Skip to main content

Assemblymembers Ask Governor Newsom to Establish New State Economic Assistance Fund for Undocumented Californians

LOS ANGELES, California – (April 15, 2020) – Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer (D-Huntington Park/South Los Angeles), along with 22 members of the State Assembly, have written a letter to Governor Gavin Newsom citing economic impacts suffered by undocumented residents of the state caused by the COVID-19 outbreak. The group of legislators is asking the Governor to establish a relief fund that would provide immediate economic assistance to undocumented workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The fund would use state dollars to help undocumented workers unable to work due to COVID-19 or a Shelter in Place Order, have been laid off from work, have had hours reduced, or are caring for their child due to the loss of childcare. Undocumented residents remain a highly vulnerable community within the state with no ability to obtain federal assistance including wage loss, business loans or healthcare subsidies like Medicaid.

COVID-19 Exposes A Widening Digital Learning Gap

The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) has reported that over 15,000 students have not been heard from since the March 16 closure of schools due to coronavirus concerns. An estimated 40,000 additional students fail to check-in daily.

Even as LAUSD leaders have been working diligently to accommodate the needs of teachers and students as it transitions to an all-digital distance learning format – student access to technology and understanding its use remains an issue.

COVID-19 Exposes A Widening Digital Learning Gap

The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) has reported that over 15,000 students have not been heard from since the March 16 closure of schools due to coronavirus concerns. An estimated 40,000 additional students fail to check-in daily.

Even as LAUSD leaders have been working diligently to accommodate the needs of teachers and students as it transitions to an all-digital distance learning format – student access to technology and understanding its use remains an issue.

New Measures Implemented to Connect Families with Incarcerated Individuals

Assemblymember Jones-Sawyer and the Department of Corrections Act to Provide Communication Options to Families

LOS ANGELES, California – (April1, 2020) – Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer (D-South Los Angeles) announced new measures to be implemented by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) that will connect incarcerated individuals and their families during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“As the Chair of the Assembly’s Public Safety Committee my focus has been on the health and safety of those incarcerated and the corrections staff charged with overseeing the daily operations of our state prison system. Initial measures by the CDCR suspended visitations by family members with incarcerated individuals. I am pleased to announce the CDCR has worked with phone and email providers to enable access to calls and emails between families and those incarcerated,” said Assemblymember Jones-Sawyer.

Declaración del Miembro de la Asamblea Jones-Sawyer Sobre La Nueva Fecha Límite de Participación en el Censo

El Censo de los Estados Unidos ha ampliado el plazo para la autocompletación del formulario del Censo hasta el 14 de Agosto como resultado directo de la pandemia COVID-19. Insto a todos los Californianos a que se tomen este tiempo para visitar el sitio web del Censo, llame al departamento del Censo para completar el formulario por teléfono o por correo en la forma física : tarda 10 minutos en completarse utilizando cualquiera de estas plataformas.

Los participantes del Censo comenzarán a visitar a los hogares que no cumplieron con la fecha límite de agosto para presentar sus respuestas en septiembre.

Statement by Assemblymember Jones-Sawyer On New Census Participation Deadline

The United States Census has extended the deadline for self-completion of the Census form to August 14 as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic. I urge all Californians to take this extended time to visit the Census website, call the Census department to complete the form by phone, or mail-in the physical form – it takes 10 minutes to complete using any of these platforms.

Census takers will begin to visit households that did not meet the August deadline to submit their responses in September.

Focused on Public Safety

As the Chair of the Assembly’s Public Safety Committee, I have been working with Governor Newsom and my colleagues in the legislature to ensure proactive measures are being taken to protect the health and well-being of the residents of the 59th Assembly District (AD) and that of all Californians.

Chair of the State Assembly’s Public Safety Committee Applauds State’s Acquisition of St. Vincent Medical Center in Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California – March 23, 2020 – The State of California has entered into an agreement with Verity Health Systems to manage the recently closed St. Vincent Medical Center, located at 2131 West 3rd Street in Los Angeles, to provide assistance and care to patients afflicted with the COVID-19 virus. Bringing St. Vincent’s back online ensures 381 beds for patients and an added resource for residents of Los Angeles in dealing with the pandemic.

“The residents of the 59th Assembly District will have a recognized care and resource facility open and available to those who require treatment and quarantine upon diagnosis,” said Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer who  represents the communities of South Los Angeles including Huntington Park and Walnut Park in the 59th District.

Statement on Coronavirus and State Prisons

As Chair of the Assembly’s Public Safety Committee, I have been in contact with the California Department of Corrections and Secretary Ralph Diaz as we work to ensure the safety of all prison guards, probation personnel and inmates.