Recent News in the 8th District

SACRAMENTO, CA – Assemblymember Mariko Yamada (D – Davis), Chair of the Assembly Aging & Long-Term Care Committee, made this statement today following the release of Governor Jerry Brown’s revised May budget:

“The budget ax falls again on those who are already the least advantaged in our society—the poor, women, children, elderly, disabled, and on those who are the future of California—our students.

“This grim news underscores the need for all Californians to support the Governor’s temporary revenue measure.  Simplistic statements about the state’s spending problems ignore the stark realities of what it actually costs to maintain a basic, minimum standard for education, healthcare, and public safety in one of the most complex democracies in the world.”

The informational hearing will focus on promoting agricultural stewardship in California

SACRAMENTO, CA – Assemblymember Mariko Yamada (D – Davis), Chair of the Assembly Select Committee on Sustainable and Organic Agriculture, announced today that the committee’s second informational hearing will focus on strengthening current farm policies to support sustainable agriculture. The hearing will take place on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 beginning at 1:30p.m. in the State Capitol, room 126.

“This hearing advances our Select Committee’s goals by encouraging sustainable agricultural practices and a cleaner environment for the future,” said Assemblymember Yamada. “American farmers and ranchers oversee forty percent of landmass in the United States, positioning them as important stewards of our natural resources. Recent budget cuts by federal and state governments, particularly the elimination of the Williamson Act here in California, creates uncertainty in agriculture. At the same time, climate change is affecting our water resources and harvest seasons, and must be mitigated in order for agriculture to thrive.”

The hearing will consist of two panels. The first panel will cover the funding cuts to agricultural conservation programs in the federal 2012 Food and Farm Bill which directly affect California’s agricultural programs. This panel will include the following speakers:

• Alan Forkey, Farm Bill Program Manager, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
• Dr. Jeff Dlott, Chair, Environmental Farming Act Science Advisory Panel, California Department of Food and Agriculture
• Dr. Donald Klingborg, Director of Strategic Advocacy and UC County Partnerships, University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources
• Brise Tencer, Policy Director, California Certified Organic Farmers

The second panel will focus on opportunities and challenges maintaining support for agricultural stewardship. This panel will discuss current environmental sustainability programs and their impact on agriculture including carbon market offsets and cap and trade programs established with The 2006 Global Warming Solutions Act (AB 32). This panel will include the following speakers:

• Maureen Wilmont, Executive Director, Organic Farming Research Foundation
• Cynthia Cory, Director of Environmental Affairs, California Farm Bureau Federation
• Jeanne Merrill, Policy Director, California Climate Change and Agriculture Network

For more information on the Select Committee and organic production in California, please visit www.assembly.ca.gov/yamada. You can watch the hearing at www.calchannel.com.

Download a copy of the Hearing Agenda.

AB 1626 allows a county elections official to seek a writ of mandate in special and school district elections

Sacramento - Assemblymember Mariko Yamada (D – Davis) has introduced legislation addressing an issue that arose during Davis's Measure C election in March. AB 1626, which passed out of the Assembly Elections & Redistricting committee today on a strong bipartisan vote, gives a county elections official authority to seek a writ of mandate to amend or delete errors or omissions in election materials in special district and school district elections. The elections official already has this authority in state, county and city elections.

"Changing the law to allow election officials to perform a well-established function of the office in all local elections serves the voters of California by ensuring that arguments presented to them are accurate and honest," said Assemblymember Yamada.

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AB 1964 Strengthens Religious Protections in the Workplace

Sacramento - Assemblymember Mariko Yamada (D – Davis) was joined by dozens of representatives from the interfaith community as she presented AB 1964 the Workplace Religious Freedom Act of 2012. AB 1964 clarifies the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) to ensure that religion receives equal protection under law. The bill was heard in the Assembly Labor & Employment Committee this afternoon and passed out of committee with bipartisan support.

"Current religious discrimination and segregation in the workplace is akin to Rosa Parks being moved to the back of the bus," said Assemblymember Yamada. "Sikhs, Muslims and other religious minorities should not have to be moved to the back of a store in order to continue to work and support their families. This bill will ensure that segregation is not an appropriate religious accommodation."

Assemblymember Yamada leads a diverse coalition, including the Sikh and Muslim communities, in introducing AB 1964 which seeks to clarify religious rights in the workplace. AB 1964 strengthens protections for employees against religious discrimination by more concretely defining "undue hardship" in statute. Under a U.S. Supreme Court decision, employers can deny religious accommodations by claiming that the cost of making such accommodations would be prohibitively high, even if the true cost is minimal. AB 1964 would put an end to this and better protect religious liberty in the workplace.

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A local news story on AB 1964 can viewed here.

DAVIS, CA – Assemblymember Mariko Yamada (D – Davis) made the following statement in response to the Reynoso Task Force Report released yesterday regarding the UC Davis pepper spray incident in November of 2011.

“I have spent the last day reading the extensive report spearheaded by former state Supreme Court Justice Cruz Reynoso regarding the UC Davis pepper spray incident of November 18, 2011.  I would like to thank the task force for their thoughtful and deliberate process.

“This long-awaited report gives a comprehensive account of what occurred that grave day at UC Davis, and provides specific recommendations for moving forward from this incident as a campus and a community.  I have personally spoken with Chancellor Linda Katehi and am confident that what we have all learned from the report will be incorporated quickly to prevent a future recurrence.

“This has been a difficult time not only for the Davis community, but for all those who are justifiably angry about the public disinvestments in higher education and many other public services.  This report is also the first step towards holding those responsible for the incident accountable.  Let us now refocus on healing the wounds we have experienced and restoring the world-class education for which UC Davis is already known.”

Reynolds directed West Sacramento’s first Veterans Day Parade and is administrator of Eskaton Wilson Manor

SACRAMENTO, CA — Assemblymember Mariko Yamada (D – Davis) has named Debbie Reynolds as the 2012 Woman of the Year from the 8th Assembly District.  Reynolds is administrator of Eskaton Wilson Manor, an affordable apartment community for seniors in West Sacramento.  Eskaton Wilson Manor’s Veterans Appreciation Initiative is aligned with Reynolds’ own personal commitment to caring for seniors and veterans.  In addition to planning West Sacramento’s first Veterans Day parade, she recently concluded a year-long effort resulting in the successful reunion between Mino Ohye, a Wilson Manor resident and veteran, and his brother in Japan, from whom he was separated for more than six decades.

“Debbie is an exceptional leader in Yolo County.  Her passion for service to the senior community is shown through her dedicated work at Eskaton,” said Assemblymember Mariko Yamada.  “The veterans in West Sacramento were also given a reason to celebrate in the first ever parade in the city, thanks to Debbie’s hard work.”

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AB 1710, AB 1752 and AB 1793 aim to put the 'home' back in nursing home

Sacramento - Following Tuesday's Assembly Joint Hearing on Caregivers, Assemblymember Mariko Yamada (D – Davis), chair of the Assembly Aging & Long-Term Care Committee, announced legislation to support and improve nursing homes. The three measures together preserve important resident rights, clarify nursing homes' roles in public emergencies, and strengthen the program that trains, examines, and licenses nursing home administrators.

"Nursing homes may not be the first choice to receive care for many, but it is often the only choice," continued Yamada. "Nursing homes are part of our continuum of care and residents who reside in them are often unable to speak for themselves. We have a duty to these residents and to the tax payers to assure that this health care resource is making the highest and best use of the dollars going into them."

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Who Cares?  Planning, Protecting and Paying for the future of Caregiving in California

SACRAMENTO, CA – Assemblymember Mariko Yamada (D – Davis), Chair of the Assembly Committee on Aging & Long-Term Care and Assemblymember Jim Beall, Jr. (D – San Jose), Chair of the Assembly Human Services Committee, will convene an informational hearing to discuss the plight of caregivers in Californians.  The hearing will begin with an overview of California's caregiver system, followed by panels of caregivers and providers who will discuss the challenges and opportunities in caring for California’s growing senior population.

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HR 24 urges all Californians to take part in March “Social Work Matters” events throughout California

Sacramento - Assemblymember Mariko Yamada (D – Davis), Chair of the Assembly Aging and Long-Term Care Committee and herself a professional social worker, introduced House Resolution (HR) 24 establishing March as Social Work Month in California. The nation recognizes social workers each March and the theme this year is “Social Work Matters.”

“The social work profession promotes compassion and empathy as well as empowerment,” said Assemblymember Yamada. “As a member of the profession for nearly forty years, I know first-hand the difficult work social workers perform every day and how deserving they are of our recognition.”

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More than a dozen state, federal and local agencies will be on hand to assist veterans

SOLANO AND YOLO COUNTIES, CA – Assemblymember Mariko Yamada (D – Davis),  who was recently named Legislator of the Year by the American Veterans of California (AMVETS), will host two free events for veterans who would like to learn about and apply for state and federal benefits earned through their military service.  The first forum, held in partnership with the Yolo County Veterans Coalition, will be held in Davis in March, while the second forum, co-hosted by the City of Suisun, will be held in Suisun City in April.

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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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