Borrego Sun - Since 1949

Proposition 28, approved by 61% of California’s voters in 2012, established our current term limit system. California legislators may serve a total of twelve years -- Senate terms are four years and Assembly terms are two. I’m now finishing my 6th Assembly term – my 12th and final... — Updated 11/30/2024

Since Assemblymember Waldron is leaving office, this will be her final article submission. Thank you for allowing us to update residents of the 75th Assembly District over these many years. As you know, we had an election on November 5th, and due to term limits, I will be leaving... — Updated 11/10/2024

The legislative special session called to rein in high gas prices has adjourned. A bill that supporters claim will help prevent gasoline price spikes by increasing reserves, AB X2-1, passed on a party-line vote. Unfortunately the bill, along with other measures that could be... — Updated 10/26/2024

The 2023 – 24 regular session of the Legislature adjourned August 31. For better or worse, over the past two years we’ve debated 4,821 bills. This year, over 1,200 bills passed both houses and were sent to the Governor. He vetoed 15.7%. And last year, 1,100 bills reached the Gov... — Updated 10/25/2024

San Diego County has made great strides to safeguard itself against California’s recurring drought cycle. For example, in 1991, 95% of our water was imported by the Metropolitan Water District (MWD). By 2023, only 14% of our water was imported by the MWD. Diversification efforts i... — Updated 9/27/2024

The State Legislature adjourned for the year August 31st, but a special session to deal with gas prices has been called. Several proposals are on the table. One proposal would require refiners to withhold fuel from the market to build up reserves and serve as a cushion against pri... — Updated 9/20/2024

During my term in the State Legislature, I’ve nominated schools throughout the 75th Assembly District to receive the Barona Education Grant. A $5,000 grant from the Barona Band of Mission Indians is made available to one school in each State Senate District, each State Assembly D... — Updated 9/15/2024

San Diego County ranks third in the nation as a center for the Life Science industry after Boston and the San Francisco Bay Area. As Vice Chair of the Assembly Health Committee and a member of the Assembly Select Committee on Biotechnology, I advocate for affordable and... — Updated 8/28/2024

The July summer recess is over – we re-convened on August 5. All bills that passed the Senate before the recess will now be reviewed and approved (or not) by the Assembly, and all Assembly bills have been forwarded to the Senate for final consideration. During the July recess, t... — Updated 8/15/2024

Summer is here, and kids have time on their hands. That could mean hours of unsupervised internet use while parents are working. It’s been estimated that 95% of teens aged 13 to 17 use social media, and that can include younger children as well. 40% of children ages 8 to 12 report... — Updated 7/29/2024

Last week, a rally of over two hundred people opposed to placement of a Sexually Violent Predator (SVP) in a rural Poway neighborhood was held at Garden Road Park. Fortunately, Mayor Steve Vaus received a call from the Director of State Hospitals just prior to the start of the... — Updated 7/29/2024

The main state budget bill passed prior to the June 15th constitutional deadline, and the Governor will have until June 30th to sign it into law (and use his line item veto pen). But many trailer bills that fund specific state programs were still being voted on last week.... — Updated 7/9/2024

As with so many issues involving medical research and healthcare, San Diego County is ground zero in the battle against Alzheimer’s disease. Currently, it is estimated that 84,000 persons are living with Alzheimer’s disease in San Diego County, a number that is expected to inc... — Updated 6/21/2024

This year, the “House of Origin Deadline” was May 24, the final day for bills to pass the house in which they were first introduced - either the Assembly or the Senate. Any bills that failed to pass by the 24th have died. Bipartisan bills that benefit all Californians often receiv... — Updated 6/10/2024

California’s gas taxes are the highest in the nation, and they are set to go even higher. Most of you probably know that we have yearly, built in gas tax increases, and they are scheduled to go up by another two cents per gallon on July 1. But many may not know that the California... — Updated 6/5/2024

Last week, the Governor released his “May Revise,” which is based on revenues received since January when the preliminary $291.5 billion budget proposal ($208.7 General Fund) was released. The Revise now estimates a $27 billion budget deficit, even though a report from the Leg... — Updated 5/29/2024

Encouraging young women to fulfill their life’s potential by taking full advantage of available educational opportunities is one of my passions. As a member of the Legislative Women’s Caucus, I am happy to spread the word about the Minerva Scholarship program, established by the W... — Updated 5/23/2024

As you know, the placement of Sexually Violent Predators (SVPs) in rural areas of California, including San Diego County, has been an ongoing problem. SVPs have been placed in Jacumba Hot Springs, Campo, Boulevard, Borrego Springs and other locations, often near homes, parks and... — Updated 5/13/2024

Millions of children and young adults throughout the nation are active social media users. Last week two bills dealing with social media’s impact on child and adolescent mental health passed the Assembly Health Committee. Worldwide, there are 34 social media platforms, with at l... — Updated 4/25/2024

There are 99 legislative chambers throughout the 50 states. Of these, 16 states have enacted term limits, including California. Other term limited states include Ohio, Florida, Missouri, Michigan, Arizona, Kansas and Nevada. Proposition 28, which was approved by 61% of... — Updated 4/11/2024

California is the country’s leading agricultural state. In recognition of the importance of agriculture to our economy, ceremonies recognizing Ag Day were held at the State Capitol March 19. California has over 83,000 farms and ranches, 4 percent of the nation’s total. But we pro... — Updated 3/30/2024

Summer is fast approaching, for many a time to take out the boat and head for the ocean, the nearest lake, or over to The River. But there’s more to boating than just recreation. The industry supports thousands of jobs, and has a major impact on our state’s overall economy. Cal... — Updated 3/29/2024

March is Women’s History Month, and it serves as an important reminder of the progress we’ve made in the past 100 years. In 1920, the 19th Amendment was ratified granting women the right to vote nationally. California had granted women the right to vote in 1911, but it was... — Updated 3/17/2024

San Diego County’s tribal communities are all located within the 75th Assembly District – we have more sovereign tribal governments than any county in the nation. Their safety, security and prosperity are very important to me, and for our region. That’s why the second annua... — Updated 3/4/2024