NEWS FROM ASSEMBLYMEMBER MIKE FONG

On June 30, Assemblymember Mike Fong (D – Alhambra) issued the following statement on the swearing in of the 71^st Speaker of the California State Assembly:

“Congratulations to our new California State Assembly Speaker, Speaker Robert Rivas!  Speaker Rivas has shown that he cares about Californians throughout the state.  I was honored to host Mr. Rivas on a tour of Assembly District 49 recently to highlight our community’s response to the mass shooting in Monterey Park, as well as highlight the innovative career technical education programs offered by East Los Angeles Community College. I look forward to working with Speaker Robert Rivas to expand access to higher education and quality workforce training programs to help Californians reach their educational and career goals,” said Assemblymember Mike Fong (D-Alhambra).

“Assemblymember Mike Fong has passionately worked to address the challenges his community faces. As Speaker, I am committed to continuing to work with him to utilize our respective expertise to ensure every resident throughout California can access opportunities and succeed,” said Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas.

Assemblymember Mike Fong Secures Almost $5 Million In State Funding for Assembly District 49

On July 11, Assemblymember Mike Fong (D – Alhambra) announced that he secured $4,535,000 in the 2023-2024 state budget for crucial investments in infrastructure that will increase access to park space, library services, and athletic facilities, and enhance public safety.

“Despite this year’s budget constraints, I am proud to have secured almost $5 million in state funding for Assembly District 49’s critical infrastructure needs,” said Assemblymember Mike Fong. “Thank you to my colleagues in the Legislature, Governor Gavin Newsom, and local community leaders for helping me identify and address needs in the District.”

Funds secured in the budget include:

• $2 million for the reconstruction of Fire Station 63 in the City of Monterey Park.
• $1 million for the refurbishment of the Norwood Public Library in the City of El Monte.
• $1 million for upgrades to athletic and recreational facilities in the Alhambra Unified School District.
• $500,000 for restoration of Pioneer Park on Santa Anita Avenue in the City of El Monte, which will offer 5.51 acres of public park space and new playground equipment.
• $35,000 to La Casa de San Gabriel Community Center for infrastructure improvements.

Governor Newsom signed remaining budget bills on Monday, July 10^th, completing the final step in the state budget process for the 2023-24 fiscal year.

Assemblymember Mike Fong Secures Nearly $11 Million To Expand Language Access

On July 13, Assemblymember Mike Fong (D – Alhambra) announced that he secured $10.8 million in the 2023-2024 state budget for crucial language access initiatives.

“In a state as diverse as California, we must ensure residents have access to important information in languages they understand, especially when it comes to court proceedings or gun violence prevention,” said Assemblymember Mike Fong.

Funds secured in the budget include:

• $6.8 million to increase the number of court interpreters.
• $4 million to educate the public and law enforcement personnel on protective orders, such as gun violence restraining orders, also known as red flag laws, in at least 10 of the most commonly spoken languages other than English.

The request to increase the number of court interpreters is based on AB 432, authored by Assemblymember Mike Fong, to establish a Court Interpreter Workforce Pilot Program.  The funds will pay for costs of training, coursework and exam fees for participants, who will be employed by a court upon successful completion of the program.

In response to the tragic mass shooting in Monterey Park earlier this year, Assemblymember Fong secured funds to raise public awareness of red flag laws, in order to increase the removal of weapons from people at risk of hurting themselves or others.

Governor Newsom signed the budget bills on Monday, July 10^th, completing the final step in the state budget process for the 2023-24 fiscal year.

Assemblymember Mike Fong represents the 49^th Assembly District, which includes the cities of Alhambra, Arcadia, El Monte, Monterey Park, Rosemead, San Gabriel, San Marino, South Pasadena and Temple City, and the unincorporated areas of Pasadena and San Gabriel.  He serves as the Chair of the Assembly Higher Education Committee and the Assembly Vice Chair of the Asian American Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus.