Representing the 9th District

Sacramento – Today, Assemblymember Roger Dickinson (D-Sacramento) released the following statement on the May Revise:

“We were hopeful that the tax returns would be higher, but the May Revise released today leaves us with a deficit that is nearly $7 billion more than the Governor projected in January. This will force us to, once again, make some tough decisions. The Legislature has already reduced the deficit by more than $12 billion in the last year alone.

As the Governor suggests, we need to make further cuts, but passage of the Governor’s proposed tax initiative is critical; as is the closing of corporate tax loopholes which keep our state treasury from benefiting from the steady economic growth we have recently witnessed. Otherwise, schools may lose over $5 billion, tuition at our institutions of higher learning may have to be increased yet again, and reductions in assistance for the most vulnerable in our society will be inevitable. I am committed, along with my Democratic colleagues, to pass a balanced budget by June 15th, but I will also do my best to minimize these reductions to essential public services.”

Sacramento – Today, Assembly Bill 1541 by Assemblymember Roger Dickinson (D-Sacramento) was approved on a unanimous bipartisan vote by the State Assembly. The bill would subject the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to the state’s Public Records Act, make information submitted by utilities to the CPUC available for public review, and bring the CPUC into line with the policy and practice of other public agencies in California. The bill will next be heard in the State Senate.

“This bill will provide some much needed sunshine on this currently opaque state agency,” said Assemblymember Dickinson, Chair of the Assembly Committee on Accountability and Administrative Review. “This bill would bring transparency and accountability to the CPUC with the primary goal of protecting public safety and increasing oversight.”

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Sacramento – Today, Assembly Bill 1974 by Assemblymember Roger Dickinson (D-Sacramento) was approved by the Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee on a 6-2 vote. The bill would create a state Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), allowing a refundable tax credit equal to 15% of the federal EITC for low-income Californians. The bill will next be heard in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

“The federal EITC lifts more children out of poverty than any other program,” said Assemblymember Dickinson.  “Especially in our current economic climate, a state EITC will provide needed assistance to low-income working families and their children.”

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Bill Spurred by Ongoing Investigation of Sacramento-area Peace Officers

Sacramento – In November 2011, the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives launched an investigation into several peace officers of the Sacramento and Roseville police departments and the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department for their possible involvement in the purchase or sale of firearms that are illegal for the general public to own. The investigation is currently pending.

Assembly Bill 2460 by Assemblymember Roger Dickinson (D-Sacramento) would close the loophole in law that currently allows the private party transfer of “unsafe handguns” to individuals not eligible to buy them. The bill was approved today by the State Assembly on a vote of 47-25. The bill will next be heard in the State Senate.

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Sacramento – Today, Assembly Bill 1831 by Assemblymember Roger Dickinson (D-Sacramento) was approved on a 6-2 vote by the Assembly Local Government Committee. The bill would prohibit requesting criminal background information on the initial employment application for local employees, with the goal of reducing unnecessary barriers to employment for the one in four adult Californians who have an arrest or conviction record struggling to find work. If passed, California would join five states and over 30 cities and counties across the United States that have adopted similar legislation. The bill will next be heard on the Assembly floor.

“With this bill, California’s cities and counties will take an important step toward becoming model employers, leading the way for the private sector to allow people with a conviction history to compete fairly for employment without compromising safety and security on the job,” said Assemblymember Dickinson. “California should join the bi-partisan movement across the nation that’s opening doors, not shutting them, for qualified workers who have turned their lives around.”

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Sacramento – Today, Assembly Bill 1541 by Assemblymember Roger Dickinson (D-Sacramento) was approved on a unanimous vote by the Assembly Appropriations Committee. The bill would subject the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to the state’s Public Records Act, make information submitted by utilities to the CPUC available for public review and bring the CPUC into line with the policy and practice of other public agencies in California. The bill will next be heard on the Assembly floor.

“The CPUC is charged with the critical role of regulating and overseeing safety of the natural gas system as well as protecting Californians from tragedies like San Bruno and Rancho Cordova,” said Assemblymember Dickinson, Chair of the Assembly Committee on Accountability and Administrative Review. “This bill would bring transparency and accountability to the CPUC with the primary goal of protecting public safety and increasing oversight.”

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Sacramento – Yesterday, Assemblymember Roger Dickinson’s (D-Sacramento) Assembly Bill 1960 was approved by the California State Assembly on a 48-25 vote. The bill would require that information about lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) owned business enterprises be included along with information about minority, women, and disadvantaged business enterprises as reported by the California Department of General Services.

“Minority-owned, women-owned, and disadvantaged business enterprises, along with LGBT-owned businesses, make up a large share of the small businesses that are major economic drivers and job creators for our state,” said Assemblymember Dickinson. “With this bill, California is the first state to have a bill dedicated to the advancement of LGBT-owned businesses.”

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Slash Your College Fees by Two-Thirds

On Thursday, April 26, Assemblymember Roger Dickinson will join a discussion with students about the Middle Class Scholarship proposal at California State University, Sacramento. Introduced by Speaker John A. Pérez and co-authored by Dickinson, AB 1500 and AB 1501 are designed to keep more money in the pockets of middle-income families with students attending the state's public colleges and universities.

"Investing in California's students is an investment in our future educated workforce. For every $1 we spend on higher education, the state gets a $3 return on its investment. All Californians, including those from middle class families, deserve access to an affordable college education," said Assemblymember Dickinson.

Through this proposal, all students at the 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. Community College districts will have local discretion to allocate funds to best meet their individual needs, including reducing fees, expanding the use of fee waivers, or providing grants to cover the costs of books or other educational expenses.

Who:
Speaker John A. Pérez (D-Los Angeles)
Assemblymember Roger Dickinson (D-Sacramento)
Assemblymember Alyson Huber (D-El Dorado Hills)
Assemblymember Richard Pan (D-Sacramento)

When:
Thursday, April 26 @ noon

Where:
CSUS University Union Summit Room (third floor)
6000 J Street
Sacramento, CA

Sacramento – Today, Assemblymember Roger Dickinson’s (D-Sacramento) Assembly Bill 1717 was approved by the Assembly Education Committee on a bipartisan 10-0 vote. The bill would protect children by requiring the California Department of Social Services to notify school districts whenever an employee’s community care (foster care) license is revoked or suspended for certain offenses such as violating the personal rights of a child. The bill has previously been approved by the Assembly Human Services Committee and will next be heard by the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

“AB 1717 would close a loophole in current law that has allowed known child abusers and predators to continue to teach our children and work in schools,” said Assemblymember Dickinson.  “Allowing this to continue is unacceptable; AB 1717 will protect kids.”

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Sacramento – Assembly Bill 1917 by Assemblymember Roger Dickinson (D-Sacramento) was approved yesterday by the Assembly Higher Education Committee on a 6-3 vote. The bill would ensure that public education facilitates are informed of and remitted any discounts, rebates, allowances, and incentives received by a service contractor from its supplier. The bill has previously been approved by the Assembly Education Committee and will next be heard in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

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