Representing the 9th District

Sacramento - Triple digit fee increases and the struggling economy are squeezing middle class Californians out of the opportunity to get a higher education. Assemblymember Roger Dickinson (D-Sacramento) is joining Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez in an effort to renew the promise of a higher education for middle class students and their families. Speaker Pérez has introduced the Middle Class Scholarship Act (www.middleclassscholarship.com) to reduce the cost of attending a CSU, UC or community college by two-thirds, saving thousands of students thousands of dollars every year. Assemblymember Dickinson says the Middle Class Scholarship Act is an incredible opportunity to make college more affordable for thousands of students and their families. The program will be funded by closing a wasteful tax loophole for out-of-state corporations. Here’s more from Assemblymember Dickinson in this Assembly Access Video.

Sacramento – Today, Assemblymember Roger Dickinson (D-Sacramento) released the following statement on the 2012 State of the Judiciary Address given by Chief Justice of California Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye:

“The Chief Justice’s remarks highlight the challenges our trial courts struggle with in a period of transition in the face of the state’s budget problems. I agree with her sentiments about the vital importance of our courts to the future of California’s justice system. I applaud the Chief Justice on her efforts to increase efficiency, collaboration, and oversight in the court system. I look forward to working with the Chief Justice and my colleagues in the Legislature to craft a plan to ensure that our courts stay open in a fiscally constrained environment. Our ultimate duty must be to ensure equal and timely access to justice for all individuals as guaranteed in our federal and state Constitution.

I wholeheartedly agree with the Chief Justice’s concerns about youth in our juvenile justice system, specifically the overuse of out-of-school suspensions and expulsions in our school system. This year, I introduced AB 2242 which would reduce the number of expulsions and out-of-school suspensions and the accompanying poor outcomes for students. It would also reduce the extent to which these practices disproportionately impact students of color. AB 2242 will result in more appropriate types of intervention with less academic student disruption, and better student outcomes.”

Walk MS in Sacramento Coming up on Sunday, April 29

Sacramento –Today, the Assembly unanimously voted to approve Assemblymember Roger Dickinson’s Assembly Concurrent Resolution 113. The resolution declares this week, March 12 through March 16, 2012, Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week in recognition of the importance of finding the cause and cure for multiple sclerosis and to express appreciation to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and its California chapters.

“ACR 113 will enhance knowledge throughout the state about the important issues impacting people living with MS and give a voice to all of those affected by this devastating disease,” said Assemblymember Dickinson (D-Sacramento).

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Assemblymember Dickinson Examines Rebates and Transparency in K-12 and Higher Education Food Service Contracts

At a time of painful budget cuts throughout public education, food service companies are collecting potentially millions of dollars a year in off-invoice rebates from national suppliers through contracts with California schools, community colleges and public universities, a months-long investigation by the Assembly Committee on Accountability and Administrative Review has found. On Wednesday, March 7, Assemblymember Roger Dickinson will convene a hearing of the Committee to discuss rebates and transparency in K-12 and higher education food service contracts.

The Committee's investigation was inspired by a $20 million settlement that the New York Attorney General's Office reached in July 2010 with Sodexo. The settlement resolved allegations that the giant, France-based company had overcharged New York public schools and universities by not remitting rebates collected from national and regional suppliers.

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Sacramento - Assembly Bill 1435 by Assemblymember Roger Dickinson (D-Sacramento) was approved today by the Assembly Public Safety Committee on a unanimous bipartisan vote. The bill would require all organizations that employ athletic coaches, administrators and directors to provide training on the identification of child abuse and neglect, inappropriate and illegal contact with a minor, and mandated reporting requirements.

"As a former high school and collegiate athlete myself, I know firsthand the position of trust that coaches have with their athletes," said Assemblymember Dickinson. "This close relationship and bond should never be exploited to hurt a child and we need to do all we can to prevent it. Closing the gap in the California's Mandated Reporter law and requiring athletic coaches, administrators, and directors receive the sexual abuse and neglect training required by AB 1435, takes a big step forward in achieving that goal," he added.

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Sacramento - Assemblymember Roger Dickinson (D-Sacramento) has introduced Assembly Bill 2460. The bill would close the loophole in law that allows the private party transfer of “unsafe handguns” to individuals not eligible to buy them. The bill will be heard by the legislature in the coming months.

“AB 2460 will keep ‘unsafe handguns’ out of the hands of people who don't have a legitimate law enforcement purpose,” said Assemblymember Dickinson, Chair of the Assembly Accountability and Administrative Review Committee. “This bill will improve public safety by closing the gap in current law that has allowed the unrestricted practice of selling unsafe handguns through private party transfers to continue without recourse.”

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Sacramento – Assemblymember Roger Dickinson (D-Sacramento) has introduced Assembly Bill 2337. The bill seeks to protect victim’s privacy by harmonizing state statues with federal law to ensure that requests for personal electronic records kept by intermediaries, like Facebook, are properly directed to the owner of the information. The bill will be heard by the legislature in the coming months.

“This bill protects the digital privacy of consumers, especially victims of a crime,” said Assemblymember Dickinson. “State law is out of date relative to digital information and AB 2337 brings California law into the 21st century.”

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Sacramento – Today, Assemblymember Roger Dickinson (D-Sacramento) released the following statement on the deal framework reached today on the future of the Kings’ arena in Sacramento:

“Today’s announcement of a deal framework between the Kings and the City is encouraging news for Sacramento. Although there is a ways to go for financing to be finalized, today’s news is promising for the future of Sacramento’s economy, jobs and all those who have been so faithful in supporting the Kings.

As this framework develops further, it is crucial that it is a good deal for our community and protects City and County general funds. As a long-time advocate of a downtown sports and entertainment facility, I believe we can meet these requirements and that an arena can serve as the foundation of a vibrant and vital center of our region.”

Sacramento - Today, Assemblymember Roger Dickinson (D-Sacramento) introduced Assembly Bill 1974. 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 be heard by the legislature in the coming months.

“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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Sacramento – Today, Assemblymember Roger Dickinson (D-Sacramento) introduced Assembly Bill 1717. The bill would protect children by requiring the California Department of Social Services to notify the Department of Justice (DOJ) whenever a community care (foster care) license is revoked or suspended and would require DOJ include this information in the background checks that are conducted on potential school employees. The bill will be heard by the legislature in the coming months.

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

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