevin Johnson joined with students, faculty and staff at Sacramento State University today for a discussion on ways to support higher education in California and the Sacramento region.

"The people of Sacramento really understand that health and education investments always pay off in terms of the economy and quality of life," said Dr. Pan, a UC Davis professor and pediatrician. "Sacramento State and our systems of higher education are a proven success story when it comes to what made California's economy so strong. When we look at all the ways higher education pays off in terms of job training, the arts and technological innovation, who wouldn't want to invest in continuing that kind of success?"

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SACRAMENTO - Dr. Richard Pan (D-Sacramento), a professor at University of California Davis, has sent a letter to UC Davis Chancellor Linda Katehi regarding the recent incident in which UC Davis campus police pepper sprayed UC Davis students who were sitting down and protesting tuition hikes and cuts to higher education.

"The free expression of ideas is at the core of a university, and student demonstrations through peaceful protests have deep historic roots at the University of California," Dr. Pan said in the letter. "The tragic incident that happened on campus on Friday was disturbing and damaged trust in university leadership and the bonds of community at UC Davis."

Click here for the full letter.

SACRAMENTO - Dr. Richard Pan (D-Sacramento) and veterans from lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities joined at the State Capitol today to announce new legislation that will ensure state veterans benefits are not denied to veterans discharged solely because of their sexual orientation or gender identity and expression.

"Don't Ask, Don't Tell was repealed in September because of the growing understanding that not only do our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender veterans have the right to serve openly, but that our country is safer when they do," said Dr. Pan, Vice-Chair of the Assembly Committee on Veterans Affairs. "Beginning the conversation about how we treat these veterans, who dedicated their lives to their country only to be separated unjustly from the military, is an important step towards equality."

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(Sacramento) – Doctor Richard Pan, Assemblymember for Assembly District 5, has joined a chorus of Assembly Democrats praising Governor Brown’s decision to sign the California Dream Act Legislation. The Dream Act is made up of two bills…AB 130 allows public universities to permit eligible undocumented students to qualify for private scholarships administered by the public universities. AB 131 extended that eligibility to institutional financial aid administered by UC, CSU and the California Community Colleges, as well as to Cal Grants, which students can use at any eligible California college or university. Here’s more from Doctor Pan in this Assembly Access video.

AB 678 Signed by Governor, Will Generate up to $50 Million Each Subsequent Year

SACRAMENTO – The Governor has signed into law Assembly Bill 678, legislation authored by Dr. Richard Pan (D-Sacramento) that will bring California fire departments critical federal funding when local governments are struggling to fund vital public safety programs.

“Fire stations, an indispensible part of our emergency response process, are in grave danger of closure without proper funding,” Dr. Pan said. “AB 678 allows fire departments to receive federal reimbursements for the life-saving emergency services they so bravely provide every single Californian, every single day. I am proud to have worked closely with the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District on this bill to provide this critical funding for fire departments across the state.”

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AB 395 Adds Fatal Bubble Boy Disease to State's Newborn Screening Process, AB 301 Protects California's Children Services

Sacramento - Governor Jerry Brown has signed into law two more bills authored by Dr. Richard Pan (D-Sacramento) that build a healthier Sacramento. Under AB 395, California newborn babies will now be screened for fatal Bubble Boy Disease, also known as Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID), as a permanent part of the state's newborn screening process. AB 301 protects California Children's Services, ensuring children with serious and chronic conditions have access to the specialized care they need.

"The Governor is making SCID, known as the Bubble Boy Disease, a disease of the past," Dr. Pan said. "Newborns with SCID will no longer face a life of repeated illness and infections ending in death during childhood. They will now be diagnosed at birth and can receive life-saving treatment. I am thankful to the March of Dimes and the families affected by SCID who made it their mission to give other families a chance to overcome SCID."

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Statewide Poll Finds 74-percent of Californians Support Such a Ban

Sacramento - The Governor has signed AB 688, legislation authored by Dr. Richard Pan (D-Sacramento) that prohibits stores from selling expired infant food and formula and over-the-counter medication that has lost important nutritional or pharmaceutical benefits.

"As a father of two young sons, I know how important it is for working families to trust that the food they buy for their infants is safe and nutritious," Dr. Pan said. "Many parents don't know it is legal for stores to market and sell expired baby food, and as a pediatrician I find this very concerning. I introduced AB 688 so that infants have the nourishment they need for healthy physical and mental development, and I am thankful the Governor has signed this bill into law."

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SAN FRANCISCO – Dr. Richard Pan (D-Sacramento) today urged Governor Jerry Brown to sign Assembly Bill 395 to make sure a groundbreaking state newborn screening pilot program that has identified newborns with bubble boy disease, also known as Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID), is made a permanent part of California's newborn screening process.

"California's pilot program has shown us the way toward the day when bubble boy disease is a thing of the past and AB 395 will help make sure children born with the disease can live to see that day," Dr. Pan said at University of California San Francisco. "AB 395 will make sure all California newborns are screened for SCID and I am proud to be working on this effort with the March of Dimes, UCSF doctors and the brave families with babies who were identified early, treated and now have the chance to live a healthy life."

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(Sacramento) -  The children of Sacramento and other smaller cities deserve the same quality of specialized health care that children in larger cities have access to.  California State Assemblymember Richard Pan (D-Natomas) is helping make that happen with his legislation, Assembly Bill 301.  If passed, AB 301 will ensure California Children’s Services continues to provide access to pediatric specialists for children with serious and chronic health conditions.  Learn more in this Assembly Access Video.

(Sacramento) – Fire stations have been hit hard by budget cuts in these tough financial times.  Some stations barely manage to stay open, while others have closed.  California State Assemblymember, Dr. Richard Pan (D-Natomas) has found a way to help fire stations up and down the state.  Pan’s legislation, Assembly Bill 678, could help fire stations to the tune of tens of millions a year.  Learn more in this Assembly Web Report.