Assemblyman Mendoza Updates Artesia Council on Sacramento Issues

Assemblyman Tony Mendoza paid a visit to the Artesia City Council during their Nov. 14 meeting to update constituents and local officials on major issues from Sacramento.

He talked about some of the laws that he sponsored in the State Assembly, .

Mendoza also updated the Council on California’s dire budget situation. With predictions of a possible budget shortfall, he pointed out that if the state is $500 million short of revenue, cuts to universities, public welfare and even the public school system are possible.

“If by December 15, [the budget shortfall] reaches $2 billion or more, then it will reach into the K-12 system, which we’re hoping it won’t [happen],” he said. “The K-12 system has already cut $22-23 billion over the last three years and has devastated local schools.”

Mendoza hopes that state revenues will pick up over the crucial beginning of the holiday shopping season so that cuts will not commence.

Other actions voted by the Artesia City Council at the meeting include:

• The reorganization ceremony for the Council on Dec. 12 is moving to the to accommodate more attendees.
• The Council approved all the Planning Commission recommendations from their October meeting, including property variances for Councilwoman Sally Flower’s residence, a conditional use permit for a warehouse close to the 91 Freeway, a permit for a Chase bank branch and a conditional use permit for a money remittance business.

The Artesia City Council is holding its annual reorganization ceremony at the Albert O. Little Community Center on Dec. 12 at 7 p.m. For more information, call (562) 865-6262 or go to www.cityofartesia.us.