Last week's sidewalk office hours were a huge success, easily the best turnout we have had for the monthly event.  The event was two hours long and there were so many community members in attendance that we never had a chance to sit down at the table.

Among the visitors were members of the local Moorpark and Simi Valley veterans organizations welcoming Assemblyman Gorell back from his tour in Afghanistan, members of the local business community, Administrators from the Moorpark Unified School District, who discussed the school districts new fiberoptic data infrastructure project, our local Community College Board Trustee and Moorpark's City Manager.  Additionally, several constituents came by to discuss specific issues they were having with their government.

Assembly Bills 1982 and 2117 authored by Assembly Member Jeff Gorell (R-Camarillo) successfully cleared major hurdles as they received bipartisan approval from their respective policy committees. 

AB 1982 which deals with legislative review of the most expensive state regulations was approved by Assembly Business, Professions and Consumer Protection, while AB 2117 which addresses problems with state regulation of storm water runoff was passed out of Environmental Safety.

"As California struggles to recover from economic recession, we need to send a message to job creators encouraging them to invest in our state," stated Gorell. "Our elected legislators must be responsible for creating a business environment that provides needed jobs."

The California Chamber of Commerce has hailed AB 1982 as a "Job Creator" bill, and has offered their public support.  Support for AB 2117 has come from dozens of cities throughout the state, hospitals, college campuses, military bases and businesses that are concerned with the tremendous costs of complying with the state board's storm water regulations.

In a banner week for Assemblyman Jeff Gorell (R-Camarillo) where fellow legislators passed six of his authored bills out of policy committees, the lawmaker found bi-partisan support for his slate of four military veteran employment support bills, all aimed at getting veterans back to work.

"The rate of unemployment for California's military veterans is as high as 20 percent," said Assemblyman Gorell. "We have an obligation to help these men and women find jobs and transition back into our economy.  My slate of veteran bills will create a one-stop shop for veterans seeking benefits and support at the California Department of Veteran Affairs, where most veterans call to seek help."

AB 1931 will improve CalVet's ability to provide services to our returning veterans by consolidating the many state veterans' services into a "one-stop shop" under the Department of Veterans' Affairs.

AB 1932 will require that state agencies that license health care workers clearly identify the procedures for applying military medical training to satisfy state health care profession licensing, helping veterans transition from military health care jobs to a civilian career.

AB 2130 will help veteran military police officers apply any relevant military training in their efforts to become civilian police officers.

AB 1930 seeks to help veterans qualify for state employment by providing notices of upcoming State Personnel Board promotional exams to the California Department of Veterans Affairs.

Assemblyman Jeff Gorell, R-Camarillo, announced that Assembly Republican Leader Connie Conway, R-Tulare, appointed him as Outreach Chair on the Assembly Republican Leadership Team.

"It's an honor to be chosen for this new position," Gorell said. "Assembly Republicans have proposed some reasonable and responsible policy solutions that should be taken directly to Californians for their evaluation. I am prepared to help accomplish that task."

"During a time when the state is dealing with past budget failures, and Californians are receiving mixed messages from Sacramento about how the problems should be fixed, the Republican goal of defining our state's priorities and encouraging financial responsibility is a message the public is eager to discuss."

The Republican Outreach Chair is a newly-created position within the Caucus Leadership Team, charged with coordinating the Caucus's efforts to promote its legislative priorities and messaging beyond Sacramento, to local constituents, third party groups and non-traditional audiences for Republicans.  Assemblyman Gorell will bring his extensive experience in communications and public affairs to oversee the Caucus outreach efforts.

"Lieutenant Commander Gorell's distinguished career as a small businessman, military officer, professor, deputy district attorney and writer makes him the ideal person for this newly created position," said Assembly Republican Leader Connie Conway, of Tulare.  "His extensive experience in communications will help our caucus convey our message of hope and opportunity to all Californians."