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