Now that it's officially summer, thoughts in Sacramento turn in earnest toward finalizing the state budget. It's no small chore to agree on a spending plan for a state with one of the world's largest economies. You can tell that by the rarity with which the budget is approved before its constitutional deadline.

The annual budget process begins in January with the release of the governor's initial proposal. As the Legislature delves into the details of that document, the governor's staff is already working on a revised version that it delivers in May. This second proposal, the "May Revise," is intended to more closely reflect the realities of tax collection and the cost of running government programs. It is from this document that a final spending plan is crafted, a plan that must garner support from two - thirds of the Legislature. That's where we are now, working toward that final compromise that can be turned into the official budget.

As you may know, I have been more directly involved in the budget this year than ever before. I served as chair of the Assembly Subcommittee on Health and Human Services spending. The work is difficult, but rewarding. It was in health and human services, after all, that the governor initially sought his most dramatic - and most objectionable - spending cuts. We rejected the worst of these - cuts that would have hurt children of the poor, and cuts that would have fallen hard on our sick and needy senior citizens. Moreover, I pushed for a $12 million increase in Adult Protective Services to help beef up California's response to the growing crime of elder abuse.

Even as I write this letter, some very determined and skillful people - Democrats and Republicans alike - are working on a final compromise. It's now a matter of lining up the votes, which sounds easier than it is.

In the meantime, a great many other things are happening in the Capitol. I'll provide some details below.

Once again, thank you very much for taking the time to read my electronic newsletter. And a special thanks to the many of you who have written me with comments and suggestions about these letters and about my website.

All the best,

Patty Berg
Assemblywoman, 1st District

Website update

Thanks to a great many of your comments and suggestions, my website is really coming together. My redesigned site has many web links to county, city, state and federal agencies. I hope you will find it handier than searching for those sites one at a time. Please let me know if there are agencies or departments that we neglected.

I have also included a legislative bill search button on my home page for your convenience in finding pertinent information on any bill (not just the ones I wrote) in the Legislature.

Compassionate Choices stalled

One of my most important bills, AB 374 - the Compassionate Choices Act, failed to get the necessary votes for Assembly Floor passage. The bill was modeled on Oregon's landmark Death With Dignity Act which allows mentally capable adults who are facing imminent death from a terminal illness to ask for and receive life - ending medication. Many of my colleagues said they weren't ready to take this particular pro - choice stance. This delay makes passage much more difficult, but I made a commitment to work through those concerns this year in hopes of garnering support in January.

Helping me help you

I recently hired a new Legislative Director to handle my bill package. Her name is Lynne Jensen and she works in my Capitol office. Lynne began her career in the Hawaii State Legislature, and then served her congressional member, Patsy Mink (D - HI). After working in the U.S. House of Representatives for 8 years, she left to work for Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm's Washington, D.C. office as a federal policy advisor. She came to California in the fall of 2004 to be closer to family, and started in the Assembly in January 2005.  Lynne is also enrolled in law school part - time.

I am also pleased to announce that I have hired Greg Paoli to join my Eureka District Office staff.  Greg is a Humboldt State University graduate and former intern for Congressman Mike Thompson.

Bills on the move

Several of my bills have passed the Assembly and are now in the Senate.

AB 363 will increase compensation to specialty medical doctors who treat low - income Californians. In my district, 24 community health centers and more than 35,000 patients will be helped by this bill.

AB 64 will allow out - of - state doctors to aid Californians during an emergency. At the same time, Californians may also register their credentials to help in other states. California is one of seven states considering similar legislation.

To view my entire list of bills, please click here.

Paid Family Leave Program

I am leading a public awareness campaign on California's Paid Family Leave program in my role as chair of the Legislative Women's Caucus. So many California parents are unaware that they can take up to six weeks of partially - paid leave to bond with a newborn, foster or adopted child, as well as care for a sick child, spouse, domestic partner or parent. Please check out http://www.paidfamilyleave.org for more information.

MomsRising

Joan Blades of MomsRising gave a fabulous and provocative presentation to members of the Legislative Women's Caucus last month. I first heard of Joan from an article she co - wrote in the Nation magazine titled the Motherhood Manifesto. She believes everyone will benefit when the American workplace encourages family commitments rather than hampers them. It makes economic and social sense to adopt workplace policies that allow workers the flexibility they need to care for their loved ones.

I feel so strongly about this issue that I have encouraged my colleagues on the Women's Caucus to adopt a legislative platform specifically designed to address the concerns of working families. Toward that end, in late August, the Women's Caucus will conduct a public hearing to discuss opportunities for the state to act, as well as federal efforts being pursued by Rep. Lynne Woolsey and others. To find more information about the movement, visit http://www.momsrising.org.

North Coast Stand Down

On June 8, 9 and 10, the second annual North Coast Stand Down was held at the Humboldt County Fairgrounds. Stand Down volunteers helped more than 200 homeless and at - risk veterans access state, federal and local community services.  I was so honored to be a sponsor of this important event.

The Stand Down is such an amazing event. On Saturday, I visited with volunteers and veterans. I was so pleased that our veterans were receiving the services that they are entitled to. I also want to thank all the volunteers who made this event possible and successful.

Save the date on your calendar for next year's North Coast Stand Down taking place June 28, 29 and 30. I encourage each of you to volunteer and become involved with this event. Please contact my Eureka District Office for more information on how you can support the Stand Down.

Veterans in business

Under California law, honorably discharged veterans who sell any goods except for alcohol are eligible to receive a waiver of municipal, county and state business license fees.  Just bring proof of honorable discharge to your local licensing authority.  For more information, contact my Eureka District Office at (707) 445 - 7014.

Homeowner Assistance Program Forms Are Now Available at the Eureka District Office

The State's 2007 Homeowner and Renter Assistance Program claim forms are now available in my Eureka District Office.

The Homeowner and Renter Assistance Program provides a once - a - year payment from the state to qualified homeowners and renters. To qualify, you must have been blind, disabled, or at least 62 years old on December 31, 2006, with a household income of $42,770 or less.

If you are a homeowner, you can receive a payment of up to $472.60 if you lived in the home for all of 2006.  Renters can receive up to $347.50 if you pay $50 or more in rent per month for the year.

The claim form is available online at: www.ftb.ca.gov.  For free help with completing the claim form or to receive the 2007 claim booklet in the mail, contact Nancy Starck in the Eureka District Office at nancy.starck@asm.ca.gov or call her at (707) 445 - 7014. You can also call your local Senior Center for assistance.

Processing claims may take up to 15 weeks.

National Recreation and Parks Month

July is National Parks and Recreation Month. California has over 280 miles of coastline, 625 miles of lake and river frontage, nearly 18,000 campsites and 3,000 miles of hiking, biking and equestrian trails. California has over 278 state parks. To learn more call (916) 653 - 6995 or visit the Department of Parks and Recreation web site: http://www.parks.ca.gov. The Department even sells day passes for selected parks.