Once again, the Legislature is starting a new year confronted by an extremely difficult budget.  The state is dealing with a dramatic imbalance between income and expense, and the reductions in state spending are likely to cause real pain to real people.

As you may know, I chair the Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services. As such, I have spent the past two weeks holding daily hearings, combing through hundreds and hundreds of pages of suggested cuts. We've been hearing from scores of people whose lives would be made more difficult by the loss of state assistance.

It was not a pleasant process, but I was deeply touched by the stories I heard. I am frustrated that the governor's budget doesn't set any priorities; it doesn't make any statement about what is important to Californians. Instead, it relies on a simplistic across-the-board solution, just cut everything, as if every service and program is equal to every other, as if window washing was just as important as fire fighting.

I keep saying, at meeting after meeting, that we need to agree on our priorities. What do Californians expect and want from their state government, and how do we best get it to them? But these simple, honest questions aren't easy to answer. It is very hard to reach consensus. So, instead we fight over the budget item by item, program by program, in a process that may result in a workable compromise year after year, but which nonetheless leaves us without the roadmap to avoid these kinds of problems in the future.

I wish I had better news, but I want to be frank with you. Anyone willing to read a newsletter from a state legislator, I believe, is someone who wants to know what's really going on.

Thank you again for allowing me these moments in your in-box.

Sincerely,

Patty Berg
Assemblywoman, 1st District

Bills on the Move

My staff and I are still in the planning stages for legislation. We are researching proposals and building coalitions for my bill package. This is in addition to the bills I introduced last year that are still in the pipeline.

Visit my website in the coming weeks to see all of my legislation.

State Parks

One way the governor wants to balance the state budget is to close four dozen state parks. This short-sighted plan falls hardest on us in the 1st Assembly District, where the governor has earmarked seven parks for temporary closure. In Lake County alone, the governor's plan would padlock the gates to two state parks - that's two out of two when we're talking about Lake County. I have already made it clear to the administration that this is not acceptable, and I hope that many of my fellow legislators will join me in opposing this ill-conceived cut.

Fort Bragg Community Meeting

On Friday November 30th, I held an open house at the Redwood Coast Senior Center in Fort Bragg. I talked with more than 50 local residents and afterward answered questions regarding everything from health care reform and the budget to marijuana policy and plastic bag recycling. My discussion with you was invigorating and thought-provoking. I thoroughly enjoy hosting community meetings in various parts of the district. It gives me a chance to hear your ideas and opinions about state issues.

I also want to give a big thank you to Joe Curren and the Redwood Coast Senior Center for allowing me to host the community meeting at the Center. Mendocino County Supervisor Kendall Smith and Christine Anderson from Representative Thompson's office did a great job assisting me during the meeting. I so appreciate all of your help. I had a wonderful time!

Unemployment Insurance

At times, the application process for unemployment insurance can seem like an overwhelming bureaucratic maze. My office is available to assist any laid-off or out of work individuals who may need assistance with their unemployment claims. To find out if you qualify for unemployment insurance, click on: http://www.edd.ca.gov/fleclaim.htm. And don't forget to call us if you run into any problems.

Reducing Our Carbon Footprint

...and saving money too!!!

Did you know that as a PG&E customer, you can receive rebates on everything from purchasing energy efficient appliances, light bulbs, and LCD monitors to recycling your old appliances? PG&E will even come and remove your old refrigerator or freezer for free. Find all the rebates and incentives offered with this easy-to-use search tool: http://www.pge.com/rebates

PG&E also offers a "Smart Energy Analyzer" to help you find simple ways to save energy and money: http://www.pge.com/energysurvey/. For Del Norte residents, please go to http://www.pacificpower.net/Homepage/Homepage35752.html.

And for our dedicated teachers throughout the District, you can receive free classroom materials on energy awareness and safety for students grades K-8 at http://www.pge.com/energenius/.

Please use these tools to save money while reducing your carbon footprint.

For our College Students...

I want to encourage every eligible student to apply for a college scholarship from the Cal Grant program before the March 2, 2008 deadline. The Cal Grant program provides full financing for tuition and fees at the California State University or the University of California. Students at community colleges have until September 2nd to submit an application.

Students must apply for a Cal Grant by submitting a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and a Cal Grant Grade Point Average Verification Form. Changes in the law guarantee that every eligible student will get a Cal Grant award of up to $9,700 a year, depending on the cost of their college or university, their financial need and the type of grant. Plus, Cal Grants do not have to be repaid.

In order to qualify, you must be a California resident, attend an accepted California college, show financial need, and have a family income and assets at or below a given level. For more specific eligibility criteria or general information on the Cal Grant Program, such as how to obtain or fill out an application, please call the California Student Aid Commission at 1-888-224-7268 or visit their website: www.csac.ca.gov. High school students may also contact their college counselors for more information.