May 2008

A Busy Month

May is a very important month in the Assembly for two reasons: the release of the Governor's "May Revise" proposal for the state budget, and the legislative deadlines for determining which bills advance past the Appropriations Committee and on to a full vote of the Assembly.

On the budget, I've written previously about the severity of the crisis and the need for at least some new revenues as part of the solution. The big question is whether Governor Schwarzenegger, facing a $15 billion deficit, will continue to push a "cuts only" strategy that balances the budget through deep, across-the-board cuts to education, state parks, public safety, healthcare, and essential services for the poor and disabled; or whether he will acknowledge the need for new revenues. Unfortunately, his May Revise budget proposal is not much better than the "cuts only" budget he proposed in January. There are some minor improvements: for schools, he reduced the proposed $4.7 billion in cuts to $4 billion and packaged them in a way that allows him to claim technical compliance with the Prop. 98 funding formula. However, this still leaves schools short of what they need to avoid extensive teacher layoffs, consolidation of classes and other draconian actions. For state parks, the Governor has backed off of his proposal to close 48 parks and beaches and is instead proposing increases in visitor fees, which past experiences shows will reduce the number of visitors and total revenues available to operate and maintain our parks and beaches. Worse, these token improvements for schools and parks come at the expense of critical social safety net services and public transportation, which are now slated for even deeper cuts. What about revenues? Unfortunately, the Governor continues to duck tough decisions by simply proposing more borrowing -- this time by mortgaging future revenues from the state lottery to Wall Street in return for $5 billion in each of the next three years.

The bottom line: we are in for some difficult, high-stakes negotiations this summer as we seek a deal with the Governor that can also win the necessary two-thirds vote in the Legislature. As we enter this difficult period, I'll be fighting for a budget that is fair and honest. I believe schools deserve more than "technical" compliance with minimum funding formulas that still result in massive cuts; that keeping our schools and parks open should not come at the expense of medical support services for the poor and disabled, or public transportation; and that instead of accounting gimmicks and loading up more debt, we should face the reality that new revenues must be part of the solution.

On a more uplifting note, I'm having good success with the ambitious legislative package I introduced in February. Most of my bills have cleared the Appropriations Committee (not an easy thing to do in this fiscal climate) and many have already passed the full Assembly, including two important bills that won broad bipartisan support: AB 2765, which reforms the process under which the Department of Food and Agriculture is attempting to aerially spray pesticides over urban residential areas to combat the Light Brown Apple Moth, and AB 2800, which creates the nation's first "green" automobile insurance program. Over the next week, I'll be working to get the rest of my bills off the Assembly floor as we prepare to present more than 20 of my bills to various Senate committees.

- Jared

LBAM Update: Concerns about Eradication Program Expressed at Federal Level; Huffman's AB 2765 Advances to Senate

In response to public outrage and wide-spread advocacy on the part of many community leaders and elected officials, the Governor has agreed to delay aerial spraying for the light brown apple moth (LBAM) in order to allow acute testing of eye, inhalation, respiratory and other potential irritants, known as the "six-pack" toxicology test. In addition, spraying in Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties has been suspended by court order until environmental reviews are completed. Assemblymember Huffman applauds these developments, but urges everyone to stay engaged and keep up the pressure.

The LBAM eradication program was designed and is being carried out by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), but the program is being driven in large part by federal law and the emergency declaration by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Assemblymember Huffman is encouraged that members of Congress, including Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Congresswoman Barbara Lee, have begun asking hard questions of USDA officials. For his part, Assemblymember Huffman recently sent the following comment to USDA representatives as part of a petition to federal representatives to terminate the eradication program:

"The plan to aerially spray pesticides over large swaths of residential neighborhoods in the Bay Area is deeply flawed and has generated a firestorm of opposition, the likes of which I have never seen in my 14 years as an elected official. This decision was made by CDFA without any public participation, without any analyses or assurances from public health officials, and with no regard to how the people of the Bay Area would feel about having a pesticide repeatedly sprayed down upon them and their homes, yards, swimming pools, playgrounds, childcare centers, and hospitals over the course of several months for a period of years. Understandably, the people of the Bay Area are crying foul by the thousands."

Meanwhile, Huffman's LBAM bill, AB 2765, which limits CDFA's emergency powers for pest eradication procedures, passed the Assembly on a vote of 58-1 on May 22nd. If passed by the Senate and signed by the Governor, AB 2765 will reform the process by which aerial pesticide spraying decisions are made by requiring public hearings to identify alternatives to aerial spraying, mandating full disclosure of pesticide ingredients, and requiring CDFA to secure an assessment of human health and environmental impacts before any spraying decision is made.

To find out more about the LBAM eradication program, or to view Huffman's letters and legislation regarding LBAM, go to Assemblymember Huffman's website: http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/members/a06/moth.aspx

Huffman Objects to Federal Plan to Take Rohnert Park Land into Trust for Casino

On May 16, as part of his continued resistance to plans to build a mega-casino just outside Rohnert Park, Assemblymember Huffman sent a letter to Assistant Secretary Carl Artman, United States Department of the Interior (DOI), formally objecting to the Department's recent decision to take land into trust for the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria for the operation of a massive Las Vegas-style casino. Huffman's letter asserts that the federal government is unconstitutionally encroaching on California's sovereignty.

On May 7, 2008, the Bureau of Indian Affairs published notice of intent to take 254 acres of land in trust for the Graton Indians. The land in question has been sovereign state land since California became a state in 1850, and has never been recognized as tribal land. Further, the surrounding area is highly developed, with existing residences, businesses and government infrastructure. The site is within 500 yards of one of the most heavily congested stretches of Highway 101, and the proposed casino would rely on groundwater diversions from an already-over-drafted aquifer to meet its water demands.

Huffman points out that under the 10th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, sovereignty is reserved to the states unless the Constitution establishes otherwise. Nothing in the Constitution allows the federal government to take land that has never been recognized as sovereign Indian land and unilaterally strip the state of its underlying sovereign interest in that land.

Currently the site is owned by SC Sonoma Development LLC, reportedly a wholly owned subsidiary of Stations Casinos. The company was not formed and had no interest in the land until April, 2003.

Huffman is requesting that the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) make a determination as to tribal jurisdiction, including a specific explanation of if and why the BIA believes the State of California has relinquished its sovereignty. "Bypassing this jurisdictional determination and taking the land into trust would prejudice the rights of residents, business and governments in the area," Huffman said.

Huffman honors local resident Irving Zale at Assembly Holocaust Memorial Ceremony

Assemblymember Huffman honored local resident Irving Zale at the State Capitol on April 28 during the California Assembly Holocaust Memorial Ceremony as part of Holocaust Remembrance Week. Over 70 survivors were in attendance to memorialize those who lost their lives and to tell the stories of those who survived.

"The memorial ceremony asks that we remember the Holocaust - That we honor the lives and experiences of the survivors of the Holocaust, give remembrance to the millions who lost their lives, and work to ensure that people understand the horrors of genocide," Huffman said.

For the past five years, the California State Assembly has honored Holocaust survivors during California Holocaust Memorial Week in April. Through this project, Jewish agencies and synagogues pair students with survivors. The students, during the time leading up to the ceremony, interviewed the survivors and wrote essays to describe the survivors' experiences during the Holocaust, giving the young people an opportunity to hear first hand about this tragic time. The stories were compiled into a booklet and distributed to all the members of the State Assembly.

Survivors sat with Assemblymembers at their desks during the ceremony, while students and other participants were invited to the gallery. This year's ceremony was particularly significant as Israel celebrated its 60th anniversary on May 14, 2008.

Huffman Encourages Residents to Support June as Sober Graduation Month

When a teenager is handed a diploma, the future is bright and full of promise. Graduation time is filled with nostalgia, excitement, anticipation and celebration of what the future may hold in store. It is exciting not only for the graduate but for the graduate's family and friends as well. It is also the time of year for graduation events and festivities, which all too often are accompanied by an alarming increase in teen deaths due to drunk or drug-impaired, driving.

Motor vehicle-related injuries are the leading cause of death for 15-to-25-year olds. How many times in the last year have you been touched by, know of, or have read about a fatal accident involving someone in that age group? During one graduation period in California, according to statistics provided by the California Highway Patrol, over 50 drunk drivers in this age group were involved in fatal crashes. The magnitude of the tragedy of losing young lives senselessly due to drunk driving is overwhelming.

This year, the California Highway Patrol has once again joined forces with local communities to support a statewide effort to save the lives of young people through the "sober graduation" program. The Sober Graduation Campaign has been an effective, anti-drunk-driving effort directed at high school seniors. The program provides a blueprint for organizations and individuals to come together to safeguard our children. Participants raise public awareness of alcohol-related deaths and help organize alcohol- and drug-free graduation celebrations. Huffman encourages parents, schools and community organizations to sponsor alcohol-free events where young people can safely celebrate graduation.

Huffman selects Jackson's Hardware for California Small Business Award

The California Assembly passed a resolution in 2000 declaring May 28 as California Small Business Day. Assemblymember Huffman selected Jackson's Hardware as the 6th Assembly District's Small Business for 2008 and invited Jackson's representatives to come to Sacramento to receive the award.

Jackson's Hardware is a 63 employee-owned business known for its excellent service to homeowners and contractors. Community members often find Jackson's employees working on facilities improvement projects in the local schools, donating their free time to serve on community service committees and giving funds to good causes.

At the banquet luncheon Huffman offered his compliments to Jackson's representatives Bill Loskutoff, Steve Hossfeld and Matt Olson. "In addition to high-quality products and customer service, Jackson's exemplifies the best in a small business - a good place to work, a supportive neighbor and an important asset in the 6th Assembly District," said Huffman.

Thirty-one small business organizations/chambers joined the State Assembly to salute small businesses as sponsors of the luncheon and awards event.

Huffman recognizes Petaluma Veteran Richard Sharke at First Annual Veteran's Recognition Luncheon

Richard Sharke and his wife Lucille joined Assemblymember Huffman and other Veterans from throughout California for the first annual Veteran's Recognition Luncheon hosted by the State Assembly Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Sharke is a Vietnam War Veteran and a long-time resident of Sonoma County currently residing in Petaluma. Since he left the service, Sharke has dedicated his life to community service. In 1982 he founded The McDowell Drug Task Force, a local organization which educates young people about the dangers posed by drugs, alcohol and gangs. Over the next 24 years he served as the organization's executive director.

Sharke enjoyed spending the day in the Capitol and received an award recognizing his service.

Huffman assistance helps keep Petaluma Fire Department services in Southern Sonoma

The City of Petaluma Fire Department has been providing exclusive emergency ambulance transportation services in southern Sonoma County since January 1, 1981. In 1989 when Sonoma County contracted with a private ambulance service to serve the southern portion of the county that was previously served by Petaluma City, the state Emergency Medical Services Agency (EMS) determined it changed the manner and scope of the ambulance zone in that area. Assemblymember Huffman's office and the County of Sonoma have been working together to request that EMS grandfather-in that ambulance zone so that the City of Petaluma can continue to serve that territory without participation in a competitive process.

Huffman was on the verge of introducing legislation this month to provide statutory clarification for Petaluma's emergency services when the State EMS Agency finally clarified in a letter to Sonoma County that Petaluma may continue to operate in the historic service area in the same manner and scope in which the city's services have been provided since 1981. The state has requested the local EMS update its plan to reflect the new exclusivity area for the City of Petaluma; EMS representatives have begun that process.

Huffman presents "Oughta be a Law" Certificate to Novato Winner - Bill Ensures Survivors of Fallen Firefighters & Law Enforcement Officers Receive College Tuition Assistance

On May 16, Assemblymember Huffman announced an additional winner of his "Oughta be a Law" contest at the Novato Chamber of Commerce and Novato Fire Protection Mixer showcasing the Fire Museum. Catherine Rucker, the widow of fallen firefighter Steven Rucker, proposed legislation to extend current fee/tuition waivers at California's public postsecondary education institutions for any surviving spouse or child of a California firefighter killed in the performance of duties to include survivors of a federally employed firefighter whose regular duty assignment was in California.

With new research showing that firefighters have a significantly higher risk than most people of getting job-related cancers, Assemblymember Jared Huffman introduced Ms. Rucker's proposed legislation as AB 2496, which also extends the current fee/tuition waivers at higher education institutions to the surviving spouse or child of a deceased law enforcement officer or firefighter whose death was the result of an injury or disease sustained in the line of duty.

While current law authorizes the payment of a modest lump-sum benefit to an eligible survivor of a firefighter who is killed in the line duty, the reality is that a survivor must rely on this benefit to maintain and continue to support the daily needs of the family given that it usually accounts for the family's only source of income. In the years following a line-of-duty death, the financial hardship inflicted on a firefighter's surviving family typically becomes greater as inflation eats away a larger and larger share of the survivor-related benefit. Unfortunately, some colleges have recently denied the waivers to eligible survivors of fallen firefighters and law enforcement officers who succumbed to an occupational injury or illness.

"When a California firefighter falls in the line of duty, it is our responsibility as citizens to do everything we can to protect their families and remember their sacrifice," said Assemblymember Huffman. "Clarification of the law is needed to help California honor the men and women who give their lives to protect our safety by ensuring that the continued application of existing survivor-related higher education benefits remains consistent with the Legislature's original intent."

Huffman meets with Sonoma Educational Leaders - April 25 - Assemblymember Huffman attended the Sonoma Education Coalition Breakfast to discuss the Governor's proposals to cut education funding and listen to suggestions to protect funding for public schools. The Coalition includes superintendents, administrators, school board trustees and union members from Sonoma County.

Butter and Egg Days Parade: Petaluma's 150th Birthday - April 26 - Assemblymember Huffman participated in Petaluma's Butter & Egg Days Parade, a quarter-century old tradition in downtown Petaluma, celebrating the region's rich agricultural history as the birthplace of the incubator, which was the beginning of Petaluma's "Egg Basket to the World" title. Approximately 30,000 people attended this year's festivities and came out to celebrate Petaluma's birthday.

Huffman visits Tiburon Rotary Club - May 1- Assemblymember Huffman provided 25-30 Tiburon Rotarians with an update on tough state budget negotiations and progress on his bill package. The intimate environment provided a good opportunity for questions and answers where thought-provoking ideas were exchanged.

Marin Organizing Committee - May 1- Assemblymember Huffman joined other local elected and community leaders and over 600 community members in the first Marin Organizing Committee, an interfaith coalition of congregations and non-profit organizations working to create a non-partisan advocacy group to address local issues. Huffman looks forward to working with the impressive group to effect positive change in Marin County.

Sustainable Enterprise Conference, Rohnert Park -May 2- Assemblymember Huffman was a keynote speaker at the third annual Sustainable Enterprise Conference at Sonoma Mountain Village in Rohnert Park on "Why Green is Good for California's Businesses." Approximately 300 business and community leaders attended the event and participated in daylong workshops and breakout sessions. This event focuses on providing businesses with the tools they need to transition to sustainability.

Huffman meets with Petaluma Leadership Team - May 2
Assemblymember Huffman enjoyed hearing from the leadership team and trustees from Petaluma City Elementary and Petaluma Joint Unified School District during a meaningful brainstorming session on the state education budget. Huffman values input from teachers, principals and district administrators about what is happening in the schools, and he is making similar visits through the 6th Assembly District.

EAH Celebrates 40th Anniversary - May 2
Assemblymember Huffman presented EAH with a Certificate of Appreciation on its 40th anniversary and recognized its accomplishments including development of 74 properties and 8,000 units serving more than 18,000 residents in California and Hawaii. The well-attended event was a perfect kick-off to Affordable Housing Week.

Breathe California Annual State Conference - May 3
Huffman gave a keynote speech on California Leadership in Confronting Global Warming to conference participants and gave an update on his related legislative work. Founded in 1908, Breathe California is the oldest voluntary health organization in California. The focus of this conference was on developing public policy and an advocacy agenda to address global warming.

Comcast Cares - May 3
Assemblymember Huffman presented Comcast Cares with a Certificate of Appreciation for selecting Valley Vista Elementary School as a milestone community service project. On May 3 Comcast employees, school staff and parents worked to install new playground equipment, a garden and a map of the United States on the asphalt.

Healthy Teens Initiative - May 9
Assemblymember Huffman presented Certificates of Recognition to high school students from Drake, Redwood, Tamalapais and Branson for their work to raise awareness about the dangers of toxic exposure in their school and community. The students leading the project presented their plan to county and state representatives in the Marin County Supervisors' Chambers and an audience of movers and shakers.

Environmental Forum of Marin Celebrates 35 Years - May 16
Huffman shared some motivational remarks with the luncheon guests and presented certificates to the founding members of Environmental Forum of Marin, an all-volunteer organization, operating without office space since 1972. The forum has graduated almost 900 people from its superb educational programs, including local, state and national office holders as well as numerous community leaders and activists dedicated to working on behalf of the environment.

Miwok Elementary Students accept the Governor's Challenge to physical fitness - May 9
Assemblymember Huffman visited Miwok School to congratulate students and staff for 100% participation in the Governor's Challenge to physical fitness by exercising 3-4 times a week for a month in 2007, and to offer encouragement to the many students and staff who are continuing the work in 2008. The school and staff took the challenge by creating lunch time and after school opportunities to make physical fitness fun.

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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