Assemblymember Disappointed by Department’s Total Failure in Routine Maintenance of State Roads and Highways

(Sacramento) – Spawned by a request from Assemblymember Mike A. Gipson (D-Carson) to examine spending on routine road maintenance by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), the state auditor published a report last week highly critical of the department’s methods for funding and measuring performance of routine maintenance of the state’s roads and highways.

“I am thoroughly disappointed in Caltrans’ historic and continuous failure to maintain our state’s roads and highways, and even more disturbed to learn that the department has misrepresented information before the Legislature,” stated Gipson.  “And unfortunately a problem I initially thought was restricted to low-income communities of color in my district is a scourge that plagues urban communities throughout our entire state from Oakland to all of Los Angeles.”

(SACRAMENTO) – Assemblymember Mike A. Gipson (D-Carson) released a statement today standing in support of CSU faculty in their push for a five percent raise. The California Faculty Association (CFA), representing over 20,000 CSU faculty, has embarked on a campaign called “Five for Five,” which will involve a five-day strike unless a compromise can be reached.

“I stand with the CFA in their push to improve the living standards of educators and faculty within the CSU system. Ensuring adequate compensation must be a top priority if the system intends to attract the best talent to support the growth and development of the CSU mission. Severe budget cuts and wage stagnation came on the back of the 2008 financial crisis, but now we are on a path of fiscal strength and need to reach out and ensure faculty are included in our economic recovery. Given that there are about half a million lives that actively benefit from or contribute to the CSU, the Chancellor needs to step up and come to an expeditious resolution. The livelihood of too many people depends on this and we cannot afford the collateral damage that will follow if it leads to an unfair deal for faculty.”

CARSON, CA – Fifty-five community leaders gathered on Saturday, February 6, 2015 at the Double Tree Hilton Hotel in Carson, California for the 64th Assembly District Commission inaugural swearing-in.

The 64th AD Commission, the brainchild of Assemblymember Mike A. Gipson (D-Carson), will convene on a regular basis to address and report on district-wide issues affecting the constituents.

“These dedicated men and women will help to move the 64th Assembly District forward. They will be my eyes and ears in the district,” said Assemblymember Gipson.

Assembly Bill 25 to provide an appeals process for campuses with small cohorts

(Sacramento) – Legislation signed by Governor Jerry Brown and authored by Assemblymember Gipson (D-Carson), Assembly Bill (AB) 25, will give new authority to the California Student Aid Commission to review appeals from colleges that were deemed ineligible for Cal Grant awards.

“This measure will allow campuses to continue receiving critical funding, without losing eligibility as a result of overly broad policies,” states Gipson, “one size does not fit all, and this is an important step in ensuring that campuses are not vulnerable as a result of their small size.”

Measure prioritizes homeless youth for housing on California College Campuses

(Sacramento) – Assembly Bill 1228 authored by Assemblymember Mike Gipson (D-Carson) to improve long-term outcomes for homeless youth was signed into law this week by Governor Jerry Brown.  The new law requires the California State University system to provide priority for homeless youth in receiving on campus housing.