Nell Soto
Encyclopedia
Nell Soto was an American politician
. Soto represented the 61st Assembly district (including parts of Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties and the cities of Ontario
, Pomona
, Chino
and Montclair
) from 1998 to 2000 and again from 2006 to 2008. She served two terms as a state senator
for the 32nd district from 2000 to 2006.
Soto served on the Pomona city council from 1986 until 1998. Soto also served on the South Coast Air Quality Management District. She was the first Latina
from the San Gabriel Valley
to be elected to that position. In 2006, she authored legislation that included expansion of the Nell Soto Teacher Involvement program, improving foster care
licensing, and improving welfare to work programs.
Soto died February 26, 2009 after months of declining health.
. This money is a standard amount paid out to legislators not just for travel and living expenses, as she was criticized for, but also to pay for district office space, utilities, and staff resources etc. An assembly member maintains two offices, one in Sacramento and one in the district. Soto maintained these offices and staff during her recuperation period, and did not just use the money as accused by the reporter for personal apartment rent as alleged. "The rent for the apartment (and her offices) wasn't waived by the landlords" while she was at home recuperating, as explained by Greg Schmidt, the Secretary of the California State Senate.
Politics of the United States
The United States is a federal constitutional republic, in which the President of the United States , Congress, and judiciary share powers reserved to the national government, and the federal government shares sovereignty with the state governments.The executive branch is headed by the President...
. Soto represented the 61st Assembly district (including parts of Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties and the cities of Ontario
Ontario, California
Ontario is a city located in San Bernardino County, California, United States, 35 miles east of downtown Los Angeles. Located in the western part of the Inland Empire region, it lies just east of the Los Angeles county line and is part of the Greater Los Angeles Area...
, Pomona
Pomona, California
-2010:The 2010 United States Census reported that Pomona had a population of 149,058, a slight decline from the 2000 census population. The population density was 6,491.2 people per square mile...
, Chino
Chino, California
Chino is a city in San Bernardino County, California, United States. It is located in the western end of the Riverside-San Bernardino Area and it is easily accessible via the Chino Valley and Pomona freeways....
and Montclair
Montclair, California
Montclair is a city in San Bernardino County, California, United States. The population was 36,664 at the 2010 United States Census.The current mayor is Paul M. Eaton.-Description:...
) from 1998 to 2000 and again from 2006 to 2008. She served two terms as a state senator
California State Senate
The California State Senate is the upper house of the California State Legislature. There are 40 state senators. The state legislature meets in the California State Capitol in Sacramento. The Lieutenant Governor is the ex officio President of the Senate and may break a tied vote...
for the 32nd district from 2000 to 2006.
Soto served on the Pomona city council from 1986 until 1998. Soto also served on the South Coast Air Quality Management District. She was the first Latina
Latino
The demonyms Latino and Latina , are defined in English language dictionaries as:* "a person of Latin-American descent."* "A Latin American."* "A person of Hispanic, especially Latin-American, descent, often one living in the United States."...
from the San Gabriel Valley
San Gabriel Valley
The San Gabriel Valley is one of the principal valleys of Southern California, United States. It lies to the east of Los Angeles, to the north of the Puente Hills, to the south of the San Gabriel Mountains, and west of the Inland Empire. It derives its name from the San Gabriel River that flows...
to be elected to that position. In 2006, she authored legislation that included expansion of the Nell Soto Teacher Involvement program, improving foster care
Foster care
Foster care is the term used for a system in which a minor who has been made a ward is placed in the private home of a state certified caregiver referred to as a "foster parent"....
licensing, and improving welfare to work programs.
Soto died February 26, 2009 after months of declining health.
Media coverage
In 2007, Soto was criticized for not being in Sacramento for 25 days while she was out sick, and collecting a total of $22,032 as a per diemPer diem
Per diem refers to a specific amount of money that an organization allows an individual to spend per day, to cover living and traveling expenses in connection with work...
. This money is a standard amount paid out to legislators not just for travel and living expenses, as she was criticized for, but also to pay for district office space, utilities, and staff resources etc. An assembly member maintains two offices, one in Sacramento and one in the district. Soto maintained these offices and staff during her recuperation period, and did not just use the money as accused by the reporter for personal apartment rent as alleged. "The rent for the apartment (and her offices) wasn't waived by the landlords" while she was at home recuperating, as explained by Greg Schmidt, the Secretary of the California State Senate.