Dear friends and neighbors,
We enjoy pleasant weather almost year-round in Los Angeles and Northern Orange County, yet summer is still a special season – a time for community gatherings, outdoor activities, and celebrating the vibrant spirit of our district.
In Sacramento, my team and I are advancing a slate of bills through Senate committees before the upcoming July recess. June 15th was the deadline for the Legislature to pass the state budget. A drop in revenues made this a tougher budget year than most, but the Legislature has worked with the Governor to develop a responsible budget that prevented cuts in many of the most important programs that impact the daily lives of Californians.
This newsletter is designed to provide you with the latest updates from Sacramento and keep you connected to the exciting events happening in Assembly District 64, our home. Let's make the most of this season together.
Warm regards,
Blanca Pacheco
Assemblymember, 64th District
May 24th marked what the California Legislature calls the "House of Origin" deadline, meaning any bill introduced in the State Assembly or Senate must pass through its original house by that date. Here are my bills that continue to move forward this legislative session:
On May 29th the Senate Education Committee approved a priority bill that I've been working on for more than a year, AB 1160, the Protecting Students from Creditor Colleges Act. I'm carrying AB 1160 because we need to shield California students from harmful debt collection practices and allow students to complete their higher education goals. This college-initiated student debt, called "institutional debt," has exploded since the onset of COVID-19, as students withdrew from California public colleges for economic, family, or health reasons. AB 1160 will protect students from the most harmful impacts of these liabilities and provide much-needed transparency on the growth and consequences of this debt across our state.
Here's a video of the bill presentation in the Senate Education Committee:
For more information about the bill/how to support the legislation, click here.
Nonprofit of the Year
Each year, I have the honor of recognizing an outstanding nonprofit organization for invaluable contributions to the residents of Assembly District 64.
This year, I commended the La Habra Host Lions Club, a community organization with a rich history of service and tradition. Established in 1947, the club has been a cornerstone of La Habra's social and philanthropic landscape for more than 70 years.
Lions Club President Vanessa Perkins and past President Ofelia Hanson joined me at the Capitol for a luncheon to honor all of the nonprofits chosen by their Assemblymembers.
Pride Month!
In June I attended the various Pride parades, where I joined thousands of constituents to acknowledge and support our LGBTQ+ community. I connected with residents, advocates, and local leaders to celebrate love, equality and inclusion. Below are some photos from these joyous celebrations.
At the various Pride events I attended throughout the district, my staff and I passed out flyers with local, state and national resources for members of the LGBTQ+ community. Those resources may be accessed here.
Congratulations to the Class of 2024
Another highlight of the summer has been the opportunity to speak at various graduation ceremonies throughout the district. I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to all of the graduates in our community. Your hard work and dedication is being rewarded and I am excited to see what you will accomplish in the future. As you step into the next chapter of your lives, remember to learn from the challenges and let your dreams be your compass.
Summer Meals
Students are out on summer break, which may present financial challenges for families that depend on school meals. Anyone ages 1‐18 may enjoy free meals through the California Department of Education's Summer Food Service Program. No applications are necessary. The program is welcoming and accessible, with meals served throughout Downey, La Habra, Whittier, Bell Gardens and Cudahy, at playgrounds, campuses, and community centers in a safe manner that follows health guidelines.
Approximately one in five children in CA has limited/uncertain access to nutritious food. Hungry youth are more likely to be in poor health and may experience difficulty forming friendships, a sense of curiosity and an ability to learn. Summer meal programs, along with positive enrichment activities, help ensure that kids return to school healthy and prepared for the coming year.
SUN Bucks
SUN Bucks is a program designed to help California families purchase groceries for their school-age children during the summer months when school meals are not available.
Eligible children are enrolled automatically based on existing school and social services data, with each child receiving $120 on an EBT card ($40 per month for June, July, and August). These funds may be used at most grocery stores, farmers' markets, and other authorized retailers to purchase food items such as fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, and grains.
Best of all, families may receive SUN Bucks in addition to other food assistance programs like CalFresh and WIC.
| COMMUNITY CORNER - OPPORTUNITIES & UPCOMING EVENTS |
AmeriCorps California Program
Applications are open for AmeriCorps California, offering an opportunity to be paid while serving your community and gaining valuable professional experience in areas like tutoring and mentoring, climate action, food distribution, disaster preparedness and response, environmental stewardship, and resource access. AmeriCorps members receive a living allowance and education awards in exchange for service hours, professional development trainings throughout their term, and unique opportunities to network with other changemakers.
Upcoming Events: 4th of July Celebrations and National Night Out
Happy Birthday, America! Join me and members of your community at the following events as we celebrate the 4th of July throughout Assembly District 64.
Cudahy Independence Day Celebration
Wednesday, July 3, 2024; 3:00-9:00 p.m.
Cudahy Park, 5220 Santa Ana St., Cudahy, CA 90201
Firecracker Festival
Sunday, June 30, 2024; 4:00-9:00 p.m.
Downey Avenue, Downey, CA 90241
Norwalk Independence Day Festival
Tuesday, July 2, 2024; 4:00-9:30 p.m.
Civic Center Lawn, 12700 Norwalk Blvd., Norwalk, CA 90650
Santa Fe Springs 4th of July Celebration
Wednesday, July 3, 2024; 3:30-9:30 p.m.
Los Nietos Park, 11143 Charlesworth Rd, Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670
Bell Gardens 4th of July Celebration
Wednesday, July 3, 2024; 6:00-9:00 p.m.
Bell Gardens Veterans Park, 6662 Loveland St, Bell Gardens, CA 90201
La Mirada Independence Celebration
Wednesday, July 3, 2024; 4:00-9:30 p.m.
La Mirada Regional Park, 13701 Adelfa Dr, La Mirada, CA 90638
La Habra's Annual Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular
Thursday, July 4, 2024; 4:00-9:00 p.m.
La Bonita Park, 1440 W. Whittier Blvd., La Habra 90631
National Night Out is an annual community-building initiative that promotes partnerships between law enforcement and community to help our neighborhoods be safer and more caring places to live, work and play.
Bring the family to these fun community events that feature public safety meet and greets, interactive demonstrations and information booths, live music, food, and entertaining activities for kids.
Norwalk National Night Out
Wednesday, July 31, 2024, 5:00pm-9:00 p.m.
City Hall Lawn, 12700 Norwalk Blvd. Norwalk, CA 90650
Downey National Night Out
Tuesday, August 6, 2024; 6:00-8:00 p,m.
Downey Civic Center, 11111 Brookshire Ave., Downey, CA, 90241
La Habra National Night Out
Tuesday, August 6, 2024; 5:00pm - 8:00pm
La Habra Police Department, 150 N Euclid St, La Habra, CA 90631
Bell Gardens National Night Out
Tuesday, August 6, 2024; 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Veterans Park, 6662 Loveland St., Bell Gardens, CA 90201
La Mirada National Night Out
Thursday, August 8, 2024; 6:30-8:30 p.m.
La Mirada Regional Park, 13701 Adelfa Dr, La Mirada, CA 90638
Based out of my district office in Downey, I have a dedicated team committed to serving you. My district staff are your direct points of contact for any concerns, inquiries or assistance you may need. We recently hired another field representative, Genesis Pompa, to increase the assistance that we are able to provide to constituents. Genesis is serving the cities of Bell, Bell Gardens and Cudahy. You may contact Genesis at Genesis.Pompa@asm.ca.gov.
Genesis joins the following staff that make up our fabulous district team:
Ari Ruiz, District Director, Ari.Ruiz@asm.ca.gov
- Oversees the entire 64th Assembly District
- Downey
- La Habra
Matthew Ruiz, Field Representative, Matthew.Ruiz@asm.ca.gov
- Santa Fe Springs
- East and South Whittier
Catalina Valera, Field Representative, Catalina.Valera@asm.ca.gov
Follow along on Instagram for more!
As always, my door is open and my staff are available to assist you. Feel free to contact me through my website, or by calling one of my offices.
