(Sacramento) – Assemblymember Mike Gipson (D-Carson), members of the California Armenian Legislative Caucus – consisting of Assemblymember Nazarian, Assemblymember Achadjian, and Assemblymember Wilk – and Assemblymember Gatto led a successful effort to oppose construction of a controversial monument of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk being considered by the Carson City Council last night.

(Sacramento) –The University of California will be the subject of an audit later this summer, as put forth by Assemblymember Mike Gipson (D-Carson), Chair of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee (JLAC). The audit which will focus on the UC’s budget process, nonresident student enrollment, and executive compensation was approved by the committee today by a unanimous, bi-partisan 12-0 vote.

(Sacramento) –Assemblymember Mike Gipson (D-Carson) introduced legislation intending to help reinstate local governing authority to the Compton Community College. Assembly Bill (AB) 986 will provide a potential legislative solution to the ongoing attempts to restore control of the college to the district.

“I made a promise to the members of my community that I would do whatever I can to put Compton Community College back in the hands of local authority,” states Gipson. “AB 986 is part of keeping that commitment to the citizens of my district.”

(Sacramento) – Today, Assemblymember Mike Gipson (D-Carson) introduced legislation to extend the sales and use tax exemption for medicines to include medical marijuana prescribed for terminally ill patients. Sponsored by the Chairman of the Board of Equalization (BOE), Jerome Horton, Assembly Bill (AB) 821 creates a process for qualified patients to receive an exemption certificate for their purchases of medical marijuana.

“Our culture has come a long way in understanding and applying the medicinal uses of marijuana,” states Gipson. “If current practice is that medicine should not be taxed for patient treatment, then it is only fair that we apply this standard across the board.”

(Sacramento) – Today, the Joint Legislative Audit Committee (JLAC), under the chairmanship of Assemblymember Mike Gipson (D-Carson), conducted a joint oversight hearing with the Assembly Higher Education Committee regarding the University of California’s budget process. The hearing was in response to ongoing issues stemming from a 2011 State Audit of the UC budget system.

“The UC system is world-renowned among institutions of higher learning, and is something that all Californians are proud of and benefit from,” states Gipson. “However, when questions arise about inequity amongst our student population, and there arise concerns regarding a lack of accountability and transparency, it is the job of the Legislature to get answers.”

Education, public safety to be top Assembly priorities

(SACRAMENTO) -  Mike Gipson (D-Carson) was sworn in as the Assemblymember for the 64th Assembly District. The ceremony took place in the Assembly Chamber of the State Capitol.

“There is much work to be done,” said Gipson. “I am incredibly honored that my constituents have placed their trust in me to take action on their behalf.”

Immediately prior to his election to the Assembly, Gipson served as Vice-President of the Advisory Board for the State Public Utilities Commission and as Chairman of the Board of Directors for Positive Imagery Foundation, Inc.

In addition to serving as an advocate for public school teachers with United Teachers Los Angeles, he is also the former Chairman of the California Contract Cities’ Legislative Committee.

District 64 includes the communities of Carson, Compton, Gardena, Harbor Gateway, Lynwood, North Long Beach, Rancho Dominguez, South Los Angeles, Torrance, Watts/Willowbrook and Wilmington.

The oath of office was administered by California Supreme Court Associate Justice Goodwin Liu.