Assemblywoman Melendez updates voters on issues

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MENIFEE – Assemblywoman Melissa Melendez (R-Lake Elsinore) came to Menifee Friday morning to host another regularly scheduled town hall meeting, this one at Mt. San Jacinto College.

As has become the norm at these meetings, constituents filled nearly every seat to hear her legislative update and ask her to address specific concerns. Last year, Melendez hosted more than 20 Town Hall meetings in every city she represents, including Menifee.

“I’ve been elected to represent my constituents, and there is no better way to know what they are thinking than to ask them directly,” Melendez said. “Some of our best legislative ideas come from these meetings and I love meeting those I represent.”

Her open style seems to make it easy for voters to bring attention to issues and provide feedback. Melendez typically provides a two-page overview of significant legislation she has introduced, followed by a review of the legislation the super majority Democrat party introduces.

Discussion of legislation Melendez introduced to remove college “free speech zones” elicited confusion from attendees as to why free speech would be limited.

“Doesn’t the Constitution allow for free speech everywhere?” asked one voter.

Melendez responded that she believes the entire campus should be a free speech zone – not just certain areas.

Other topics of particular interest to the gathered crowd were newly introduced taxes and fees by the majority party on services such as haircuts, soda, tires, firearms, drinking water and gasoline. Melendez is clear that she doesn’t support any new taxes and wonders if “as the Democrats claim we have a budget surplus, why do we need to take more of your money?”

Menifee City Councilwoman Lesa Sobek also attended the event and said she “wanted to be here to support you and thank you for coming to the City of Menifee.”

Melendez hosts two Town Halls each month, one in the morning and one in the evening. The next meeting is scheduled for March 28 at the Marion Ashley Community Center at 6:30 p.m.