Recently in State government Category

A year after becoming the Assembly representative for the 61st District, Assemblywoman Norma Torres, D-Ontario, offered constituents an update of the legislative business she's been handling since arriving in Sacramento.

In a statement Torres counted five bills the Governor signed into law.

The five pieces of legislation are: AB 22 which raised fines for those hacking into computer systems; AB 576 makes it easier for local government agencies to pursue recovery of costs associated with removing graffiti; AB 488 and AB 770 increases flexibility when it comes to funding for the care and education of foster children; and AB 912 which is designed to make improvements to the 9-1-1 system.

Torres said working its way through the legislative process is AB 422. If approved, the proposal would result in the creation of a youth and family master plan for the state.

Torres serves as chairwoman of the Assembly Housing Committee and plans to continue working on matters related to home ownership and homelessness. She plans on continuing to giving special attention to homelessness and military veterans.

As part of her work, Torres has also been involved in organizing workshops on home foreclosure and fraud; air quality; and on issues related to mobile home parks including those tied to code enforcement.

Recently Torres also held a hearing on gangs and their use of technology to carry out recruitment and other activities.

Two bills introduced by Assemblywoman Norma Torres, D-Ontario, affecting the state's 9-1-1 system were approved in the Assembly recently and sent to the Senate.

Assembly Bills 423 and 912 would bring needed reforms to a 9-1-1 system that is burdened with a growing overload of emergency calls, according to a statement from Torres' office.

"Our 9-1-1 system is the first point of contact for people during emergencies, and these improvements are needed in order to ensure adequate response times," Torres said in the statement.

AB423 involves the recruiting and training of 9-1-1 dispatchers. If adopted, the bill would give the state's 9-1-1 Advisory Commission, the State Fire Marshall and the Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission, a chance to provide advice to state 9-1-1 policy makers on the recruitment, training and retention of 9-1-1 dispatchers.

The two bills will go to the Senate and if approved will be sent to the governor for his signature turning them into law.

Two Assembly bills introduced by Assemblywoman Norma Torres, D-Ontario, affecting the state's 9-1-1 system were approved in the Assembly recently and sent to the Senate

Assembly Bills 423 and 912 would bring needed reforms to a 9-1-1 system that is burdened with a growing overload of emergency calls, according to a statement from Torres' office.

"Our 9-1-1 system is the first point of contact for people during emergencies, and these improvements are needed in order to ensure adequate response times," Torres said in the statement.

AB423 involves recruiting and training of 9-1-1 dispatchers. If adopted, the bill would give the state's 9-1-1 Advisory Commission, the State Fire Marshall and the Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission a chance to provide advice to state 9-1-1 policy makers on the recruitment, training and retention of 9-1-1 dispatchers.

If AB 912 is adopted it would grant greater flexibility in the state's use of 9-1-1 surcharge funds allowing for their use for personnel recruitment and training costs.

"These measures begin the process of improving 9-1-1 service by enabling the state to address the challenges posed by a growing population and rising technology. The 9-1-1 system provides an essential service to the public," Torres said.

The two bills are examples of what Assembly Speaker Karen Bass calls "customer friendly" state governement reforms, Torres said.

The two bills will go to the Senate and if approved will be sent to the governor for his signature turning them into law.

Assemblywoman Norma Torres, D-Ontario, will hold her next "Capitol in Your Corner" meeting in Chino.

The gathering is scheduled for 1 to 3 p.m. April 11 at Royalty Cakes, 5236 D St.

Torres, who represents Pomona, Chino, Montclair and Ontario, is organizing the gatherings as a way to meet with constituents and talk about their concerns.

Torres would like to have "Capitol in Your Corner" gatherings once a month in her district, according to a statement from her office.

POMONA - With state legislators approving a budget proposal this early this morning, Pomona governmental agencies have begun reviewing budget material checking for any possibly impacts to local finances.

A preliminary review of the budget proposal by city finance officials showed it would have no impact to the city, said Assistant to the City Manager Mark Gluba.

The city has been waiting for $1 million from the state, reimbursement for funds the city spent on the construction of the Veterans Park Soccer Complex, Gluba said.

The facility, which had its grand opening in June, cost $6 million with half coming from the city.

The reimbursed funds, which are Proposition A funds, would go into the city's capital improvements budget to pay for projects such as street improvements and other work, Gluba said.