Assembly Passes AB 817 to Increase Language Access for Voters

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Created on Thursday, 23 May 2013 15:34

(SACRAMENTO, CA) – Assemblymember Rob Bonta (D-Oakland) today announced the passage of AB 817 by the Assembly.  There are currently almost 3 million California voters who are not proficient in English.  In order to support and protect these individuals’ fundamental right to vote, the federal government instituted requirements for counties to recruit a minimum number of multilingual poll workers.  AB 817 assists both the voters and the counties in this process by allowing up to five lawful permanent residents to work at the polls and provide language assistance services on Election Day.

“As citizens, eligible California voters who are not fully proficient in English have a right to make fully-informed voting decisions on Election Day. AB 817 helps ensure that our state’s voters have the resources necessary to participate fully in our democratic process,” said Assemblymember Bonta.

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Assemblymember Bonta: Filipino Americans Played Major Role in Farm Labor Movement

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Created on Monday, 20 May 2013 12:37

(Sacramento) - Assemblymember Rob Bonta (D-Oakland) is pressing his fellow lawmakers to approve his legislation to require public school instruction on the contributions of Filipino Americans to the farm labor movement in California. "The goal of Assembly Bill 123 is to supplement California's rich farm worker history with the contributions of the Filipino American community. The Filipino American population composes the largest Asian population in California and continues to grow; yet the story of Filipinos and their crucial efforts to the farm labor movement is an untold part of California history," explained Assemblymember Bonta. Learn more about the role of Filipino American farm workers and Assemblymember Bonta's legislation in this Assembly Web Report.

Ammunition Tax Passes Assembly Fiscal Committee Today

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Created on Monday, 13 May 2013 08:56

AB 187 Proceeds used for Public Safety Programs in Communities Experiencing High Levels of Gun Violence and for Mental Healthcare Programs for Children 

(SACRAMENTO, CA) – Today, the Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee approved an ammunition tax measure, AB 187, authored by Assemblymembers Rob Bonta (D-Oakland) and Roger Dickinson (D-Sacramento). AB 187 provides a critical new source of revenue to assist communities facing high levels of gun violence and will also fund important mental healthcare services for California’s children.

“Cities throughout the state, including Oakland, are suffering horrific and increasing gun violence. Oakland witnessed 131 homicides in 2012 – 21 more than 2011 and the highest in six years. Twelve of those victims were children,” explained Assemblymember Bonta. “AB 187 will provide the City of Oakland, and cities in similar circumstances, with sufficient street-level public safety presence to prevent gun violence and attend to it when it does occur.”

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Committee Approves AB 180 - Firearm Measure To Protect Oakland

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Created on Tuesday, 07 May 2013 09:06

(SACRAMENTO, CA) – Today, the Assembly Public Safety Committee approved AB 180, authored by Assemblymember Rob Bonta (D-Oakland). AB 180 would provide the City of Oakland with the additional tools that it needs to curb gun violence. Bonta made the following statement after the measure passed:

“Across our state, communities are suffering from a devastating combination of budget cuts to public safety and coinciding increases in violent crime. No one can deny that Oakland is suffering from among the worst gun violence in the state and in the nation. Oakland suffered from 131 homicides in 2012 – 21 more than 2011 and the highest in six years. Twelve of those victims were children. And Oakland has seen another 34 murders as of this past Sunday.

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Assemblymember Bonta: Doctor Shortage Reaching Critical Levels

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Created on Wednesday, 17 April 2013 11:56

(Sacramento) -- Surrounded by medical students, members of the California Medical Association and other lawmakers, Assemblymember Rob Bonta (D-Oakland), called on the State Legislature to pass Assembly Bill 1176. The bill would create additional residency slots in underserved communities to immediately increase access to care and prevent physicians from being forced to leave California to complete their clinical training after graduating from medical school. "Californians are depending on the Legislature to make certain that they have access to quality health care with implementation of the Affordable Care Act," said Assemblymember Bonta. Here's more in this Assembly Access video.

Bonta Bill Boosts School-Based Care for Youth Impacted by Trauma

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Created on Tuesday, 09 April 2013 17:03

(Oakland, CA) – California students affected by traumatic events or violence in their communities may soon have greater access to important mental health services as AB 174, authored by Assemblymember Rob Bonta (D-Oakland), passed the Assembly Committee on Health today.

Across California, many of the children and youth who are most impacted by traumatic events – including shootings and gang violence -- cannot access the mental health care they need. Children and youth living in low-income neighborhoods, as well as children and youth of color, are disproportionately impacted by trauma, including gun violence, according to the National Child Traumatic Stress Network.

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Assembly Supports Bonta Measure To Strengthen Social Security, Medicare, And Medicaid

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Created on Monday, 01 April 2013 16:29

(SACRAMENTO, CA) – Today, the Assembly approved Assemblymember Rob Bonta’s (D-Oakland) first Resolution, Assembly Joint Resolution 7 (AJR 7), which urges Congress and President Obama to strengthen Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid through the policy process and exclude them from the sequester cuts. Bonta made the following statement after the measure passed:

“Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid represent three critical pillars of our social service safety net. After 76 years, Social Security remains actuarially sound, with a trust fund that is expected to peak at roughly $3.1 trillion in 2020. This will allow the federal government to continue full payments until 2033, when benefits would fall to 75%. At that point, cuts can be avoided with just a few changes that have elicited broad support from the American public.

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Bonta Dedicated to Marriage Equality on Eve of Historic Supreme Court Arguments

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Created on Monday, 25 March 2013 11:02

Applauds Flags Flown in Oakland, San Leandro, and Alameda in Support of LGBT Community

(Sacramento, CA) - As a Deputy City Attorney for the San Francisco City Attorney's Office, Assemblymember Rob Bonta (D-Oakland) has been at the forefront of the historic legal battle for marriage equality in California. The San Francisco City Attorney's Office was the first governmental entity in American history ever to sue to invalidate discriminatory marriage laws and the only law office to be involved as a party in every aspect of the legal battle since 2004. And on the eve of the Supreme Court's hearing arguments on marriage equality, Bonta made the following statement in support of marriage equality in California and throughout the country:

"Tomorrow's arguments are another defining moment in the legal battle for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender rights and equality. As an attorney experienced and committed to civil rights issues, I am hopeful that the Supreme Court has the moral and constitutional insight to recognize the failings of Proposition 8 and the so-called Defense of Marriage Act. I am proud that the San Francisco City Attorney's office took a leading role in the legal battle for marriage equality since 2004 while I was a Deputy City Attorney. Now, as an Assemblymember for the 18th Assembly District, I am looking forward to continuing the fight to allow every loving couple to be married.

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Assemblymember Bonta Talks Ammo Tax, Gun “Grandfather” Clause

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Created on Monday, 04 March 2013 10:10

(Sacramento) – Assemblymember Rob Bonta (D-Oakland) talked about his legislation, Assembly Bill 187, during a recent appearance on the Comcast Newsmakers program. AB 187 would place a tax on the sale of ammunition in California with the proceeds going to a high-crime prevention fund that would be used in targeted areas suffering from high violent crime rates. He also addressed his AB 174 which would eliminate the “grandfather” clause in many gun control laws. According to the state Justice Department, 77, 103 Californians own more than 166-thousand grandfathered assault weapons.

Bonta Mediation Results in Agreement Between Alameda Teachers and District

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Created on Friday, 01 March 2013 10:07

(SACRAMENTO, CA) – After more than 10 months and 2 dozen meetings between the Alameda Unified School District and Alameda Education Association, Assemblymember Rob Bonta (D-Oakland) was asked to mediate the impasse, resulting this week in a tentative agreement between the two parties.

Bonta made the following announcement after reaching the tentative deal:

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