It is my honor and privilege to represent you and the residents of the 21st Assembly District in the State Legislature in Sacramento.

Since being sworn in as a new member of the Assembly on December 6, 2010, my service has been dominated by the issues surrounding the state budget and the $25 billion deficit. I am convinced that we cannot engage in an "all cuts" budget without devastating our state. For that reason I am working for a balanced approach that solves the problem with cuts and a continuation of currently collected revenues.

I have also introduced a legislative package for 2011 which emphasizes government reform, job creation, environmental issues, and support for education.

In the first edition of my newsletter you will find additional information about the budget and my legislative package.

Communicating with my constituents is of primary importance to me. I need for you to understand what I am doing on your behalf in Sacramento. It is also imperative that I hear from you. I encourage you to share your thoughts and suggestions by e-mailing me click here. I also encourage you to attend one of my upcoming town hall meetings.

My local staff is housed in Los Altos and is available to you for any concerns that you have regarding state government. They can be reached at (650) 691-2121. We are also happy to attend your community events, so please contact us with invitations.

I look forward to further communication.

My best,

Rich Gordon
Assemblyman, 21st District

California Budget Updates

On Monday, March 28th Governor Brown signed into law $11.5 billion worth of budget reductions. Among programs reduced were child care, MediCal, services to the developmentally disabled, and services to seniors. These are programs that I value. I can attest to their success in strengthening communities and individuals. In many cases, these are programs that a few months ago as a County Supervisor I sought to strengthen and protect.

Legislative Package

My 2011 legislative package includes 19 bills that cover issues in government reform, the environment, education, and elder care.

As an advocate for government reform, I am pleased to introduce AB 481 that would require those who collect signatures for ballot propositions to wear a badge identifying them as a "paid signature gatherer", if they are compensated for collecting signatures. Another piece of legislation, AB 1021, would require all ballot initiatives that cost more than $1 million without a dedicated funding source to include an advisory stating that corresponding reductions to other existing programs or services must be made to implement the initiative. The initiative process has become a business. The democratic process requires transparency and an honest evaluation of the cost of government.

2011 Woman of the Year

I was happy to recognize and honor Audrey Rust as the 2011 Woman of the Year for the 21st Assembly District. Since 1987, Audrey has served as President of the Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST). Under her leadership, POST has worked successfully in partnership with public agencies and private landowners to preserve over 53,000 acres - an area nearly double the size of San Francisco. Audrey recently announced her plans to retire from POST this July.

California Forward

Many of you are greatly concerned about the future of the state. The primary reason I chose to run for the State Assembly was because I believe that many of the state's fundamental structures, policies and "way of doing business" are broken. For too long, institutions have been allowed to stay in place, treated as a third rail that could not be touched. As a result, structural problems now affect the very core of what makes this state great - compassion for its most vulnerable, access to its natural beauty, and a world-class education system.

Town Halls

I hope you can join us at my upcoming Town Hall Meetings to discuss the California state budget. We will be discussing the budget deficit, possible tax extensions, program cuts, and answering your questions.