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New Disaster Relief Law
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AB 164 - Financial Disaster Relief Provides financial relief to homeowner and business disaster victims in Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties.
AB 823 - Nationwide Disaster Relief Provides immediate emergency response resources to and from other states during disasters without wasting valuable time to reach aid agreements.
SB 477 - California Disaster Relief Plan Helps communities recover from a disaster by requesting a set plan from OES to address funding and lack of coordination of state and local activities.
Emergency Preparedness Links
http://www.ready.gov
http://www.oes.ca.gov/
operationsal/oesgome
http://www.sbaco-redcross.org
http://www.arcventura.com
Santa Barbara Satellite District Office
SANTA BARBARA - Assemblymember Pedro Nava hosted a Satellite District Office event at Santa Barbara' s Farmers' Market on January 28, 2006. Along with the Santa Barbara City Fire Department, the American Red Cross, and the California Enrolled Agents, Assemblymember Nava spoke to constituents about his recently signed legislation that provides relief to homeowners and business disaster victims in Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties associated with the winter storms of 2005. In addition, constituents received information on Santa Barbara City Fire Department's Community Emergency Response (CERT) training, legislative hearings to improve California's emergency readiness, and emergency safety tips.
Assemblymember Nava was also joined by the UCSB Triathlon athletes who stopped by to thank him for authoring new bike safety legislation. The Assemblymember addressed the crowd of more than 20 triathlon athletes in full cycling regalia with their feather-light bikes (see "New Legislation" section).
Satellite District Office events gives the Assemblymember the chance to bring his office directly to the community and discuss legislative and community matters of interest to his constituents in an informal environment. The next Satellite District Office event will be held in Ventura at the Downtown Farmers' Market on February 25th. See "Upcoming Events" for more information.
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Pedro's Corner
Artery Crucial to Our State at Risk
Reflections on La Conchit
The recent La Conchita memorial service for those who lost their lives last winter was a grim reminder of how vulnerable we are to the whims of nature in California. Historically, the resiliency of Californians in the face of natural disasters is quite remarkable and we have collectively pulled together to save many lives and property of those affected and to rebuild areas where a natural disaster has struck. The La Conchita disaster should be no different. The necessary resources should be provided to repair the current damage and prevent a recurrence. In addition to the lives and property of the people who live there, public safety and economic interests are also at stake.
During the La Conchita slide last year, the Highway 101 corridor in Ventura County was closed for five days with enormous regional and statewide economic losses as a result of our inability to move goods up and down the state. In addition, more than 17,000 people were unable to commute to their jobs from Ventura to Santa Barbara County also causing an economic impact. Additionally, if there is a mass evacuation of the Los Angeles Area due to a terrorist attack, the 101 corridor is a vital evacuation and escape route. Five days is one day too many for a major economic and transportation artery in the fifth largest economy in the world to be closed and California cannot afford that kind of failure at any time.
The economic vitality of our state, not only benefits California's citizens, but also benefits the whole country. In California, there are only two major Southern California : Interstate 5 and Highway 101. Much of the 101 Corridor which runs along the coast is vulnerable to natural disasters. Additionally, one of the major railroad lines that carry freight from Northern to Southern California travels along this route. Every Californian knows that keeping our transportation corridors open 24/7 year round is crucial to the economy of our state and the nation.
Californians are known for being resourceful and compassionate; never hesitating to create a grandeur vision when faced with rebuilding. We pull together, pick up the pieces and rebuild with an eye on being more prepared, learning from our mistakes and minimizing future damage. Various dollar amounts have been discussed regarding the question of how much it will cost to stabilize La Conchita, I would argue it is vital to keep this major artery open and the residents who live along it safe. It's important not only to the resilient citizens of La Conchita, but to all Californians. California has a duty to protect its economic interests as well as the lives and property of its citizens.
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Bicycle Safety Legislation Introduced
At the request of the Santa Barbara Bicycle Coalition and the UCSB Triathlon Team, I have introduced AB 1941, in honor of Kendra .... who recently passed away after being hit by a motorist. My measure will create safe bicycle passing space between motor vehicles and cyclists.
Disaster Legislation
I was pleased that last year that my bill, AB 164, was passed by the legislature. It will provide financial assistance and relief to victims of the severe rainstorms and related damage in December 2004 and January, February, and March 2005 for Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties. It also includes Kern and Los Angeles Counties as well.
This year I am introducing new legislation, AB 1889-California Emergency Council
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Upcoming Events Corner
I will be hosting the American Red Cross and the Ventura County Firefighters at my satellite District Office Hours to be held at the Ventura Farmers' Market on Saturday, February 25, 2006, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. I am promoting an emergency preparedness them. As Vice Chair of the Joint Committee on Emergency Services and Homeland Security for the California Legislature, I believe it is vitally important to assist my constituents with information on how to prepare for an emergency, as well as provide information regarding what services are available when disaster strikes
Black History Month
Santa Barbara Film Festival at various locations in Santa Barbara - Thursday February 2 through Saturday, February 11. For more information, call 1-888-456-2376 or visit http://www.sbfilmfestival.org.
Ventura County Chocolate Festival at Seaside Park in Ventura. Saturday, February 11 and Sunday, February 12. For more information, call 648-3376.
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RECENT EVENTS
Disaster Preparedness Hearings
Santa Barbara - Last fall, Assemblymember Pedro Nava presided over several informational hearings across the state of the Joint Committee on Disaster Preparedness and Homeland Security, for which he serves as Vice-Chair. In this capacity, his committee examined state and local agencies' emergency response to natural and man-made disasters. In light of what occurred in the Gulf Coast with Hurricane Katrina and the controversy that followed, the committee seeks to ask the critical questions before a disaster strikes and try to fill the gaps that exist today in our emergency readiness through subsequent legislation.
At a November 10, 2005 hearing in Santa Barbara County's Board of Supervisors chamber, the committee heard testimony from a wide variety of emergency services personnel from Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. Fire, law enforcement, county and state health, and port officials testified on their disaster response plans and areas that need improvement. As a result of these hearings, several lawmakers, including Assemblymember Nava, will be authoring a variety of bills that will improve the ability of local and state officials, as well as residents, to respond to disasters. This will be in addition to the new disaster relief laws signed into law by the Governor (see sidebar).
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