Recent News in the 19th District

Jerry Hill joined Doug and Linda Studebaker at a news conference in Burlingame with law enforcement officials to discuss Assembly Bill 45. The Studebakers' 19-year-old son, Brett, died Feb. 6 when he crashed his car into a sound wall on Highway 101 near San Mateo after hours of drinking on a "booze cruise" bus to celebrate a friend's birthday. AB 45, named in the memory of Brett, would require operators of these increasingly popular buses to ascertain if they have passengers under 21 and read a statement that says consuming alcohol on board is unlawful. Passengers under 21 would have to sign the statement. Bus drivers who break the law would be subject to fines starting at $2,000 for a first offense and license suspensions or revocations and misdemeanor criminal charges for further violations. If any underage passenger drinks alcohol, the driver would be required to terminate the ride and return passengers to the pickup location.

San Mateo Daily Journal Editorial (12-15-10)

"Assemblyman Jerry Hill, D-San Mateo, should be applauded for standing up to San Francisco officials and suggesting a regional approach to solving transportation issues. By standing up to the Board of Supervisors and threatening legislation that would prohibit such a proposal, Hill proved he has the interests of his constituents in mind. We are encouraged that the Board of Supervisors killed the proposal and ended a nasty fight before it had to begin and that there is a local legislator who sees the importance of communication and cooperation and the need to force it if necessary."

Click here to read about Jerry Hill's gas pipeline reform legislation.

Click here to watch the public hearing Jerry Hill hosted in San Bruno on December 7, 2010 to question utilities, the PUC and pipeline experts.

Click here to watch TV coverage of the Dec. 7 hearing.

Click here to read the editorial Jerry Hill wrote on September 11, 2010 regarding the San Bruno disaster.

On October 9, 2010 I finally had the opportunity to vote on a budget. Despite the record-setting budget delay, major reforms were accomplished. Here's a brief overview:

• Cuts state programs by $7.5 billion including $1 billion in cuts to our prison system
• Provides $300 million more to K-12 education than the Governor's proposal and $200 million more for higher education
• Pension reform
• Ends pension spiking
• Reduces pension benefits for new state employees
• Budget reform
• Improves and protects state's rainy day fund
• Places a spending cap proposal on the 2012 ballot to pay off debt when revenues increase
• Preserves safety net and health care services for seniors, children, disabled, and low-income Californians
• Provides increased funding for Operation Welcome Home services for returning veterans
• Preserves funding for local governments

Here's an interesting overview of recent state budgets:

• From 2004 to 2008, General Fund spending in the state budget increased from $79 billion to $102 billion.
• When I arrived in the Legislature in 2008 I helped reduce state spending and brought General Fund expenditures back down to $86 billion.

Click here to take the Next 10 budget challenge - an interactive online program that allows you to try and solve the state's budget deficit.

On September 27, Governor Schwarzenegger signed my legislation to take repeat DUI offenders off the road.

Click here to view video

• KTVU: Assemblyman Introduces Legislation To Toughen DUI Laws
• Sacramento Bee: San Mateo lawmaker wants tougher DUI rules
• Daily Journal: Tougher DUI penalties proposed
• San Mateo County Times: Bill would allow driver's licenses of 3-time DUI offenders to be permanently revoked

The 2009-2010 legislative session adjourned in October. This year 20 of my bills passed out of the legislature with 95% of them receiving bipartisan support.

Click here to read about all of the legislative reforms I introduced.

First episode aired on November 24th focusing on state government reform

The goal of this show is to keep you connected to the latest information about critical issues impacting our state and our region. Ultimately it's you, the voter, who decides what's best for California. I want to make sure you have access to all the information so you can make an informed decision.

As a member of the newly formed 'Committee on Improving State Government', I've been participating in hearings throughout the state developing reforms that will make government more efficient and transparent. If you have specific improvement ideas please submit them here.

Click here to view video

(Sacramento) - The Legislative Budget Conference Committee has produced a plan that solves California's deficit responsibly and still leaves a healthy reserve in place. Assemblymember Jerry Hill (D-San Mateo) says the Conference Committee plan is the balanced approach Californians want: Real cuts, limited new revenues and other solutions that help California ward off a cash crisis later this summer. Assemblymember Hill also says Democrats have accepted the Governor's realistic budget proposals to solve the deficit but, in standing up for California families, we have rejected his over-the-top proposals for eliminating the safety net in California. Assembly Speaker Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles) has announced the Assembly and Senate will vote on the Conference Committee plan next week.

(Sacramento) – California State Assemblymember Jerry Hill (D-San Mateo) told his colleagues in a speech on the Assembly floor it's time to end the partisan gridlock in Sacramento and solve the state's financial crisis. Assemblymember Hill reminded his fellow lawmakers they were sent to Sacramento by the voters to govern. He called on them move the state forward with a bi-partisan solution to the budget crisis.