February 2008

Budget Crisis Looms

The first two months of 2008 have been consumed with our state's worsening budget crisis. To keep the state solvent and avert a potential $14 billion deficit next year, Governor Schwarzenegger proposed mid-year cuts in virtually every part of state government. But despite campaign promises to solve the structural deficit by rooting out "waste, fraud, and abuse," he proposed crude "across the board" cuts without any attempt to prioritize. The results would have been draconian: immediate impacts on kids and teachers in our public schools; closure of 48 state parks and beaches; early release of almost 40,000 prisoners; and untenable reductions in basic 'safety net' programs for the poor and disabled. Yet the Governor found room for his pet projects, including the $400 million expansion of Death Row at San Quentin prison - a project so ill-conceived and costly that the independent Legislative Analyst recommends scrapping it.

With the Governor punting on detailed solutions, the Legislature responded with a package of prioritized budget cuts that solved the immediate threat of the state running out of money while avoiding - for now - severe impacts to schools, parks and essential social services, and without pre-releasing convicts. But after passing the Senate, a Democratic effort to include modest revenues as part of the solution fell short of the two-thirds vote requirement in the Assembly. Incredibly, even as they called for deeper cuts to schools and social safety net programs, and even as they approved over $4 billion in new borrowing, the Assembly's 'Thurston Howell' Republicans voted against closing a tax loophole that allows buyers of yachts, airplanes and luxury recreational vehicles to avoid paying the same sales tax you and I pay when we buy vehicles.

I wish I had better news, but the rigid ideology of Assembly Republicans does not bode well given the tough budgeting choices we face in the months ahead. Somehow we must prevail on the Governor and Republican legislators that this is not political theater; their extreme positions are going to deeply affect people's lives, especially those who are most vulnerable. Last week, I visited with two quadriplegics who depend on state programs like In-Home Supportive Services, Medi-Cal, and Supplemental Security Income, to meet their basic needs like getting out of bed, eating, and receiving medical care. I also met with a group of parents and school children who were justifiably emotional about the prospect of losing teachers and staff, classroom consolidations, and even school closures. These are some of the real-life faces behind the painful, short-sighted 'cuts only' strategy the Republicans are advocating. I will do my best to tell their story in the weeks and months ahead, but I need your help. Please contact the Governor at State Capitol Building, Sacramento, CA 95814, 916-445-2841, and Assembly Republican Leader Mike Villines at State Capitol, Room 3104, Sacramento, CA 95814, 916-319-2029, and tell them that everyone - including yacht owners - needs to be part of the solution to this crisis.

- Jared

Huffman Holds Hearing on Light Brown Apple Moth

Drawing a standing-room only crowd, on Thursday, February 14, Assemblymember Huffman chaired an informational hearing of the Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee regarding the Light Brown Apple Moth (LBAM). The purpose of the hearing was to examine the California Department of Food and Agriculture's (CDFA) proposed strategies for eradication of the LBAM in Marin and the San Francisco Bay area, the potential impact of the strategies on public health and the environment, and whether the agencies conducted adequate public education and preparation.

The LBAM, an invasive pest from Australia and New Zealand that feeds on over 2,000 plant species, was detected in the Bay Area last year, prompting the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) to declare that emergency actions are needed to stop its spread.

When Assemblymember Huffman received notice that CDFA was proposing immediate eradication measures in parts of Marin, he met with the CDFA to request a delay in order to ensure the public and appropriate agencies have a strong understanding of the problem and the proposed eradication program before work on the ground begins. He also quickly convened this hearing to raise awareness about LBAM and the eradication program, and to pointedly ask CDFA and other officials to respond to concerns about the potential health and environmental effects of the proposed eradication strategies, particularly aerial spraying.

Testifying at the hearing was A.G. Kawamura, Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture; Stacy Carlsen, Agricultural Commissioner of the County of Marin; Paul Schramski, State Director of Pesticide Watch; and Dr. David Ting, Chief of the OEHHA Pesticide and Food Toxicology Section, Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA).

State officials testified that emergency eradication and quarantine action is needed to protect California from the negative environmental and economic impacts the establishment of LBAM could cause, and because federal law mandates eradication measures once such pests are discovered. CDFA's strategy is to use large volumes of the moth's own pheromone (sexual attractant), which can be synthetically produced, to disrupt the mating cycle of the moth. In areas where a small number of moths have been found, pheromone-infused 'twist ties' can be placed on trees and shrubs to successfully eradicate the moth, but in areas where larger numbers of moths are located, CDFA believes aerial application of the pheromone, encapsulated in a liquid spray, is necessary.

Application of the twist ties was originally scheduled to begin in eastern San Rafael and Ross in February but has now been delayed by CDFA until early March. At the hearing, CDFA also confirmed its intention to aerially spray parts of southern Marin in August. Aerial spraying is clearly the most controversial part of CDFA's eradication program. After aerial spraying last year in Santa Cruz and Monterrey Counties, hundreds of people complained of respiratory and dermatological problems, and CDFA has yet to study the health and environmental effects of aerially spraying the liquid pheromone mix. CDFA also testified at the hearing that it is proceeding with its program under emergency exemptions from the California Environmental Quality Act, and that the actual ingredients of the spray that will be used this summer are not yet known because it is still being tested in New Zealand.

Huffman has joined several other Bay Area legislators in authoring legislation on this issue. Huffman's bill would specifically require disclosure of ingredients, an open, public process, and safety assurances from health officials before aerial spray decisions are made. 'This is a complex issue where human health, environmental, and economic considerations relating to LBAM are playing out in the context of federal legal mandates that constrain what California can and cannot do,' said Huffman. 'I will continue to do everything I can with the tools at my disposal - including legislative oversight and specific legislation - to ensure a better and more open public process, to promote the least toxic alternatives, and to require that decisions such as aerial spraying be based on sound science with full consideration of health and environmental impacts.'

For more information on the Light Brown Apple Moth, please visit Assemblymember Huffman's website at http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/members/a06/moth.aspx

5.1 Million Gallons of Sewage Spills into Richardson Bay

Recent sewage spills highlight the need to clean up more than the Bay. In the days ahead, Assemblymember Huffman will convene a stakeholder group to explore needed capital upgrades to fix the sewage treatment infrastructure and promote better coordination and governance of the many small special districts that provide wastewater services.

Two spills of partially treated sewage, the first on January 25 of 2.45 million gallons and the second on January 31 of 2.7 million gallons, occurred when heavy rains resulted in millions of gallons of storm water infiltrating into leaky sewer pipes and overwhelming sewage treatment facilities. Employees made mistakes, including failing to turn on additional pumps and failing to report the spills properly or notify the public of the potential health hazards in a timely manner.

Assemblymember Huffman had harsh words for the agency and their response to the initial spill stating that they did a 'lousy job' reporting to the state. But, he emphasized, the bigger picture is that the entire county's sewage transmission and treatment infrastructure is in bad shape and that these types of spills, unfortunately, happen all too often. 'These are supposed to be sewage systems, not storm water systems,' says Huffman. 'Unless we step up to this responsibility, locally and regionally, and fix these leaky systems, we will continue to see periodic sewage spills into the Bay following big rain storms.'

Huffman picks winners of his "There Oughta be a Law. or Not" Contest

Assemblymember Huffman held a press conference on Tuesday, February 12, to announce the winners of his annual 'Oughta Be a Law' contest. This year's winners consisted of eight constituents who had almost identical entries. Their legislative idea, requiring utilities to pay individuals for the excess solar and other forms of renewable energy they produce at their homes, schools, small businesses or farms, were unveiled at SPG Solar's Novato headquarters. SPG Solar is the largest solar producer in California.

This year's winners are: Bruce Gustin of Petaluma; Jim Lammers of San Anselmo; Steve Kunkel of Fairfax; Jared Babula of Sausalito; George Davidson of Larkspur; Peter Berkhout of San Rafael; Tom Faust of Corte Madera and Ray Gallian of Sonoma.

Specifically, the new legislation, AB 1920, will enable residents who produce renewable energy for their homes, small businesses, schools or farms to get paid by their utility company for any excess electricity they produce that goes back on the grid. The bill is open to all renewable energy technologies that qualify for net metering such as solar, small wind, small scale geothermal, fuel cells, etc. The level of compensation for the renewable energy producing customer would be determined by the Public Utilities Commission and would help the utility meet their renewable energy goals mandated by state law.

Currently, a resident with solar panels on their home can reduce their utility bill to $0 - and the electricity they produce beyond what they use goes back into the grid for free and they are not compensated.

AB 1920 also removes the 'size to load' restriction in state law that limits a person's ability to install the maximum number of solar panels on their home. Currently Californians can only install the amount of solar panels that equals their energy usage, even if they have extra room on their roof and they want to purchase additional solar panels.

Catherine Rucker of Novato was also named a winner. Her legislative idea, to extend the exemption from the payment of higher education tuition and fees to the surviving spouse or child of a fallen firefighter who was employed by the federal government, was introduced last week.

Assemblymember Huffman wants to thank everyone who participated in his second annual 'There Oughta Be A Law...Or Not' contest. The contest invited citizens of the 6th Assembly District to submit ideas for new state legislation or to repeal laws. The office received over 100 ideas. If you have any legislative ideas throughout the year, please be sure to enter next years' contest.

Assemblymember Huffman Urges Students to Apply for New Cal Grant Scholarships before March 2nd Deadline

The March 2nd deadline for students seeking Cal Grant scholarships is fast approaching. On February 2, Assemblymember Huffman and Marin Education Fund co-hosted a free 'Cash for College' workshop at San Rafael High School where financial aid professionals and volunteers provided hands-on, multilingual financial aid assistance to help students and their families successfully complete the forms to apply for Cal Grants and other financial aid. Assemblymember Huffman is pleased that despite the financial turmoil with the state budget deficit, the Cal Grant Program was deemed too important by the Legislature to be targeted for elimination, allowing the program to continue through the 2007-2008 academic year.

Cal Grants are one of the best kept secrets in higher education. With a Cal Grant you can get up to $9,700 a year to pay for college expenses at any qualifying California college, university or career or technical school in California. Depending on which Cal Grant you get, the money can be used for tuition, room and board, even books and pencils. The best part is, it's yours to keep and you don't have to pay it back. Awards are also available to community college students and students entering private California colleges. (Students attending community colleges have until September 2nd to submit a Cal Grant application.)

Students must apply for a Cal Grant by submitting a Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Form and a Cal Grant Grade Point Average Verification Form. For more information on the Cal Grant Program, how to obtain an application, or how to fill out an application, high school students can contact their college counselors, or call the California Student Aid Commission at 1-888-224-7268. Additionally, the commission has a web site at www.csac.ca.gov.

Kaiser Permanente accepting 2008 grant applications from community organizations

Applications accepted from Feb. 1 - Mar. 3, 2008

Kaiser Permanente will again award grants to local community organizations and government entities to improve the health of their communities. The Kaiser Permanente Community Benefit Grants Program is soliciting grant applications for 2008.

Community organizations, public health entities, and public schools are encouraged to apply for these health grants for $5,000 to $20,000. Applications will be considered from organizations that operate in Marin and/or Sonoma counties and meet one or more of the funding priority areas:

• Promotion of healthier choices earlier in life by supporting healthy eating and active living, as well as prevention programs which reduce your alcohol and substance use;
• Supporting community health centers and other safety net providers of care for under and uninsured;
• Supporting programs that increase access to care and coverage, as well as supportive services, for vulnerable populations;
• Supporting health care workforce development;
• Supporting breast health.

Applications must be submitted by March 3. For information and an application, go to www.kaisersanrafael.org and click on 2008 Community Benefit Grant Program.

District Staff

Assemblymember Jared Huffman has named his field representative, Jenny Callaway, as his district director. Callaway joined Assemblymember Huffman's team in December and is replacing Joshua Townsend who has taken a job in the private sector. Callaway was formerly on the San Rafael City Schools Board of Education, served as president for three years and vice-president for four. She has been a resident of San Rafael and an advocate of public schools for over 17 years. In addition to her role on the San Rafael Board of Education, she was campaign co-chair of many successful school bond and parcel tax measures. Huffman also reports hiring Nick Ely as his field representative. Ely was formally the North Bay Political Organizer for SEIU-UHW West where he coordinated regional lobbying efforts on state and federal legislation.

Marin Jewish Community Relations Council - Assemblymember Huffman attended the Marin Jewish Community Relations Council to share reflections on his recent trip to Israel.

3rd Annual Teens for Safe Cosmetics Summit - Assemblymember Huffman joined Teens for Safe Cosmetics as a panelist in their third national summit on February 2. High school students from across the country gathered at Marin Art & Garden Center in Ross to learn about toxic chemicals in everyday products and explore ways to make products safer.

Sonoma County Farm Bureau Annual Great Sonoma Crab & Wine Fest - Assemblymember Huffman attended the Annual Farm Bureau Crab and Wine Fest, the largest crab feed event in Sonoma County, attracting over 1,100 people this year. Local officials and guests poured Sonoma County fine wines, feasted on over 3,000 pounds of Dungeness crab, and showed their support for local agriculture and educational programs.

Floating Homes Association Annual Meeting and Party - Assemblymember Huffman attended the Floating Homes Association Annual Meeting. The Floating Homes Association is a nonprofit volunteer organization representing owners and residents of floating homes within five Sausalito marinas. This was the first time in 25 years that the association invited any elected official other than their Supervisor to their meeting.

Dominican University - Fairfax Councilman and adjunct instructor David Weinsoff invited Assemblymember Huffman to address undergraduate students in his Politics of Environmental Law class on February 11. Assemblymember Huffman shared his journey from college to environmental law to the water board and state assembly and then discussed his legislative package for 2007 and 2008 and thoughts on recent oil and sewage spills. Assemblymember Huffman was impressed with the sophisticated and thoughtful questions and suggestions offered by the students.

Use the District Office as Your Resource

Remember, if you are having any state issues that we can be helpful with please contact our office. The District Office is here for you and wants to be used as a resource. Please call the District Office numbers below to request assistance.

How to reach me:

Please feel free to visit my website at www.assembly.ca.gov/Huffman.

Assemblymember Huffman's Committees:

Chair, Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials
Member, Assembly Appropriations Committee
Member, Assembly Utilities and Commerce Committee
Member, Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee

If you know of anyone who you think would like to receive these newsletters, please e-mail their name, mailing address and e-mail address, and I'll be happy to add them to my list.

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