11/2/2009
Denham Digest: November 2, 2009
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Welcome to the Denham Digest! As busy as our lives are, it is sometimes difficult for citizens to stay on top of the current happenings in the Legislature. My hope is that you will find this publication a helpful and useful source of information on current events in the 12th Senate District and the California Legislature. I highly value the input of my constituents so please feel free to contact me with any issues or concerns that you may have. It is an honor to serve you in the California State Legislature.
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Message from Jeff -
Fighting for Water Storage
The Legislature convened a special session in October to tackle the water crisis and is expected to vote on a water package this week. The package adds unnecessary debt to a state in fiscal crisis and t here is nothing in it that addresses our current issue of Delta pumps not being turned on.
There is a more than $9 billion water bond bill that is on the table. There is $3.5 billion available for surface water storage, which must be included in that package, but the rest of the funding should be stripped from the deal.
If voters pass a $9-plus billion bond, it would put California’s bond indebtedness to over 10 percent of the General Fund – that’s $680 million-a-year chunk out of the General Fund that could go to education and other vital state services.
Californians have already passed a number of water bonds to address environmental concerns.
For example, the Safe Drinking Water, Water Quality and Supply, Flood Control, River and Coastal Protection Bond Act of 2006 (Proposition 84) authorized nearly $5.4 billion in general obligation bonds to fund safe drinking water, water quality and supply, flood control, waterway and natural resource protection, water pollution and contamination control, state and local park improvements, public access to natural resources, and water conservation efforts.
Proposition 50 (passed in 2002) authorized over $3.4 billion in general obligation bonds for various water-related projects. These projects include specific CALFED Bay-Delta Program projects, including urban and agricultural water use efficiency programs. Funds also allow for the purchasing, protecting, and restoring of wetlands near urban areas, among other things.
Right now, the Legislature should focus on funding surface water storage and flood control, which is a critical component to solving the water crisis that is crippling the Central Valley.
It is unfortunate it took a crisis of this magnitude for the Legislature to address the water issue, but this is the farthest water negotiations have come in decades. I am hopeful that the Central Valley’s fight for surface water storage will see victory this month.
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Denham Relishes ‘Hot Dog Man’ Tax Cut Bill Passage
Bill “The Hot Dog Man” Connell (left) and Jeff at the Surf Dog stand in Carpinteria (Santa Barbara County) following a news conference to celebrate the passage of Senate Bill 809.The governor recently signed the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee‘s Senate Bill 809, a tax cut measure ensuring that disabled veterans without a permanent place of business who sell wares on the street are exempt from collecting sales tax.
“It’s about time the State of California abides by a law it enacted over a century ago to help disabled veterans earn a living. It’s the least the state can do to honor the brave men and women who were injured in the line of duty protecting our safety and freedom,” said Senator Jeff Denham (R-Merced), who, as chair of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, carried the bill through the Senate.
SB 809 was inspired by a specific case involving United States veteran Bill “The Hot Dog Man” Connell who was held liable for past tax obligations in connection with his sales of hot dogs from a cart in the City of Carpinteria in Santa Barbara County, California.
Connell fought the state, citing political code of the State of California adopted on March 12, 1872 that says:
“…every soldier, sailor or marine of the United States who has received an honorable discharge or a release from active duty under honorable conditions from such service shall have the right to hock, peddle and vend any goods, wares or merchandise, except spirituous, malt, vinous or other intoxicating liquor, without payment of any license, tax or fee whatsoever…”
“After a 16-year battle with the state, Mr. Connell, a Vietnam War Era veteran, is finally able to declare victory with the passage of SB 809,” said Denham, a 16-year U.S. Air Force Veteran.
“I am deeply grateful to Senator Jeff Denham, to his Senate Veterans Affairs Committee and staff, to the Board of Equalization and Chairwoman Betty T. Yee, and to the supporters in Santa Barbara County, including the United Veterans for Truth, Vietnam Veterans Post 218, American Legion Post 49 and all my patrons.”
SB 809 is a tax cut measure for small business. It updates law from the late 1800s by classifying itinerant disabled veterans as consumers so they will not be required to collect taxes on the sale of an item, but instead, would simply be required to pay tax on the purchase of the item being sold.
In addition to the “Hot Dog Man” bill, the governor also signed the following Senate Veterans Affairs Committee measures into law in October:
- SB 644 - Veteran State Testing Points
- SB 419 - Veteran Service Officers
- SB 818 - CA State Military Museum
- SJR 10 - Veteran Federal Health Benefits
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In Case You Missed Jeff on Fox News
Jeff was interviewed live on the Fox News Channel ( FNC), which is available to 102 million households in the U.S. To watch the interview on the “Hot Dog Man” bill, click here.
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Denham Attends the Governor’s Bill Signing Ceremony in Merced
Jeff shakes the governor’s hand following the signing ceremony for Assembly Bill 957 –““The Buyers Choice Act” – authored by Assemblywoman Cathleen Galgiani (right). Jeff is a co-author of the bill and carried the measure on Senate Floor.Governor Schwarzenegger made a special visit to Merced for a ceremonial signing of several housing bills, including Assembly Bill 957, known as the “The Buyers Choice Act.”
AB 957 mandates that buyers of bank-owned properties (foreclosed homes) would have the choice of using a local escrow office to handle the transaction. It prohibits a seller of residential property from requiring or influencing the buyer to use an escrow service company or purchase title insurance chosen by the seller. It also prohibits a seller of residential property from, without good cause, disapproving the use of a title or escrow company a buyer has chosen.
“We certainly have seen challenges in my home county of Merced and the rest of the state. We feel this every day. We need to do everything we can to keep families in their homes and get those that have lost their homes back into homes. This bill will not only help the consumers and the families, but it will also help keep jobs here as well," said Jeff.
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Merced Chamber Honors Denham District Representative Louise Farley
Louise Farley (center) is pictured with her husband, Jim Farley, (left) and Dawn Kinney, (right) member of the Merced County Chamber of Commerce board of directors at the chamber’s quarterly luncheon.One of Jeff’s Merced District Office representatives, Louise Farley was named Merced County Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of the Quarter at the organization’s recent quarterly luncheon. She was selected because of her long-time volunteerism, as well as recent significant community service activities.
“ “Louise is truly a shining star on Team Denham. She never hesitates to lend a hand, offer encouragement and always makes us proud. Literally every time I am at an event, meeting or just grocery shopping someone will come up to me and thank me for the good work Louise has done for them,” said Jeff. “Her tireless efforts on behalf of our community are unparalleled. She and her husband Jim are the epitome of the good neighbors, great friends and outstanding community members that make Merced County such a wonderful place. The chamber has made an excellent choice in naming Louise as their ‘Volunteer of the Quarter.’ For all of Team Denham, congratulations Louise on a well-deserved award.”
Louise has long been an active volunteer in various organizations. She has served in leadership roles, such as the president of the Merced College Foundation. As a foundation member has served on the Events Committee which put on the recent, very successful Autumn Affaire on the Merced College campus. The event raised funds for scholarships for students. She was also the president and secretary of Merced Business and Professional Women and the scholarship chair for several years.
Having grown up in the 4-H program, Louise has been a volunteer for over 30 years. She was a founding member of the Merced County 4-H Management Board and has been a 4-H leader in the public speaking, citizenship, foods-nutrition and photography projects.
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