Assemblyman Scott Wilk

Newly elected Assemblyman Scott Wilk, R-Santa Clarita, hit the ground running with several pieces of legislation.

Wilk’s first proposed bill of the 2013-2014 legislative session pays tribute to former California governor and president Ronald Reagan by commemorating Feb. 6, 2013, as “Ronald Reagan Day.”

“President Reagan took office at a time when our nation was facing a crisis of confidence. He governed on the principles of individual liberty, limited government, and peace through strength,” wrote Wilk in a newsletter to his constituents. Wilk’s district is home to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.

Wilk is also the co-sponsor of two bills that will help ensure that money raised through Proposition 30 will go to higher education. The bills, Assembly Bill 67 and Senate Bill 58, would freeze tuition and fees for UC, CSU and California’s community colleges at the 2011-2012 levels for the seven years that Proposition 30 is in effect.

“The sad truth is that there is no specific language in Proposition 30 that actually guarantees revenue raised from the tax increases will actually go to California’s public colleges and universities,” said Wilk in the newsletter. “Despite what Proposition 30’s supporters said to college students and their families, the Legislature can use a significant part of these new taxes in areas other than our schools. The measure also states the intent of the Legislature is to protect higher education funding and make any potential fee increase unnecessary.”

Separately, Wilk announced that applications for the 2013-14 Jesse M. Unruh Assembly Fellowship Program are now being accepted. The program is nationally recognized and some of its graduates have gone on to serve as members of the legislature and even the United States Congress.

“The Assembly Fellowship program is a remarkable opportunity to engage in public service, while playing a role in shaping public policy in California,” said Wilk. All interested constituents are invited to apply for the program.