The Benoit Bulletin

Greetings

Welcome to The Benoit Bulletin. This e-report provides updates and information on what is happening in the State Capitol and around the 37th Senate District. I trust you will find it informative, and I invite you to share it with your friends.

Inside The Capitol: Recent Special Sessions

Although the Legislature has formally concluded the first year of the 2009-10 Legislative Session, there are two issues, education and water, so paramount to California that they merit “Special Sessions” to tackle.

Education:

$4.35 billion in Race To The Top dollars are now available to states through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  However, under current State law, California is ineligible to apply and thus unable to compete for this additional federal money.

The Governor has called a Special Session with the goal of advancing reforms that will ensure we can meet the federal government’s education reform requirements now and into the future.  Increasing transparency in student achievement and teacher performance, repealing the cap on charter schools, and giving parents freedom to choose the school that best serves their child’s needs are all measures that would reward innovative efforts to turn around California’s struggling schools.

Water:

Wednesday, I dedicated the Thomas E. Levy Groundwater Replenishment Facility, which will percolate imported Colorado River water into the eastern Coachella Valley aquifer.  See The Desert Sun’s article on this facility here.  
Photo Credit: Coachella Valley Water District

Much of California’s water comes from the rainfall and snowmelt in the northern part of the State while two-thirds of the water demand is for Southern California.  In 2007, a federal judge issued a ruling that reduced pumped water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, a major source of Southern California’s water by up to a third to protect the tiny Delta smelt fish.  California is entering a potential fourth year of drought and solving the water supply problem is crucial to our communities.

It is my strong hope and belief that, while the Senate and Assembly continue to negotiate water policy, we will produce a comprehensive plan that will update our water system to provide for our current demands and future growth. 

Legislative Update

I’m very pleased to report that Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed all five of my bills that passed the Legislature in 2009.

Also of note, the Governor signed AB 1318, which I helped guide through the legislative process as a principal co-author.  AB 1318 authorizes a clean natural gas power plant near Palm Springs, estimated to create 350 jobs, produce $2.6 million in new business taxes, and $6.4 million in annual property taxes.  This “Peaker Plant” will allow for the leveraging of additional intermittent renewable sources of power, such as wind and solar.

My Legislation:

Good Samaritan Protection Act (SB 39): Together with AB 83, which I co-authored, restores critical legal protections for Good Samaritans.

Retired Officers Badges (SB 169): Allows local and State law enforcement agencies to issue honorary retiree badges to officers following their dedicated service to the public.

Escrow Industry Fee Limits (SB 204): Creates a more favorable business environment for California’s escrow industry by limiting State fees on escrow agents and businesses.

Taxpayer Protection (SB 321): Increases the integrity and transparency of local benefit assessment elections.

Probation Reform (SB 431): Improves probation oversight by eliminating wasteful duplicative supervision and facilitating community reintegration for offenders.  Together with SB 678, which I coauthored, the probation reforms will save $30 million annually.

Swine Flu Update

California was among the first states to report the H1N1 flu virus in April 2009.  The virus has since spread internationally, including all US states and territories.  Infections, hospitalizations and fatalities rapidly increased worldwide.  To date, Riverside County has recorded over 600 confirmed cases and ten deaths from swine flu.

The swine flu vaccine is now available in many of our communities.  Initially, the vaccine will be prioritized for the populations deemed at highest risk.  People who are at higher risk for health complications should contact their primary physician, the local public health department or visit www.rivcoph.org/h1n1 for further information about availability and distribution of the vaccine.

Books I've Enjoyed

Here’s a new selection from my recent personal reading that I think you might like:

The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America,
Erik Larson
2004, 447 pages

This page turner murder mystery takes place in and around the 1893 Chicago World's Fair.  A great historical read - as well as a real life detective story.

Around The District

Being presented my Third Paul Harris Fellowship Award by Richard R. Dell'Acqua (Rotary Club District Commander) at a recent luncheon of the Indio Rotary Club, where I have been a Member and Past President.  Also pictured: Harris Fellow Martha Mendez.

While the Legislature is currently in recess, I have been using the time well to pursue an active schedule and speak before civic and business groups throughout the 37th Senate District.  In the past couple weeks, I’ve made visits to:

• RIVERSIDE: At the Riverside chapter of the Building Industry Association, I presented an update on the new home tax credit, an opportunity which has allowed qualified individuals to purchase homes during this downturn economy.
• COACHELLA VALLEY: Before the Coachella Valley BIA chapter, I spoke about legislation that will positively impact our homegrown renewable energy industry
• SOUTHWEST RIVERSIDE COUNTY: At luncheons in Lake Elsinore, Canyon Lake, and Menifee, the focus was on why water from the Delta – 400 miles away – has such a great impact on the economy of Southwest Riverside County Cities.
• Finally, at separate events by Leadership Riverside and Leadership Coachella Valley, I shared the importance of civic involvement and volunteerism to young professionals interested in politics.

Commending Hemet High School for being a California Distinguished School.  With Hemet High School Principal Bill Black (left) and District Superintendent Dr. Phil Pendley (right)

Upcoming Community Coffees: Building on the success of two recent events in Banning and Beaumont, I will be partnering with Chambers of Commerce in the Coachella Valley to host a series of community coffees in the desert.  Here is a listing of upcoming events:

Palm Desert: October 29 at 8:30 AM, hosted at the Henderson Building (72559 Highway 111)
Rancho Mirage: November 4 at 9:00 AM, Rancho Mirage Chamber of Commerce (42520 Bob Hope Drive)
Palm Springs: November 5 at 8:00 AM, location TBD
Desert Hot Springs: November 11 at 8:30 AM, location TBD

Attendees are encouraged to RSVP by calling my office at (760) 568-0408. 

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