Candidate for
Member of the State Assembly; District 62; Democratic Party

I am honored to serve as the representative for the 62nd District in the California State Assembly. During my two terms in the Assembly, I have continued working on issues affecting working families in our community.

I was born into a communal society--a farming community near Philadelphia, Mississippi. Farmers know how to work together with their neighbors--in good times and bad. Each partner does his or her best, and the whole benefits. This background has prepared me to work collaboratively with others, and I bring this skill to my professional role. My job as your Assembly Member is to identify resources in Sacramento and bring them home to the 62nd District to those groups and organizations that, together, can build a stronger community.

My 16 years serving on the Rialto School Board reinforced my belief in the value of quality education. I was humbled when the school district named the new Wilmer Amina Carter High School. As a longtime area resident and product of local schools, I may be the first Cal State San Bernardino alumna (with two degrees-- a Bachelor's degree and a Master's) to have any building named in their honor, let alone an entire high school!

As a small business owner, I understand how important economic development is to the Inland Empire and have worked to increase resources for small businesses and to improve technical education opportunities. I helped bring funding for green jobs training to our community college district. Nearly 20 years ago, I created a school-to-work program that today, refined through the years, is used by high schools statewide. My calling is to use my talents to work with community leaders to create a thriving region in the midst of these tough times.

In 2009, the governor signed five of my bills into law, including:

• Jobs Protection (AB 485) The Civil Air Patrol Employment Protection Act;
• Consumer Protection (AB116) The Donda West Law requires physicals for plastic surgery patients;
• Public Safety (AB 561) to protect local street and road workers;
• Education (AB 174) to provide more local control over unification and school district reorganization;
• Social Justice (AB 412) enhances hate crimes statutes regarding the public hanging of a noose.