End of Session Legislative Update
I’m pleased to announce that four pieces of my legislation were signed by Governor Schwarzenegger this month.
Senate Bill 136 provides for the sale of state property that is no longer needed. By getting unused and not needed property back in the private sector, we save maintenance costs, score new taxes, and in many cases, facilitate new private sector jobs.
The second bill, Senate Bill 548, is a measure that helps protect veterans from fraud and abuse. Under California’s Disabled Veteran Business Enterprises (DVBE) program, state related projects are required to use certified disabled veterans for a portion of the work. Unfortunately, in all too many cases, once a veteran has been worked into a contract to meet the state’s requirements, contractors do not award the agreed-upon jobs. Worse yet, some contractors use veterans’ services on a project but do not pay them for their hard work.
Senate Bill 548 will make certain that when a contractor hires a disabled veteran, they are awarded both the agreed upon work and pay.
Senate Bill 598 allows a drunk driver who has lost his driver's license, and who voluntarily installs an ignition interlock device (IID) to apply for a restricted license at an earlier time. An IID disables a car ignition if alcohol is detected. Many convicted drunks, needing transportation for work and family duties, drive without a license. By providing an alternative that legally allows them to drive, while ensuring they don't drive drunk, lives will be saved. Additionally, those who use these interlock devices, have a much better track record of not re-offending.
I applaud the Governor’s efforts in proactively fighting drunk driving and joined Governor Schwarzenegger and many leaders in the law enforcement community at a press conference and bill signing ceremony to highlight this important measure.
Also in attendance was Assemblyman Mike Feuer, who authored a companion piece of legislation that creates a mandatory ignition interlock device for first time drunk drivers through a pilot program in four California counties, including Los Angeles County.
Lastly, jointly authored by myself and Senator Romero, SB 680 gives parents and students more quality public school options beyond their home district. Traditionally, students are bound to their neighborhood schools that may or may not meet their individual needs. Confronted with this, parents who are able have put their children in private schools or home schools. The District of Choice program creates opportunities for parents to keep their children in public schools, and also creates a healthy competition for schools to implement innovative education programs to attract and keep their students.
It is an honor to have authored these measures.
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Controller Releases September Cash Report
State Controller John Chiang released his monthly report covering California’s cash balance, receipts and disbursements in September. For the first three months of the fiscal year, total General Fund revenue was nearly $1.1 billion below the recently amended 2009-10 Budget Act estimates.
The State’s three largest sources of revenue fell below estimates for the month of September. When adjusted to account for payments made in September that were previously delayed or issued as Registered Warrants in July and August, personal income tax revenues for the month were $934 million below estimates (-17.3%), corporate taxes were down $183 million (-10.5%), and sales taxes came in $99.8 million lower than expected (-4.5%).
The State started the fiscal year with an $11.9 billion cash deficit in the General Fund, which grew to $16.2 billion by September 30. Those deficits are being covered with a combination of $7.3 billion of internal borrowing from special funds and $8.8 billion in short-term revenue anticipation notes. If this trend continues, I anticipate that the Legislature will be doing another mid-year adjustment, probably after the first of the year.
September 2009’s financial statement and the summary analysis can be found on the Controller’s Web site at www.sco.ca.gov.
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H1N1 Swine Flu
We have heard a lot of information about the virus, often called swine flu, and there may be confusion about the facts.
Most people who have become ill with this new virus have recovered without requiring medical treatment. Of the deaths which have occurred, two thirds of the patients had underlying conditions which made them more susceptible to the disease.
The symptoms of the H1N1 virus are very similar to the seasonal influenza that most people are familiar with.
If you think you have the flu, the best thing to do is to stay home and avoid contact with others.
Visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website or call for more information on the virus and how to stay healthy.
Center for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov/
1-800-CDC-INFO
http://www.cdc.gov/H1N1FLU/
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Rowland Unified School District's Teacher of the Year
Congratulation to Sylvia Cadena for being named Teacher of the Year for Rowland Unified School District!
Mrs. Cadena loves teaching and has made reading her specialty. Mrs. Cadena wanted to do something “more intensive” because the classroom doesn’t help everyone, so she created a reading lab at Villacorta Elementary School for students who need a little extra help. It is because of her devotion and success with the lab that she was chosen as Teacher of the Year.
For two years, Mrs. Cadena co-led the reading lab where Kindergarten through Sixth grade students were able to receive extra help during the school day. Tests and the students' scores showed an increase in reading aptitude.
Mrs. Cadena graduated from college when she was 40 years old and only started teaching after an "extraordinary career" as her son's mother. Mrs. Cadena is now the Learning Director, a Vice Principal position that helps teachers improve their skills. Rowland Unified School District and its students are fortunate to have such a dedicated teacher.
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Community Feature - Sowing Seeds for Life
Vicki Brown, CEO of DPI Labs, volunteered in food banks in downtown Los Angeles before she started a food pantry in her own community, where she believed the need was just as great. Sowing Seeds for Life is now a very successful non-profit organization in La Verne.
On the first and third Wednesdays of the month, the successful business woman gives out bags of food to needy families out of the back of her La Verne business — DPI Labs. The company, which she formed in 1984, supplies cabin controls and entertainment systems for major aircraft companies.
Since she's doing so well, she wanted her company to give back to the community and encourages others to do the same. "Truly, this is what's giving me joy," Brown said. "I am so proud that DPI is in a financial place where it can do something for the community."
When Sowing Seeds for Life started handing out groceries behind DPI’s shipping and receiving area, it was for a very small number of people and the volunteers were mostly members of her church and employees from her company. As word spread, her list of volunteers grew and so did the lines of people in need. Sowing Seeds for Life now hands out groceries to more than 2,800 people.
Because Vicki Brown and her staff have done such a good job, Sowing Seeds for Life has become a distribution hub for other food banks. They not only offer food and supplies, but also activities for kids while their parents wait in line.
Brown now has big plans for expanding her distribution area. She wants to extend her building out another 5,000 feet, so she can move her pantry inside a permanent, dedicated space protected from the elements.
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Around the District
As a legislator, I am often invited to tour different facilities in the district, which is an exciting part of my job. Recently, I toured Baxco Pharmaceutical, Evaira, and the La Habra Life Center. Baxco, located in Walnut, has developed a comprehensive line of food supplements, exporting most of their product to Asian countries. Evaira, located in the City of Industry, makes equipment used by our military, but is diversifying their business to include highly efficient batteries and electric motors for our next generation of electric automobiles. The La Habra Life Center provides counseling for crisis pregnancies, and resources for teen mothers. I am honored to have these businesses and community organizations in my district.
Another great event I was able to participate in was the “Tee Off for the Troops” in Placentia. I considered it a great privilege to welcome the participants at the beginning of their annual golf event that raises funds for wounded soldiers.
The California Trucking Association celebrated 75 years this month and as Vice Chairman of Senate Transportation and Housing Committee, I was honored to present them with a Senate Resolution at their anniversary dinner. And the Diamond Age Seniors, an active group of seniors in Diamond Bar that my wife and I helped set up while I was on the City Council, asked me to say a few words at their 10th Anniversary celebration. My wife, Mei Mei, also joined me at the Southern California Council of Chinese Schools for their annual dinner.
With news that California’s unemployment rate has risen to 12.2%, the economy is still on everyone’s mind. The Glendora Chamber of Commerce hosted a luncheon where I addressed the state’s budget and economy. I also met with the San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership, to get feedback from them, and offer my own perspectives on the state's budget. The Economic Partnership is an organization of public and private entities that proactively seek to improve our region's business climate and maintain a healthy dialogue with our region's legislators. My office hosted once again our biannual Small Business Advisory Committee meeting, where members of the business community joined me to exchange ideas.
And finally, in one of the most touching things I’ve done while serving in the Legislature, I helped dedicate a segment of the 57 freeway to the late Mayor of Diamond Bar, Bob Zirbes. Bob and I served on the Diamond Bar city council together and he was a close friend. Bob lost his battle with cancer in 2007. The Zirbes family was at the dedication where we unveiled the new freeway sign on what would have been Bob’s 50th birthday.
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Los Angeles to San Diego via the Inland Empire Section of the California High-Speed Train System Project EIR/EIS Public Scoping Meetings
The California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority), as the lead agency for the California Environmental Quality Act process, is issuing a Notice of Preparation (NOP) of a project Environmental Impact Report/Statement (EIR/EIS) for the Los Angeles to San Diego via the Inland Empire Section of the proposed California High-Speed Train System (HST).
The Authority is issuing the NOP to solicit public and agency input into the development of the scope of the EIR/EIS and to advise the public that outreach activities will be conducted by the Authority and its representatives in preparation of the joint EIR/EIS.
The NOP, NOI, public scoping meeting dates and locations are available at www.cahighspeedrail.ca.gov.
Public comments may be submitted on the Authority’s website or by writing to Mr. Dan Leavitt, Deputy Director, ATTN: Los Angeles to San Diego via the Inland Empire Section HST Project EIR/EIS, California High-Speed Rail Authority, 925 L Street, Suite 1425, Sacramento, CA 95814, or via email with subject line “LA-SD HST Section via the Inland Empire” to: comments@hsr.ca.gov no later than November 20, 2009.
For more information, call: (909) 627-2974 or (916) 324-1541.
www.cahighspeedrail.ca.gov
You may also attend the public scoping meetings at the following locations:
Public Scoping Meetings will be from 3-7 p.m. Arrive anytime during these hours.
Monday, October 26
City of West Covina - City Hall
Community Room/First Floor
1444 W. Garvey Avenue
West Covina, CA 91790
Thursday, October 29
Pomona First Baptist Church Room E-202
586 N. Main Street
Pomona, CA 91768
Monday, November 2
Ontario Airport Administrative Conference Rooms
1923 E. Avion Street
Ontario, CA 91764
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Internship Program with Senator Huff
There are internships available in my Walnut District office. This opportunity is open to high school seniors and college students. Students are given the opportunity to get directly involved in state government’s daily operations. The program allows a first hand look at how the California State Senate functions and the role of a Senator in representing their constituents. For additional information and an application, please contact David Monroy at (909) 598-3981.
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