U.S. Rep. Steve Knight

[KHTS]- Congressman Steve Knight, CA-25, is looking back on some of his accomplishments from 2015.

“It’s been an interesting year as a freshman congressman, there’s a steep learning curve,” said Knight in an on air interview with KHTS AM-1220. “(I’ve) made some mistakes this year, no doubt about it, but I think I’ve learned from all of my mistakes.”

Knight noted one of his big accomplishments in 2015 was the Bureau of Land Management’s decision to terminate Cemex’s two 10-year contracts to mine in Soledad Canyon.

California Senator Barbara Boxer, former Congressman Buck McKeon and Knight had all been working for years to introduce bills that would resolve the dispute between the city and Cemex.

However, Cemex officials filed an appeal to the decision by the Bureau of Land Management, or BLM, in late September.

“We hope to find some real, solid resolve on that in the first three to six months in the next year,” said Knight. “From a local level, getting an 180-degree turn from the BLM and on the contracts of Cemex was just massive, I give a lot of credit to the city. That was a big deal and we’re continuing to push that.”

Knight’s small business legislation was also signed into law by the President in late November.

The Small Business Joint Venturing Act, or H.R. 1390, will give small businesses a better chance to compete for federal contracts by allowing them to form joint ventures and work together on contracts while maintaining their small business status.

“This is kind of a win-win,” said Knight, “large businesses liked it, small businesses loved it, Republicans and Democrats liked it.”

The congressman’s Santa Clarita district office, located at 26415 Carl Boyer Drive, Suite 220, also opened in July.

“We have our three offices, one (in Santa Clarita), one in Simi Valley and one in Palmdale,” said Knight. “I wanted to make sure every valley has a fully staffed, full time district office so that when you have any issues, you have an office where you can go and take care of those issues.”

Knight encourages the community to reach out to him with any concerns or questions they may have.

“I hope everyone has a happy and healthy new year,” said Knight. I’m looking forward to the next year.”

Steve Knight, R- Antelope Valley, represents California’s 25th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, which includes the communities throughout the Antelope, Santa Clarita and Simi Valleys.