SACRAMENTO- Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks) is pleased to announce that several major district legislative priorities have passed through the Assembly with broad bipartisan support. Highlights include bills to help veterans rejoin the workforce and access key services, improve community college success rates, allow disabled persons to save for the future, and protect Californians against cybersecurity threats.

The expansion of the “Hire a Hero Tax Credit” through Assembly Bill (AB) 931 increases incentives for employers to connect veterans with quality, high-paying jobs. Restoring funding for county veterans services, AB 171 will help veterans get the federal benefits they have earned. “This not only benefits California veterans, it benefits the California economy. Over the past two years county veterans services officers’ work has generated $546 million in new or increased federal benefits for our veterans, a return of $98 for every $1 invested,” proclaimed Irwin.

Highlight Local and Statewide Issues in Early Childhood Education for Agricultural Families

Oxnard, CA – The Mexican American Opportunity Foundation (MAOF) is a non-profit, community-based organization that was established in 1963 in order to serve disadvantaged individuals and families throughout California. This past Friday May 29th, Assemblymembers Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks) and Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) visited the local center in Oxnard operated by the Mexican American Opportunity Foundation.

“Today I was able to witness first-hand the amazing early childhood education services MAOF provides to Oxnard families.” Said Assemblymember Irwin. “Investing in early childhood education has long-term positive results and cost savings for our State. I am grateful we have one of their preschools in our community and for their ongoing investment in our future generations.”

SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks) today announced that her plan to allow more community college campuses to implement innovative basic skills programs to improve student success rates has been placed into the Governor’s revised budget.

“I am very pleased to see that Governor Brown has included $60 million from Prop 98 to fund basic skills innovation in today’s budget revision,” said Assemblymember Irwin. “California has a tremendous opportunity to make this targeted one-time investment in our community college system that will have a long-term impact on the lives and success of students.”

SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks) today convened a joint hearing of two key Assembly Committees to examine the policy steps needed to ensure accountability and transparency by state government as it addresses the ongoing threat of cyber security.  The hearing of the Select Committee on Cybersecurity and the Assembly Committee on Privacy and Consumer Protection focused on tangible actions the state can take to secure its assets.

“Cybersecurity is a national priority with critical importance in California,” said Assemblymember Irwin. “This committee will continue to work to accelerate the steps being taken to protect California from these cyber threats, and look for new solutions in a way that could serve as an example to other states and the nation as a whole.”

SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks) today recognized Kathy Long, Ventura County Supervisor, as the Woman of the Year for the 44th Assembly District.

“It is an honor to recognize Kathy Long for her 35 year policymaking career. Kathy Long is a remarkable woman who has made a profound and positive difference in the lives of the people she represents,” Irwin said. She is well known for creating alliances for the benefit of the health, welfare and public safety of Ventura County residents.