Sandiego Chronicle

Republicans Block $47 Million in Funding for Poor Students

(SACRAMENTO) – Legislation by Senate President pro Tem Don Perata (D-Oakland) that would immediately appropriate $47 million in federal money for low-performing schools fell one vote short today of receiving the two-thirds majority needed, as all 14 votes against were cast by Republicans. SB 606 would allow the state to spend $19 million in federal money designated for low-performing schools before the money reverts to the federal government. Absent this appropriation, the State Board of Education´s March action amounts to an unfunded mandate on local school districts. The bill passed the Assembly last week. In the Senate today, the bill received 26 votes in favor, with Senator Abel Maldonado (R-Santa Maria) joining all Se... more

Ashburn Questions High-Speed Rail Plan

SACRAMENTO – Senator Roy Ashburn made a motion in the Senate Transportation Committee Monday to remove the High Speed Rail measure, Proposition 1, from the November ballot. During a hearing over a last-minute rewrite of the ballot measure, Ashburn raised serious concerns over the complete lack of a business plan, as well as logistical and constitutional issues surrounding the proposal to be considered by California voters November 4th. "This bond does not have the language necessary to protect the interests of the people of California and our future generations," said Senator Ashburn. "I do not believe this bond is ready to go to the people of California in November." Senator Ashburn was the deciding vote when the original bond... more

Foreclosure Relief Bill Headed to Governor's Desk

(SACRAMENTO) – Legislation by Senate President pro Tem Don Perata (D-Oakland) and Assembly Speaker Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles) providing immediate relief to homeowners caught in the mortgage crisis was approved today by the Senate on a bipartisan 32-8 vote and sent to the Governor´s desk. SB 1137 would require lenders to contact property owners to attempt to avoid foreclosure, provide tenants additional time to move from a foreclosed property and mandate maintenance of foreclosed properties to diminish the impact on the value of neighboring homes. The legislation is an urgency measure, meaning it will become law once the Governor signs it. "Too many people were asleep at the switch or looking the other way as the subprime ... more

BAY AREA WATER AGENCIES TO UNVEIL REGIONAL "WATER SAVING HERO" CONSERVATION CAMPAIGN

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom and San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed today joined leaders from Bay Area and statewide water agencies to unveil a regional public education campaign aimed at reminding residents and businesses to curb water use this summer and fall. The "Water Saving Hero" campaign features ordinary people adopting simple water conservation practices in their everyday lives, and will soon blanket radio and television airwaves, billboards, transit stations, buses, trains and websites throughout the region. The effort also features a new website www.WaterSavingHero.com, where Bay Area residents can link directly to their local water agency´s conservation tips and cash rebate information. The effort comes as ... more

Yee Fights to Save SF-to-LA High Speed Rail

SACRAMENTO – The Senate Transportation and Housing Committee yesterday approved Assembly Bill 3034 to rewrite the $10 billion bond measure set to go before the voters in November to build the state´s high speed rail system, but not before a critical amendment was forced into the bill to protect the main line of the bullet train. While there were many positive provisions of the bill, including establishing accountability standards and an independent review, the original proposal before the Committee attempted to weaken requirements on how the money is to be spent. Specifically, the bill called for allowing small corridors to be built between various metropolitan hubs without any mainline connection from San Francisco to Los Ang... more

New Law Grants Protection for Domestic Violence Survivors

SACRAMENTO – Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-Los Angeles) signed into law a bill that victim advocates believe will result in more women coming forward to law enforcement after falling victim to domestic violence. Senate Bill 1356, authored by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo), protects domestic violence survivors from the threat of incarceration when they refuse to testify against their abuser in court. The law mirrors an existing statute for sexual assault victims. "I am very pleased to see the Governor and my colleagues on both sides of the aisle support this commonsense and much-needed legislation," said Yee. "Domestic violence survivors have been through enough; the last thing they need is to be re-victimized by... more

Bill to Expand State's Use of Conservation Easements to Preserve Parkland Now in Governor's Hands

Sacramento – The State Assembly voted 43-28 Monday to approve Senate Bill 1431, legislation by Senator Patricia Wiggins (D – Santa Rosa) to enable the state Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) to expand the use of conservation easements to protect state parklands. The Senate approved SB 1431 in April, meaning the bill has been sent to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger for his consideration. SB 1431 clarifies that DPR is allowed to acquire a conservation easement if DPR determines that it is necessary to protect a unit of the state park system from an incompatible use or to preserve and enhance the natural resource, cultural, or historic value of a state park unit. The Wiggins bill would also enable DPR to make grants to a... more

Berman Legislation Lifting Stigma Against Nelson Mandela and Other ANC Members Becomes U.S. Law

WASHINGTON -- President Bush signed into law a measure by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Howard L. Berman (D-CA) that will eliminate a government-imposed stigma against association with the African National Congress of South Africa. Now the United States will remove from its databases any notation characterizing the ANC and its leaders -- including Nobel Laureate and former South African President Nelson Mandela -- as terrorists. "For many years under the old Apartheid regime, injustice heaped upon injustice as the world watched, and even complied," said Berman, who is leading a Congressional delegation to South Africa. "Today the United States finally has removed from its legal code a vestige of that time of collective insul... more

Perata Mortgage Relief Bill Passes Assembly

(SACRAMENTO) – Legislation by Senate President pro Tem Don Perata (D-Oakland) providing immediate relief to homeowners caught in the mortgage crisis passed the Assembly today. SB 1137 would give notice to property residents that the foreclosure process has begun, provide tenants additional time to move from a foreclosed property and mandate maintenance of foreclosed properties to diminish the impact on the value of neighboring homes. The legislation is coauthored by Assembly Speaker Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles). "Foreclosures are afflicting thousands of Californians and their communities," Perata said. "SB 1137 gives homeowners more advanced warning a foreclosure may be coming and provides the tools they need to help avoid it... more

Assemblymember Evans Sends Governor Legislation Helping Wine Lovers

(Sacramento, CA) – Legislation sent to the Governor today by Assemblymember Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa) will, if signed, codify existing consumer expectations on winery picnic areas and tasting rooms. Sponsored by the Wine Institute, a trade association of over 1,000 California wineries and affiliated businesses, AB 2004 passed the State Legislature with unanimous support. "Wineries have become social destinations," said Evans. "Many winery visitors want to take a break from the tasting room and enjoy a little scenery over a picnic with friends. However, current law is unclear about winery picnics when a bottle of wine from the tasting room goes into someone´s picnic basket. I hope the Governor supports the affirmative so... more

Evans Bill Mandating Cervical Cancer Vaccination Coverage Awaits Senate Vote

(SACRAMENTO, CA) The Senate Appropriations Committee today passed Assembly Bill (AB) 16, authored by Assemblymembers Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa) and Dr. Ed Hernandez (D-West Covina), to require health plans and insurers to cover the cost of vaccinating young women against several strains of the virus which causes cervical cancer. AB 16 passed 9-6 and awaits a vote on the Senate Floor. AB 16 mirrors Evans legislation that was vetoed by the Governor last year, AB 1429. "California has the highest incidence of cervical cancer in the country," said Evans. "This vaccine should be available to all women so that the lives of thousands of women are not needlessly lost. We routinely vaccinate for polio, measles, and other ailments. It... more

Senator Perata Applauds Funding for MacArthur Transit Village and Other Oakland Housing Projects

(OAKLAND) – Legislation pushed by Senate President pro Tempore Don Perata (D-Oakland) will provide $71.5 million in Proposition 1C funding for Oakland affordable housing projects this year and will help stimulate the beleaguered local economy by generating decent-paying construction jobs. Senator Perata joined housing and transportation advocates and local officials at the Bay Area Rapid Transit´s MacArthur Station today to discuss the importance of the projects for Oakland residents. "Building residences close to transit hubs, such as MacArthur Station, is a smart way to increase affordable housing, reduce traffic congestion and combat climate change," Perata said. "Voters approved the Rebuild California bonds to improve th... more

What´s in our Drinking Water? AB 2425 Approved by Senate Health Committee

Sacramento - AB 2425, authored by Assemblymember Joe Coto (D-San Jose), requires the State Department of Public Health to convene a working group of interested parties whose purpose would be to increase public knowledge about the contamination of pharmaceuticals. This group would conduct research and prepare reports on the impact of a variety of areas ranging from antibiotics to hormones in drinking water supplies, along with establishing best practices for industry and the public on the disposal of pharmaceutical drugs. Approaching a policy deadline, this bill was approved earlier this week by the Senate Environmental Quality Committee and the Senate Health Committee. The bill now moves to the Senate Appropriations Committee. ... more

Wolk bill to protect Delta´s declining fish populations moves forward

SACRAMENTO–The State´s Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Water voted 5-3 to approve legislation by Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis) to protect the declining fisheries in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Assembly Bill 1806 requires the development of protocols to guide preparation and implementation of emergency fish rescue plans for Delta fisheries. Wolk introduced the bill in response to a massive fish kill on Prospect Island that resulted when the Bureau of Reclamation drained water from the area to conduct levee repairs. "The Prospect Island fish kill resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of fish, including striped bass and other sportfish. The incident outraged the sportfishing community, which plays... more

AB 32 Cosponsor Says CARB Draft Implementation Plan is 'Great Step Forward'

SACRAMENTO, Calif., -- The release of the draft scoping plan by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to implement The Global Warming Solution Act (ftp://ftp.arb.ca.gov/carbis/board/books/2008/062608/08-6-4pres.pdf) "is a great step forward," according to a cosponsor of the groundbreaking law, Environmental Defense Fund. "The Board's pioneering work, combined with the constructive input of the California state legislature and many diverse stakeholders, will ensure that California becomes the first state in the United States to enact and enforce an economy-wide cap on global warming pollution," said Derek Walker, Director of the California Climate Initiative at Environmental Defense Fund. "The draft scoping plan presents a wide arra... more

Evans Sends Governor Legislation to Expand Non-Profit Ties with Wine Industry

(Sacramento, CA) – The State Senate unanimously approved legislation authored by Assemblymember Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa) to help non-profit organizations organize fundraising events involving wine donated from California´s wine industry. Assembly Bill (AB) 1964 passed the Senate with a 35-0 vote, following a 74-0 Assembly vote on May 8th. It now goes to the Governor for his signature or veto. He will have 12 days to act on the legislation. "We need to remove obstacles faced by charities fighting for good causes," said Evans. "This bill creates new opportunities for non-profits to get the resources they need from the wine industry which has a history of being extremely generous. I am proud to author legislation encoura... more

Anheuser-Busch Ends Alcoholic Energy Drink Sales

SACRAMENTO - California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. joined ten states in announcing that Anheuser-Busch will discontinue its popular alcoholic energy drinks, including Tilt and Bud Extra, and will not produce any caffeinated alcohol beverages in the future. "Anheuser-Busch, the largest brewing company in the United States, has taken an important action to protect young people from attractive alcohol advertising and marketing," Attorney General Brown said. "Other major alcohol manufacturers should follow Anheuser-Busch´s lead and eliminate dangerous combinations of caffeine and alcohol from the marketplace." Alcoholic energy drinks are prepackaged beverages that combine alcohol and caffeine, guarana, taurine, ginseng a... more

DENHAM DECLARES IT'S TIME FOR REAL BUDGET REFORM

STATE CAPITOL-The Senate Rules Committee yesterday defeated four budget reform measures that were authored by State Senator Jeff Denham (R-Merced), the major budget holdout last summer. These four measures were part of Denham´s Budget Reform package totaling six measures: three Senate Constitutional Amendments, two Senate Concurrent Resolutions and one Senate Bill. The final two measures from the package are scheduled to be heard today in the Senate Budget & Fiscal Review Committee. "There´s been a lot of talk over the past year, about convening a panel on budget reform, yet here we are again already late on this year´s budget. If not now, then when?" asked Denham. "Today, I presented four bills of my budget reform pack... more

Senate Committee Clears Evans Bill to Expand CA Wilderness

(SACRAMENTO, CA) The State Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Water passed a bill authored by Assemblymember Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa) that directs the state to assess the suitability of specific state roadless lands in Northern California for wilderness designation. Assembly Bill (AB) 2923 passed 5-3 and awaits further review in the Senate Committee on Appropriations. "The Legislature hasn´t designated new wilderness in decades," said Evans. "We are long overdue to do our part to protect wildlife, watersheds, and wild lands for future generations to enjoy." Sponsored by the California Wilderness Coalition, AB 2923 directs the Resources Agency and the State Lands Commission to assess whether specific state lands me... more

State Senate Committee Passes Paid Sick Days Legislation

SACRAMENTO—Two days after Senator Barack Obama unveiled a national push for paid sick days, California State Senate Democrats passed Assembly Bill 2716, the Healthy Families, Healthy Workplaces Act, out of the Senate Labor and Industrial Relations Committee, putting California on track to becoming the first state in the nation where all workers can earn paid sick days. Authored by Assemblywoman Fiona Ma, a San Francisco Democrat, AB 2716 allows workers to earn one hour for every 30 hours worked that can be used to recover from illness, care for a sick family member, or recover from domestic violence or sexual assault. The bill moves next to the Senate Appropriations Committee and is expected to be heard by the committee in July.... more