Assemblyman Jeffries Announces Committee Appointments for 2008-2009 Session
Assemblyman Kevin Jeffries

Sacramento, CA:  Assembly Speaker Karen Bass today announced the full committee memberships for the 2009-2010 legislative session and Assemblyman Kevin Jeffries (R-Lake Elsinore) has been placed on committees that will hear some of the most important issues facing California this year.  Those Committees are as follows:

Committee on Transportation. Assemblyman Jeffries will serve as Vice-Chairman of this committee, which oversees CalTrans, California Highway Patrol, vehicles, aircraft, and vessels; operation, licensing and registration, and drivers licenses. With transportation infrastructure being a major issue in his district, Jeffries will be in position to help address these needs.
 
Committee on Governmental Organization (GO).  Jeffries returns to this committee, which he served on during the 2007-2008 session. It has jurisdiction over issues dealing with natural disasters, a special passion for Assemblyman Jeffries that comes from his 29 years as a Volunteer Fireman and his associations with the California Department of Forestry.  This committee also oversees horse racing and Indian casino compacts.  This is an important issue for Assemblyman Jeffries’ district, which contains seven casinos, including several of the largest in the State of California.   Another 16 are located elsewhere in Riverside and San Diego counties.  His district also serves as a major hub for thoroughbred horse breeding and training.
 
Committee on Budget.   The Budget Committee is officially tasked with reviewing the budget line items and all of the related trailer bills that come with the passage of the budget.  As part of this appointment, the Assemblyman will also sit on the Budget Subcommittee on State Administration, which reviews a variety of general government funding issues, including public safety, the courts, and even the legislature itself!  At a time when the state budget is dominating all discussion in Sacramento, this gives Assemblyman Jeffries a stronger voice in pushing for budget cuts and reforms in the operation of state government.
 
Committee on Accountability and Administrative Review. This committee has been tasked with carefully examining state agencies and expenditures looking for avenues to save taxpayer money, as well as ensuring that state programs are being administered in efficient and effective ways. In light of the current budget crisis, Assemblyman Jeffries plans to use this opportunity to propose significant changes in how California does business.
 
            “I am very pleased with these committee appointments,” said Assemblyman Kevin Jeffries.  ”All of these have a direct role in very important issues in my district.  Most importantly, California will continue to face major transportation challenges over the next couple of years,” said Assemblyman Jeffries. ”As Vice-Chair of the Transportation Committee, I am in the right place to influence policies and issues that are critical to our region and the State of California. I will work aggressively to solve long over-due or delayed projects in Riverside as well as the Lake Elsinore and Temecula valleys and northern San Diego County. Serious reform is needed in the regulatory and review process so that we can stop shuffling papers and start laying pavement as quickly as possible.”

            In his first term in the Assembly, Jeffries successfully authored legislation to help widen I-15, and transfer portions of Hwy 74 from state control to the Cities of Lake Elsinore and Perris, to allow them to better maintain and improve those stretches of roadway.  Additionally, resolutions dealing with an official historical designation for Old Highway 395, and funding for goods movement impacts were successfully moved through the legislature by Assemblyman Jeffries.

            Ann Mayer, Executive Director of Riverside County Transportation Commission applauds Assemblymember Jeffries’ vice-chair appointment. “While he has repeatedly demonstrated a keen understanding of the importance of transportation, Assemblyman Jeffries still takes the time to seek out input from affected agencies. The appointment is recognition of his commitment to addressing transportation challenges and understanding of the links between mobility, quality of life and a healthy economy.  He is a champion of efforts to reduce congestion and get projects out to construction faster.”

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Assemblyman Kevin Jeffries represents Western Riverside County and Northern San Diego County, including Jurupa, Mira Loma, Riverside, LakeElsinore, Wildomar, Murrieta, Temecula, Fallbrook, Bonsall, Valley Center, and Julian