Assemblywoman Fiona Ma: Update from Sacramento

Last month, Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, Senate President pro tem Don Perata, and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger all introduced comprehensive health care plans, which seek to cover our state's 6.5 million uninsured residents through shared financing from individuals, employers and government.

While the details of a final proposal will be worked out during this year's legislative session, I am hopeful that a comprehensive solution to address the rising cost of health care and insurance coverage for our state's children will become a reality before the end of the year. Universal health care has been, and will continue to be, one of my top priorities.

As a newly-appointed member of the health committee, I look forward to working in a bipartisan manner this year to make this dream a reality.

Committee assignments - In addition to being appointed to the health committee, I have received a number of other committee assignments, including appropriations, public safety, revenue and taxation and the joint legislative audit committee. I believe my experience as a city supervisor and as a certified public accountant will provide a solid local government and fiscal background to the committees on which I will serve.

Cal Grants - The seemingly never-ending rise in the cost of higher education continues to be a major headache for students and their families. Fortunately, California does provide some relief through the Cal Grant program, which offers graduating seniors and recent graduates up to $9,700 a year in free money for college expenses at both private and public colleges.

Cash for college - On Feb. 17, between 1 and 4 p.m, I will be co-hosting "Cash for College" with the San Francisco College Access Center to assist students and their families in filling out FASFA (Free Application for Student Aid) and Cal Grant applications. The event will take place in the computer training room of the SF Main Public Library, located at 100 Larkin St. Students should bring their high school transcripts and latest tax returns or W2 forms. For more information, contact the SF College Access Center at (415) 202-7944. The application is also available online at www.calgrants.org. The Cal Grant application deadline is March 2.

Women's History Month - March is Women's History Month and KQED is seeking Bay Area local hero nominations. If you know someone who has demonstrated leadership and a strong commitment to community service, please let my office know.

Interns and volunteers - I am also looking for interns and volunteers from the community to participate at my office in a wide variety of ways. Internships provide students and recent college graduates with first-hand experience concerning the daily operations of a legislator's district office. Some of the opportunities interns will have in my office include interacting with constituents, attending community events, and general office tasks. If you are interested, please contact my district director Bob Twomey.

Ideas for legislation - It is not too late to send over your legislative ideas to my office for this year, but time is running out. I encourage you to contact my district office with your ideas as soon as possible. The deadline to introduce legislation is Feb. 23.

The public can contact me at my district office, located at 455 Golden Gate Ave., Suite 14600, by phone at (415) 557-2312, or by e-mail at Assemblymember.Ma@assembly.ca.gov.

Assemblywoman Fiona Ma represents the 12th District.