Welcome to The Adams Link, an electronic newsletter keeping you updated on current events and important matters in Sacramento and in the 59th Assembly District. Your comments and suggestions are greatly appreciated and will help me best serve you. I look forward to hearing from you.

As we enter September, the debate over the state budget continues at the State Capitol. 

Democrats and Governor Schwarzenegger have proposed raising taxes on hard-working Californians as their solution for our state's budget problems.  Democrats are pushing $6.8 billion in higher taxes on many families and businesses in their budget plan, while the Governor has proposed a $15 billion sales tax increase over three years.

My Republican colleagues and I believe that we can balance the budget without punishing California families with higher taxes. 

That's why we have proposed a responsible state budget plan that will balance the budget and protect priorities like education and public safety without raising taxes or borrowing from local government. 

Our Republican budget plan would:

• Fund education next year at $57.9 billion, the same level proposed by both Governor Schwarzenegger and legislative Democrats.

• Reject borrowing from local government and vital transportation programs.

• Restore funding for doctors who provide health care services for those most in need under the Medi-Cal program.

• Eliminate a dangerous early release proposal that would have resulted in thousands of felons being set free in our communities without being supervised by a parole officer.

• Include a strict spending limit and strong rainy day reserve to help prevent future deficits.

Like you, I am troubled by the impact California's budget impasse is having on the most vulnerable in our state. 

The elderly, the disabled and those who rely on the state for health care services are hurt the hardest by our budget impasse.  Many health care providers are almost completely funded by the state, and they receive no funding without a budget.  Some hospitals, clinics and adult day care providers are now on the brink of having to close their doors.

California's most vulnerable should not have to suffer because we cannot agree on a budget compromise.  That's why I am working with my Republican colleagues to pass an emergency continuing budget resolution [Assembly Bill 24xxx] that would allow the state to immediately provide funding for vital services like health care and keep these facilities open while lawmakers and the Governor continue to work through our budget differences. 

Unfortunately, Governor Schwarzenegger and Democrats in the Legislature have refused to consider our proposal to provide this much needed relief.  In fact, both the Governor and Senator Don Perata have said they were willing to hold out until Thanksgiving to get their tax increases.  That's just irresponsible. 

It's time the Governor and Democrats to work with Republicans to craft a state budget that protects taxpayers, reduces state spending and limits state spending. 

DON'T MISS THIS!!

While everyone faces financial stresses and concerns over identity theft, senior citizens have long since been the favorite targets of scammers.  

To help educate seniors on how to better manage their finances and protect themselves from identity theft, join Assemblyman Anthony Adams and San Bernardino County 1st District Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt for ''Dollars & Sense,'' a financial literacy and identity theft event for seniors.

Seniors can receive help in filling out financial forms, such as tax documents, and learn what common tricks scammers use to avoid becoming a victim.

The event will feature speakers from the following agencies:  

•  Internal Revenue Service
• California Office of Information Security and Privacy Protection
• The United States Postal Inspector Service
• San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department
• San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office
• California Bankers Association
• California Credit Union League    

Come learn how to protect yourself and your assets!!  

Date:                October 2, 2008  

Time:                9:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.  

Location:         James Woody Community Center                       

                        13467 Navajo Road                      

                        Apple Valley, CA 92308  

Light refreshments will be served. For more information about this event, please contact Rebecca Bloomfield at our District office, toll-free at (888) 377-2212.

The Adams link includes announcements and upcoming events happening in and around the district.

If you would like to add an event or announcement to next month's e-newsletter, please email information to Rebecca.Bloomfield@asm.ca.gov.

• Taste of La Verne  –  September 9, 2008 beginning at 5:00 p.m.  

Cost: $30.00 per person

Location: La Verne Community Center (3680 "D" Street, La Verne)

For more information, please contact the La Verne Chamber of Commerce at (909) 593-5265.

• Jazz in the Rocks in Apple Valley – September 27, 2008 from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

This event promises an evening of food, wine and good music. Be entertained by Grammy Winner Rick Rossi while trying some of California's best wines. The chef and a leading wine expert will be on hand to explain exactly what you're tasting. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Sunset Hills Children's Foundation.

Cost: $75.00 per person

Location: Canyon Rocks Bridge at Sunset Hills Memorial Park (24000 Waalew Road, Apple Valley)

For more information, please contact Teresa McMahon at (760) 221-8755.

• 2008 Victor Valley Air Show/Expo – September 27, 2008 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Cost: Admission and parking is FREE!

Location: Apple Valley Airport (21600 Corwin Road, Apple Valley)

For more information about this event, please call the Apple Valley Airport at (760) 247-2371 or visit the Victor Valley Airshow Expo website.

• 2008 Los Angeles County Fair – September 5 through September 28 from 5:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.

The L.A. County Fair is back for another year and it looks like the 2008 season will not be a disappointment. Come to the fair for your favorite deep fried foods including newly added deep fried White Castle Burgers and deep fried SPAM with pineapple. All your usual Fair favorites are back, including concerts, carnival rides, shopping, a wine and spirits marketplace, a petting zoo, and more.  

Cost: Satuday and Sunday: Adults $17.00, Seniors: $14.00; Wednesday through Friday: Adults $12.00, Seniors $9.00

Location: Pomona Valley Fairgrounds (1101 W. McKinley Ave., Pomona) 

For more information regarding admission pricing and concert schedules, please visit the LA County Fair website.

• 11th Annual Discover Highland Night – September 13, 2008 from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Featuring a Health & Safety Fair, Vendor & Family Fair, Entertainment and Car Show, this event will be a terrific opportunity to meet local businesses, City Council Members, Chamber of Commerce, Fire, Police, City Services and many more!  

Cost: FREE!

Location: Highland Village Plaza (7275 Boulder Avenue, Highland)

For more information, please call the Highland Area Chamber of Commerce at (909) 864-4073 or visit their website at www.highlandchamber.org.

• Crescenta Valley Chamber of Commerce Annual Country Fair – September 13, 2008 from 10:00 a.m.  to 6:00 p.m.

Sponsored by the Chamber, the Country Fair includes a carnival, arts & crafts booths, food booths and more. This event is sure to be fun for the entire family!

Cost: FREE!

Location: Crescenta Valley Park (3901 Dunsmore, La Crescenta)

For more information about this event, please contact the Chamber at (818) 248-4947 or visit their website at www.lacrescenta.org.

• Taste of Arcadia - September 22, 2008 from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Cost: Predpaid Adult Ticket: $40; Adult Door Ticket: $50; Children (Ages 10-17): $15

Location: Los Angeles County Arboretum (301 S. Baldwin Avenue, Arcadia)

For tickets or more information, please call the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce at (626) 447-2159 or visit the Taste of Arcadia website.

San Bernardino County

On September 20, 2008, the 2-1-1 system for information and referrals for health and human services in San Bernardino County, will celebrate its 3rd year of service.

Since its inception, the 2-1-1 system in San Bernardino County has received nearly 100,000 calls and given out more than 135,000 referrals, helping more than 40,000 families and individuals reach needed resources.

During the October 2007 fires in San Bernardino County, the 2-1-1 system served as the official Disaster Information line, helping more than 7,000 callers with calls related to the fires.

To commemorate the program's anniversary, a Forum to show the program's successes and development will take place on Tuesday, September 30 from 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. at the Inland Empire United Way (9624 Hermosa Avenue, Rancho Cucamonga, 91730).

For more information, please contact the Inland Empire United Way at (909) 980-2857 or visit www.ieuw.org.

Los Angeles County

Formerly known as the INFO LINE of Los Angeles, 211 the easy to remember three-digit dialing code has enabled callers to access over 28,000 health and human service programs throughout the County 24 hours a day, 7 days a week since 1981. 

From everyday information to finding ways to help those suffering from the devasting hurricanes in the Gulf Coast, 211 Los Angeles County can provide the answers you need.

For more information, please visit the program's website at www.infoline-la.org.   

...Then you could sign up to receive a Vote-By-Mail ballot through your County's Registrar of Voters!

As a vote-by-mail voter, you avoid the lines at polling places and never have to adjust your busy schedule to cast your important vote.  The vote-by-mail ballot is easy to do and allows you to vote at your convenience prior to Election Day, all from the comfort of your home.

Voting at your leisure can also help ensure accuracy, allowing you ample time to read the information to make your informed decision.

Ballots are delivered by the U.S. Postal Service directly to your County's Registrar of Voters where your vote will be held private and secure. In San Bernardino County, you can even track the delivery status of your vote-by-mail ballot by visiting easyvoting.org.

All vote-by-mail ballots are processed by the Registrar of Voters and those returned before Election Day are counted first! Your vote counts – every vote counts!

DON'T WAIT!! Election Day is on November 4, 2008.

For more information on voting by mail, please contact your County's Registrar of Voters.

San Bernardino County                                

Registrar of Voters                                          

777 East Rialto Avenue

San Bernardino, CA 92415

Phone: (909) 387-8300

Los Angeles County

Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk

12400 Imperial Highway

Norwalk, CA 90650

Phone: (562) 466-1323