Greetings! This quarterly newsletter is to inform you about your 28th Assembly District, as well as the California State Legislature.
It is an honor to serve this district, and I look forward to working with you to improve our community.
In this Issue:
- Event Reports
- Legislative Spotlight
- May Spotlight
Sincerely,
Evan Low
Assemblymember, 28th District
EVENT REPORTS
Public Safety Forum
In collaboration with State Senator Jim Beall, Assemblymember Mark Stone, San Jose City Councilmember Johnny Khamis, the Santa Clara County Office of Reentry Services, and the California Legislative Analyst Office (LAO), we organized and moderated a public safety forum in Almaden Valley to provide information and listen to residents’ concerns regarding the increasing crime in our community.
First, the Forum was able to alleviate fear that the increased crime was related to the implementation of the State of California’s Realignment. The LAO detailed how a federal court mandate to reduce overcrowding in jails resulted in state prison inmates being transferred to county jails. No criminals were directly released into the community. The State also provided substantial funding to local jurisdictions, including $100M - $200M for fiscal year 2015-2016.
The County’s Reentry Services, which provides wrap-around services for parolees to become productive members of society, released results where only one-third of parolees were rearrested within five years of release. The panel discussed how much of the crime in Almaden Valley is caused by juvenile offenders, which made improving truancy patrols a top priority.
The vast majority of audience questions involved how to increase the number of San Jose Police Officers.
28th Assembly District Open House
On April 23rd, we celebrated the grand opening of our new district office, located at 20111 Stevens Creek Boulevard, Suite 220, in Cupertino. Over 150 people attended, including local elected officials, businesses and residents.
28th Assembly District Small Business of the Year
It was my pleasure to recognize Bozzuto Insurance Services as the 2015 Small Business of the Year for the 28th Assembly District.
Bozzuto Insurance Services is a leader in how a company can be a great business and terrific community partner. Bozzuto Insurance Services, located in Campbell, has been providing insurance services to companies throughout California for over 30 years. Bozzuto is known in the community for being active in the San Jose-Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce and for supporting many nonprofits, including City Team Ministries, EMQ FamiliesFirst, Silicon Valley Education Foundation, and Second Harvest Food Bank. The Business of the Year Program is run in concert with the California Small Business Association.
Community College Funding Forum
At De Anza College, I appeared alongside State Senator Jim Beall, De Anza College President Brian Murphy, and two student leaders at a forum focusing on community college funding. Due to state budget shortfalls during the recession, community college funding was hit hard, causing increased tuition. With the economy’s recovery, the presentation reported the prospect of restored funding for community colleges. Over 300 students and community members attended this event. Many of the student questions focused on closing the loophole that corporations use to buy and sell property, without a property tax reassessment.
LEGISLATIVE SPOTLIGHT
AB 366
During the depths of the recession, California chose to cut Medi-Cal/Medicaid reimbursements to all healthcare organizations and providers in California. This has pushed several hospitals in Assembly District 28 and around the state to the brink of bankruptcy. California is near the bottom of all states in the nation in Medicaid reimbursements.
I am a proud co-author of AB 366, which repeals the 10% reduction in Medi-Cal rates, increases fee-for-service rates in many specialty areas, including dental services, and increases hospital reimbursements by a one-time 16% increase with future increases linked to the Consumer Price Index.
AB 366 is paid for by current and future increases from federal participation. The bill is going through the committee process now, and we will keep you posted.
MAY SPOTLIGHT
Asian Pacific Islander American Heritage Month
May is Asian Pacific Islander American Heritage Month. The month honors the many nationalities under the aegis of Asian and Pacific-Islander, who have immigrated to America and California throughout the last 151 years. The month of May was chosen to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese to the United States on May 7, 1843, and to mark the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869. The majority of the workers who laid the tracks were Chinese immigrants.
As part of API Heritage Month, I honored Judge Erica Yew as a legal trailblazer. I was honored to present Judge Yew with a resolution on the floor of the California Assembly.
Elder Abuse Prevention Month
The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), the Congress of California Seniors as well as other senior organizations, state governments and the federal government have designated May as Elder Abuse Prevention Awareness Month.
Each year hundreds of thousands of older persons are abused, neglected and exploited by family members, care givers, and others. Many of these older victims are vulnerable and/or frail. When seniors reach such physical and mental conditions, they must depend on others to help them meet their most basic needs.
If you know or suspect someone who is the victim of elder abuse, please contact 911 if there is a life threatening emergency. In the event of a non-life threatening emergency, please contact the Santa Clara County Department of Adult Protective Services.
