Category: Politics

Assemblymember Irwin Honors Jill Lederer as 2018 Woman of the Year

The Greater Conejo Valley Chamber President/CEO was honored at the State Capitol. SACRAMENTO – The California Legislative Women’s Caucus once again sponsored the annual “Woman of the Year” celebration, at the State Capitol, as part of Women’s History Month. Today, Assemblymember…

LULAC Launched New Website Aimed to Engage Tech-Savvy Latinos

New Design Funded by Verizon Foundation WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Wednesday, the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), the nation’s largest and oldest Latino civil rights organization, launched its newly redesigned website, funded by the generous contributions of the Verizon…

Limón Condemns Federal Offshore Oil Expansion in Resolution and at Rally on Capitol Steps

SACRAMENTO — Assemblymember Monique Limón (D – Santa Barbara) presented Assembly Joint Resolution 29 to oppose the U.S. Department of Interior proposal to expand offshore oil and gas drilling in federal waters, and joined the Sierra Club and other environmental advocates in…

Limón Named Co-Chair of Natural Disaster Response, Recovery, and Rebuilding Select Committee

SACRAMENTO — Assemblymember Monique Limón (D – Santa Barbara) was named Co-Chair of the California State Assembly Select Committee on Natural Disaster Response, Recovery, and Rebuilding by Speaker Anthony Rendon. “As the impacts of extreme and irregular weather become more present in…

Límon issues statement on Governor Brown’s final State of the State Address

SACRAMENTO — Assemblymember Monique Limón (D – Santa Barbara) issued the following statement on the State of the State Address presented today by Governor Jerry Brown. I congratulate Governor Brown on his last State of the State address of an incredibly…

Dreamers, Arizona Rep. Grijalva, Jewish and Latino Faith and Community Leaders Urge Congress not to Delay DREAM Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The DREAM Act must be passed immediately to protect the nearly 800,000 Dreamers whose lives are in limbo pending congressional action, Dreamers, Rep. Raul Grijalva, D-AZ, and Jewish and Latino faith and community leaders said during a Capitol…

Limón issues statement on budget, Thomas Fire and mudslides

SACRAMENTO — Assemblymember Monique Limón (D – Santa Barbara) issued the following statement on the Budget presented today by Governor Jerry Brown. The Budget proposal released by Governor Brown addresses the devastation in our community from the Thomas Fire and subsequent…

Jackson, Muratsuchi to reintroduce legislation to halt new federal offshore oil drilling

SACRAMENTO – In response to the Trump Administration announcement today to expand offshore oil and gas drilling in federal waters,  State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) andAssemblymember Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance) are reintroducing legislation to ensure that pipelines and other infrastructure cannot be built in California…

Feb. 8 — The League of Women Voters joins in the presentation of ‘Equal Means Equal’

VENTURA — The League of Women Voters of Ventura County (LWVVC), a nonpartisan political organization, in collaboration with The Acorn Project, Ventura College, Ventura County Women’s Political Council, Ventura County Women’s Forum Collaborative, Ventura County Reproductive Rights Network, Justice for All,…

Bilingual report: American Latinos Facing Demands to “Go Back Home”

Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes local guest columns, letters to the editor and other submissions from our readers. All opinions expressed in submitted material are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Amigos805. By David Magallanes /…

Jackson to hold hearings on legal issues surrounding sexual harassment

SACRAMENTO — As was announced in a press conference held by Senate Leader Kevin de León this morning, State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara), chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, will be scheduling a series of hearings beginning in January to examine California’s…

Bilingual commentary: Islamic Influences in Our Lives

Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes local guest columns, letters to the editor and other submissions from our readers. All opinions expressed in submitted material are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Amigos805. By David Magallanes /…

Jackson, Santiago to Hold Hearing Monday on the Effectiveness of Emergency Alert Systems During Recent Fires

SACRAMENTO — In the wake of recent catastrophic fires in Los Angeles, Napa, Sonoma, and elsewhere in the state, State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara), chair of the Joint Legislative Committee on Emergency Management, and Assemblymember Miguel Santiago (D-Los Angeles), chair of the…

Bilingual commentary: The Death of the Middle Class

By David Magallanes / Guest contributor David Magallanes It isn’t just an illusion—the American middle class is indeed dying, slowly evaporating as the wealthy reap the benefits of insidious forces that shunt away the money that used to sustain the…

Bilingual commentary: Taking Back Our Country

By David Magallanes / Guest contributor David Magallanes I look across the political landscape outside the window of my experience and I sometimes see a country I don’t even recognize anymore. I see a nation roiling like boiling water, a…

Bilingual commentary: Republicans Closing the Door

By David Magallanes / Guest contributor David Magallanes “It’s all a matter of perspective,” we often hear. But sometimes those stated “perspectives” lift eyebrows, start fights or lead to war. Our country at this time is being torn asunder by…

Governor signs landmark environmental and water quality protection legislation by Limón for oil and gas production

SACRAMENTO – Governor Brown has signed Assembly Bills 1328 and 1197, authored by Assemblymember Monique Limón (D-Santa Barbara) to make the oil and gas production more responsive to the needs and goals of the state. AB 1328 gives California water agencies…

On Indigenous Peoples’ Day Governor Signs Limón Bill to Create Native American Studies Curriculum

SACRAMENTO — Governor Brown has signed Assembly Bill 738, authored by Assemblymember Monique Limón (D-Santa Barbara). AB 738 provides for the development of a model curriculum in Native American studies for schools to integrate into lesson plans in grades 9 through…

Governor Signs Jackson Bill to Clean Up Beaches, Plug Old, Leaking Oil Wells

SACRAMENTO — Governor Brown has just signed a bill authored by State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara)  to monitor and cap California’s old, abandoned and leaking oil wells. Senate Bill 44, the Coastal Oil Well Clean Up and Remediation Act, will…

Jackson Issues Statement on DeVos Announcement to Rescind Title IX Protections

Jackson Urges Brown to Sign Her Bill, SB 169, To Codify Title IX Guidelines SACRAMENTO – Following the announcement this morning by federal Education Secretary Betsy DeVos that the Trump Administration made the decision to rescind Obama-era guidelines on Title…

Bills Aiming to secure California from Cyberattacks Reach Governor’s Desk

SACRAMENTO – The California State Legislature passed two bills designed to help further secure California’s valuable network from cybercriminals. Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin, Chair of the Select Committee on Cybersecurity, has authored AB 531 and AB 1022, which provides more tools for…

Jackson Bills SB 44 and SB 290 Pass Assembly Floor and Head to Governor’s Desk

SACRAMENTO – Two key coastal protection bills authored by State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) , SB 44 (Coastal Oil Wells) and SB 290 (Marine Entanglement), passed the Assembly floor with a 76-0 vote and 60-15 vote, respectively on Sept. 7 Senate…

Assemblymember Irwin Announces California Assembly Secures Extra Funding for Veterans in Housing Bond

Cal-Vet Loan Program to receive more funding for veterans housing.  SACRAMENTO — Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks), Chair of the Assembly Veterans Committee, announced that the Assembly has secured an additional $1 billion in the Affordable Housing Bond agreement to…

Jackson bill to protect scientists, scientific data passes off assembly floor

SACRAMENTO – Introduced in response to threats by the Trump Administration, a bill by State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) to protect scientists and scientific research from censorship or destruction passed off the Assembly floor today on a 59-13 vote. Senate Bill…

SBCC — An Open Letter to DACA Students

I am saddened this morning that the President of the United States is not honoring the executive order that created the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).  As a DACA student, you should know that none of this is of…

Breaking Promise to Act ‘With Heart,’ Trump Administration Ends DACA, Eliminates Protection for 800,000 Dreamers

Washington, D.C. – President Donald Trump (on Sept. 5)rescinded the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, an Obama-era immigration policy that grants deportation relief for undocumented people who were brought to the U.S. as children, known as Dreamers. Established in…

Assemblymember Irwin Announces California Assembly Secures Extra Funding for Veterans in Housing Bond

SACRAMENTO — Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks) , Chair of the Assembly Veterans Committee, announced that the Assembly has secured an additional $1 billion in the Affordable Housing Bond agreement to extend the Cal-Vet Home Loan Program, which is currently scheduled…

Bilingual commentary: Fighting the Nazis

By David Magallanes / Guest contributor David Magallanes Over 70 years ago, my father was fighting against the Nazis as an American infantryman on French and German soil. Never in his wildest dreams did he ever imagine that I, his…

Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin, Attorney General Xavier Becerra provide update on child identity theft law

SACRAMENTO —  Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks)  and California Attorney General Xavier Becerra provided an update on child identity theft law (AB 1580), which now allows parents, legal guardians or conservators to freeze the credit of children and incapacitated adults. The Attorney…

Bilingual report: Mexican Consulate in Oxnard reports on bilateral relationship issues

Regarding the expressions by the President of the United States of America on various issues of the bilateral relationship, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mexico notifies the following: 1. As the Mexican government has always stated, our country will…

Bilingual commentary: “Fire and Fury”

Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes local guest columns, letters to the editor and other submissions from our readers. All opinions expressed in submitted material are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Amigos805. By David Magallanes /…

Latino News Notes: Pew Research Center reports on DACA, immigrant moms, views of Trump

Click here on the entire e-newsletter   September 01, 2017 DACA has shielded nearly 790,000 young unauthorized immigrants from deportation Nearly 790,000 young unauthorized immigrants have received work permits and deportation relief through the federal government’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program…

Jackson Introduces Bill to Address Sexual Harassment in the Venture Capital Industry

SACRAMENTO – Today, State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) announced she will be introducing legislation to prohibit sexual harassment in the venture capital industry. Jackson will be amending a prior bill to address this issue, SB 224, once the California Legislature returns…

Bilingual commentary: The Country Loves Him?

Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes local guest columns, letters to the editor and other submissions from our readers. All opinions expressed in submitted material are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Amigos805. By David Magallanes /…

State Sen. Jackson’s Bill Authored in Response to Trump’s Executive Order on Offshore Oil Drilling Passes Key Assembly Committee

SACRAMENTO – In response to President Trump’s recent executive order opening the door to expanded offshore oil and gas drilling in federal waters off the California coast, a bill by State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) to prohibit new pipelines or other…

Assemblymember Irwin Honors Roberto S. Juarez as Veteran of the Year

SACRAMENTO — Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks) honored Roberto S. Juarez as the 2017 Veteran of the Year. Roberto will be recognized at a reception at the Assemblymember’s district office in Camarillo on Friday, July 7. “During this Independence Day week, it’s…

Bilingual commentary: Open Season on Women

Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes local guest columns, letters to the editor and other submissions from our readers. All opinions expressed in submitted material are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Amigos805. By David Magallanes /…

Jackson Bill To Create “California Trust Women” License Plate Passes Assembly Transportation Committee

SACRAMENTO – As the White House and Republican Congress continue to threaten federal funding for family planning services in their latest healthcare proposal, a bill by State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara)  to create a specialized pro-choice license plate with proceeds…

State Sen. Jackson announces status of Senate bills

SACRAMENTO – State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) has announced the status of the following bills: Jackson Bill to Clean Up Beaches by Plugging Old, Leaking Oil Wells Passes Off Senate Floor Jackson Bill to Encourage Building of Innovative, Affordable Housing for Seniors…

Bilingual commentary: Targeting Women and Girls

Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes guest columns, letters to the editor and other submissions from our readers. All opinions expressed in submitted material are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Amigos805. By David Magallanes / Guest…

Bilingual commentary: Making America Great Again

Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes guest columns, letters to the editor and other submissions from our readers. All opinions expressed in submitted material are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Amigos805. By David Magallanes /…

Assemblymember Limón hosts ‘Hike with Monique’

SANTA BARBARA — Assemblymember Monique Limón hosted the Hike with Monique, an event to get to know constituents and get outside in Assembly District 37. The hike, which took place on Saturday, May 13, started in Stevens Park, and continued…

State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson Releases Statement on Governor’s May Revise

SACRAMENTO – State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) has released the following statement on Governor Jerry Brown’s May Revise, his revised budget proposal based on the latest revenue estimates. “The Governor continues to take a prudent approach to our state budget, given…

Bilingual commentary: U.S.-North Korean Pas de Deux

Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes guest columns, letters to the editor and other submissions from our readers. All opinions expressed in submitted material are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Amigos805. David Magallanes By David Magallanes…

State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson Bill to Create ‘California Trusts Women’ Pro-Choice License Plate Advances

Californians interested in pledging to purchase a plate can sign up on Jackson’s website  SACRAMENTO – As the White House and Republican Congress continue to threaten federal funding for women’s health services, a bill by State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara)…

Bilingual commentary: The Other Side of the Wall

Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes guest columns, letters to the editor and other submissions from our readers. All opinions expressed in submitted material are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Amigos805. David Magallanes By David Magallanes…

Assemblymember Irwin’s Statement on the Governor’s Transportation Infrastructure Bill

By Jacqui Irwin • Assemblymember SACRAMENTO — “I’ve never before voted for a tax increase as an elected official. Unfortunately, the current state of our streets and roads is unacceptable. The longer we wait to address this problem, the more…

LULAC Disappointed with Trump Administration’s Failure to Ban Toxic Pesticides on Eve of César Chavez Day

WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declined to ban chlorpyrifos – a dangerous pesticide widely used in agriculture and linked to many health hazards, particularly neurological damage in children. Last year, LULAC joined other health, environmental, and civil rights…

Bilingual commentary: Health Bill Fiasco

Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes guest columns, letters to the editor and other submissions from our readers. All opinions expressed in submitted material are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Amigos805. David Magallanes By David Magallanes…

California’s Attorney General Is Asked to Take Action Against Enrollment Practices Denying Latino and Immigrant Students Their Right to Enroll in School

Some California school districts deter certain students from enrolling in school by inquiring about their citizenship status and/or requesting their Social Security Numbers. OAKLAND —  Today, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area (LCCR) and California…

Bilingual commentary: In an Idyllic Political World…

Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes guest columns, letters to the editor and other submissions from our readers. All opinions expressed in submitted material are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Amigos805. David Magallanes By David Magallanes…

Limón to Chair Newly Created Assembly Select Committee on the Nonprofit Sector

SACRAMENTO — Assemblymember Monique Limón (D-Santa Barbara) was appointed by Speaker Anthony Rendon to Chair a Select Committee on the Nonprofit Sector. According to California Association on Nonprofits, a statewide policy alliance of more than 10,000 nonprofits, the nonprofit sector is…

March 21 — Santa Barbara Museum of Art to present Andrea Bowers and Marcos Ramírez ERRE: ‘A Conversation Beyond Borders’

SANTA BARBARA — The Santa Barbara Museum of Art will present Andrea Bowers and Marcos Ramírez ERRE:  “A Conversation Beyond Borders” at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 21 at the Mary Craig Auditorium, Santa Barbara Museum of Art, 1130 State St., Santa Barbara. SBMA…