HESPERIA – Assemblyman Jay Obernolte (R-Hesperia) honored Make Your Business Grow as the Outstanding Small Business of the Month.

Angela Sorrel started Make Your Business Grow, an online company that serves businesses throughout the High Desert, in March of 2016. It specializes in social media marketing that includes logo and website design to ensure that a business’s brand is consistent throughout its online presence. Angela also provides graphic design and printing for small businesses.

Angela has been highly involved in chambers of commerce throughout the High Desert. Aside from her business, she participates in numerous community service groups. She is a member of the Hesperia Centennial Lions Club and was instrumental in ensuring that the Hesperia Days Parade could continue to operate. Angela also raised money for a local non-profit by running for High Desert Diva. Angela and her business, Make Your Business Grow, are a vital part of our community.

“Angela’s passion for helping businesses thrive throughout the High Desert is admirable, and her community service work really sets her apart,” Assemblyman Obernolte said. “Angela’s involvement in our local organizations clearly demonstrates her level of commitment to making our community a better place to live. I’m proud to recognize Make Your Business Grow as my Small Business of the Month.”

SACRAMENTO – Assemblyman Obernolte (R-Hesperia) announced today that he has received the Rural Leadership Award from the Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC) at their annual reception held in Sacramento.

“It’s a tremendous honor to be recognized by RCRC for my work on behalf of rural communities,” said Assemblyman Obernolte.  “Far too often, big cities are the sole focus of what we do here in Sacramento.  As a Member who represents a rural district, I know that we have our own set of unique challenges that are just as important as those in urban regions. That is why I’ve fought hard against injustices such as the Fire Prevention Fee, and why last year I authored legislation to streamline urgent safety projects in high-risk fire areas with insufficient egress routes. I will continue to fight on behalf of my rural constituents and those across our state.”

RCRC is an association of 36 rural California counties, and the RCRC Board of Directors is comprised of elected supervisors from each of those member counties. The Rural Leadership Award is given annually to individuals who have demonstrated an understanding and leadership in rural issues and the distinctive needs that rural communities face. Recipients of this award also display courage, commitment, and the ability to promote constructive solutions to rural issues.

“Assembly Member Obernolte’s efforts reflect a desire to ensure that California’s rural counties have a voice in Sacramento,” said RCRC President and Inyo County Supervisor Matt Kingsley. “Moreover, Assembly Member Obernolte’s recent legislative measures have shown a true commitment to improving the quality of life in California’s rural communities.”

SACRAMENTO – Today, Assembly Budget Committee Vice Chair Jay Obernolte (R-Hesperia) issued the following statement in response to Governor Gavin Newsom’s budget proposal for the 2020-21 fiscal year:

“I am pleased with the Governor’s decision to continue building our budget reserves, but we must be wary of committing to more ongoing spending and do more to prepare for an economic slowdown. The more we increase state spending today, the more tough decisions and program cuts for critical services we will have to make in the future -- ultimately hurting the very Californians we are trying to protect.

“I applaud the Governor for taking urgent action to address California’s out-of-control homelessness problem, which has been increasing at an alarming rate in recent years. It is disgraceful that almost half of the nation’s unsheltered homeless population can be found here. This is certainly a statewide problem, so we must ensure that this new funding is fairly distributed to all areas of the state that are experiencing homelessness, not just the major urban regions. We must also get serious about addressing the housing affordability crisis and the skyrocketing cost of living that is hurting much of our working class. Both of these problems have their roots in oppressive state government policies, and neither will be solved until we realize that addressing the issue of homelessness requires ensuring that everyone can afford a home rather than simply moving people into shelters.

“With our outrageous cost of living, crumbling infrastructure and declining quality of life, California is experiencing the slowest population growth in recorded history.  Middle-class and low-income Californians are fleeing to other states in record numbers. Unless we take rapid budgetary action to address these issues, I fear that this outmigration trend will have disastrous long-term consequences for our state.”