Education Town Hall on May 8 in Walnut Creek

On Thursday, May 8, from 6:30-8:30 p.m., I will be hosting an Education Town Hall meeting at Las Lomas High School, 1460 South Main Street in Walnut Creek.

At this town hall, I will discuss the state budget crisis and the proposed education budget cuts. I encourage you to attend to share your thoughts and perspectives about the proposed budget cuts and how they may be impacting your children, your school, and your community. For more information please click here.

Join Tom at a Walk and Talk Town Hall Meeting in Crockett on May 10

I will host a Walk and Talk Town Hall on Saturday, May 10, from 10 a.m.-12 noon at East Bay Regional Park District's Carquinez Strait Overlook Loop Trail at the Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline in Crockett. The walk will begin at the Eckley Pier inside the park (see driving directions below).

The Walk and Talk Town Hall combines a community hike with a traditional town hall meeting. You will have the opportunity to discuss important policy issues while walking with me in a beautiful regional park setting. For more information please click here.

Tom Joins Teachers, Students, Employees, and Senate Democrats for Education Funding Press Conference in Livermore

Tom went to Emma Smith Elementary School in Livermore to join students, teachers, school employees, and his Senate Democratic Caucus colleagues to highlight the devastating nature of the Governor's proposed education budget cuts.

As Tom explains, these proposed budget cuts will harm California students not just for this year. They will last a lifetime. We should be talking about increasing funding for our schools—not cutting!

You can watch a video of the press conference by clicking here.

It is Time to Return Democracy to California’s Budget Process

Tom wrote a commentary for the California Progress Report to explain why he has authored SCA 22, a proposed Constitutional Amendment to reform the state budget process to allow a majority vote to pass a budget.

As Tom writes, "SCA 22’s provisions calling for majority votes to pass a budget and increase revenues will make the legislature more accountable. It will help fix a broken budget process. Voters will have the information they need to decide whom they would like to send to Sacramento to represent them. Voters could then ensure their values and priorities were represented in our state budgets."

Click here to read the entire commentary.

Tom Hosts Senate Democrats in Concord For Press Conference To Highlight Impact of Governor's Proposed Education Budget Cuts

Tom hosted members of the Senate Democratic Caucus, including Senate President pro Tempore Don Perata, Senator Ellen Corbett, and Senator Joe Simitian, at Concord's Glenbrook Middle School on March 17 to highlight the impact of Governor Schwarzenegger's proposed education funding cuts.

Tom joins his fellow Senators in their commitment to fight these proposed education cuts. As Tom explains, "these proposed education cuts will last a lifetime. They will not heal."

You can watch this press conference by clicking here. To see an archive of videos with Tom, please click here.

Tom Files Papers To Run for the 11th Assembly District

Tom has filed his papers to run for a final term in the California State Assembly. As Tom wrote to his supporters:

As a teacher and public official, I have dedicated my professional life to ensuring our children have extensive opportunities to realize their full potential—through excellent teaching and by equipping students with the tools to compete in a fiercely competitive global economy. I will continue to fight to restore California education to the top ranks of our nation.

I also have a strong record of fighting for more affordable and accessible health care, and improving transportation systems—extending BART, widening highways, and installing safety improvements. I’ve had nine bills signed into law to crack down on drinking and driving.

I want to continue this work as your Assemblymember. I value your support. I hope to earn your vote!

You can sign up to endorse Tom's campaign for State Assembly by clicking here.

Watch Video of 2/21/08 Senate Select Committee Hearing on Career Technical Education

Tom chaired a hearing of the Senate Select Committee on Schools and Community at Concord's Mt. Diablo High School at 2 p.m. on February 21.

The hearing will focused on "Career Technical Education in California Schools: Preparing Our Kids for College and Career." This hearing examined the current state of Career Technical Education (CTE) in California’s schools, the successes and challenges of current CTE best practices, and the potential for these programs to be an integral piece of the comprehensive high school reform efforts in California. The hearing will also highlight our local efforts in CTE.

The hearing is now available for viewing via Google Video. Click here to see the video archive page.

E-Newsletter Reaction to the Legislature's Vote for Mid-Year Budget Cuts

On Friday, February 15, the Legislature voted on a bipartisan basis to make budget adjustments totaling $1 billion. In an e-newsletter sent out the next day, Senator Torlakson described the cuts, their impact, and urged Californians to engage in a conversation about the state's future.

""With today’s vote, we have safeguarded the state’s cash flow through the end of this budget year," Tom writes. "The state was on the verge of running out of cash if we had not taken these actions."

"Make no mistake, our work is far from over. We face a large deficit for the year beginning July 1, and we must confront more difficult choices—ones that could have devastating impacts." To read the rest of the e-newsletter, click here.