Friday, April 5, 2013

Assembly Public Safety Committee Passes Weber’s Bill Requiring Further Training for Peace Officers



SACRAMENTO, CA- Assemblymember Shirley N. Weber’s (D-San Diego) AB 979, which would require peace officers assigned to a jurisdiction that includes navigable waters to complete a course in basic maritime operations passed the Assembly Public Safety  Committee on Tuesday, April 2, 2013 with a 7-0 bipartisan vote.

Sponsored by the Port of Los Angeles, AB 979 requires specified peace officers assigned to a jurisdiction that includes navigable waters to complete a course in basic maritime operations.   The course would be required only if the local governing body opts in and if the federal Department of Homeland Security provides funding.

“By having basic training for maritime peace officers, ports in California will be better served in emergency situations, such as man-made or natural disasters,” said Assemblymember Weber.
As a result of post-9/11 homeland security and post security missions, maritime training has not only evolved but has also become a necessity among law enforcement agencies whose jurisdictions include maritime areas. It is critical for agencies, such as the Coast Guard, Sheriff’s departments, and police departments, to enhance their maritime presence, adequacy and consistency of training.

Ensuring that our ports and waterways are secure is important to protecting California, and we must be sure that our officers are properly trained to handle any issues that may arise.  This measure achieves this objective.

AB 979 is supported by the Port of Los Angeles, California Association of Harbor Masters and Port Captains, the California Association of Port Authorities, and the National Marine Manufacturers Association. The legislation will next be heard in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

Senator Ben Hueso Endorses Lorena Gonzalez in 80th Assembly District Election

Hueso Endorses Lorena to Replace Him in Assembly; Says She is Strongest Candidate for Rebuilding Middle Class


CHULA VISTA – (Friday, April 5, 2013) – State Senator Ben Hueso today announced his endorsement of pro-jobs Democrat Lorena Gonzalez's campaign for the 80th Assembly District.

Hueso represented the 80th Assembly District from 2010 until this March, when he was elected to the State Senate in a special election. Prior to his election to the Assembly, Hueso served as City Council President and Councilmember to San Diego neighborhoods in the South Bay and the Historic Barrio District.

“I support Lorena Gonzalez because she will provide honest representation to the people of the 80th Assembly District and she's committed to fighting for the Middle Class,” said State Senator Ben Hueso. “There is no better candidate than Lorena Gonzalez for the State Assembly.”

Lorena served as Hueso’s alternate on the California Coastal Commission and the two leaders have partnered on numerous initiatives, including legislation signed into law by Gov. Brown last year that protects Social Security benefits for public safety personnel (AB 1248).

Lorena is a candidate to replace Hueso in the 80th Assembly District, which includes Chula Vista, National City and the City of San Diego neighborhoods of San Ysidro, City Heights, Barrio Logan, Sherman Heights, Otay Mesa, Paradise Hills and Golden Hill. The special election for the 80th Assembly District is scheduled for Tuesday, May 21.

Learn more about Lorena’s campaign at www.VoteLorena.com  or by e-mail VoteLorena@gmail.com.

Thursday, April 4, 2013

COMMITTEE APPROVES ATKINS BILL TO EXPAND FINANCING FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING

(Sacramento)  A bill to ensure that state tax credits for developers who build low income housing for special needs populations are available where they are most needed was advanced today on a unanimous vote by the Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee.  AB 952, authored by Assembly Majority Leader Toni Atkins, lifts current restrictions on where these tax credits can be used so that the state’s most expensive areas, as well as those with the highest poverty rates, are eligible.   At least half of the planned housing will be required to serve special needs populations such as the homeless, pregnant and parenting teens, and the disabled.

“This bill makes sense from both a business and a humanitarian viewpoint.  AB 952 ensures that no tax credits go unused, while it also benefits Californians with the greatest need for housing,” says Atkins. “Housing developments for special needs populations require substantial subsidies because of the extremely low incomes of residents.  But these subsidies pay off for the state in the long run in terms of quality of life and reduced healthcare and social services costs.”

Funding for affordable housing in California has significantly declined in recent years, due to the loss of tax increment revenues designated for this purpose from now defunct redevelopment areas; a tightening since the recession of what was already difficult to secure bank financing; and the spend-down of housing funds generated by two statewide ballot measures, Props 1C and 63. Currently, areas where affordable housing is most needed -- Difficult to Develop Areas (DDAs,) where housing is most expensive, and Qualified Census Tracts (QCTs,) which have a high level of poor residents -- are ineligible for state low income tax credits because those areas receive similar federal tax credits.  However, due to a lack of demand outside of these two high-need areas, the state Tax Credit Allocation Committee has had as much as $25 million in state credits remaining at the end of the year.  This bill would allow some of those credits to be applied in DDAs and QCTs for special needs housing.

AB 952 will next be heard in the Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee.

County Supervisor Greg Cox Endorses Lorena Gonzalez in 80th Assembly District Special Election

Longtime Republican Supervisor and Former Chula Vista Mayor Hails Lorena as “Committed to Creating Jobs”


CHULA VISTA – (Thursday, April 4, 2013) – Greg Cox, the longtime County Supervisor for the South Bay, today announced his endorsement of pro-jobs Democrat Lorena Gonzalez's campaign for the 80th Assembly District.

Cox, a Republican, has represented the South Bay on the San Diego County Board of Supervisors since 1995. Before becoming a County Supervisor, Cox was Mayor (1981-1990) and City Councilman (1976-1981) of Chula Vista. Cox also served as Executive Director of the South County Economic Development Corp. and as an educator in the Sweetwater Union High School District.

“I have worked with Lorena and I know she is committed to creating jobs and protecting the middle class,” Cox said. “With only two candidates in this race, I will be casting my vote for Lorena and encourage other South Bay voters to do the same.”

Lorena and Supervisor Cox partnered in 2010 on a common-sense approach to protecting the jobs of concession, parking and hospitality employees at the San Diego International Airport upon a change in contractor.

Gonzalez is a candidate to replace State Senator-elect Ben Hueso in the 80th Assembly District, which includes Chula Vista, National City and the City of San Diego neighborhoods of San Ysidro, City Heights, Barrio Logan, Sherman Heights, Otay Mesa, Paradise Hills and Golden Hill. The special election for the 80th Assembly District is scheduled for Tuesday, May 21.

Learn more about Lorena’s campaign at www.VoteLorena.com  or by e-mail VoteLorena@gmail.com.

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Congressman Juan Vargas Endorses Lorena Gonzalez in 80th Assembly District Special Election

Longtime South Bay Leader Says Lorena Will Be Strongest Voice for Rebuilding the Middle Class in California


CHULA VISTA – (Tuesday, April 2, 2013) – U.S. Congressman Juan Vargas today announced his endorsement of pro-jobs Democrat Lorena Gonzalez's campaign for the 80th Assembly District.

Vargas was elected to Congress last year after representing the San Diego County’s South Bay communities in the State Senate (2010-2013), State Assembly (2001-2007), and San Diego City Council (1993-2000). Lorena and the Congressman have partnered on developing policies to preserve small and neighborhood businesses, to prevent renewable energy jobs from being exported out of the region, and to protect social security benefits for public safety personnel.

“I have endorsed Lorena Gonzalez because she has a proven track record of delivering for our communities in Chula Vista, South San Diego and National City.” Vargas said. “No one is more committed for fighting for the middle class than Lorena.”

Lorena is a candidate to replace State Senator-elect Ben Hueso in the 80th Assembly District, which includes Chula Vista, National City and the City of San Diego neighborhoods of San Ysidro, City Heights, Barrio Logan, Sherman Heights, Otay Mesa, Paradise Hills and Golden Hill. The special election for the 80th Assembly District is scheduled for Tuesday, May 21.

Learn more about Lorena’s campaign at www.VoteLorena.com  or by e-mail at VoteLorena@gmail.com.



Victor Gonzalez Endorses Steve Castaneda for Assembly  

Putting Community Before Self-Interest Matters


CHULA VISTA, Calif. – Being a problem solver and committed to the community, Victor Gonzalez, President of the San Diego County Chapter of the National Latino Peace Officers Association, proudly announces his support of Steve Castaneda for Assembly.

Gonzalez, a resident of the 80th Assembly District, and the NLPOA organization share a mission to honor family, education and community through service and mentorship.

“Steve Castaneda is the best candidate for Assembly in the 80th District because I know that his commitment to our community is genuine,” said Victor Gonzalez, President of the NLPOA’s San Diego County Chapter. “Steve has been serving our community for more than two decades and isn’t someone who recently moved into the district for personal or political gain.

“We have serious problems in our community and in our state and Steve Castaneda is the only candidate who has a proven track record of improving the lives of all people in our community.”
Gonzalez says that Castaneda is the best choice for the 80th Assembly District in the upcoming special election being held on May 21, 2013.       

About Steve Castaneda for State Assembly
Steve Castaneda, a fiscally conservative Democrat, is a small business owner and former Chula Vista councilmember. He is the father of two sons and is married to his wife, Tanya Mannes Castaneda. The 80th Assembly District is located in southwest California, encompassing portions of Chula Vista, National City and San Diego. The 80th District special election is a result of a vacancy created by former Assemblyman Ben Hueso's election to the California State Senate.

For more information, visit www.castanedaforassembly.com. Join our online communities on FaceBook and Twitter for campaign updates.