• Noreen's View: The Big Hurt is a Big Opportunity
  
• Your Legislator at Work
• An Eye on Legislation
• An Eye on the Governor
• Assisted Living Advocates Name Noreen Legislator of the Year
• Peaceful Protests in Napa
• Southwest Community Health Center Celebrates Anniversary
• CHP’s Sergeant Wayne Ziese Retires
• Highway 101: Don’t Get Deterred by Detours!

NOREEN'S VIEW: THE BIG HURT IS A BIG OPPORTUNITY

Pocketbooks across California are being stretched to the breaking point by record gas prices. I know that I’m not the only one wincing from “the big hurt,” or the painful blow to personal finances, after every trip to the pump. Although extremely unpleasant, this situation is an opportunity.

The shock of gas prices is so strong because our lives are dependant on this single commodity and the cars that run on it. Since gas prices are expected to rise even further, Californians have a tremendous incentive to identify and integrate alternatives into their routines.

I recently purchased a hybrid-powered vehicle in order to get more miles out of each gallon of gas that I use. But not everyone is in a position to get a new car to adapt to today’s pricey gas market. This is why it is important that we all explore other options, like walking or riding bicycles to more destinations. It’s good for our wallets and our health!

But pedestrian or pedal power is not an option for those who commute distances in the course of their daily routines. That is why carpooling is a great option. A great place to get started on creating a carpool or joining one in the Bay Area is http://rideshare.511.org/.

Public transportation is also an option to consider. And, today’s high gas prices show us the value of making investments in quality public transportation so that our future won’t be so captive to the gas market. The good news is the North Bay has projects underway to provide viable alternatives to our reliance on cars and congested roads.

In Sonoma County, we’ve been working on the Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART). SMART will soon be able to provide rail service from Cloverdale to the existing Larkspur ferry terminal, along approximately 85 miles of track with stops at up to 14 locations.

In Solano County, we’ve been planning the Vallejo Intermodal Station. It will be the primary ferry and transit terminal in the North Bay, supporting the Baylink Ferry system and regional express buses serving the Napa Valley and key BART stations.

These are truly exciting prospects and the need to make them a reality only grows with time. We already see evidence that expensive gas has fueled an increase in the demand for public transportation. Take this example: BART ridership has increased by approximately 3 million people since the beginning of the year.

With no end in sight for high gas prices, the findings of a new study further illustrate the need for the North Bay to invest in public transportation. Available online at http://sustainlane.com/article/747//U.S.+Cities%92+Preparedness+for+an+Oil+Crisis.html, the study found that public transportation will enable some cities to weather a prolonged oil crisis without severe economic depression. Mobility was the most important of all factors considered. The best performing cities – New York, Boston, and San Francisco – have public transportation systems that are not reliant on petroleum.

As we work towards expanding public transportation in the North Bay, the findings of this study certainly are constructive food for thought about how we can plan for a more stable local economy.

YOUR LEGISLATOR AT WORK

I am a strong advocate for laws that enhance the protection of personal privacy. As promised last month, I would like to share with you some information about the package of bills that I am authoring on this subject.

Reproductive Health Worker and Patient Protection

I introduced Assembly Bill (AB) 2251 to protect the patients, providers, employees, and volunteers of reproductive healthcare facilities by helping them keep their home address, home telephone number, and photograph private.

Militant anti-abortion activists have long used extreme tactics to harass abortion supporters and patients, even murder abortion providers nationwide. Websites posting personal information about reproductive health facility workers and patients have played a key role in this infrastructure of individuals and groups bent on stopping abortions and impeding abortion access.

In order to confront this challenge to choice, AB 2251 will prohibit:

• The posting of this information online with the intent to incite violence;
  
• The online solicitation, sale or trade of this information with the intent to incite violence;
  
• The public posting or displaying of this information online, once a written demand letter has been submitted to a website operator stating that information shall not be disclosed.

Customer Data Protection

I introduced AB 2291 to help protect customer data held by car dealers. Motor car dealers are required by law to obtain written consent before sharing customer’s personal data with third parties. But nothing in law prevents motor car dealer management software companies from claiming access to that customer information.

Imagine Microsoft claimed access rights to the information on your personal computer every time that you updated Windows online. Sounds unreasonable, doesn’t it? Well, many companies providing car dealer management software have this expectation about access to car dealer customer data. The security of this information hangs in the balance.

AB 2291 will help maintain the security of customer data through:

• Prohibiting dealer management software companies from claiming access to customer data as a condition of doing business; and
  
• Requiring software companies to obtain express written consent of a car dealer in order to access customer data, with limited exemptions.

AN EYE ON THE LEGISLATION

On April 22, millions of Americans celebrated Earth Day. This year launched a three-year global campaign to confront climate change. There are various ways that individuals can make a difference. The following is a sample of bills that have been introduced this session to help us:

Cleaner Fuels

SB 1675, authored by Senator Christine Kehoe (D-San Diego), requires that the diesel fuel supply in California include a 2% blend of biodiesel by 2008, and a 5% blend of biodiesel by 2010. The use of biodiesel results in significant reductions of nearly every type of motor vehicle emission.

Senator Alan Lowenthal (D-Long Beach) introduced SB 1505 to require that regulations be adopted that ensure the production and use of hydrogen for transportation purposes contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, air pollutants, and toxic air contaminants. Many experts believe that hydrogen can be a long-term replacement for gasoline. But the production methods for hydrogen that use fossil fuels can be more polluting than the direct consumption of fossil fuels in vehicles.

Solar Energy

Last fall, the California Public Utilities Commission approved the creation of the California Solar Initiative. One part of the initiative requires that 10% of the funds go toward providing solar installations on affordable housing. AB 2723, authored by Assemblymember Fran Pavley (D-Agoura Hills), creates a revolving loan program to facilitate the implementation of this program that will lead to “zero energy homes” for families who can benefit most by lowered energy bills.

Assemblymember Lloyd Levine (D-Van Nuys) has introduced AB 2321, which establishes the Governor’s Green Action Team (Team). The Team will be required to implement energy conservation measures in order to reduce energy purchases for state buildings by 20 percent by 2015. Once the conservation measures are proven successful, they can be used for local government, school, and commercial buildings.

Smarter Energy

In the past 10 years, the state has completed significant research on the benefits of sustainable buildings (often referred to as “green buildings”). Green buildings utilize energy, water and materials more efficiently than regular buildings. They have also been proven to improve employees’ health, comfort, and productivity. And while the initial investment for a green building may be a little higher, they result in significant long-term benefits.

AB 2880, by Assemblymember Ted Lieu (D-Torrance) requires California’s Integrated Waste Management Board to provide the information regarding green building practices collected by the state to the public. This will result in a more informed public, who can then implement these policies in their own businesses.

For more information on what you can do, please visit http://www.earthday.org/.

AN EYE ON THE GOVERNOR

ACTIVITIES:

On April 21st, Governor Schwarzenegger met with President Bush during his visit to California to discuss the need to repair California’s levee system. President Bush, however, did not grant federal disaster relief assistance to help prevent levee bursts and flooding this Spring in California that may occur with the thaw of the Sierra Nevada snowpack.

On April 18th, the 100th anniversary of the San Francisco earthquake, Governor Schwarzenegger called for the legislature to pass a bill to create a new California Department of Public Health and be responsible for programs addressing chronic disease, communicable diseases, emergency preparedness and the safety of food and drugs.

On April 10th, Governor Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency in the counties of Amador, Calaveras, Fresno, Merced, San Joaquin, San Mateo and Stanislaus, as a result of a series of severe rainstorms and flooding in that area that began on April 4, 2006.

APPOINTMENTS:

The Governor’s most recent appointments include Rodney G. Stone from Napa County and Teresa A. Swartz from Vacaville.

Stone was appointed to a judgeship in the Napa County Superior Court where he has served as a commissioner since 2004. In the private practice he was a partner with the law firm York, York & Stone.

Swartz was appointed Associate Director of Reception Center Institutions for the Division of Adult Institution at the Department of Correction and Rehabilitation, where she has served as the acting associate director since 2005. Previously, Swartz was warden at the California Medical Facility and chief deputy warden at Pelican Bay State Prison.

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

ASSISTED LIVING ADVOCATES NAME NOREEN LEGISLATOR OF THE YEAR

On April 5th, the California Assisted Living Association (CALA) named me Legislator of the Year for my commitment as Chair of the Assembly Human Services Committee to quality services for seniors who reside in assisted living settings.

I was honored for guiding bills through my committee requiring that seniors receive information about elder abuse and receive a refund of preadmission fees when they leave a facility after a short period. These bills were signed into law by Governor Schwarzenegger.

I was also honored for authoring AB 2609 which strengthens training requirements for staff who assist senior residents take their medications. It also requires that staff who perform this function pass an examination demonstrating their understanding of medication management issues. AB 2609 passed the Assembly Human Services and Health committees unanimously, and is currently pending in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

CALA is the statewide association of more than 400 assisted living facilities that serve over 27,000 elderly persons throughout the state. Eight of these facilities are located in the 7th Assembly District, the largest of which are Avalon at Brush Creek, Sunrise and Brighton Gardens in Santa Rosa and Summerville at Villa del Rey in Napa.

PEACEFUL PROTESTS IN NAPA

During April, our community in Napa witnessed a series of demonstrations bringing thousands of people to the streets. With the country polarized by such strongly held positions about the War in Iraq and immigration, it’s nice to know we can still show our convictions peacefully and respectfully.

One protest brought hundreds of people to downtown Napa and St. Helena in objection to proposed immigration legislation being considered by Congress. A couple of weeks later, our community saw competing protests in support of and against President Bush during his visit to St. Helena and his overnight stay at Meadowood Resort.

In all of the events, protestors remained absolutely peaceful. Each event allowed the demonstrators to express their First Amendment privileges, and at the same time show respect for our community. Much credit goes to the organizers of the events and to the close communication and cooperation with law enforcement.

One example of the civility among those voicing different views has been passed onto me and I’d like to share it with you. During the Friday night demonstration of Bush’s arrival, an “Unwelcome Bush” monitor was talking to a pro-Bush supporter. The monitor said that he appreciated the organizing effort of the President’s supporters. So, he made a donation to the fund providing porta-potties to protestors.

SOUTHWEST COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER CELEBRATES ANNIVERSARY

The Southwest Community Health Center has provided quality affordable medical care and health education in a supportive and culturally sensitive environment to the citizens of Santa Rosa for the past ten years. The clinic celebrated its 10 year anniversary in style on April 22, 2006 at the Finely Center. This annual event is a fundraiser for the Center to support its efforts in serving our community.

Besides offering general medical care, the Southwest Community Center also provides low or no cost medications for those who have no insurance or are underinsured and provide specialty clinics for gastroenterology, podiatry, and mental health. They also offer residents services including family planning, parenting and nutrition classes, and diabetic education.

For more information about Southwest Community Health Center, go to www.swhealthcenter.org.

CHP'S SERGEANT WAYNE ZIESE RETIRES

On April 28, 2006 family, friends and colleagues gathered to wish Sergeant Wayne Ziese of Vallejo good luck on his retirement from the California Highway Patrol. Ziese was presented a resolution from me honoring his years of dedicated service.

Ziese worked as a Traffic Officer, Public Affairs Officer, and Child Safety Seats Officer prior to his promotion to Sergeant in November 2001 when he became the Public Affairs Sergeant for CHP’s Golden Gate Division, located in Vallejo. Sergeant Ziese has gained the respect of his peers, allied law enforcement agencies, and the community he has served. His willingness to assist in any endeavor epitomizes the Highway Patrol’s motto of “Safety, Service, and Security.”

Ziese plans to be involved in traffic safety issues and plans to take some time to spend with his family and go fishing.

HIGHWAY 101: DON'T GET DETERRED BY DETOURS!

On April 17th, I met with Will Kempton, Director of Caltrans, in order to relay the concerns and frustration many in the North Bay have expressed about the lack of information and public input opportunities associated with detours on Highway 101.

I am happy to report Caltrans acknowledged the need for making improvements. After working with me and the Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce, Caltrans has agreed to hold town forums on these issues in the future.

In the meantime, the good news is that the Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce has unveiled a traffic information website online at www.santarosatraffic.com. It provides valuable information about current street closures, available detours and alternative transportation. It is an important resource for all Santa Rosa residents trying to make their way during the first phase of the project to widen Highway 101.

Santa Rosa Chamber business members will begin offering shopping promotions to residents in May so check the website for further details. You can also sign up through the website to receive regular project updates and traffic information. The website will be continually updates as road conditions change and the project continues, so be sure to check it out!