Tony Mendoza (politician)
Encyclopedia
Antonio "Tony" Mendoza (born April 22, 1971 in Los Angeles, CA) is a member of the California State Assembly
, representing the 56th District. Before serving in the Assembly, Mendoza was a fourth grade teacher in East Los Angeles and served as a mayor and city councilman in Artesia
.
During his teaching years with the Los Angeles Unified School District, Mendoza served as a member of the board of directors with United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) and as a representative with the California Teachers Association (CTA) and the National Education Association (NEA).
In 1997 Mendoza ran a grassroots campaign in his hometown of Artesia as a candidate for city council. His platform on securing Artesia neighborhoods from gangs resonated with the community and Mendoza became the youngest and first Latino member of the Artesia city council and the youngest to serve as mayor at the age of 26.
Mendoza served three successful terms on the Artesia city council before running for the State Assembly in 2006. Now in his second term, Mendoza represents the communities of Artesia, Norwalk, Santa Fe Springs, Hawaiian Gardens, Whittier, South Whittier, Los Nietos, Lakewood, Buena Park and Cerritos.
AB 97 made California the first in the nation to ban the use of Trans Fats in food preparation in all California restaurants, cafeterias and bakeries. AB 1291 helps parents take a lead role in the life of their child; the child who has been charged and convicted of a first-time gang related offense can jointly enroll with his or her parent or parents in anti-gang courses to prevent further involvement in gang activities. AB 1488 requires smog checks for lightweight diesel vehicles to ensure they are running clean.
AB 943 would end the practice of using a person's credit report as a part of the hiring process with the exception of positions that deal with large sums of cash or expensive property.
AB 857 places highly trained individuals from the Employment Development Department (EDD) in local EDD centers to work face-to-face with individuals on their unemployment benefits. This bill also will hire an additional 800 people to serve in call centers. The bill uses no state money to fund the program, but instead allocates federal dollars to maintain the level of service to help those transitioning.
Seniors who qualify take part in an eight week program that introduces them to local, regional and statewide office holders who share their perspective of various issues and explain their role in the political process. Young Legislators end their studies by participating in a mock legislative session in Sacramento where their deliver and deliberate on legislative bills they have designed and introduced.
, Cerritos
, Hawaiian Gardens
, Norwalk
, Buena Park
, Santa Fe Springs
, South Whittier
and parts of Lakewood
and Whittier
.
. He received his teaching credential from Cal State Los Angeles
Mendoza and his wife Leticia live in Artesia and have three daughters and one son.
California State Assembly
The California State Assembly is the lower house of the California State Legislature. There are 80 members in the Assembly, representing an approximately equal number of constituents, with each district having a population of at least 420,000...
, representing the 56th District. Before serving in the Assembly, Mendoza was a fourth grade teacher in East Los Angeles and served as a mayor and city councilman in Artesia
Artesia, California
Artesia is a city in southeast Los Angeles County, California. Artesia was incorporated on May 29, 1959 and is one of Los Angeles County's Gateway Cities. The city has a 2010 census population of 16,522...
.
Career
After receiving his Bachelor's Degree in Political Science: Public Administration from California State University at Long Beach and his Multiple Subject Bilingual Teaching Credential from California State University at Los Angeles, Mendoza taught elementary school for 10-years in East Los Angeles.During his teaching years with the Los Angeles Unified School District, Mendoza served as a member of the board of directors with United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) and as a representative with the California Teachers Association (CTA) and the National Education Association (NEA).
In 1997 Mendoza ran a grassroots campaign in his hometown of Artesia as a candidate for city council. His platform on securing Artesia neighborhoods from gangs resonated with the community and Mendoza became the youngest and first Latino member of the Artesia city council and the youngest to serve as mayor at the age of 26.
Mendoza served three successful terms on the Artesia city council before running for the State Assembly in 2006. Now in his second term, Mendoza represents the communities of Artesia, Norwalk, Santa Fe Springs, Hawaiian Gardens, Whittier, South Whittier, Los Nietos, Lakewood, Buena Park and Cerritos.
Legislative Accomplishments
Mendoza has authored several bills that have been signed and adopted into law since arriving in the Assembly. Most notably are his bills that deal with health, public safety and the environment.AB 97 made California the first in the nation to ban the use of Trans Fats in food preparation in all California restaurants, cafeterias and bakeries. AB 1291 helps parents take a lead role in the life of their child; the child who has been charged and convicted of a first-time gang related offense can jointly enroll with his or her parent or parents in anti-gang courses to prevent further involvement in gang activities. AB 1488 requires smog checks for lightweight diesel vehicles to ensure they are running clean.
Current Legislation
Mendoza's current legislation is a mix of education, consumer and employment bills. AB 63, just signed by the Governor, protects consumers by requiring retailers that issue a service contract or extended warranty to maintain a copy on file for the life of the contract and make it available to a consumer within 10 days of a request.AB 943 would end the practice of using a person's credit report as a part of the hiring process with the exception of positions that deal with large sums of cash or expensive property.
AB 857 places highly trained individuals from the Employment Development Department (EDD) in local EDD centers to work face-to-face with individuals on their unemployment benefits. This bill also will hire an additional 800 people to serve in call centers. The bill uses no state money to fund the program, but instead allocates federal dollars to maintain the level of service to help those transitioning.
Community work
Mendoza launched a highly successful student program in 2008 that puts high school seniors from throughout the 56th Assembly District in real-life political scenarios. The program is the Young Legislators and its goal is to teach high school seniors about the political world.Seniors who qualify take part in an eight week program that introduces them to local, regional and statewide office holders who share their perspective of various issues and explain their role in the political process. Young Legislators end their studies by participating in a mock legislative session in Sacramento where their deliver and deliberate on legislative bills they have designed and introduced.
56th Assembly District
The district includes the cities of ArtesiaArtesia, California
Artesia is a city in southeast Los Angeles County, California. Artesia was incorporated on May 29, 1959 and is one of Los Angeles County's Gateway Cities. The city has a 2010 census population of 16,522...
, Cerritos
Cerritos, California
Cerritos is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States, and is one of several cities that constitute the Gateway Cities of southeast Los Angeles County. It was incorporated on April 24, 1956...
, Hawaiian Gardens
Hawaiian Gardens, California
Hawaiian Gardens is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. It is the smallest city in the county and was incorporated on April 9, 1964. The population was 14,254 at the 2010 census, down from 14,779 at the 2000 census.The town's unusual name originated in a 1920s refreshment...
, Norwalk
Norwalk, California
Norwalk is a suburban city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. The population was 105,549 at the 2010 census, up from 103,298 at the 2000 census, making it the 58th most populous city in California and the 255th nationally....
, Buena Park
Buena Park, California
Buena Park is a city in northwestern Orange County, California. As of Census 2010 the population was 80,530. The city is adjacent to the city of Anaheim and is 12 miles northwest of downtown Santa Ana. The Current OMB metropolitan designation for Buena Park and the Orange County Area is "Santa...
, Santa Fe Springs
Santa Fe Springs, California
Santa Fe Springs is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. It is one of the Gateway Cities of southeast Los Angeles County. The population was 16,223 at the 2010 census, down from 17,438 at the 2000 census....
, South Whittier
South Whittier, California
-2010:The 2010 United States Census reported that South Whittier had a population of 57,156. The population density was 10,691.8 people per square mile...
and parts of Lakewood
Lakewood, California
Lakewood is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. The population was 80,048 at the 2010 census. It is bordered by Long Beach on the west and south, Bellflower on the north, Cerritos on the northeast, Cypress on the east, and Hawaiian Gardens on the southeast. Major thoroughfares...
and Whittier
Whittier, California
Whittier is a city in Los Angeles County, California about southeast of Los Angeles. The city had a population of 85,331 at the 2010 census, up from 83,680 as of the 2000 census, and encompasses 14.7 square miles . Like nearby Montebello, the city constitutes part of the Gateway Cities...
.
Personal life
Assemblyman Mendoza grew up in South Central Los Angeles. He is the first in his family of nine children to graduate from college. He received a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from California State University, Long BeachCalifornia State University, Long Beach
California State University, Long Beach is the second largest campus of the California State University system and the third largest university in the state of California by enrollment...
. He received his teaching credential from Cal State Los Angeles
Mendoza and his wife Leticia live in Artesia and have three daughters and one son.