Press Releases

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.

SACRAMENTO – Assemblywoman Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks) introduced Assembly Bill 930 and Assembly Bill 931, two bills which aim to improve employment opportunities for California’s veteran population. AB 930, a bill joint-authored by Speaker Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego), will codify and expand the successful Work for Warriors program currently operated by the California Military Department. AB 931 will broaden the group of veterans eligible for the new hiring tax credit created in 2013.

“As Chair of the Assembly Veterans Affairs Committee, I am mindful of the challenges faced by Veterans in securing gainful employment once their service has concluded,” said Assemblywoman Irwin. “AB 930 will expand Work for Warriors to all current and former members of the Armed Services, as well as their spouses and dependents. This bill will also facilitate a partnership with the Employment Development Department to provide continued efficiency in helping connect unemployed veterans with jobs.” Work for Warriors is the most efficient Veteran job placement program in the country with a per placement cost of less than $650 and has placed nearly 4000 veterans to in less than three years.

SACRAMENTO – Assemblywoman Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks) introduced Assembly Bill 556 to uphold consumer confidence in charitable giving. The measure is sponsored by Attorney General Kamala D. Harris. Specifically, the bill closes a loophole in the law regarding commercial fundraisers who raise money on behalf of nonprofit organizations and extends a 10-year statute of limitations to include commercial fundraisers and other third parties who aid and abet charity misconduct.

“As a city councilmember and board member of local nonprofits in Ventura County, I saw the enormous positive impact that charities have on our communities,” said Assemblywoman Irwin. “AB 556 will help keep bad behavior by a few from undermining the confidence that Californians have in the more than 70,000 active nonprofit organizations doing great work in California. I commend Attorney General Kamala Harris for her work on this issue and look forward to working with her on AB 556.”

SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks) introduced Assembly Bill 449 to help people with disabilities save for the future. AB 449, the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act, allows people with disabilities to open special accounts where they can save without risking eligibility for Social Security and other government programs. ABLE accounts are similar to the widely used 529 education savings plan but would be used for disability related expenses.

“AB 449 provides people with disabilities a path to employment and greater independence and dignity,” said Assemblymember Irwin. “The costs of caring and providing for someone with disabilities can be enormous. This bill will give families and individuals a tool to save money to support the needs of people with disabilities.”

Will Examine California’s Role in Addressing Cybersecurity Threats

Sacramento—Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks) has been appointed by Speaker Toni G. Atkins as chair of the Select Committee on Cybersecurity. The committee was created in light of recent cyber security threats that have left millions of Americans at risk of identity theft. As chair of the committee, Irwin recently joined President Obama and other national leaders at the White House’s Summit on Cybersecurity and Consumer Protection to address California’s role in preventing and responding to security threats.

“Cybersecurity is an issue of rapidly growing importance and I believe the State bears a responsibility to address the rising threat of cyber-attacks,” said Assemblymember Irwin. “In light of the recent attacks on Sony and Anthem, it is clear that this issue affects all citizens and will continue to be a matter of public safety.”

Assemblymember also set to serve on State Public Works Board, Inter-Agency Council on Vets, Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children

(Sacramento, CA) – Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks) today announced her appointment to the State Commission on the Status of Women and Girls.  Irwin was appointed by Assembly Speaker Toni G. Atkins to the Commission, a nonpartisan state agency that works to promote equality and justice for all women and girls in California

“Women have clearly come a long way, but there is still much work to be done,” said Assemblymember Irwin.  “It is an honor to serve on this Commission as an advocate for economic justice, educational equality, access to health care and many other critical issues affecting women and girls.”