CV WEEKLY: Gatto Speaks to Local Democrats

A great piece in the CV Weekly on a mini Town Hall I had recently in La Canada.

Gatto Speaks to Local Democrats

Photo by CHARLY SHELTON - CV WEEKLY

By Mary O’KEEFE - CRESCENTA VALLEY WEEKLY

On Aug. 18, Assemblymember Mike Gatto spoke to the Cañada-Crescenta Democratic Club at a meeting hosted by Anthony and Ellen Portantino at their home.

At the meeting, Gatto answered questions from the audience on a variety of issues and spoke about what was happening in the state assembly.

He spoke on AB440, a bill that had cleared the Senate Committee on Environmental Quality and is now on its way to Appropriations. The bill would give local governments the tools needed to clean up contaminated properties, known as brownfields, and to recover costs of the contamination from the responsible party/parties.

He also spoke of a bill to ease traffic. AB405 would allow HOV (high-occupancy vehicle) lanes to be used by all vehicles during non-peak hours.

“It doesn’t do anyone any good when there is an accident [on the freeway] and you can’t go around it [because of the HOV restrictions],” he said.

Gatto added that other areas, including northern California, have time sensitive HOV lanes in which carpool restrictions are in place during rush hour and then open for all vehicles during non rush hour.

“This is the last month the legislature is in session,” Gatto said. “There are hundreds of bills in the mix.”

One of those bills was signed into law on Aug. 12 and will allow cities more freedom to build dog parks.

“The idea came from Laura Friedman,” he said. Friedman is a Glendale city councilmember. “She came to me at the opening of the Crescenta Valley dog park.”

The CV dog park was the first park of its kind opened in Los Angeles County. Friedman had pointed out to Gatto that L.A. County had the ability to self insure, but for a city it would be cost prohibitive to have a dog park. AB265 limits the liability that cities and counties face when operating dog parks and protects them from litigants who claim, for example, that they were unaware of potential dangers, according to Gatto’s website.

“We were able to get that bill through this year,” he said.

He commented on the 710 extension, saying, “I don’t see anything that is good” about that.

“And I think the community has spoken,” he added. “We don’t want this.”

A question came from the audience regarding the Rainy Day Fund, which is purported to increase the potential savings in the state fund from 5% to 10 % of the General Fund. Gatto is a supporter of the measure.

“To me, [the concept of] a rainy day fund is simple,” he said. “[It’s like] you see this guy and he is very wealthy and [appears to be] responsible but he has nothing in his retirement or savings. [After finding this out], you would say he is not responsible. … Well, that is what California is like.”

Gatto added the state tends to spend all its money in the good times and then has nothing when bad times come around.

The Cañada-Crescenta Democratic Club was chartered in 2005 to serve the Democrats in the area. They were then called the La Cañada Flintridge Democratic Club. In 2008, the name was changed to Cañada-Crescenta Democratic Club because its reach had grown throughout Crescenta Valley.

They meet on the third Sunday of each month except for June and December. 

You can read this article and more at http://www.crescentavalleyweekly.com/news/08/29/2013/gatto-speaks-to-local-democrats/ # # # 

Mike Gatto chairs the Appropriations Committee in the California Assembly. He represents Burbank, Glendale, La Cañada Flintridge, La Crescenta, Montrose, and the Los Angeles neighborhoods of Atwater Village, East Hollywood, Franklin Hills, Hollywood Hills, Los Feliz, and Silver Lake.

OpEd: Public Should Know When School Employees Have History of Abuse

The opinion editorial below appeared in this week's Crescenta Valley Weekly.  I thought I'd share it with those you outside of the Crescenta Valley.

Public Should Know When School Employees Have History of Abuse

by Assemblyman Mike Gatto

In February, a major scandal rocked the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) when teachers at Telfair Elementary in Pacoima and Miramonte Elementary in South L.A. were discovered engaging in long-time patterns of abuse and misconduct.  Despite the allegations that teachers were sexually abusing students, the district failed to take action, prompting the Joint Legislative Audit Committee and the State Auditor to investigate how LAUSD handled allegations of abuse against students.

The report revealed a glaring flaw in school safety procedures – whereas teachers lose their ability to teach if they abuse a child, there are no similar mechanisms for the nearly 300,000 non-teaching school employees, such as janitors, teacher’s aides, bus drivers, office assistants, or groundskeepers.

While accusations of misconduct and disciplinary action against such employees are rare, these non-teaching staff are an everyday part of the education system and often have unsupervised access to students. Indeed, the recent arrest of a teacher’s aide in Lawndale who molested a student in full view of security cameras demonstrates that abuse by school employees can happen and should be taken seriously.

Current laws only require immediate reporting of child-abuse allegations against certified teachers, not classified employees or other personnel who do not maintain the same credentials as teachers. There is also no centralized mechanism to share information about the circumstances under which a classified employee leaves one school district to find employment in another district. Without such a system, a classified employee that is fired, resigns or settles during the course of a child-abuse investigation can easily return to work in another school district.

That’s why I introduced AB 349, which creates a landmark, statewide, information system to help prevent repeat offenders from retaining employment at a different school. This common-sense legislation requires school administrators to report to the Dept. of Education whenever a school employee is dismissed, resigns, is suspended, retires or fired as a result of a child-abuse allegation or while an investigation of alleged abuse is pending.

Protecting our children from predators while preserving the rights of individuals to be presumed innocent until proven guilty is a delicate balancing act. AB 349 maintains this balance with a simple reporting system that will provide hiring administrators the information they need to keep children safe.

Mike Gatto is a father and the chairman of the Assembly Committee on Appropriations.  He represents the cities of Burbank, Glendale, La Cañada Flintridge, the communities of La Crescenta and Montrose, and the Los Angeles neighborhoods of Los Feliz, Silver Lake, Atwater Village, and portions of the Hollywood Hills and East Hollywood. Email Mike at: assemblymember.gatto@assembly.ca.gov, or call (818) 558-3043.

Congratulations Crescenta-Cañada Pet Hospital on your Remodeling and Ribbon Cutting

By Natalie MAIER - Crescenta Valley Weekly

On March 22, the Crescenta-Cañada Pet Hospital had a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate its recently finished remodel of the facilities and its anniversary. A short tour was given by CCPH owner Dr. James “J.D.” Speas around the hospital.

“[The pet hospital] is 55 years old,” said Speas. “She needed a facelift.”

Among the changes pointed out by Speas during the tour was a newly established wall in the back room, constructed specifically to close off the dedicated surgery room. Some of the benefits of the wall include the provision of a more sterile environment that also allows doctors to work without interruptions....

...After the tour, certificates were presented to Speas and his daughter and co-owner Jessica, including ones from the chamber of commerce, the City of Glendale, Senator Carol Liu and the California Legislature Assembly.

“We wish you much success and many happy, wagging tails,” said Suzane Dunwell, senior field representative for Assemblyman Mike Gatto as she presented Speas with the California Legislature Assembly Certificate of Recognition.

Following the ceremony, the guests made their way out front for the official ribbon cutting. Many congratulations and handshakes were exchanged and root beer floats were distributed....

Speas said that although the environment in which they work is much nicer, the medicine and overall practice of caring for the animals remains the same.

“We’re feeling young at 55!” He said. 

This post contains excerpts from an article that appeared in the Crescenta Valley Weekly.  You can read this entire article and more at the Crescenta Valley Weekly by clicking HERE

The Wall Came Tumbling Down

Veterans, from left, Mike Baldwin, Warren Spayth and Roy Allmon, salute the old Two Strike Park
Memorial Wall as the bulldozer waits. Funds have been raised for a new memorial wall.
Photo by Mary O'Keefe, Crescenta Valley Weekly

By Mary O’KEEFE

On Tuesday morning, veterans Roy Allmon, Warren Spayth, Mike Baldwin and Steve Pierce stood on a small hill at Two Strike Park and watched the past fall to make way for the future.

The occasion was the demolition of the old wall at the park, the first step in establishing a new memorial for fallen local war heroes...

...Spayth reminisced on a project that began six years ago, one that was started with a family’s wish to honor their son, Nick Steinbacher, by adding his name to the wall.

The existing memorial being demolished.
Photo by Mary O'Keefe, Crescenta Valley Weekly

Steinbacher, a Crescenta Valley High School graduate, was an Army specialist serving in Iraq in 2006 when he was killed in action. The memorial wall at Two Strike Park was not large enough to add Nick’s name or any other soldier’s name. Members of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars wanted a memorial that could honor those who had given their life for their country...

“...I think when I knew we were going to make it was when we started fundraising with the help of the CV Chamber, CV Town Council and CV Weekly,” Baldwin said. “And all the other groups that [joined].”

The group reached out to several organizations throughout the community including local schools. One of their first supporters was Lt. Col. Dave Worley and his CVHS JROTC cadets. They helped organize the 5K Memorial Run as well as other fundraisers.

Schools got involved as well with the most recent support coming from Rosemont Middle School’s California Junior Scholarship Federation that held a Walk for the Wall a few weeks ago.
“They raised $5,000,” Baldwin said.

Assemblyman Mike Gatto announced a $5,000 gift from
Home Depot at the memorial in 2012.

Government officials showed their support, not only reaching into their own pockets like then-Assemblymember Anthony Portantino, State Senator Carol Liu, Assemblymember Mike Gatto and Congressman Adam Schiff, but raising awareness of the project. Liu reached out to Forest Lawn, which is donating all the bronze plaques as well as affixing them to the wall at a savings of over $10,000. Gatto contacted Home Depot for $5,000 in gift cards to purchase building materials, and the Assemblymember added $1,500 from his office.

“[Civic leader] Jean Maluccio has been with us since the beginning,” Spayth said, “[providing] the contacts with the [officials] and the [Los Angeles County] Parks and Recreation.”

“We had so much support from the L.A. County Parks and Rec. Without them we couldn’t do this,” Baldwin said.

Locally, the support grew with Bonners Equipment Rental donating cement, Kiwanis and the Lions clubs donating funds. Fellow veteran Andy Gero and his family donated two flagpoles that will be placed at the wall.

And that is just a few of those in the community who have generously donated funds...

...The veterans are just $5,000 away from their goal, close enough to start the project.

The new memorial will have room for names of those CV residents who gave their life for their country. The names have been submitted to the Two Strike Park Memorial Committee. Families are grateful that the sacrifice made will not be forgotten...

...Construction on the new Two Strike Park Memorial will begin immediately.

For information on the wall or to donate visit www.twostrikememorial.org.

You can read this entire article, and more, at the Crescenta Valley Weekly HERE

Mike Gatto is the chairman of the Appropriations Committee of the California State Assembly. He represents Burbank, Glendale, La Cañada-Flintridge, La Crescenta, Montrose, and the Los Angeles neighborhoods of Los Feliz, Silver Lake, Atwater Village, and portions of the Hollywood Hills and East Hollywood.   www.asm.ca.gov/gatto

Op-Ed: Laying the Foundation for a Lifetime of Learning

James Baldwin said that "We all profit by, or pay for, whatever [our children] become."  Our responsibility to support and be attentive to our children is the theme of my Op-Ed in last week's Crescenta Valley Weekly.  I've shared that Op-Ed below and give thanks to Robin Goldsworthy of the CV Weekly for allowing me to share my thoughts on this important topic.

Laying the Foundation for a Lifetime of Learning

Throughout history, scholars, theologians, and social justice advocates have spoken of the important role that our children play as the future leaders of our society. Frederick Douglass said, “It’s easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.” And James Baldwin noted, “We all profit by, or pay for, whatever they [our children] become.”

Second-grade students at Mountain Avenue
Elementary School launched a Barbie into Space

These quotes instill in each of us a responsibility to educate our children and ensure they have the knowledge and skills to lead us in the future. But, in the past month, I have had the honor to meet and interact with some of Crescenta Valley’s next generation of great minds who have inspired me to consider the lessons I can learn from young people.

Last month, at Mountain Avenue Elementary School, I met second graders who launched a Barbie into space, complete with a digital camera and GPS tracking device. One week later, at Clark Magnet High School, students demonstrated their robotics skills with robots that shoot hoops and hovercrafts that can carry adult humans. These are accomplishments that I would have never dreamed of as a child, and still lack the knowledge and skill to pursue today.

Each of these young people, and so many others, prove that with education and support, our children may accomplish anything they can dream.  They also demonstrate that each of us also has a responsibility to allow our children to educate us, with the type of wisdom that only a child can possess.

Aldous Huxley, the best-selling author and life-long resident of the Beachwood Canyon neighborhood of Los Angeles, said, “A child-like man is a man who has given himself a chance of continuing to develop long after most adults have muffled themselves in the cocoon of middle-aged habit and convention.”

The Clark High School Robotic Team

Perhaps even more profound was Bishop Desmond Tutu’s insight: “[Children] have an extraordinary capacity to see into the heart of things and to expose sham and humbug for what they are.”

The fact is that young people have great ideas that often go overlooked.  After all, it was students who created and continue to govern organizations like the Fire House Youth Center. Some of these young people are also leaders in our community who serve on the CV Youth Town Council.

This week, young people from throughout the region will travel to the state capitol in Sacramento to participate in the 65th Model Legislature and Court. These intelligent and well-spoken young adults have been studying tirelessly for months to learn the legislative process, parliamentary procedure, and issues that affect our State. I hope you will join me in wishing them the best of luck and in working to support all youth who desire to actively engage and have a voice in the world around them. I also hope the adult leaders, myself included, will truly listen to these young people and learn something in the process as well.

This opinion editorial originally appeared in the Febrursay 14th edition of the Crescenta Valley Weekly. You can read this Op-Ed and more by visiting the CV Weekly HERE

Mike Gatto is the chairman of the Appropriations Committee of the California State Assembly. He represents Burbank, Glendale, La Cañada-Flintridge, La Crescenta, Montrose, and the Los Angeles neighborhoods of Los Feliz, Silver Lake, Atwater Village, and portions of the Hollywood Hills and East Hollywood.   www.asm.ca.gov/gatto

Mountain Avenue Elementary School Science Fair

Last Friday I attended a science fair at Mountain Avenue Elementary School.  The knowledge and ingenuity of the students there was literally out of this world -- two second-grade students launched a Barbie into space!  A couple of photos and a print copy of a local newspaper article are included below.

I presented certificates to all 140+ students who participated in  the fair in addition to the organizers of the fair
From left: Co-Chair Archana Sudamalla, School Principal Rebeca Witt, Assemblyman Mike Gatto,
Co-Chair Dr. Saty Ragvachary, Co-Chair Dr. Jackie Bodnar, and PTA President Ann Ortiz
(Photo courtesy of Mountain Avenue Elementary School)

Two particularly enterprising second-grade students launched a barbie  into space,
complete with a webcam and GPS Tracking system
(Photo courtesy of Mountain Avenue Elementary School)

This article appeared in the Crescenta Valley Weekly on January 31, 2013 

# # #
Mike Gatto is the Chairman of the Appropriations Committee of the California State Assembly.  He represents the cities of Burbank, Glendale, La Canada-Flintridge, La Crescenta, Montrose, the Los Angeles neighborhoods of Los Feliz, Silver Lake, Atwater Village, and portions of the Hollywood Hills and East Hollywood.   www.asm.ca.gov/gatto

Gatto Establishes New Small Business Commission

Photo Courtesy of  freedigitalphotos.net

Last Saturday I met with eight local small business owners from throughout the 43rd Assembly District as part of the first Small Business Advisory Commission meeting.  Highlights from Mary O'Keefe's article about the meeting for the Crescenta Valley Weekly are below:

...On Saturday, small business owners sat down with Assemblymember Mike Gatto to discuss how Sacramento can help entrepreneurs navigate the business waters, either by creating new laws, or guidelines, or in some cases leaving them alone to do their job. 

The members are part of Gatto’s Small Business Advisory Commission and were present at the request of the assemblymember. 

The commission is comprised of business owners from a variety of business segments, from real estate to medical care, and from the film industry to construction. All members had one thing in common: they own a small business and are concerned about how to stay afloat in this economy. 

Gatto said he wants the commission to make proposals and share concerns that he can then take to Sacramento. He feels this will be a positive step in strengthening small businesses in the state. 

“As lawmakers, we have a sacred duty to listen to the needs and concerns of those who help our communities thrive, and to do what we can to support them,” Gatto said.... 

...“This is the first time we have done this,” Gatto said of the commission. “I wanted to make sure I got input from people who are on the front line.” 

During the meeting, nine new legislative proposals were suggested as well as some laws that should be reexamined and perhaps repealed...

You can read the entire article and more at the Crescenta Valley Weekly HERE

Mike Gatto is the Chairman of the Appropriations Committee of the California State Assembly.  He represents the cities of Burbank, Glendale, La Canada-Flintridge, La Crescenta, Montrose, the Los Angeles neighborhoods of Los Feliz, Silver Lake, Atwater Village, and portions of the Hollywood Hills and East Hollywood.   www.asm.ca.gov/gatto  

Its Back to Work in Sacramento

By Mary O’KEEFE

The new year will see a large class of freshman legislature filling the seats in Sacramento. In the November election, the Democrats attained a two-thirds majority in both the senate and the assembly and Assemblymember Mike Gatto is ready to get back to the Sacramento.

“It will be really interesting,” he said of the new legislative make up.

Gatto added the legislature would be looking into the economy, which is foremost on everyone’s mind.
“The economy is starting to pick up, but we don’t want to make the same mistakes as the past,” he said.
During his campaign, Gatto said he would like to look into the tax code. He has yet to decide what legislation he would propose but said it has to be something bold.

“I don’t want it to be something halfway,” he said.

Gatto hopes the new freshman legislature will be able to work together in a bipartisan way. He added there is a deep gully between the two parties but he is “cautiously optimistic” that they can work together.

“I do see a light at the end of the tunnel,” he said concerning the economy.

But for the economy to become stronger, things do have to change.

“We do need to change the status quo,” he said.

Change is not easy for Sacramento, especially when looking at the tax code.

“People are hesitant to embrace a change,” Gatto said. “If we did something bold like get away from income tax in California and change to a tax code [that would be] more fee-based system.”

He pointed out that Texas and Nevada do not have state income tax. Alaska, Florida, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Washington and Wyoming are also without state income tax as well, according to the Internal Revenue Service.

Gatto is not certain if California would ever be able to follow those states with their tax codes but said, “It would be intriguing.”

He also wants to look into other issues that are inspired by communities. The new Crescenta Valley Dog Park has made him question why other areas, like Glendale, do not have a dog park. He found that many times it comes down to an issue of insurance.

He also wants to look into proposing an insurance pool that would allow cities to work together.

New technology is another area Gatto feels is important to include not only in a new economy but also in taking advantage of technology that can help the state.

“There are balloons that have smoke sensors on them that spot forest fires instantly. I would like to do a pilot program in our district [on that],” said Gatto, whose district includes part of the Angeles National Forest.
This would be a modern day version of the fire lookout towers. The balloon would be a permanent fixture floating above the forest floor.

Education budgets and programs are other areas the legislation will have to be dealt with this year. Gatto said that budgets and programs like career technical schools at junior colleges would be a priority.

It is not unusual that California has a lot of issues that will have to be dealt with when legislators return to work after the holidays. Gatto said he is ready to face the challenges and encourages the community to contact his office with any concerns or suggestions.

Visit http://asmdc.org/members/a43 or call (818) 558-3043.

# # #

You can read this article and more at the Crescenta Valley Weekly by clicking HERE

Mike Gatto is the Chairman of the Appropriations Committee of the California State Assembly.  He represents the cities of Burbank, Glendale, La Canada-Flintridge, La Crescenta, Montrose, the Los Angeles neighborhoods of Los Feliz, Silver Lake, Atwater Village, and portions of the Hollywood Hills and East Hollywood.   

Assemblyman Gatto Forms Small-Business Advisory Commission

Seeks public input on regulatory and statutory reforms to improve the state’s business climate.

November 29, 2012


Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Los Angeles) is seeking applications from local business owners to serve on his District 43 Business Advisory Commission.  The commission will meet several times in the months ahead, with the goal of formulating one or more legislative proposals that would be introduced by Assemblyman Gatto in the 2013 state legislative session.

Assemblyman Gatto said he welcomes input from the people working hard to keep businesses thriving.

“We hear often that our business climate could be improved. I’m interested in hearing any proposal that would make the regulatory and statutory environment more sensible and less burdensome for local business owners. ”

Last year, the assemblyman authored or co-authored several bills to support small businesses including AB 1616 (The California Homemade Food Act), AB 2026 (The Film Industry Tax Credit), and AB 1900, which created an entirely new in-state biofuel industry. He hopes the commission will help him to identify even more common sense solutions to the challenges facing local businesses.

“As lawmakers, we have a sacred duty to listen to the needs and concerns of those who help our communities thrive, and to do what we can to support them,” said Gatto.

Anyone interested in participating on the commission should email Assemblyman Gatto at Assemblymember.Gatto@assembly.ca.gov with the subject line ‘Business Commission.’

You can read this story and more at the Crescenta Valley Weekly by clicking HERE

Mike Gatto is the chairman of the Appropriations Committee of the California State Assembly.  He represents the cities of Burbank, Glendale, La Cañada-Flintridge, La Crescenta, Montrose, the Los Angeles neighborhoods of Los Feliz, Silver Lake, Atwater Village, and portions of the Hollywood Hills and East Hollywood. 

Two Strike Park Memorial Gets Support on Veteran’s Day

Steven Thibault, a Marine Corp Vet, with his son, Jackson, throw a piece of a retired american flag into the fire at the Veterans Memorial Service, Two Strike Park, La Crescenta, Ca. (Photo by Ed Hamilton / Nov 11th, 2012)

By Mary O’KEEFE - Nov. 11th 2012

Today at a ceremony in honor of Veteran’s Day, members of the American Legion and Veteran’s of Foreign Wars created a Walk of Honor for veterans that have served in the military since 911.

The ceremony began at Two Strike Park today at 3 p.m. after an all day vigil by veterans.

Veterans Memorial Service at Two Strike Park, La Crescenta, Ca (Photo by Ed Hamilton / Nov 11th, 2012)

The speeches from the podium reflected the day’s honor to all veterans with mention of those young men and women who are, and have, served recently.  Speakers, veterans Mike Baldwin and Ken Jury, reminded the audience that the American Legion and VFW members are still serving by helping those who have served.

Congressman Adam Schiff was in attendance.  He spoke about his father, an Army veteran, and of servicemen he had met in Afghanistan, Iraq and in the United States.  He spoke of their maturity, honor and dedicated service to their country.

Shirley Wright and Patricia Breggs arrive for the Vetrans Memorial Service at Two Strike Park, La Crescenta, Ca

Congressman Adam Schiff and Assemblyman Mike Gatto attended the Veterans Memorial Service at 

Two Strike Park, La Crescenta, Ca.  (Photo by Suzanne Dunwell / Nov 11th, 2012)

Assemblymember Mike Gatto was also at the ceremony.  He spoke of his family’s long history of military service as well.  He also pledged to match any donation up to $1,000 that was made to the Two Strike Park Memorial at the ceremony.  VFW Commander Warren Spayth immediately raised his hand to donate $500, and Congressman Adam Schiff had made a donation of $500 earlier to a group of veterans at the ceremony.  But even after the $1000 was met the donations continued.  Several of those in the audience took out their checkbooks for the Two Strike Park Memorial.

Congressman Adam Schiff and State Assemblyman Mike Gatto throw pieces of a retired American Flag into a memorial flame at the Veterans Memorial Service at Two Strike Park, La Crescenta, Ca.  Gatto pledged to match $1,000 in donations to the memorial, and Schiff immediately responded with a $500 contribution. (Photo by Ed Hamilton / Nov 11th, 2012)

Not only were veterans honored at the park but the memorial is more than $2,000 closer to its goal.

Two Strike Park Memorial, at present, is small and is in disrepair.  Veterans and community members began working together to raise funds to remodel and repair the existing memorial.  The Two Strike Park Memorial committee’s goal is to build the memorial so the names of military personnel who have lost their lives while in service  to their country can be added.  They need $75,000, they have raise about $47,000. Anyone who would like to donate can do so at www.twostrikememorial.org

Veterans Memorial Service at Two Strike Park, La Crescenta, Ca (Photo by Ed Hamilton / Nov 11th, 2012)

# # #

You can read this story and more at the Crescenta Valley Weekly by clicking HERE

Mike Gatto is the Chairman of the Appropriations Committee of the California State Assembly.  He represents the cities of Burbank, Glendale, La Canada-Flintridge, and the Los Angeles neighborhoods of Los Feliz and Silver Lake.  E-mail Mike at: assemblymember.gatto@assembly.ca.gov, or call (818) 558-3043.

Website of Assemblyman Mike Gatto: www.asm.ca.gov/gatto

Assemblyman Mike Gatto Welcomes New Family Member

Evangelina Felicity Gatto was born to Mike and his wife, Danielle, 

at 9:55 PM on October 6. She weighed 7 pounds, 4 ounces, and was 18 inches long.

Assemblyman Mike Gatto has a new constituent close to home.

Evangelina Felicity Gatto was born to Mike and his wife, Danielle, at 9:55 PM on October 6.  She weighed 7 pounds, 4 ounces, and was 18 inches long.

“I am overwhelmed with joy,” said Assemblyman Gatto.

Assemblyman Gatto’s first child, two-year-old Elliana also said she was very excited to have a little sister to share her toys with.

Mike Gatto represents the 43rd Assembly District, which includes the cities of Burbank, Glendale (including part of Montrose), La Crescenta, the Los Angeles communities of Atwater Village, Franklin Hills, Los Feliz, Silver Lake and the San Fernando Valley communities of North Hollywood, Toluca Lake, Valley Glen, and Van Nuys.  He was recently appointed Chairman of the Assembly Appropriations Committee

Film Tax Credit Extension Signed by Gov. Brown

 

Posted by Mary O'Keefe on Oct 3rd, 2012 and filed under News. 

Governor Jerry Brown signed AB 2026 on Sunday, a bill authored by Assemblymember Felipe Fuentes and principally co-authored by Assemblyman Mike Gatto, which extends the California Film & Television Tax Credit Program by an additional two years and $200 million until July 1, 2017.  The original program was enacted in 2009 as part of a targeted effort to create jobs, increase production spending, and generate tax revenues for the State.

Since the beginning of this program, it is estimated that $728 million has been spent on local wages, to create an estimated 40,000 good jobs.  An additional 172,000 individuals are estimated to have received daily employment as background extras.  The tax credit can only be claimed after a film or television show has already been filmed, and an audit has taken place to prove that the expected jobs and economic development actually occurred in California.  Thus far, the tax credits have resulted in almost four-billion dollars in economic activity statewide.

“The film and television industries are an essential part of the California economy, especially in our part of the state,” said Gatto.  ”Hundreds of thousands of people are employed directly by these industries with millions working in related fields.”  ”The families who depend on those breadwinners are who I had in mind when I worked on this legislation.”

Today over forty U.S. states, New York City, and Canada, among others, offer substantial financial incentives to the film industry in an attempt to lure production and post-production jobs and spending away from California.  Thus, the California program specifically targets productions that are the most likely to leave the state due to incentives being offered in other states and countries.

Business leaders praised the legislation.  ”The Chamber applauds the Governor for signing AB 2026. Putting people back to work is the most important thing we can do on the road to economic recovery.  Production projects that qualify for this tax credit will generate millions of dollars in wages and production expenditures, while helping to keep and create thousands of jobs for California residents,” said Gary Toebben, President of the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce.

“It is important that we make California competitive with other states in all industries,” said Gatto.  ”Film and television production are crucial to this area and to my constituents and neighbors.  This legislation is for them.”

Mike Gatto represents the cities of Burbank, Glendale, and parts of Los Angeles, including Los Feliz, Silver Lake, and Atwater Village.  He is the Chairman of the Assembly Appropriations Committee.  www.asm.ca.gov/gatto

# # #

You can read this article and more at the Crescenta Valley Weekly by clicking HERE