Caltrans Public Hearing on the 405 Sepulveda Pass HOV Lane Project
 
The much-anticipated California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) public hearing on the 405 Sepulveda Pass Carpool Lane Project was transformed into a "community meeting" by District Director Doug Failing on June 11.  Because late design changes proposed by the Federal Highway Administration had not been vetted by the community before the meeting, and parts of the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) needed revision, I and other community leaders asked Caltrans to take the time necessary to keep the environmental impact review process transparent and fair.
 
For those of you who were not at the June 11 meeting, Director Failing made clear that the design and environmental process is evolving with community input. Caltrans presenters, including the project designer, environmental planner and a right-of-way expert, explained each aspect of the project, followed by comments from those in the audience. As your Assemblymember, I spoke to express appreciation for Caltrans' willingness to extend the environmental review process to take account of community concerns and to underscore my view that no private home should be taken as part of this project except as a very last resort. Homeowners in the Brentwood Glen and Valley Vista areas that would be impacted by the project were vocal in their opposition to Alternative 3, which would take homes in both communities. The evening concluded with questions and answers.
 
As a result of input from you, Caltrans has circulated revisions to the DEIR. These can be viewed at Caltrans' website at www.dot.ca.gov/dist07/.  Click on 'Route 405 Improvement Projects'. The new date for the statutorily-mandated public hearing is August 22 at the Skirball Cultural Center in the Sepulveda Pass, from 5-9 p.m.

The public comment period on the DEIR and its revisions has been extended to September 10, 2007. All comments made at the June 11 community meeting, at the upcoming public hearing, and written comments received by Caltrans by Sept. 10 will become part of the official record.  Each will be addressed in the Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR). Address your comments to:

Ron Kosinski, Deputy District Director
Div. of Environmental Planning
Department of Transportation, District 7
100 S. Main Street, MS-16A
Los Angeles, CA 90012

The CTC is composed of nine Board members appointed by the Governor. It is responsible for allocating money from various sources to transportation projects all over the state.  You may recall that this past winter, we were successful in persuading the CTC to fund the 405 carpool lane through the Sepulveda Pass - an important link in the carpool lanes running from LAX to the 101. This time around, because of the uncertainties posed by the state budget delay, the CTC decided to defer allocating funding for a category of projects known as State Transportation Improvement Program, or 'STIP' projects. These are regional and interregional transportation ventures planned as part of a 5-year capital improvement plan for transportation infrastructure.

Among the projects whose funding was delayed is the Exposition ("Expo") Line, which is already under construction (see "Expo Line" below). The CTC reasoned that once the state budget is finalized, it will know how much money is available for transportation to be divided up among a list of STIP projects statewide. I am fighting hard for Expo Line funding because, even though it is not in my district, it will benefit the entire region.  The CTC's next meeting is September 19-20 in Rocklin, Northern California. I plan to be there to strongly advocate for this project.

The Expo Line, which will run from downtown/USC to Culver City (Phase 1) and onward to a terminus in Santa Monica (Phase 2), has begun construction. Trenches are being dug and utilities relocated - in short, this exciting project is underway. I have been working to ensure that Phase 1 can be completed by 2010, including strongly advocating for necessary state and federal funding.  Meanwhile, Metro (our regional transportation agency) has approved a contract with consultants to provide possible alternatives for Phase 2.

405 Off Ramp: Ventura Boulevard

At the request of representatives from the Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council, I have written a letter (link to full letter) to the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) requesting Caltrans' help in resolving a problem with the Ventura Boulevard offramp from the north bound 405.   I asked them to review whether the off ramp should be re-striped for three lanes, thus providing one right-turn-only lane, one straight or left lane and one left-turn lane. I took this action because I felt that both the safety and efficiency of the ramp lanes might be improved with re-striping and signage. As the off ramp currently stands, there are only two lanes, and cars are weaving to create an ad hoc third lane without benefit of striping. Caltrans is determining the feasibility of this proposal. We all want an off ramp that more smoothly serves the substantial traffic at this location.

New Hollywood Central Park Proposed to Cap 101 Freeway

The Hollywood Central Park Coalition, a group of Hollywood-based community members spearheaded by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, has created an innovative proposal to bring a new, 24 acre street-level park to Hollywood.  The idea is to cover the Hollywood Freeway, as it passes below grade level between the Sunset Blvd. and Hollywood Blvd. overpasses, six blocks from Hollywood and Vine.   This proposal has generated a great deal of excitement from a community that is world-renowned for its entertainment district, but also is one of Los Angeles' most densely populated areas-- with 50% less park space than the overall city average.  I am pleased to be a strong supporter.

The new Hollywood Central Park would be accessible by two subway stops and numerous bus lines.  It would not only provide dozens of acres of new green space, but also reconnect at ground level the two halves of Hollywood that have been split by the 101 Freeway.  Other communities have successfully built similar freeway "cap parks", including Phoenix and Seattle.

The Coalition has received a $100,000 grant from the Community Redevelopment Agency and more than $60,000 in additional funding from Hollywood's local neighborhood councils, businesses and individuals to initiate a project feasibility study.  The Southern California Association of Governments has selected the proposed park as a demonstration project and the Coalition is working with the California Department of Transportation and other government agencies to move forward with the proposal. 

For more information, please visit www.hollywoodfreewaycentralpark.org. 

Census Data: San Fernando Valley

Assemblymember Feuer at Valley Census Press Conference

In June, the Census Bureau announced a proposal to eliminate Census County Divisions.  This proposal would be a step backwards.  Consequently, I joined a team of federal, state, and local elected officials at a press event to urge that the Census Bureau continue collecting Valley-specific data and sent a letter to the Director of the Census Bureau requesting that it do so.  I am hopeful that strong feedback from our community will convince the Census Bureau that this data is valuable and useful.

"Best of the San Fernando Valley" 

On June 15 I was pleased to attend the Valley Industry and Commerce Association's (VICA) annual "Best of the SFV" Awards Dinner, in Universal City.  This perennially important event honors successful Valley businesses and advocates, and is an opportunity to celebrate the companies that help our economy grow and prosper.  This year's honorees included Sherman Oaks Hospital, Thomas Properties Group, AmeriTel Inc., Time Warner Cable, Southern California Gas Company, California United Bank, Los Angeles City Councilman Greig Smith, and VICA Advocate Carolyn Casavan.  I join with VICA in congratulating these awardees, and look forward to working with business leaders to make our state attractive for new and expanding businesses.

Beverly Hills City Council Meeting in August

Vice Mayor Barry Brucker, Councilmember Frank Fenton, Assemblymember Mike Feuer, Mayor Jimmy Delshad, Councilmember Nancy Krasne and Councilmember Linda Briskman

2007 Homeowner and Renter Assistance Program

The State Franchise Tax Board offers financial assistance to California Homeowners and Renters meeting certain conditions of age, blindness or permanent disability.  My office can provide you with the necessary forms and assistance in filling them out through October 15.  To request a form please contact us at (310) 285-5490 or (818) 902-0521.

In a previous newsletter I outlined the debate in Sacramento about how best to regulate the safety of spinach and other leafy greens.  One solution, a voluntary "marketing agreement" whereby packagers would agree only to purchase spinach from farms adopting best safety practices, is already in development.  A package of bills that would have required the State Public Health Officer to regulate spinach growers through inspections and penalties passed the State Senate, but died recently in the Assembly Committee on Agriculture.
 
I will continue to monitor the progress of the marketing agreement and advocate any necessary steps to keep our produce supply safe.

AB 645 (Traffic Violations) - AB 645 is a public safety measure that will prohibit courts from dismissing 2-point violations and masking them by merely requiring violators to attend traffic school.  These serious violations include driving under the influence, causing bodily injury while driving under the influence, hit-and-run accidents, and reckless driving.  In addition, this legislation will give judges the discretion to reject violators' requests to dismiss serious traffic related misdemeanor convictions.  

AB 645 was signed into law on Monday, July 30.

AB 398 (Nursing Home Comparisons) - There is little information enabling consumers to compare nursing home quality when deciding where to place a loved one.  AB 398 would require the Department of Public Health to establish a website for consumers to meaningfully compare the quality of nursing homes.  The site would include information on nursing staff, complaints and deficiencies and other validated indicators of quality. 

AB 398 has passed the Assembly, and the Senate Health Committee, and will be heard in the Senate Appropriations Committee at the end of August.

AB 399 (Nursing Home Complaints) - A recent state audit noted that the state takes too long to investigate nursing home complaints.  The consequences of waiting too long to investigate, of course, can be devastating.  AB 399 would improve the quality and timeliness of investigations into claims of nursing home abuse and neglect.  The Department of Public Health would be required to complete investigations within 40 working days and provide a written summary of the findings to the complainant.  The bill also would close a loophole that allows reports of abuse and neglect, self-reported by nursing homes, to go without investigation indefinitely. 

AB 399 has passed the Assembly, and Senate Health Committee, and will be heard in the Senate Appropriations Committee at the end of August.

AB 467 (Access to Courts) - The current statute containing procedures for granting filing fee waivers for litigants who cannot afford to pay these fees is cumbersome and confusing, and courts have implemented the statute in ways that are inconsistent with its underlying intent-to allow access to the courts for those who cannot afford the cost of basic court fees.  This bill would replace the current statute with a clearer and more comprehensive procedure that would allow indigent litigants to get their day in court.

AB 467 has passed the Assembly, and the Senate Judiciary Committee, and will be heard on the Senate Floor at the end of August.

AB 558 (Toxics Use Reduction Act) - AB 558 would reduce the use of chemicals that cause cancer and reproductive harm by California manufacturers.  Modeled on Massachusetts legislation that over 18 years has reduced the use of toxics by 41% and toxic byproducts by 65%, this bill would impose a fee on users of toxic chemicals to fund research to help industry transition to nontoxic alternatives. 

AB 558 has passed the Assembly, and Senate Environmental Quality Committee, and will be heard in the Senate Appropriations Committee at the end of August.

AB 1109 (Lighting Efficiency & Toxics Reduction Act) - Jointly authored with Assemblymember Jared Huffman, this bill would require reductions in energy usage for lighting, encourage the use of more efficient lighting technologies, reduce hazardous waste in lighting and increase recycling opportunities.

AB 1109 has passed the Assembly, and the Senate Committees on Energy, Utilities, and Communications and Environmental Quality.  It will be heard in the Senate Appropriations at the end of August.

AB 1269 (Burn Center: Workers Compensation Reimbursement) - AB 1269 is jointly authored with Assemblymember Ed Hernandez.  One unintended consequence of the workers' compensation reforms of 2003-04 was to place burn centers into the same group as other hospital services when it comes to reimbursement rates.  Since the costs of providing treatment to burn patients are significantly higher than for other forms of care, the current rates threaten the viability of several burn centers in California, including the Grossman Burn Center in Sherman Oaks.  This legislation would revise the reimbursement formula for burn centers so they can provide high quality care.

AB 1269 has passed the Assembly, and the Senate Labor and Industrial Relations Committee, and will be heard in the Senate Appropriations Committee at the end of August.

AB 1410 (Traumatic Brain Injury Waiver) - AB 1410 would use existing state dollars to draw down federal dollars to assist Medi-Cal eligible patients diagnosed with traumatic brain injury.

AB 1410 has passed the Assembly, and Senate Health Committee, and will be heard in the Senate Appropriations Committee at the end of August.

AB 1442 (Rapid HIV Testing) - Rapid HIV testing is crucial to efforts to curb the spread of HIV/AIDS.  Rapid HIV test results are available within 20 minutes.  More traditional testing can take 2-3 days to yield results - a time period which is problematic when individuals do no return to find out the results and, unaware they are HIV-positive, spread the virus to others.  Existing state regulations related to HIV testing were written prior to the advent of rapid HIV testing.  The current requirements make it costly and overly burdensome for clinics to legally perform rapid HIV tests.  AB 1442 would remove these regulatory road blocks to rapid HIV testing. 

AB 1442 has passed the Assembly, and the Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee, and will be heard on the Senate Floor at the end of August.

AB 1471 (The Crime Gun Identification Act of 2007) - Though currently police and sheriffs recover spent shell casings at murder scenes, they frequently have no leads to investigate.  This is because the shell casings do not contain sufficient markings to identify the gun from which they were fired.  The technology exists, however, to mark each shell casing with a distinctive code that names the make, model and serial number of the gun from which it was fired.  AB 1471 would require that all new models of semiautomatic handguns sold in California after January 1, 2010 be equipped with a microscopic array of characters that identify the make, model and serial number of the gun.  The characters would be imprinted on each cartridge case when the firearm is fired.  Thus, AB 1471 would allow law enforcement to positively link used cartridge casings recovered at a crime scene to the crime gun, helping law enforcement solve handgun crimes, reducing gang violence and decreasing trafficking of new semi-automatic guns.

AB 1471 has passed the Assembly, and Senate Public Safety Committee, and will be heard on the Senate Floor at the end of August. 

AB 1473 (Recycling Facilities) - AB 1473 is designed to divert waste from our landfills, such as Sunshine Canyon in Los Angeles.  The bill would give local solid waste enforcement agencies the discretion to allow a limited extension of time for existing recycling facilities to obtain permits.  Many of these facilities contract with local jurisdictions to help sort and market recyclable materials.  Some recyclers that previously did not need solid waste permits now need them.  This is because the increase in participation in recycling programs has also increased the residual trash that comes through these facilities, which triggers permitting requirements.  This bill would allow them more time to comply with and obtain necessary permits, while still assisting local jurisdictions to continue with successful recycling programs.

AB 1473 has passed the Assembly, and the Senate Environmental Quality Committee, and will be heard in the Senate Appropriations Committee at the end of August.

AB 1552 (Petroleum Industry Information Reporting Act) - AB 1552 is part of a three-bill package designed to address the issue of high gasoline prices and the strain they place on the wallets of California's families.  This bill would require the California Energy Commission (CEC) to analyze and report on oil supply, demand, and price issues.  Last year, the CEC expressed a need for this legislation so it could obtain additional oil company data and authority to better coordinate with the Attorney General and Board of Equalization.   

AB 1552 has passed the Assembly, and the Senate Energy, Utilities, and Communications Committee, and will be heard in the Senate Appropriations Committee at the end of August.

AB 1673 (Truth in Advertising: Rebates) - Modeled on successful laws in Connecticut and in Rode Island, AB 1673 is a truth in advertising bill requiring a retailer to charge the consumer the advertised price for a product for which rebates are available.

AB 1673 has passed the Assembly, and the Senate Judiciary Committee, and will be heard on the Senate Floor at the end of August.

AJR 20 (Mayor Tom Bradley Commemorative Stamp) - Assembly Joint Resolution (AJR) 20 urges the Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee of the United States Postal Service to issue a commemorative postal stamp in honor of the late Mayor Tom Bradley of Los Angeles. 

AJR 20 has passed the Assembly and will be heard on the Senate Floor at the end of August.

At 4:00 a.m. Friday, July 20th, the State Assembly voted to approve a spending plan for the 2007-2008 Fiscal Year.  To date the Senate has been unable to approve a budget.  This has been an excruciating budget year, with Democrats struggling to protect education funding at all levels, and to find the resources to prevent the cuts to vital programs for poor children, blind and disabled people, and others.  The Assembly-approved state budget includes the following features:

CalWORKS: Provides $314 million to serve 190,000 of California's neediest children through the California Opportunities and Responsibility for Kids Programs (CalWORKS).  This program provides temporary financial assistance (for housing, food, clothing, utilities and medical care) and employment services to families with minor children who have income and property below the State maximum limits for their family size.  The Governor and the Republican legislators had proposed eliminating this funding. 

Medi-Cal:  Fully funds caseload and county administration and includes $214.3 million for managed care rate increases.

Homeless Mentally Ill:   Provides $55 million to the Homeless Mentally Ill Program.   The Governor had proposed eliminating this funding. 

Access to Higher Education:  Provides $26.3 million for academic preparation programs for the UC and CSU systems.  The Governor had proposed eliminating this funding.

K-12 Education:  Provides full funding of Proposition 98, including cost of living adjustments for education.  Proposition 98 was approved by the voters in 1988 to guarantee funding to public schools and community colleges.

Juvenile Justice:  Reforms the state's juvenile justice system to improve rehabilitative services to juveniles, and enhances local community resources to respond to juvenile crime and delinquency. 

Clean Air and Protecting the Environment: Begins implementation of California's landmark Global Warming Solution Act (AB 32) and provides significant funding for clean air and environmental protection efforts in connection with voter-approved transportation bond appropriations.

Proposition 42 (Transportation Funding):  Provides full funding for Proposition 42.  In 2002 the voters approved Proposition 42 which requires revenues resulting from the state sales and use taxes on the sale of motor vehicle fuel be used for transportation purposes. 

Public Transportation:  As many of you know, balancing the budget without increasing taxes and fees resulted in heavy cuts to public transit.  The Assembly's budget restores $200 million of the Governor's proposed $1.3 billion public transit cut.  It also rejects the Governor's proposal to permanently use $830 million of so-called Spillover revenues (a public transit funding source) for General Fund purposes and instead lays out a new formula to protect significant Spillover funds for future public transportation purposes.

The Assembly passed budget contains a number of specific items important to residents of the 42nd Assembly District:

Transportation

Proposition 42 Funds:

State Transportation Improvement Program:  Los Angeles County will receive $135.7 million of these funds.

Proposition 1B Funds:

Traffic Light Signal Synchronization Program:  Proposition 1B requires Caltrans to develop a program for the statewide distribution of funds in this $250 million program.  Allocations would be made by the California Transportation Commission (CTC).  The Assembly approved bond implementing legislation that requires $150 of the $250 million to be allocated to the City of Los Angeles for the completion of city-wide installation and upgrade of traffic signal synchronization technology. 

Local Street and Road Improvement, Congestion Relief and Traffic Safety Fund:  Appropriates $950 million for this program.  Under the funding formula, Los Angeles County would receive $76 million, City of Los Angeles would receive $62.89 million, Beverly Hills would receive $1.1 million, and West Hollywood would receive $1.2 million.

Public Safety

Gang Prevention:  Provides $9.5 million in local assistance to cities and community-based organizations to provide meaningful alternatives to gang affiliation.  $3 million of that $9 million is allocated to three local assistance grants ($1 million each) to 1) the City of Los Angeles, 2) the Bay Area, and 3) the Central Valley.

Probation Services:  Provides $10 million to support two pilot probation programs within local agencies, including Los Angeles County.

Natural Resources

Clean Beaches:  Appropriates $8.8 million from Proposition 84 funds, including $1.76 million for Santa Monica Bay restoration.  In 2006 voters approved $5.4 billion of bonds for a wide variety of projects related to water safety, rivers, beaches, levees, watersheds, and parks and forests.

Department of Veterans Affairs:  Provides $621,000 to support start-up costs associated with the opening of the Greater Los Angeles/Ventura Counties Veterans home.

I hope you will come and meet with me personally at any of these upcoming events in our community.  If your neighborhood is having a meeting or celebration, please let my staff know.   My office can be reached at 310-285-5490 or 818-902-0521.

August 22, 2007
405 Draft Environmental Impact Report Public Hearing
Skirball Cultural Center
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Contact Ellen Isaacs of my staff or Ron Kosinski at Caltrans, (213)-897-0703

September 19
Sherman Oaks Homeowners Association
The Sunkist Building at 14130 Riverside Drive, Sherman Oaks
Note:  6:30pm - Social, 7:30pm - Meeting
Contact Damian Carroll of my staff for further information. 

September 20, 2007
Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce's Government Affairs Committee
Beverly Hills City Hall
8:00 a.m.
Contact Ellen Isaacs of my staff or David Choi at the Chamber, (310)-248-1000

September 20, 2007
Sherman Oaks Chamber of Commerce Luncheon
Café Bizou at14016 Ventura Boulevard, Sherman Oaks
Noon
RSVP required, please contact Alan Ehrlich at (818) 906-1951

October 1, 2007
Beverly Hills Rotary Luncheon
Beverly Hills Hotel
Noon
Contact: http://www.bhrotary.org/

October 6, 2007
Canstruction LA 2007 Awards Ceremony
Westfield Fashion Square, 14006 Riverside Drive, Sherman Oaks
5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Contact Damian Carroll of my staff for further information.

October 9, 2007       
West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Monthly Leadership Council Luncheon
Abbey Restaurants and Bar
Noon
Contact the West Hollywood Chamber at (323) 650-2688.

October 9, 2007
Studio City Residents Association
The Beverly Garland Hotel, meeting room on 2nd floor adjacent to the parking structure
7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Contact Damian Carroll of my staff for more information.

October 17, 2007
Studio City Neighborhood Council
CBS Radford Studios in Studio City, Annex Bldg. #1
Social time from 6:30-7:00, meeting starts at 7:00
Contact Damian Carroll of my staff for further information.

October 23, 2007
Westside Transportation Partners
Location to be Determined
7:30 a.m.
Contact Ellen Isaacs of my staff.

November 6, 2007
Brentwood Community Council
Donald Kaufman Public Library at 11820 San Vicente Boulevard
7:00 p.m.
Contact Ellen Isaacs of my staff further information

Ryan Kawamoto is my legislative assistant for my Sacramento Capitol office on transportation, education, insurance, government organization, jobs, economic development, arts and entertainment policy. 

Ryan previously served for four years as a field representative and legislative assistant for former Assembly Majority Leader Wilma Chan.  Working with Assemblymember Chan, Ryan ran a campaign to warn constituents about the dangers of consuming fish from the San Francisco Bay and developed health workshops reaching 40,000 constituents. He has also staffed legislation that has protected the elderly from fraud, provided rehabilitative services to lower crime rates, guaranteed the rights of school employees and created incentives for cleaner air.

A lifelong resident of California, Ryan is a former mathematics teacher for a summer program targeting disadvantaged youth in Oakland and a former writing tutor for first-generation undergraduate students in San Diego. He originally came to the State Capitol as a fellow through the Jesse Marvin Unruh Assembly Fellowship Program, one of the nation's oldest and most prestigious legislative fellowship programs.

Ryan is also active in important community affairs.  He is a member of the Executive Board of Directors for the Asian Pacific Youth Leadership Project (APYLP), a non-profit organization that sponsors an all-expense paid four day conference held at the California State Capitol for fifty juniors and seniors attending California high schools. The mission of APYLP is to inspire youths to engage in the political process, develop leadership and public speaking skills, and learn first hand about the legislative process by participating in a mock legislature where the participants analyze, present and vote on policy proposals.

Ryan currently is staffing my legislative proposals to obtain more federal dollars for services for patients with traumatic brain injuries, provide on going funds for the state's data system to track the dropout rate of high school students, and ensure truth in advertising through a proposal that would protect consumers in transactions involving mail-in rebates. Along with the rest of my Capitol staff, he can be reached at (916) 319-2042.