On January 18, Governor Jerry Brown gave his annual State of the State address to a joint session of the Legislature, outlining his goals for California and requesting support for new taxes on the November ballot. 

I share the Governor's commitment to reduce bureaucracy in education and deliver more local control to schools. I was also encouraged by the Governor's call for meaningful pension reform. But unfortunately, I sat in anticipation of hearing some new, innovative ideas on how we can start working together now to make our government run more efficiently and effectively, but instead, I heard the same single solution from him - that Sacramento needs to tax its way out of its current spending problem. 

Our small businesses, including my own, have had to make sacrifices and cuts to be able to continue serving the needs of our customers with less. And it's time our government does the same for its customers - the taxpayers.

I remain dedicated to working with my colleagues to craft honest and realistic solutions to address California's spending addiction.  I will continue to support any legislation that promotes more job creation in our state, eases the regulatory burden on our small businesses, and reduces the bureaucracy in education to allow more dollars to go directly to the classroom.

Tens of thousands of lawsuits have been filed against small businesses throughout California in the past few years. 

Most small businesses may have one or more conditions which could lead to these claims- round door handles, unsecured floor mats, and more.

I invite you to attend an upcoming workshop I'll be hosting to learn how to protect your business from an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) lawsuit by learning about state and federal ADA laws as well as guidelines to avoid lawsuits for non-compliance.

I'll also be discussing legislation I am introducing this year to protect small businesses from frivolous lawsuits.

I am presenting the series of workshops in partnership with Senator Ted Gaines, local chambers of commerce, California Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse, and David Warren Peters, an attorney who has been consulted in more than 850 lawsuits throughout the United States. 

A new law in California may help protect you, but only if you take certain steps before you are served with a lawsuit.

Please check back in my February Bulletin for a complete list of dates and locations.

For more information, please call the District Office at (916) 774-4430.

Please join me at an upcoming community coffee in your neighborhood.

I'll be continuing to host these informal meetings frequently around the district to hear from you on state and local issues you may be concerned with.

You may also visit my website at www.assembly.ca.gov/gaines for a complete list of my latest events.

Please stop by, grab a cup of coffee and let me know what's on your mind.

I hope to see you there!

Cameron Park
3/16/12
9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Caffé Santoro
2531 Merrychase Drive

Roseville
3/23/12
9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Shady Coffee and Tea
325 Douglas Boulevard

Rocklin
4/2/12
9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Kona Coffee
6843 Lonetree Boulevard

Lincoln
4/6/12
9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Kim's Country Kitchen
537 G Street

Roseville
4/13/12
9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. 
Jericho Coffee
8711 Sierra College Boulevard

I'm pleased to announce that I recently received an "A" grade from the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) for my strong, pro-business voting record. 

The NFIB is the nation's top advocate for small businesses and job creation.  As a small businesswoman, I am honored to have earned a high score on the NFIB scorecard, demonstrating that I have fought hard to protect business and jobs in our state. One of my main priorities in 2012 is improving the economic climate in California for job-creating small businesses.

The 2012 NFIB legislative scorecard ranked the voting records of state lawmakers on issues of importance to small businesses in California, such as imposing expensive new mandates and higher costs and taxes that make it more expensive for small businesses to stay in operation and retain jobs here.

In the weeks ahead, I will be working with my colleagues in both the Assembly and Senate to put California jobs first by proposing several common-sense measures to help lower costs to do business, reform out-of-control ADA lawsuit abuse and put in place incentives to encourage small businesses to come back to California. Only by passing policies that lower costs for small businesses struggling to keep their doors open will we get our economy back on track.

To review the National Federation of Independent Business 2011-2012 legislative scorecard, click here.

Earlier this month, I had the pleasure of honoring local Placer County contractors for their service to our community at the annual Placer County Contractors Association & Builders Exchange installation dinner.

I joined local city and county officials to recognize and thank Board President Patrick Remington and his entire Board of Directors for their work toward developing our community. 

It was a wonderful evening, and I appreciate the Contractors Association for letting me participate!

PG&E has just announced an exciting new scholarship opportunity available to students in our area. 

The $1 million Bright Minds Scholarship Program supports our communities by awarding scholarships to people who have given back to the local community or who have overcome great personal challenges.  PG&E is rewarding perseverance and they invite you to share your story. 

There are awards at two levels, up to 10 scholarships will be awarded of up to $30,000 and all remaining awards will be $2,500 each. 

To be eligible, you must be at least 16 years of age, live within the PG&E Service Area, and plan to enroll for the entire 2012-2013 academic year.  Non-traditional students who are returning to school or planning to pursue postsecondary education for the first time are eligible and encouraged to apply.  Awards will be given based on a combined demonstration of academics and community leadership or demonstration of personal triumph and financial need.

The application period runs until February 17, 2012.  To fill out the web-based application, please visit pge.com/brightminds. 

For questions regarding this scholarship opportunity, please contact pge@scholarshipamerica.org or call (507) 931-1682.