SEPTEMBER 2008
IN THIS ISSUE |
With water shortages throughout California, communities throughout my district are feeling the impact. That's why I introduced AB 8xx, a bill I jointly authored with Assembly Members Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) and Lois Wolk (D-Davis). The bill is designed to place a $9.8 billion general obligation bond measure on the November statewide ballot to deal with our water quality and supply problems. AB 8xx was an attempt to break a political logjam that has for years prevented passage of a water bond measure, by providing $3 billion for new storage facilities heavily weighted in favor of the construction of dams. This measure was structured so that San Benito growers could benefit from ecosystem and water system improvements in the Delta to help restore water deliveries. Hollister could explore wastewater treatment and reuse projects that could provide more water to residents and businesses.
In Monterey County, funds would be available to develop new water storage or desalination projects, and projects to fix the saltwater intrusion that contaminates local groundwater. San Jeraldo and Prunedale could clean up badly contaminated groundwater. The Pajaro Valley and Watsonville could work on salt water intrusion and improved wastewater recycling. Gilroy could clean up contaminated groundwater, and Santa Clara County could expand recycling and reuse projects. We worked hard on a compromise position but unfortunately, the clock ran out before we were able to reach a final agreement in this legislative session. The budget impasse affected our ability to negotiate to a conclusion, but I am encouraged that we were able to make progress in bridging historical differences on water policy. The Legislature is still in an extraordinary session called by the Governor because of the water crisis. We will continue our discussion through the fall to be ready with a water bond that will meet the needs of the environment, farmers, farm workers, the business community and residents of California.
On August 31 the Legislature adjourned without passing a balanced budget. As your representative in Sacramento, I share your anger and frustration about this delayed state budget. Our state faces a $15.2 billion budget deficit. Governor Schwarzenegger and Democrats agree: we can't solve our deficit problem by just cutting services. We also need to raise revenues. So while the Democratic budget proposes $6 billion in painful cuts in services -- on top of the $9 billion in cuts we made last year -- we have proposed returning to 1990-era tax rates paid by the wealthiest residents in our state, who have benefited from reduced taxes for the past several years. Wage earners who earn over $350,000 per year would be asked to pay more taxes. Unfortunately, our Republican colleagues have refused to consider any new revenues. They have proposed much deeper cuts to our children's education, public transit, seniors, the disabled, the ill and the poor. They want to balance the budget by borrowing, and paying it off with state lottery funds. Their plan would take local redevelopment funds intended for low- and moderate-income housing, and cut transit agencies and library literacy services. And they've proposed borrowing more local funds dedicated to firefighting, police, parks and other important services. These proposals would add to our deficit problems, hurt California's economic recovery, and hurt hard-working families. While budget negotiations continue, it's clear to me that we need reforms, such as setting aside money during good times to pay for emergencies like this year's terrible fires (included in the Democratic proposal). We also need to change the state's requirement for a two-thirds super-majority vote to pass a budget. It is undemocratic, and simply unfair for a minority to withhold their votes while millions of Californians suffer from the lack of critically important services.
California's sluggish economy received a boost in June when Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed my AB 1252, a bill that will speed up the distribution of $300 million for the construction of local housing and transportation projects throughout the state. AB 1252 appropriates $150 million in Proposition 1C housing bond funds for the construction of affordable housing, and $150 million in Proposition 1B transportation bond funds to counties to fix and improve roadways. "This is a real economic stimulus package designed to jump start California's economy," said Assembly Speaker Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles). "These projects create jobs and pump dollars into our economy."
The additional Prop. 1B transportation funding for county street and road projects will provide the most immediate impact in my 28th Assembly District. Monterey County will receive $1.1 million for local projects; San Benito County will receive approximately $242,000; Santa Clara County will receive approximately $3.4 million; and Santa Cruz County will receive approximately $702,000. First Community Housing in Salinas will also receive $1.5 million in Prop. 1C Housing Infill grant funding to work on the Salinas Gateway Housing project.
Early childhood education has long been recognized as a key youth violence prevention strategy. I introduced AB 1028 to protect funds that are received by presechool and child care centers. AB 1028 ensures that centers will not be penalized by losing state funds, if they are able to obtain private grant funding for key program goals. The bill addresses accounting measures to be followed by the centers, to ensure that preschools are not paid twice for the same service. The bill now goes to the governor for signature.
School districts have struggled to add classrooms or build new schools to meet the needs of school children in our communities. I introduced AB 2173 to revise the out-of-date formulas for school construction costs, and require residential developers to pay their fair share. The bill also adds supplemental grants to school facilities to match current school conditions, rather than conditions that existed a decade ago. This bill awaits the governor's signature.
AB 2494 Allocates $200 million in Bond Funds Cities and counties that build affordable housing will be rewarded with funds for a park, under the terms of my AB 2494, recently passed by the Legislature. Assembly Bill 2494 sets up the Housing-Related Parks Program under Proposition 1C, that allocates $200 million in park bond funds from the Housing and Emergency Shelter Trust Fund Act, passed by the voters in 2006. The program would reward cities and counties that build affordable housing units by distributing bond funds for creating, developing, or rehabilitating park or recreation facilities. This bill now will go to the Governor for his signature.
I am pleased to invite women of the 28th Assembly District to attend one of two very important Salinas health summits in September on legislation affecting women's access to health care and other issues: Friday, September 19, 2008 - Health Professionals (Receive Continuing Education Credits) Saturday, September 20 - Bilingual Community Event These health summits are a collaborative effort to expand women's knowledge of health issues, including healthy lifestyles, reproductive health and how to prevent violence. Thanks to the generosity of our sponsoring companies and organizations, attendance at this event is FREE, and a light lunch with be provided. For information on registering, please call my office at (831) 759-8676. |
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District Office: 100 West Alisal Street, Suite 134 Capitol Office: |
