Lobbyist Condemned for Offensive Remarks

Assemblymwmber Jeff Gonzalez Condemns Offensive Remarks About Veterans

SACRAMENTO — During a hearing of the Assembly Military and Veterans Affairs Committee last week, Assemblyman Jeff Gonzalez, R-Indio, Vice Chair of the Committee and the only military veteran currently serving in the California State Assembly, forcefully challenged testimony suggesting California already provides “generous” benefits to veterans.

The exchange occurred during consideration of SB 1407 by fellow veteran Senator Bob Archuleta, legislation that would exempt military retirement pay and survivor benefit annuities from California personal income taxes.

When a lobbyist opposing the bill argued that “California already provides generous benefits to veterans,” Gonzalez responded: “If scraps were benefits, then yes, I would agree.”

A 21-year Marine Corps combat veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, Gonzalez spoke about the sacrifices made by servicemembers and their families.

“There is a very small group of us that have put on the uniform. There is a small group of us that have either served a couple years or a lifetime, and there’s a small group of us that never came home. So, to say that California veterans already receive generous benefits is offensive to the men and women who serve this nation. It’s offensive to Gold Star families, and it’s offensive to the very freedoms that we enjoy here today.”

Gonzalez concluded his remarks by reminding the committee of the sacrifices made by those who served. “How quickly people forget the very lives that we put on the line.”

Since arriving in the Legislature, Gonzalez has been a champion for California’s veteran community, serving as Vice Chair of the Assembly Military and Veterans Affairs Committee and founding Co-Chair of the California Legislative Veterans Caucus.

“Veterans earned these benefits through service and sacrifice. As long as I have the privilege of serving in the State Assembly, I will never stop fighting for our veterans, active-duty servicemembers, military families, and survivors.”

To watch Assemblyman Gonzalez’s full remarks during the committee hearing, click HERE.

Gonzalez represents Imperial County and portions of Riverside and San Bernardino County in the California Legislature. District 36 includes Anza, Blythe, Brawley, Calexico, Coachella, El Centro, Hemet, Holtville, Imperial, Indio, Mecca, Salton City, Thermal, Westmorland, Winchester, and Winterhaven.