Fiona Ma is California’s 34th State Treasurer. She was elected on Nov. 6, 2018 with more votes than any other candidate for treasurer in the state’s history. She is the first woman of color and the first woman Certified Public Accountant (CPA) elected to the position, according to a press release issued by her campaign.
California is the world’s fifth-largest economy and Treasurer Ma is a proven leader as the state’s primary banker. Her office processed $3.2 trillion in payments in 2021, she invests the state’s idle funds and the funds for 2,300 local government entities and sells all the bonds for the state of California and the UC and CSU system. She also funds and finances affordable housing, schools, hospitals, public transportation, advanced manufacturing, green energy and more. She also oversees three savings programs for retirement, college savings and for people with disabilities.
Recently, 400 people attended her Southern California Re-Election event at 888 Seafood Restaurant, 8450 Valley Blvd, Rosemead, CA 91770. She is on the ballot this November 8, 2022 to serve for another 4-year term. All registered voters will receive ballots in the mail starting Oct 10th.
The event was co-hosted by Andrew Kwong, President of Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association, Los Angeles; Hon. Stephen Lam-Former Monterey Park Mayor; Hon. Cindy Wu, Board Member, Mountain View School District; and Daniel and Ling Sieu, Founders of the William & Stephanie Foundation.
Congresswoman Judy Chu sent a video greeting. The Co-MC’s were Former Assembly Mike Eng and Carlos Amezcua, 22 time Emmy Awardee. The Star Spangler Banner was performed by actress / singer Rebecca Holden.
Other elected officials and VIPs that attended included;
- Hon. State Senator Bob Archuleta
- Hon. Andrew Chou, Diamond Bar City Councilmember
- Hon. Cindy Wu, Mountain View Board of Education Member
4: Hon. Dr Angelo Farooq, Riverside County School Board Member
- Hon. Sean Dang, Mayor of Rosemead
- Hon. Tony Ding, Mayor of San Gabriel
- Hon. John Wu, San Gabriel City Councilmember
- Hon. Jennifer Santana, Upper San Gabriel Valley Water District Member
- Hon. Robert Gin, Alhambra Unified School Board Member
- Hon. Renita Armstrong, President, Bellflower Unified School District Member
- Hon. Stephen Lam, Former Mayor of Monterey Park
- Hon. Jorge Marquez, Former Mayor of Covina
The headline speaker was Dr Dolf de Roos, serial entrepreneur and well-known author of many books especially on real estate but also on taking your business global. He announced initiatives to help Californians export more.
Treasurer Ma talked about her family background, experience, and accomplishments including her strong support for small businesses during the Pandemic and standing up for our API community to Stop Asian Hate. She also announced some timely upcoming events:
- $100 bonus offer when a parent opens up a Scholarshare529 account with $1,000 or more before September 30, 2022. For more information: www.Scholarshare529
- Every baby born after July 1, 2022 will receive $25-$100 in a new Child Savings Account that can be accessed when the child goes to college or to a certified apprenticeship program.
- After July 1, 2022, every 1st-12th grader on free-and-reduced-lunch will receive $500-1,500 in a new Child Savings Account that can be accessed when the child goes to college or to a certified apprenticeship program.
- The Middle Class Tax Refund is a one-time payment to provide relief to Californians from $200-$1,050. If you are eligible, you will automatically receive a payment either electronically in your bank account or via a prepaid card sent to you in the mail (please be on the look out and do not through this card out). Payments are expected to be issued between Oct, 2022 and January 2023. To see if you qualify: https://www.ftb.ca.gov/about-ftb/newsroom/middle-class-tax-refund/middle-class-tax-refund-estimator.html
- Additional federal funding is coming soon to support more small business loans to business owners who are still struggling post Pandemic or looking to expand their business operations. Please contact your local Small Business Development Center for free consultation services to connect you to a participating lender(s).
- To find your small business Development center: https://americassbdc.org/find-your-sbdc/
Fiona Ma earned her B.S. in Accounting, M.S. in Taxation and an M.B.A in Finance. She has been a Certified Public Accountant in California since 1992. She is married to Jason Hodge, a full-time Ventura County Firefighter and an elected Oxnard Harbor Commissioner. They are parents to three rescue dogs: Nika, Henry and Pepper.
