Newsletter: July 2014

Statement

Rep. Negrete McLeod Applauds Federal Dollars Awarded to San Bernardino County

Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Secure More Funds for Local Frontline Services

The Department of Interior recently announced its FY 2014 federal funding allocations, with California topping the list of states receiving the most in federal funding under the Payment in Lieu of Taxes program (PILT). PILT provides payments to counties and local governments to offset losses in tax revenues due to the presence of tax-exempted federal land in their jurisdiction. Funds are often used for public safety and other community services.

"Securing more federal funds for our community without raising the deficit is a common sense approach to improve our roads and make sure our local police and firefighters have the necessary equipment to keep our communities safe," said Congresswoman. Negrete McLeod.

According to the Department of Interior, San Bernardino County received a total of $3,323,675 for FY 2014. This is an increase of $222,863 from the previous year during Congresswoman Negrete McLeod's tenure in Congress. She has also introduced HR 4710, legislation to secure additional federal funding under the PILT program for San Bernardino County.

"My legislation would expand the eligible lands under PILT to include owned lands under the jurisdiction of the Department of Defense, which are currently not included," said Congresswoman Negrete McLeod. "As a result, San Bernardino County would be eligible to receive almost $3.4 million in federal funds next year for vital public services."

Rep. Negrete McLeod: Support Export-Import Bank to Support U.S. Jobs

Congresswoman Gloria Negrete McLeod became an Original Cosponsor in support of the Protect American Jobs and Exports Act of 2014, legislation introduced by Rep. Denny Heck which calls for a seven-year reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank of the United States and an increase in the lending cap to $175 billion. Proposed legislation will extend the bank's charter until 2021.

"To support the American economy and its workforce, Congress must do all it can to support the Export-Import Bank because it is a reliable way for American business--including many small businesses--to sell their goods and services in a competitive global marketplace," Congresswoman Negrete McLeod said. "By not supporting this vital resource, we are allowing China, Russia, and other countries to take advantage of export deals previously made with the United States and as a result, we will lose good American jobs."

The Export-Import Bank, or Ex-Im Bank, helps American businesses sell their goods and services overseas by guaranteeing that they receive compensation for the transaction. Without the Ex-Im Bank, at least 205,000 American jobs would be at risk. The Ex-Im Bank supported an estimated $37.4 billion in U.S. export sales in 2013, while returning over $1 billion to the American taxpayers. The bank's charter is set to expire on September 30, 2014, if Congress does not act.

Rep. Negrete McLeod Calls on Congress to Pass Student Loan Refinancing Bill

Congresswoman Gloria Negrete McLeod praised President Barack Obama's new plan to help millions of student loan borrowers better manage their debt.

"Our economy is weakened when a generation of college graduates is burdened by large amounts of student loan debt," said Congresswoman Negrete McLeod. "This is why I agree with the President's new plan to help millions of people across the country pay off student loan debt. We must make college more accessible and affordable for the sake of our nation's economy and its future."

The executive actions the president took earlier this week will allow millions more borrowers to better manage their student loan debt, directing the Department of Education to expand the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) program. PAYE enables student loan borrowers to cap their loan payments at 10 percent of their monthly income. The new rules will open the PAYE program to borrowers who are currently ineligible because they have loans that originated before October 2007. The administration estimates that these new rules will mean that an additional five million borrowers can cap their monthly student loan payments in relation to their income.

In addition, President Obama urged Congress to pass the Bank on Students Emergency Refinancing Act (H.R. 4582; S. 2292), legislation cosponsored by Congresswoman Negrete McLeod that would help 25 million borrowers nationwide refinance their existing federal and private student loans to lower interest rates. In total, American families would save around $55 billion under the legislation, which they can then reinvest in their local economy.

"I urge House Leadership to bring the Bank on Students Emergency Refinancing Act up for a vote. Passage of this legislation would help millions of struggling borrowers pay back their student loans at reasonable accommodations," concluded Congresswoman Negrete McLeod.

Rep. Negrete McLeod Announces 2014 Photograph Your District Competition

The 2013 Photograph Your District Competition Winner submission by Mr. Daniel Garcia from the city of Fontana.

Are you an aspiring photographer or always finding yourself snapping photos with your smartphone? Congresswoman Gloria Negrete McLeod invites you to share these photos by participating in the "2014 Photograph Your District" Facebook Competition.

"The 35th Congressional District is surrounded by impressive mountain peaks such as Mt. San Antonio, and nationally recognized landmarks such as the historic Route 66. I look forward to seeing all of the submissions highlighting our community's rich heritage and diversity through photography," said Congresswoman Negrete McLeod.

This Competition is open to all constituents living in Bloomington, Chino, Fontana, Montclair, Ontario, Pomona, and Rialto. Display your photography skills and show off the beauty of California's 35th Congressional District. It is requested that photographs portray landscapes or popular landmarks only and not individuals.

Submit your original photo to CA35Photo@gmail.com by July 22nd. Include your name, hometown, and the location/description of your photo. All photos will be posted on the Congresswoman's Facebook page for one week. Constituents will then have the opportunity to vote on photos by "Liking" them. The photo with the most "Likes" will then be featured as the cover photo on Congresswoman Negrete McLeod's Twitter and Facebook pages.

Rep. Negrete McLeod Honors Local Public Safety Officers

Congresswoman Gloria Negrete McLeod with the 2014 35th Congressional District "Public Safety Officer of the Year" honorees.

Congresswoman Gloria Negrete McLeod recognized public safety personnel throughout the 35th Congressional District at her annual "Public Safety Officer of the Year" event in the city of Montclair.

"The purpose of this event was to identify and award those who work every day in keeping California's 35th Congressional District safe," said Congresswoman Negrete McLeod. "They are sworn police officers, firefighters or supporting staff who have one thing in common which is all those honored have made a commitment in serving their communities."

Nominations were submitted to Congresswoman Negrete McLeod's office by local police and fire chiefs, administrative staff, and members of the community. The public safety personnel selected for this award were:

Silviane Canaff Evans
Management Analyst
Chino Police Department

Officer Alex Courtney
Chino Police Department

Lieutenant Orbelio "Obie" Rodriguez
Fontana Police Department

Officer Eric Ruziecki
Montclair Police Department

Pamela Martinez
Nurse Administrator
Ontario Fire Department

Corporal Larry Bonomo
Ontario Police Department

Steven R. Chavez
Firefighter Paramedic
Los Angeles County Fire Department

Angela Haddad
Emergency Dispatch Supervisor
Rialto Police Department

Corporal Gregory Marquez
Rialto Police Department

Deputy Corey Reveles
San Bernardino County
Sheriff's Department

Kellie Hoverman
Firefighter Engineer and Paramedic
San Bernardino County Fire Department

Intern Spotlight: Austin Ko

Austin Ko is a rising junior at Johns Hopkins University, originally from Holmdel, NJ. He is majoring in Public Health Studies with a focus on health policy and sociological factors affecting access to health care. On campus, Austin is the President of the Inter-Asian Council, Chief Advisor to the Taiwanese American Students Association, and a financial commissioner on the Student Activities Commission. He is also the National Programs Director for the Intercollegiate Taiwanese American Students Association (ITASA), a national student run non-profit whose mission is to connect, inspire, and empower Taiwanese American students.

This summer, Austin is part of the Taiwanese American Citizens League (TACL) Political Internship Program. Along with a full-time internship, he will be working on an advocacy project to bring awareness to and promote legislative action for an issue that affects the Taiwanese American community. In addition, he is a Conference on Asian Pacific American Leadership (CAPAL) Scholar. As a scholar, Austin will be working on a Community Action Project to improve an issue that affects Asian Americans.

In the office of Congresswoman Negrete McLeod, along with assisting the staff, Austin has been following the current issues affecting the Veterans Health Administration and attending House Veterans' Affairs Committee hearings. His main areas of interest are Health Care, K-12 Education, LGBT Issues, Housing, and the intersections they have in impacting health and well-being.

Austin hopes to eventually work with legislation on Capitol Hill, or work in federal agencies like the USDA or FDA to improve health outcomes for Americans. He will also be looking into law school in the future. In the meantime, Austin enjoys exploring DC, catching up on TV, and cooking in his spare time.

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