More than 100 people showed up at the San Gabriel Mission Playhouse to offer their visions of how new legislative district maps ought to take shape--in a region critics say has become the most gerrymandered in the state. Eugene Lee, an Asian Pacific American Legal Center (APALC) representative, said it is important for members of the public to participate in redistricting, describing historically low voter participation levels among Asian-Americans in the west valley. Lee said the community he works with are hoping to keep Alhambra, Monterey Park, Rosemead, San Gabriel, Arcadia, San Marino and Temple City together; in the east, the community of interest includes Hacienda Heights, Rowland Heights, Walnut and Diamond Bar. The voter-approved California Citizens Redistricting Commission is working on an August 15 deadline to submit final maps of new congressional, state Senate and Assembly districts, based on Census data and public input hearing.
New congressional districts in the San Gabriel Valley, approved by the California Citizens Redistricting Commission, reflects a significant change from current boundaries. (The new congress representatives will be voted in the November 2012 elections and take office in January 2013.) The new district lines have some local leaders worried about the region's ability to get federal dollars and attention to address local issues.
Maps shift election shapes. Redistricting offers little for Democrats to fear but comes as retirements open doors. Final maps were released yesterday to redraw boundaries for California's elected seats in Sacramento and Washington DC. The 14-member independent California Citizens Redistricting Commission's maps set up newly drawn Assembly, State Senate and Congressional maps, which must be formally approved. The maps did little to loosen Democrats' hold on Los Angeles County's state and federal districts. On the State Senate level, where the Commission is tasked with creating districts with 1 million people each, state Senator Susan Rubio's vast San Gabriel Valley District 22 loses several heavily Asian American communities, including San Gabriel, Alhambra, Monterey Park, Rosemead and Arcadia. Those communities would join Pasadena, Glendale and Altadena in Senator Anthony Portantino's District 25.
Arcadia announces August 17 public hearing on City Council redistricting. Every 10 years, after the US Census, the City Council District Map is realigned to reflect Arcadia's current population.
The state's budget crisis could mean that Arcadia Unified School District will suffer a shortfall of an estimated $2.3 million in the 2008-2009 fiscal year. Figures for other local school districts are included.
Hundreds of teachers across the San Gabriel Valley are facing layoffs again this summer and experts say cuts could be far more drastic if a solution to the state's budget problems is not reached. About 20,000 teachers in the state have been put on notice that they could be laid off if school districts do not receive the necessary state funding. Arcadia Unified School District (AUSD) sent out notices to about 16% of its teachers.
Los Angeles County - Here’s who’s running in local Assembly races on the November 3 ballot. California State Assembly District 49: Edwin Chau (D) vs. Burton Brink (R)
The district:Parts of Alhambra, Arcadia, El Monte, Montebello, Monterey Park, Rosemead, San Gabriel, San Marino, South El Monte, and Temple City.
California Governor Gavin Newsom appoints area legislator, Assembly Member Ed Chau, as a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge. The move will require a special election to fill the San Gabriel Valley seat for the remainder of Chau's term. Chau would've been termed out of the Assembly in 2024. Chau represented the 49th Assembly District, which includes Alhambra, Arcadia, El Monte, Monterey Park, Rosemead, San Gabriel, San Marino and Temple City and parts of Montebello and South El Monte. It's the only legislative district where people of Asian descent account for a majority of the population at 54%.
A new ballot issue that calls for an independent state reapportionment commission may be introduced depending on the California Supreme Court's decision on the current redistricting plan.
Senator Bob Margett told Arcadia City Council that California is facing a $15 billion deficit in the 2003-2004 fiscal year and cities could be targeted for revenue transfers.
Democrat Ed Chau won the seat in California's 49th Assembly District. The 49th State Assembly District includes Alhambra, Monterey Park, San Gabriel, San Marino, Arcadia, and Temple City.
Since state lawmakers have reached a budget deal. West San Gabriel Valley cities will receive monies to be used for road repairs and transit improvements. Arcadia will receive $237,931 in 2005-2006. In the past two years, these funds were withheld by the state to cover budget shortfalls.
Based on the Census 2000 figures, Arcadia is now included in the San Gabriel Valley's 28th Congressional District. Incumbent Republican Rep. David Dreier will be challenged by Democrat Marjorie Musser Mikels of Upland and Libertarian Dr. Randall Weissbuch, an Arcadia physician.
California State Assembly member Anthony Portantino (Democrat-La Canada Flintridge), who represents the 44th District, which includes parts of Arcadia, was named Legislator of the Year by the California Police Chiefs Association (CPCA) for his public safety measure banning the open carry of unloaded handguns in public places.
Area cities face financial woes, as state auditor's report places six in high-risk watchlist category (Anaheim, Compton, San Gabriel, Torrance, Montebello and West Covina). Arcadia is coded yellow, with moderate risk alongside Alhambra, Glendale and Pasadena, among other cities.
Grades are in: San Marino Unified is still tops in state test. About 90% of San Marino Unified students met state standards in English and about 85% met state standards in math. In comparison, 79% of Arcadia Unified School District students met state standards in English and 76% met state standards in math.
Thousands of San Gabriel Valley customers will be receiving refunds from Golden State Water Company after state regulators ruled the San Dimas-based company failed to properly oversee contracts that led to overcharging customers. The CPUC ruled that Golden State must refund Northern California and Southern California customers $9.5 million over the next 3 years and/or lower rates. About $400,000 in refunds will be given to 100,000 Southern California customers, including customers in Charter Oak, Claremont, Covina, Glendora, La Verne, San Dimas, Walnut, San Gabriel, Arcadia, El Monte, Irwindale, Monrovia, Monterey Park, Rosemead and Temple City.
Arcadia Unified School District fights for fair funding in Sacramento at the 2018 California State Parent Teacher Association (CA PTA) Legislation Conference.