As you know, we had an elecÂtion on November 5th, and due to term limits, I will be leaving office. Carl DeMaio will be your new Assemblyman, and when he officially takes the oath on December 2nd, my 12 years in the Assembly will come to an end.
Going forward, a lot remains to be done. Since most of our state’s legislators come from the big metropolitan areas – Los Angeles and the Bay Area – making sure they pay attenÂtion to the rest of California is a must.
We need to enhance public safety by reducing drug abuse and taking criminals off the street. We also must treat menÂtal illness which contributes to homelessness and crime.
The ongoing wildfire threat locally and throughout the state needs to be addressed with better wildland manageÂment and more resources for firefighters. We need to lower the cost of living, and that inÂcludes rolling back gas tax inÂcreases and energy costs. Less costly and more reliable sourcÂes of water are essential for our vast agriculture industry. We need more water storage and conveyance infrastructure, deÂsalination and recycling.
I have long advocated for improved access to healthcare, including mental treatment and growing the provider workÂforce. Mental health Diversion Courts are just one example. The courts are designed to get mentally ill persons who comÂmit crimes into treatment rathÂer than incarceration, restoring their lives and helping reduce recidivism. But more needs to be done.
And monitoring the CaliforÂnia Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) program rollout, which seeks to seamÂlessly coordinate Medi-Cal with other social services for millions, is still a work in progÂress.
Serving this district has been the greatest privilege of my caÂreer, and I am deeply grateful for your trust and support. I will always cherish the conÂnections we’ve built and the progress we’ve made together. It has been an honor to serve you. God bless.
Assemblymember Marie Waldron, R- Valley Center, represented the 75th Assembly District in the CalÂifornia Legislature.
