Enviro, Immigration and Federalism Policies Collide...oh my!/Pete Peterson

In an interesting combination of several issues, the Department of Homeland Security has announced that it received the necessary environmental waivers to push through its plans to finish the 670-mile border fence. It involved Congressional approval of a package of more than 30 waivers.

Possible environmental concerns regarding the fence include obstruction of migratory paths of creatures ranging from butterflies to a type of wildcat called an ocelot. The waivers involve around 10 miles of construction in the Otay Mountain region, east of San Diego.


Link: http://www.latimes.com/news/science/environment/la-na-fence2apr02,1,6428571.story

L.A. Clinic Offers Care for Mayas/Karla Saia

Due in large part to tenacious outreach efforts, Los Angeles’ Clinica Romero is serving a growing Maya immigrant population, a group which has traditionally been relatively alienated from Western and institutionalized health care.

For the last eight years Idalia Xuncax, herself a Maya, has grown the clinic’s Maya clientele from a handful to approximately 700, and in doing so has brought preventive and routine care to a group leery of doctors. Further, she has learned to manage care for these immigrants – generally from Guatemala – in terms of other cultural and historical healing practices the community employs.

The clinic is receives funding from private donors, County, State and Federal Funds. As a result of the work by Ms. Xuncax and her colleagues, the Federal Government has agreed to fund the clinic’s healthcare research into Mayas in Los Angeles.

Link: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-mayan2apr02,1,7177882.story

Proposed Gas Tax May Drive Prices Higher/ Claudia Paredes

AB2558 is a piece of legislation that is being introduced by Assemblyman Mike Feuer and supported by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority that would effect drivers in Lost Angeles County. Motorists would pay a fee of up to 3% of the price of gas (which translates into an extra 9 cents per gallon) or an additional fee of $90 on their vehicle registrtation that would all go towards fighting global warming. This registration fee would be higher for cars, trucks and SUVS in the hopes to discourage drivers from using these vehicles. The funding gained from this fee would be used for improvements to mass transit and programs aimed to relieve traffic congestion.

Opponents of this bill say that this is exploiting public sympathies to increase funding for a public transportation programs that already exist. They also point to the fact that gas is already taxed enough.

With the current budget deficit, funding for transportation and other local concerns must look towards new sources. Though the decision to put this bill on the ballot remains in the air, environmentalists argue that it is a local action to the problem of climate change that the federal government is not adequately responding to.


Link: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-taxes1apr01,1,7566510.story

Budget and Immigration Issues Collide/ Jackie Cubas

As Republican lawmakers have proposed a reduction of benefits for illegal immigrants to save money, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger says it’s a “big mistake” to blame illegal immigrants for the state's $8 billion budget gap.

This week Assembly Republicans promoted almost two dozen bills they think will reduce the "negative impact" that illegal immigrants have on the state budget and border security. The proposals range from requiring individuals to show proof of citizenship when receiving state-funded benefits to repealing a law enabling undocumented students to pay in-state college tuition.

While Assembly Republicans like Ted Gaines, R-Roseville, claim “There's a cost associated with illegal immigration whether we're in a deficit mode or not;” Democrats assert otherwise. “The fact of the matter is, immigrants have a positive impact on the economy and the budget, and they're essential to California's prosperity,” said Sen. Gil Cedillo, D-Los Angeles. Legislative Democrats have vowed to block the GOP legislative package and accused Republicans of using illegal immigrants as scapegoats.

Citing a Federation for American Immigration Reform study released in 2004, Assembly Republicans said illegal immigrants cost the state $9 billion annually. The group estimated that California spends an estimated $7.7 billion alone on education for undocumented students. This estimate was disputed by Dowell Myers, a University of Southern California demographer, who said it is difficult to quantify the full economic impact of immigrants in California. He asserts it is hard to differentiate between legal and illegal workers and that immigrants provide an economic benefit by filling labor shortages in various occupations.

Link: http://www.sacbee.com/111/story/815068.html

Governor's inconsistencies may overshadow his accomplishments/ Julia Gonzales

Has the self-proclaimed “great political negotiator,” California’s Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger known for his ability to strike an acceptable deal regarding policy most divisive issues, compromised his principles in the process? That’s the very question that many political pundits and policy makers are pondering. Will Governor Schwarzenegger’s legacy be affected by blurring the lines between being principled and overly “diplomatic” on policy? Here are the facts: While the Governor campaigned on the ills of special interest money, he later :“ became the biggest fundraiser in state history.” Moreover, while he promised budget deficit spending, vis-à-vis: “cutting up state credit cards,” he later “borrowed billions.” Similarly, while he promised “open government,” but then “let secret corporate donors pay for his travels abroad.”

Which begs an important question: are the Governor’s policy reversals politically motivated and—thus an inevitable bi-product of life as a policy maker in a highly polarized state legislature? Or does the Governor’s policy reversals suggest a more benign approach namely—that the core principles of a political novice at best--will naturally shift as he navigates the often times complicated and politically charged polarized landscape. To that end, will this “shifting nature” which will inevitably leave the Governor with for better or worse--has left him with “a record of self-contradiction and a reputation among California's polarized constituencies as a leader whose bold pronouncements may quickly be forgotten.” At the end of the day, perhaps the larger issue is not at all about the “legacy” question rather—the real issue lies with the people of California—and their anxiety and uncertainty in the Governor’s stance on the state’s most pressing issues—issues that may potentially have a strong bearing on their overall quality of life.

Link: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-arnold28mar28,1,3952869.story

Prop 1C Not Meant to be for SoCal/ Pete Peterson

Since the 2006 passage of Prop 1C the battle of the dispersal of the $2.85B bond issue has pitted Northern California against Southern California, with NorCal coming out on top...so far. The first round of the bond money - about $286MM - was paid out last year with over half of it going to Northern California and the inland counties. If bond monies were allocated on a per capita basis, Southern California would receive over 60% of the total.

Local and state legislators from Southern California, from LA Mayor, Antonio Villaraigosa to Assembly Speaker-Elect, Karen Bass, have decried the spending plans, which seem to favor projects supported by Senate President Pro Tem, Don Perata, who represents Oakland.

In his defense, most of the actual spending formulas have not been set by the Legislature, but by the Department of Housing and Community Development, which has allowed that while per capita funding is a priority, it is not the only one. Another important consideration is that affordable housing plans be "transit-oriented", and Northern California has developed more of those opportunities.

Link: http://www.latimes.com/business/la-me-housingbond24mar24,1,2829726.story

Hands Free Not Synonymous with Accident Free/Megan McClendon

As most California drivers know, as of July 1, 2008, a law will go into effect requiring that drivers use a hands free device of some kind to talk on their cell phones while driving. If caught with a cell phone to one’s ear, a driver will face a $20 fine for the first offense and $50 fines thereafter. California is one of the first states to implement such legislation though 95 other bills in 28 others states are currently being considered.

Despite this step, some research suggests that this will not improve the high rates of car accidents associated with cell phone use while driving. Many argue that it is not the use of one hand or two, but where the driver’s mind is that does or does not cause problems when driving.

While most studies out there argue that cell phone use, even with a hands free device, impairs a driver as if he had a blood alcohol level of .08, Pepperdine’s own, Professor James Prieger, disagrees. Prieger counters studies that say drivers actually perform better while drunk than when on a cell phone by positing that if drivers are truly honest with themselves, they will acknowledge that their driving with or without a cell phone is no riskier.

Even with Prieger’s research, the question remains whether this California legislation will actually do anything to reduce the rates of cell phone related car accidents. It remains to be seen. However, come July, we are likely to begin to see answers to these questions.

Link: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-distract25mar25,1,105874.story

Mayor Cracks down on Potholes/ Aimee Dewing

At a press conference Monday Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa announced that the city had filled its 800,000th pothole. In July of 2005 when Villaraigosa took office he pledged to fill one million potholes. The Mayor touted the great success of his transportation policy, stating the city of Los Angeles is, “not only a pothole filler, but a pothole leader in the nation.”

Yet, critics are quick to point out that the City does not know exactly how many potholes cover the sprawling Los Angeles city streets, and has no real way of measuring pothole-filling progress. Estimates reveal that it would cost around $2.5 billion to properly repair city roads as opposed to simply patching problems after they arise.

The press conference was held in a residential area of Leimert Park and showed the Mayor and the Bureau of City Street Workers ceremoniously filling the 800,00th pothole. The press conference was called after the timely release of a study that found that Los Angeles has the worst roads in California, with 65 percent of them needing repair.

For the city, this study seems to have been just another bump in the road.

Links:
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/california/la-me-roadsage24mar24,1,1043181.column

http://cbs2.com/local/Leimert.Park.Pothole.2.678811.html

http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/local&id=6023653

California Unemployment Rate Falls in January / Laura Elena Ortuno

During the month of January there was a slight drop in the unemployment rate (from 5.9% to 5.7%). This increase in employment was due to the 26,000 jobs that were created in California and also because the screenwriters’ strike ended. Likewise the construction sector was benefited as the weak housing market started to pick up slowly.

In comparison, in February of 2007, the unemployment rate was of 5% which means that there is still progress to be made. Economists still state that the economy is completely flat and that it will worsen during this year.

In L.A., unemployment rate fell from from 5.7% to 5.3% between January and February, yet during the same month in 2007 it was of 4.3%. In conclusion, California is headed towards a mild recession as the rest of 2008 doesn’t seem to offer any changes in this trend.


Link: http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-caljobs22mar22,0,3322814.story

S.B. County faces funding loss of $30 million/ Sarah Montes

If budget cuts proposed in Sacramento trickle down San Bernardino County will be facing losses of about $30 million in funding. The estimated cuts include a $19.1 million cut in Medi-Cal, children's services, adult protective services and in-home supportive services locally. Also, Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton could see a $3.3 million cut. The county is projected to lose about $13 million in state sales tax money that would help fund public safety services and law enforcement.

Things are not looking good in San Bernardino County aside from budget cuts and diminishing state sales tax, housing sales were down 50 percent in 2007, compared to the previous three years

Board of Supervisors Chairman Paul Biane said layoffs will be avoided.

Link: http://www.pe.com/localnews/inland/stories/PE_News_Local_B_bsupes19.441796f.html

Bending the ear of union members/ Lisa Sweet

The US Supreme Court is hearing a case that will decide whether state money that is given to employers may be used to influence union member views regarding unions. The Chamber of Commerce and President Bush state that California would be violating federal labor laws. But California maintains that the law is meant to prevent subsidizing an employer's union activities thus remaining neutral.

Justice Scalia questioned the State's claim of neutrality as did Chief Roberts while both Justices Ginsburg and Breyer both supported the law determining that California should be able to determine how that money is spent. The law doesn't prevent an employer from stating opinions related to union activities, just from using state money to do so.

The author of the bill noted that the law, which was supported by California labor unions, "began as a means to prevent unscrupulous contractors from using state money to block unionization by California janitors."

A decision has not yet been reached.

Link: http://www.sacbee.com/114/story/798331.html

Fireplace Use Restricted/ JoAnne Golden

In San Joaquin Valley, residents are looking at three times the amount of
days that they are restricted from burning wood in their fireplaces. This
is in response to the air pollution and the consequences of it (more
specifically "asthma, heart disease and early death").

This new plan would ban the burning of wood in fireplaces for up to 30% of the year (which angers many who use this as their main source of heating). Since November, this has been an additional 10% increase on restrictions in San Joaquin Valley.

Link: http://www.sacbee.com/114/story/792645.html

Higher fares, fines eyed to fund S.F. Muni/ Hagob Boyadjian

San Francisco’s Municipal Transportation Agency is faced with a projected two-year $82 million budget deficit. The CFO of the agency will be presenting recommended proposals aimed at addressing the deficit to the MTA Board of Directors shortly. These options include increasing the price of parking fines, parking meter rates, and residential parking permits. There is also a possibility of increasing the cost of the passes available to adults which gives them unlimited rides on the railway. Completing the list of potential revenue generators are charging more for temporary-street closure permits and taxi permits. Officials note that this list is currently only for public discussion and no formal recommendations have been made. The authority to increase fares and rates came from the public who voted to allow the increases with the exception that the Board of Supervisors would have the ultimate say over the matters. If the Board of Supervisors rejects the fare increases, the entire budget is rejected.

Link:

Record Turnout for California Voters on Feb. 5th Primary/ Erica Quevedo

California Secretary of State, Debra Bowen has just released a report regarding the results of the recent February 5th Primary Elections. The report shows that 57.7% of registered voters turned out to vote at the Presidential Primary Elections, this is a little more than 9 million Californians. This is 1.2 million more voters than the previous Presidential primary in March 2000. According to this report this is the highest voter turn out in California since 1980; the all time record was in 1976 when almost 73% of voters turned out. Of the total voters 55.27% were Democrat and 33.93% were Republican. In explanation for the high voter turnout Bowen releases the following statement, “The closeness of the Republican and Democratic contests, and the ability to truly help pick the next presidential nominees, clearly motivated Californians to head to the polls in record numbers for a primary election."

Link: http://www.sacbee.com/749/story/792083.html

State Legislature’s trusted budget analyst is stepping down/ Ayawo Awanyo

Elizabeth Hill, a state budget analyst, announced last Thursday she will step down after the end of the legislative session of this summer. Hill has held this position for more than 22 years and is well known for her sound budget advice. For more than seven years successively, the California budget has been out of balance even in times economy has flourished. Her staff estimates that lawmakers are less concerned about the budget crisis. The administration argues that the plan to recover the budget is sound even if this could not prevent the deficit to increasing from $ 14 billion to $16 billion. Hill’s office points out that the new health plan is less likely to be achieved because the state will run out of money in the following years because the tobacco tax could not generate substantial expected revenue. She believes the following have contributed to increasing the deficit: budgeting by ballot initiative, term limits, and huge expansions of government programs to serve a rapidly growing population.

Link: 14,1,4456510.story

Changing of the "Guards" in Sacramento/ Pete Peterson

With the concentration and growth of Indian casino political power after the February elections, an interesting change of power is taking place in Sacramento. The most powerful lobbying union in the Capitol for over a decade, the California Corrections Peace Officers Association (CCPOA) has lost some of its muscle in recent years, as a Governor (Schwarzenegger) was elected without their support and a Democrat-controlled Legislature has sought other methods of criminal punishment outside of prison.

Into the gap come the Indian casinos who recently won a major victory in the February 5th elections, which allowed them (well, some of them) to increase the size of their casinos, thereby increasing their revenues. Just last week they managed to get a bill passed by the Legislature that gave tribal leaders greater powers to remove individuals from their reservations. This is seen as new way of "disenrolling" tribe members who disagree with leadership on the reservation.

Link: http://www.sacbee.com/111/story/778909.html

Sacramento Needs to Get Serious About State Water Policy/ Greg Gaudino

This article mostly talks about how Republicans are for water storage initiatives and Democrats are for water conservation initiative. The article starts off by saying that Diane Feinstein is concerned about the future of California’s water and that fellow Democrats need to come to the table and discuss a new long-term water policy.

Later on in the article it says that the Democrats are against water storage and canals because it could flood certain areas and negatively impact the environment. The article goes on to say that Democrats would likely approve a measure that was crafted by both Democrats and Republicans.

The article ends by saying that Democrats had been avoiding the topic altogether by not reporting to meetings that were scheduled in order to talk about the water problem.

Link: http://www.mydesert.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080312/OPINION01/803120310/1026/news12

Full Stream Ahead for Lower Owens/Karla Saia

The Lower Owens river, little more than a dry riverbed since the advent of the Los Angeles Aqueduct in 1913, is being deliberately flooded in an effort to repair nearly 100 years of ecological damage to the area.

Steady man-made floods, referred to as “pulses,” have been in place since December, 2006. Beginning next year, the Lower Owens will be flooded each spring: the pulses are intended to wash away decades of dry vegetation and cattle waste buildup, while simultaneously carrying seeds along the course of the river to encourage growth of ecosystems along the river’s edge. The idea is to turn the now-arid plain into a riverbed and accompanying forest capable of luring tourists.

While the program, a byproduct of environmental litigation, currently has the support of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and environmentalists, fear of water shortages leaves the future of the restored river in limbo. As project consultant Mark Hill noted, “If there [is] not enough water to go around and people [are] suffering, this project [will] be the first thing to go.”

It may be 15 or 20 years before the full fruition of the flooding is realized and the river can sustain commercial and recreational enterprises such as fishing and kayaking.

Link: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-owens11mar11,1,1534895.story

Equal Rights for Shackin' Up?/ Claudia Paredes

State Senator form San Francisco, Carole Migden, has reintroduced a bill that would allow heterosexual couples over the age of 18 to register as domestic partners and acquire access to family health insurance plans, stepparent adoption rights, family leave programs and hospital and jail visitation rights. Currently, only homosexual and older couples (at least one member is over the age of 62) are able to register as domestic partners.

Senator Migden states that this bill is a sign of the times, as more and more heterosexual couples are choosing to live together but are not getting married. While conservative groups are contending that this bill would strike another blow to the institution of marriage, Senator Migden maintains that she would like to see straight couples and families with the same rights as gay couples and families.

Link: http://www.contracostatimes.com/bayandstate/ci_8519351?nclick_check=1

Governor artfully surprises audience/ April Johnson

He’s known as the Terminator but an artist? Who knew? Today Governor Schwarzenegger attended the California Arts Council conference at the Memorial Auditorium in Sacramento where the theme was “The Future – What’s Next? While the conference focused on the challenges in funding art programs in schools, the Governor pledged that more money would be made available for the arts in the future. He also added, “I promise you – I’ll be back.”

Schwarzenegger was introduced by his sister in-law CAC Vice Chair Malissa Feruzzi Shriver as a patron of the arts as well as an artist himself and a small slide show was presented on the Governor’s paintings of flowers, dolphins and cows. Citing his passion for the arts, the Schwarzenegger praised the efforts of the CAC for their creative ways of raising funds such as the license plates designed by Sacramento painter Wayne Thiebald that has raised $3 million dollars. Though California is already the lowest of all 50 states in per capita spending for the arts, the Governor concluded his remarks by promising to “fixed the state budgeting process to that cuts in the arts funding would not have to be made…”

Link: http://www.sacbee.com/capolitics/story/761358.html

House Bill Mandates Health Coverage/ Julia Gonzales

The recent passage of a mental health bill by the House of Representatives has caused the state of California great anxiety over how it may potentially have a negative affect for Californians’ who suffer from mental health issues, and or other psychopathologies such as addiction to drugs/and or alcohol. Specifically the house bill seeks to mandate health insurance companies “to cover treatments for addiction and mental conditions the same way they provide for physical illnesses.”

While the law ostensibly may well benefit many throughout the nation who do not currently have adequate mental health coverage. Experts in the mental health field point out--that while the bill may be well-intended, the unintended consequences of the legislation “could a have a negative impact by overriding laws in California, where health plans already are required to cover major mental illnesses.” To that end, as “the federal bill would not mandate plans to cover mental health as they are required to do in California,” the law “could raise rates and cause some employers to drop mental health coverage altogether.”

Link:http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/03/06/BUHJVE7JV.DTL

University of California’s President Post Not Easy To Fill/Haley Ayraud

In major job posting publications worldwide, an ideal candidate for the President of the University of California system is describes as “an individual of uncommon wisdom to head the best public research system in the world.” While this description is rather visionary, the ad certainly leaves some major requirements out. This job will not only need a dynamic leader, the person chosen must also be able to navigate a state budget that continually threatens to limit spending, cope with a contentious faculty, manage a student body angry about rising fees and parents worried about rising admissions standards, and deal with a restive Board of Regents.

UC officials and higher education experts say the position's challenges are known around the nation and could make it tougher than in the past to find a willing person with the right scholarly, managerial and political talents. "It's not an impossible job but just a very hard, demanding job. It's a job that really requires a particular kind of skill and particular kind of commitment," said Patrick M. Callan, president of the nonprofit National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education in San Jose. "You've got to have the academic authority to know how to deal with a very strong faculty. And it's a highly political job obviously in a state where politics are volatile and the monies are short."

Link: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-ucprez4mar04,1,4797957.story

Who's the Decider in CA Emergency/ Jackie Cubas

The state Department of Public Health recently released the new “surge capacity guidelines.” The 1,900 page document lays out a plan for local and county health departments, hospitals, and emergency responders in an event of a state of emergency.
The plan outlines which responsibilities and patient protections can be waived if the governor declares a state of emergency. Hospitals will not have to report births, deaths, infectious disease outbreaks, medication errors, and suspected child or elder abuse. Rules that protect patients' privacy can also be ignored.

Most importantly, the plan focuses on rationing health care. Older, sicker patients could be allowed to die in order to save the lives of patients more likely to survive a massive disaster, bioterror attack or influenza pandemic in California. The plan is being hailed as a model for the rest of the country.

The $5 million plan was developed as part of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's 2006 health care surge initiative. The $172 million effort included stocking up on millions of doses of antiviral medications, thousands of ventilators, mobile field hospitals and extra hospital beds.

Link: http://www.sacbee.com/111/story/753359.html

State Budget Axe Falls on CA School Teachers/ Megan McClendon

Recently, Governor Schwarzenegger announced a very large cut back in the education budget for the state to the tune of $4.8 billion. Many districts, expecting shortfalls in the millions of dollars have begun cuts and layoffs.

A reported 5,000 layoffs are expected to occur throughout the state this month, but not all teachers will receive layoff notification until early this summer. This has inspired many teachers statewide to fear the coming months and the potential job loss with little chance of rehire.

Rialto, has already sent notice to 305 teachers and are expecting to fall $23 million short in their budget next year as a result of many combined factors including: the governor’s budget cuts and ever-declining enrollment. The results of such cuts will remain to be seen, but in a state where teachers are already in short supply and classes are already large, 5,000 fewer teachers can only exacerbate an already volatile situation

Link: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-rialto3mar03,1,3753966.story?ctrack=2&cset=true

The Carson City Council Smack Goes to Trial / Laura Elena Ortuno

The Carson City Council smack took place last February when Vera Roble DeWitt, a former mayor and longtime community activist, bopped a city commissioner on the back of the head with a handful of papers as she passed her in the council chambers. DeWitt had just finished speaking in favor of recalling Mayor Jim Dear and heard Schaefer utter an obscenity which caused her to hit her with the papers. The victim Jan Schaefer proceeded in a melodramatic fall after the hit. Schaefer did not sustain any injuries but still proceeded to obtain a restraining order against DeWitt.

The popularity of this video posted on youtube grew rapidly and has been viewed over half a million times.
DeWitt is scheduled to appear in L.A. County Superior Court for her trial on a charge of misdemeanor battery, with a possible fine of $200 or sx months in jail or both. The license for the bail bond business she has been running for 37 years is also subject to review.

The City Council Smack is just one of the many events that have occurred in the city meetings. Dear commented that he feels no sympathy for Vera “Evil” DeWitt although he does believe that Schaefer overreacted. All in all, Carson City’s reputation continues to be smacked around.

Link: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-smack28feb28,0,6350183,full.story

Grim Forecast for California’s Sluggish Economy/ Aimee Dewing

The Employment Development Department released their annual figures Friday, and it seems the outlook for the California economy is bleak. The state has lost 20,300 jobs in January, which is more than the other 49 states combined. The hardest hit industries were construction, information and financial services, with the Writer’s Strike and the fledging housing sector both playing significant roles in the decrease of available jobs.

California’s unemployment rate is 5.9% while the nation, as a whole, boasts of a rate of 4.9%. The US economy has lost 17,000 jobs total for the month of January, far less than California alone, revealing that the state’s job losses were offset by gains in other states. Economists calculate that this downturn in employment signifies that California may be heading into a recession. If current trends hold, estimates reveal that the unemployment rate could reach as high as 6.3% by the end of the year.

With job growth at a virtual standstill, economics professor at Chapman University, Esmael Adibi, woefully reports that this news is truly, “a very grim forecast.”

Link: http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/front/la-fi-jobs1mar01,1,1274285.story

Schwarzenegger Details Plans For Reforming Troubled Districts/ Sarah Montes

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will be announcing his latest plans which hope to help 97 California school districts that have not being able to meet the requirements set forth by the No Child Left Behind law. Schwarzenegger wants California to be the first state in the nation to use the federal education law to turn around low performing districts.

The specific improvement plans for each of the 97 California school districts that have missed test targets for five years in a row will be released at an 11:15 a.m. press conference at Northwood Elementary School.

The specific improvement plans for each of the 97 California school districts will be released at a press conference set to begin at 11:15 a.m.

Link: http://www.sacbee.com/111/story/742251.html

Immigrants Incarcerated at Lower Levels Than Natives/ Lisa Sweet

A new study from PPIC states that criminal activity among immigrant groups is lower than native born Americans. The study says that when comparing groups of incarcerated males U.S. and foreign-born and comparing lower levels of education are less likely to be in jail or prison.

This is also true of illegal immigrants and for both populations at national levels of incarceration as well. Some inferences that can be drawn from this study are that immigrants are indeed coming to this nation for work and a chance at prosperity.

Link: http://www.californiaprogressreport.com/2008/02/immigrants_incl.html

Mr. Schwarzenegger Goes to Washington/ JoAnne Golden

Schwarzenegger just returned from lobbying in D.C. for mortgage relief, border security, and funding for roads and levees. Congress recently changed home mortgage limits to $729,500, and the governor hopes that it is a permanent increase. He also hopes that the National Guard will supplement the Border Patrol in preventing trafficking and illegal crossings of the border. The governor requested that National Guard emergency equipment be returned to California (currently in Iraq), so California may better prepare for any floods, fires, etc. He did realize, however, that getting money for infrastructure was not “sexy.

Link: http://www.mercurynews.com/politics/ci_8365584

Jessica's Law may raise risk of sex offenses/ Hagob Boyadjian

Jessica’s Law was implemented 15 months ago in an effort to restrict where paroled sex offenders may live and require that there location be electronically monitored on a daily basis. It forbids paroled sex offenders from living within 2,000 feet of places that typically have children gather. These places are defined very vaguely in the law and some locations lack sufficient housing outside areas that are clearly off limits. Due to the ambiguity, enforcement is proving to be difficult and extremely costly. It is also leading many paroled sex offenders to become transients. In fact, it is estimated that there is a 44% increase in the number of paroled sex offenders becoming transients. Experts say that this increase may actually raise the risk of sex offenses.

The law also states that all sex offenders who leave prison with a single sex crime on their record must be evaluated by a mental health expert to determine whether they are a "sexually violent predator" and eligible for confinement in a mental hospital. This additional requirement by the law is estimated to have increased the cost to the state from 3M to 27M.

Gov. Schwarzenegger is welcoming the reports of the analyses conducted on Jessica’s Law and the risk of an increase in sex offenses in an effort to make the necessary adjustments to make Jessica’s Law much more effective.

Link: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-offenders22feb22,1,745143.story

California Schools feel the Burn of Budget Cuts/Erica Quevedo

California’s budget crisis has reached new heights as Governor Schwarzenegger’s budget proposal could possibly cut $4.8 billion dollars in education funding. As school districts throughout California frenzy to trim their already slim budgets they are faced with the dim reality of firing teachers.

Rialto Unified School District, which faces a $23 million budget cut, voted last week to send over 300 notices to employees and teachers informing them that they may not have a job next year. While some districts like San Francisco who face a $40 million dollar budget cut have the luxury of looking hopefully towards accessing a “rainy day” fund, other districts like Long Beach Unified are forced to close down schools. If the San Francisco Board of Supervisors fail to pass the proposal to access the rainy day funds the 56,000 student district will be forced to lay off over 500 teachers and administrators. Meanwhile Long Beach Board of Education has voted to close Tucker Elementary school in efforts to save an estimated $1 million dollars; in consequence they are forced with relocating 400 students to neighboring MacArthur Elementary school.

Los Angeles Unified School District alone is potentially facing a $560 million dollar deficit for next year under this proposed budget; this would be the largest in the state. According to the LA Times, Chief Financial Officer Megan K. Reilly said the $460-million cut would be the equivalent of closing 22 high schools, firing 5,750 employees or instituting an 8% pay cut for all employees.

As School Districts throughout California feel the heat of budget cuts policy makers must scramble to address the unintended consequences and effects on education policy. The dangers of firing teachers and school employees potentially leads to increased class sizes, over crowdedness, less security and ultimately further burdens an already struggling education system.

Link: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-schools21feb21,0,3850513.story?page=1

L.A. County ballot design went unnoticed for six years/ Ayawo Awanyo

Los Angeles County adopted in March 2002 the ballot design in order to reduce election costs. This ballot used by nonpartisan voters generated tens of thousands uncounted votes in three elections between 2002 and 2006. However, for the February 5 presidential primary, an advocacy group named Courage Campaign decided to fix this issue. A day before the election, this organization warned County registrar-recorder about the defect of the ballot design. In addition, the ballot design constitutes a violation of a state law because it required additional step not required of others. However, a survey conducted after the February 5 presidential primary revealed that around 50,000 nonpartisan votes were not counted. This might adversely affect Senator Barack Obama than Senator Hillary Clinton in the Democratic primary.

Link: www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-vote18feb18,1,497763.story?ctrack=1&cset=true

CalPERS Looking to Diversify/ Greg Gaudino

The California Public Employees Retirement System has voted to adopt a trend-setting forest investment policy that requires certified sustainable forest management. This policy will direct $2.4 billion in CalPERS investments toward environmentally friendly projects. I feel that this is important because CalPERS is easily one of the biggest players in the game when it comes to investing in California.

The author goes on to explain that many financial investors are looked at as a hedge against inflation. The author goes on to say that a sustainable forest will produce positive numbers in the long term and will perform well when other assets are affected by inflation.

I feel that this is big news because CalPERS has taken the control away from publicly traded companies that would force the forest companies to cut trees prematurely in order to meet short-term quarterly earnings goals.

Link: http://www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/california/press/calpers21908.html

Wall Street says Schwarzenegger is overselling lottery idea/Karla Saia

With California facing a $14.5 billion budget shortfall, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has espoused privatizing the state’s lottery. He proposes leasing the lottery to the highest bidder, and has projected the windfall from the lease could reach as much as $37 billion, half of which may be paid up front.

However, several Wall Street investment banks have concluded that Schwarzenegger’s estimate might be wildly optimistic. While Lehman Brothers did valuate the CA lottery at as much as $37 billion over 40 years, other firms, such as Bear Stearns, Citibank, Goldman Sachs, and others, value the lease anywhere between $7 and $29 billion, with as little as approximately $9 billion up front.

Further, legislators and citizens groups are worrying about the possibilities of having to relax state gambling laws, and that an increase in lottery ticket sales would fall disproportionately on Californians in lower-income brackets. Maximizing the lottery’s value would entail selling tickets through ATMs, cell phones, college campuses and at bus stations, thereby shifting the burden of the budget shortfall to those most financially vulnerable.

California, if it approves the plan, would be the first state to privatize its lottery.

Link: http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/state/20080219-1048-schwarzenegger-lottery.html

Oxnard Assemblyman Proposes Hate Crimes Bill for Schools/ Claudia Paredes

In reaction to a hate crime in Oxnard, Assemblyman Mike Eng is introducing a bill to establish a pilot program that will aim to prevent hate crimes in schools. He is asking from up to $150,000 to create a pilot program that would include diversity and sensitivity awareness and education in schools statewide. This bill also includes protocol for teachers and administrators to contact law enforcement when they become aware of student harassment that may result in a hate crime. Currently, there are laws in place where teachers and counselors can report sexual impropriety with youth, but there are no procedures for reporting possible violent hate crimes.

Link: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/politics/cal/la-me-hate19feb19,1,1017789.story?ctrack=3&cset=true

Inmate education increase urged by report: Legislative Analyst’s Office says boosting classes saves money/ April Johnson

The California Legislative Analyst’s Office released a report this week stating that California would save a lot of money if more prisoners were enrolled in educational programs. Numerous studies are showing that when education increases, recidivism decreases and that the state could essentially save $14,000 per inmate if they returned to their community as a productive citizen.

The state is trying to turn things around, however, by making “new commitments” when it comes to prison educational programs. In 2006-07, the state spent $202 million on these programs but have since discovered that this funding needs to become more efficient. One problem is that these programs are vastly underutilized with only 40% of enrolled inmates attending class on a given day. What’s now being proposed is an incentive for departments to get more inmates enrolled in these programs by allocating a bigger share of the pie to those departments who get their enrollments up. Also being proposed is an increase in visitor hours for inmates enrolled in educational programs as well as getting these inmates into class even when their unit is in lockdown. The good news is that the Department of Corrections agrees with the findings of the LAO, with corrections spokesperson Oscar Hidalgo stating that his rehabilitation “strike team” is pushing to enroll 75% of its inmates into these programs.

Link: http://www.sacbee.com/capolitics/story/708274.html

Watts Comes Together To Fight School Violence/ Julia Gonzalez

Students at Markham Middle school located in Watts, CA., finally have something positive to look forward to at school—education sans violence. Markham is located in a violent neighborhood known for its seven notorious street gangs, and is bordered by four public housing projects. Recent campus violence-related statistics over the last year include: a suspension of 278 students due to attempted physical harm, 196 for defiance, 19 assaults against staff, 14 related to theft, 9 for sexual harassment, and 6 for possession of marijuana.

The absence of safety has recently drawn the ire of the community—namely former substitute teacher Michelle McGinnis, turned Prosecutor who decided that the time for reform was long overdue. Specifically, McGinnis has advocated that students desperately needed a program aimed at augmenting opportunities for children to be safe, and secure while studying on campus. This in turn, has yielded a robust community-based approach, armed with private donations has helped to pay for the first ever LAUSD on-campus Boys & Girls Club facility, for a new washer and dryer, for new school uniforms, and tennis shoes—a push to encourage students to engage in basketball during lunch instead of engaging in incessant fights.

While it is too early to postulate on the long-term benefits of the new program, proponents have pointed to the program’s early success as a cause for optimism—as arrests are already down 19%.

Link: : http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-markham11feb11,1,1844220.story?ctrack=3&cset=true

LAUSD Payroll Failure Shows Cracks in Bureaucracy/ Pete Peterson

The scope of the LAUSD payroll debacle continues to unfold. In the unpacking, a story of an incredible bureaucracy making terrible financial decisions takes shape. The District, which employs over 95,000 people has 1,150 different pay grades contributing to an extremely complex payroll system. After paying a consulting firm $55MM to install the software programs and train LAUSD employees, the system went on to overpay some employees a total of $53MM last year while underpaying others, and leaving some completely unpaid for months at a time.

In response to the crisis, the LAUSD has paid around $700K in legal fees to sue the consulting firm (Deloitte). The question now remains, can the District and its superintendent, David Brewer, be trusted to handle over $19B in bond funds to rehabilitate old, and build new school facilities?

Link: http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-rutten13feb13,0,6611148.column

Nunez Supports 50/50 Path to Fill Budget Gap/ Jackie Cubas

This week, speaking at a lunch meeting of the Sacramento Press Club, Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez announced that he could support raising revenue to help the state’s projected $14.5 billion deficit. He said that a “fair compromise” to solving the state’s budget problem would be to solve half of the money crisis with revenue increases and the other half with spending cuts. The 50-50 approach was once employed by Gov. Pete Wilson when faced with a similar budget crisis in the early 1990s.

Núñez's budget comments have come at a time when lawmakers are trying to craft a plan to solve this year's budget deficit. Legislative committees are expected to disclose a strategy this week. Nunez, a Los Angeles Democrat, added that no agreement has been reached with Republicans.

When asked how to generate new revenue, Núñez mentioned the possibility of taxing oil companies for drilling, closing a tax loophole on yacht purchases, increasing taxes on million-dollar vacation homes, and possibly creating a split tax roll that generates more revenue from businesses. Núñez also resurrected the notion of leasing or selling the state lottery to a private investor. His proposal would be a selective tax on the wealthy as he said he opposes an across-the-board tax hike.

Link: http://www.sacbee.com/111/story/708613.html

LAPD Can’t Police Itself: Audit Charges Once Again/ Haley Ayraud

On February 12, a 34-page report by the Police Commission's inspector general raises questions about the department's ability to police itself, adding to the still-unresolved problems highlighted in prior reports. The audit that was filed with the civilian Police Commission’s office, included over 60 complaints where investigators failed to fully investigate citizens' complaints against allegedly abusive officers and often omitted or altered crucial information in ways that help exonerate various LAPD officers.

Connie Rice, a civil rights attorney who has played a leading role in LAPD reform, said that such problems would persist until the LAPD stopped cycling officers into internal affairs and back into the regular force. “You cannot ask police to investigate their buddies and friends," she said. "We've got the wrong paradigm for vigorously pursuing complaints.”

Link: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-complaint12feb12,1,1264839.story

Possibility of Bond Money Being Given to Private Railroads/Megan McClendon

Schwarzenegger has proposed spending $170 million of bond money (Prop 1B) approved by voters on projects for 2 private railroads. The argument lies in the fact that voters believe the money would be allocated to improving road and traffic conditions and efficiency. The railroad claims the changes proposed would reduce cost and benefit the environment by improving efficiency while improving the flow of goods in CA. However, voters take issue with tax dollars being put solely into private companies.

Many people are arguing that private railroads should pay for their own work while voters and residents should get the benefit of the funds they approved. Also, there is some question as to motives being that railroads donated $142K in campaign contributions to Schwarzenegger’s committees and $200K to the Prop 1B campaign.

Proposals and objections to them will begin being addressed on 2-13-08 in San Francisco.

Link: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-merailfight11feb11,1,7893162.story?ctrack=1&cset=true

Let the Chips Fall Where They May/ Aimee Dewing

Following the robust turnout at the polls on Feb. 5th, Super Tuesday, Californians have approved a major expansion of Indian gaming for local tribes. PROPS 94, 95, 96, and 97 were each passed by 56 percent, and will allow four California tribes to expand their casinos to rival the largest in the country.

Gov. Schwarzenegger, who signed compacts with each of the four tribes on the ballot last year, said he felt “very good” about the proposition approvals. He projects the expansion of the Indian gaming industry could bring $500 million to the state, annually. While 57 tribes will now seek establishment and renegotiation of their compacts, the Morongo and Pechanga tribes can expand their casinos from 2,000 slot machines to 7,500.

Professor of Indian law at San Francisco State University, however, said he was concerned about, “the devil in the details in terms of what this means for the tribes and for the state.” And although this Golden State is no stranger to the promises of riches, as gambling now expands in California to impressive proportions, we shall see if the devil is indeed, in the details.

Link: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/02/07/MN55UTEED.DTL&type=politics

Stalag 13 and Prop 13?/ Pete Peterson

While news of increased voter participation continues to filter in following yesterday's "Super Tuesday" series of primaries, voter registration is way up for a demographic rarely considered for its civic engagement: prison inmates. In both Los Angeles and San Francisco County jails the number of prisoners voting by absentee ballot is considerably higher than either the 2006 or 2004 election cycles.

In LA County alone, at least 917 inmates had registered to vote. This compares with the 16 prisoners who registered in 2006 and 121 who did so in the last presidential election year: 2004. Much of the work in growing these registration figures is being carried out by the ACLU. County Sheriff's spokesman, Steve Whitmore said, "people have the legal right to vote if they [have not been convicted] and have no prior felony convictions. We look at it as part of the process, part of the inmate services we provide."

Link: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-jailvote6feb06,1,7855213.story

Bratton Stands In for Villaraigosa / Laura Elena Ortuno

L.A. Police Chief William Bratton has taken the leading role in a high-stakes campaign to persuade voters to preserve a utility tax this week that would bolster the city's flagging revenues. Bratton’s position has demonstrated his growing power overshadowing that of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, specifically on this issue.

Campaign officials have stated that Bratton’s campaign was appealing to voters across party lines more than any other city official, including the mayor. Bratton’s reputation has greatly helped in the success of his campaign. This is the first time he has put himself at the forefront in the public eye.

Bratton is highly confident that Proposition S will pass. In the case that the proposition which accounts for about 6% of the city’s general fund does not pass, it will lead to significant cuts to city services.

Link: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-bratton4feb04,1,6232869.story?ctrack=2&cset=true

Frenzied 24 hours of campaigning in California/ Sarah Montes

In the final hours leading up to Super Tuesday, campaign efforts have increased dramatically in California. The high campaign activity is due to the closeness of the race. Bill Clinton has been all over the state in support of his wife Hillary. He held a town hall meeting with San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom at the Ferry building in San Francisco last night. While Obama’s campaign a held a reunion of the surviving members of the Grateful Dead at an event titled "Deadheads for Obama." Which took place in the bay area. The GOP candidates were also really busy during the last 24 hours making last minute appearances in efforts to pick up delegates before Super Tuesday. The GOP race has also gotten tighter in California A Field Poll of state voters through Friday showed McCain leading by 8 points, but some of the latest polls suggest that his lead has been softening while Mitt Romney seems to be closing the gap.

Candidates have been doing all they can in efforts to get as many California votes as possible.

Link: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2008/02/05/MNNFURV7R.DTL

Regional Fire Agencies Look at New Forms of Cooperation/ Joanne Golden

Three wildfire committees in San Diego County (Regional Fire Protection Committee (RFPC), San Diego Regional Fire Safety Forum, and Ad Hoc Committee on Fire Prevention and Recovery) have been brainstorming on ways to prepare for future wildfires. Funding remains an impediment, but committees expect that local support will provide them with the funds. Ultimately, the goal is to become less dependent on the state’s response agency, Cal Fire. One way that the RFPC expects to raise the revenue is through “a quarter-cent sales tax for fire protection is one of the funding options [County Supervisor] Roberts said the committee would consider. It would generate about $110 million a year.”

Link: http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20080203-9999-1m3fire.html

California Water Worries/ Lisa Sweet

As a result of higher temperatures supposed to have been caused by global warming, the snow pack in the Western mountainous regions is decreasing. Higher temperatures result in a higher rainfall over snow while melting the current snow pack without replacing it. The trend is expected to intensify through the decades which will have an adverse effect on the fragile balance of the California reservoir system leading to flooding in the winters and shortages in the summers.

In recent decades, the amount of precipitation as snow has steadily decreased by an average of 4.3% per decade as temperatures have climbed on average by 0.34% Celsius in winter months. Researchers and scientists point to greenhouse gases as the culprit of the temperature change. The data modeling suggests that gases are 35-60% responsible depending on which climate model is used. In order to prepare for future water worries water conservation and reservoir construction are suggested as part of the solution.

Link: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-sci-water1feb01,1,7686108.story

Tougher environmental rules will apply to O.C. toll way/ Hagob Boyadjian

President Bush signed an amended military bill last week which negated an exemption sought by Orange County toll road planners in an attempt to avoid state environmental laws. The estimated $875-million project would build a toll way, which would complete Orange County’s network of turnpikes and would cut across San Onofre State Beach, which is a popular camping and surfing spot. Toll road officials claim that the project would be extremely effective in relieving traffic. Opponents, however, argue that it would affect campgrounds, wild lands, Native American burial sites and famous surf spots. Orange County toll road planners had obtained a federal exemption which had enabled federal law to have jurisdiction over lawsuits involving the agency and the Foothill South as opposed to state law which is much more inflexible. Members from the board that governs the Foothill-Eastern toll way explained that they sought the exemption not because they sought after special legislation but because they needed to determine which authority, state or federal, it was to follow for the proposed route.

Link: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-tollroad30jan30,1,5217670.story

Marijuana from a Vending Machine/ Erica Quevedo

In 1996 California voters passed proposition 215 with over 56% approval rates; it was the first statewide voter initiative in the US supporting the approval of medical marijuana for seriously ill patients. Despite its contradiction to the federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), which continues to regard marijuana as an illegal substance, Los Angeles has pioneered a new way for soliciting this drug.

Los Angeles inventor and owner Vincent Mehdizadeh has created a line of 24-hour medical marijuana vending machines. Mr. Mehdizadeh contends that these machines which he has patented as PVM (prescription vending machines) provides, “convenient access, lower prices, safety, and anonymity." These PVMs are computerized and require finger print identification scanning as well as prepaid magnetic striped cards; once the the fingerprints and prepaid card are verified a green envelope is dropped with the marijuana inside.

Store owners of these PVMs have said that they provide greater accessibility and convenience of these prescription drugs to patients who are serioulsy ill, as well as reduces the risk for raid or theft for workers in the dispensaries. While the DEA has argued that there is a possibility of “unplugging” this new invention as it violates federal laws, this new innovation continues to demonstrate the struggle for power between state and federal jurisdiction, with once again California at the forefront.

Link: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-potmachine30jan30,0,5042929.story

"Big Brother" Changes Your Thermostat?/ Pete Peterson

In a plan leaked and destroyed before it could even go before a Legislative committee, the California Energy Commission recommended changing new building construction codes to mandate the usage of "smart" thermostats. These pieces of hardware are "smart" because they can be controlled remotely...like by the utilities.

The plan was to give utilities the power to regulate energy usage during peak and/or emergency situations. The Energy Commission calls this eerie idea one of their "demand-response strategies."

Upon learning of the proposal, legislators from both sides of the aisle rejected the idea as something bordering on a "nanny government" intrusion.

Link: http://www.dailynews.com/search/ci_7992487

Santa Monica seeks to help the most vulnerable/ Karla Saia

A Santa Monica coalition comprised of nonprofit social service agencies and officials from Veterans Affairs and the County Department of Mental Health are engaged in an innovative effort to alleviate the city’s chronic homelessness.

Following a similar model pioneered by Common Ground – a New York City nonprofit that succeeded in reducing homelessness in Times Square – the endeavor aims to reach out to the homeless, rather than waiting for them to seek temporary shelter or emergency medical care.

In Los Angeles, community volunteers have previously collaborated with Common Ground to help the most vulnerable of the homeless on Skid Row. The task force created a “vulnerability score,” taking into account length of homelessness and physical and mental health.

Upon completion of the Skid Row study, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved $5.6 million to house and provide medical services for those identified as the 50 most vulnerable. Volunteers expect the Santa Monica initiative, slated for completion this week, will yield similar tangible and actionable results.

Link: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-homeless29jan29,1,7909262.story?ctrack=1&cset=true

The Irony...Health Care Reform Dies in SAC/ Pete Peterson

Faced with a recent LAO report indicating possible massive revenue shortfalls and state Senators who wanted to put their own stamp on the legislation, California's famed health care reform bill never made it out of the Senate Health Committee. The bill, which was created in the Assembly through an agreement struck by Governor Schwarzenegger and Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez didn't even see a floor vote in the Senate.

Many followers of this year-long effort believe the demise of the bill was a result of numbers and personalities. Numbers, which were revealed just recently by the LAO showing possible billion dollar deficits in the program by its 5th year. And personalities in the well-known friction between Speaker Nunez and Senate President Don Perata. Several senators on the Health Committee didn't like the fact that the bill was presented to them for an up or down vote with no chance to amend provided. Apparently, the "Year of Health Care Reform" has come to an end.

Link: http://www.sacbee.com/111/story/669021.html

Rent Control Goes on Ballot/ Claudia Paredes

More than 100 owners and operators of apartment buildings and mobile home parks spent nearly $2 million to put an initiative on the June 3 ballot to phase out California's rent control laws. About 1.2 million people statewide are covered by such laws. Generally, the laws allow landlords to raise rents by a limited amount -- in many jurisdictions by the amount of the consumer price index. Whenever a unit is vacated, the landlord can reset the rent at market level. But while the unit is occupied, rent increases are subject to controls. Los Angeles, which has 626,600 rent-controlled residential units, could be affected more than any other city if the measure passes.

Proponents tout the measure as one that would limit government's use of eminent domain, preventing the taking of private property for private development. Although that is the first provision of the measure, it goes on to phase out rent control. Opponents have dubbed the measure the "Hidden Agenda Scheme," in part because rent control is not mentioned in the ballot title. The measure says rent control laws enacted before Jan. 1, 2007, would remain in effect for tenants who were living in the controlled units as their principal residence. When the tenant leaves, rent control would be removed from that unit.

Tenant-rights advocates say that if rent control is phased out, many poor and elderly people will have no place to live. On the other side, there is a need to focus on the property owners because many of them have difficulty breaking even or making profit on their housing units under the current rent control laws.

Link: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-rent28jan28,1,6597221.story?page=1&cset=true&ctrack=1

Housing Defaults Continue in SoCal/ Ayawo Awanyo

The financial crisis has adversely affected the house market in California. More than 31,676 Californians lost their houses in the three months ended December 31, 2007 because the depreciation led a certain number of homeowners to owe more than the market value of their properties. However, a 41 percent of 81,550 homeowners who received default notices could conserve their properties through a refinancing system or reimburse their loans by selling their houses. Riverside County is the most affected with default notices that increased by 119% compared to its level a year ago. Los Angeles County homeowners’ response to the financial crisis is better because it recorded 89 % increase in default notices.

Link: http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-foreclosures23jan23,0,5559243.story?coll=la-home-center

Healthcare Reform a Sham?/ Greg Gaudino

Governor Schwarzenegger and state legislative leaders have produced a bill that will supposedly provide healthcare for all Californians. The bill is currently awaiting approval by the State Senate and funding from the California voters via a ballot initiative. The article goes on to say that state leaders are claiming that it is either now or never when it comes to making healthcare reform happen.

The main points of the article point out that the bill is being marketed to “communities of color” without actually telling them how the bill would actually affect them. The article goes on to explain that these “communities of color” aren’t being told the key facts is because the bill may not even include them. For one, you must be a full time worker among other things to be covered. With this bill come a lot of loose ends, so we must be careful in approving the funding for such a large project.

Link: http:news.ncmonline.com/news/view_article.html?article_id=08ec85891c3eb72ba4b76cb7b43dbe07

CSU Moves Up Admissions Deadline...HS Students Scramble/April Johnson

A memorandum, written by CSUS officials, will be sent out to high schools informing incoming freshmen that admissions for all 23 campuses will close February 1st. This decision moves up the admission deadline a full six months. This unexpected move comes as part of the governor’s proposal to reduce state support for a university system that already has problems with overcrowding.

Currently the CSUS system serves 445,000 students and expected to increase the student load by an additional 10,000 for the 2008-09 school year. The strain has already been felt this year, however, as CSU schools are already underfunded by 14,000 students.

What will this mean for incoming students? A prioritizing system will have to be implemented and the schools may have to accept only those transfer students who have completed all prerequisite classes…


Link: http://www.sacbee.com/111/story/637679.html

CSU vs. Community Colleges - Battle Over Budget Funds/ Julia Gonzales

In an effort to stave off the harmful affects of the impending proposed state budget cuts totaling $1.1 billion dollars in higher education, the California State University system has announced this week that it has moved up its admission deadline from August 10th, to February 1, to reduce its enrollment by 10,000.

Consequently, it is expected that students will attend the state’s 109 Community Colleges (CC). The CC must now brace itself for the potentially harmful affects that the spike will have on the overall quality of education, as it will admit all who apply, whilst impending budget cuts will not allow them to provide additional courses to teach new students. In sum, those most affected by the likely budget shortfall, will unfortunately be the state’s 10,000 H.S. graduates.

Link: : http://www.sacbee.com/101/story/641089.html

Governor Schwarzenegger to Endorse Term-Limit Changes/ Haley Ayraud

Governor Schwarzenegger is now endorsing a February 5th ballot measure, also known as Proposition 93. Schwarzenegger, has been an avid supporter of California's existing term-limits law, reversed himself saying the original law "went too far." The Governor believes that under the current law “elected officials are not given the time they need to reach their full potential as public servant.”

Proposition 93 would reduce the total number of years a legislator can serve from 14 to 12. It also would allow lawmakers to serve all of their time in either the Assembly or the state Senate.

Link: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/politics/cal/la-me-limits15jan15,1,6112341.story?coll=la-news-politics-california

Clinton the Strong Leader in CA, McCain in GOP Lead/Megan McClendon

The recent L.A. Times/CNN/Politico poll shows Clinton ahead of Obama among CA voters 47% to 31%. Edwards is polling far behind at only 10%. Forty percent of those California voters polled, however, said there was still a chance their vote could change. The primary will be held Feb. 5 and if lessons can be learned from New Hampshire, three weeks out may be too soon to tell. Voters in CA seem to be focusing on Clinton’s promise of change, her experience, and her likely ability to beat out any nominated Republican candidate.

For the Republicans, McCain is polling with a slight lead, but with McCain, Romney, Giuliani, and Huckabee all polling within a few points of each other, it could be anyone’s game. Ron Paul and Fred Thompson followed a few points lower in single digits.


Link: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-poll15jan15,1,4368987.story?coll=la-headlines-california&ctrack=1&cset=true

L.A. County Approves Housing for Homeless/ Jackie Cubas

Last Tuesday, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved additional steps for Project 50, a three-year, $5.6 million pilot program designed to provide housing and services to 50 homeless individuals. The approval will now require organizers of the program to report back to the supervisors at least every 90 days, and county staffers to review the project’s budget. Furthermore, it establishes an executive steering committee of county officials to oversee the program, a public health nurse to direct it, and teams of county social service workers to help people obtain housing, as well as medical and other services.

The 50 individuals who will be receiving housing and other services were identified recently with the help of volunteers who conducted early morning interviews with several hundred homeless people downtown. Starting next week, a county social service team of seven will return to downtown and search for the 50 people previously identified and encourage them to move to county-funding apartments, as well as receive regular medical and mental-health care.

It is estimated that more than 73,000 homeless people live in Los Angeles County. Supporters of Project 50 claim that the program could save taxpayers millions of dollars currently spent on homeless people who wind up in shelters, jails, or emergency rooms.

Link: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/los_angeles_metro/la-me-skidrow9jan09,1,3614100.story?coll=la-commun-los_angeles_metro&ctrack=5&cset=true

Wavering over Emissions Waiver/ Aimee Dewing

In response to the EPA’s denial of California’s application for a waiver that would allow the state to set its own emission standards, angered critics spoke out against the current administration, yesterday. The waiver, if approved, would have enabled California to adopt its own strict curbs on greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles.

California, home to six of the ten most polluted cities in the entire country, already has the most severe air quality problems in the nation. Yet, the EPA stated that because global warming is a worldwide problem, only national measures such as the energy bill signed by President Bush last month, could adequately address it.

Under the typically smoggy skies of Los Angeles, Sen. Barbara Boxer stated at a briefing with state officials at city hall that she would consider taking actions to reveal White House interference in the EPA’s decision to deny the waiver. California Attorney General Jerry Brown has already begun a law suit against the EPA in an effort to overturn their decision.

Link: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-epa11jan11,1,5236978.story

Toll Lanes on L.A. County Freeways May Be Coming Soon / Laura Elena Ortuno

L.A. County transportation officials stated this past Tuesday that the implementation by spring 2009 of rush-hour toll lanes will depend on the approval of a huge federal grant. A total of $648 million will be needed to put this project into action.

Although MTA and Caltrans officials stated that this project has always been controversial, it seems to be an appropriate alternative for a city characterized by having the worst traffic congestion in the U.S.

The plan will consist of converting approximately 85 miles of the 110, the 210 and the 10 freeways into toll lanes. Eventually, a second phase would further expand the carpool lanes on these freeways.

Although the plan seems to be a good option to the recurrent problem in L.A., it will all depend on the grant. Good ideas need funding, or else that is all they are, just “good ideas.”

Link: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-congestion9jan09,1,5309757.story?track=rss

Governor Calls for Constitutional Amendment in midst of Budget Woes/ Sarah Montes

California is facing an estimated $14-billion budget deficit. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger proposed a constitutional amendment that would impose a spending cap to keep the state from spending more than it collects. The governor will have to cut certain services to the poor, AIDS patients, and the elderly. The new budget will also increase insurance fees for millions of property owners.

The governor has made changes from previous proposals to give lawmakers more power to decide which programs would not be funded. It is estimated that the governor’s plan faces many challenges from Democrats. Republicans are in favor of this proposal.

Link: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-state9jan09,1,1073847.story?coll=la-headlines-california

In SF, Gov't Working with Businesses for a Safer City/ Joanne Golden

Tenderloin, San Francisco’s high-crime neighborhood, has been encouraging businesses to join their Safe Haven program to protect its citizens. The plan utilizes public space to promote safety. If there is conflict outside, citizens can enter any Safe Haven approved area for protection. These businesses or organizations are trained to decelerate conflicts without relying entirely on police—even though they arrive within minutes. These sites are indicated by a sign in the window or door of the 23 participating locations. The city is hoping that by the end of the year, 45 businesses and organizations will join the program.

Link: http://www.examiner.com/a-1143071~Safe_Haven_program_encourages_businesses_to_keep_locals_secure.html

Division of Juv. Justice Closes 2 Youth Corrections Facilities/ Lisa Sweet

The California Division of Juvenile Justice (DJJ), which was formerly known as the California Youth Authority (CYA), announced the closure of two of its prisons the Dewitt Nelson Youth Correctional Facility in Stockton and the El Paso de Robles Youth Correctional Facility in Paso Robles. This was the result of a 2004 Alameda County Superior Court ordered overhaul of its corrections system. The decision was for the most part positively received but there were those, such as the California Correctional Peace Officers Association, that thought the closures would only result in needless transfers and some job loss.

Link: http://www.sacbee.com/114/index-p2.html