California Political Desk
The California Political Desk provides information, news, and announcements obtained from governmental and communications offices throughout the Golden State.
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Articles by California Political Desk
November 07, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Assemblywoman Fiona Ma (D-San Francisco) recently was recognized as a California Regional Technology Leader for 2009 by TechAmerica. The award is given to legislators who strongly support high-tech in California. Assemblywoman Fiona Ma made the following statement of the award.
...
November 07, 2009
Schwarzenegger Administration May Not Be Convinced.
Sacramento, CA — US Rep. Michael Honda (D-Calif.) is asking that the state´s government fully restore its funding program for California´s domestic violence shelters. In a July line-item veto, Governor Schwarzenegger eliminat...
November 07, 2009
LOS ANGELES – Assemblymember Ted Lieu (D-Torrance) joined Los Angeles County Assessor Rick Auerbach and other local officials to warn homeowners about misleading and official-looking letters asking for fees to file their property tax reduction requests and to highlight a new law, Assembly Bill 992 ...
November 06, 2009
Washington, DC – John Garamendi, a former California Lieutenant Governor, State Insurance Commissioner, state legislator, and Deputy Interior Secretary, was sworn into Congress by Speaker Nancy Pelosi today.
A link to Garamendi´s swearing in ceremony and speech is available here.
"Mada...
November 05, 2009
WALNUT CREEK – Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi has comfortably won Northern California´s 10th Congressional District special election.
"Today, the voters have spoken; they still have hope and still want change," Garamendi told a crowd of hundreds of enthusiastic supporters. "I will hit the g...
November 05, 2009
Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) lauded bipartisan legislation passed by the California State Legislature to address the state´s water crisis.
Senator Boxer said, "I commend the legislature and the governor for their successful efforts to approve a comprehensive wat...
November 05, 2009
Bill extends commitment to Lake Tahoe and the Tahoe Basin.
Washington, DC – Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), has joined Senators Harry Reid (D-NV), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), and John Ensign (R-NV) in introducing sweeping legislation to protect Lake Tahoe and the Tahoe Basin from a variety of serio...
November 05, 2009
Sacramento – On a bipartisan basis the California State Assembly today passed a historic plan to increase water supply reliability while improving the fragile Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, the source of drinking water for two-thirds of the state. The plan includes both a comprehensive policy package...
November 05, 2009
LOS ANGELES – State Senator Gilbert Cedillo (D-Los Angeles) and the California Latino Legislative Caucus convened "El Poder Verde" Green Jobs Summit last week in downtown Los Angeles. The summit was organized to bring together public and private sector stakeholders mobilizing the "green movement" th...
November 05, 2009
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) praised the Senate´s passage of legislation to extend unemployment insurance for nearly 2 million Americans who would have otherwise lost their benefits by the end of the year. The bill will extend benefits by 14 weeks for jobless workers ac...
November 05, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Brad Sherman (Sherman Oaks) announced that California State University, Northridge (CSUN) received $165,000 in federal funding for construction of the Valley Performing Arts Center. Once completed, the Valley Performing Arts Center at CSUN will serve as the premi...
November 05, 2009
SACRAMENTO, CA – Just after midnight, the California state Senate passed SB X5 1 with a 21-12 bipartisan vote. The comprehensive bill containing reforms necessary for California to be eligible and competitive for the federal Race to the Top grants is authored by Senator Gloria Romero (D- East Los A...
November 05, 2009
WALNUT CREEK – Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi comfortably won Northern California´s 10th Congressional District special election. With 29 percent reporting, Garamendi currently holds an 18-point lead.
"Today, the voters have spoken; they still have hope and still want change," Garamendi...
November 03, 2009
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Adam Schiff announced last week that the cities of Burbank and Glendale will each receive $20 million to help build energy-efficient smart grids. Burbank and Glendale received two of only 100 such grants in the country, provided by the American Reinvestment and Recove...
November 03, 2009
San Francisco, CA – Mayor Gavin Newsom announced last week the completion of a free Wi-Fi network for Treasure Island and its residents. The Treasure Island network connects over 400 units of low income and subsidized housing to free Wi-Fi; in addition it provides coverage for other residents on the...
November 03, 2009
WASHINGTON – Congressman Brad Sherman is proposing legislation to allow Bob Hope and Van Nuys Airports to implement mandatory nighttime curfews from 10 PM to 7 AM.
Sherman´s legislation comes in the wake of the Federal Aviation Administration´s decision to reject the "Part 161" applic...
November 02, 2009
Yee and Papan: Mandatory delivery of white pages wastes paper, energy, and scarce local government resources.
SACRAMENTO – Following the successful efforts of Cleveland, Ohio and Miami, Florida, California could become the largest jurisdiction to give telephone customers a choice in receiving t...
November 02, 2009
Legislation Covers 96 percent of Americans, Reduces the Deficit.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – For the first time in U.S. history, all Americans would have access to quality, affordable health care under updated health insurance reform legislation unveiled by House Democrats on Thursday. The House is expe...
November 03, 2009
Lawmaker calls the bill "a building block toward real nationwide interoperability."
Washington, DC – The House last week passed legislation introduced by Congresswoman Jane Harman (D-Venice) to improve emergency communications capacity at the state and local levels. The bill, S.1694, exten...
November 02, 2009
Wolk selected for work to empower counties in the Delta and throughout the state.
SACRAMENTO — One of the state´s lead advocacy groups for local government announced today that it will award State Senator Lois Wolk (D-Davis) its highest honor.
The California State Association of ...
November 02, 2009
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Adam Schiff introduced a Resolution last week in the House of Representatives honoring William Bratton for his career in public service as Chief of Police of the cities of Boston, New York, and Los Angeles. On August 5th, Chief Bratton announced he would step down as L...
November 02, 2009
Senate Office of Oversight and Outcomes Report Shows Longer Wait Times at DMV Due to Furloughs.
SACRAMENTO - The Senate Office of Oversight and Outcomes released a report today that shows the Governor´s furlough program has caused longer wait times and an overall deterioration of services at ...
November 02, 2009
You would think that an idea that would not only help a government agency run better but save the taxpayers significant money in the bargain would be, well, a bargain. And you would also think that those who brand themselves fiscal conservatives would be leading the charge on getting these ideas put...
November 02, 2009
NORTH HOLLWOOD – Mary Benson, one of the most respected neighborhood advocates in the region and a former candidate in the race for City Council candidate, announced her full endorsement of Paul Krekorian on Friday. The announcement of Benson´s support is a very significant development in the...
October 31, 2009
The following statement was issued Oct. 30, 2009 by San Francisco Mayor, Gavin Newsome:
"It is with great regret I announce today that I am withdrawing from the race for governor of California. With a young family and responsibilities at city hall, I have found it impossible to commit the time re...
October 30, 2009
Interior Appropriations Bill Includes More Than $18 Million for California Sought By Boxer.
Washington, DC – The U.S. Senate passed the Interior Appropriations bill on Thursday, which included more than $18 million in funding for key projects throughout California secured by Senator Barbara Box...
October 30, 2009
WASHINGTON – Congressman Brad Sherman announced Thursday that $1,000,000 in federal appropriations funding to acquire land for the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area was approved by the House.
The funds were secured in the Fiscal Year 2010 Interior and Environment appropriations bill...
October 29, 2009
New members of Technology Leaders for Boxer include CEOs of Google, Symantec, Adobe, Netflix and Applied Materials.
Los Angeles – Twenty-six additional technology leaders, including Brook Byers, Charles M. Geschke, Reed Hastings, Vinod Khosla, Eric Schmidt, Mike Splinter and John W. Thompson, h...
October 28, 2009
Diesel´s Consumption Declines 11.2%.
Jerome E. Horton, Vice Chairman of the California State Board of Equalization (BOE), today released gasoline and diesel consumption figures for July 2009. California gasoline demand rose by 2.2 percent in July compared to the same month of the previ...
October 28, 2009
SACRAMENTO – The California Young Democrats (CYD) enjoyed overwhelming success with its biennial Tahoe retreat held October 23-25. More than 400 enthusiastic young Democrats from across the state answered the call for change and gathered to plan strategy for a strong "Young Voter Revolution Campaign...
October 27, 2009
CDP "Mop Squad" Goes to Republican Party's Headquarters.
John Burton, Chair of the California Democratic Party, released a video today showing Democrats delivering mops and petitions to the California Republican Party´s Headquarters with a request to work with them in a "bipartisan way." The vi...
October 24, 2009
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - San Francisco will receive $1 million for the city´s electric vehicle program as part of the energy funding bill passed by Congress this week.
"We are committed to making San Francisco and the Bay Area the most successful electric vehicle market in the country," said May...
October 23, 2009
Los Angeles - Assemblyman Paul Krekorian (D-Burbank), flanked by children, their families, Screen Actors Guild executives, law enforcement and others, announced the passage of legislation to protect young actors from scams that could save families millions of dollars.
"Complaints from consumers a...
October 23, 2009
Sacramento – Thursday the Senate and Assembly select committees on Improving State Government held the first in a series of joint hearings. Senate Chair Mark DeSaulnier (D-Concord) and Assembly Chair Mike Feuer (D-Los Angeles) led the discussion on legislative branch and budget process reforms.
...
October 23, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi, the chair of the California State Lands Commission (SLC), yesterday requested the addition of three temporary SLC auditors and a staff assistant to monitor California´s significant revenue producing oil and gas leases.
"It is penny-wise and...
SAG, Majority Leader Krekorian, and Mark Lambert Announce Passage of Consumer Protection Legislation
October 22, 2009
Los Angeles - Assemblyman Paul Krekorian (D-Burbank), flanked by children, their families, Screen Actors Guild executives, law enforcement and others, announced the passage of legislation to protect young actors from scams that could save families millions of dollars.
"Complaints from consumers a...
October 20, 2009
(SACRAMENTO) – Assemblymember Ted W. Lieu (D-Torrance) announced that Governor Schwarzenegger signed his legislation to create a cost-effective solution to deal with the growing number of abandoned boats in California´s waterways. Assembly Bill 166 will establish a vessel turn-in program that...
October 20, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Nearly three months after Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-Los Angeles) eliminated all state funding for domestic violence shelters, tomorrow he will sign emergency legislation introduced by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco) to restore $16.3 million for 94 shelters and centers throu...
October 19, 2009
Los Angeles - The Los Angeles League of Conservation Voters (LALCV) has endorsed Andre Quintero as the next Mayor of El Monte. Quintero is running for Mayor in the upcoming November 3, 2009 election.
"Andre impressed the LALCV board with his knowledge of environmental issues and his commitme...
October 19, 2009
Los Angeles - The Los Angeles League of Conservation Voters (LALCV) has endorsed Norma Macias for El Monte City Council. Macias is running for one of two council seats in the upcoming November 3, 2009 election in El Monte. LALCV has also endorsed Andre Quintero, who is running for Mayor of El Monte....
October 19, 2009
Los Angeles - The Los Angeles League of Conservation Voters (LALCV) has endorsed Oscar Magaña and Ed Varela for the Maywood City Council. The League also recently endorsed candidate Felipe Aguirre, an incumbent.
Magaña, Varela and Aquirre are running in the upcoming November 3, 2009 election...
October 17, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) has successfully passed a second law in response to the 2007 Cosco Busan container ship that hit the Bay Bridge and spilled 53,000 gallons of oil into the San Francisco Bay. Earlier this week, the Governor signed Yee´s Senate Bill 30...
October 16, 2009
SACRAMENTO— This weekend Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed into law legislation by Senator Lois Wolk (D-Davis) that works to ensure that the transit needs of all rural Californians are met by updating the Transportation Development Act of 1971, which provides funding for public transportat...
October 16, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Award-winning recording artist Moby joined Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco) today to urge Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-Los Angeles) to immediately sign legislation to save California´s domestic violence shelters.
Yesterday, the California State Senate unanimously appr...
October 15, 2009
(LOS ANGELES) – On the heels of the Governor signing AB 260 (Lieu), landmark mortgage reform legislation, Assemblymember Ted Lieu (D-Torrrance) joined with Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Speaker Karen Bass and other members of the Legislature to announce the first field hearing on AB 1588, ...
October 15, 2009
San Francisco, California – Mayor Gavin Newsom commended Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger for signing into law a bill that will fund and improve the Candlestick Point State Recreation Area.
"Thanks to the Governor and the important leadership of Senator Mark Leno who sponsored this legislation, we ...
October 15, 2009
SACRAMENTO – The California State Senate today unanimously approved legislation to restore $16.3 million in funding to save the state´s domestic violence shelters. The bill, which was defeated in September as a result of petty politics, was approved under reconsideration and now heads to the ...
October 13, 2009
Needed Government Accountability Bills Are Vetoed.
Sacramento – Bill A. Lloyd, President of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) California issued the following statement today.
"In a year of devastating cuts to healthcare and other vital services, we are pleased that the ...
October 13, 2009
State Senator Leland Yee has announced that he is supporting Nadia Holober for Millbrae City Council. In his announcement endorsing Holober, Senator Yee highlighted Nadia Holober´s experience and commitment to improving Millbrae´s local economy:
"I am endorsing Nadia Holober´s ca...
October 13, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Sunday Governor Schwarzenegger signed into law Senate Bill 19, by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), which ensures California´s eligibility to compete for $4.5 billion in federal school funding. The bill puts to rest a controversy Simitian describes as "a tempest in a teap...
October 13, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Governor Schwarzenegger vetoed State Senator Joe Simitian´s (D-Palo Alto) Senate Bill 20. The bill would have strengthened and updated California´s landmark privacy protection law that requires businesses and state agencies to notify residents when sensitive personal informa...
October 13, 2009
(Sacramento) - Yesterday Governor Schwarzenegger signed Assembly Bill 91 (Feuer), a bipartisan public safety measure that will help decrease drunk driving by requiring DUI offenders to install ignition interlock devices (IIDs) on their cars. It creates a pilot project in the counties of Alameda, Lo...
October 13, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Despite overwhelming bipartisan support in the Legislature, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-Los Angeles) vetoed legislation that would have prohibited executive pay raises during bad budget years at the University of California and the California State University.
"It is deeply ...
October 13, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-Los Angeles) vetoed two bills authored by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco) which would have brought greater transparency and accountability to the State´s public higher education institutions.
SB 218, which overwhelmingly passed the Legi...
October 13, 2009
(SACRAMENTO) – Assemblymember Ted Lieu (D-Torrance) today announced the Governor signed into law his landmark mortgage reform legislation to address the systematic failures in California´s mortgage industry. AB 260 is one of the most comprehensive new mortgage reform laws in the nation.
"...
October 13, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Senator Ellen M. Corbett (D-San Leandro) announced the Governor has signed the Car Buyer´s Protection Act into law. The bill requires car dealers to pay off a lien on a car before it is sold or traded. Dealers will have 21 days to make that payment.
"Many consumers across the ...
October 13, 2009
(Sacramento) – Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed AB 590, Assembly member Mike Feuer´s landmark measure that will make California the first state in the nation to establish a model program providing a right to counsel for low-income people in critical civil cases.
"This law helps...
October 13, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Two bills by Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) to bring recognition to Harvey Milk and out-of-state same sex marriages were signed into law late yesterday. Governor Schwarzenegger approved SB 572 (Chapter 626) to create Harvey Milk Day, a day of special of special significance in Cal...
October 13, 2009
SACRAMENTO, CA — Governor Schwarzenegger has signed AB 1457 into law, which is a measure to confront the failing quality of care in nursing homes created by the lack of transparency in the ownership and management structure of these facilities.
AB 1457 will require each licensee of a skill...
October 12, 2009
Sacramento, CA – Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed into law legislation that will help law enforcement officials track down and apprehend armed criminals and other prohibited persons. AB 962 by Assembly Member Kevin DeLeon (D-Los Angeles) had the support of law enforcement officials from across...
October 12, 2009
Sacramento – Governor Schwarzenegger has signed Assembly Bill 91 (Feuer), a bipartisan public safety measure that will help decrease drunk driving by requiring DUI offenders to install ignition interlock devices (IIDs) on their cars. It creates a pilot project in the counties of Alameda, Los Angele...
October 07, 2009
San Francisco, CA — The Newsom for California campaign announced today that Congressman Bob Filner (San Diego), Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Veterans´ Affairs, has endorsed Mayor Gavin Newsom for governor.
Rep. Filner was first elected to Congress in 1992 a...
October 07, 2009
(SACRAMENTO, CA) Assemblymember Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa) calls on the governor to sign legislation now pending at his desk that will save money and bring California more federal dollars.
"We must seize every opportunity to save money and bring in more federal dollars," said Evans. "After wi...
October 07, 2009
BILLS WITH SIGNIFICANT FISCAL IMPACT
SB 84 (Steinberg) – Ensures that 500 low-performing schools statewide will get $400 million they are owed in fiscal year 2009-10.
AB 1175 (Torlakson) – Increases the safety of the Antioch and Dumbarton bridges in the San Francisco Bay Area by adding them...
October 07, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Assemblywoman Fiona Ma (D-San Francisco), Chair of the Assembly Select Committee on Domestic Violence, convened a hearing to investigate the devastating impacts of Governor Schwarzenegger´s $16 million cut to domestic violence shelters. Since the budget cuts, six domestic violence...
October 06, 2009
The California State Board of Equalization (BOE) today voted unanimously to name Jerome E. Horton as Vice Chair of the publicly elected tax board. He will also serve as the Board´s Legislative Committee Chair.
Horton was sworn in October 5 by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger as 4th District Member ...
October 03, 2009
Chairman Charles B. Rangel (D-NY), Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D – CA), and Congressman Jeff Flake (R-AZ) released a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report (GAO-09-951R), which they requested from the GAO, which outlines the steps President Obama and Congress can take to bring an end to the fa...
October 03, 2009
SAN FRANCISCO – Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi, a longtime advocate of health care for all and author of the groundbreaking report "Priced Out: Health Care in California," joined members of California´s largest physicians´ union to support a public option as part of national health c...
October 03, 2009
Washington D.C. – Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) hailed an announcement by the Obama Administration that the National Institute of Health (NIH) will direct $61.5 million in grants to fund 107 medical research-related projects in the Ninth Congressional District.
The NIH funds biomedical r...
October 03, 2009
ANAHEIM, Calif. (Oct. 2, 2009) Anaheim Mayor and High-Speed Rail Authority Board Chairman Curt Pringle today joined Governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger at a press conference in Los Angeles as the Governor submitted the state´s application for a share of $8 billion set aside for high-...
October 03, 2009
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - Today, Mayor Gavin Newsom announced that Nektar Therapeutics has selected Mission Bay to establish a state-of-the-art R&D center and corporate headquarters.
"This is an extraordinary milestone for Mission Bay. With this move, Nektar will bring 150 biotech jobs to San Francisc...
October 01, 2009
Washington, D.C. — Rep. Anna G. Eshoo (D-Palo Alto) voted today to invest in critical science, research, and renewable energy programs. The FY2010 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act funds projects which speed the development of cleaner, more efficient energy and vehicle technolog...
October 01, 2009
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-45) and Congressman Adam Schiff (CA-29) praised House passage of their legislation to help law enforcement and fire officials track convicted arsonists and prevent unnecessary disasters caused by arson. The Managing Arson Through Criminal History ...
October 01, 2009
Washington, D.C. – Calling attention to significant privacy and security risks associated with popular peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing programs, Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-45) today commended the House Energy and Commerce Committee for passing legislation she authored that will help keep users...
September 30, 2009
SACRAMENTO – With legislation (Senate Bill 86) pending before the Governor to limit executive pay hikes at the University of California (UC) and the California State University, UC President Mark Yudof is adding fuel to the public ire regarding his leadership.
In a recent interview with the New ...
September 30, 2009
SACRAMENTO, CA----The California Tax Reform Association (CTRA), which participated in many discussions of the Commission on the Twenty-First Century Economy, criticized the report as "a failure to provide a fair, long-term solution to California´s revenue and tax problems."
Executive Direct...
September 30, 2009
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Mayor Newsom today announced recommendations from San Francisco´s Urban Wind Power Task Force, charged with finding ways to encourage the expansion of local wind power generation in San Francisco. The Task Force´s 29 recommendations include working at the state-level ...
September 29, 2009
SACRAMENTO--Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has until October 11 to sign into law a measure to increase recycling incentives to maintain funding for curbside and other recycling services throughout the state.
Senate Bill 402 by Senator Lois Wolk (D-Davis) would add roughly 1.5 billion additional...
September 29, 2009
SACRAMENTO – The University of California has egregiously violated the California Public Records Act by refusing to respond to several public records requests made by the California Nurses Association (CNA).
State law requires public entities to promptly respond to all public records requests an...
September 28, 2009
Santa Maria, CA – Atascadero´s former Mayor Pro Tem Roberta Fonzi announced her support of Republican front-runner Etta Waterfield for the open 33rd district assembly seat.
"Etta Waterfield is exactly the type of legislator we need in Sacramento," said Roberta Fonzi. "Taxpayers can trus...
September 28, 2009
Los Angeles - A network of election reform non-profits has launched a campaign called "Diebold: Return Our Money," www.DieboldReturnOurMoney.com demanding that the Diebold/Premier Corporation return more than $100 million to the State of California. The coalition cites a study by the Secretary of St...
September 26, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Students attending University of California campuses around the state, many for the first day of class, are experiencing walkouts, rallies, teach-ins and labor strikes caused by rising student fees, unpaid employee furloughs, layoffs, course cutbacks and collective bargaining disputes. ...
September 24, 2009
SACRAMENTO—Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has until October 11 to sign a measure by Senator Lois Wolk (D-Davis) to help prevent the loss of state parklands to private and corporate development.
Senate Bill 679 prohibits the use of state parklands for non-park uses such as infrastructure ...
September 23, 2009
On Monday, September 21, 2009, the Los Angeles County Democratic Party (LACDP) and the Riverside County Democratic Central Committee (RCDCC) joined forces to support Intervenors Senate President pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg and Assembly Speaker Karen Bass and the Petitioners in the St. John's v. Sc...
September 23, 2009
PALO ALTO – State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) kicked off his ninth annual "There Oughta Be A Law" contest today. The contest invites Californians to submit ideas for state legislation.
"This has been a challenging year for California," said Simitian. "But experience tells me that especia...
September 23, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-45) today announced $765,828 in federal funding for the Desert Alliance for Community Empowerment (DACE). This grant money will help DACE continue to promote development and business enterprises in the Coachella Valley.
"These funds will h...
September 22, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-45) yesterday announced that the City of Moreno Valley and the City of Murrieta will receive federal dollars to support local law enforcement efforts. Totaling $105,989 and $13,610, respectively, the funds were issued through the Edward Byrne Memo...
September 22, 2009
SAN DIEGO – Assembly Member Jim Beall, Jr. (D-San Jose) and Assembly Member Lori Saldaña (D-San Diego) hosted an informational hearing of the Assembly´s Select Committee on Alcohol and Drug Abuse to examine the emerging issues of substance abuse in the senior community.
Beall, who chairs t...
September 20, 2009
San Francisco, CA — Former State Senator Sheila Kuehl (Santa Monica), a longtime leader in the effort for universal health care and the rights of the LGBT community, has endorsed Mayor Gavin Newsom for governor, the Newsom campaign announced today. First elected to the State Assembly in 1994, ...
September 17, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Assemblyman Tran is urging the public to contact the Governor and members of the California Legislature to oppose plans to let thousands of dangerous criminals out of prison before they have fully paid their debt to society. It is irresponsible and threatens the safety of Californians....
September 16, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Senate Bill 14, which requires all energy providers to buy 33 percent of their energy from clean renewable energy sources by 2020 has been approved by the legislature. The bill, authored by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) now heads to the Governor who has until October 11th to...
September 16, 2009
(SACRAMENTO) – On the one year anniversary of the Lehman Brothers collapse, Assemblymember Ted Lieu (D-Torrance) today announced the introduction of AB 1588, the Monitored Mortgage Workout Program, which would provide for state-appointed monitors to ensure homeowners have a chance to work out with t...
September 16, 2009
SACRAMENTO, CA – Assembly Bill 48, authored by Assemblymember Anthony Portantino (D-La Cañada Flintridge), Assemblymember Roger Niello (R-Fair Oaks) and co-authored by Senator Gloria Negrete-McLeod (D-Chino), was approved by the California Legislature on Friday. Once signed by the Governor, this bi...
September 12, 2009
SACRAMENTO- The State Legislature has passed SB 19 by State Senator Joe Simitian, (D-Palo Alto). The measure is designed to put to rest a controversy Simitian describes as "a tempest in a teapot" over California´s eligibility for federal funds for schools.
SB 19 is necessary said Simitian...
September 12, 2009
(SACRAMENTO)- The California Senate today passed legislation that in combination with the budget cuts from July, implements nearly $1 Billion in savings while improving public safety, parole supervision, and the effectiveness of our prison system. SB 18 (3X), which was approved by the Assembly in ...
September 11, 2009
SACRAMENTO – The California Senate, 24 hours away from adjourning for the year, approved and sent to Gov. Schwarzenegger an environmental-protection bill that promises to update the state´s landmark law to protect against global warming.
"Our Golden State must continue to shine under gorgeous ski...
September 11, 2009
SACRAMENTO: Senator Sam Aanestad (R-Grass Valley) issued the following statement on the Senate Floor today as he lobbied for the passage of patient safety legislation SB 820.
"I´m proud to be a co-author of this bill – which is designed to strengthen the Medical Peer Review process. It all...
September 10, 2009
SACRAMENTO, CA — A bill addressing California´s dropout crisis passed the Senate on a 37-1 vote and will next go to the Governor for signature. SB 651 co-authored by Senator Gloria Romero, Chair of the Senate Committee on Education, and Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg would r...
September 10, 2009
SACRAMENTO -- The State Legislature approved State Senator Joe Simitian´s (D-Palo Alto) SB 20, a bill to strengthen and update California´s landmark privacy protection law. The bill now goes to the Governor, who has until October 11th to sign or veto the legislation.
SB 20 builds on ...
September 10, 2009
September 9, 2009 (Sacramento) – On the heels of the Labor Day Holiday weekend, when California Highway Patrol officers made 1,417 arrests for driving under the influence, the California State Legislature approved Assembly Bill 91 (Feuer). AB 91 creates a pilot project in the counties of Alameda, L...
September 10, 2009
SACRAMENTO – The State Senate unanimously approved legislation that would allow courts to seize any property, such as house or automobile, used in the commission of human trafficking. In addition to the courts seizing property, SB 557 would add civil penalties of up to $25,000.
"SB 557 will bri...
September 10, 2009
SACRAMENTO – On a 31-5 bipartisan vote, the California Senate today approved legislation to prohibit executive pay raises during bad budget years at the University of California and the California State University.
"The UC and CSU seem committed to going down the same egregious path as AIG and...
September 10, 2009
SACRAMENTO: Senator Sam Aanestad (R-Grass Valley) says there are serious problems with the Conference Committee Report that was issued by the Legislative Conference Committee on Water late last night. Senator Aanestad, who served on the committee, says the report is not only missing key Republican p...
September 10, 2009
(SACRAMENTO, CA) The State Legislature approved a bill authored by Assemblymember Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa) yesterday that would extend and expand the state´s ability to acquire lands for conservation at nearly half price through cost-neutral state tax credits and federal tax deductions.
...
September 10, 2009
SACRAMENTO, CA — A bill to help California develop a homegrown workforce for the state´s stem cell and biotechnology industries cleared its final hurdle in the legislature today with Senate approval of amendments the Assembly adopted Tuesday. SB 471, jointly authored by Senator Gloria R...
September 10, 2009
SACRAMENTO – State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today that his bill, SB 486, to facilitate the safe disposal of "sharps" (a type of medical waste that includes syringes and needles) passed its final hurdle in the Legislature. It now heads to the Governor, who has 30 days to either s...
September 09, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Legislation to prohibit executive pay raises during bad budget years at the University of California and the California State University was resurrected today after it was all but killed last week when the Assembly Appropriations Committee held the bill. The language of SB 217 was amen...
September 09, 2009
Sacramento — Senate Bill 680, a bipartisan bill authored by Senator Bob Huff (R – Diamond Bar) and Senator Gloria Romero (D – Los Angeles) was passed out of the Legislature today and now moves to the Governor´s desk for his signature. SB 680 will extend the 17 year running School Distri...
September 09, 2009
Sacramento, CA— A bill to increase transparency in education policy-making and bonds allocation authored by Senator Gloria Romero, Chair of the Senate Committee on Education, passed off the California Senate floor unanimously Wednesday, 39-0, and is now on its way to the Governor´s desk....
September 09, 2009
SACRAMENTO – A bill by Assembly Majority Leader Alberto Torrico (D-Fremont) to allow taxpayers to make voluntary contributions on their income tax forms to help fund the state´s Safe Surrender baby program easily passed the state Assembly today on a 69 to 0 vote. The bill now goes to the Gove...
September 09, 2009
SACRAMENTO – On a 32-1 vote, the State Senate today approved legislation to ensure greater access to public records at the State´s public higher education institutions – the University of California (UC), the California State University (CSU), and the California Community Colleges.
SB 218, autho...
September 04, 2009
SACRAMENTO – California Senators voted today to reassure women that they can be confident with the results of one of their most important medical tests.
On a bipartisan vote, the Senate sent the governor a bill by Sen. Jenny Oropeza that would require medical providers who operate mammogram mac...
September 04, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Legislation authored by Senator Mark Leno that resolves ambiguities about how out-of-state same-sex marriages will be recognized in California passed the Assembly today with a 44-27 vote.
Senate Bill 54 bill clarifies that same-sex couples who married outside of California before P...
September 04, 2009
SACRAMENTO – The California Assembly today passed legislation that creates Harvey Milk Day in California, honoring the state´s first openly gay elected official. Senate Bill 572, authored by Senator Mark Leno, cleared the Assembly with a 45-27 vote. The bill, which designates May 22 as a day o...
September 03, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Senate Republican Leader Dennis Hollingsworth (R-Murrieta) and Republican colleagues will file an appeal in the United States Supreme Court challenging an order by a Three-Judge Panel to reduce California´s prison population.
The Court order, issued on Aug. 4, 2009, calls for t...
September 03, 2009
SACRAMENTO - Senate Republican Leader Dennis Hollingsworth (R-Murrieta) and other Republican Senators Huff, Cogdill and Aanestad, members of the Legislative Conference Committee on Water, joined by the Carpenters´ Union and Latino Water Coalition held a news conference to point out the need fo...
September 02, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) has successfully navigated a second piece of legislation in response to the 2007 Cosco Busan container ship that hit the Bay Bridge and spilled 53,000 gallons of oil into the San Francisco Bay. On a bipartisan 56-9 vote, the State Assembly...
September 02, 2009
SACRAMENTO – The State Assembly yesterday unanimously approved legislation that would allow courts to seize any property, such as house or automobile, used in the commission of human trafficking. In addition to the courts seizing property, SB 557 would add civil penalties of up to $25,000.
"SB ...
September 02, 2009
SACRAMENTO, CA — Senator Gloria Romero, Chair of the Senate Education Committee, announced she is prepared to introduce urgency legislation in order to correct a budget funding loss to the state´s lowest-performing schools. The funding loss, caused by a complicated funding swap in the r...
September 02, 2009
Gardena Councilmember Steve Bradford defeated five challengers in convincing fashion in yesterday´s Special Primary Election balloting to become Assemblymember-elect for the 51st Assembly District.
According to election results reported by the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Cl...
August 31, 2009
By: Josh Kraushaar
After an August recess marked by raucous town halls, troubling polling data and widespread anecdotal evidence of a volatile electorate, the small universe of political analysts who closely follow House races is predicting moderate to heavy Democratic losses in 2010.
Some of ...
August 31, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Consumers are increasingly falling victim to a common, and often deceptive, business practice involving automatic renewals of products and services. The practice often occurs when a consumer thinks he/she is making a one-time purchase for a product, or receiving a product for free, only...
August 28, 2009
SACRAMENTO – University of California and California State University administrators have killed a bill that would have limited executive pay raises during bad budget years.
Despite the fact that the Senate Appropriations Committee found no costs to the bill and the Assembly Appropriations Commi...
August 28, 2009
Sacramento — In conjunction with Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and key members of the Senate Education Committee, Senator Bob Huff (R – Diamond Bar) introduced legislation today that will serve as comprehensive education reform for California´s K-12 school system. Senate Bill 1-5X will...
August 26, 2009
SACRAMENTO – The California State Senate has unanimously approved legislation to help protect the integrity of ballots, specifically addressing the use of fraudulent character-based names, such as Chinese, Korean, and Japanese translations used during elections. Senate Bill 288, authored by Senator...
August 26, 2009
SACRAMENTO – On a 22-14 vote, the California State Senate today approved legislation to provide University of California employees who report waste, fraud and abuse with the same legal protections as other state employees. Despite overwhelming support from open government advocates and UC students,...
August 26, 2009
San Francisco, CA—Mayor Gavin Newsom today announced the immediate availability of $100,000 in Watershed Stewardship Grants from the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) for neighborhood-based stormwater management projects. Eligible community projects will capture and reuse rainw...
August 21, 2009
Sacramento – Senator Jeff Denham (R-Merced) today introduced a Constitutional Amendment to return California to a part-time Legislature and a two-year budget.
"If this Legislature is going to use a puppet sentencing commission to release prisoners then it´s usefulness as a ´full-time...
August 21, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Starbucks Corporation has agreed to take proactive steps to follow California´s gift card law after reaching a civil settlement with three California District Attorneys.
The complaint alleged that Starbucks failed to honor customer requests to redeem store gift cards with bala...
August 21, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Ironically, on the same day there was world-wide outrage over Scotland´s decision to grant an early release of the man convicted for his role in the 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie that killed 270 passengers, the Democrat controlled Senate approved a measure that ...
August 21, 2009
SACRAMENTO: Senator Sam Aanestad (R-Grass Valley) voted against a prison budget proposal that will result in the early release of thousands of felons, less prison time for serious offenses and the creation of a special Sentencing Commission that could lead to an erosion of sentencing guidelines spel...
August 21, 2009
SACRAMENTO – The California State Senate today passed significant corrections reform that will keep our communities safe while creating a more fiscally sustainable prison system. The vote in the Senate was 21-19.
"The most important question about the impact of these proposals is on public safe...
August 21, 2009
Sacramento — Senator Bob Huff (R – Diamond Bar) responded today to the Governor´s Special Session on Education to qualify California for federal "Race to the Top" education funding. In order for California to become eligible and competitive for the Race to the Top grants, the legislatur...
August 20, 2009
LOS ANGELES - Los Angeles County Democratic Party (LACDP) Chair Eric C. Bauman today released the following statement regarding State Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg´s lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the Governor´s line-item vetoes:
"Today I directed LACDP...
August 20, 2009
Road Home Program Discussed, Analyzed Four Years After Hurricane Katrina.
New Orleans, LA – Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), Chairwoman of the House Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity, today held the Subcommittee´s first of two hearings assessing access to and maintenanc...
August 19, 2009
(Sacramento) – Assembly member Mike Feuer (D-Los Angeles) presented Assembly Bill 49 in a joint hearing of the Assembly Committee on Water, Parks and Wildlife and the Senate Committee on Natural Resources as part of a package of five bills that are considered essential to ensuring California´s...
August 20, 2009
Assemblymember Pedro Nava (D-Santa Barbara) announced that the California Department of Conservation has released draft regulations to implement his comprehensive oil spill prevention legislation, Assembly Bill 1960 (Nava, 2008).
According to the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, in Decembe...
August 20, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Legislation to prohibit executive pay raises during bad budget years at the University of California and the California State University was sent to the Assembly Appropriations Committee suspense file today after UC and CSU administrators hypocritically argued that the bill would cost m...
August 20, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Last week Assemblyman Van Tran´s (R-Garden Grove) Assembly Bills 285 and 463 were signed into law by Governor Schwarzenegger. "I am pleased that the Governor is partnering with me to ensure that California can be business friendly," said Tran. "As lawmakers, we need to promote l...
August 20, 2009
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Today, joined by technology leaders, Mayor Newsom announced the launch of DataSF.org, an initiative designed to improve access to government data. The new web site will provide a clearinghouse of structured, raw and machine-readable government data to the public in an easily down...
August 18, 2009
Senate and Assembly Water Committees Hear AB 49 in Joint Hearing on Comprehensive Solution to Water Crisis.
Sacramento – Today Assembly member Mike Feuer (D-Los Angeles) presented Assembly Bill 49 in a joint hearing of the Assembly Committee on Water...
August 18, 2009
GARDENA – Gardena City Councilmember Steve Bradford today announced he has gained the endorsement of the California School Employees Association (CSEA) in his campaign for the 51st Assembly District with less than two weeks to go before Election Day on Tuesday, September 1, 2009. CSEA represents mor...
August 18, 2009
WALNUT CREEK – Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi, chair of the California State Lands Commission and founder of the Clean Seas Coalition, today is proud to announce that he has received the endorsement of the Sierra Club in the 10th Congressional District special primary election.
"The Sier...
August 18, 2009
Los Angeles – Pedro Nava´s Attorney General Campaign has announced the endorsement of Ed Begley Jr., actor and renowned environmental leader.
Mr. Begley has served as chairman of the Environmental Media Association, and the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy. He still serves on those boards...
August 18, 2009
Sacramento – Assembly member Mike Feuer (D-Los Angeles) has been recognized by the California Congress of Seniors as a "2009 True Friend of Seniors." Each year, the Congress honors legislators who have made outstanding efforts to improve the wellbeing of seniors.
Feuer is being recognized f...
August 17, 2009
WALNUT CREEK, CA - The Chinese American Political Association (CAPA) has endorsed Mark DeSaulnier for Congress. CAPA joins a long list of local organizations in support of DeSaulnier for Congress, including the El Cerrito Democratic Club, East County Democrats for Action, and the Sierra Club.
...
August 17, 2009
National Health Center Week Recognizes Important Contributions of Community Health Centers.
Los Angeles, CA – Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-35) toured the Venice Family Clinic in Mar Vista Gardens as part of National Health Center Week (August 9-15), which recognizes the importance of communi...
August 17, 2009
RICHMOND, CA - The National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 1111 has endorsed Mark DeSaulnier for Congress. The local joins a long list of local labor organizations in support of DeSaulnier for Congress, including the Contra Costa Central Labor Council, the Alameda Central Labor Council, and ...
August 17, 2009
GARDENA – Gardena City Councilmember Steve Bradford is raising funds and rallying supporters and volunteers for a strong close in his campaign for the 51st Assembly District with two weeks to go before Election Day on Tuesday, September 1.
Councilmember Bradford said, "We´re down to th...
August 17, 2009
Says Meaningful Reform Will Include Public Option to Cover Uninsured, Hold Insurance Companies Accountable.
Los Angeles, CA – Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) today responded to news from over the weekend that the public option – a government-run health insurance plan to expand consumer choic...
LOS ANGELES COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY ENDORSES PAUL KREKORIAN FOR LOS ANGELES CITY COUNCIL, DISTRICT 2
August 17, 2009
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles County Democratic Party (LACDP) voted to endorse Paul Krekorian for Los Angeles City Council, District 2, in the September 22, 2009, special election to fill the vacancy created by Wendy Greuel´s election as Los Angeles City Controller.
"Paul Krekorian is ...
August 13, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Last month, the University of California Board of Regents yet again approved exorbitant pay raises for more than two dozen executives. The hikes, which include a 25 percent increase for UC San Francisco´s chief financial officer and pay in excess $500,000 for UCSF´s chief o...
August 12, 2009
WALNUT CREEK – Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi, chair of the California State Lands Commission and founder of the Clean Seas Coalition, today is proud to announce that he has received the endorsement of the Sierra Club in the 10th Congressional District special primary election.
"The Sier...
August 07, 2009
Assemblymember Pedro Nava (D-Santa Barbara) announced that he will author legislation to require the oil industry to pay Californians a percentage of the value of the oil they take from California lands and sea beds.
"This budget crisis has hit California very hard. It appalls me that Wall St...
August 07, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Senator John J. Benoit (R-Bermuda Dunes) announced that Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed into law Senate Bill 39 (Good Samaritan Protection Act), which will take effect immediately. SB 39, Benoit´s first law as a State Senator, clarifies the Legislature´s 1980 Good...
August 07, 2009
SACRAMENTO - Governor Schwarzenegger signed Senate Bill 159, by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), making legislation that requires drivers to move over or slow down when approaching roadside emergency scenes along the highway, permanent.
The original legislation, SB 1610, was one of the ...
August 07, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) today announced that he will file a lawsuit against Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger early next week that contends the Governor violated his constitutional authority in making line item vetoes to portions of the Legislature´s...
August 07, 2009
Sacramento – Governor Schwarzenegger has signed Assembly Bill 83 (Feuer/Benoit), legislation which encourages individuals to act as "Good Samaritans" and voluntarily help rescue others in peril. The legislation goes into effect immediately.
"Now Good Samaritans have no reason to hesita...
August 07, 2009
Sacramento – Governor Schwarzenegger has signed Assembly Bill 392 (Feuer), urgency legislation that will immediately restore $1.6 million for local Long-Term Care Ombudsman programs over the next year. The bill will help ensure protection from abuse and neglect for California´s vulnerable and...
August 06, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Senator Gloria Romero, Chair of the Senate Education Committee, says that the U.S. Department of Education´s decision to accelerate payments to states receiving federal education recovery funds will make a huge difference for cash-strapped California schools. U.S. Secretary of Edu...
August 05, 2009
SACRAMENTO, CA - Senator Gloria Romero, Chair of the Senate Education Committee, today announced a public hearing to examine whether California is ineligible for any of the $4.35 billion in federal "Race to the Top" funds for education reform because of a state law that limits use of student achieve...
August 05, 2009
SAN FRANCISCO, CA—Today, Mayor Gavin Newsom signed a balanced budget for the 2009-2010 fiscal year that focuses on solving the budget challenge by attracting new jobs, making smart infrastructure investments, and preserving jobs for police officers, firefighters, teachers, and nurses. This yea...
August 05, 2009
(SACRAMENTO) – Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) and Assembly Speaker Karen Bass (D-Baldwin Vista) today announced a series of public hearings to review and adopt legislation to restore the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta and create a more reliable water supply for Califo...
August 01, 2009
GARDENA – Gardena City Councilmember Steve Bradford has announced that California Democratic Party delegates have endorsed him in his campaign for the 51st Assembly District.
Councilmember Bradford said, "With the crucial vote among my party´s delegates now concluded, I am extremely pl...
August 01, 2009
Los Angeles, CA - Los Angeles City Council President Eric Garcetti will be presenting Michael Torchia, founder of Operation Fitness with a resolution from the City of Los Angeles for his work as a health expert and his Shape Up America Campaign. Torchia will be is receiving this resolution marking A...
July 31, 2009
SACRAMENTO – The California State University administration again submitted hypocritical statements this week in a letter opposing SB 217 – legislation to prohibit executive pay raises during bad budget years. While the CSU administration has called for furloughs of faculty and other employees as a...
July 30, 2009
AB 1005 will require live broadcasts of Board meetings.
SACRAMENTO - It's not quite time for "Lights! Camera! Action!" but the California Board of Accountancy is preparing for the passage of Assembly Bill 1005 and with it, the requirement that the Board make live broadcasts of its meetings avail...
July 30, 2009
GARDENA – Gardena City Councilmember Steve Bradford has announced Inglewood Mayor Roosevelt Dorn has endorsed him in his campaign for the 51st Assembly District.
Councilmember Bradford said, "I am pleased to have the endorsement of Inglewood Mayor Roosevelt Dorn in my campaign for the 51st A...
July 29, 2009
Washington, DC – Emphasizing the importance of supporting state and local law enforcement efforts in Riverside County and across the country, Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-45) today was pleased to announce that several local cities including Blythe, Hemet, Indio, Palm Springs and Cathedral City, ...
July 29, 2009
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a $24 billion budget solution that includes $16.1 billion in spending reductions. Over the past five months, the Governor has consistently led the difficult task of solving a combined $60 billion budget deficit - roughly a third of our entire state budget over t...
July 26, 2009
(SACRAMENTO)- The California State Senate passed a package of bills late Friday revising the 2009-10 budget, that was passed in February, with $24.2 billion in deficit reduction solutions and a $921 million reserve; in total solving a $25.3 billion problem.
The bipartisan solution was the produ...
July 26, 2009
Assemblymember Pedro Nava (D-Santa Barbara) announced Friday that Governor Schwarzenegger´s giveaway to big oil was defeated in the Assembly. The proposal would have allowed for the first new oil drilling lease in California State waters since the 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill.
"The Govern...
July 22, 2009
LONG BEACH – With hundreds of students rallying outside the meeting room, the California State University trustees approved a new 20 percent student fee increase for the fall semester just weeks before classes are set to begin. Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi, a CSU trustee, cast the sole vote ag...
July 22, 2009
San Francisco, CA—Mayor Gavin Newsom and Supervisor Carmen Chu announced that the Mayor´s Office of Housing has received a special Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) allocation of $9.8 million dollars to prevent families from losing their homes to foreclosure under the 2008 Housing Assist...
July 22, 2009
Santa Barbara – Assemblymember Pedro Nava (D-Santa Barbara) and a coalition of California environmental leaders announced their vehement opposition to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger´s Oil Drilling Budget Scheme, which may come up for a vote in the Capitol this week. The Governor is proposing ...
July 22, 2009
State Assembly´s top official calls Bradford a "proven, tested local government leader who helped guide his city back from the brink of insolvency."
GARDENA – Gardena City Councilmember Steve Bradford has announced he has been endorsed by state Assembly Speaker Karen Bass, widely regarded...
July 22, 2009
GARDENA – Gardena City Councilmember Steve Bradford has announced he has been endorsed by state Senator Curren D. Price, Jr. in his campaign for the 51st Assembly District. Councilmember Bradford seeks to succeed Senator Price as Assemblymember for the 51st District.
Senator Price said, "The peo...
July 22, 2009
California State Senate Overwhelmingly Approves Feuer Legislation Preserving Ombudsman Funding.
Sacramento – The California State Senate has approved Assembly Bill 392 (Feuer) with strong bipartisan support on a vote of 33-3. AB 392 would immediatel...
July 22, 2009
Mark Massara Says Nava is Best Person to Protect the Environment as Attorney General.
San Francisco - Legendary national, California environmental activist attorney, Smithsonian Institution honoree, surfer Mark Massara, has endorsed Pedro Nava for Attorney General.
"I am supporting Nava beca...
July 21, 2009
Governor Names Sham Committee Sale of California´s Coastline May Begin Thursday with a Budget Vote.
Santa Barbara – Assemblymember Pedro Nava (D-Santa Barbara) and a coalition of California environmental leaders today announced their vehement opposition to Governor Arnold Schwarze...
July 21, 2009
Los Angeles Deputy City Attorney Felton Newell Launches Congressional Campaign for California's 33rd District.
Los Angeles – Felton Newell, a criminal prosecutor for the Los Angeles City Attorney´s office, officially announced today that that he is a Democratic candidate to represent California...
July 17, 2009
(Sacramento)- Today, Assemblymember Kevin Jeffries (R-Lake Elsinore) introduced a series of bills in the 4th Extraordinary Session to reduce California´s ongoing budget deficit by saving taxpayer dollars and reforming or eliminating various state agencies and programs.
"Each of these mea...
July 15, 2009
SACRAMENTO: Senator Sam Aanestad (R-Grass Valley) and Senator Gloria Negrete McLeod (D-Chino) are teaming up in an act of bi-partisan cooperation to serve as joint authors for legislation designed to improve patient safety in California by reforming Medical Peer Review. This is the process where a c...
July 15, 2009
Sacramento - Assemblymember Pedro Nava (D-Santa Barbara) announced today that the Senate Education Committee approved AB 867 to address a severe nursing shortage in California. The bill is supported by 47 Republican and Democratic coauthors in the legislature and about 80 health, education, and econ...
July 15, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Another scandal has hit the California State University involving an auxiliary organization operating at Fresno State. The Fresno Bee is reporting that a Superior Court judge ruled that a CSU trustee had a conflict of interest when, as the chief executive officer of a movie-theater com...
July 15, 2009
Fremont – Assembly Majority Leader Alberto Torrico (D-Fremont) introduced legislation today to create a sales tax exemption for automobile manufacturing in the state of California.
"This bill sends a clear signal that we want to develop incentives to keep the NUMMI (New United Motor Manufacturin...
July 15, 2009
Fraser Says Nava Will Fight for California Workers as the Next Attorney General of California.
Camarillo - Martel Fraser, President of the Tri-Counties Central Labor Council (Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo) and Political Director, United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1036*...
July 14, 2009
ORANGE COUNTY, CA - The Van Tran for U.S. Congress committee shattered all previous fundraising numbers by raising over $250,000 in only six weeks of fundraising. This torrid pace launches the campaign into the top tier of all fundraising quarters for candidates for Congress in the entire Nation. By...
July 15, 2009
Sacramento – A bill by Senator Loni Hancock (D-Oakland) linking career-oriented technical education programs offered in high schools and community colleges to the needs of the local economy passed the California State Assembly 57-11.
SB 515 requires that at least half of technical education co...
July 10, 2009
SACRAMENTO—The Assembly Judiciary Committee voted 7-3 today to approve legislation to help protect vulnerable seniors from being targeted for complex and expensive reverse mortgages, regardless of the loan´s suitability.
"Reverse mortgages can have potentially devastating finan...
July 10, 2009
SACRAMENTO: SB 469, from Senator Sam Aanestad (R-Grass Valley), is one step away from reaching the desk of Governor Schwarzenegger after receiving final and unanimous support on the Floor of the State Assembly. The measure would allow the administrator of the Northern California Veterans Cemetery (N...
July 09, 2009
Pilot Program to be Implemented in Los Angeles County.
Sacramento – On the heels of the Independence Day Holiday when the California Highway Patrol arrested 1,239 drunk driving suspects, the Senate Public Safety Committee approved Assembly Bill 91 (Feuer) on a...
July 09, 2009
Salinas Says Nava is Most Qualified to be California Attorney General.
Oxnard Police Sergeant Andrew Salinas, President of the National Latino Peace Officers Association Ventura County Chapter*, endorses Pedro Nava for California Attorney General.
"I am personally endorsing Pedro Nava becaus...
July 08, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Members of a key Assembly environmental committee, acknowledging the risk cigarettes pose to California´s coastal landscape, approved a plan to ban smoking at state beaches and designated areas of state parks.
"Unfortunately, too many beach visitors are irresponsible with their...
July 08, 2009
Sacramento – Assembly Majority Leader Alberto Torrico´s legislation to reverse the trend of declining state support of California´s higher education system passed the Assembly Higher Education Committee 5 to 3 today.
The bill would place a tax on oil and steer the revenues to Califor...
July 06, 2009
Chief Miller Endorses Nava for California Attorney General.
Ventura - City of Ventura Police Chief Pat Miller endorses Nava for California Attorney General.
"Nava's track record exemplifies true leadership, commitment and dedication to law enforcement issues and that is why he has ...
July 06, 2009
Crombach Says Nava is a Leader and will be a Great Attorney General.
Oxnard - City of Oxnard Police Chief John Crombach endorses Pedro Nava for California Attorney General.
"I am endorsing Pedro Nava because he has the skills and practical experience to be a great Attorney General. As a...
July 03, 2009
SACRAMENTO – The Joint Legislative Audit Committee late yesterday approved a request from Senator Mark Leno to audit and evaluate the California Family Court system and its use of court appointees in child custody disputes.
The 14-member Committee approved the audit request with a 12-0 bipartisa...
July 02, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Despite passing the Senate with bipartisan support, SB 399 – The Fair Sentencing for Youth Act – failed (3-4) in the Assembly Public Safety Committee. The legislation, authored by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo), would have allowed courts to review cases of juveniles sen...
NEWSOM FOR CALIFORNIA RAISES MORE THAN $1.6 MILLION THIS PERIOD TO BRING NEW DIRECTION TO CALIFORNIA
July 01, 2009
More Than 3,600 Donors Help Raise Over $1 Million Online. Campaign Has Raised $2.8 Million in the Past Year.
San Francisco - Newsom for California raised more than $1.6 million this period from over 3,600 donors, the campaign announced today. The numbers reflect the campaign´s success in ...
July 01, 2009
Proven Democrat has Solid Fundraising Showing, Diverse Coalitions of Supporters.
WALNUT CREEK – Today the Garamendi for Congress campaign is excited to announce that it has raised over $300,000 from over 350 donors in a month and a half for its 10th Congressional District special election camp...
June 30, 2009
Ricky Le and Abbe Ross Named to Top Posts.
SAN FRANCISCO – Mayor Gavin Newsom announced today that he has named Ricky Le as the Political Director and Abbe Ross as the Chief Operating Officer of his gubernatorial campaign.
"These are difficult times, and California needs bold solutions,"
Ma...
June 30, 2009
A champion for universal health care, higher education, and economic opportunity, Garamendi will stand up for working families in Washington, DC.
SACRAMENTO, CA – Citing his lifelong support for working families as a California legislator, Insurance Commissioner and Lieutenant Governor, SEIU C...
June 30, 2009
Sheriff Brooks Says Nava Has the Experience to be California Attorney General.
Ventura County Sheriff Bob Brooks endorses Pedro Nava for California Attorney General.
"Nava has the experience to be a great Attorney General. As a former prosecutor, he understands what it takes to keep Califor...
June 26, 2009
Contra Costa roads will deteriorate, become unsafe if state steals $50 million in local gas tax, public employees union warns; Campaign to inform public starts on Saturday.
KENSINGTON – A local public employees union is charging that the state´s proposal to steal gas tax money from citie...
June 25, 2009
Orange County - Pedro Nava (D-Santa Barbara) announced yesterday that he has been endorsed by Melahat Rafiei for California Attorney General.
"Pedro Nava is the most qualified person to serve as California´s next Attorney General. During Pedro Nava´s career as a prosecutor, Calif...
June 25, 2009
Women Leaders from around U.S. to Meet in St. Louis for AAUW Convention Lilly Ledbetter, Rep. Rosa DeLauro, Rep. Jackie Speier, AAUW Executive Director Linda D. Hallman, Local Leaders Available for Interview.
ST. LOUIS, MO - Close to a thousand women leaders from nearly every state in the union...
June 25, 2009
SACRAMENTO – In July 2008, the California Supreme Court ruled that University of California (UC) employees who are retaliated against because they report wrongdoing cannot sue for damages under the state´s Whistleblower Protection Act, so long as the University itself reviews the complaints in...
June 25, 2009
SAN FRANCISCO, CA —Mayor Gavin Newsom today signed mandatory recycling
legislation requiring residential and commercial building owners to sign up
for recycling and composting services.
Mayor Newsom´s ordinance will require all residences and businesses in San Francisco to take adva...
June 25, 2009
SACRAMENTO: Senator Sam Aanestad (R-Grass Valley) and other Senate Republicans stood up for California taxpayers, by rejecting a budget proposal loaded with more than $2 billion in tax hikes. Senator Aanestad says he will not support any budget plan that places yet another burden on state taxpayers,...
June 25, 2009
SACRAMENTO – The Assembly Public Safety Committee approved legislation that would allow courts to seize any property, such as house or automobile, used in the commission of the crime. In addition to the courts seizing property used in human trafficking, SB 557 would add civil penalties of up to $25...
June 17, 2009
SACRAMENTO – A bipartisan plan to improve public safety in California, introduced by Senators Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) and John J. Benoit (R-Bermuda Dunes), cleared the Assembly Public Safety Committee on unanimous votes. Senate Bills 431 and 678 are innovative, outcome-based community probation...
June 17, 2009
SACRAMENTO, CA—Today, SB 680, which would allow parents to send their child to whatever public school they choose that is participating in the District of Choice (DOC) program, passed the Assembly Education Committee on a bipartisan 6-1vote. The bill is co-authored by Democratic Senator Romer...
June 17, 2009
A legal challenge to Senator Loni Hancock´s (D-Oakland) "California Fair Elections Act" (signed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger as AB 583) was dismissed by the United States District Court yesterday evening.
An array of lobbying groups sued Secretary of State Debra Bowen, challenging the ...
June 16, 2009
CALIFORNIA FIRST AMENDMENT COALITION AND MAPLIGHT.ORG WIN PUBLIC ACCESS TO CALIFORNIA DATABASE OF LAWMAKERS' VOTES.
BERKELEY, CA — The California First Amendment Coalition (CFAC) and MAPLight.org, a nonpartisan, nonprofit research organization that shows the connection between money and p...
June 16, 2009
President, Congress of California Seniors** supports Pedro Nava
Sacramento - Pedro Nava (D-Santa Barbara) announced Monday that he has been endorsed by Henry L. "Hank" Lacayo, President of the Congress of California Seniors and a member of the California Commission on Aging.**
"Pedr...
June 16, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Senator John J. Benoit (R-Bermuda Dunes) sent a letter last week to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, requesting the Secretary´s assistance in restoring funding for the State Criminal Alien Assistant Program (SCAAP) in the 2010 fiscal year. The letter, s...
June 16, 2009
SACRAMENTO- Assemblyman Tran talked to reporters last week outside of Van Son Entertainment to explain details of bipartisan legislation he has co-authored to prevent counterfeiting in California. AB 568 authored by Assemblymember Ted Lieu (D-Torrance) provides that a place used to manufacture or se...
June 16, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Saying the time has come for the "rubber to the meet the road," Budget Conference Committee members Sen. Mimi Walters (R-Laguna Hills) and Sen. Bob Dutton (R-Rancho Cucamonga) are urging their Democrat colleagues to move swiftly in making the reductions necessary to close the state&acut...
June 16, 2009
SACRAMENTO – The incoming chancellor at the University of California, Davis, is refusing to answer questions regarding an admissions scandal involving her current position as provost of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) today called on Li...
June 12, 2009
Help Craft California Funding Plan for American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Working with the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed and San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom announced yesterday that they have helped establish consensus in the region about the Bay Area&a...
June 12, 2009
San Francisco—Mayor Gavin Newsom today launched the Summer Empowerment & Employment Development (SEED) Program. SEED will provide education and training to inspire youth to become advocates in their communities. This includes job training, mentoring, attending workshops, a community service pr...
June 12, 2009
San Francisco, CA – Working with the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom and San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed announced that they have helped establish consensus in the region about the Bay Area´s priorities for high-speed rail.
The vision as outlined by the ma...
June 12, 2009
San Francisco – Assemblywoman Fiona Ma (D-San Francisco) joined the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA), which oversees all surface transportation in the City, to provide visibility and support for Assembly Bill (AB) 144 (Ma), which will increase penalties for the abuse of disabled...
June 10, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Senator Mark Leno introduced a resolution late on Monday that urges the federal government to end medical marijuana raids in California. Senate Joint Resolution 14 also calls for a comprehensive federal policy to ensure safe and legal access to medical marijuana for patients who benefit...
June 10, 2009
(Sacramento) – Yesterday Assembly Bill 83 (Feuer/Benoit), legislation which encourages individuals to act as "Good Samaritans" and voluntarily help rescue others in peril, passed the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Feuer introduced the bill following a controversial decision by the California Suprem...
June 09, 2009
Sacramento – Today Assembly Bill 83 (Feuer/Benoit), legislation which encourages individuals to act as "Good Samaritans" and voluntarily help rescue others in peril, passed the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Feuer introduced the bill following a controversial decision by the California Supreme ...
June 09, 2009
Pilot Program to be Implemented in Alameda, Los Angeles, and Sacramento Counties.
Sacramento – Assembly Bill 91 (Feuer) has been approved by the California State Assembly Committee on a unanimous bipartisan vote of 77-0. AB 91 creates a pilot project in the counties of Alameda, Los Angeles, an...
June 09, 2009
Legislation Addresses Effects of Worst Drought in California History.
Sacramento – The California State Assembly has approved two bills by Assembly member Mike Feuer (D-Los Angeles) that will improve water efficiency and quality during California´s third consecutive drought year. AB 49 w...
June 09, 2009
Senator Pavley announces live public webcast on the budget Steinberg & Leno to Answer Budget Related Questions During Live Town Hall Forum Webcast; Californians Encouraged To Submit Questions.
SACRAMENTO - As California's elected leaders work on the difficult choices of resolving an unprecedent...
June 09, 2009
State Coalition of Probation Organizations Endorses Nava for Attorney General.
Sacramento - Pedro Nava (D-Santa Barbara) announced this week that the State Coalition of Probation Organizations (SCOPO) has endorsed Nava for Attorney General.
"On behalf of the twenty four member organiz...
June 08, 2009
Tom is uniquely qualified in that he has an unquestionable Republican record, but also is able to bring together Democrats and Independents - Fmr Senate GOP Leader Jim Brulte.
Sacramento, CA- State Senator Tom Harman (R-Huntington Beach) today officially kicked off his campaign for California At...
June 08, 2009
California lawmaker recognized for advancing public umbilical cord blood collection.
MINNEAPOLIS – Assemblymember Anthony Portantino (D-La Cañada Flintridge) was recently honored by the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) for sponsoring legislation to establish and fund the California Umbilica...
June 08, 2009
"As San Francisco´s Assessor-Recorder, it is my job to apply the law in a fair and equitable manner for all transactions. I have the utmost confidence that my office has done so in the Archdiocese transfer tax case.
After a very thorough analysis, significant consideration, and several m...
June 06, 2009
(Sacramento) –Assembly Bill 91 (Feuer) has been approved by the California State Assembly Committee on a unanimous bipartisan vote of 77-0. AB 91 creates a pilot project in the counties of Alameda, Los Angeles, and Sacramento, and requires the installation of ignition interlock devices (IID) on any...
June 06, 2009
(SACRAMENTO) – Assemblymember Ted Lieu (D-Torrance) today announced that Assembly Bill 911, legislation that will significantly reduce dangerous overcrowding levels in California emergency rooms and would help hospitals plan for and respond to public health crises like the recent worldwide outbreak ...
June 06, 2009
Sacramento – A bill by Senator Loni Hancock (D-Oakland) to stop the "legal rip-off" of city sales tax money was signed into law by the Governor today.
"I´m pleased we are putting an end to these "shell" sales tax scams that cost local taxpayer millions of dollars and deprive cities of thei...
June 05, 2009
Calling Woods the strongest candidate "for our Military, for Veterans and for the cause of LGBT Equality," Choi will Campaign with Woods in Northern California later this month.
FAIRFIELD, CA - The Anthony Woods for Congress Campaign today announced the endorsement of Dan Choi—an Iraq War ...
June 04, 2009
SACRAMENTO – The Senate today approved a plan to help parents save for their child´s college education by allowing them to direct deposit tax refunds into qualified tuition-program accounts.
"Given today´s economy, and as college costs continue to increase, we must help provide the ...
June 04, 2009
SACRAMENTO — A bill addressing California´s dropout crisis has passed the Senate on a 33-1 vote and will next go to the Assembly Committee on Education. SB 651 co-authored by Senator Gloria Romero, Chair of the Senate Committee on Education, and Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinber...
June 03, 2009
West Point Graduate calls rewarding national service with college "a win/win for our economy and our security."
Fairfield, CA: In a blog and web video released yesterday, CA 10 Democratic Candidate Anthony Woods launched an online petition drive to support a National Service to College pro...
June 03, 2009
GOVERNOR PROPOSES ELIMINATION OF FAMILY CAREGIVER ALLIANCE AND OTHER CAREGIVER SUPPORTS Budget Item 4440.
SAN FRANCISCO - Governor Schwarzenegger's proposed revisions to the California State Budget will dramatically affect family caregivers. Families rely on critical support services to help ke...
June 02, 2009
SAN FRANCISCO — San Francisco Assessor-Recorder Phil Ting has announced that an additional $30 million in tax revenue will be generated by the Assessor-Recorder´s office for Fiscal Year 2009-2010. $17 million of that will be directed to the City´s General Fund which will help pay ...
June 02, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Senator John J. Benoit (R-Bermuda Dunes) introduced legislation today calling upon Congress and the President of the United States to restore funding for the State Criminal Alien Assistant Program (SCAAP) in the 2010 fiscal year. Senate Joint Resolution 12 is aimed at pressuring the fe...
June 02, 2009
San Francisco—Mayor Gavin Newsom proposed a balanced budget for the 2009-10 fiscal year that focuses on solving the budget challenge by attracting new jobs and making smart infrastructure investments in order to put San Franciscans back to work. The budget preserves basic services, maintains p...
June 02, 2009
(SACRAMENTO)- Assemblymember Ted Lieu (D-Torrance) today announced the California Assembly passed Assembly Bill 260, landmark mortgage reform legislation that would ban the worst predatory lending practices.
"We must enact landmark reforms to address the systemic failures in California's subprim...
June 02, 2009
SACRAMENTO — SB 747, which would prepare high-school students for careers in the aerospace industry by establishing a pre-apprentice program, today passed the Senate with unanimous approval on consent. The bill by Senator Gloria Romero, Chair of the Senate Committee on Education, will next be ...
June 02, 2009
SACRAMENTO – The California Senate approved two major bills authored by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) to assist domestic violence victims and combat human trafficking. SB 782 would prevent landlords from unfairly evicting victims of domestic violence or sexual assault. SB 557 woul...
May 30, 2009
Photo: Three of five 2009 Small Business of the Year honorees selected by Assemblymember Wilmer Amina Carter: From left, Pamela Ispas of Daniel's Electrical; Tom Brickley of Brickley Environmental, Dorothy Pryor Rose of Mommie Helen's Bakery, Tom Ispas of Daniel's Electrical with Assemblymember Cart...
May 30, 2009
SACRAMENTO – The Senate Appropriations Committee has approved SB 399 – The Fair Sentences for Youth Act. The legislation authored by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) would allow courts to review cases of juveniles sentenced to life without parole after 10 years, potentially allowing s...
May 28, 2009
LOS ANGELES - A lawsuit filed in federal district court states that Proposition 8 -- which eliminated the right of same sex couples to marry in California -- creates a class of "second-class citizens" and thereby violates the U.S. Constitution. The suit also calls for an injunction against Propositi...
May 27, 2009
SACRAMENTO – State legislators, along with University of California (UC) students and employees, today responded to a number of egregious actions by the UC Board of Regents, including recent exorbitant executive pay hikes, by introducing a Constitutional Amendment to allow greater public oversight a...
May 27, 2009
A bill by Assemblymember Bob Blumenfield (D – Woodland Hills) to provide loans to homeowners and businesses for the installation of water conservation systems passed the state Assembly last week. The bill, AB 474, is backed by a broad-based coalition from the California Chamber of Commerce to the S...
May 27, 2009
Sacramento, CA - Assemblymember Bob Blumenfield (D – Woodland Hills) announced his appointment to the Legislature´s Budget Conference Committee that will tackle the state´s $21 billion deficit in the coming weeks. The appointment is significant for a legislator in his or her first term,...
May 27, 2009
SACRAMENTO – The California State Senate today approved two measures authored by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) in response to recent actions by the University of California (UC) and the California State University (CSU).
SB 219, which passed 23-14, would provide UC employees w...
May 23, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Supporters of SB 399, the Fair Sentences for Youth Act, have a launched a new website – www.fairsentencingforyouth.com – to advocate for passage of the legislation. SB 399, authored by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo), would allow courts to review cases of juveniles sente...
May 23, 2009
SACRAMENTO, CA — AB 1457, a measure to confront the failing quality of care in nursing homes created by the lack of transparency in the ownership and management structure of these facilities passed the Assembly chambers with overwhelming support on a 77-0 vote.
AB 1457 would require each ...
May 21, 2009
SACRAMENTO – The State of California today petitioned the Supreme Court of the United States for a review (writ of certiorari) regarding a decision by the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, which in February struck down a state law preventing the sale and rental of ultra-violent video games to chi...
May 21, 2009
SACRAMENTO - Senate Republican Leader Dennis Hollingsworth (R-Murrieta), with Senators Mimi Walters (R-Laguna Hills), Bob Dutton (R-Rancho Cucamonga), Bob Huff (R-Diamond Bar), Mark Wyland (R-Carlsbad), and Jeff Denham (R-Merced) spoke out about Senate Republican plans to get Californians back to wo...
May 21, 2009
SACRAMENTO –Assemblymember Pedro Nava (D-Santa Barbara) today announced that his measure to crack down on puppy mills was approved by the State Assembly on a bipartisan 51 to 11 vote.
"I want to thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for supporting this important measure. It is imperati...
May 21, 2009
Sacramento – Assembly Majority Leader Alberto Torrico (D-Newark) joined with other legislators and police and fire chiefs at a bipartisan Capitol press conference today to highlight his legislation aimed at enhancing the state´s safe surrender laws protecting newborns.
Earlier this week, t...
May 21, 2009
Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-9) joined 53 of her House colleagues in sending a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi arguing that the proposed Panama Free Trade Agreement be renegotiated. She released this statement:
"The Panama Free Trade Agreement, as it currently stands, is s...
May 20, 2009
San Francisco, CA - In the wake of the defeat of the May 19 ballot propositions by California voters, San Francisco Assessor-Recorder Phil Ting is calling for a fundamental budget overhaul, starting with a renewed focus on one of the key components of the problem: the massive corporate property loop...
May 20, 2009
On Tuesday, the people of the State of California sent a strong rebuke to the Governor and State Legislature. Propositions 1A through 1E were defeated. The voters rejected the spending cap that was being promoted. They also rejected the continuing cutting of state services. As an indication ...
May 20, 2009
Courage Campaign and CREDO Mobile call for Majority Vote Budget and restoration of democracy to state legislature Special Election Results Seen as a Mandate for Progressive Change in State Government.
LOS ANGELES - In the aftermath of the May 19 special election, the Courage Campaign and CREDO...
May 20, 2009
Low Voter Turnout Rebukes Costly Special Election; Governor and Legislators Told, "Get Back to Work."
SACRAMENTO, CA – California voters overwhelmingly rejected what many saw as flawed and unworkable solutions to an escalating state budget crisis. In one of the worst voter turnouts in state hist...
May 20, 2009
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Standing atop San Francisco´s largest water reservoir, Mayor Gavin Newsom signed into law an ordinance that will lead to the construction of California´s largest solar photovoltaic (PV) installation. Upon the project´s completion in 2010, some 25,000 solar panel...
May 20, 2009
SACRAMENTO – The California State Senate today (33-1) approved legislation to help protect children involved in youth organizations from sexual predators and other violent criminals. Senate Bill 447, authored by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo), would reform the criminal background ch...
May 20, 2009
(SACRAMENTO) – Assemblymember Ted Lieu (D-Torrance) announced that Assembly Bill 532, which would help protect victims of domestic violence, cleared the State Assembly unanimously.
"Firearms and deadly weapons should never be left at a scene to allow an abuser to further endanger their victims a...
May 20, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Survivors of violent crime in California would benefit from more comprehensive services under a bill authored by Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco). Senate Bill 733, which is being heard today by the Senate Appropriations Committee, creates up to three Trauma Recovery Centers across Ca...
May 20, 2009
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Jim Moran, Virginia Democrat, joined with Representative Mary Bono Mack (R-CA) to introduce legislation today, the "Truth in Fur Labeling Act," which requires honest labeling of fur products sold in the United States. The bill, supported by the Humane Society of the Un...
May 20, 2009
(San Francisco, CA) – The Treasure Island Redevelopment Project was announced today as one among 16 founding projects of the Climate Positive Development Program, a Clinton Climate Initiative (CCI) program that will support the development of large-scale urban projects that demonstrate cities can g...
May 19, 2009
Sacramento - On behalf of women and all workers in this state, the California Chapter of the National Organization for Women ("California NOW") applauds Assembly Member Dave Jones for his persistent championing of equal pay for equal work with AB 793 (Jones), legislation that ensures victims of pay ...
May 19, 2009
State Controller John Chiang Endorses Ted Lieu for Attorney General.
Los Angeles, CA - Assemblymember Ted Lieu (D-Torrance) landed the first official statewide elected endorsement for the race for Attorney General today with the backing of California State Controller John Chiang.
"Ted Lieu e...
May 16, 2009
SACRAMENTO - Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi, the chair of the State Lands Commission, issued the following statement on the May Revise proposal to sell PXP, the Tranquillion Ridge oil lease, for $100 million.
"The oil company has essentially offered to loan $100 million dollars to California ...
May 16, 2009
Governor making terroristic threats, and may be in delusional state in last ditch effort to intimidate voters to approve ´rotten' May 19 ballot props, charges Green Party.
SACRAMENTO – Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's announcement that he will lay off 5,000 state workers and cut money to the ...
May 15, 2009
With a Click of the Mouse Discover How Much Money Jack Weiss and Carmen Trutanich Received from the Finance, Insurance and Real Estate Industries—Down to Interest Group, Company and Name of Developer.
BERKELEY, CA — MAPLight.org, a nonpartisan, nonprofit research organization that s...
May 15, 2009
SACRAMENTO – The state Senate today approved a plan to make California to ban smoking at state parks and beaches to protect the marine environment and reduce fire danger statewide.
"From Day One, this measure has been built on two pillars: education and prevention," Sen. Jenny Oropeza, D-Long Bea...
May 14, 2009
Reiner Led Rally in Front of Governor's Office in Downtown LA Earlier Today urging NO votes on Props. 1D & 1E.
LOS ANGELES – The NO on Prop. 1D & 1E campaign released a one minute radio advertisement featuring actor/director and children's advocate Rob Reiner today. The ad urges Californians t...
May 13, 2009
SACRAMENTO - Senate Republican Leader Dennis Hollingsworth (R– Murrieta) issued a joint statement with Senator Bob Dutton (R- Rancho Cucamonga) about Controller John Chiang´s April cash figures. Chiang reports that revenues are nearly 2 billion below projections. Sales taxes were down nearly...
May 13, 2009
(Sacramento, CA) – The California State Assembly has approved legislation by Assemblywoman Mary Hayashi (D-Hayward) that would prevent health plans and insurers from canceling a health insurance policy 18 months after the policy was issued. Assembly Bill 108 (Hayashi) passed on a 48-28 vote.
"I...
May 13, 2009
SACRAMENTO - Senate Republican Leader Dennis Hollingsworth (R-Murrieta), with Senators Roy Ashburn (R-Bakersfield), Bob Dutton (R-Rancho Cucamonga), Tony Strickland (R-Thousand Oaks) and Mimi Walters (R-Laguna Hills) released a statement concerning a number of job creation bills up for a vote in the...
May 12, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) blasted the University of California (UC) Board of Regents for approving two excessive, six-figure salaries for incoming chancellors at UC San Francisco and UC Davis.
The Regents approved a $450,000 salary for incoming UCSF Chancellor S...
May 12, 2009
SAN FRANCISCO— Surrounded by firefighters and community members, two of San Francisco´s leading Chinese American officials called for protecting neighborhood firehouses in the face of proposed "brownouts." A vote on whether to move forward on "brownouts" is scheduled for Tuesday, May 12...
Five Calif. Budget Measures Losing: Interest in May Election Ballot Increases and So Does Opposition
May 09, 2009
Pessimism About State Contrasts Sharply With New Optimism About Nation.
SAN FRANCISCO — Five of the six propositions on the May special election ballot are trailing among likely voters, according to a statewide survey released yesterday by the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) ...
May 08, 2009
The West Hollywood City Council has unanimously voted to appoint Lindsey Horvath as the new City Councilmember to fill the vacancy left by the late Councilmember Sal Guarriello who passed away in April. Horvath will be sworn in as a member of the West Hollywood City Council at a special meeting on W...
May 07, 2009
San Francisco, CA – Mayor Newsom announced that he has authorized $42 million to keep critical infrastructure improvements, including road resurfacing, sidewalk repair, curb ramp installation, and street structure improvements on track.
"Sustained infrastructure investment is more critical than e...
May 07, 2009
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – The San Francisco Board of Supervisors overwhelmingly passed legislation this week, proposed by Mayor Newsom and co-sponsored by Supervisor Sophie Maxwell, which prohibits loitering outside San Francisco´s nightclubs. The legislation is aimed at curbing nightclub-related v...
May 07, 2009
The California State Senate Education Committee yesterday passed SB 572 on a 7 to 2 vote. Voting to establish Harvey Milk "gay day" in public schools was Republican Abel Maldonado of Santa Maria and all six Democrats on the committee: Gloria Romero of East Los Angeles, Elaine Alquist of San Jose, Lo...
May 07, 2009
Sacramento, CA— A bill to increase transparency in education policy-making authored by Senator Gloria Romero, Chair of the Senate Committee on Education, passed off the California Senate floor unanimously today, 35-0, and will now go on to the Assembly.
"Greater public access to state boar...
May 06, 2009
Green Party turns thumbs-down to propositions on May 19 ballot, charge plan is ´rotten deal' that only gives voters ´choice' of being shot in arm or leg.
SACRAMENTO – The Green Party of California yesterday – after polling its members and county councils statewide for the past month...
May 06, 2009
Sacramento, CA— Senator Gloria Romero (D-East Los Angeles), Chair of the Senate Committee on Education, says that a new report released this week highlights the urgency of addressing California´s dropout crisis.
"California once led the nation in high school graduates. Now we lead th...
May 06, 2009
Legislation responds to recent state Supreme Court decision.
May 06, 2009
SAN FRANCISCO – The Senate Judiciary Committee today approved legislation that would prevent landlords from unfairly evicting victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Senate Bill 782, authored by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo), is modeled after a San Francisco ordinance auth...
May 02, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Winners in State Senator Simitian´s 2009 "There Oughta Be A Law" contest traveled to Sacramento this week to testify in the State Senate – with good results. Advocates for all three bills persuaded Senate Committee members that each of their bills should become state law. Each of ...
May 02, 2009
Chair of Senate Education Committee calls for core curriculum and proposes bill amending test date.
Sacramento, CA — Test results released Thursday by the California Department of Education (CDE) show that English learners have made negligible progress in mastering the language since last...
May 02, 2009
UNAC/UHCP political director makes a case for AB 664 to create new presumptions in workers compensation for dangerous working conditions of direct health care providers.
Sacramento, CA – Jimmy Gomez, Political Director for the United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Pro...
April 30, 2009
SACRAMENTO – On a 7-2 bipartisan vote, the Senate Committee on Education today approved legislation to further reign in exorbitant executive compensation at the University of California (UC) and the California State University (CSU). SB 217, authored by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo...
April 30, 2009
SACRAMENTO: The Senate Business & Professions Committee this week approved legislation authored by Senator Sam Aanestad (R-Grass Valley) that is designed to improve patient safety in California by reforming Medical Peer Review -- the process by which a committee of physicians examines the work of a ...
April 28, 2009
SACRAMENTO – The Senate Committee on Governmental Organization today unanimously approved legislation authored by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) to provide independent oversight of all pari-mutuel horse race wagering in California. Specifically, SB 662 will require the California Ho...
April 29, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Today, the Assembly Public Safety Committee passed AB 1392 by Assemblyman Van Tran (R-Garden Grove), a measure to address the growing scourge of graffiti in many of our communities. Beyond the physical and economic damages, graffiti has been recognized by the law enforcement community a...
April 29, 2009
With 11 confirmed cases of the swine flu illness in California, state health authorities have taken several preventive steps to mitigate the impacts and slow the spread of the virus. As of today, there have been five confirmed cases in San Diego County, five in Imperial County, and one in Sacramento...
April 29, 2009
SACRAMENTO – The Senate Public Safety Committee today unanimously approved legislation to assist victims of human trafficking and support law enforcement by allowing courts to seize any property, such as house or automobile, of a person convicted of human trafficking and used in the commission of th...
April 29, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Democrats on the Senate Human Services Committee this afternoon rejected legislation by Senator John J. Benoit (R-Bermuda Dunes) to mandate random drug tests for welfare recipients. RJ´s Law (Senate Bill 384) was defeated on a party-line vote of 2-2. The originator of the propos...
April 29, 2009
SACRAMENTO— Senate Natural Resources Committee voted today to approve legislation by Senator Lois Wolk (D-Davis) to protect the beauty and integrity of California´s state parks by preventing their conversion for private or corporate use.
"Increasing development throughout the state...
April 27, 2009
SACRAMENTO – The California State Senate approved today SB 20, legislation by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), which aims to strengthen existing privacy protection laws for California consumers. The new law builds on legislation authored by Simitian in 2002 that requires a business or gover...
April 28, 2009
SACRAMENTO - An environmental policy-setting panel today approved Sen. Jenny Oropeza´s plan to reduce the release into the air of a widely used ´greenhouse´ gas previously thought harmless.
The Senate Environmental Quality Committee´s approval of Senate Bill 104 came the w...
Bill to Help Californians Pay for Home Solar Systems and Energy Efficiency Initiatives Passes Senate
April 28, 2009
Sacramento, CA – A bill by Senator Loni Hancock (D-Oakland) allowing cities and counties to help property owners pay for solar energy systems and energy efficiency improvements passed the Senate today. The vote on SB 279 was 26-13.
"My bill will remove the primary financial hurdle that deters...
April 28, 2009
California Democrat lawmakers today killed two bills to abolish the Integrated Waste Management Board (IWMB).
Senator Jeff Denham´s (R-Merced) SB 44 was voted down in the Senate Environmental Quality Committee on a party-line vote of 1 - 4, with the Republican voting "yes" and Democrats vo...
April 28, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Tomorrow afternoon, Assemblyman Van Tran´s (R-Garden Grove) much needed reform, AB 631, will be heard by the Assembly Committee on Human Services. AB 631 will provide accountability for the welfare (CalWORKs) system in California. Unfortunately, some people try to game the syste...
April 27, 2009
Washington, D.C. – Paul Helmke, President of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, released the following statement today on behalf of the Brady organization and its California Brady Chapters:
"Carmen Trutanich, a candidate for Los Angeles City Attorney, is a senior partner of the eighteen-me...
April 24, 2009
Law Would Protect Vulnerable Workers and Hold Violators Accountable in Underground Carwash Industry.
Sacramento — The Assembly Committee on Labor and Employment has passed AB 236—to renew the state´s "Carwash Worker Law"—after hearing from a Los Angeles carwash worker w...
April 24, 2009
San Francisco, CA — Because federal immigration law does not currently allow LGBT Americans to sponsor their partners, it took an emergency bill introduced on the Senate floor yesterday by Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) to keep one same-sex binational couple and their family together in the Uni...
April 23, 2009
SACRAMENTO – The Senate´s Health Committee passed legislation that provides public health agencies and emergency responders timely access to complete ingredient lists of aerial pesticides. Senate Bill 759, authored by Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco), requires the disclosure of inert or ina...
April 23, 2009
Sacramento, CA—Today, Senator Gloria Romero, Chair of the Senate Committee on Education, succeeded in passing SB 331, legislation that would require increased accountability, data collection and participation of migrant students, through the Senate Committee on Education with a 7-1 vote.
"...
April 23, 2009
SACRAMENTO – AB 1000 Healthy Workplaces, Healthy Families Act of 2009 authored by Assemblywoman Fiona Ma (D-San Francisco) passed out of Assembly Labor and Employment Committee with a vote of 2-4. AB 1000 will allow workers to earn and use paid sick days for personal illness, to care for a sick fami...
April 24, 2009
SACRAMENTO, CA: Senator Sam Aanestad (R-Grass Valley) will take part in a high profile California Legislative hearing this Friday, April 24th in Reno, Nevada to determine how California can prevent more businesses from leaving the state. Aanestad, a former small business owner who came to the State ...
April 24, 2009
SACRAMENTO – A key Senate fiscal panel late Wednesday approved a plan to help parents save for their child´s college education by allowing them to direct deposit tax refunds into qualified tuition-program accounts.
"With the increasing cost of higher education, it is more important than e...
"Leash Your Lid" law to attach plastic bottle caps to the bottle passes from environmental committee
April 24, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Assembly Bill 925, legislation that would prohibit the sale of single-use plastic beverage containers unless the cap is affixed to the bottle, has passed from the Assembly Committee on Natural Resources.
The bill´s author, Assembly Member Lori Saldaña (D-San Diego), said plas...
April 24, 2009
Washington, D.C. – In an effort to improve the long-term health and well-being of childhood cancer survivors, Congresswoman Mary Bono (CA-45) and Congresswoman Jackie Speier (CA-12) today introduced the Pediatric, Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Survivorship and Quality of Life Act. This bipartisa...
April 24, 2009
SAN FRANCISCO, CA –Mayor Newsom today announced that San Francisco´s enterprise departments plan for over $1 billion for infrastructure projects that are already underway or will begin in the coming year, which will create or preserve thousands of jobs. These investments will be in addition to...
April 23, 2009
City Attorney Candidates Carmen Trutanich and Jack Weiss Face Off in LIVE Televised Debate Hosted by the Los Angeles League of Conservation Voters.
Los Angeles – Carmen Trutanich and Jack Weiss faced off tonight in a live, televised debate in their battle to become the next City Attorney for th...
April 22, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Beating back the banking industry´s furious attack, California Assemblymember Pedro Nava (D-Santa Barbara), Chair of the Assembly Banking and Finance Committee, announced today that his Assembly Bill 1075, the Corporate Responsibility Act of 2009, passed its first test and is now ...
April 22, 2009
SACRAMENTO- Today, the Assembly Business and Professions Committee began the process of instituting important protections for taxpayers by passing AB 480 by Assemblyman Van Tran (R- Garden Grove).
AB 480 requires that all state bond measures, passed by the voters, have auditing provisions to ens...
April 22, 2009
SACRAMENTO, CA – Today the Assembly Public Safety Committee approved legislation which would require all California law enforcement agencies to test every rape kit in their possession. Assembly Bill (AB) 1017, authored by Assemblymembers Anthony J. Portantino and Julia Brownley, cleared the committ...
April 22, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Legislation that helps reduce the number of seniors unfairly evicted from residential care facilities passed the Senate Judiciary Committee today. Senate Bill 781, authored by Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco), requires residential care facilities for the elderly to provide eviction n...
April 22, 2009
SACRAMENTO – The Senate Judiciary Committee today passed a measure by Sen. Ron Calderon (D-Montebello) that will protect California borrowers who are struggling in today´s troubled housing market.
The bill, SB 94, authored by Sen. Calderon, will prevent a person or a business from chargi...
April 22, 2009
SACRAMENTO –Assemblymember Pedro Nava (D-Santa Barbara) announced that his measures to clean-up the mortgage and banking industry and provide more protections for California consumers passed the Assembly Banking & Finance Committee yesterday.
The following Nava measures were approved yesterday b...
April 22, 2009
SACRAMENTO – The Senate Public Safety Committee today considered legislation by Senator John J. Benoit (R-Bermuda Dunes) aimed at pressuring the federal government to pay its full share of the cost of incarcerating illegal immigrant inmates in State prisons. Receiving a 3-3 vote, Senate Bill 125 fe...
April 22, 2009
(SACRAMENTO) – Assembly Democrats today blocked an effort by Assemblyman Chuck DeVore to expand California´s energy supply with modern nuclear power. AB 1035 was defeated in the Assembly Committee on Natural Resources on a party-line vote. It would have created a one-time exemption from state...
April 21, 2009
SACRAMENTO, CA—Today, SB 680, which would continue to allow parents to send their children to whatever public school they choose, earned bipartisan, unanimous support on the Senate Floor. The bill is co-authored by Democratic Senator Romero (D-East Los Angeles) and Republican Senator Huff (R-...
April 21, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Assembly Member Lori Saldaña (D-San Diego) has introduced a bill that would require the State of California to pay interest on their State personal income tax (PIT) refunds beginning 15 days after the return is filed.
Saldaña said this bill is about fairness.
"Over 2 million Ca...
April 20, 2009
Coalition Will Fight Flawed Measure That Was Written by the Governor and the Legislature. Prop 1A Will Do Nothing to Stop the Budget Chaos in Sacramento.
SACRAMENTO – A coalition of teachers, nurses, health care providers, seniors and public employees filed paperwork with the Secretary of Sta...
April 17, 2009
SACRAMENTO – It has been several years since the people´s elected representatives have been able to make changes to California´s school curriculum and textbooks.
Over the past decade, over a dozen bills were introduced in the State Legislature attempting to make curriculum changes,...
BILL TO HELP CALIFORNIANS PAY FOR HOME SOLAR & ENERGY EFFICIENCY INITIATIVES PASSES SENATE COMMITTEE
April 17, 2009
Sacramento, CA – A bill by Senator Loni Hancock (D-Oakland) allowing cities and counties to help finance solar energy systems and energy efficiency improvements on individual properties passed the Senate Local Government Committee.
The bill gives cities and counties the ability to establish a lo...
April 17, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Senator Mark Leno´s Universal Health Care Act passed the Senate Health Committee with a 7-4 vote. Senate Bill 810 guarantees comprehensive health care benefits to every California resident and is proven to contain health care spending and improve quality and delivery at the same t...
April 17, 2009
SACRAMENTO – The California Senate today approved legislation that would prohibit businesses from denying service to a patron because of the language he or she speaks. Specifically, the bill adds "language" to the list of protections in the state´s civil rights act, which prohibits discrimina...
April 16, 2009
Washington, D.C. - The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence and its California Brady Chapters has asked L.A. City Attorney candidate Carmen Trutanich to disclose his full client list to shed light on the potential conflicts of interest that he would face if elected City Attorney.
"The law ...
April 15, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) continued his efforts to decrease the number of youth offenders sentenced to life without the possibility parole, which is currently the maximum sentence allowed by law. Last session, Yee introduced SB 999 in an attempt to abolish the sent...
April 15, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Following a press conference to bring attention to the growing problem of cell phone use by inmates, the Senate Public Safety Committee, in a 6-0 vote, approved legislation by Senator John J. Benoit (R-Bermuda Dunes) that would create criminal penalties for anyone caught possessing or s...
April 15, 2009
SACRAMENTO, CA — A measure to enact a 25 cent fee on single-use carryout bags passed the Assembly Committee on Natural Resources.
AB 87 would require a store that collects the single-use carryout bag fees to remit the fees to the State Board of Equalization for deposit into a Bag Polluti...
April 15, 2009
Sacramento - Senator Bob Huff (R – Diamond Bar) announced yesterday that his legislation to provide easy online access to comprehensive government expenditure information passed out of the Senate Committee on Governmental Organization.
Senate Bill 719 requires each state department and agency to...
April 15, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Legislation authored by Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) that would improve access to food stamps cleared its first hurdle, passing the Senate Health and Human Services Committee with a 3-1 vote. Senate Bill 718 would end California´s requirement that food stamp applicants be f...
April 14, 2009
SACRAMENTO—Senator Gloria Romero, Chair of Senate Education, again highlighted the need for reform in California´s education system based on a report released yesterday by the California Dropout Research Project stating one in three high-school students will drop out of school before gra...
April 14, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Pedro Nava (D-Santa Barbara)announced that two of his measures to clean up the banking & mortgage industry passed their first legislative hurdle, the Assembly Banking & Finance Committee.
"I am very pleased to see these essential reforms moving through the Legislature,...
April 09, 2009
Los Angeles police and firefighters are the latest public safety groups to endorse Paul Koretz in his runoff for Fifth District seat on the Los Angeles City Council.
The Los Angeles Police Protective League, United Firefighters of Los Angeles City, and the Los Angeles School Police Association ha...
April 08, 2009
SACRAMENTO - Democratic gubernatorial candidate John Garamendi has announced Brian Young as his Chief Technology Officer, who will oversee all internet services and strategy for the Garamendi for Governor 2010 Campaign. Young was the Democratic National Committee's former information services direct...
April 08, 2009
SACRAMENTO - Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi, California´s first elected insurance commissioner and a long-time advocate for single-payer health care, spoke at a rally this week to express his strong support for a universal health insurance – HR 676- by Democratic Michigan Congressman John ...
April 07, 2009
SAN FRANCISCO – Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) today announced legislation to prevent landlords from unfairly evicting domestic violence victims. Senate Bill 782 is modeled after a San Francisco ordinance authored by Supervisor Carmen Chu and sponsored by District Attorney Kamala Ha...
April 03, 2009
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) announced today that over $34 Million in emergency education funding has been released for schools in the Ninth Congressional District of California to help save education-related jobs and maintain programs for low-income students and students with...
April 03, 2009
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Today Mayor Newsom and Superintendent Carlos Garcia officially rescinded the majority of teacher layoffs set to take place this month by allocating over $23 million from the city´s Rainy Day Fund.
"Our commitment to education, demonstrated by the release of these rainy d...
April 02, 2009
Sacramento, CA – The League of Women Voters of California has announced its opposition to Propositions 1A, 1C, 1D and 1E on the May 19 Special Election ballot and urged voters to reject them.
"We oppose these measures because they are NOT the solution to our long term financial crisis, with the...
April 01, 2009
(SACRAMENTO)- The Senate Education Committee today passed a measure authored by Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) that creates an innovative green workforce development partnership between emerging green tech businesses and public schools.
SB 675, the Clean Technology an...
March 31, 2009
SACRAMENTO – While speaking one´s native language is protected in cases of employment and housing under state law, such protections are not extended to consumers under the state´s civil rights act.
The Unruh Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination within business establishments, us...
March 31, 2009
Sacramento–State Assemblymember Pedro Nava announced today that his legislative initiatives to protect our communities from sexually violent predators passed their committees on bipartisan unanimous votes.
Assembly Bill 61, Sex Crime Loophole Closure Act, passed the Assembly Public Safety Commit...
March 31, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Senate Bill 14, which requires all energy providers to buy 33 percent of their energy from clean renewable energy sources by 2020 has been approved by the Senate 21-16. The bill, authored by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) now heads to the Assembly.
"California can and sh...
March 31, 2009
(Sacramento) – On the heels of the revelation that salmonella contamination occurred at a California-based pistachio processing plant and subsequent recall of over 1 million pounds of pistachios in 31 states, today Assembly member Mike Feuer (D-Los Angeles) and Assembly Speaker Karen Bass (D-Los Ang...
March 30, 2009
Democratic Party exposes City Council candidate Robert Garcia´s long ties to the Republican Party.
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles County Democratic Party (LACDP) learned that despite his recent registration as a Democrat, candidate Robert Garcia has long ties to the Republican Party, as he...
March 28, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) condemned several recent decisions regarding executive compensation by the University of California (UC) Board of Regents.
Despite the state´s struggling finances and increased student fees, last week the UC handed out over $350...
March 28, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC – Calling it "great news" for the region, Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-45) praised House passage of the public lands package that included Bono Mack´s widely supported bill to preserve certain desert and forest landscapes and rivers in Riverside County, in addition to Bono M...
March 28, 2009
In response to the tragic killing of four Oakland police officers last weekend, Senator Loni Hancock (D-Oakland) and Assemblymember Sandré Swanson (D-Oakland) today announced legislation to restrict and control the possession and distribution of large capacity ammunition magazines. The widespread a...
March 28, 2009
Sacramento, CA – State Senator Denise Moreno Ducheny (D - San Diego) announced that she, several Assembly and Senate colleagues and the Governor reached an agreement to change State law to allow California to collect $844 million in Federal Unemployment Insurance stimulus funds. Ducheny coauthored ...
March 28, 2009
(SACRAMENTO) – With California´s unemployment rate rising, the Senate passed two urgency bipartisan bills that will provide additional federally funded unemployment insurance benefits to jobless Californians.
AB 23 X3, authored by Assemblyman Joe Coto (D-San Diego), will extend to out-of-...
March 27, 2009
United Firefighters of Los Angeles City have endorsed Paul Koretz in the Los Angeles City Council District 5 election on May 19th.
Pat McOsker, the organization's President, said, "Paul Koretz is an experienced fighter for public safety. Whether it's his work to achieve landmark gun safety laws ...
March 24, 2009
Sacramento - In a bipartisan vote of 75-0, the State Assembly passed AB 23 X3, authored by Assemblymember Joe Coto (D-San Jose), which adopts the necessary changes to California law to qualify the state for up to $3 billion in federal economic stimulus funding.
The bill authorizes 20 weeks of a...
March 24, 2009
SACRAMENTO – A key Senate environmental policy-setting committee approved a plan to protect the marine environment and reduce fire danger statewide under a smoking ban by Sen. Jenny Oropeza, D-Long Beach.
"We´re hoping not one citation has to be issued," Oropeza said about Senate ...
March 24, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Sen. Ellen Corbett (D-San Leandro) said today the Legislature will investigate the foreclosure scams that have arisen as a result of the mortgage meltdown and examine the need for legislation to protect consumers from those scams.
As the number of struggling homeowners increases in ...
March 24, 2009
SACRAMENTO, CA – Today the Assembly Health Committee approved legislation which would fund California´s pioneering Umbilical Cord Blood Program. Assembly Bill (AB) 52, authored by Assemblymember Anthony J. Portantino, cleared the committee by a vote of 14-2.
"The California Umbilical Cord...
March 24, 2009
SACRAMENTO – All six of the budget-related propositions placed on the May special election ballot by the State Legislature should go down to defeat, the Peace and Freedom Party announced today.
"We studied each proposition and decided on them individually, and each merited opposition. We conside...
March 19, 2009
SACRAMENTO – After reviewing 331 proposals from residents around the state, State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today the three winners of this year´s "There Oughta Be A Law" contest. Simitian´s annual contest invites Californians to submit suggestions for new legislation....
March 19, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Saying that AIG misused taxpayer dollars and now must be forced to give them back, Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack today voted in favor of legislation aimed at recovering outrageous bonuses recently paid to top AIG executives. Bono Mack issued the following statement:
"AIG took...
March 19, 2009
(Washington, DC) Today, Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-Miramar) introduced a resolution calling for long-term care to be made a part of our nation´s comprehensive health care reform agenda. (Please find attached a copy of the resolution)
"We are tasked with solving one of the most ser...
March 18, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Pedro Nava, Chair of the California Assembly Banking & Finance Committee, announced the introduction of the Corporate Responsibility Act of 2009. AB 1075 will prohibit California regulated banks and financial institutions that receive TARP money from spending it on objec...
March 18, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Representative Barbara Lee (D-CA) joined the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SEICUS), NARAL Pro-Choice America, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Advocates for Youth and other leading health care grou...
March 12, 2009
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Mayor Newsom announced Wednesday that the City has exceeded his 2004 pledge to plant 25,000 trees in San Francisco. At a ceremonial tree planting this morning at South Van Ness and Howard streets, the Mayor announced that 26,408 trees have been added to San Francisco since 2005 a...
March 12, 2009
Lieu´s California Foreclosure Prevention Act also a model for other states.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Assemblymember Ted W. Lieu (D-Torrance) pushed federal officials today to expand key elements of the federal mortgage rescue plan.
"People should be able to refinance their home based up...
March 12, 2009
SACRAMENTO – State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced today his selection of Naomi Nakano-Matsumoto as the 11th State Senate District´s Woman of the Year.
Nakano-Matsumoto is the Executive Director of West Valley Community Services (formerly Cupertino Community Services). Un...
March 12, 2009
Sacramento – Today Assembly Bill 83 (Feuer), which encourages individuals to assist others responsibly in emergency situations, passed the Assembly Floor with unanimous support from Republicans and Democrats on a vote of 74-0. AB 83 encourages individuals to assist others responsibly in emergency ...
March 11, 2009
SACRAMENTO - At the direction of Assembly Speaker Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles), the Assembly Business and Professions Committee, chaired by Assemblymember Mary Hayashi (D-Hayward), heard from Legislative Analyst Mac Taylor and Deputy State Architect Roy McBrayer today on the most effective ways Califo...
March 10, 2009
SACRAMENTO: Senator Sam Aanestad (R-Grass Valley) has formally introduced legislation that will increase access to affordable, quality healthcare without restricting a patient´s right to make medical decisions without interference. It promotes patient safety and lets doctors and nurses do wha...
March 10, 2009
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Mayor Gavin Newsom today announced that layoffs and program cuts to public schools will be prevented by providing up to $23 million from the city's rainy day fund. Newsom´s action will save over 250 teachers´ jobs.
The San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) ...
March 08, 2009
Calls Higher Ed A Solid Down Payment On California´s Future.
SACRAMENTO – With California spending almost as much incarcerating inmates in prisons as it does educating students in higher education, Assembly Majority Leader Alberto Torrico introduced legislation today to expand funding for...
Schwarzenegger Goes Jindal while Assemblymembers Niello and Garrick Also Vote "NO" to Aid Unemployed
March 06, 2009
California Republicans were back in their "just say no" mode yesterday when they voted to jeopardize billions in federal economic stimulus funds designed to help the state's rising number of unemployed workers.
At a hearing of the Assembly Insurance Committee Thursday, Republican Governor Ar...
March 06, 2009
Bills Call for Statewide Phasing Out of Styrofoam, Plastic Bags, and Removable Bottle Caps.
SACRAMENTO – Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi, chairman of the State Lands Commission and member of the Ocean Protection Council, today joined Assembly Coastal Caucus members Pedro Nava (D-Santa Barbar...
March 05, 2009
(Sacramento) – Yesterday Assemblymember Mike Feuer (D-Los Angeles) announced AB 590, a landmark measure that would make California the first state in the nation to establish a model program providing a right to counsel for low-income people in critical civil cases.
"In this economic downturn,...
March 05, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Nava, member of the Ocean Protection Council and members of the Assembly Coastal Caucus announced at a Capitol press conference yesterday the introduction of legislation to clean-up our oceans.
Marine debris is a growing worldwide problem. Approximately 80% of the deb...
March 05, 2009
Sacramento - AB 23 of the 3rd Extraordinary Session, authored by Assemblymember Joe Coto (D-San Jose), adopts necessary changes to California law to qualify the state for two major pieces of federal economic stimulus funding.
The bill authorizes 20 weeks of additional federal Unemployment Insura...
March 05, 2009
(SACRAMENTO) - Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento), along with members of the Senate Democratic caucus, unveiled a package of bills that take the first steps towards linking our education system to high wage jobs in emerging economies.
"Ensuring that every California studen...
March 05, 2009
Sacramento, CA —Assemblymember Pedro Nava announced today the introduction of AB 721 to improve access to healthcare services. AB 721 will allow physical therapists to act within their scope of practice and initiate immediate treatment to patients seeking relief from pain and injury without t...
March 04, 2009
(Sacramento) – Assembly Bill 83 (Feuer), which encourages individuals to assist others responsibly in emergency situations, unanimously passed the Assembly Judiciary Committee yesterday with strong support from Republicans and Democrats. AB 83 encourages individuals to assist others responsibly in...
March 04, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Building on her ongoing efforts to raise awareness for the dangers of substance abuse and addiction, Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-45) today joined Congressman Fred Upton (MI-06) in introducing bipartisan legislation to better control the highly addictive and potentially danger...
March 04, 2009
San Francisco, CA – Mayor Newsom announced the release of the City and County of San Francisco´s Proposed Capital Plan for Fiscal Year 2010-2019 to spur local job growth by recommending $17.5 billion in capital investments. Together with $10.5 billion in investments of other local agencies, Sa...
March 02, 2009
Sacramento, CA – Assemblyman Chuck DeVore, R-Irvine, introduced a measure to end the moratorium on new nuclear power in California in an effort to expand the state´s low greenhouse gas emission energy supply. Assembly Bill 1025 is the fourth nuclear power bill authored by the Assemblyman in th...
March 02, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) introduced legislation to assist victims of human trafficking and support law enforcement by allowing courts to seize any personal property, such as house or automobile, of a person convicted of human trafficking.
"SB 557 will bring muc...
March 02, 2009
Sacramento –Senator Jeff Denham (R-Merced) introduced a package of six measures aimed at expanding education, training and jobs for California´s returning veterans, and increasing business opportunities for disabled veteran business enterprises (DVBEs).
"I´m on a mission to help con...
March 02, 2009
SACRAMENTO – State Assembly Majority Leader Alberto Torrico has introduced legislation to allow local fire agency governing bodies to designate safe surrender sites and require the state Department of Social Services to seek additional funds to promote the program throughout the state.
AB 1048 a...
March 02, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Last week, Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) introduced legislation to help protect children involved in youth organizations from sexual predators and other violent criminals. Senate Bill 447 would reform the criminal background check policy at the approximately 36,000 you...
March 02, 2009
Legislation Addresses Effects of Third Consecutive Drought Year.
Sacramento – After Governor Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency because of California´s third consecutive drought year, Assemblymember Mike Feuer has introduced the following statement:
"During what may beco...
March 02, 2009
LOS ANGELES, Calif. ─ Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich is showing great leadership in calling for more comprehensive laws to prevent irresponsible dog breeding in Los Angeles County, according to one of the nation´s leading animal welfare organizations.
"We applaud Supervisor Antonovich for...
February 28, 2009
Law enforcement and business groups, environmental and labor organizations, human rights and medical associations have joined hundreds of community leaders and elected officials in endorsing Paul Koretz for the Los Angeles City Council.
As the campaign for the fifth district seat enters the fina...
February 26, 2009
AB 8xx, a bill introduced by Assemblyman Brian Nestande, was approved by the Legislature as part of the budget package passed on February 18th. The bill included four measures to help stimulate the economy and to bring new revenue to the state without raising taxes.
"While I voted against the bu...
February 26, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) today continued his efforts to decrease the number of youth offenders sentenced to life without the possibility parole, which is currently the maximum sentence allowed by law. Last session, Yee introduced SB 999 in an attempt to abolish th...
February 26, 2009
SACRAMENTO - With California spending almost as much incarcerating inmates in prisons as it does educating students in higher education, Assembly Majority Leader Alberto Torrico introduced legislation today to expand funding for community colleges, the California State University and University of C...
February 26, 2009
Structural Reforms Highlighted
SACRAMENTO – Before a standing room only audience during Tuesday's California Constitutional Convention Summit, Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi called for bold reforms that will help end California´s continual budget stalemates.
"We have tied ourselves in ...
February 26, 2009
Jimmy Gomez, previously with AFSCME in Washington D.C., will start at UNAC/UHCP March 2 to represent the voice of nurses in politics.
California – Jimmy Gomez is set to become the Political Director for the United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Healthcare Professionals on March 2. ...
February 26, 2009
Sacramento — Senator Bob Huff (R – Diamond Bar) today introduced the Open Enrollment Act, which will allow students across California to attend any K-12 public school in the state.
Current law requires students to attend the public school they are assigned according to their home zip cod...
February 26, 2009
SACRAMENTO – With California spending almost as much incarcerating inmates in prisons as it does educating students in higher education, Assembly Majority Leader Alberto Torrico introduced legislation today to expand funding for community colleges, the California State University and University of C...
February 24, 2009
Legislation will bring greater transparency, protect whistleblowers, reign in executive compensation.
February 24, 2009
Legislation Would Safeguard Rights of Nursing Home Patients and Consumers.
February 24, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Leading a concerted effort to maximize the benefits of federal funding for California and to help put California on track toward economic recovery, Assembly Speaker Karen Bass (D-Baldwin Vista) today announced a series of upcoming legislative hearings as part of the Assembly´s agg...
February 24, 2009
SACRAMENTO – While speaking one´s native language is protected in cases of employment and housing under state law, such protections are not provided under the state´s civil rights act, which prohibits discrimination within business establishments.
As a result, Senator Leland Yee (D...
February 24, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Senator John J. Benoit (R-Bermuda Dunes) today introduced Senate Bill 246, legislation that would create safeguards to protect California taxpayers from fraud in one of the State´s fastest-growing social welfare programs. Benoit´s legislation would require care providers fo...
February 19, 2009
Sacramento, CA – The California Senate confirmed California Business Roundtable Chairman Greg Jones to serve on the State Board of Education. Governor Schwarzenegger originally appointed Jones to the position in February of 2008 where he has served for one year.
Mr. Jones is President and C...
February 20, 2009
SACRAMENTO - The U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals today upheld a ruling by the U.S. District Court that struck down a California law preventing the sale and rental of ultra-violent video games to children. The law´s author, Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo), is urging Attorney...
February 18, 2009
Feuer Voices Support for Equal Rights.
Sacramento – The California Assembly Judiciary Committee yesterday approved House Resolution 5 (Ammiano) opposing the implementation of Prop 8. H.R. 5 states that Prop 8 is an improper revision, as opposed to an amendment, of the California Constitution.
...
February 18, 2009
SACRAMENTO — The Civil Justice Association of California (CJAC) urged all legislators working for California´s economic recovery to join in support of a proposal to bring balance to the state´s class action law and send a message that California is becoming more hospitable to compa...
February 18, 2009
The San Fernando Valley Young Democrats have announced their endorsement of Paul Koretz for the 5th District of the Los Angeles City Council.
"The San Fernando Valley Young Democrats are proud to support Paul Koretz's candidacy for 5th District," said SFVYD President Greg Girvan. "Paul Koretz's ...
February 13, 2009
SACRAMENTO –Assemblymember Pedro Nava, Eric Sakach, West Coast Director for The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), the Los Angeles District Attorney´s Office, Social Compassion in Legislation participated in a Capi...
February 14, 2009
Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (R-CA) joined Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA) in introducing bipartisan legislation to halt gang violence. The Gang Prevention, Intervention and Suppression Act would provide new resources for community-based gang prevention and intervention...
February 12, 2009
MONTEREY – Joined by local elected leaders and environmentalists, Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi reasserted his support on Monday for a statewide ban on takeout Styrofoam packaging and congratulated three Central Coast communities for their commitment to abolishing the usage of polystyrene foam ...
February 10, 2009
MONTEREY – Joined by local elected leaders and environmentalists, Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi reasserted his support for a statewide ban on takeout Styrofoam packaging and congratulated three Central Coast communities for their commitment to abolishing the usage of polystyrene foam plastic fo...
February 10, 2009
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Mayor Gavin Newsom today announced that as of February 10, 2009, residents with annual incomes at or below 500% of the Federal Poverty Level (for one person $52,000; for a family of four $106,000) will be eligible to enroll into San Francisco´s first-of-its-kind universal h...
February 10, 2009
SACRAMENTO –As funding for state services dries up due to the ongoing budget crisis, Assembly Rules Committee Chair Ted Lieu (D-Torrance) today was joined by Assemblymembers Juan Arambula (D-Fresno), Joe Coto (D-San Jose), Assemblymember Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa), Assemblymember Manny Perez (D-Coa...
February 06, 2009
Largest loan program of its kind in the United States would provide low-interest loans to residents and businesses for solar and energy efficiency upgrades.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - Mayor Gavin Newsom has announced an important step in the advancement of the country´s largest local property ta...
February 06, 2009
Lt. Governor Garamendi Joins Controller Chiang to Thwart Drilling Deal by 2 to 1 Vote.
SANTA BARBARA – On a two-to-one vote, the California State Lands Commission, chaired by Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi, last week denied the first new oil lease in state waters in almost 40 years.
...
February 06, 2009
San Jose, Stockton Town Halls Up Next for Exploratory Committee. More Than 1,500 Voters Have Attended Previous Events in 4 Counties. New Technologies Tap Into Voters' Desire for New Direction in California.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom´s exploratory campaign for Governor...
February 06, 2009
City Council decides it may consider ´charter commission´; Could lead to measure that would compete against Mayor´s ´strong-mayor´ initiative in 2010.
SACRAMENTO – The Sacramento City Council agreed Tuesday night to move toward the formation of a "charter reform co...
February 05, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Senator John J. Benoit (R-Bermuda Dunes) has introduced Senate Bill 125, a stimulus measure aimed at pressuring the federal government to reimburse California for the full cost of incarcerating illegal immigrants.
"If the federal government truly wants to stimulate California´...
February 05, 2009
San Francisco – Flanked by hundreds of cadets and elected officials today at Lowell
High School, Assemblywoman Fiona Ma introduced legislation, Assembly Bill 223, in
support of Junior Reserve Officers´ Training Corps (JROTC). AB 223 requires that
San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD...
February 05, 2009
SACRAMENTO—With California facing a record 9.3% unemployment rate, Democratic Assembly Member Lori Saldaña (D-San Diego) urged colleagues on both sides of the aisle to come to a swift agreement and resolve the budget impasse. The December 2008 version of the budget failed passage because it ...
February 05, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Children who ride school buses would have cleaner lungs under a Sen. Jenny Oropeza bill introduced today to limit engine idling by school and transit buses to five minutes.
"Children are the most susceptible to the health effects of air pollution because their immune systems and deve...
February 05, 2009
SACRAMENTO – On Monday, Assemblyman Jose Solorio (D-Anaheim), and a majority of California Assembly members, voted for the passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Assembly Joint Resolution 4, authored by Assembly Speaker Bass and co-authored by Mr. Solorio, urges the United St...
February 05, 2009
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-9) joined a majority of her House colleagues in supporting of the final version of bipartisan legislation to provide health care to 11 million children in modest-income families. The State Children´s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) Reau...
February 03, 2009
Sacramento – Assemblyman Curt Hagman today announced that he is introducing legislation to put to a halt to the construction of the new $185 million new headquarters for the California Lottery Commission in Sacramento.
"During this budget crisis, the last thing we should be doing is wasting mon...
February 03, 2009
(Sacramento) – Today Assemblymember Mike Feuer (D-Los Angeles) and Assemblymember Cameron Smyth (R-Santa Clarita) introduced Assembly Bill 215, bipartisan legislation to require long-term health care facilities to post the federal Center for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) star rating in a visible, publ...
February 03, 2009
SACRAMENTO: Senator Sam Aanestad (R-Grass Valley) has reintroduced legislation to reform California´s Major Risk Medical Insurance Program (MRMIP), which provides quality, affordable health coverage for thousands of Californians who are currently uninsurable. MRMIP offers access to health insu...
February 03, 2009
Senator Abel Maldonado (R-Santa Maria) today issued the following statement related to the State Controller, John Chiang, ordering $2 million of new office furniture in the middle of a budget crisis:
"The same day the governor vetoed the Democrats´ budget proposal, the Controller´s of...
February 03, 2009
Sacramento–State Assemblymember Pedro Nava announces the introduction of legislation to protect victims and our communities from sexually violent predators.
"We need to make sure that the worst of the worst offenders do not inflict more harm on our neighborhoods," said Nava. "This measure provide...
February 01, 2009
SACRAMENTO–Senator Lois Wolk (D-Davis) announced that applications are available for the prestigious California Senate Fellows program, which provides 18 college graduates an opportunity to be full-time Senate staff members at the state Capitol for 11 months.
"The Senate Fellows program offers...
February 01, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Those who receive treatment for kidney ailments would benefit most under a bill introduced today by state Sen. Jenny Oropeza to bring California into compliance with new federal regulations.
Senate Bill 112 would continue Medicare funding by ensuring the state´s 5,000 hemodial...
February 01, 2009
SANTA BARBARA – On a two-to-one vote, the California State Lands Commission, chaired by Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi, denied the first new oil lease in state waters in almost 40 years.
Garamendi, former Deputy Interior Secretary under President Bill Clinton, argued strongly that the plan ...
January 28, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Joined by victims and consumer advocates, Sen. Ellen Corbett (D-San Leandro) announced on Tuesday a bill to protect Californians from unscrupulous car dealers.
Senate Bill 95, the Car Buyers Protection Act, contains several provisions to give customers more safeguards when they pur...
January 28, 2009
SACRAMENTO—State Sen. Jenny Oropeza, D-Long Beach, today introduced legislation to reduce industry use of a widely used gas previously thought harmless.
Senate Bill 104 would allow the California Air Resources Board to regulate nitrogen trifluoride, or NF3, and possibly other gases found to...
January 28, 2009
Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-09) today voted in favor of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, a bill that seeks to restore the law as it was prior to the Supreme Court Ledbetter decision that narrowly decided to dismiss longstanding employment nondiscrimination law making it mu...
January 24, 2009
SACRAMENTO – In an ongoing effort to fight identity theft, Assemblyman Kevin Jeffries (R-Lake Elsinore) this week announced that he is: 1) Introducing legislation to increase the penalties on repeat identity theft offenders, and 2) Hosting another scam stopper meeting for constituents at Country Vi...
January 24, 2009
MORENO VALLEY – Senator John J. Benoit (R-Bermuda Dunes) announced the availability of applications for 2009-2010 Capital Fellowship Programs. College graduates interested in the opportunity to work as a full-time staff member in a legislative, executive, or judicial branch office are encouraged to...
January 24, 2009
Sacramento–California State Assemblymember Pedro Nava announced the introduction of the Sex Crime Loophole Closure Act, a measure to protect our communities from sexually violent predators.
"We need to make sure that the worst of the worst offenders do not inflict more harm on our neighborhoods,"...
January 24, 2009
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) and David Vitter (R-LA) joined with Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) to introduce legislation that would require the National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to establish a National Childhood Brain Tumor Preventio...
January 24, 2009
LOS ANGELES — Lt. Gov. John Garamendi said yesterday that he opposes allowing a company to expand oil drilling off the coast of Santa Barbara because it could signal that California wants to renew offshore drilling.
Garamendi chairs the three-member State Lands Commission, which is set to c...
January 21, 2009
SACRAMENTO – This morning Assemblyman Van Tran (R-Costa Mesa) was proud to introduce AB 141 to help alleviate the current economic and job crises facing our state. AB 141 would offer employees the ability to request a flexible work schedule to work up to 10 hours per day within a 40-hour work week....
January 21, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack today applauded legislation that would encourage state and local governments to help residents purchase solar technology for their homes and small businesses (H.R. 546). Bono Mack has worked extensively with local representatives to find a way to help h...
January 15, 2009
(SACRAMENTO) - Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) and Assembly Speaker Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles) announced a $2.3 billion "green" economic stimulus package that will create jobs while protecting and enhancing California´s environment.
"There is no conflict between a...
January 15, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack today praised U.S. Senate passage of a package of public lands bills (S. 22), which includes Bono Mack´s widely supported wilderness provision that would preserve certain desert and forest landscapes and rivers in Riverside County, in addition to...
January 15, 2009
(Sacramento, CA) – Assemblywoman Mary Hayashi (D-Hayward), in response to the ´right of conscience´ regulation just issued by the Bush Administration, introduced Assembly Bill 120 today to ensure women in California have all the information they need to make informed reproductive choices...
January 15, 2009
Senator Abel Maldonado (R-Santa Maria) today introduced two constitutional amendments related to legislators´ pay and per diem.
The first bill, SCA 7, which the governor alluded to in his annual State of the State address earlier in the day, would prohibit legislators from receiving their ...
January 13, 2009
Paul Koretz, candidate for the LA City Council, 5th District, has won the highly coveted endorsement of the Sierra Club. The Club is America's oldest, largest, and most influential grassroots environmental organization. Inspired by nature, the 1.3 million members work together to protect communities...
January 13, 2009
TWO-THIRDS OF DONORS ONLINE; TWO-THIRDS OF CONTRIBUTIONS UNDER $500.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom´s exploratory campaign for governor today announced it has raised nearly $1.2 million since it launched on July 1, 2008. The campaign today filed its report electronically ...
January 13, 2009
(Sacramento)- Assemblyman Kevin Jeffries (R-Lake Elsinore) threw down the gauntlet in defense of California voters. "The time has come for the California Legislature to put an end to back room deals being passed in the dead of night," declared Assemblyman Jeffries who today introduced ACA 8, which w...
January 13, 2009
(Sacramento, CA) – Assemblywoman Mary Hayashi (D-Hayward) introduced legislation to prevent health plans and insurers from canceling a health insurance policy 18 months after the policy was issued. The bill also requires health plans and insurers to use a standard, uniform application for health co...
January 13, 2009
SACRAMENTO – With a focus on legislation that will stimulate California´s economy, Sen. Bob Dutton (R-Rancho Cucamonga) introduced SB 49 today, which will establish a homebuyer tax credit for single family homes.
Under the legislation being proposed by Senator Dutton, homebuyers who pur...
January 13, 2009
(Los Angeles) – Today Assemblymember Mike Feuer (D-Los Angeles) introduced Assembly Bill 109, legislation to place a moratorium on the construction of, or conversion to, new digital advertising displays until 2012. The moratorium would give policymakers time to adequately review the results of pend...
January 13, 2009
Construction and Conversions to Halt for Results of Safety Studies.
Los Angeles – Today Assemblymember Mike Feuer (D-Los Angeles) introduced Assembly Bill 109, legislation to place a moratorium on the construction of, or conversion to, new digital advertising displays until 2012. The moratoriu...
January 12, 2009
Assemblyman Curren D. Price congratulates the Nine South Bay schools that have been selected for this year's Title I Academic Achievement Awards, education officials announced mid December 2008.
Six of the nine schools are in the 51st AD, which Mr. Price represents. They are Lennox Math, Science &...
January 09, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Over the past two years, 1.76 million Californians who already had healthcare benefits received surprise medical bills following hospital visits, according to a recent APCO Insight Survey. The practice known as balance billing resulted in individual medical bills from $100 and under to...
January 09, 2009
SACRAMENTO – In the wake of another series of spills in Santa Barbara County from California´s worst oil polluter, and more than one year to the day that Assemblymember Pedro Nava held an informational hearing regarding Greka Energy, he announced today that his legislation to protect the envir...
January 09, 2009
SAN FRANCISCO - Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco) and Assemblyman Tom Ammiano (D-San Francisco) issued the following joint statement in response to the New Year´s Day shooting involving a Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) police officer:
"BART currently lacks adequate public oversight and ...
January 09, 2009
Washington, dc – Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (R-CA) today joined Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Congressmen Jim Langevin (D-RI) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) in introducing the Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act, which will help improve the lives of and hasten better treatments and cures f...
January 08, 2009
Feinstein measure would require increased reimbursements by the Justice Department.
Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) has introduced legislation to ensure that that states and localities are eligible for reimbursement of the costs associated with incarcerating undocum...
January 08, 2009
Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California endorsed John Burton today for California Democratic Party State Chair.
Kathy Kneer, President and CEO said, "Planned Parenthood wholeheartedly supports John Burton for chair of the California Democratic Party - the first time our organization has made...
January 08, 2009
The Democratic Party of the San Fernando Valley voted overwhelmingly on Monday night to endorse Paul Koretz (paulkoretz.com) for the LA City Council's 5th District. The Democratic Party of the San Fernando Valley (DP/SFV) is the coordinating body for a coalition of 27 Democratic Clubs. The clubs are...
January 07, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Assemblyman Brian Nestande (R-Palm Desert) today said he is encouraged by Governor Schwarzenegger´s decision to keep his promise in vetoing the Democrats budget. The budget presented by the majority party was not only fiscally irresponsible, but was passed unconstitutionally by ...
January 07, 2009
SACRAMENTO – Senator John J. Benoit (R-Bermuda Dunes) today announced that he was recently recognized as an Outstanding Legislator of 2008 by the California State Sheriffs´ Association for demonstrating his commitment to the public safety of all Californians. In addition, Senator Benoit today forma...
January 07, 2009
(Sacramento) – Today, Assemblymember Mike Feuer (D-Los Angeles) introduced Assembly Bill 91, which creates a pilot project in four counties that requires the installation of ignition interlock devices (IID) on any vehicle owned or operated by an individual convicted of a driving under the influence ...
January 07, 2009
SACRAMENTO: Senator Sam Aanestad (R-Grass Valley) is joining a large and concerted effort to block the implementation of $10 billion in new taxes approved by the State Legislature last month without the constitutionally required two-thirds vote. The suit, filed this morning by the Howard Jarvis Taxp...
January 06, 2009
Bill Requires Installation of Ignition Interlock Devices.
Sacramento - Today, Assemblymember Mike Feuer (D-Los Angeles) introduced Assembly Bill 91, which creates a pilot project in four counties that requires the installation of ignition interlock devices (I...
January 06, 2009
The California Department of Motor Vehicles has announced the following new laws that go into effect in 2009.
Temporary Operating Permits (AB2241/Saldana). This law restricts DMV from issuing temporary operating permits to allow more time to obtain a smog certificate as part of the registration ...
January 03, 2009
Yee´s Commitment to Equal Rights Earns Top Rating from Civil Rights Group.
SACRAMENTO – In 2008, Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) continued his perfect lifetime legislative record on issues affecting gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) communities, earning a 1...
January 03, 2009
Yee authors laws to help children, bring transparency to government, protect workers and consumers, enhance public safety, safeguard the environment, and improve health access.
SACRAMENTO – Several bills authored by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) became law on January 1, 2009. ...
December 14, 2008
City Councilmembers also get early backing from leading environmental organization.
Los Angeles - The Los Angeles League of Conservation Voters (LALCV) announced its endorsement of Antonio Villaraigosa in his bid for a second term as Mayor of Los Angeles. Mitchell Schwartz, LALCV president, ma...
December 10, 2008
Mayor Newsom announced a proposed list of revenue increases and spending reductions totaling $118.29 million. The Mayor´s budget balancing proposal comes in response to recent news that City revenues will be down $90 to $125 million as a result of the ailing economy. San Francisco is required ...
December 10, 2008
Sacramento - State Senator Huff recently represented California at the American Legislative Exchange Council´s (ALEC) Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force´s annual Tax Academy in Washington, D.C., on December 3, 2008.
An elite group of 60 state legislators from across the United States g...
December 10, 2008
WASHINGTON, DC – Emphasizing the importance of transparent and accountable distribution of economic rescue funds, Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-45) today joined 82 of her colleagues in sending a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi (CA-08) and Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank (MA-04) ...
December 08, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Today Mayor Gavin Newsom signed a resolution endorsing a $2 billion dollar financing plan for the combined redevelopment of Candlestick Point and Phase 2 of the Hunters Point Shipyard.
The financing plan will fund the creation of the largest parks project since the constructio...
December 08, 2008
Santa Barbara-Assemblymember Pedro Nava, Chair of the Joint Committee on Emergency Services & Homeland Security announced today that an oil spill has occurred off the Carpinteria Coast in Santa Barbara County.
"The price of oil has now dropped to a five year low without any additional drilling...
December 08, 2008
SACRAMENTO: Senator Sam Aanestad (R-Grass Valley) says he´s ready to work with the Majority Party in the State Legislature to enact a series of measures to formally address a growing, current year, budget deficit of more than $11 billion. Aanestad took part in a special joint session of the St...
December 07, 2008
SACRAMENTO, Calif.,/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A new study released today concludes that state-of-the-science economic models, including those used for CARB's economic analyses of California's Global Warming Solutions Act (AB 32), are not capable of simulating the fundamental changes in California's ...
December 07, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Sen. Denise Ducheny, the chair of the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee, in consultation with Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, announced she will constitute Budget subcommittees for the Proposition 58 special session on Monday as well as a tentative budget schedule fo...
December 05, 2008
SACRAMENTO, CA – Facing an economic crisis that could leave the state without cash by March 2009, Assemblymember Portantino (D-La Cañada Flintridge) introduced legislation which would provide California immediate savings by prohibiting any pay raises, bonuses, overtime pay, or any other increase in ...
December 04, 2008
AB 20 Would Save the State and UC Money by Streamlining Contracting Process.
December 02, 2008
SACRAMENTO, CA – The State Assembly began its work one hour ahead of schedule yesterday as Assemblymembers, Assemblymembers-Elect, faculty, and students gathered to announce the introduction of a House Resolution that calls for a bold recommitment to public higher education in the United States.
...
December 02, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Protecting the marine environment and reducing fire danger statewide are the primary goals of the first 2009 bill by Sen. Jenny Oropeza, D-Long Beach.
"Caring for our environment is a worthy goal of California´s policymakers," Oropeza said today after Monday´s convening o...
December 02, 2008
(Sacramento) Assemblymember Mike Feuer (D-Los Angeles) introduced Assembly Bill 49, which will reduce California´s urban per capita water use by 20 percent by December 31, 2020. The Governor called for such a reduction in a February 2008 directive. This bill is jointly authored by Assemblyme...
December 02, 2008
SACRAMENTO –Assemblymember Pedro Nava, Chair of the Banking & Finance Committee announced the introduction of a legislative package to reform regulatory oversight of the financial services and banking industry and provide increased protections for consumers in California.
"The time for reform is...
December 02, 2008
Sacramento: On the first day of the new legislative session in Sacramento, Assemblymember Kevin Jeffries (R-Lake Elsinore) introduced two bills which will address critical public safety and fire issues facing much of California. These two bills are the first in a series of public safety, water, an...
December 02, 2008
Today Mayor Gavin Newsom unveiled the second webisode of his first-ever, web-only "Interactive State of the City" on his YouTube channel, youtube.com/mayorgavinnewsom.
"Instead of a traditional speech behind a podium, this year I am delivering my State of the City address directly to my constitue...
December 02, 2008
Sacramento – Senator Jeff Denham (R-Merced) today introduced his "State Properties Reform Package." The first three measures of a multi-bill package are designed to shed the state of underutilized property to raise needed revenue and reduce costs to help cut the multi-billion dollar budget deficit:...
December 01, 2008
Sacramento - Today, Assemblymember Mike Feuer (D-Los Angeles) introduced Assembly Bill 49, which will reduce California´s urban per capita water use by 20 percent by December 31, 2020. The Governor called for such a reduction in a February 2008 directive. This bill is jointly authored by Ass...
December 01, 2008
San Francisco -- TURN today said Governor Schwarzenegger's stealth reappointment of Commissioners Rachelle Chong and Michael Peevey to the Public Utilities Commission was a step backward for California and a blow to consumers. TURN, California's statewide utility consumer advocacy organization, sai...
November 25, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Today Mayor Gavin Newsom joined Alaskan Mayors and Oceana, the largest international non-governmental organization focused on ocean conservation, in petitioning the federal government to establish comprehensive regulations for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions under the Clean Air Ac...
November 22, 2008
The University of California Board of Regents decided on Thursday to remove student fee and tuition increases from its budget proposal for the 2009-10 school year.
It was a decision that now puts the burden on the state Legislature to either provide funding that would avert the need for such increa...
November 21, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Mayor Gavin Newsom, San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed and Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums announced a nine-step policy plan for transforming the Bay Area into the "Electric Vehicle (EV) Capital of the U.S." In conjunction with the news, Better Place, a global electric transportation company, ...
November 19, 2008
Garamendi Supports Committee Motion Curtailing Freshmen Enrollment at UC Campuses Unless State Approves Adequate Funding.
San Francisco – Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi, a University of California Regent, who argued the escalating UC tuition fees are making the public university system...
November 20, 2008
A State Auditor´s review of five large state agencies has discovered improper disposal of hazardous electronic waste contrary to state requirements.
The audit was requested by Assembly Members Fiona Ma (D-San Franciso), Lori Saldaña (D-San Diego) and Jared Huffman (D- San Rafael). All three ...
November 18, 2008
LONG BEACH – Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi, a California State University trustee, today joined 150 protesters in Long Beach to fight the proposed state budget cuts that will prevent 10,000 qualified students from being admitted to CSU campuses and reduce the quality of education of California&...
November 17, 2008
SACRAMENTO — California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today urged the California Supreme Court to accept review of the legal challenges to Proposition 8 and for this matter of widespread concern to be "promptly resolved."
"The profound importance of the issues raised by Proposition ...
November 17, 2008
Sacramento, CA – Assemblymember Pedro Nava, Chair of the Joint Committee on Emergency Services and Homeland Security and member of the Governor´s Emergency Council announced that disaster relief legislation is being drafted for victims of the Santa Barbara County Tea Fire.
"My measure will...
November 17, 2008
SACRAMENTO - Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi, who serves as a University of California regent and a California State University trustee, said today´s announcement that the CSU system will eliminate 10,000 admission spots for the 2009-10 school year will in the long-term damage California&ac...
November 13, 2008
SHANGHAI, CHINA – San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom joined Vincent H.S. Lo, Chairman of Shui On Land, C. Richard "Dick" Kramlich, General Partner of New Enterprises Associates, and San Francisco Assessor-Recorder Phil Ting to kick-off a new China-San Francisco economic development initiative called C...
November 10, 2008
Berkeley, CA – A public memorial celebrating the life of former gubernatorial, presidential and vice-presidential candidate Peter Camejo will be held Saturday, Nov. 23, at 2 p.m. at the International House on the University of California at Berkeley campus (2299 Piedmont Ave), according to an announ...
November 10, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi today appointed Dr. Edward Penhoet to serve as a commercial life sciences representative on the Independent Citizens´ Oversight Committee (ICOC), which governs the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM). Dr. Penhoet was previously vice-c...
November 07, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi today stood together with education, health care, student, taxpayer and labor leaders to draw the line against an additional $4.5 billion in budget cuts to education, health care and other vital services to balance the state´s ballooning $11 bill...
November 07, 2008
SACRAMENTO – The Green Party will assume the No. 1 elected office in another California city, and may yet have two members on the powerful San Francisco Board of Supervisors after preliminary results were announced for Tuesday's election.
Greens, who already hold about 50 elected posts througho...
November 06, 2008
(SACRAMENTO) – Senate President pro Tem Don Perata (D-Oakland) and Senate President pro Tem-Elect Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) said that legislative leaders should begin meeting daily to hammer out an agreement on how to tackle the state´s growing budget deficit.
California´s tax revenues ar...
November 05, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi issued the following statement on the election of Barack Obama as the next President of the United States of America:
"The voters have spoken and made history. By electing Barack Obama in overwhelming numbers, they have chosen change, opportunity a...
November 03, 2008
CA GOP Vice-Chair Jon Fleischman wants Lewis to return to private life.
REDLANDS -- A long-coming voter revolt within the Republican Party has surfaced as GOP stalwarts are quietly completing a purge of Republicans who are out of step with the ethics of ordinary Americans.
Republicans are...
November 01, 2008
LANCASTER, CA – As part of her campaign to create a stronger economy for the region, Democratic Assembly Candidate Linda Jones (36th District) today announced her "High Desert Region Green Jobs Initiative" - using ´green jobs´ to increase opportunities for unemployed and underemployed ad...
October 31, 2008
REDLANDS -- A poll taken by the Santa Monica firm of Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin shows Tim Prince will defeat Jerry Lewis for the 41st Congressional District seat on election day by as much as five percent.
The poll reveals the voters of the district want honesty, integrity, and accessibility...
October 31, 2008
Lt. Gov. Garamendi An Expert on Climate Change, Say Jones´ Plan is a "Giant Leap Forward."
LANCASTER, CA – As part of her campaign to create a stronger economy for the region, Democratic Assembly Candidate Linda Jones (36th District) today announced her "High Desert Region Green Jobs Initia...
October 31, 2008
SUISUN CITY/FAIRFIELD, Ca. – An Iraq War veteran – fed up with what he calls incompetence and greed in City Hall, and the too powerful presence of Wal-Mart – could join Barack Obama Tuesday in breaking an electoral barrier for African Americans in his run for Suisun City Council.
Brian Cain, 39, ...
October 30, 2008
SACRAMENTO - The U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals held its first-ever special sitting in Sacramento to hear an appeal of California´s violent video game law authored by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo).
In 2005, the Legislature passed and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-...
October 29, 2008
How can we trust Parks to manage a multi-billion dollar County budget when he can´t keep his campaign solvent without breaking the law?
Bernard Parks – whose campaign continues to be buried in debt – has seized on yet another opportunity to prove that he thinks he is above the law.
Ac...
October 29, 2008
Stockton, Calif. – The Stockton Police Officers´ Association, the Stockton Professional Firefighters´ Association, the Lodi Professional Firefighters´ Association, and the San Joaquin County Deputy Sheriffs announced their endorsement of Congressman Jerry McNerney´s re-electi...
October 29, 2008
Dublin, Calif. – Congress has announced editorial endorsements from three newspapers in the 11th District: the Lodi News-Sentinel, the Modesto Bee, and the Danville Weekly.
All praised McNerney for his tireless dedication to serving his constituents, noting that he returns home to California each...
October 29, 2008
Los Angeles - The Los Angeles League of Conservation Voters (LALCV) has endorsed Shannon Lawrence for Councilmember, City of Gardena, at its special elections this November 4th. Lawrence is running to fill the City Council seat vacated by Oscar Medrano, which will go until 2011.
The City of Gard...
October 29, 2008
Los Angeles - The Los Angeles League of Conservation Voters (LALCV) opposes the recall of Commerce Mayor Tina Baca Del Rio and City Councilman Robert C. Fierro.
"The election in March 2005 of Mayor Tina Baca Del Rio and Councilman Robert Fierro was literally a breath of fresh air for the people o...
October 27, 2008
Taxpayers Association smears Democrats running for nonpartisan offices.
Three members of the County Board of Supervisors are large financial contributors to a political action committee which says it fights taxes but whose main political activity is to attack candidates for local nonpartisa...
October 27, 2008
by Tim Prince, Democratic nominee for California's 41st Congressional District
Americans have important choices to make on Nov. 4 to define not just what character traits they want in a president and members of Congress, but who we are as a nation.
Each presidential candidate insists we must c...
October 27, 2008
REDLANDS -- After weeks of stalling, Congressman Jerry Lewis has snubbed Democratic nominee Tim Prince's proposal for a debate.
The Congressman chose to duck the proposal and instead had his wife take a call from KBHR (Big Bear) radio requesting his response.
Arlene Willis, who identi...
October 25, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Former Secretary of State Colin Powell, endorsing Barack Obama for President on Meet the Press last weekend, offered a scathing rebuke of his own Republican Party's campaign tactics:
"I'm also troubled by, not what Senator McCain says, but what members of the party say. And it is per...
October 25, 2008
OALAND – Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-09) released a letter sent to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger urging him to direct a greater share of the $145 million the state of California will receive from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) under the Neighborhood Stabilization Act to com...
October 25, 2008
Earlier in the week it was former Secretary of State Colin Powell who said he is very "concerned at the selection of Governor Palin" as John McCain´s running mate. As Powell said on Meet the Press: "She's a very distinguished woman, and she's to be admired; but at the same time, now that we ha...
October 22, 2008
Democrats gain more than 200,000 voters in 2008; Los Angeles County Democratic Party urges a vote for the Team for Change on Election Day.
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles County Democratic Party (LACDP) today reported record-breaking Democratic registration in Los Angeles County, with nearly...
October 22, 2008
Washington, DC – The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, the nation's leading gun violence prevention organization, along with its California Brady Campaign Chapters, today announced its support for candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives in California´s general election.
"We...
October 22, 2008
Statement of LA County Democratic Party Chair Eric C. Bauman Regarding Supervisor Yaroslavsky's Motion to Audit YPM-related Voter Registrations. Supervisor responds to the Democratic Party's request to protect voters against fraud by moving to expand the audit and review of voter registrations turne...
October 22, 2008
Denise Moreno Ducheny, Chair of the Joint Legislative Budget Committee (JLBC), Assemblymember Roger Niello Vice Chair of the Assembly Budget Committee and JLBC Members Senator Dennis Hollingsworth and Assemblymember Anna Caballero today announced that veteran budget analyst Mac Taylor has been selec...
October 22, 2008
Amendment Would Ensure California Fairly Represented in Electoral Showdown.
WASHINGTON – With Campaign 2008 headed for Election Day, Congressman Brad Sherman is reminding Americans that the country needs an amendment to the Constitution that would change the way the President is elected in th...
October 21, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – In light of the national and international economic downturn, and as part of an effort to keep the economy strong in San Francisco, Mayor Gavin Newsom announced an economic stimulus package.
"Despite our economic strengths, San Francisco is not immune from the worldwide credit...
October 20, 2008
SAN BERNARDINO, CA – Even though 'Young Political Majors' crews returned to San Bernardino County, and their leader Mark Jacoby was arrested in Ontario Saturday night, county Democrats extended their registration lead over Republicans this week by almost 4,000.
Of the 13,003 new voters regi...
October 18, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – On the 19th anniversary of the Loma Prieta earthquake, Mayor Gavin Newsom today announced that the first annual citywide earthquake preparedness drill will take place on Tuesday, October 21.
The drill, Shake Up San Francisco, is aimed at highlighting our earthquake risk and pr...
October 18, 2008
SAN DIEGO/EWORLDWIRE/--- On October 14, 2008, the Court of Appeal in Sacramento, Calif., ruled it is unconstitutional to deny state-funded domestic violence shelter services to men.
The case (Woods. v. Shewry) was filed by four men and the daughter of one, against the State of California and its ...
October 16, 2008
Bono Mack Owns Hundreds of Thousands in Fannie Mae Notes, Bonds.
PALM DESERT, CA, – Democratic Congressional nominee Julie Bornstein (CA-45) called on incumbent Mary Bono Mack to have the courage to meet in person and "look me in the eye and repeat the sleazy lies in your television ad. Your n...
October 16, 2008
SPEAKER PELOSI AND HOUSE DEMOCRATS HAVE FOCUSED ON THE PRIORITIES OF AMERICANS ON MAIN STREET BY PASSING MORE THAN 230 KEY MEASURES –70% WITH SIGNIFICANT BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.
The House had a quick, successful start (Six for ´06/100 Hours Agenda) and continued to build on that record of acc...
October 16, 2008
WASHINGTON D.C. – The Natural Resources Defense Council released a report last week applauding the Congressional passage of significant tax credit provisions introduced by U.S. Senators Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine) and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) within the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008...
October 16, 2008
Los Angeles, CA -- Assemblymember Curren Price is joining forces with BlackNLA.com and Del Richardson and Associates, Inc. to host a "Live for Change" voter registration and Get-Out-The-Vote event Sunday, October 19 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 510 S. La Brea Avenue in Inglewood.
"The "last push" ...
October 10, 2008
Faculty encourage students to get involved in the electoral process by using new technology and social networking sites to spread the word about voter registration virally.
With Election Day now just a month away, the California Faculty Association (CFA) has launched a campaign to register Cali...
October 13, 2008
SAN BERNARDINO, CA -- San Bernardino County, the largest county in the United States, has officially turned "blue" with more Democrats than Republicans registered to vote for the first time in more than seven years.
Weekly statistics released this morning by County Registrar of Voters Kari ...
October 10, 2008
San Francisco - With the stroke of his pen, Governor Schwarzenegger has imperiled 250,000 nursing home and assisted living residents by eliminating all state funding for California's long term care ombudsman program.
In a little publicized line item veto on September 23, 2008, the Governor cut $3...
October 09, 2008
REDLANDS – A chance to meet the candidates last night at the Democratic campaign offices of Tim Prince for Congress was praised as a first ever event and a great success. More than fifty in attendance had a chance to personally meet seven Democratic Candidates, including Congressman Joe Baca, to ...
October 09, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - In an effort to further conserve San Francisco´s pristine drinking water supply amidst a statewide drought, support sustainable greening of city yards and spaces, and help divert stormwater runoff from the City´s sewer system, San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean, ...
October 09, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Mayor Newsom picked San Francisco Environment Department Director Jared Blumenfeld to serve as interim Director of the Recreation and Park Department until a permanent Director has been hired. Blumenfeld, Environment Director since 2001, has twenty years of experience across a wi...
October 09, 2008
A battle of political superstars for the dominance of San Bernardino County is shaping up this weekend with back-to-back events featuring Ed Asner and Karl Rove.
Asner, Congressman Joe Baca, and Lt. Gov. John Garamendi will headline a cast of political all-stars on Saturday, Oct. 11, at Bob M...
October 09, 2008
Here Are Ways to Ensure the Newspaper Headline on November 5th Reads "Proposition 8 Defeated in California."
Trick or Treat? As you've likely heard, a CBS poll released today showed 47% of likely voters in favor of Proposition 8 and 42% opposed. The same poll a week ago showed just the oppos...
October 08, 2008
Beverly Hills, Calif. – The Beverly Hills/West Hollywood Democratic Club endorsed Measure H, a ballot measure that supports The Beverly Hilton Revitalization project. This endorsement joins other local leaders and organizations that support Measure H.
The Beverly Hilton Revitalization project tr...
October 08, 2008
Democratic Party urges voting for the change we need on the November 4, 2008, ballot.
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles County Democratic Party (LACDP) has adopted positions on statewide propositions and Los Angeles County ballot measures on the November 4, 2008, ballot.
"The Democratic Party...
October 08, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Today Mayor Gavin Newsom announced the lineup for the 2008 Fleet Week festivities.
"Fleet Week is a wonderful tradition because it gives the people of our City the opportunity to celebrate San Francisco´s rich naval history and also the chance to show the members of the ...
October 07, 2008
County to turn "blue" this week; Democrats to celebrate on Saturday.
SAN BERNARDINO – The San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters weekly voter registration report shows 2,070 more Democrats were registered this week, the third week in a row the Democrats have added more than two thousand vo...
October 07, 2008
With Election Day now just a month away, the California Faculty Association (CFA) has launched a campaign to register California college students to vote and encourage civic activism amongst young people.
"There is nothing more American than exercising one´s right to vote and many America...
October 07, 2008
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-45) introduced legislation (H.R. 7254) to ban government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs), including Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, now government-controlled entities, from lobbying Congress and giving campaign contributions.
"American taxpayers ...
October 06, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - Mayor Gavin Newsom praised SB1XX, the Water Supply Reliability appropriations bill, citing its prudent and timely investments to address water challenges throughout California, through existing bond dollars. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed the bill on Tuesday Oc...
October 07, 2008
RANCHO MIRAGE, CA – In an effort to combat the alarming trend of drug abuse among youth, Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-45) today participated in a community-wide event hosted by the Betty Ford Center that was open to parents, educators and other community leaders at the world-renowned Eisenhower ...
October 03, 2008
San Pedro – Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi has joined a growing list of environmental, healthcare and labor leaders asking for support of the Los Angeles Clean Truck Program to protect workers and cut down on pollution at the ports.
"At this critical point in California, when we see the ...
October 03, 2008
Human Rights Campaign Shares Equality California´s Extreme Disappointment with Gov. Schwarzenegger´s Veto.
WASHINGTON — Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed legislation Tuesday that would have officially designated May 22 as Harvey Milk Day in the state of California, honoring t...
October 03, 2008
RIALTO – Assembly Majority Leader Congressman Alberto Torrico has confirmed he will join the all-star cast set to celebrate turning the county "blue" when the San Bernardino County Democratic Party hosts a San "BLUE-nardino" County Celebration on Saturday, Oct. 11, from 4 to 11 p.m., at Bob Molin...
October 03, 2008
SAN BERNARDINO – City Councilman and KCAA-AM radio talk show host Dennis Baxter will be the guest speaker at the San Bernardino County Democratic Party's kick off the "Yes We Can California '08" political campaign on Saturday, Oct. 4, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in its headquarters at 136 Carousel Mall.
...
October 03, 2008
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-45) today applauded the Department of Energy (DOE)´s loan guarantee program that will help expand clean, emissions-free nuclear power in the U.S. Bono Mack noted DOE´s announcement this afternoon that over nineteen new applications fro...
October 02, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Today Mayor Gavin Newsom announced that applications for new solar installations have quadrupled since GoSolarSF, San Francisco´s groundbreaking solar rebate program, was launched in July.
"Today, we have proof that if you give people the incentives to install solar pane...
October 02, 2008
Sacramento, CA – Assemblymember Pedro Nava, Chair of the Joint Committee on Emergency Services and Homeland Security and Chair of the Assembly Banking and Finance Committee announced that Governor Schwarzenegger has signed Assembly Bill 38 and Assembly Bill 2796.
California Emergency Services Ac...
October 02, 2008
Santa Barbara–State Assemblymember Pedro Nava, the California Department of Conservation´s Division of Oil & Gas, the California Department of Fish & Game and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency held a press conference in Santa Barbara yesterday to announce that Governor Schwarzenegger si...
October 02, 2008
OAKLAND – Governor Schwarzenegger has signed into law Assembly Bill 2954, establishing the San Francisco Bay Restoration Authority to secure crucial funding to restore San Francisco Bay wetlands. Creating the Bay Restoration Authority is the primary recommendation in Save The Bay´s ground-bre...
October 02, 2008
SACRAMENTO, CA – Late Tuesday Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed two important bills authored by Assemblywoman Fiona Ma (D-San Francisco) to improve neighborhood quality of life. AB 1778 cracks down on recycling raiders who steal newspapers from news stands and CRV containers from curbside recyc...
October 02, 2008
Sacramento – On the last day that he had to approve or reject bills, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed into law Senate Bill (SB) 634, legislation by Senator Patricia Wiggins (D – Santa Rosa) to update California´s definitions of olive oil grades to conform to international standards.
...
October 01, 2008
Governor Schwarzenegger has signed a number of important measures authored by Assemblymember Mike Feuer (D-Los Angeles). In addition to AB 2321 (authorizing Los Angeles´s Metropolitan Transportation Agency to place a .5% sales tax increase on the November 4 ballot to fund $40 billion in transportat...
September 30, 2008
Businesses will receive free solar power assessments and energy efficiency
audits to identify how to save energy and money
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Today Mayor Newsom challenged San Francisco businesses to go solar by this time next year, and join him as members of the Mayor´s Sola...
September 30, 2008
San Pedro – Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi today joined a growing list of environmental, healthcare and labor leaders asking for support of the Los Angeles Clean Truck Program to protect workers and cut down on pollution at the ports.
"At this critical point in California, when we see the de...
September 30, 2008
(Sacramento) – Assemblyman Guy Houston´s (R-San Ramon) legislation aimed at preventing online harassment was signed by the Governor on Monday. Assembly Bill 919, the Internet Stalking Bill, is designed to protect citizens from stalking, harassment and other abuse over the internet.
"The mo...
September 30, 2008
SACRAMENTO–Senate Bill 1105 by Senator Bob Margett (R-Glendora) was signed by Governor Schwarzenegger at the State Capitol today. SB 1105 closes the loophole which allows teachers who plead no contest to specified sex and drug offenses to continue teaching in the classroom.
Under the current tea...
September 30, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Over the past two years, 1.76 million Californians who already had healthcare benefits received surprise medical bills following hospital visits, according to a recent APCO Insight Survey. The practice known as balance billing results in individual medical bills ranging from $100 and u...
September 30, 2008
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack´s (CA-45) pro-consumer, pro-grower country of origin labeling (COOL) measure goes into effect today. This will require supermarkets and other food retailers to label and display the country of origin for fresh fruits and vegetables, meats and nu...
September 30, 2008
"The Governor´s decision to veto AB 2262 guarantees that the program will continue to languish on the vine and that newborns´ lives will be at risk. Instead of improving the program, the governor has only guaranteed that its current flaws will remain in place. How many stories of babie...
September 30, 2008
SACRAMENTO - On Saturday, Governor Schwarzenegger signed into law a bill that will bring sunshine on commissions paid to brokers by healthcare insurance plans and providers. Assemblyman Solorio (D-Anaheim), author of the measure, applauded the Governor's action.
"Public agencies need to know what...
September 30, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Motorists cited for high blood-alcohol levels could more easily be required to install breathalyzers in their vehicles, according to a Sen. Jenny Oropeza bill signed into law by Gov. Schwarzenegger.
"California currently is among the most lenient of states regarding extreme drunk dri...
September 30, 2008
SACRAMENTO–Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed into law legislation by Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis) to strengthen the state´s prevention and response to inland oil spills, enhance the state´s oiled wildlife search and rescue collection for both inland and marine spills, and increa...
September 30, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Gov. Schwarzenegger signed into law a bill by Sen. Jenny Oropeza that would allow drivers to take advantage of portable global-positioning systems intended to help with navigation.
State law now prohibits anyone from driving with objects or materials placed, displayed, installed, a...
September 30, 2008
SACRAMENTO – California continues to lead the nation in protecting free speech rights for high school and college students. A new law authored by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) will protect high school and college teachers and other employees from retaliation by administrators as a ...
September 30, 2008
SACRAMENTO— Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed a package of bills, including two by Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis), that will ensure care facilities for the elderly are prepared during disasters and power outages, provide law enforcement with more tools to ensure criminals who victim...
September 30, 2008
(Sacramento) In the biggest leap forward in California´s chemicals policy in two decades, AB 1879 (Feuer) and SB 509 (Simitian) were signed by Governor Schwarzenegger. For the first time, state scientists and regulators will have comprehensive authority to protect the public from harmful chem...
September 30, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-Los Angeles) has signed into law a bill that is expected to cut down on recidivism and homelessness of formerly incarcerated youth.
Senate Bill 1147, authored by Senators Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) and Ron Calderon (D-Montebello), will...
September 30, 2008
SACRAMENTO: SB 1178, authored by Senator Sam Aanestad (R-Grass Valley), is now law in California after receiving the signature of Governor Schwarzenegger over the weekend. The measure is designed to protect the safety of dental consumers, and is closely related to SB 252, which the Governor signed i...
September 29, 2008
Sacramento -- In the biggest leap forward in California´s chemicals policy in two decades, AB 1879 (Feuer) and SB 509 (Simitian) were signed by Governor Schwarzenegger at a ceremony this morning. For the first time, state scientists and regulators will have comprehensive authority to protect ...
September 29, 2008
LOS ANGELES – Los Angeles City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo, the City´s chief prosecutor, today issued the following statement in response to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's veto of Assembly Bill 2412, a measure authored by Assembly Member Mike Eng (D-Monterey Park). AB
2412 would have closed a...
September 29, 2008
SAN BERNARDINO -- Democrats added 2,246 to their numbers this week, gaining 967 on Republicans and coming within 1,423 voters of turning San Bernardino County "blue," according to registration statistics released by Kari Verjil, county Registrar of Voters, and reported by Patrick Kahler of www.BlueC...
September 27, 2008
(SACRAMENTO) – Legislation by Senate President pro Tem Don Perata (D-Oakland) authorizing a $5 billion bond to fund critically needed courthouse construction was signed into law yesterday by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
SB 1407, which received bipartisan support in the Legislature, allows the iss...
September 27, 2008
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Noting the potential privacy and security risks associated with popular peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing programs, Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (R-CA), joined by Congressman John Barrow (D-GA) and Ranking Member of the Energy and Commerce Committee Joe Barton (R-TX), today introduc...
September 27, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – As Congressional leaders consider a $700 billion bailout of Wall Street firms, Assessor-Recorder Phil Ting, along with victims of foreclosure, policy and community leaders urged Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her colleagues today to protect homeowners´ interests by making sure th...
September 25, 2008
NEW YORK CITY, NY – Today San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom announced that San Francisco has agreed to a formal partnership with the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) to transform the city´s Civic Center into a sustainable resource district that maximizes energy and water efficiency, reduces wast...
September 25, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Assembly Majority Leader Alberto Torrico´s (D-Newark) bill to create a statewide standard for background checks for emergency medical technicians and to establish a central EMT and paramedic registry was signed into law by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
AB 2917 had broad bip...
September 25, 2008
SACRAMENTO: SB 133, authored by Senator Sam Aanestad (R-Grass Valley) is now law in California after receiving the signature of Governor Schwarzenegger today. The Aanestad measure will require representatives of title marketing firms to obtain a license from the California Department of Insurance (C...
September 25, 2008
SACRAMENTO - In the middle of the biggest foreclosure crisis in our nation´s history, Gov. Schwarzenegger has turned his back on tenants across California by vetoing AB 2586, a bill by Assembly Majority Leader Alberto Torrico (D-Newark) that would have helped renters get their security deposit...
September 25, 2008
September 25, 2008 (Sacramento) AB 2321, authored by Assemblymember Mike Feuer (D-Los Angeles) was signed by Governor Schwarzenegger today. The legislation authorizes the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Agency (MTA) to place on the November ballot an additional 0.5% sales tax for transporta...
September 25, 2008
Long Beach – Democratic Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi, a long time champion of providing health care coverage for all Californians, Tuesday threw his support behind the Children's Hospital Bond- because he believes healthcare needs of young patients must remain a top priority, regardless of the...
September 25, 2008
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In an effort to keep millions of American taxpayers from paying higher taxes on their 2008 income, Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-45) voted in favor of a one year extension on alternative minimum tax (AMT) relief (H.R. 7005). This legislation passed this evening by a vote of 39...
September 24, 2008
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday at the National Press Club, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom announced that San Francisco has enrolled 30,000 residents into the city´s ground-breaking Healthy San Francisco universal health care program, which is half of the estimated 60,000 uninsured residents th...
September 24, 2008
SACRAMENTO – In April, the US Senate approved legislation to address a 62-year injustice for Filipino WWII veterans, however yesterday the House of Representatives passed the same bill without the equity provision. The bill, S 1315, now heads to conference committee where the differences between th...
September 24, 2008
WASHINGTON – The U.S. House of Representatives late Tuesday night passed legislation introduced by Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (R-Calif.), together with Representatives Bart Stupak (D-Mich.) and Lamar Smith (R-Texas), to eliminate rogue pharmacies operating on the Internet and protect the safety of...
September 24, 2008
NAPERVILLE, Ill., Sept. 24 /Christian Newswire/ -- Americans for Truth (AFTAH) will join other pro-family groups on the steps of the San Francisco City Hall Friday, Sept. 26, to confront Mayor Gavin Newsom for welcoming a sadistic homosexual street fair to the city -- featuring hundreds of men walki...
September 23, 2008
HAWTHORNE, CA - Assemblymember Curren Price (D-Inglewood) and the California Legislative Black Caucus Foundation convened in Hawthorne, California at a forum to explore funding opportunities available to non-profit organizations on September 18, 2008 . The event provided local non-profit leaders, ...
September 21, 2008
(SACRAMENTO) – The Senate passed two measures Friday to end the state´s 81-day budget stalemate and restart payments to schools, community colleges, day care centers, health care providers and others.
The Legislature originally approved the budget early Tuesday morning, but the Governor sa...
September 20, 2008
SUISUN CITY, Ca. – An Iraq War veteran – fed up with what he calls incompetence and greed in City Hall, and the too powerful presence of Wal-Mart – will officially kick-off his campaign for Suisun Council here Saturday when he hosts a community picnic.
The campaign event will be held 12 Noon to 3...
September 20, 2008
Washington, D.C. - The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, along with its California Chapters, has endorsed Bill Durston for election to Congress from California´s Third Congressional District. He is running against Congressman Dan Lungren.
Durston, an emergency room physician and a for...
September 19, 2008
(SACRAMENTO) – Senate President pro Tempore Don Perata (D-Oakland) said he supports a new proposal that would help end the state´s budget stalemate and has scheduled a Senate session for 4 p.m. Friday to vote on it.
The new proposal, discussed with the Governor and legislative leaders, mak...
September 19, 2008
SAN BERNARDINO -- The San Bernardino County Democratic Party will celebrate a "Bluer" county, with a party and fundraiser on Saturday, October 11, from 4 to 11 p.m., at Bob Molina Memorial Park behind the Brotherhood of Teamsters local #63 at 379 West Valley Boulevard in Rialto.
The "San BLUE-...
September 19, 2008
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-45) announced a $139,076 federal grant to increase the power of KERU-FM, 88.5 MHz, in Blythe, CA, expanding the station's coverage area and providing first service to approximately 9,000 people. These federal dollars are awarded through the U.S. D...
September 19, 2008
Sacramento, Calif. – California Department of Food and Agriculture has joined the California Fuel Cell Partnership as an associate member.
As a member of the California Fuel Cell Partnership, CDFA will collaborate with other members to develop methods to measure and test hydrogen fuel as it is d...
September 19, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom and Airport Director John L. Martin unveiled the designs for the remodel of San Francisco International Airport´s (SFO) old international terminal into a new domestic terminal that will emphasize customer service and sustainability pr...
September 16, 2008
(SACRAMENTO) – The Senate approved a spending plan today that protects funding for schools and other core state services but covers a $17 billion deficit with a slew of tough cuts and one-time revenue accelerations.
The budget bill was approved on a 28-12 vote. The Senate also passed measures s...
September 16, 2008
WASHINGTON, D.C. — In light of new statistics showing annual new HIV infections at levels higher than previously believed, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) and Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-09) have introduced a resolution in both chambers of Congress calling for a national AIDS strategy....
September 17, 2008
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-45) today voted against the partisan energy bill, H.R. 6899, saying it is not the comprehensive solution that the American people are asking for and lacks meaningful bipartisan, bicameral support. Bono Mack, a consistent advocate for clean, altern...
September 15, 2008
Miller also criticizes Bush administration for delaying funding to assist reforms of the Colombian judicial system.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, sent a letter Friday to Colombia´s President Álvaro Uribe, a...
September 12, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - Biodiesel production in San Francisco is one step closer to reality, now that the San Francisco Port Commission has approved Darling International´s proposal to manufacture the carbon-free fuel at its facility in the city´s southeast. Darling International will build...
September 12, 2008
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-45) applauded Senate action on her legislation to preserve scenic landscape in California´s 45th District. Bono Mack´s California Desert and Mountain Heritage Act, H.R. 3682, would preserve certain desert and forest landscapes as well ...
September 12, 2008
San Jose, CA) – California Assembly Speaker pro Tempore Sally Lieber (D-San Jose) reacted to the vote yesterday of healthcare workers at Stanford hospitals in favor of union representation.
In an election conducted by the National Labor Relations Board, healthcare workers voted by more than a 3-...
September 12, 2008
Sacramento, CA -Assemblymember Pedro Nava, Chair of the Joint Committee on Emergency Services and Homeland Security was joined by Environment California, Sierra Club California, and the Natural Resources Defense Council to announce opposition to renewed efforts by Congress and the President of the U...
September 10, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Mayor Gavin Newsom announced that San Francisco´s Preschool for All program has expanded citywide. All San Francisco four-year-olds—in every neighborhood, and every zip code—are now eligible to participate.
"San Francisco is the only county in California will...
September 10, 2008
COSTA MESA, Calif., - More than 300 people with developmental disabilities, family members and service providers rallied this morning to show California´s leaders that the people want them to come together and either agree on a budget now, or pass an emergency appropriation bill to continue fu...
September 08, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Assemblyman Guy Houston, R-San Ramon, today held a press conference with Assembly Republican Leader Mike Villines, Senator Republican Leader Dave Cogdill, Senator Jeff Denham, and service providers across the state to urge Democrats and Governor Schwarzenegger to pass emergency funding ...
September 08, 2008
(SACRAMENTO) – The state Senate today rejected a Republican budget proposal to bridge the state´s $17 billion shortfall with massive borrowing and deep cuts to education and programs serving the poor, the elderly and children.
The vote was 13 in favor and 21 against.
"The Republican p...
September 06, 2008
SACRAMENTO – Protecting motorists from ´extreme´ drunken drivers; establishing the state´s first-ever massage-therapy regulations; saving taxpayer dollars by providing information online; and improved voter information through election reforms are among the bills sponsored by Sen. ...