Last month, we asked you to sign onto a letter (PDF) telling Governor Schwarzenegger he should sign SB 301, which would leave the door open for future cities, like East LA, who simply want a local government (Read more by EGP news).

Your letters and calls made a difference -- Governor Schwarzenegger signed SB 301!

See ELARA's press release below:

Governor Signs SB 301, Ensuring Funding for Future Cities
Community Leaders Favoring Cityhood for East Los Angeles Organize Support for Bill

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 28, 2008
CONTACT: Gustavo Camacho, 562-244-8973, Gustavo.Camacho@CityhoodForEastLA.org

(SACRAMENTO, CA) -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed Senate Bill 301, by Senate Majority Leader Romero (D - East Los Angeles), which will continue to provide increased state funding for newly incorporated cities. With this bill, a new city formed after July 2009 will continue to receive the same share of Vehicle License Fees in its early years that recently incorporated cities have received.

The measure had the backing of residents supporting Cityhood for East Los Angeles and dozens of other communities throughout California. "This bill goes a long way in ensuring the financial health of the future City of East L.A. Our community and political leaders provided admirable leadership in pushing for this bill, which will help soon-to-be cities across the state. Special thanks to Senate Majority Leader Gloria Romero for sponsoring this legislation." said Gustavo Camacho, Treasurer of the East Los Angeles Residents Association (ELARA). "This is a tremendous boost for our effort."

Diana Tarango, Vice-President of ELARA, and lifelong resident who organized for cityhood in 1974, adds: "East L.A. community leaders are behind our movement, and we're doing real grassroots organizing to achieve real self-governance."

Cityhood supporters in East Los Angeles are continuing to gather signatures to order a Comprehensive Fiscal Analysis for East L.A., the next step in the cityhood process. ELARA has outreached to other communities considering incorporation regarding SB 301 and other issues affecting future cities. East L.A. and these allied communities wrote letters to Sacramento, faxed petitions of support, and called the Governor's office to express their support for this legislation.

The East Los Angeles Residents Association (ELARA) is committed to improving the social, economic, educational, and structural resources of the East Los Angeles community. Through advocacy and civic engagement ELARA is working to incorporate their community and become the City of East Los Angeles.

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