Updates from Your Representatives

On Friday, Dec. 11 members of the Loma Linda community gathered together for 24th Annual State of the Community Luncheon, presented by the Loma Linda Chamber of Commerce. In attendance were speakers from Loma Linda community, as well as, State Senator 23rd District Mike Morrell and State Assemblyman 40th district Marc Steinnorth, both presenting vital information regarding the State. Senator Morrell shared first his pride on how the cities surrounding San Bernardino came together to work as one unit during the shooting on Dec. 2 and since then. “I think this terrorist attack was bitter-sweet; we know the bitterness from the tragedy, but the sweetness is just our country and community coming together. There has been a number of prayer vigils; and I think it is interesting to see rich people standing with poor people holding hands and praying to God for our country to be healed,” Morrel said. There were a number of challenges that Sacramento faced this past year which Morrell discussed, one being businesses leaving the state. Despite the key attributes he listed in California such as the eleven seaports for trade, three of which are mega ports, or industry in Silicon Valley, and $32 billion of revenue in agriculture each year from San Joaquin Valley, is not enough to keep businesses. Chief Executive Magazine, for the 11th year in a row, ranked California last to do business with. According to a case study released this year on Nov. 4, by Spectrum Location Solutions, California has had an estimated 9,000 companies leave the state in the past seven years (including 2014). The study revealed the business owners left for states including Arizona, Texas, Nevada, Utah, and Washington. In his presentation, Morrell purposed possible solutions such as lowering regulations and taxes so that citizens "can invest their money the way that they want for their families and futures." He also added there needs to be consistency in California with laws and regulations for businesses. The challenges he presented, are having citizens decide what they want. “Government should be at the local level. When government moves away from the local level, it becomes less efficient,” Morrell said. The process of restoring local power falls on voters Morrell said, “Those of us who have a lot to lose should engage more and work hard to upgrade those people who we send to represent us." Morrell noted some of the victories from the past year including the prevention of $6.4 billion in new taxes on Californians. Morrell ended his presentation with a final note, “Your job is to be engaged and exercise your civic responsibilities vigorously to elect people who are going to represent your interests.” State Assemblyman 40th district Marc Steinnorth was elected in 2014 and has previously served on the Rancho Cucamonga City Council. Steinnorth shared his reasons for going into public service. “You really have to be able to pull from your own experiences in your life to help others." He argued what one needs to be a good representative. “First you need to have Accessibility you need to be able to reach them. I actually put my cell phone number out there every time I get a chance, it is my real cell phone," Steinnorth said. "Then accountability. When invited, show up. When you have a disagreement on something about a particular vote or position it is my responsibility to explain why. I think every elected official needs to be held to that standard.” Steinnorth further elaborated on the almost $6.4 billion in raised taxes mentioned by Morrell. He provided that the increase was not just a solid raise on one thing, but potential increases on gas, diesel, vehicle license fees, health plans and changing sales tax to be also include services. For Steinnorth it was "mind boggling". “We always have to understand what is in front of us with state government. We pay so much attention to the federal government. We hear it on the news all the time, Fox News, CNN, MSNBC, whichever station you go to, they talk about what is going on in Congress. Congress passes maybe fifteen bills a year. I voted on nearly two-thousand one hundred bills. That’s insane. That is the state of California,” Steinnorth said. Steinnorth will continue to represent his district again this year and with his work on the health committee. He discussed major challenges the committee dealt with this past year such as the End of Life Option Act and added, “My job is to learn from you, so that I can best represent you.” Further he stated that he had been in constant communication with Loma Linda University, the Mayor, and members of the cities he represented on a number of bills. "I felt I was able to vote as the voice of the areas I represented. Ultimately that is my job." Steinnorth ended his presentation wanting to leave community members with a sense of "optimism" stating, "I believe Sacramento has challenges. I believe that everything worth fighting for is an up hill battle, but it is not insurmountable. I don't ever plan on give up. I do believe it is a job I will do everyday, every single day. I welcome your support. I thank you very much for allowing me here today. I appreciate the feedback, the communication, and the education that you provide me so I can serve you best in Sacramento."