Recent News in the 22nd District

SACRAMENTO— Assemblymember Paul Fong (D-Cupertino) selected Dry Clean Pro as the recipient of the California State Legislature's "Small Business of the Year" Award for Assembly District 22. Assemblymember Fong joined by Campbell Vice-Mayor Evan Low, Cupertino Councilmember Gilbert Wong, and Members of the Cupertino Chamber of Commerce, presented the nomination to Vicky Tsai, owner of Dry Clean Pro in Cupertino.

"Vicky Tsai has been a community leader for over 20 years in the City of Cupertino. She is a role model for all aspiring business owners and has strived to raise the profile of Asian American businesses in the community," said Assemblymember Fong. "I am honored to present a prestigious recognition to Vicky, who is not only a dedicated public servant, but is also a successful business owner of Dry Clean Pro, which provides high quality work through the use of environmentally safe products."

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SACRAMENTO—Today, Assemblymember Paul Fong (D-Cupertino) supported Assembly Concurrent Resolution (ACR) 149 to celebrate May as Asian and Pacific Islander (API) American Heritage Month. In recognition for his Excellence in Culinary Arts, Assemblymember Fong honored Master Chef Martin Yan.

“Asian Americans have long been a great asset to California, bringing our culture, customs, food, hard work, and ideas,” said Assemblymember Fong. “API heritage month brings awareness to the important contributions that the API community has made in California, and I am honored to recognize the accomplishments of Master Chef Martin Yan. The celebrated host of over 3,000 cooking shows, Chef Yan is a highly respected food consultant, a cooking instructor, and a prolific author who has used his talents to become internationally recognized as one of the most accomplished chefs in the world.”

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SACRAMENTO—Assemblymember Paul Fong (D-Cupertino) announced his Assembly Bill (AB) 2054 passed the Assembly Committee on Appropriations. AB 2054 will allow a vote by mail voter to return his or her ballot to any county elections official or polling place within the state.

Earlier this year, the Assembly Elections and Redistricting Committee and the Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments Committee held a joint oversight hearing to discuss the United States Postal Service closures and the impact on voters for the upcoming presidential elections.  During the hearing, five county elections officials testified that recent post office and processing facility closures were resulting in significant delays to mail delivery.

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SACRAMENTO—Assembly Bill (AB) 1990, Solar for All by Assemblymember Paul Fong (D-Cupertino) passed the Assembly Committee on Utilities and Commerce. Specifically, AB 1990 establishes a pilot program to expand green solar technology and jobs in communities that have been forgotten in California's quest to expand our renewable portfolio.

These small-scale solar renewable energy projects will create jobs, revitalize neighborhoods, and give residents some control over their energy future. In addition, AB 1990’s provision for local hiring will provide jobs in disadvantaged communities where they are most desperately needed. This bill will not only promote development of rooftop solar in low income communities, but will help create new jobs and build cleaner, safer, and healthier neighborhoods.

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SACRAMENTO—Assemblymember Paul Fong (D-Cupertino) announced his Assembly Bill (AB) 2054 passed the Assembly Committee on Elections and Redistricting. AB 2054 will allow a vote by mail voter to return his or her ballot to any county elections official or polling place within the state.

Earlier this year, the Assembly Elections and Redistricting Committee and the Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments Committee held a joint oversight hearing to discuss the United States Postal Service closures and the impact on voters for the upcoming presidential elections.  During the hearing, five county elections officials testified that recent post office and processing facility closures were resulting in significant delays to mail delivery.

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SACRAMENTO—Today, Assemblymember Paul Fong (D-Cupertino) announced his bill to name the Pacific leatherback sea turtle as California's State Marine Reptile, unanimously passed the Assembly Floor.  Specifically, Assembly Bill 1776 will bring more awareness to a creature that has been swimming the world’s oceans for over 100 million years.

The leatherback sea turtle is the most majestic of all sea turtles and can grow up to nine feet long and weigh up to 2,000 pounds. Since the 1980’s, the Pacific leatherback sea turtles has declined more than 95 percent and are now on the critically endangered species list. In order to search for food sources to survive, these endangered animals migrate from their nests in Indonesia to the coast of California and often encounter obstacles such as nets and hooks, where they can tangle and drown.  With the leatherback sea turtle populations dwindling, we may be the generation responsible for the extinction of a creature that has existed for over 100 million years.

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SACRAMENTO—Today, Assemblymember Paul Fong (D-Cupertino) announced his bill to name the Pacific leatherback sea turtle as California's State Marine Reptile, unanimously passed the Assembly Committee on Water, Parks, and Wildlife.  Specifically, Assembly Bill 1776 will bring more awareness to a creature that has been swimming the world’s oceans for over 100 million years.

The leatherback sea turtle is the most majestic of all sea turtles and can grow up to nine feet long and weigh up to 2,000 pounds. Since the 1980’s, the Pacific leatherback sea turtles has declined more than 95 percent and are now on the critically endangered species list. In order to search for food sources to survive, these endangered animals migrate from their nests in Indonesia to the coast of California and often encounter obstacles such as nets and hooks, where they can tangle and drown.  With the leatherback sea turtle populations dwindling, we may be the generation responsible for the extinction of a creature that has existed for over 100 million years.

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SACRAMENTO—Today, Assemblymember Paul Fong (D-Cupertino) announced Assembly Bill (AB) 2334, his drinking water affordability bill, passed the Assembly Committee on Water, Parks, and Wildlife.  Specifically, AB 2334 requires the California Department of Water Resources to conduct an analysis in order to find solutions to bring affordable drinking water and wastewater services to low income households throughout California.

“Water is a basic human necessity that we cannot live without,” said Assemblymember Fong.  “The state has made significant efforts to provide discount programs for many utilities for low income Californians and clean and affordable drinking water needs to be addressed at an equal level playing field.”

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SACRAMENTO—Today, Assemblymember Fong (D-Cupertino) announced his teen abuse prevention bill passed the Assembly Committee on Education.  Specifically, AB 1857 allows school districts to partner with parents, youth, and domestic violence/sexual assault prevention organizations to provide education programs that prevent teen dating violence in grades 7-12.

“Approximately 1 in 3 adolescent girls in the United States is a victim of physical, emotional, or verbal abuse from a dating partner – a figure that far exceeds victimization rates for other types of violence affecting youth,” said Assemblymember Fong.  “It is appalling that 42% of males and 43% of females have reported they have experienced dating abuse in a school building or on school grounds.  This is the time that schools need to make teen dating abuse a priority, so that this vicious and cruel cycle is stopped.”

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SACRAMENTO - Today, Assemblymember Paul Fong (D-Cupertino) announced his Assembly Bill (AB) 1656 passed the Assembly Committee on Natural Resources. AB 1656 will help secure crucial funding to restore the San Francisco Bay wetlands.

In 2008, the Legislature established the San Francisco Bay Restoration Authority (Authority) for the purpose of preserving the Bay Area wetlands and the wildlife of this natural habitat. Today, only five percent of the Bay Area's original wetlands remain. Scientists advise that a healthy sustainable Bay requires at least 100,000 acres of tidal wetlands. Since its establishment, the Authority has sought the ambitious agenda to restore at least 100,000 acres of wetlands.

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SACRAMENTO — Assemblymember Paul Fong (D-Cupertino) was recognized by the California Coalition Against Sexual Assault (CALCASA) and the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence for his commitment to preventing domestic violence in California. Assemblymember Fong has been recognized by both organizations for his leadership in 2011 on ACR 17, which declares March as Campus Safety Month, and AB 1373 which allows school districts to partner with parents, youth, and domestic violence/sexual assault prevention organizations to provide education programs that prevent teen dating violence in grades 7-12.

“I am honored to be recognized by these great organizations. Women between the ages of 16-24 experience the highest rates of rape and sexual assault, and 1 in 5 will be a victim of sexual assault during college,” said Assemblymember Fong. “Because of groups such as CALCASA and the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence, victims of domestic violence have strong advocates who are at the forefront of creating public policy to end domestic violence in the state.”

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SACRAMENTO— Today, Assemblymember Paul Fong (D-Cupertino) announced his Assembly Bill (AB) 1413 was signed by the Governor. AB 1413 streamlines the election process to ensure that California's new "top two" primary election system is efficient and cost effective.

In February 2009, the Legislature approved Senate Constitutional Amendment (SCA) 4, which was passed by the voters as Proposition 14 at the June 2010 statewide primary election. As a result, a "top two" primary election system in California for most elective state and federal offices was authorized. In March 2010, the Assembly Elections and Redistricting Committee, chaired by Assemblymember Paul Fong, held an oversight hearing on the impacts of the “top two” primary election system. Election officials testified with concerns about unnecessary ballot printing requirements and significant costs to implementing the “top two” primary election system.

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SACRAMENTO—In response to the recent court filing by the Asian American Rights Committee of California challenging the unconstitutionality of the California Shark Protection Act, AB 376 and AB 853, Assemblymember Paul Fong (D-Cupertino) released the following statement:

All over the world a global movement has been taking place, uniting individuals, businesses, states, and countries to ban the sale and distribution of shark fins. These conscientious worldwide partners recognize the indisputable scientific evidence of the vital role the shark population is to the overall health of our ocean’s ecosystems and the importance in protecting their population. Action is necessary to protect these precious creatures, because without acting, we may be the generation responsible for wiping out a species that has been in existence for over 450 million years. We must play an active role in protecting and preserving our environment for the public good.

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Student Fee Transparency and Accountability Bill Passes Assembly Floor

SACRAMENTO—Today, Assembly Bill (AB) 970 by Assemblymember Paul Fong (D-Cupertino) and Assemblymember Marty Block (D-San Diego) passed the Assembly Floor with a 51-23 vote.  Sponsored by the California State Student Association (CSSA) and the University of California Student Association (UCSA), AB 970 creates the Working Families Student Fee Transparency and Accountability Act to address the growing concerns regarding student fees at our public institutions of higher learning. Fees have increased at a rapid pace with little advance public notice, minimal consultation, and little to no transparency and accountability.

“This Act establishes a statewide student fee policy that will create a partnership and improve communication between the UC and CSU, students, the public, and the Legislature to ensure that student fee increases are discussed in an open and public forum,” said Assemblymember Fong.  “This bill allows the state and both the UC and CSU, an opportunity to be transparent and accountable as it relates to the need for and uses of student fees.”

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SACRAMENTO— Today, Assemblymember Paul Fong (D-Cupertino) announced his Assembly Bill (AB) 1413 passed the Assembly Floor unanimously. AB 1413 streamlines the election process to ensure that California's new "top two" primary election system is efficient and cost effective.

In February 2009, the Legislature approved Senate Constitutional Amendment 4, which was passed by the voters as Proposition 14 during the June 2010 statewide primary election.  As a result, a "top two" primary election system in California for most elective state and federal offices was authorized.  In March 2010, Assemblymember Paul Fong, Chair of the Assembly Elections and Redistricting Committee, held an oversight hearing on the impacts of the “top two” primary election system.  Election officials testified with concerns about unnecessary ballot printing requirements and significant costs to implementing the “top two” primary election system.

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