Press Releases

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.

Assembly approves measures by Assemblymember Gipson 

(Sacramento) –Assemblymember Mike A. Gipson (D-Carson) garnered support from his colleagues to pass several bills out of the Assembly this week. Amongst the legislation approved was Assembly Bill (AB) 709, which will provide public accountability over charter schools, and AB 1235 that would enhance care for senior citizens.

“The success of effectively moving these bills passed the deadline for the first half of the legislative process is greatly encouraging,” states Gipson. “I look forward to now guiding these measures through the Senate and to the Governor for consideration.”

Assembly approves legislation to give students a better opportunity to learn 

(Sacramento) – Legislation authored by Assemblymember Mike A. Gipson (D-Carson) to provide students improved access to higher education passed the Assembly Floor this week.

“In California, we are extremely proud of our world renowned institutions for higher education,” states Gipson. “However, that does not mean we can turn a blind eye to the challenges, and ignore the necessary changes we must make to ensure we are providing students the best possible learning experience.”

(Sacramento) - Assemblymember Mike A. Gipson (D-Carson) was appointed to the Council of State Government (CSG) by the Speaker of the Assembly Toni Atkins. Gipson will sit on the Finance Policy Committee, which gives members an opportunity to discuss issues relating to state budgets and fiscal trends.

(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.”