Honoring a woman in our community is our chance to give thanks for all of the good work women do on a daily basis. Every day, countless women are making a difference in the lives of others and making our communities a better place.

As part of Women's History Month, I will be honoring Heather Sherburn, principal of Orville Wright Elementary, as the 25th Assembly District's Woman of the Year. During her 10 years as a classroom teacher, she was trained and certified as a Reading Specialist where she provided one-on-one student tutoring, coaching of teachers and many staff development presentations on teaching English Language Arts.

Following her teaching career, Sherburn became the administrator of a teacher credentialing program for teachers in their 1st and 2nd years of teaching grades K-12. For the last 6 years, she has served as a site principal at Wilson Elementary and Orville Wright Elementary. Under her leadership, both schools have seen large academic gains. Wilson and Orville Wright are in low socio-economic neighborhoods with a high percentage of English learners, but their students have thrived under Sherburn's personal dedication and care for the schools' teachers, staff and students.

Sherburn is a true ambassador for education and success of the whole child- academically, socially and emotionally. She is held in the highest esteem by our community and widely praised.

Congratulations Mrs. Sherburn!

My staff and I will be on hand to meet constituents and answer questions about state-related issues. Community members are invited to attend and share their thoughts and ideas on important issues facing our state.

March 27: Hughson, Waterford, Empire, Hickman, & Denair Community Coffee

Hughson Elementary School - Readers Hall, 7201 E. Whitmore Ave., Hughson, from 6PM - 7PM.

Recently, the Modesto Bee ran an article on a bill I am authoring that will penalize teachers for having an inappropriate relationship with their students:

by Nan Austin

March 13, 2012

The former Enochs High teacher and student whose romance made national news appeared on the "Dr. Phil" show Tuesday. As the show aired, efforts moved forward to try to outlaw such relationships.

In the face of pointed questions by host Phil McGraw, teacher James Hooker, 41, and Jordan Powers, 18, maintained that they did nothing improper. Hooker said they only started "a little bit of hugging, a little bit of kissing" at the end of January. 

The date of first physical contact is key because a sexual relationship between teacher and student after her birthday, Sept. 5, is perfectly legal in California. Hugging and kissing on Sept. 4, however, would have been a felony.

The distinction does not impress Assemblywoman Kristin Olsen, R-Modesto, who Tuesday said teachers dating students of any age is an abuse of power.

Olsen said she has proposed legislation, Assembly Bill 1861, that would make it a felony for school employees to date students at the same school and could result in the loss of their pensions.

To read the full story click here.

This month marked "Sunshine Week", which recognizes the importance of transparency and accountability in government.

I have introduced AB 1730, also known as the Legislative Transparency Act, to increase transparency in the Legislature by requiring all bills to be in print and available online for at least 72-hours before legislative actions.

The Act also requires all members of the Legislature to post their monthly office and committee budgets on their state websites.

Finally, AB 1730 requires 24-hour online campaign reporting of funds received over $100 dollars during key legislative and budget deadline weeks.

The public deserves full information from elected officials about how their taxes are being spent. It is unconscionable that the Legislature would have ever sought to withhold such information.

To find out more about this important government reform measure, click here.

On March 1st, the Assembly's Health and Human Services Budget Subcommittee voted against cutting $1 billion dollars in welfare spending. In rejecting the Governor's welfare cuts, Democrat leaders said they were sending a message about priorities. They clearly were. Their actions show that students are their last priority. By rejecting cuts to welfare and other areas, they are putting school funding further at risk. 

Even though tax revenues grew this year, K-12 funding dropped by $700 million from the prior year.  At the same time, health and welfare spending grew by $3 billion year over year.

We need to focus California's resources on education and public safety first, cut unnecessary and inefficient state bureaucracy, and then use any remaining taxpayer dollars to fund other programs.

March is National Nutrition Month, a nutrition education and information campaign sponsored annually by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

The campaign focuses on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. Good nutrition is essential for the body and all of its systems to function optimally. 

March 29

Modesto's Annual State of the City Address

Doubletree Hotel, 1150 9th Street from 11:30AM - 1:30PM.

March 29

San Joaquin Valley Regional Economic Summit

Pardini's, 2257 W. Shaw Ave., Fresno, 1:30PM - 8:30PM.

March 30

Stanislaus Arts Council's 14th Annual Excellence in Arts Awards Banquet

The Seasons, 945 McHenry Ave, Modesto, 6:30PM - 8PM.

March 31

Tuolumne County Republican Central Committee Reagan Dinner

Sonora Elks Lodge, 100 Elk Drive, Sonora, 5PM - 6:30PM.

April 13 - 15

Oakdale Rodeo