The California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) Board of Directors welcomed California Assembly Speaker Toni G. Atkins to its 2015 first quarter board meeting on February 18, 2015.
"It was a pleasure and an honor to have Speaker Atkins address our board and share the items that she is focused on to improve things for the working class, our families and our future," said CSLEA President Alan Barcelona. "She knows that our members have suffered economically over the years and cannot take another financial hit. She values our members for having devoted their careers to public safety, consumer protection and the State of California."
Speaker Atkins thanked the CSLEA Board for its support and spoke about her hope for the future. "We feel good that we have finally turned the corner," Atkins said about the State budget. "We have a rainy day fund that deals with debt. It gives us an opportunity to reinvest in infrastructure and people."
CSLEA Board Members shared their concerns about income, pensions and health care costs. "Our membership is worried about health care and retirement," said Barcelona.
"We take this issue seriously," said Atkins. "We have work to do."
Speaker Atkins told the CSLEA Board she is also focused on
- higher education, expanding access to California students and decreasing tuition
- transportation funding
- affordable housing
The Speaker told CSLEA Board Members that State employees who have decent careers and jobs should not be losing their homes. "You shouldn't have to worry about having a roof over your head when you have a career," said Atkins.
"Speaker Toni G. Atkins is a doer," said Barcelona. "We are so fortunate that she has the respect and drive for our membership. We can't thank her enough for visiting with our board members and together, are goal is to make things happen."
