The Senator Reports

August 28th, 2008

California National Guard Education Assistance Award Program
By Senator Mark Wyland (R-Carlsbad)

This year I worked with the Governor and Military Department to author the California National Guard (CNG) Education Assistance Award Program. This measure would've provided education assistance to CNG members by funding student fees and books at California Universities and Colleges.

This benefit is the least we could do for the 21,000 CNG members who give selflessly in times of major catastrophe. Because California is one of the only states that does not provide an education benefit to its National Guard members and CNG is suffering from a 20% CNG retention rate, it's extremely important that we act now to provide these much needed benefits.

Democrats cite fiscal crisis as the reason for rejecting the measure in the Senate Appropriations Committee, which I completely disagree with. Our Guard members shouldn't suffer because of the Legislature's poor spending choices. I will continue fighting to bring these education benefits to our CNG members.

Senator Mark Wyland represents the people of the 38th Senate District, which includes cities in north San Diego County and the south Orange County cities of San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano.

If you would like to get a message to Senator Mark Wyland, contact his San Diego County District office at:

Senator Mark Wyland
1910 Palomar Point Way, Suite 105
Carlsbad, California 92008
760.931.2455 Office
email: senator.wyland@sen.ca.gov