• Noreen's View: The State of Schwarzenegger
• An Eye on Legislation
• Budget Breakdown: Who Wins, Who Loses
• Infrastructure Bond Breakdown: What's Inside the Governor's Plan
• An Eye on the Governor
• Napa Floats into New Year
• Noreen Celebrates 39 Years of Service with Vallejo's Continentals
• Agilent Technologies, Santa Rosa, Honored for Waste Reduction Efforts

NOREEN'S VIEW: THE STATE OF SCHWARZENEGGER

On January 5, we all heard the Governor's state of the state address in which he set forth his vision for California and his priorities for 2006. I was pleasantly surprised by what he said. It got me thinking that this speech was really an insight into the state of Schwarzenegger.

What do I mean when I say this? When the Governor delivered this speech last year, he spoke with a lot of partisan posturing that shell-shocked California . His consistently divisive tone ultimately isolated him from the people of California and the legislature. Consequently, a lot of California 's big reform needs were unaddressed. This year, we heard a cooperative tone and ideas that working families care about. It's a very welcome change.

The Governor has a style for doing things big. His state of the state address acknowledged how this did not work out well for California last year, with its emphasis on a costly special election that only he seemed to want. He said, “I have absorbed my defeat. I have learned my lesson. And the people, who always have the last word, sent a clear message – cut the warfare, cool the rhetoric, find common ground, and fix the problems together.”

I couldn't agree more. I just wish that we had heard this message last year. We could have gotten so much more done in Sacramento for the people of California . Our state would be much better off.

Californians need a Governor who embraces their priorities. It's great to see the Governor finally talk about reducing the cost of prescription drugs, raising the minimum wage, and restoring education funding. I'm happy he has now decided to embrace many policies that he has previously fought. Furthermore, after showing the Governor how my community in Napa was inundated by recent floods, I was very happy to hear him talk about improving California 's flood control capacity.

I am optimistic about the good that can be done for California this year. But the scope of what we achieve this year is really up to the Governor sticking with this change of heart.

Although plagued with some serious problems, his budget proposes a $4.3 billion increase in K-12 education funding and suspends fee increases for students attending California 's public universities. That's a good start.

The Governor is also proposing a bond to upgrade our long neglected roads, levees, schools, courts, and public hospitals. His proposal calls for $68 billion in new debt. While such upgrades are overdue, I have concerns about whether we can afford the Governor's proposal.

Each dollar of debt must be repaid from our General Fund. The General Fund provides funding for education, environmental protection, healthcare, and human services. If we lock too many General Fund dollars into debt repayment, we may lose funds for these critical investments in our state.

We have heard some good ideas from the Governor. We are in a much better starting point than last year. Given the topics raised by the Governor, it seems that he is listening to the people. The question is whether he will work with their legislators. I am willing to do my part. I am hopeful that the Governor's actions will speak louder than his words.

AN EYE ON LEGISLATION

The legislature got off to a quick start this year with hearings on legislation that was introduced last year but had not yet received a hearing.

One of these bills inspired many residents of the 7^th Assembly District to contact me with their views: Assembly Bill 1121. It would place a two-year moratorium on the death penalty in California . The author's rationale for doing so is to provide time for our state Commission on the Fair Administration of Justice to study whether the death penalty is being fairly applied and whether additional safeguards are needed to assure such fairness. Ultimately and unfortunately, the bill failed to pass out of the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

During this time of year, legislators are also finalizing legislation that they will carry in the coming year. By February 24^th, the deadline to introduce new legislation for this year, we will see precisely what ideas will be pursued here in the legislature.

Many issues from last year will likely resurface, even some of those issues raised within the Special Election. One example that I hope to support and will follow with great interest is the establishment of new procedures to draw legislative districts in California , now drawn by the State Legislature every ten years using U.S. Census data. Democrats and Republicans are working together to see how a group of citizens might perform this task.

As I evaluate this year's legislative proposals, I look forward to hearing from you about what you support and what you do not. I will continue to provide updates about key legislation through my newsletter and hope to hear from you about what is important to you.

BUDGET BREAKDOWN: WHO WINS, WHO LOSES IN GOVERNOR'S PROPOSAL

On January 10, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger released his proposed 2006-07 State Budget. The great news about this year is that the state's finances have improved. Due to our growing economy, the state has seen modest but continued revenue increases. This has enabled the governor to propose long overdue increases in funding to education and transportation.

The Governor's budget proposal calls for spending $123 billion, approximately $4.6 billion more than last year, and end the year with a $613 million reserve.

Key features of the Governor's 2006-07 budget proposal include:

• K-12 & Community Colleges. Spends $4.3 billion more than last year. This includes a constitution mandated increase of $2.6 billion due to revenue increases and an additional $1.7 billion proposed by the Governor to repay some of the funds he borrowed from education two years ago in order to balance the budget.
• After School Programs. Provides $429 million for K-12 after school programs for the first time to implement the voter-approved Proposition 49.
• Student Fees. Proposes $70 million for the state to pay increased student tuition fees recently adopted by the California State University and University of California .
• Transportation. For the first time, the Governor proposes to spend $1.4 billion in Proposition 42 funding for transportation as well as repay part of these funds previously borrowed in the amount of $920 million.
• Criminal Justice. Spends an additional $123 million for the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and trails courts to upgrade and increase court infrastructure and to begin the phase-in of 150 new judgeships around the state.

These proposed investments are an excellent starting point for discussions on our budget. But, sadly, the Governor also proposes massive cuts to health and social services. He proposes to cut approximately $400 million from welfare assistance payments to the elderly and disabled in addition to programs for childcare and welfare-to-work services. Health and social services programs potentially face a $1 billion deficit under the Governor's proposal.

This kind of budget proposal is simply something that the Legislature will have to fix. This would be the third year in a row when the budget is balanced on the backs of the poor, elderly, and disabled. Meanwhile, Congress is poised to make cuts to health and social services in the tune of $2 billion over five years, $411 million in 2007 alone.

Further complicating the budget debate is the relationship between the Governor's Strategic Growth Plan and California 's long-term finances. His plan calls for $68 billion in new bonded debt at a time when the state already owes $33 billion. With a $6.5 billion annual deficit that could force in key programs and services cuts next year, crafting a responsible but fair budget this year will be a challenge. Stay tuned for further updates in my newsletter.

INFRASTRUCTURE BOND BREAKDOWN: WHAT'S INSIDE THE GOVERNOR'S PLAN

During his third State of the State address, the Governor unveiled his Strategic Growth Plan for California . This 20-year proposal calls for an immense $222 billion investment in the state's roads, ports, flood control, court facilities, public schools, and jails. It does not include funding for other state needs, such as affordable housing, parks, environmental protection, clean water projects, and seismically retrofitting our public hospitals.

The Governor is asking the people of California approve $68 billion in bonds over the next ten years. Bonds proposed for this year's election ballot in November total $25.2 billion. The issuance of further bonds would be contingent on the state keeping its debt below 6 percent of its annual budget, Wall Street's standard measure for manageable debt.

The Governor has asked the Legislature to approve the entire 20-year plan, for which we are just beginning to get the details, at one time. Simultaneously, the legislature also has other infrastructure bond proposals to review. The Assembly has scheduled extensive hearings to accept testimony and discuss the need for infrastructure bonds overall. But the road ahead is full of potential potholes.

Just days ago, Assembly Republicans announced that they would rather avoid a new bond initiative altogether. Instead, they want the state to pay as it goes with new infrastructure improvements. Given the lack of available budget revenues to make their proposal a reality, it is difficult to consider it as a viable alternative. Overall, Republicans have said that they would only support bonds if the projects subsequently funded are exempt from our laws requiring environmental review and the payment of fair wages for workers.

Clearly, many issues will need to be resolved before any infrastructure bond can be placed on the ballot. This is a daunting task and I do not want to rush to judgment with so much at stake. It is absolutely essential that we spend the public's money the right way and do what is best for California .

If you would like more information on the Governor's Strategic Growth Plan, please visit his website at www.governor.ca.gov

AN EYE ON THE GOVERNOR

Activities:

On January 20, the Governor signed bipartisan, emergency legislation to ensure that Californians who are unable to obtain life-saving medications due to problems transitioning to new Medicare prescription drug plans will have access to the necessary prescription drugs.

In recognition of Martin Luther King Day, the Governor stated, “We will remember him with deep gratitude for his sacrifice, his wisdom and his perseverance in bringing this nation into the light.”

The Governor rejected the clemency plea by Clarence Ray Allen, a 76-year old convicted murderer. The Governor stated, “My respect for the rule of law and review of the facts in this case lead to my decision to deny clemency to Clarence Ray Allen.” Blind, deaf, and disabled, Allen was executed on January 17, 2006 .

On January 17, the Governor announced that California will invest more money into the Cal Grant program in order to raise the maximum grant level for private school students from $8,322 to $9,708. Approximately 12,300 students will benefit. He also said that state college and university fees would be frozen at current levels.

The Governor released his state budget proposal for 2006-2007 on January 10. For details, see the budget breakdown in this newsletter.

With minor cuts and bruises, the Governor and his 12 year old son survived a minor motorcycle accident during the afternoon of January 8^th. The Governor received 15 stitches and both were released from the hospital soon thereafter. However, the Governor was caught driving his motorcycle without a license.

On January 2, 2006 , the Governor personally toured flood damage in downtown Napa , accompanied by Assemblymember Noreen Evans and Congressman Mike Thompson. The Governor declared both Napa and Sonoma Counties to be disaster areas and pledged his support for efforts to obtain a federal declaration of emergency to address damage caused by the New Years Eve floods. Assemblymember Evans committed her offices' resources to help residents of the flooded areas and to push the Governor to follow through on his commitment.

Appointments:

The Governor's most recent appointments include Diane Price of Napa County and Wilfred “Bill” Otterbeck of Benicia .

Price was appointed to a judgeship in the Napa County Superior Court. She has practiced civil litigation for over 26 years. Her experience includes serving as St. Helena 's city attorney, Yountville's town and deputy attorney, and Napa 's deputy attorney.

Otterbeck was appointed senior consultant to the Child Support Automation System Change Management Project within the Department of Child Support Services. Otterbeck has served as regional administrator with the Department and as project a manager for Alameda County .

For further information about the Governor, please visit www.governor.ca.gov.

NAPA FLOATS INTO NEW YEAR

The flooding in Napa County started on December 30, 2005 .  Recent storms had dropped enormous amounts of rainfall on the already saturated soil.  Ultimately, all storm drains, creeks, and rivers spilled over in their capacity.

Damage from water, mud and debris was extensive with estimates exceeding $110 million.  Unfortunately, only about one-fourth of the 1,200 homes and 250 businesses suffering from flood damage had flood insurance.  13,000 acres of vineyards were affected by floodwaters from the Napa River and local streams.  Agricultural damage is estimated at $32.5 million.

The good news was that all the first responders, county and city officials, worked in a smooth coordinated operation.  Because of this, there was no loss of life.   Napa can be very proud of the way the crisis was managed.

Local help for recovery has been extensive.  The Napa Valley Vintners Association donated $250,000 for flood relief to the Neighbor’s Fund, a special recovery fund created by the Community Foundation has for those in need.  Spanish-speaking volunteers, many from the high schools, have been walking neighborhoods door-to-door to make sure Latino flood victims know where they can get assistance.  The Flood Relief Center will remain open if the federal government declares a state of emergency in Napa County .  A federal declaration of emergency would open up millions of dollars of resources to assist with the rebuilding process.

Local, state, and federal officials have joined together to call for much needed flood restoration funding.  In areas where the Napa River-Napa Creek Flood Protection Project had been completed, the damage was minimal.  Noreen is focused on restoring $51 million in state payments to Napa to help this flood protection project continue.  Furthermore, Congressman Thompson, Senators Feinstein and Boxer are asking President Bush to include $31 million in his upcoming budget to expedite the completion of the project.

Napa’s flood project is the engine behind the revitalization of its downtown.  Businesses and local government have made huge investments in the future of the town, on the faith that it would be protected.  All this can happen, if the state and federal government live up to their responsibility. The local community has certainly shown their determination and faith.

NOREEN CELEBRATES 39 YEARS OF SERVICE WITH VALLEJO'S CONTINTENTALS

For almost 40 years, the Continentals of Omega Boys and Girls Club have motivated Vallejo's youth to do their best in life. On January 14^th, Noreen joined them to celebrate at their annual banquet.

The Continentals provide wide ranging services to youth:

• Setting goals and planning for adulthood
  
  
• Citizenship and leadership development
  
  
• Cultural enrichment
  
  
• Physical health and hygiene
  
  
• Substance abuse prevention
  
  

With this kind of track record, it's no wonder the community has such support for the club. For further information about Vallejo's Continentals, please visit http://www.omegaboysandgirlsclub.com

AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES, SANTA ROSA, HONORED FOR WASTE REDUCTION EFFORTS

Agilent Technologies in Santa Rosa received the state's top waste reduction environmental award for outstanding achievement in on-site recycling, materials reuse and diversion, and waste prevention. One of only five businesses statewide to earn this distinction, Agilent's Santa Rosa facility has been named a 2005 Waste Reduction Awards Program 'WRAP of the Year' honoree by the California Integrated Waste Management Board.

Agilent's Santa Rosa facility increased its solid waste diversion from 74 percent to 80 percent, in 2004, keeping over 994 tons of material out of local landfills. At least $138,110 in landfill fees were subsequently saved. Agilent also donates surplus items, such as office equipment, to local nonprofit organizations.

The Waste Reduction Awards Program is open to private industry and nonprofit organizations throughout It recognizes exemplary business practices to reduce waste, recycle, reuse materials, and send less to landfills. Companies of all sizes and from every industry are encouraged to enter the annual competition.

For more information about all WRAP winners and their locations, please visit us online at http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/WRAP/ and see http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/WRAP/WOTY/ for details of the accomplishments of all ‘WRAP of the Year' businesses.