Dear friends,

We are now halfway through the year and things are picking up in the economic, employment, entertainment, and travel sectors. California officially reopens with COVID restrictions dramatically reduced or removed beginning June 15.

Thank you to those of you who have received your first or second vaccine shots. For those of you waiting or have yet to schedule an appointment, please help our state reach herd immunity so we can move forward with even greater reopening opportunities by getting your vaccination today.

I have additional resources in place within my office to help support residents of the 59^th District with EDD filings. As we begin to open California back up, many have had difficulties obtaining unemployment payments or status on their filing. I encourage you to contact my office for assistance with claims.

Finally, 11 of my bills, including police reform and public safety legislation, have been cleared by the Assembly and now move to the Senate for review and vote. My bills focus on enhancing public safety, bolstering our economy, providing greater access to college and higher learning, and holding public officials accountable.

I invite you to read through the list of priority bills I have worked on this year and how they provide for a better quality of life for my constituents and all Californians.

As always, my office is here to serve. Please feel free to reach out by calling (213) 744-2111, or by email at Assemblymember.Jones-Sawyer@assembly.ca.gov.

Stay safe and please get vaccinated.

Sincerely,

Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer
59^th District Representative
Chair, Public Safety Committee

News

I have been asked by Governor Newsome to join a group of academics, business and community leaders, and members of the state Legislature on the historic California Reparations Task Force. The nine-member group will study and make recommendations on ways to make reparations to African Americans living in California. The taskforce met for the first-time in Late May and will meet over the course of the next two-years studying and developing proposals.

Around the District

The 59^th Assembly District has abundance of public attractions including the Augustus F. Hawkins Nature Park located at 5790 Compton Ave in Los Angeles. The park features a calm, 8.5-acre retreat with native flora and wetlands, plus a small museum with nature exhibits. This is truly a unique and serene open space in the heart of Los Angeles. Visit my website at https://a59.asmdc.org/around-59th-assembly-district for more unique attractions in AD59.

Legislative Roundup

Over the past few weeks, I have had an opportunity to present my bills to various Assembly Committees for debate and a vote. I have been successful in having all 11 of my bills pass out of committee to a floor vote, where each received majority support and now head to the Senate for a new round of committee hearings, debate, and hopefully, a floor vote. Things are moving quickly, and my bills have been received well by colleagues in the Legislature. Here are a few that passed out of the Assembly.

AB 89 - PEACE ACT

• Raises the minimum standards for all new peace officer to be either 25 years of age or hold a bachelor's degree.

AB 254 - Contraband Prevention Act

• Requires the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) to screen every person, including employees, and their personal property prior to entering state correctional facilities.

AB 331 - Organized Retail Theft

• Extends the sunset for both the crime of organized retail theft and the operation of the CHP property crimes task force.

AB 750 - Police Reporting Cleanup

• This bill closes a loophole to ensure peace officers who make a false statement to a report-writing officer will be held accountable for filing a false police report.

AD59 Resources

With the number of Californians obtaining their vaccinations for COVID-19 slowing in recent weeks, we jeopardize missing marks to return our state to pre-pandemic operations. Do your part and schedule a time and date to get vaccinated. It is as simple as visiting www.myturn.ca.gov and finding a site near you for a walk-up or scheduled appointment.

The Blueprint for a Safer Economy provides added support for our business community. As California prepares for a June 15 relaxation of COVID mandates, small business owners and entrepreneurs should learn the latest facts about programs, services, and resources to help them open safely. Visit www.business.ca.gov/coronavirus-2019/

Upcoming

June is recognized as Pride Month celebrating the strides made by the LGBTQ communities towards equality and inclusiveness. I support these endeavors and will stand by their right to fair treatment in the workplace and society and will fight against intolerance and prejudice, in any form, that targets members of these communities.

June 19, also known as Juneteenth, recalls the celebration of the announcement of the Emancipation Proclamation that was told to black slaves in Texas two-years after Lincoln announced the presidential decree. This is an opportunity to better understand the history of slavery in the U.S. and why, as a member of the California Reparations Taskforce, I believe it is important to be educated on how slavery launched our national economy and the impact of using free labor impacts the economic situations of many Black Americans to this day.

June 20 is Father's Day! As a father, and grandfather, I cherish the moments with my children. I hope after a year of disruption every child can celebrate their father's love and care every day of 2021. To all the dads working on being the best father they can be, I wish you a Happy Father's Day!!!

For the latest news and updates on my work and AD59 activities, please visit my website at https://a59.asmdc.org/