On May 24, nearly 300 residents of neighborhoods in the Sepulveda Pass heard representatives of the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the Los Angeles Dept. of Transportation (LADOT) discuss the potential impacts of the 405 Sepulveda Pass HOV Lane Project at a meeting moderated by Ron Kaye, editor of the Daily News. Doug Failing, Director of Caltrans District 7, made it clear that the proposed northbound 405 HOV lane is one piece of the puzzle toward solving the congestion in the Pass. Mr. Failing and Ron Kosinski, Caltrans Deputy Director for Environmental Planning discussed the five alternatives laid out in the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR), addressing specifically the changes that might be made to the Skirball Center Drive and Getty Center Drive interchanges, as well as to the Mulholland Bridge, to improve traffic flow. Haripal Vir and Ken Hustings of LADOT talked about the proposed $11 million reversible lane in the Sepulveda Tunnel which could be in effect during peak hours of traffic; they noted that this would provide interim relief while LADOT tries to get funds to widen the tunnel.

As noted above, a public hearing on the proposed alternatives will take place on Monday, June 11, at the Skirball Center.  Caltrans representatives emphasized that public comments are solicited by the agency so that it can be responsive to the community's concerns and needs; state and federal law require Caltrans to address each comment in the FEIR.

Because of the interest many of you have expressed in public transit for Los Angeles, I have been actively engaged in monitoring the progress of Metropolitan Transit Authority's (Metro) new light rail project named for the right-of-way route it will take - the Exposition Line, south of the Santa Monica Freeway.  Fans of public transit will be delighted to know that construction has commenced on Phase 1 of Expo Line. In this phase, the line will run from downtown 7th street Metro Center, with stops at eight stations, to the corner of National and Washington Boulevards in Culver City. Several of the grade crossings will be the subject of further discussion between adjacent communities and Expo Line, and Expo Line is working with several nearby schools to mitigate any adverse effects. Phase 2, which is in the planning stages, will complete the route to Santa Monica.  I'll discuss more on that phase, including routing issues, in future newsletters. 

The $640 million Phase 1 project is funded by federal, state and local dollars, and design has been completed on two portions of Phase 1. Safety features from the Pasadena Gold Line are being incorporated into both phases of Expo Line. There is a jobs program to maximize the number of Expo community residents working as a result of the transit project; the contractor's program goal is to hire locally to work 30% of construction hours. An Urban Design Committee appointed by the Expo Line Construction Authority Board has given input into design and aesthetics of the project. The Construction Authority is holding regular community meetings on a rotating basis each month.

The completion date for Phase 1 is Summer 2010. For more information, see the Expo Line website at http://www.mta.net/projects_programs/exposition/default.htm.

There's no question that expanding and improving public transportation is a key priority not just in Los Angeles, but statewide.  When a gasoline tanker crashed recently in San Francisco, melting a highway overpass, that city's public transit system kept business from grinding to a halt.  Here in L.A., extending subway and light rail, and keeping bus fares affordable are all critical to our 21st Century transportation strategy.

In May, I worked as chair of the Budget Subcommittee on Transportation to propose a major change in the way California spends transportation dollars.  In sum, our committee recommended that public transit receive a higher share of these funds, so we can move forward on the major projects (subway, light rail, dedicated bus way) we need to prevent permanent gridlock.  I also led the effort to prevent the Governor's proposed raid of $600 million from last November's transportation bond (which he would have used to balance the budget, rather than add new projects voters expected the bonds to pay for), and to restore more than $800 million that the Governor proposed be taken from public transit this year.

Although Southern California may receive less rainfall than the northern part of the State, many streams flow down from the Santa Monica Mountains to the Santa Monica Bay, affecting the water quality of the ocean.  These streams also act as natural filters for pollutants, recharging groundwater and providing important habitat for native animals, birds and plants.  Many communities throughout California are taking steps to protect the State's valuable waterways from pollution and unnecessary degradation.  Recently I submitted a letter to the Los Angeles City Department of Public Works in support of a new Los Angeles Stream Protection Ordinance proposed by a task force led by that Department.  The purpose of the ordinance would be to establish a comprehensive stream protection policy for the City, which would create small development buffer zones adjacent to streams in the City of Los Angeles, require additional mapping of City streams and provide for restoration of streams and watershed areas.  The proposed Stream Protection Ordinance also would improve consistency between City and State water quality protection laws, since City streams already are protected under State and federal law.  In supporting enactment of the proposed Stream Protection Ordinance, I joined with homeowners' groups such as the Upper Mandeville Homeowners' Association, the Brentwood Hills Homeowners' Association and the South Brentwood Homeowners' Association, as well as with State Senator Sheila Kuehl and the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy. 

I urge the City of Los Angeles to move expeditiously to adopt a final ordinance.

New Plan Will Reduce Fire Risks in Key Danger Areas

At the Brush Clearance Press Conference

In response to concerns about heightened danger in the City's Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones, which encompass many neighborhoods in my district, I convened a meeting with California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) to develop a plan to jointly identify, prioritize and expedite brush removal projects on Caltrans land in areas of high fire danger in the City of Los Angeles.

Caltrans compliance with LAFD brush clearance requirements has recently become an urgent issue in light of extremely dry conditions in the city, in what has already proven to be a dangerous fire season. The agreement that resulted will result in increased brush clearance and reduction of fire hazards in Los Angeles.  There are 45 acres in the prioritized routes. 

I am thankful for the efforts of Caltrans and LAFD in moving rapidly to keep our communities safe.  Each agency has appointed a high level official to coordinate efforts to ensure that we succeed.  Given the early onset of this year's fire season, we have no time to waste, and I was pleased to assist in bringing these agencies together to get the job done. 

On May 11, I was invited to appear on a panel of local state legislators hosted by the United Chambers of Commerce of the San Fernando Valley, in Porter Ranch.  Together with Sen. George Runner and Assemblymember Cameron Smyth, I discussed topics ranging from the state budget, to healthcare, to transportation. 

While my Republican counterparts and I disagreed about issues ranging from healthcare to public education, we agreed to continue working together for more state transportation dollars for the Los Angeles region.  Unfortunately, Los Angeles is consistently shorted by the state come budget time, and rarely receives funding consistent with our share of the state's population or traffic problems.  This year, however, a bi-partisan group of lawmakers from throughout the L.A. region joined together to demand a bigger piece of the pie.  All of us agreed that partisanship takes a back seat when advocating for Southern California.

Additionally, there was broad agreement that more needs to be done to create incentives for businesses starting in the state.  I will continue to search for ways to promote business development, to ensure our state has a prosperous future.

I thank UCC for their kind invitation and look forward to meeting with them and other business organizations in the months to come.

Last month, at the urging of the community, I contacted the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to urge the removal of a vacant lot at the intersection of Ivar/Franklin from an upcoming auction of excess real property.   This land, which had previously been held for a possible transportation-related project, has long been viewed by the community as a possible site for a park.  The initial deadline for purchase of this property by the City of Los Angeles passed at the end of May, but at the request Councilmember Tom LaBonge, I asked Caltrans to extend the time provided to September 1.  Caltrans agreed, giving the City three more months to complete this important purchase.  For more information, please contact Alex Ponder in my district office.

Many constituents have contacted my office regarding Assembly Bill 1634, The California Healthy Pets Act.  Clearly this is a controversial issue, and I am pleased that so many Californians are passionate about animal safety.  I have received numerous letters, phone calls, and thoughtful comments from those who support and oppose this legislation, and I carefully weighed all the responses in my decision on how to vote. 
After much consideration, I have decided to support this bill.  Hundreds of thousands of cats and dogs are euthanized each year in California animal shelters.  The cost to California taxpayers is $250 million annually and brings needless misery to these helpless creatures.  From a public safety perspective, abandoned animals are a serious risk, with unaltered dogs three times as likely to attack humans. 

While not a perfect solution, AB 1634 will go a long way toward curtailing the abandoned animal population in the years to come.   Municipalities with mandatory spaying and neutering policies - including Santa Cruz, Sacramento, and San Bernardino - have reported a substantial drop in shelter populations.  Additionally this bill contains exemptions for responsible breeders, dog shows, and animals under the care of a veterinarian.  AB 1634 is supported by groups including the American Humane Association, the Association of Veterinarians for Animal Rights, and the Humane Society of the United States.

If calls to my district office are any indication, 42nd Assembly District constituents have a keen interest in Assembly Bill 374, the California Compassionate Choices Act, of which I am the principal co-author.  I recognize and respect that around issues that are as sensitive as end of life care for terminally ill patients, people of deep moral convictions can often reach different conclusions.

This bill would enable a competent and terminally ill individual to request life-ending medication form their physician.  This bill includes extensive safeguards.  These include requiring waiting periods and a review by two doctors of the patient's terminal condition, their mental capacity to make and understand decisions about medical care, and a determination that the patient is free from any coercion.  I support this legislation as it provides a mechanism for an individual to make what I believe to be the most personal of decisions, while at the same time providing adequate and extensive safeguards against abuse. 

I have received numerous e-mails from constituents asking my position on several pieces of legislation sponsored by Equality California, California's LGBT advocacy organization. 

Assembly Bill 43, the Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act, was approved by the California Assembly on June 6, 2007 by a vote of 42 to 34 and now moves to the State Senate.  I was proud to speak in favor of this legislation on the Assembly floor and am hopeful that 2007 will be the year that we secure for GLBT Californians the benefits and responsibilities of marriage. 

There is additional legislation pending that I will support, including AB 394 (Safe Place to Learn Act), SB 559 (Fair and Equal Taxation for Surviving Partners Act) by Sen. Christine Kehoe and SB 518 (Juvenile Justice Safety and Protection Act) by Sen. Migden.
 
I have long supported measures to ensure equal rights and benefits for all Californians.

As the school year draws to a close, many schools and students in the 42nd Assembly District were recognized for their outstanding academic achievements. 

Here are just a few...

Damian Carroll

Damian Carroll is my field representative in the Valley portions of the 42nd District, including Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Valley Village, North Hollywood, Toluca Lake, and Universal City.  I was delighted to have Damian join my staff in January, following three years working for State Senator Jack Scott.

An active community member, Damian serves as Secretary of the Valley Leadership Institute and Chair of Canstruction Los Angeles - an architectural organization benefiting the Los Angeles Regional Foodbank.  He has worked to educate high school students and community organizations about the state budget and initiative processes through a traveling lecture tour.  Damian can frequently be found answering questions at Chambers of Commerce, Neighborhood Councils and non-profit events.  He has worked on a wide variety of issues, including healthcare, transportation, water, and arts/entertainment.

In his spare time Damian is a prominent member of the local Democratic Party, acting as President of the San Fernando Valley Young Democrats and Chair of the Political Action Committee for the Democratic Party of the San Fernando Valley.  Recently he initiated a boycott of Circuit City, based on that company's firing of 3,400 workers nationwide.

A resident of the Valley since 1998, Damian lives in Lake Balboa with his wife and daughter.  Along with the rest of my District staff, he can be reached at (818) 902-0521.