Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Joe Baca (D-Rialto) joined President Obama in saluting the end of the war in Iraq, with all U.S. troops being brought home from Iraq by December 31.

“Under President Obama’s leadership, we have reached a critical milestone by bringing the Iraq War to a responsible ending,” said Rep. Baca.  “Over the past nine years, more than a million of our brave U.S. servicemen and women have fought in the war in Iraq.  Tragically, during that time, nearly 4,500 of these courageous individuals, including 478 Californians, made the ultimate sacrifice.  As the war in Iraq comes to a responsible close, I join all Americans in honoring their heroic service and sacrifice, and those of their families.”

“With the end of the war, we are now free to focus on nation building here at home,” added Rep. Baca.  “It’s time to invest in the American people by creating jobs, strengthening the middle class, and investing in education and infrastructure to build an American future worthy of our veterans’ sacrifice.”

The Iraq War started in 2003 under President Bush.  Since that time, approximately $1 trillion has been spent on the war.  While President Bush was in office, Democrats in Congress for years called for bringing a responsible end to the war.  Once President Obama took office in 2009, the Democratic-controlled 111^th Congress worked closely with the President to begin bringing the Iraq war to a responsible end.  Since January 2009, nearly 150,000 U.S. troops have been removed from Iraq and hundreds of bases have been shut down.  In the next two weeks, the final U.S. forces will come home and no U.S. bases will remain.  For the first time in nearly nine years, no U.S. troops will be preparing to deploy to Iraq.

“As we welcome our brave men and women home, we recommit ourselves to providing them with the very best in care and benefits possible,” concluded Rep. Baca.  “We must continue to work so that all who served are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve, while at the same time ensuring they return to good jobs and decent wages as they come home.  Earlier this year, I was proud to support the VOW to Hire Heroes Act, which provides tax credits for businesses that hire service members and those with service-related disabilities.  I will continue to work so that we provide all veterans with the opportunities and training they need to find a job in civilian life.”

Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Joe Baca (D-Rialto) introduced legislation designed to improve Native American Education in the United States.  The Native Culture, Language, and Access for Success in Schools (Native CLASS) Act provides a comprehensive approach that gives tribal governments more support and greater control of their education system, and incorporates many of the key recommendations that Indian education stakeholders have urged policymakers to put into law.

“I believe that education is the key to a sound future for all our children,” said Rep. Baca.  “Unfortunately, our education system has not lived up to its obligation in many of our Native American communities, which have some of the highest dropout rates and some of the lowest standardized testing scores.  The Native CLASS Act creates a comprehensive education strategy which effectively integrates Native culture and language in education, and increases access to opportunities for students at Tribal Colleges.” 

The Native CLASS Act was introduced earlier this Congress in the U.S. Senate by Senator Daniel Akaka (D-HI).  The legislation contains a comprehensive set of provisions that address language and culture-based education, local control and parental involvement, teacher training and development, juvenile justice programs, and provides new opportunities for success at Tribal Colleges.

“I thank my colleague in Congress, Senator Daniel Akaka, for his leadership on this critical issue and I am proud to be working with him here on the House side,” added Rep. Baca.  “The over 700,000 Native American students in the United States deserve an equal opportunity at success.  I am hopeful that the comprehensive strategy put forth in the Native CLASS Act will provide the support our Native students and tribal communities need to improve their educational outlook and create more opportunities for success.”

Congressman Baca has been an active member of the Native American Caucus in the House of Representatives since first coming to Congress in 1999.  In Congress, he has served as lead sponsor of the Native American Heritage Day Resolution, legislation which passed Congress and was signed into law by the President, to recognize the Friday after Thanksgiving as Native American Heritage Day.

Washington, DC – Today Rep. Joe Baca (D-Rialto) voted against Republican-backed legislation in the House of Representatives, designed to deny American workers their right to a free and fair election to form a union.  H.R. 3094, the Election Prevention Act, unfortunately passed the House of Representatives with a 235 – 188 vote.

“After more than 11 months in control, House Republicans have made it clear to the American people that they have absolutely no agenda to create new jobs here in America,” said Rep. Baca. “With over 13% unemployment and one of the highest rates of foreclosure in the nation, working families in San Bernardino County need our help.  They deserve better than today’s legislation, which fundamentally undermines the rights of every American worker by manipulating the union election process to ensure the odds are always stacked in favor of the employer.”

H.R. 3094 denies American workers their right to a free and fair election in three key ways:

• Mandating undue and arbitrary delays in union elections after petitions to explore union formation are filed;
• Encouraging frivolous lawsuits that are designed to slow down the election process and stall votes on unionization; and
• Manipulating the procedure for deciding who is in a bargaining unit.

“Right now, Congress should be working to create jobs, strengthen small businesses, and grow our economy,” continued Rep. Baca.  “But instead of focusing on the real problems facing our nation, Republicans are recklessly moving forward with legislation to deny the most basic rights that all working men and women deserve.”

“This year, Americans have witnessed heinous attacks on the collective bargaining rights of American workers by Republican leaders all across the country,” concluded Rep. Baca.  “Sadly, with the passage of the Election Prevention Act, the Republican leadership in Washington is picking up this same line of attack.  I will continue to stand with middle class families, and oppose all efforts to undermine the rights of the American worker.”

Joe Baca

Legislation Calling for USGS Study of Rialto-Colton Water Basin Now Awaits Vote on Final House Passage 

Washington, DC – Today, the House Natural Resources Committee unanimously approved legislation introduced by Congressman Joe Baca (D-Rialto) that calls for a government based study of perhclorate contamination in the Inland Empire.  H.R. 200, the Inland Empire Perchlorate Ground Water Plume Assessment Act, directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study of water resources and perchlorate contamination in the Inland Empire, specifically ordering the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to conduct a study of the Rialto-Colton water basin focused on the perchlorate contaminated plume in Rialto.

“Many families in the Inland Empire are concerned about the quality and safety of the water they drink,” said Rep. Baca.  “My legislation calls for a much-needed USGS study of the Rialto-Colton water basin in order to find the best possible solutions to cleaning up the perchlorate contamination in our area.  I thank Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings and Ranking Member Ed Markey, for working with me to move this legislation forward.  Every American deserves access to clean, safe drinking water, and my bill helps to safeguard this essential right for Inland residents.”

Perchlorate, a rocket fuel additive, has been found to be present at trace levels in some Inland communities.  Perchlorate is a volatile organic compound that has been found to be harmful to humans as it interferes with thyroid functions.  As the nation’s largest water, earth, and biological science and civilian mapping agency, the USGS collects, monitors, analyzes, and provides scientific understanding about natural resource conditions, issues, and problems.  The diversity of their scientific expertise enables them to carry out large-scale, multi-disciplinary investigations and provide impartial scientific information to resource mangers, planners, and other customers.

In September of this year, the Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power held a hearing to examine the merits of Rep. Baca’s legislation.  In addition to sponsoring H.R. 200, Rep. Baca has reached out to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson in an effort to move forward with an administrative study of contamination in the Rialto-Colton basin.

“If left alone, the perchlorate contaminated plume in Rialto could continue to travel underground – contaminating more wells and compromising the health of more Southern California communities,” concluded Rep. Baca.  “By providing concrete research from the USGS on the Rialto-Colton water basin, my bill moves us one step closer to finding a realistic solution to our area’s perchlorate problem.”

H.R. 200 now awaits a vote on final passage before the entire House of Representatives.  Once the bill is passed by the full House, it will then move to the U.S. Senate for consideration.  Similar legislation introduced by Rep. Baca last Congress, H.R. 4252, was unanimously approved by the House, and reported out of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.  The bill did not come to the floor of the Senate before the 111^th Congress came to an end.

Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Joe Baca (D-Rialto) introduced legislation in the House of Representatives to dramatically expand access to Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) owned properties for law enforcement officers, fire fighters, first responders, and teachers.  The Community Partners Neighborhood Preservation Act of 2011 (CPNPA) expands on current affordable housing programs by giving these public service professionals additional opportunities to purchase the homes HUD has acquired due to foreclosures.

“Giving teachers, police officers, and other dedicated public servants greater incentive to purchase HUD owned properties creates a win-win situation for communities across the nation,” said Rep. Baca.  “Not only does my bill give more hardworking Americans access to affordable home ownership opportunities, but it also begins the process of revitalizing many low and moderate income neighborhoods that have suffered tremendous blight due to the recent foreclosure crisis.”  

Rep. Baca’s legislation is designed to expand and improve two current programs offered by HUD, the Officer Next Door and Teacher Next Door.  These programs incentivize public service professionals to purchase HUD owned properties in recovering areas by giving them a 50% discount off the appraised value of the home, and reducing the down payment necessary to $100, as long as the individual agrees to live in the home as a primary residency for at least 3 years.  The CPNPA expands the eligibility of these programs to also include fire fighters and first responders, and also increases the pool of HUD owned properties eligible for purchase from those located in specific “recovery” areas to all HUD homes acquired through foreclosure.

“Since the economic downturn began in 2007, the rate of homeownership across the United States has fallen drastically,” concluded Rep. Baca.  “This legislation can serve as a critical step in the revitalization process for many struggling neighborhoods and communities.  By giving teachers, police officers, fire fighters, and first responders an opportunity to purchase affordable homes – we can both reward our excellent public servants, and also begin to stabilize many of the local housing markets hit hardest in the recent foreclosure crisis.” 

The Community Partners Neighborhood Preservation Act has been endorsed by the National Education Association (NEA), the nation’s largest professional employee organization – representing over 3.2 million teachers, school professionals, and retired educators.

Legislation Calls for U.S. Geological Survey Study of Rialto-Colton Water Basin 

Washington, DC – Today Congressman Joe Baca (D-Rialto) spoke at a hearing of the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power, held to examine his legislation H.R. 200, the Inland Empire Perchlorate Ground Water Plume Assessment Act.  The legislation directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study of water resources and perchlorate contamination in the Inland Empire, specifically ordering the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to conduct a study of the Rialto-Colton water basin focused on the perchlorate contaminated plume in Rialto.

“Many families in the Inland Empire, and throughout Southern California are concerned about the quality and safety of the water they drink,” said Rep. Baca.  “My legislation calls for a much-needed USGS study of the Rialto-Colton water basin in order to find the extent of contamination, and the best solutions to cleaning up the perchlorate problem in our area.  I thank the Subcommittee for holding this hearing, and recognize Chairman McClintock and Ranking Member Napolitano for their commitment to clean, safe drinking water for all Americans.”

Perchlorate, a rocket fuel additive, has been found to be present at trace levels in some Inland communities.  Perchlorate is a volatile organic compound that is harmful to humans as it interferes with thyroid functions.  As the nation’s largest water, earth, and biological science and civilian mapping agency, the USGS collects, monitors, analyzes, and provides scientific understanding about natural resource conditions, issues, and problems.  The diversity of their scientific expertise enables them to carry out large-scale, multi-disciplinary investigations and provide impartial scientific information to resource mangers, planners, and other customers.

Rialto Mayor Pro Tem Ed Scott testified at the hearing in support of H.R. 200.

“I thank Rialto Mayor Pro Tem Ed Scott for his excellent testimony today and for his continued work, along with City Councilman Joe Baca Jr. and the other members of the Rialto City Perchlorate Taskforce, in addressing this important public health issue,” continued Rep. Baca.  “If left alone, the perchlorate contaminated plume in Rialto could continue to travel underground – contaminating more wells and compromising the health of more Southern California communities.”

“By providing concrete research from the USGS on the Rialto-Colton water basin and perchlorate contamination, my bill can move us one step closer to finding a realistic solution to this problem,” concluded Rep. Baca.  “Local residents have already shouldered far too much of the costs associated with perchlorate cleanup.  We must ensure our communities, neighborhoods, and families have the knowledge and the tools necessary to protect themselves from this harmful contamination.” 

Similar legislation introduced by Rep. Baca last Congress, H.R. 4252, was unanimously approved by the House of Representatives, and reported out of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.  The bill did not come to the floor of the Senate before the 111^th Congress came to an end.

Joe Baca

Washington, DC – Congressman Joe Baca (D-Rialto) released the following statement tonight, after President Obama addressed a joint session of Congress on the topic of job creation.

“With unemployment at 9.1% across the nation, and at a staggering 14.3% in San Bernardino County, the American people needed to hear the President lay out a bold plan of action to create new jobs and strengthen our economic recovery.  Tonight, President Obama met these challenges by putting forward a substantial plan that includes the necessary combination of tax incentives and new investments needed to create growth. ”

“The proposals laid out by the President in the American Jobs Act include many concrete and achievable policy goals.  A long-term payroll tax cut, new incentives for businesses to hire workers, and an extension of unemployment benefits will all help to end uncertainty and spur new economic activity.  Likewise, increased federal investments in transportation, infrastructure, job training and education programs will help to create new jobs in the short term, while also laying the foundation for long term growth as we continue to transition to a 21^st Century economy.”

“Tonight, President Obama called on Congress to come together and confront the challenges we must face in order to bring fiscal stability, create new jobs, and grow our economy over the long term.  But we can only overcome the obstacles we face if we move forward with a sense of cooperation and unity.  I stand ready to work with all my colleagues – Democrats, Republicans, and Tea Party Members – to pass a bipartisan agenda of job creation efforts.”

“The time for political games is over.  The time to invest in the American people and rebuild our economy is here.  I strongly urge Republicans to put country before party, and work with Democrats in Congress and the President to commit to the bold plan of action American families so desperately need.  As the President said – the next election is fourteen months away, and the people who sent us here don’t have the luxury of waiting fourteen months.  They need help, and they need it now!”

Joe Baca

Thanks to Provision of Health Care Reform, Insurance Companies Must Now Justify Rate Hikes

Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Joe Baca (D-Rialto) announced that a critical new consumer protection provision of the health care reform law has taken effect.  Now, health insurers seeking to increase their rates by 10 percent or more must submit their request to state or federal reviewers to determine whether they are reasonable or not.  This rate review program, created by the Affordable Care Act, will bring greater transparency, accountability, and, in many cases, lower costs for families and small business owners who struggle to afford coverage.

In a growing number of states, regulators now have the authority to deny or reduce rate hikes found to be excessive.  Insurers that insist on going ahead with double-digit rate increases are required to post their justifications on their website, and state and federal regulators will post them as well.

“For far too long, families and small businesses have been at the mercy of insurance rate increases that often put coverage out of their reach,” said Rep. Baca.  “Thanks to the historic health care reform legislation, we will finally shed light on the industry’s behavior.  This transparency is of vital importance in driving market competition, and will ultimately result in lower costs for consumers.” 

As of this week, insurers proposing double digit increases will have to provide clear information that indicates what factors are causing the proposed increases.  Experts will closely examine information about the underlying cost trends in health care to flag instances when insurance companies are unjustly raising costs.  This means consumers will no longer have to take the word of their insurance company; they will have an independent expert reviewing their proposed rate increase.

Starting mid-September, consumers in every state can go to HealthCare.gov to view easy-to-access, consumer-friendly disclosure information explaining proposed increases that are 10 percent or higher than last year’s rates.

“Thanks to the Affordable Care Act consumers no longer have to navigate the health insurance market blindly,” concluded Rep. Baca.  “The next time your insurance company tries to raise your premium by double digits, it will have to give you and rate review experts a good reason, or face denial from many of our state governments.  As the rest of the provisions of health insurance reform are responsibly enacted, rest assured Democrats in Congress and the Obama administration will keep a watchful eye to ensure the interests of the American public, and not the insurance companies, are best served.”

For more information on rate reviews and what they mean for your health care coverage, please visit:http://www.healthcare.gov/news/factsheets/ratereview09012011a.html

Joe Baca

Washington, DC – Congressman Joe Baca (D-Rialto) released the following statement today, in response to the Department of Justice’s announcement on filing a federal antitrust lawsuit against the pending AT&T/T-Mobile merger:

“I am surprised at the Department of Justice’s decision to file an antitrust lawsuit against the pending merger between AT&T and T-Mobile.  At a time when job creation should be our number one priority, I am disappointed to see that the DOJ is intending to block a plan that has great potential to create more good paying-jobs here at home, expand wireless access, and increase broadband speed for businesses and consumers across the nation.” 

“Currently, AT&T is the only major U.S. wireless company with a union workforce that offers leading wages, benefits, training and development for their employees.  And just this morning AT&T announced their plans to reverse the decision made by Deutsche Telekom, T-Mobile’s European parent company, that would have led to the outsourcing of over 5,000 American jobs to Asia.” 

“Not only would this merger create many of the additional jobs that our nation so desperately needs, but it would also directly benefit 46.5 million Americans who would gain access to the latest 4G technology.  This would substantially benefit many communities, especially low-income and minority communities, whose sole access to the Internet is sometimes derived from mobile technologies.  While I understand that any merger must be thoroughly vetted by our government, I encourage the DOJ to reverse this decision which I fear may negatively impact the wellbeing of many Americans.”

Joe Baca

San Bernardino, CA – Today, Congressman Joe Baca (D-Rialto) urged the Republican Leadership of the House of Representatives to call the House back in session in order to pass a clean version of legislation reauthorizing the Federal Aviation Administration.  Despite last minute pleas to solve the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) shutdown, House Republican leaders closed up shop for the month of August, ensuring the devastating damage from the Republican-led FAA shutdown will last for at least another month.

“The current FAA shutdown is yet another example of how extremist right-wind ideology has taken control of the Republican Party,” said Rep. Baca.  “Instead of passing a clean FAA reauthorization bill that both Democrats and Republicans can support, Republican leadership has put forward a proposal that further guts American working families in order to score political points.  Unless Congress acts quickly, Republicans will jeopardize nearly 90,000 American jobs and sacrifice over $1 billion in lost revenue.”

Pending enactment of a long-term FAA reauthorization bill, Congress has passed 20 short-term extension acts without controversial policy provisions since 2007.  Breaking with precedent, the 21st short-term extension that the House Republican leadership crafted and the House passed last week contained extraneous policy riders that make it more difficult for aviation and rail workers to unionize.  Despite being warned that such provisions could not pass the Senate, Republican leaders chose to attach these provisions to a must-pass, short-term funding extension and forced a partial FAA shutdown at a cost of $200 million per week in lost revenue.

“Right now, the FAA shutdown is having a devastating impact on our already struggling California economy,” concluded Rep. Baca.  “Republican ideology is costing our state over $131 million in lost airport construction funds, directly resulting in 4,779 lost jobs.  The continued obstructionism on the FAA reauthorization bill marks the height of irresponsibility, once again proving that House Republicans are truly unfit to govern.  With the California unemployment rate at 12%, we must be doing everything in our power to encourage more job creation – yet House Republicans remain content to stifle economic growth and gut American jobs.”

Joe Baca

Washington, DC – Congressman Joe Baca (D-Rialto) released the following statement today, after the House of Representatives approved H.R. 2560, a measure that doubles down on the Republican budget plan to end Medicare:

“Today’s vote marks the third time this year that House Republicans have voted to end Medicare.  H.R. 2560 is a Tea Party extremist measure that would require even more severe cuts than the draconian Ryan budget that ends Medicare as we know it, slashes education funding, and destroys over 700,000 jobs.”

“Thankfully, H.R. 2560 has no chance of ever becoming law.  Instead of negotiating in good faith with Democrats and the President to find a bipartisan deal to avoid default, this charade simply serves as the latest example of the Republican leadership shirking its responsibility to govern in order to score political points.” 

“Time and time again, Congressional Republicans have made their priorities clear.  Instead of protecting Social Security and Medicare for future generations, they would rather preserve unnecessary tax breaks for the ultra rich, Big Oil companies, and corporations that ship jobs overseas.”

“I will continue to work for a reasonable approach forward in the debt ceiling negotiations.  We must lower our deficit with intelligent cuts to government spending.  But it is wrong to balance our budget on the backs of seniors and middle class families.”

If Congress does not vote to lift the debt ceiling by August 2nd, many financial analysts and economists warn it could send America’s economy into a tailspin. So far, the House Republican Leadership is refusing to prevent this economic disaster from happening all so they can protect tax breaks for millionaires and corporations. If Congress does not vote to lift the debt ceiling, Americans could witness a major meltdown in the financial markets, and seniors may stop receiving their social security checks.

“We are here today to tell Joe Baca to stand strong against the Republicans who are threatening a major economic meltdown just so they can protect tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires,” said local MoveOn member, Charles Kingsley.  “We’re counting on Rep. Baca to hold the line, protect vital programs like Social Security and Medicare, and save our economy.”

WHAT:     Don’t Default on the American Dream Drop Bys 
WHO:        MoveOn members
WHERE:   201 E Street, San Bernardino, CA
WHEN:      July 18, 2011 at 1:45 pm

Thursday, July 21 · 8:00am - 12:30pm

California State University of San Bernardino, College of Education Building (5500 University Parkway; San Bernardino, CA 92407)

“Invest in Women, Invest in Your Future!”

Conference sessions to include: Understanding Economic Legislation; Starting a Business; Financial Business Resources; Women and Minority Business Resources; Networking.

Event is free and open to the public!

For more information, please contact Melissa Gonzalez at 909-885-2222
or email at melissa.gonzalez@mail.house.gov.

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=207723212598635

“There are certain fundamental rights that all American workers deserve.  Among them are fair wages, affordable health care, the right to unionize, and a workplace that is free from discrimination.  The recent proposal by the National Labor Relations Board to modernize the workplace election process serves as an important step forward to ensure greater fairness and transparency in representation elections for both workers and employers.”

“The current election process is broken, plain and simple.  While certainly not perfect, the proposed NLRB changes will reduce opportunities for those who willingly seek to obstruct or interfere with an election.”

“During these difficult economic times, when so many Americans are struggling to get by, it is essential we take all actions possible to help workers improve their jobs and the well being of their families.  I believe the NLRB’s recently announced proposal is a step in the right direction for working families, and will help to ensure greater balance and fairness for all Americans.” 

“It is long past time Congress takes decisive action to create more good paying jobs here at home,” said Rep. Baca.  “Unfortunately, since Republicans have taken control of the House earlier this year, they have yet to offer one single proposal to create jobs here in America, and instead have voted to end Medicare as we know it and protect tax breaks for the ultra rich, Big Oil, and corporations that ship jobs overseas.” 

“That’s why I signed this discharge petition, to force the Republican Leadership to allow a vote on the Currency Reform for Fair Trade Act,” continued Rep. Baca.  “This legislation can create anywhere from half a million to more than 2 million new jobs, and would enhance our economic and national security at no cost to American taxpayers.” 

The Currency Reform for Fair Trade Act helps American businesses compete on a more level playing field by treating fundamentally undervalued currencies as a prohibited subsidy, allowing the U.S. to take action to counter this unfair trade practice. This legislation is an essential element in addressing currency manipulation by the Chinese government, which has continually jeopardized efforts to create and preserve U.S. manufacturing jobs.

Democrats are launching this discharge petition, which can force action on legislation with signatures of a majority of the House of Representatives, because the Republican Leadership continues to block its consideration. The legislation overwhelmingly passed the House of Representatives last year with a vote of 348 – 79.

“For too long China has gotten away with manipulating its currency to decrease the price of its goods on the world market,” concluded Rep. Baca.  “We must do everything in our power to support American companies and American manufacturers in the face of such unfair economic practices.  By forcing our trading partners to play on fair ground, I believe we will see a resurgence in exports and jobs here in America.”

The Chinese government continues to intervene in the markets to suppress the value of its currency – making American exports more expensive and Chinese products cheaper.  A new report confirms that up to 2 million American jobs could be created if China and other Asian countries stopped manipulating their currency to gain an unfair advantage over American businesses and workers.  H.R. 639 is part of the Democratic “Make it in America” manufacturing strategy to create the high-skill, high-wage jobs of the future—promoting American competitiveness, innovation, and exports.

Darian Davis, second from left, is the highest-scoring of 10 Taylion Virtual Academy students who scored exceptionally on the California High School Exit Exam. Darian achieved a perfect score of 450 on the English portion of the exam, and above 410 on the math portion. Taylion Virtual Academy Executive Director Will Griffin, Principal Anthony Davis and Home School Coordinator Ramona Bywater presented her and the other nine students awards during the free public charter school’s first-year graduation ceremony, held Tuesday, June 21 at the Heritage House in San Bernardino. Photo by Chris Sloan

(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) Taylion Virtual Academy sent two young women into their lives after high school on Tuesday, June 21.

Isabella Medina and Madeline Walker are Taylion Virtual Academy’s first graduates. The school opened in September 2010.

“This graduation ceremony is the culmination of the exciting first year we’ve had at Taylion,” said Taylion Virtual Academy Principal Anthony Davis. “It has been the most exciting and rewarding year I have had in my teaching career.”

“I have learned to be persistent yet flexible,” Davis said. “I have counseled, argued, debated and smiled. And that was all with one student.”

With the guidance, support and encouragement of Davis, independent study teacher Tom Cass and the entire Taylion Virtual Academy staff, Isabella and Madeline overcame challenges to complete their graduation requirements. Earlier, both young women acknowledged graduation would have been unlikely, had it not been for the caring attitudes, flexibility and patience demonstrated to them by Taylion’s staff.

High school is just a step in the journey for each of them. Isabella plans to attend Crafton Hills College next, and Madeline plans to attend San Bernardino Valley College.

Isabella, 18, and Madeline, 19, both had to work hard to finish high school. Nevertheless, finishing high school as teen-agers will probably make their young adult life easier than it was for graduation guest speaker Kim Carter, founder and president of the Time for Change Foundation.

“I was not my past,” Carter said. “I have a future. Today I have my ‘PhDO!’ I believe everyone has the power to DO one thing to help make the world a better place. If you don’t believe that, you speak with the ‘I can’t and never can’ vocabulary. Today, we are here to talk about our I CAN vocabulary.”

Carter acknowledged a similar “Can Do” attitude in the two young women who are the first graduates of Taylion Virtual Academy.

“By saying ‘Yes, I can!’ you have created an opportunity for someone else who doesn’t think she has one,” Carter said. “You have shown others that they can too.”

Although they could not attend the graduation ceremony, several of the San Bernardino area’s elected representatives encouraged the young women with personal notes and certificates of recognition. These included Congressman Joe Baca, State Senator Gloria Negrete McLeod, State Assembly Member Wilmer Amina Carter, San Bernardino County supervisors Josie Gonzales and Janice Rutherford and San Bernardino Mayor Patrick Morris.

Supervisor Gonzales also sent certificates of recognition for 10 undergraduate students recognized during the ceremony for exceptional scores on the California High School Exit Exam. Taylion Virtual Academy recognized Darian Davis for a perfect score of 450 on the English portion of the exam and better than 410 on the math portion.

Taylion Virtual Academy also recognized Angelina Baldenegro, Gricelda Moreno and Harmony Bliss for scoring better than 410 on one portion of the exam and at least 380 on both portions of the exam. Also recognized for scores of at least 380 on one or both portions of the exam were Railynn Hicks, Lauren Valdez, David Diaz, Kaitlynne Adams and Carlos Cervantez.

Taylion Virtual Academy offers independent study, home schooling and online education, with all students working at their own pace. For many students, the free public charter school is an opportunity to either catch up and graduate with classmates at a traditional high school, or to graduate early from Taylion and move onto college or full-time employment before others their age.

For more information, or a free campus tour, call Taylion Virtual Academy at (909) 889-5152 or go to www.taylion.com.

Health Care Reform Law Lowers Costs for 500,000 Seniors Caught in Medicare ‘Donut Hole’

Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Joe Baca (D-Rialto) announced new findings from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), that show almost half a million individuals enrolled in Medicare’s prescription drug benefit have received a 50% discount on covered brand-name drugs in the Part D coverage gap, having saved them more than $260 million so far this year.

“With the enactment of real health reform, we are working to make quality, affordable health care a right for every American,” said Rep. Baca.  “These newly released findings from the CMS confirm what we already knew, that the health care reform law passed last Congress improves Medicare programs for our seniors and lowers out of pocket medical costs for all Americans.”

Thanks to Medicare improvements that were included in the Affordable Care Act, beneficiaries who fall in the part D coverage gap, also known as the Medicare ‘donut hole,’ automatically receive a 50% discount on their out-of-pocket costs, including covered brand name drugs.  Medicare beneficiaries in the prescription drug ‘donut hole’ have received on average a total savings of $545 so far this year.

Cheaper prescriptions are just one of the many ways the Affordable Care Act is improving Medicare for seniors.  Thanks to the new law, many preventive care screenings are available free of charge. According to the CMS, at least 5.5 million Americans have already accessed at least one of these free preventive measures.

“For too long Americans everywhere have had to face the status quo of rising health costs and worsening care,” concluded Rep. Baca.  “Thanks to the historic health care reform legislation, more of our seniors are already receiving free services and affordable prescriptions.  Unfortunately my Republican colleagues have proposed a plan to reopen the prescription drug ‘donut hole’ and end Medicare as we know it.  I will continue to fight so that we responsibly enact health care reform, and preserve Medicare for all Americans.”

For more information on the free preventive services that are available to people on Medicare, visit the “Manage Your Health” tab at www.Medicare.gov.

BACA INTRODUCES BILL TO PROTECT EMPLOYEES WHO RECEIVE PAYROLL CARDS

Legislation Strengthens Disclosure Requirements for Businesses that Utilize Paycards

Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Joe Baca (D-Rialto) introduced legislation to provide consumer protections for the growing number of Americans that receive their wages on an electronic payroll card.  The Electronic Paycard Protection Act amends the Fair Labor Standards Act by imposing vital disclosure requirements on employers who utilize electronic paycards.

“As the number of employers that utilize electronic paycards to distribute wages continues to grow, it is critical we put in place the proper protections necessary to ensure all employees receive the wages they deserve in a fair and efficient manner,” said Rep. Baca.  “Unfortunately, the use of these cards has been linked to a number of deceptive and misleading fees that prey on workers.  I thank United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1428 for bringing this matter to my attention.  My bill ensures that employers who use paycards meet their responsibilities, and apprise their workers of both the benefits and risks that go along with using these cards.”

According to the FDIC, $15.9 million in wages were distributed to employees in 2007 through electronic payroll cards. Some industry groups predict that by 2014, this number will grow to $60 billion.  While the use of paycards does have certain benefits, including lower payroll costs and reduced chances for payroll fraud, it also carries many risks.  These risks include a number of hidden fees that may preclude employees from receiving the full amount of their earned wages.  And because these cards are often used to pay workers who are unbanked or underbanked, employees may not fully understand how to use them in a manner that will reduce the chance of misuse or imposition of fees.

Specifically the Electronic Paycard Protection Act mandates that:

• Employees are allowed to access the full amount of their wages at least once per pay period;

• Employees are provided with a mechanism to check their balance free of charge;

• Employees are given the option to receive either a paper paycheck or electronic paycheck deposit instead of a paycard;

• No employee, prospective or otherwise, can be fired or not hired for a decision not to use electronic paycards as their primary means of receiving wages; and

• Any funds made available by the paycard may not expire.

“There are certain fundamental rights that all American workers deserve,” concluded Rep. Baca.  “Paramount among them is a fair and transparent system for employees to receive their hard earned wages.  By ensuring proper consumer protections and employer disclosures, my legislation creates a safe environment where both workers and businesses are free to enjoy the benefits of electronic payroll cards if they choose to utilize them.”

The Electronic Paycard Protection Act is endorsed by the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW).

Rep. Joe Baca

Washington, DC – Yesterday, the House of Representatives unanimously approved an amendment offered by Congressman Joe Baca (D-Rialto), to H.R. 1540 – the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2012. Rep. Baca’s amendment is designed to enhance the suicide prevention programs offered by the Department of Defense. The amendment specifically requires suicide prevention training for service men and women in all branches of the military during recruit basic training and pre-separation counseling. H.R. 1540 was passed out of the House today with a vote of 322 – 96.

“The increase in the number of suicides among members of our Armed Forces is an alarming and truly heartbreaking trend,” said Rep. Baca. “While the military services are making significant efforts to address this issue, a recent Department of Defense Task Force found there are wide variations in the implementation of preventive services across the various branches. I am hopeful that by providing suicide prevention training to service members in all branches, during all phases of their military careers, this amendment will reduce the number of tragedies our military families face.”

In the United States, suicide is the fourth leading cause of death among 25- to 44-year-olds. In conducting a five-year research effort, the National Institute of Mental Health found that the Army suicide rate has more than doubled since 2004, from 10 to 22 per 100,000 among active duty soldiers. This rate surpasses the rate for civilians of the same age and gender. Historically, the suicide rate has been lower in the military than among civilians, but in 2008, that pattern was reversed – with the suicide rate in the Army exceeding the age-adjusted rate in the civilian population (20.2 out of 100,000 vs. 19.2).

Rep. Baca originally introduced the legislative language included in his amendment as a separate bill, H.R. 1284, the Armed Forces Suicide Prevention Act of 2011. The legislative language requires each military suicide prevention training session run by the individual service branches to include, at a minimum:

• Methods for recognizing risk factors for suicide;
• Protocols for responding to crisis situations involving members who may be at high risk;
• Information about suicide prevention services available to members (including toll-free hotlines and Internet resources); and
• Information for best practices for suicide prevention.

“As an Army veteran myself, I am all too aware of the hardships our military men and women and their families endure to protect our country,” concluded Rep. Baca. “Our courageous men and women in uniform deserve access to the very best care possible. This amendment helps our nation better uphold its end of the bargain by providing members of the Armed Forces with the preventive care and skills they need to recognize suicide risk factors, and get help.

Rep. Baca is a veteran who served in the U.S. Army as a paratrooper with both the 101st and the 82nd Airborne Divisions from 1966-68.

Also read Inland Empire’s Rep. Buck McKeon PR on the passage, http://www.inlandempire.us/politics/house-approves-defense-authorization-bill-with-bipartisan-support/

Rep. Joe Baca

Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Joe Baca (D-Rialto) introduced legislation to create a new national charter, the Federal Financial Services & Consumer Credit (FFSCC) charter, for non-depository financial institutions.  The FFSCC Charter Act of 2011 would create a charter to allow qualifying financial services companies to provide a choice of services and credit products to unbanked and under-banked consumers and small businesses.  It would also require chartered members to develop financial literacy programs to assist their customer base with improving their credit scores and building a complete credit history.

“During these tough economic times, it is critical we ensure every American has access to the financial products they need to make ends meet,” said Rep. Baca.  “Unfortunately, too many Americans in low income and minority communities often find themselves shunned from mainstream banks because of their incomplete credit histories.  My legislation will give many of these individuals access to financial service products, offered in a safe and sound manner, so they have an equal opportunity to the credit they need.”

The Federal Financial Services & Consumer Credit charter would allow institutions to operate in all states, and provide products according to federally mandated rules and regulations.  These institutions would be regulated by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC).  In order to apply for a charter, an institution must offer at least 3 products that are approved by the OCC, and the institution must have an established history of offering financial service products to under-banked and unbanked consumers.

In addition to offering much needed financial service products to the unbanked and under-banked, the new charter will also help to strengthen financial literacy in underserved communities by requiring institutions to develop programs designed to educate and assist their customers in improving their credit scores and building a complete credit history.

“This legislation provides a strong regulatory framework that not only helps to give underserved communities better access to financial products, but also works to eliminate the bad apples who take advantage of the vulnerable,” concluded Rep. Baca.  “And by focusing on the need for increased financial literacy and education, these newly chartered institutions will work to improve the long-term economic outlook in many of our currently disadvantaged communities.”

Washington, DC – Today, Rep. Joe Baca (D-Rialto) announced recent findings from the Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR), which assert that a 54-year-old today will have to save an additional $182,000 in their IRA or 401(k) before he or she retires just to pay for the House Republican plan to eliminate Medicare.

The CEPR estimated that individuals born in 1957 would need $182,000 by the time they retire at 65 to pay the additional costs imposed by the Republican plan if they live to 84.

“The Republican budget plan ends Medicare as we know it, replacing it with an ineffective voucher system,” said Rep. Baca.  ”As these findings from the Center for Economic and Policy Research show, seniors will be forced to go into debt, sell their homes, and rely on their children just to pay for basic medical care.  After a lifetime of service to their communities and our nation, America’s seniors deserve better.”

Last month, House Republicans voted to end the Medicare program, which offers guaranteed benefits, and replace it with a plan that would force seniors to find private insurance with the assistance of a voucher. Since the voucher’s value relative to health care costs would decrease over time and private insurance costs are higher than traditional Medicare, seniors retiring in 2022 under the Republican plan would be forced to pay much higher costs than under current law.

As a result, CEPR found that the average senior beginning in 2022 would have to save $182,000 to cover these additional costs, assuming a return of 3 percent in real interest during their retirement years.

“Congress needs to make sure Medicare is sustainable for our seniors and for all taxpayers moving forward,” concluded Rep. Baca. ”As we continue our long term budget debate, it is important we begin to lower our national deficit with intelligent spending cuts.  But it is wrong to balance our budget on the backs of America’s seniors and other vulnerable citizens.  Unfortunately, by ending Medicare and drastically cutting numerous other services – the Republican budget takes us down a road to ruin.”

Washington, DC –

“I applaud Comcast on its decision to nominate a Hispanic American to serve on its Board of Directors.  I want to personally thank Executive Vice President David Cohen, for his commitment to increasing diversity at Comcast.  As Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus’ Task Force on Corporate America, I first met with Mr. Cohen on this issue 16 months ago.  He gave Members of Congress his word that Comcast would strive to ensure equitable Hispanic representation, and he kept it.”

“As Hispanics continue to grow in population and influence, our purchasing power has now topped over $1 trillion annually.  During this time of growth for our community, it is critical we recommit ourselves to working for adequate representation of Latinas and Latinos in all sectors and industries. With his impressive track record in business and strong history of community involvement, I am confident the nomination of Eduardo Mestre will be approved.  I am certain that Mr. Mestre will serve as a valuable addition to not only the Board of Directors, but also the larger corporate culture at Comcast.”

Bill Calls for Access to Suicide Prevention Information for Service Members During All Phases of Military Careers

Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Joe Baca (D-Rialto) introduced legislation designed to enhance the suicide prevention programs offered by the Department of Defense.  The Armed Forces Suicide Prevention Act of 2011 specifically requires suicide prevention training for service men and women in all branches of the military during recruit basic training, routine mental health assessments, and pre-separation counseling.

“The increase in the number of suicides among members of our Armed Forces is an alarming and truly heartbreaking trend,” said Rep. Baca.  “While the military Services are making significant efforts to address this issue, a recent Department of Defense Task Force found there are wide variations in the implementation of preventive services across the various branches.  I am hopeful that by providing suicide prevention training to service members in all branches, during all phases of their military careers, we can reduce the number of tragedies our military families face.”

In the United States, suicide is the fourth leading cause of death among 25- to 44-year-olds.  In conducting a five-year research effort, the National Institute of Mental Health found that the Army suicide rate has more than doubled since 2004, from 10 to 22 per 100,000 among active duty soldiers.  This rate surpasses the rate for civilians of the same age and gender.  Historically, the suicide rate has been lower in the military than among civilians, but in 2008, that pattern was reversed – with the suicide rate in the Army exceeding the age-adjusted rate in the civilian population (20.2 out of 100,000 vs. 19.2).

The Armed Forces Suicide Prevention Act requires that each military suicide prevention training session include, at a minimum:

• Methods for recognizing risk factors for suicide;
• Protocols for responding to crisis situations involving members who may be at high risk;
• Information about suicide prevention services available to members (including toll-free hotlines and Internet resources); and
• Information for best practices for suicide prevention.

“As an Army veteran myself, I am all too aware of the hardships our military men and women and their families endure to protect our country,” concluded Rep. Baca.  “Our courageous men and women in uniform deserve access to the very best care possible.  In order for our nation to better uphold our end of the bargain, we must do a better job of providing members of the Armed Forces with the preventive care and skills they need to recognize suicide risk factors, and get help.”

Rep. Baca is a veteran who served in the U.S. Army as a paratrooper with both the 101st and the 82nd Airborne Divisions from 1966-68.

Rep. Joe Baca

Washington, DC – Congressman Joe Baca (D-Rialto) released the following statement today, on the one year anniversary of the Affordable Care Act.

“One year ago, in a moment of historic progress for the American people, President Barack Obama signed into law the Affordable Care Act.  The much-needed reforms included in this legislation extend health care coverage to 32 million more Americans, lower health care costs, create jobs, strengthen the middle class and reduce the deficit.  Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, we are on our way to making quality, affordable health care a right for every American.”

“Americans are already benefitting from this law, with a strong Patients’ Bill of Rights that puts an end to the worst insurance company abuses.  Young people can now stay on their parents’ plan until they are 26 years old.  No longer can insurers place a lifetime cap on health coverage or deny coverage to children with pre-existing conditions.  Seniors who fall in the Medicare Prescription Drug Donut Hole are getting help paying for medications, and more small businesses are receiving tax credits to provide coverage to their employees.”

“The benefits of health care reform will continue to grow for the American people.  By 2014, insurers will no longer be able to discriminate against any of the 129 million Americans with pre-existing conditions, and there will be state-based competitive marketplaces where millions of Americans without access to job-based health coverage will have access to affordable, quality coverage.”

“One year later, we have given American families new patient protections and greater freedoms.  But if Republicans had their way, they would repeal the law and take away this progress.  We must not roll back the clock.  I will continue to fight in Congress to preserve the benefits of this reform as we work to move our nation forward. “

“I am pleased to learn of the proposed merger between AT&T and T-Mobile, and its potential to create more good paying-jobs here at home, expand wireless access, and increase broadband speed for businesses and consumers across the nation.

“Currently, AT&T is the only major U.S. wireless company with a union workforce that offers leading wages, benefits, training and development for their employees.  I am hopeful this proposed merger will create additional opportunities for good jobs for more hardworking Americans.”

“The merger should directly benefit 46.5 million Americans who will now have access to AT&T’s latest 4G technology.  This will substantially benefit many communities, including my Congressional District in California’s Inland Empire, providing them with better and faster Internet connections, as well as increased network capacity and quality.”

“Additionally, low-income and minority groups, whose sole access to the Internet is sometimes derived from mobile technologies, will greatly benefit from the expanded wireless access that this merger will provide.”

Rep. Joe Baca

Bill Requires Use of 90% Gold in Metal Content of Medal

Washington, D.C. – Rep. Joe Baca (D-Rialto) today introduced bipartisan legislation to bring greater honor and prestige to America’s distinguished military heroes by requiring the use of 90% gold in the metal content of the Medal of Honor.

“I was disappointed to learn from my fellow veterans that the highest honor America bestows on our military heroes can often be a brass plated medallion that cost only $30,” said Rep. Baca.  “The brave men and women who put their lives on the line to protect the American people are deserving of our eternal gratitude. When we recognize their exceptional service, I believe the United States of America can do better.”

Joining Rep. Baca as an original cosponsor of the legislation is Rep. John Culberson (R-TX), Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs.

“The recipients of the Medal of Honor have distinguished themselves on the battlefield by showing courage, sacrifice and leadership. We should honor these recipients with a medal worthy of their heroism,” said Rep. Culberson.

The Medal of Honor is the nation’s highest award for military valor.  It is presented by the President in the name of Congress and thus is often called the Congressional Medal of Honor.  Since its first presentation in 1863, 3,467 Medals of Honor have been awarded to a total of 3,448 individuals (there have been 19 double recipients).

Each branch of the Armed Forces – Air Force, Army and Navy (including Marines) – has a distinct version of the Medal of Honor.  They differ in design, size, metal and cost. Based on 2005 cost estimates, the Army version is the least expensive at $29.98 and the Air Force version is the most expensive at approximately $75.00.

In contrast, the Congressional Gold Medal, the nation’s highest civilian honor, cost approximately $30,000 of which between $3,600 and $4,200 pays for the gold.  The rest of the cost is for design, production and engraving.

“I value the service of all of the men and women who bravely sacrifice of themselves for the safety of our nation,” concluded Rep. Baca.  ”I hope all of our troops receive the respect and honor they deserve.  And for those very few soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines deemed worthy of our nation’s highest military honor, surely we can afford more than a $30.00 medal.”

Rep. Baca is a veteran who served in the U.S. Army as a paratrooper with both the 101st and the 82nd Airborne Divisions from 1966-68.

Legislation Designed to Negate Harmful Economic Impact of ESA, Ends Practice of Permanently Listing Species as “Endangered”

Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Joe Baca (D-Rialto) introduced bipartisan legislation in the House of Representatives to amend the Endangered Species Act (ESA) so that a species can no longer be permanently listed as endangered.  The Discredit Eternal Listing Inequality of Species Takings (DELIST) Act requires an administrative review of a species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) after it has been listed as endangered for 15 years.  The review must show a substantial increase of the population of the species in order to warrant a continued listing as endangered.

The DELIST Act has garnered a strong level of bipartisan support, with Reps. Ken Calvert (R-CA), Jerry Lewis (R-CA), Tom McClintock (R-CA), Dennis Cardoza (D-CA), Jim Costa (D-CA), Henry Cuellar (D-TX), and Don Young (R-AL) all serving as original co-sponsors of the bill.  Rep. Baca introduced the legislation in response to problems local governments in the Inland Empire have experienced with the Delhi Sands Flower-Loving Fly, which was first placed on the Endangered Species List in 1993.  Despite having not been seen in the past decade, the Fly is still listed as endangered.  The harmful regulations caused by this listing continue to limit economic development in many communities in the Inland area, which has proven to be especially detrimental given San Bernardino County’s high unemployment rate, increased homelessness and extreme home foreclosure numbers for the past several years.

“The Endangered Species Act has done much good, and continues to protect some of our nation’s most treasured living creatures,” said Rep. Baca.  “But the continued listing of many species that, frankly, seem to no longer exist has had a detrimental impact on local communities and businesses throughout our nation.  I believe this responsible legislation will uphold the important mission of the ESA, while also making sure economic development is not hamstrung by unnecessary regulatory burdens.”

The DELIST Act creates a simple fix to the ESA to give the USFWS more flexibility in determining whether or not a species should remain listed as endangered, while also ensuring that no currently listed species are arbitrarily delisted or placed in harm’s way.  The legislation changes the definition of extinction to give the USFWS the ability to consider a protected species to be extinct if the 15 year review shows no evidence of the continued existence of the species.

“Since the USFWS first placed the Delhi Sands Flower-Loving Fly on the Endangered Species list in 1993, thousands of jobs have been lost, development has been stalled, and millions of taxpayer dollars have been wasted due to ESA compliance requirements,” said Rep. Baca. “Now, with substantial evidence that the Fly is indeed extinct, it is an inefficient use of government resources and a harmful impediment to local economic development to needlessly keep the status quo.  I am hopeful that this legislation will help assist our local communities in their efforts to move forward with critical development projects, and jump start new job creation in these difficult times.”

Cesar Chavez was the founder of the United Farm Workers of America

InlandEmpire.US – Today, Rep. Joe Baca (D-Rialto) introduced legislation in the House of Representatives that encourages the fourth Friday of every March to be observed as “Cesar E. Chavez Day.”

“The struggles Cesar Chavez was engaged in and the victories he achieved for civil rights, labor rights and the environment helped people throughout our nation,” said Rep. Baca.  “Encouraging the establishment of a day of recognition is the correct way to remember this man who defines respect, dignity, and hope for so many Americans.”

Cesar Chavez was the founder of the United Farm Workers of America (UFW), the first successful farm workers union in American history. For more than three decades, he led the UFW, achieving dignity, fair wages, medical coverage, pension benefits, and humane living conditions, as well as countless other rights and protections for hundreds of thousands of farm workers, especially migrant workers who engage in demanding labor.

“For years, I have fought to raise awareness and better educate more Americans about the life of Cesar Chavez,” concluded Rep. Baca.  “In these times of economic hardship and strife around the world, it is essential that Cesar’s legacy continues to inspire others to work for the fair and just treatment of all people.”

Cesar Chavez was a humble leader who fought for social change by employing the principles of non-violence practiced by Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. including peaceful demonstrations, boycotts, strikes, and pilgrimages. His leadership on behalf of workers helped achieve the first industry-wide labor contracts in the history of American agriculture and brought about the passage of the groundbreaking 1975 California Agriculture Labor Relations Act.

Cesar Chavez Day, March 31, is already celebrated as a holiday in ten states (AZ, CA, CO, IL, MI, NM, RI, TX, UT and WI).

Bill Would Establish Commission to Study Effectiveness of State Workers’ Compensation Laws

InlandEmpire.US – Today, Congressman Joe Baca (D-Rialto) introduced legislation that would authorize the creation of a National Commission on State Workers’ Compensation Laws.  The National Commission on State Workers’ Compensation Laws Act would establish a separate body to evaluate state workers’ compensation laws in order to determine if these laws provide an adequate, prompt, and equitable system of compensation and medical care for injury or death arising in the course of employment.

“I am proud to introduce this responsible legislation, which creates a long-overdue commission to study the validity of current state workers’ compensation laws,” said Rep. Baca.  “More than 38 years have passed since our government last took a serious look at the effectiveness of workers’ compensation laws.  Access to proper benefits and medical care after on the job injuries is a right every American worker deserves.  I am hopeful this legislation will bring us closer to updating and modernizing our state workers’ compensation laws to ensure they remain effective in this new century.”

In 1972, a national commission authorized by the Nixon administration reported that the system of state workers’ compensation laws was “inequitable and inadequate.”  The commission made numerous recommendations and set minimum standard for ensuring a fair system at the state level.  But since 1972, no similar commission has ever been revisited to determine if states compensation laws still provide equitable wage and medical benefits, due process of law, and fair reporting of fraud by employers.

The vast majority of American workers and their families depend on workers’ compensation for their basic economic security in the event of an injury or death in the course of employment.  Yet since the 1972 commission, changes and reductions in many state workers’ compensation laws have decreased the value and equity of some benefits.

“Proper workers’ compensation laws are essential to protecting the well-being of American families that suffer through an accident or a tragedy in the workplace,” concluded Rep. Baca.  “I am confident the non-partisan, independent commission my bill would establish will underscore what is working in state workers’ compensation laws, and bring to light the areas that need improvement.  We must do all we can to provide America’s working families with the protections they need in a time of crisis.”

Rep. Baca also introduced the National Commission on State Workers’ Compensation Laws Act in the previous (111th) Congress.  The legislation was endorsed by the AFL-CIO, the American Association for Justice, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, the United Auto Workers, and the Voters Injured at Work organization.

InlandEmpire.US – Today, Congressman Joe Baca (D-Rialto) introduced legislation to require all schools participating in the National School Lunch Program to teach children at least 50 hours of nutrition education per school year.  The Healthy Children through School Nutrition Education Act amends section 9A of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to require local education agencies to include the 50 hour nutrition education requirement as part of its school wellness policies.

“The rate of childhood obesity has more than tripled in the past 30 years – and obesity related health care, along with lost worker productivity, now costs our nation over $270 billion annually,” said Rep. Baca.  “Educating our children on healthy foods and nutrition, along with placing greater emphasis on physical activity, is critical to solving this crisis.  Better education on nutritious foods and proper diets can help our students make healthier choices in both the lunch room and at home.  I am proud to introduce this responsible bill to begin addressing part of the solution to the obesity epidemic.”

The Healthy Children through School Nutrition Education Act mandates that 50 hours of nutrition education are offered to students each year at every grade level as part of a sequential, comprehensive, standards-based program designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to promote and protect their health.  Currently, the mean number of hours spent on nutrition education in the first 4 years of school is only 13 hours per year.  A minimum of 50 hours per year are thought to be necessary to influence behavior.  And behavior that is learned in early school years is scientifically proven to be much more likely practiced into adulthood.

“It is absolutely terrifying that right now, we are raising the first ever generation of Americans to have shorter life expectancies than their parents,” concluded Rep. Baca.  “And with obesity related costs expected to hit $1 trillion annually by the year 2030 – we need to realize that if left unchecked, this health crisis can literally bankrupt our nation.  This legislation is an important first step in recognizing the seriousness of childhood obesity, and working towards preventative solutions that make America a happier, healthier nation.”

Rep. Baca served as Chair of the House Agriculture Subcommittee with Jurisdiction on nutrition issues from 2007 – 2010.  In that capacity, he played a key role in increasing federal support for vital nutrition programs like SNAP (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), the Commodity Supplemental Foods Program, and TEFAP (The Emergency Food Assistance Program).  In the current 112th Congress, Rep. Baca continues to serve as a strong advocate in the fight against childhood obesity, having introduced legislation to mandate more physical education time for students at our nation’s schools and increase the supply of fresh fruit and vegetables in America’s underserved communities.

Rep. Baca also introduced the Healthy Children through School Nutrition Education Act in the previous (111th) Congress.  The legislation was endorsed by the National Education Association, the National Indian Health Board, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, Inland Behavioral and Health Services, the Junior Leagues of California, the Latino Health Communications Network, and the National Hispanic Medical Association.