The Valley Chronicle - Melendez responds to Governor Newsom’s first St

■ Jared Yoshiki / Contributed On Feb 12, Assemblywoman Melissa Melendez, R-Lake Elsinore, issued the following statement in response to Governor Newsom’s first State of the State address: “Today the Governor acknowledged the need for CEQA reform, a plea made by Republicans for years. We should once and for all halt the practice of giving billionaires financial breaks with CEQA exemptions so they can build sports arenas, and start giving those financial breaks to struggling Californians. No more giveaways to wealthy team owners. “Much talk was made of new commissions being formed, new boards being formed, new task forces being formed. Translation: more government being formed. “While I appreciate the Governor’s enthusiasm, we need to get back to basics. California is number one in poverty in the country. We don’t need a new committee or commission to show that California has become too expensive for too many. We need to undo the policies that are the cause of it.” Assemblywoman Melissa A. Melendez represents the 67th Assembly District, which includes the communities of Lake Elsinore, Canyon Lake, Murrieta, Menifee, Wildomar and a portion of Hemet. It also includes the Riverside County unincorporated areas of Lake Mathews, Good Hope, Nuevo, and Winchester. Follow her on Twitter: @asmMelendez