Helping State Parks
Like many Americans, I enjoy taking my family on the road for vacation. I turn to our state parks and open spaces to educate my daughter about plants and animals, to get back in touch with nature, and to find solace from the stress of modern urban life.

To keep our parks open amidst our budget crisis, I co-authored AB 1589, which creates new revenue streams to keep existing parks open, and places a cap on the number of state park closures. This bill would not raise taxes or raid money from other state programs. Instead, AB 1589 commits California to greater efficiency in the management and monetization of state parks. The bill maximizes the collection of user fees and season passes for those who enthusiastically visit our parks, while maintaining public access for all Californians.

This legislation is a practical solution to keeping parks open for our enjoyment without any additional tax burden on hard-working Californians. During these challenging times, our state parks play an especially significant role in providing refuge and relaxation.

I wish you and your family happy and safe summer travels.

If you have an idea for a law, or simply believe that the Legislature ought to change a law to make it more sensible, I’d like to hear from you.  Please feel free to contact me anytime at assemblymember.gatto@assembly.ca.gov or at 818-558-3043.

Assemblymember Mike Gatto

Editor’s note: Assemblymember Mike Gatto is running for re-election for the California State Assembly 43rd District.

California Must Change Course
California must change course. In a recent survey of American CEO’s, California ranked 50th in providing a business friendly environment. Their finding: over-taxation and burdensome regulation, evidenced by the double-digit unemployment rate and the thousands of small businesses closing their doors. Instead of reversing the tide, current 43rd District Assembly member Mike Gatto has chosen to put liberal party politics and platforms ahead of the needs of his constituents by introducing AB 2540, which would further boost taxes on thousands of small businesses.

Our state legislators create budget shams to hide our real crisis of a $16 billion deficit. They continue to increase unessential spending and beg for more taxes, while cutting funds from public education and creating a harsh business climate. Over the last two years under Gatto’s watch over $700 million dollars has been cut from public education and increased Health and Welfare spending by more than $3 billion.

Public education funding continues to shrink and now California ranks 49th in per-student spending. This is forcing many schools to increase class size, lay off teachers and cut crucial programs. Our youth is California’s number one asset for future job growth. We should prepare students to enter the workforce, thus providing a skilled employee pool that will attract new businesses to California.

I will fight to prevent state legislators from introducing job killing Assembly bills.  Every bill that will alter how businesses operate should be first analyzed to determine the effects it will have on our economy before a vote is taken.

Our residents need jobs! Let’s get back to the basics of attracting and retaining businesses. Our government has grown too big, is too intrusive, and is putting the American dream further and further out of reach for too many.

Greg Krikorian, Board Member, Glendale Board of Education

Editor’s note: Greg Krikorian is a candidate for California State Assembly 43rd District