All students attending a CSU or UC with family incomes less than $150,000 that do not already have fees covered will receive a Middle Class Scholarship that cuts costs by 2/3

(SACRAMENTO, CA) —Assemblymember Mariko Yamada (D-Davis) joined with her Assembly Democratic colleagues today in announcing new legislation to create the Middle Class Scholarship program.  AB 1500 and AB 1501, introduced by Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez (D – Los Angeles), are proposals designed to keep more money in the pockets of middle-income families with students attending the state’s higher education institutions.

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Mino Ohye recently returned from Japan where he was reunited with his brother, Hiroshi Kamimura

SACRAMENTO, CA - Assemblymember Mariko Yamada (D – Davis) was eager to see 86-year old West Sacramento resident Mino Ohye after he celebrated his birthday in Japan.  She was one of the people who helped Mr. Ohye travel to Japan to see his younger brother, Hiroshi Kamimura, age 84, after 60 years of separation. By partnering with Eskaton's “Thrill of a Lifetime” program, Mino was able to fulfill a nearly life-long dream of seeing his brother again.

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Sacramento - Assemblymember Mariko Yamada (D-Davis) says the Governor’s balanced plan to deal with California’s budget deficit, which he detailed in his State of the State address to a joint session of the Legislature, is a reasonable starting point to close the $9.1 billion gap. She also comments that though difficult choices ahead, our state is on the mend and that Democrats and Republicans should work together to make progress towards investments in California’s future. Here’s more in this Assembly Access video.

Sacramento - Assemblymember Mariko Yamada (D – Davis), made the following comments in response to Governor Jerry Brown's 2012 State of the State address:

"The Governor's message today was bold and full of optimism. We have difficult choices ahead, but our state is on the mend. Let's make progress, and not just pledges, so that we can reinvest in California's future."

Eligible taxpayers can claim up to $5,751 in federal Earned Income Tax Credits

SOLANO AND YOLO COUNTIES, CA - Assemblymember Mariko Yamada (D – Davis) announces a series of free tax assistance events in communities throughout the 8th Assembly District.  For the third year, Assemblymember Yamada’s office will hosts these events through partnerships with: the Internal Revenue Service, Children's Network of Solano County, Hermanos Macehual of UC Davis, Woodland Community College, United Way of the Bay Area, Washington Unified School District, Yolo County Children's Alliance, Yolo County Department of Employment and Social Services, Yolo Family Resource Center and the Yolo County Library.

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YOLO AND SOLANO COUNTIES, CA- Assemblymember Mariko Yamada (D-Davis) is hosting fifteen Cash for College Workshops to help students apply for Cal Grants and other financial aid for college. The Cash for College program is a partnership with the California Student Aid Commission, the Sacramento Cal-SOAP Consortium, the Solano Educational Consortium, Woodland Community College, Solano Community College, Napa Valley College, Sacramento State, UC Davis Early Academic Outreach Program, UC Berkeley Destination College and local volunteers.

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DAVIS, CA – Assemblymember Mariko Yamada (D – Davis) will welcome Mrs. Juanita "Nita" Redpath of Davis, into the 8th Assembly District “Century Circle” on Friday, December 30, 2011.  This will be the third Century Circle recognition to take place in Davis since October.

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(Sacramento) - Assemblymember Mariko Yamada (D-Davis) joined her fellow lawmakers at the state capitol for the Senate Committee on Education and the Assembly Committee on Higher Education Joint Informational Hearing on UC and CSU campus policies and procedures for safe civil disobedience. The hearing was convened after the events on various UC and CSU campuses over the past few months, including UC Davis. Assemblymember Yamada stated, "We must not forget these protests were born out of the outrage and hopelessness that many feel are due to the increasing disinvestment in higher education. These protests and issues will not change until we address the fundamental issue of funding for education."

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Fiscal Forecast for Older Women: Poor

Assemblymember Mariko Yamada, Chair of the Assembly Committee on Aging and Long-Term Care, and Assemblymember Jim Beall, Chair of the Assembly Committee on Human Services, will hold a joint hearing in Los Angeles to examine the economic challenges facing older women. The December 9th hearing will cover various topics including the life-long gender wage gap, historical gender discrimination, and longer life-spans that can threaten older women's fiscal well-being and retirement.

"Women live longer, make less, and serve as primary caregivers--from cradle-to-crypt--throughout the life cycle," said Assemblymember Yamada. "Amidst calls for pension reform, let's be clear about the feminization of poverty, and the need for policymakers to support programs and services that support working women and families in their golden years."

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SACRAMENTO, CA — Assemblymember Mariko Yamada (D-Davis), Chair of the Assembly Committee on Aging and Long-Term Care, released the following statement in response to the settlement reached today by Adult Day Health Care advocates and the State of California:

“Today, the 35,000 recipients of adult day health care, their families, and the 7,000 jobs it generates, get a significant reprieve. The settlement reached between the adult day health care community and the state will continue this vital program until February 29, 2012. Starting in March, a new program will be implemented called ‘Community-Based Adult Services’ (CBAS).  Similar to ADHC, CBAS will offer center-based skilled health and nursing care, therapies, transportation and other services, to eligible low income seniors and people with disabilities. I commend the resilience and hard work that advocates have demonstrated throughout the fight to preserve adult day health-like services.

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The American Veterans (or AMVETS) of California has named Assemblymember Mariko Yamada (D - Fairfield) as a 2011 Legislator of the Year.  The AMVETS Legislator of the Year honor is awarded to legislators who have gone the extra mile to support California’s veterans and their families.

“I am honored and humbled to receive this award from the veterans of California,” said Assemblymember Yamada.  “Thank you for this recognition, but the true thanks must go to all current and past service men and women who have placed themselves in harm’s way to protect our freedoms.  Be sure to observe Veterans Day on Friday by thanking those who have served.”

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