Press Releases

Statement on Straight Outta Compton Release

(Sacramento) – “As an elected official from Compton, who was born and raised in the community of Watts, I am very proud of the acclaim the premiere of Straight Outta Compton has gathered,” states Gipson. “The story of young men finding success despite troubled upbringings is an important message to share. Even more, it is important to remember the struggle that these men, and many of us, faced growing up in South Central Los Angeles.

Assemblymember Gipson authors law to extend deadline to approve new medical devices

(Sacramento) – Legislation to enhance patient safety, authored by Assemblymember Mike A. Gipson (D-Carson), was signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown today. Assembly Bill (AB) 444 helps the state adopt a standardization of medical epidural and enteral connectors as part of an international initiative.

“When patients receive care, they often require connection to various hospital devices. Current standards for medical connectors can lead to device misconnection, where devices that have compatible connectors are accidentally connected to the wrong device and can lead to serious medical complications,” states Gipson. “AB 444 would help effectively implement the adoption of new standards in line with the statutory deadline already in place.”

Sacramento – Significant reforms in the Buy-Here, Pay-Here car loan industry are set to go into effect next January after Governor Brown today signed Assemblymember Chris Holden’s bill to protect the used-car-buying public.

“By signing AB 265 the Governor recognized the State of California needed to do more to reign in abusive consumer lending practices at Buy-Here, Pay-Here car dealerships,” said Assemblymember Holden. “Given all of the challenges and worries facing hard working families in our state I am proud that AB 265 will provide car-buying consumers the flexibility they need to make their payments on time, keep their cars and continue to provide for their family.”

Assemblymember Gipson leads hearing to discuss returning local governing authority

(Sacramento) - Assemblymember Mike A. Gipson (D-Carson), Chair of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee (JLAC), is convening an informational hearing today to review the progress being made towards returning local governing authority and accreditation to Compton Community College District (CCCD).

Assemblymember Gipson honors the detectives in charge of investigation at State Capitol

(Sacramento) –Assemblymember Mike A. Gipson (D-Carson) recognized two Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Detectives for their swift work in arresting four suspects in the recent murder of Tavin Price. With the help of witnesses and community support, the arrest came just over a month after the commission of the crime.

“I am really proud of the officers and the residents of Los Angeles who helped identify the suspects responsible for this tragedy,” states Gipson. “At a time when there is a lot of distrust between both, it is great to see law enforcement and the community work together.”

(Sacramento) –Assemblymember Mike A. Gipson (D-Carson) recognized two outstanding students from Compton Unified School District today on the Assembly floor for winning the Mathematics Engineering Science Achievement’s (MESA) National Engineering Design Competition. Azucena Castro and Jennifer Barrientos, recent graduates from Dominguez High School, took top honors for their prosthetic arm design.

“I am beyond proud of these two young students,” states Gipson. “Not only have they accomplished something truly amazing for themselves, but they have brought a great deal of pride to their community. By winning this competition, they have shown what hard working students with limited resources can accomplish.”

State funds heading to health programs, education and local projects

(Sacramento) - The State Assembly passed several bills today necessary to enact the budget. Among the key provisions approved by the Legislature were several programs to improve health, education, and local projects throughout the state.

State Auditor to examine potential inequalities in CalTrans Maintenance Program 

(Sacramento) – Assemblymember Mike A. Gipson (D-Carson), Chair of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee, requested today that the State Auditor examine the California Department of Transportation’s (CalTrans) Maintenance Program. The audit, which was approved by a unanimous vote, will examine what criteria and methods CalTrans uses to decide where resources are sent.

“From city to city, the disparity in the upkeep of our public roads is obvious,” states Gipson. “I want to understand why the freeway on ramps, highway pavement, and rest stops in more disadvantaged neighborhoods are often in more disrepair compared to affluent areas. This audit would assess what criteria CalTrans is using to select maintenance projects, and look at the disparity between funding in different socio-economic districts.”

California Legislature sends balanced budget to the Governor

(Sacramento) The State Legislature approved the state budget by a 52-28 vote today, meeting a midnight deadline to send the bill to the Governor. The Legislature’s budget allocates more than $117 billion, and sets aside over $5 billion in reserves. Assemblymember Mike Gipson (D-Carson) released the following statement on this year’s budget:

“I’m proud to support a balanced budget that prioritizes education, healthcare, and poverty reduction in California. By strengthening social programs to assist the disadvantaged, such as early education and the Earned Income Tax Program, more Californians will have the freedom to follow their own path to success and happiness. This budget will also help create healthier communities by restoring funding cuts to critical Medi-Cal programs. For the residents of the 64th Assembly District, these changes could mean the difference between finally breaking out of the cycle of poverty and building communities that offer a better quality of life to future generations. Overall, these policies outline the virtues of a society concerned with creating the broadest opportunities for all of our citizens.”

Assembly supports equal rights for victims at parole hearings   

(Sacramento) – Legislation authored by Assemblymember Mike A. Gipson (D-Carson) to provide victims equal access to information prior to parole hearings passed the Assembly this week by a unanimous vote. Sponsored by Crime Victims United of California (CVUC), Assembly Bill (AB) 920 would require that an inmate’s board packet be provided to a victim’s attorney.

“At each parole hearing, the Parole Board, the district attorney, and the inmate’s attorney are all provided a packet of information regarding the inmate’s incarceration. However, this information is not shared with the victim, or their next of kin. AB 920 would allow those with the most concern regarding an inmate’s release the ability to access this relevant material,” state Gipson.