The One-Stop Center is a non-profit career center funded by the federal Workforce Investment Act that offers services aimed at bringing together the potential employer and potential employee to create a stronger, more developed workforce.

For those who have ever felt lost or overwhelmed when dealing with senior citizen health and financial issues, here in Orange County, we are fortunate to have the Council on Aging to help us navigate through the maze of county, state, and federal services.

Thanksgiving is a holiday that brings all Americans together to celebrate and give thanks.

Earlier this month the Senate passed much needed education reforms to improve the state’s schools and enable California to better compete for federal “Race to the Top” dollars. Some of those reforms are still pending in the Assembly and should be passed.

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Senator Harman comments on the Governor’s State of the State address. (155 KB)

Some Sacramento politicians want to slap a new tax on veterinarian services that will impact hard-working Californians and the pets they love as a way to bail out the state from its estimated $11.2 billion budget deficit. The new “pet tax” would slap the current state sales tax of 5 percent on veterinarian services that care for and treat animals. This would cost Californians millions of dollars a year extra to care for their beloved family pets. (131 KB)

Some Sacramento politicians want to slap a new tax on veterinarian services that will impact hard-working Californians and the pets they love as a way to bail out the state from its estimated $11.2 billion budget deficit. The new “pet tax” would slap the current state sales tax of 5 percent on veterinarian services that care for and treat animals. This would cost Californians millions of dollars a year extra to care for their beloved family pets. (139 KB)

I was pleased to be able to swear-in the new Board at the Chamber Installation and Spirit of Laguna Awards Dinner.

At the city’s Centennial Ball celebration, Assemblyman Jim Silva and I presented a California Resolution to Huntington Beach Mayor Keith Bohr on the occasion of the city’s 100th Anniversary of Incorporation.

My wife Dianne and I welcomed in the Year of the Ox by participating in the city of Westminster’s Tet Parade.

Congressman Ed Royce and I at the West Orange County Legislative Mixer at the Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base.

Theresa Murphy, Executive Director of Precious Life Shelter located in Los Alamitos and I at a recent legislative mixer.

Irvine Chamber of Commerce awards me its “Business Leadership Award"

My wife Dianne and I rode in the Huntington Beach 4th of July Parade.

Wonderland Bakery is owned and operated by mother and daughter team, Sondra & Allyson, in Newport Beach and were my 2008 Small Business of the Year for their hard work, commitment and dedication to helping the community.

Located in Irvine, Baxter Health Care Corporation operates a commercial, physical research laboratory and provides numerous jobs here in Orange County.

2008 Woman of the Year for the 35th Evelyn Hart. Evelyn is the President of the Newport Beach based Friends of OASIS, which provides older adult social and informational services.

The University's Department of Ophthalmology is a leader in providing excellent eye care, conducting innovative and sight-saving research, and training future ophthalmologists and researchers.

Congratulations to UCI's illustrious men’s volleyball team, the winner of the NCAA Division I Men’s Volleyball National Championship.

I recently toured the Mariners Church Resource Center in Santa Ana, with Pastor Jim Gaffney.

As the Vice Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I was pleased to have the opportunity to participate in a roundtable discussion with the Orange County Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse (CALA). CALA is a grassroots organization that champions the need for civil justice reform in California. I couldn’t agree more with their objective.

I was honored to participate in the re-dedication of Huntington Beach’s Veteran’s Memorial Monument. At this solemn event, the community vowed that fallen servicemen with ties to Huntington Beach will be remembered in perpetuity.

The Legislative Affairs Committee of the Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce recently invited me to their meeting. I delivered an update on the state of affairs in Sacramento. Two out of every three new jobs is created by a small business and the Garden Grove Chamber of Commerce is doing a great job advocating for small businesses’ interests in Sacramento.

I was pleased to meet with Dr. Glenn Roquemore, President of Irvine Valley College, and Al Tello, Executive Director of the college’s Foundation. Irvine Valley College has nearly 13,000 students and one of the highest transfer rates to the UC system among Orange County’s four community college districts.

Senator Harman receives "Legislator of the Year" award from Concerned Women For America of California.

Senator Harman receives "2007 Legislator of the Year" award from State Coalition of Probation Organizations/Photo courtesy of Ana Maria Photography.

Senator Tom Harman and constituent Jason Weintraub, from DRI Companies, in Irvine, testify in committee.

Harman Awarded by California Outdoor Heritage Alliance.