Latest JPC Blog Entries
| TARGET: San Bernardino County corruption Wed, 28 Sep 2011 17:20:00 -0800 San Bernardino County is a vibrant place, with a mix of cultures, different climates, and a growing population. Unfortunately, it has also been home to some of the worst scandals in the state.&...(more) |
| The Tea Party and Maxine Waters' misplaced anger Mon, 22 Aug 2011 14:38:00 -0800 On Saturday August 20, Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-Los Angeles) lashed out at the Tea Party, stating that the Tea Party could "go straight to hell." Suffice to say, her comments are as ridicu...(more) |
| Paul Cook's Native American bills and efforts Tue, 31 May 2011 20:10:00 -0800 Assemblyman Paul Cook has amassed perhaps the strongest record of legislative success in Native American cultural and social issues of any current California legislator. Cook was the lead author of la...(more) |
Paul Cook accomplishments
Awards and Recognition
Freedom Fighter Award, 2011, California Disabled Veterans Business Alliance
Legislator of the Year in 2011, American Veterans (AMVETS), Department of California
Legislator of the Year in 2010, Fathers and Families
Legislator of the Year in 2009, Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), California State Council
Legislator of the Year in 2009, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Department of California
Outstanding Legislator in 2008, California State Sheriff's Association
Child Predator Notification Award in 2007, by the Riverside County Family Preservation Court
Legislator of the Year in 2007, for the Associated Builders and Contractors of California
Outstanding Assemblymember in 2007, by the California Association of Recreation & Park Districts (CARPD).
Successful Legislation, 2009
AB 265 - This bill requires a statewide official to forfeit his or her office if convicted of falsely claiming receipt of a military decoration or medal under the federal Stolen Valor Act.
AB 307 - This bill requires registered sex offenders to disclose their registration status to prospective employers when applying for a job where they would be working in a position directly and in an unaccompanied setting, that provides goods or services to minors.
AB 425 - This bill will prevent the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) from charging reissuance fees to members of the US Armed Forces if a member’s car insurance lapses during deployment.
AB 563 - This bill will allow the California Military Families Relief Fund (CMFRF) to remain on the state income tax return form as a voluntary contribution option. Contributions to the fund during the past year fell below the statutory threshold necessary to remain on the tax return form, which would have required its removal and eventual end due to lack of funding. The CMFRF provides grants to military families experiencing significant income loss due to deployment.
AB 717 - This bill establishes an annual "Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day" on March 30th of every year, to recognize and herald the contribution of Vietnam Veterans.
AB 774 - This bill permits any California community college to coordinate with local transit agencies to allow students to ride public transportation at greatly reduced rates. Similar programs are in use at most University of California campuses and some California State University campuses.
AB 830 - This bill ensures California law remains consistent with federal policy concerning the use of "off-label" prescription drugs for cancer patients, by ensuring Medi-Cal reimbursement. Without AB 830, cancer patients might not have access to the newest and best off-label prescription drugs.
AB 1325 - This bill creates an alternative "customary adoption" process for Native American children, which will account for the needs of the child and the needs of the child within his or her tribe. Conventional adoption most often ignores a child’s tribal connection and mandates termination of rights for the birth parents, thus severing any legal tie between the child and the tribe. AB 1325’s customary adoption will allow this legal connection to persist, so that children may retain ties with their tribe and cultural traditions.
Successful Legislation, 2008
AB 2171 - Purple Heart Memorial - This bill will create a Purple Heart Memorial on the Capitol Park grounds in Sacramento to honor California residents who have been awarded the Purple Heart medal.
AB 2426 - Restaurant Business Expansion - The bill will expand the economic opportunities for restaurant businesses to open new locations in California. This will provide new economic opportunities and jobs for California.
AB 2641 - Military Ombudsman for State Workers - This bill authorizes the Governor and each state agency and department to designate a mediator to take complaints and coordinate resolution of these complaints from state employees who are members of the CA National Guard or members of a reserve component of the Armed Forces.
AB 3016 - Expansion of California Military Family Relief Fund - This bill will expand the current California Military Family Relief Fund (CMFRF) program to include all reserve members of the Armed Forces who have been called to active duty. Currently, the CMFRF program provides one-time financial-aid grants to alleviate personal economic hardship, but only to members of the CA National Guard. The expansion under AB 3016 comes at no cost to taxpayers; it will help many military families who have given so much to their state and to their country.
ACR 107 - John Guthrie Freeway Renaming - John was a firefighter who perished in the line of duty in 1959. He was a resident of Perris before his sudden death. ACR 107 will dedicate a section of Interstate 215 between the 74 interchange and the Ramona Expressway in his honor.
ACR 151 - Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Week - This resolution will dedicate December 10 through December 13 of 2008 as "Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Week." This designation will coincide with the 20th Anniversary of the dedication of the California Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Capitol Park.
(VETOED) AB 3084 - Filipino-American WWII Vets - This was a bi-partisan bill by Assemblyman Cook and Assemblywoman Fiona Ma (D-San Francisco) that would have encouraged instruction in social sciences to include an accurate history of the contributions of the Filipino American veterans who fought courageously in the US Army for freedom and democracy in World War II, under the leadership of General Douglas MacArthur. Unfortunately, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed the bill.
Successful Legislation, 2007
AB 282 - Stolen Valor Act 2007 - This bill creates an infraction for individuals who to misrepresent themselves as honorees of a military medal or decoration.
AB 339 - Manufactured Homes Escrow Clarification - This bill clarifies escrow laws for manufactured homes. As the result of a recent court decision, any letter disputing the terms of sale will result the halt of escrow, even if this is not the intention of the buyer. AB 339 provides that a letter of dispute must be explicit in wanting to stop escrow. This bill passed the Assembly without a single 'no' vote.
AB 1525 - BPPVE Extension Act - The Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education, which oversees private state-approved schools, expired on June 30, 2007. This bill created a temporary administration under the Department of Consumer Affairs, until a time in which an improved Bureau could be reestablished.
