Gov. Brown Signs Into Law Assembly Bills 1024 and 1159 by Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez

San Diego-area Assemblywoman’s Bills Are Part of State’s Efforts to Empower California’s Immigrants As Federal Reform Stalls

SAN DIEGO – (Saturday, Oct. 5, 2013) – California State Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego) applauded Gov. Jerry Brown’s announcement today that he signed into law legislation authored by Gonzalez to provide the state’s undocumented immigrants with consumer protections and career opportunities that will improve their quality of life and allow them to more productively contribute to California’s economy.

Brown signed into law Assembly Bills 1024 and 1159, both authored by Assemblywoman Gonzalez, as well as six other bills protecting immigrants on today’s National Immigration Day of Action, where rallies across the United States will draw attention to Congress’ inability to pass federal comprehensive immigration reform. Assemblywoman Gonzalez participated in one such rally at San Diego’s Balboa Park this morning.

AB 1024 will authorize the State Bar to award law licenses for immigrants who pass the State Bar exam. AB 1152 cracks down on immigration scams that have frequently surfaced since the President and Congress announced immigration reform that includes a pathway to citizenship was imminent.

“San Diego County and the rest of California has waited on Congress to fix our broken federal immigration laws for too long, but we can’t wait any longer. Our state must do what it can to improve the lives of people who are falling through the cracks because of Congress’ inaction,” Gonzalez said. “I want to thank Governor Brown for approving a package of reforms my State Capitol colleagues and I crafted to protect, empower and improve the quality of life for our friends, neighbors, co-workers and family members who are suffering under the status quo.”

Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez authored AB 1024 in an effort to permit the California State Supreme Court to admit as an attorney any applicant that has passed the State Bar examination and fulfilled all other requirements.

AB 1024 is a direct response to a case currently pending at the California State Supreme Court. Recently, the Court heard testimony in the case In Re Sergio C. Garcia on Admission (S202512), which concerned Mr. Garcia’s petition to obtain a law license in California.  Having passed the State Bar examination and fulfilled all other requirements, Mr. Garcia was routinely sworn into the legal profession in 2011.  Two weeks later, his license was rescinded on the basis that the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act passed by Congress in 1996 prohibits undocumented immigrants from receiving professional licenses with the use of public funds, unless state law explicitly overrides it.

“AB 1024 completes the promise we’ve made to DREAMers who have worked hard, studied hard, passed the Bar exam and now just want the right to make a living for themselves as an attorney,” Gonzalez said. “I am also thrilled that the Governor’s endorsement of this law could lead to a positive outcome for Sergio Garcia, who through no fault of his own has been kept from reaching his own American Dream of becoming a lawyer.”

Gov. Brown also signed AB 1159, which would require that lawyers and consultants performing services under the pending federal immigration reform act abide by common sense business practices. Assemblywoman Gonzalez authored the bill in order to protect more than 2.5 million potentially eligible Californians from the unauthorized practice of law by non-lawyers, fraud, and unnecessary mistakes that could jeopardize a client’s pursuit of citizenship or – worse – result in deportation. The bill, which was sponsored by the State Bar of California, received unanimous support in both the Assembly and the Senate.

“As millions of California families face the historic opportunity of improving their lives by pursuing a pathway to citizenship, the state must be ready to ensure immigration services are performed by competent professionals and include anti-fraud protections,” Assemblywoman Gonzalez said. “AB 1159 prepares California for this upswing in demand by creating more accountability and transparency in an otherwise daunting process for immigrants, who are already targets of fraud now.”

Under AB 1159, the state will crack down on the unscrupulous practice by some professionals to demand payment for immigration reform services by promising that clients could “cut to the front of the line” when federal immigration reform is eventually enacted by paying now. AB 1159 would prohibit those advanced payments. The bill also increases the bonding requirements for non-attorneys performing immigration reform services and requires that contracts for immigration reform services include a disclaimer about how to report immigration fraud to the State Bar or Attorney General in the language of the client receiving the services.

AB 1159 also expands current law to apply to “anyone who is not an attorney” from advertising as a “notario,” not just notaries public. This ban prevents confusion that has oftentimes been capitalized upon by non-attorneys hoping to present themselves as attorneys, as a “notario” in many Latin American nations is a type of lawyer.

In addition to Assemblywoman Gonzalez’s bills, Gov. Brown also signed into law other immigrant-related bills, including his approval on Wednesday of AB 60 by Assemblyman Luis Alejo (D-Watsonvillle) to provide driver’s licenses to undocumented immigrants who qualify.

Other immigration-related bills signed into law by Gov. Brown on Saturday:

•            AB 4 , known as the “TRUST Act,” by Assemblymember Tom Ammiano (D-San Francisco) – Prohibits a law enforcement official from detaining an individual on the basis of a United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) hold after that individual becomes eligible for release from custody, unless specified conditions are met.

•            AB 35 by Assemblymember Roger Hernández (D-West Covina) – Provides that immigration consultants, attorneys, notaries public, and organizations accredited by the United States Board of Immigration Appeals are the only individuals authorized to charge a fee for providing services associated with filing an application under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's deferred action program.

•            AB 524 by Assemblymember Kevin Mullin (D-South San Francisco) – Provides that a threat to report the immigration status or suspected immigration status of an individual or the individual's family may induce fear sufficient to constitute extortion.

•            SB 141 by Senator Lou Correa (D-Santa Ana) – Requires that the California Community Colleges and the California State University, and requests that the University of California, exempt a United States citizen who resides in a foreign country, and is in their first year as a matriculated student, from nonresident tuition if the student demonstrates financial need, has a parent or guardian who was deported or voluntarily departed from the U. S., lived in California immediately before moving abroad, and attended a secondary school in California for at least three years.

•            SB 150 by Senator Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens) – Authorizes a community college district to exempt pupils attending community colleges as a special part-time student from paying nonresident tuition.

•            SB 666 by Senator Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) – Provides for a suspension or revocation of an employer's business license for retaliation against employees and others on the basis of citizenship and immigration status, and establishes a civil penalty up to $10,000 per violation.

Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez represents the 80th Assembly District, which includes Chula Vista, National City and the San Diego neighborhoods of City Heights, Barrio Logan, Paradise Hills, San Ysidro and Otay Mesa. For more information, visit http://asmdc.org/members/a80/. 

WEBER INVITES PUBLIC TO PRESENT LEGISLATIVE IDEAS FOR 2014

San Diego, CA - Assemblymember Shirley N. Weber (D-San Diego) will host a Legislative Brainstorming Session Saturday, October 12, 2013 to consider new bill ideas for the next legislative year that begins January 6, 2014.  California State legislators are allowed up to 40 bills in each two-year legislative session, and Assemblymember Weber invites her constituents to share their ideas for her 2014 legislative bill package at this event that will occur from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Zamorano Elementary School, 2655 Casey St; San Diego, CA 92139. 

The session will feature a presentation by Assemblymember Weber, explaining “How a Bill Idea becomes a Law” including what it takes to process a bill idea and how the legislative process works.  Additionally, Assemblymember Weber will share her perspective as a decision-maker and her legislative involvement and accomplishments this past year.
During the event, attendees will break into sessions based on the following topics of interest:
    •    Room 1: Education and Higher Education
    •    Room 2: Health and Human Services/Woman’s Issues
    •    Room 3: Economic Development/Transportation and Environment
    •    Room 4: Veterans/Housing/and Other Issues

The purpose of these sessions is to allow constituents the opportunity to share their concepts directly with the Assemblymember and her staff.

For additional event information or to RSVP, please contact LaShae Collins (lashae.collins@asm.ca.gov) or Tanisha Martin-Chiles (tanisha.martin-chiles@asm.ca.gov) or call 619-531-7913.

Block to state utilities commission: San Onofre closure costs should be paid by operators and shareholders

Block urges repayment to ratepayers of revenue already collected to pay for failed generators

SAN DIEGO—State Senator Marty Block today released the following statement at the San Diego meeting of the California Public Utilities Commission investigative hearing into the outage of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS):

“Dear Commissioner Florio and members of the California Public Utilities Commission:

“Thank you for conducting this important hearing today in my community of San Diego.

“Radioactive leaks in the steam generators at San Onofre resulted in reported costs of more than $768 million. It is unclear how accurate this estimate is and what unknown future costs will occur as the removal, cleanup and replacement of this energy source are undertaken.

“While the “easy fix” may be to pass these costs on to ratepayers, I strongly urge your opposition to any attempt to convert ratepayers into the ATM for any unreasonable expenses that led to the closure of San Onofre.

“I also urge you to require that Southern California Edison – SCE – provide documentation of costs and act in a transparent manner before increasing utility rates to cover any portion of the costs related to the failed steam generators.

“This is especially critical as Southern California Edison’s decision to prematurely retire the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) was a choice, made by its internal management, absent any input by any state regulatory authorities.

“These outlays related to the utility’s decision to retire the plant, should rightly be charged to the plant’s operators and their shareholders – not to California ratepayers.


“In addition, Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas & Electric have already collected an estimated $1.6 billion from California ratepayers to defray the San Onofre-related expenditures before any investigation regarding the appropriateness of this revenue collection has been concluded. 

“It would be highly unjust to make California ratepayers financially liable for both the ongoing costs of keeping the plant on life support while also being charged for replacement power while the plant was idle.

“I urge the PUC to rule that:

    1.    Ratepayers not be charged for any of the estimated $768.5 million spent as part of the steam generator replacement project at SONGS;

    2.    SONGS operators should cease to charge ratepayers for ‘operational costs,’ capital costs and other expenditures associated with the non-operational power plant; and

    3.    Ratepayers be reimbursed for revenues collected while SONGS stood idle from January 2012 to the present.

“The Commission has a duty under Public Utilities Code Section 451 to ensure that all utility charges are just and reasonable. The three steps I list are necessary to ensure that consumers are protected from unjust and unreasonable rates associated with the SONGS termination.

“As the Public Utilities own Division of Ratepayer Advocates noted, charging ratepayers for the expenses of a non-operational plant is so clearly unreasonable that failure to eliminate SONGS costs from rates immediately would result in a violation of Section 451.

“I respectfully urge your full consideration of the three steps I have outlined.”

Assemblymember Weber’s Bill to Require Carbon Monoxide Detectors in New Schools Signed Into Law

 

SACRAMENTO, CA- Assemblymember Shirley N. Weber’s (D-San Diego) AB 56, which will require carbon monoxide detectors be installed in all public and private school buildings, was signed into law by Governor Brown earlier today.

AB 56 requires the State Fire Marshal to propose appropriate standards for the installation of carbon monoxide devices in school buildings, by January 1, 2015. With this guidance, the California Building Standards Commission will then include the standards in the 2016 California Building Standards Code, and any public or private school buildings built after these codes have been adopted in 2016 will be required to install carbon monoxide detectors.

On December 3, 2012, 43 students and 10 adults from Finch Elementary School in Atlanta, Georgia were evacuated and taken to the local hospital after firefighters discovered a carbon monoxide leak from the school’s furnace, causing it to work overtime and leak high levels of CO into the public areas and classrooms.

“Carbon monoxide detectors are essential to ensuring our children’s safety by detecting this poisonous gas early and all of our schools should have them. If we require fire and smoke detectors in schools, then it is a no brainer to require carbon monoxide detectors in schools to protect California students from this toxic gas and ensure they have a healthy learning environment,” said Assemblymember Weber.  

AB 56 received bipartisan support in both the Senate and Assembly and was co-authored by many other members of the state Legislature.                                  

David Alvarez: Building Blocks

From Working Families for a Better San Diego

ATKINS BILL THAT COULD EXPAND DEL MAR RACING SEASON SIGNED BY GOVERNOR

 

(San Diego) A bill by Assembly Majority Leader Toni Atkins to allow the California Horse Racing Board to reallocate racing dates currently held by Hollywood Park Race Track, which is closing at the end of its 2013 winter season, has been signed into law by the Governor.  The bill permits these dates to be distributed to the remaining Southern California tracks, most notably Santa Anita and Del Mar Racetracks. AB 1074 also renews for one year the statewide marketing organization administered by the horseracing industry.

“Horseracing fans from all over Southern California have travelled to Del Mar since before Bing Crosby sang about where the surf meets the turf,” says Atkins.  “My bill would position Del Mar to compete for the coveted Breeder’s Cup.  This would be exciting for horseracing fans and a tremendous boon to our local economy.”

The Breeder’s Cup is a two-day event that features one of racing’s largest purses and is estimated to bring as much as $60 million into the local economy of the racetrack that hosts it.

Hollywood Park was opened for racing in 1938.  The historic track has hosted some of racing’s most legendary horses, including Sea Biscuit, Affirmed and, more recently, Cigar.  However, after years as one of the premier racetracks in the United States, Hollywood Park will close this year to make way for a new retail/residential development.

Del Mar Racetrack is located at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, in the northern San Diego County city of Del Mar.  It was founded in 1937 by a partnership among a number of famous Hollywood celebrities, including Bing Crosby, Pat O’Brien, Gary Cooper, Joe E. Brown, and Oliver Hardy.

The marketing association renewed by this bill has been renewed every legislative session since it was established in 1998 by SB 27.  That bill delineated both how the funds for the association were to be collected and how they could be disbursed.

AB 1074 is supported by the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association, and Thoroughbred Owners of California.

Democrats Endorse Alvarez, Boot, Kim

The San Diego County Democratic Party endorsed David Alvarez for Mayor at a special meeting Tuesday night, tapping him as the candidate best prepared to fulfill the Democratic vision for San Diego that voters backed last year.

Members spoke in favor of both City Councilmember David Alvarez and former Assemblymember Nathan Fletcher. Alvarez garnered 62%, achieving the 60% threshold for endorsement on the first round of voting. Former City Attorney Mike Aguirre and Save Our Heritage Organisation leader Bruce Coons also sought the Party's support.

"Central Committee members have developed strong relationships with David Alvarez over the years and appreciate his record of progressive votes and values," said Francine Busby, Chair of the County Party. "We believe he will be an outstanding candidate and leader for our city."

Acknowledging the importance of keeping a Democrat in the Mayor's office in this very Democratic city, the Committee further voted to endorse any Democrat who makes it into a runoff against a Republican after the November 19 special election.

The Party also endorsed candidates Sarah Boot for San Diego City Council District 2 and Carol Kim for Council District 6. Both of them will be on the June 2014 ballot.

Environmental Health & Justice Campaign Endorses David Alvarez

Organization says candidate from Barrio Logan leads by protecting residents’ rights to clean air, green jobs and healthy neighborhoods

September 24, 2013— Today, Environmental Health & Justice Campaign (EHJC), an organization that empowers communities to achieve environmental justice, endorsed candidate David Alvarez for Mayor of San Diego. Focused on communities south of I-8, EHJC says that the Barrio Logan resident and candidate represents a critical chance to elect a leader who represents all San Diegans. It declared that communities of color located south of Interstate 8 have the voting power to ensure the District 8 Councilmember wins the special election on November 19.

"This is our time to finally a have a leader emerge from San Diego’s communities and guide our region into a new way of thinking for the next decade," said Diane Takvorian, executive director of EHJC. "For too long our communities have shouldered the burden of environmental injustice and Alvarez represents a sea change for the entire region.

According to EHJC, communities in urban south San Diego, such as City Heights, Barrio Logan, Logan Heights and Sherman Heights, have historically felt the burden of pollution, air quality issues and other environmental degradation from the lack of thoughtful leadership in the region.



"The time is now for our communities. Our children deserve clean air, and we want green jobs to improve our economy," said Beatriz Barraza, President of EHJC. "We have long been ignored by city hall, but we now have the opportunity to elect a mayor who understands, listens and takes action to our needs."



Alvarez has represented communities south of Interstate 8 as a city councilmember and has demonstrated leadership that protects the residents' rights to clean air, green jobs and healthy neighborhoods.  Alvarez recently led the effort to secure City Council approval for the Barrio Logan Community Plan Update, ensuring improved environmental and economic health.  EHJC also selected Alvarez because of this mayoral platform, which has prioritized neighborhood investment in infrastructure, parks and public safety.



"We want a mayor who understands the environmental, health and economic issues we've faced for generations and one who understands how we can work together to move beyond those burdens and achieve a greater quality of life for all," said Takvorian.



Environmental Health & Justic Campaign, a 501(c)(4) non-profit corporation is an affiliate of Environmental Health Coalition (EHC), a 501 c (3) organization. EHJC’s purpose is to advocate for public and private initiatives that protect public health and the environment by means of community education and community organizing, to monitor government and industry actions that cause pollution, and to engage in other activities that promote social and environmental justice.



Paid for by Environmental Health and Justice Campaign.  Not authorized by a candidate or a committee controlled by a candidate.

Former Democratic Party Heads Endorse Alvarez for Mayor of San Diego, Call on Central Committee to Follow

September 23, 2013, SAN DIEGO – Today, three former Chairs of the San Diego County Democratic Party: Maureen Steiner, Bob Jellison, and Kennan Kaeder, endorsed David Alvarez for mayor.  The Chairs called upon the County Democratic Party delegates to support Councilmember Alvarez in the Party's endorsement vote on Tuesday.

"David is truly the best person to represent the Party in this important upcoming election," said Maureen Steiner.  "He deserves the full support of the San Diego County Democratic community."
The three Chairs agreed that Councilmember Alvarez represents the values and character of the San Diego County Democratic Party.  As the progressive voice of the San Diego City Council, he has carried those issues effectively and consistently.

"David's candidacy has excited and energized the base of the Democratic Party which is critical in the upcoming special election, and to maintaining our progressive majority in San Diego," Bob Jellison said.

When comparing the record of Councilmember Alvarez to that of former Republican turned independent Assemblymember turned Democrat Nathan Fletcher,  "a vote for Fletcher is a vote for Faulconer," Kennan Kaeder stated.

Steiner was ultimately impressed by the combination of Alvarez's character, effectiveness, and viability.  "When he ran for City Council, he confounded expectations and proved naysayers wrong," she said.  "He has a proven track record of how to put the right team together with a winning strategy to build a broad progressive coalition.  I'm proud to support him and I call on my fellow Democrats to do the same."

Jellison added, "By providing a united voice of support for a candidate who truly personifies the values of the party, we will be sending a clear message to voters on November 19th."
More information can be found at www.alvarezformayor.com.

###

David Alvarez: The candidate for Mayor sharing the same values as all San Diegans - values that make San Diego great and improve the quality of life for all communities. That means transparency in government, having an honest and respectful public dialogue about civic issues and ensuring all voices have an opportunity to be heard. www.alvarezformayor.com   

Why I'm supporting Alvarez by Larry Remer

This is an edited version of an email I wrote to a very close friend who is supporting Nathan Fletcher for Mayor explaining why I’ve chosen to support David Alvarez. I appreciate the opportunity to share my thinking with the broader Progressive community.

I like Nathan Fletcher. In fact, I like him a lot. He’s VERY SMART. (David Alvarez is also VERY SMART.) And he’s very dynamic.

I am also really glad that Nathan has become a Democrat. We should welcome him with open arms. As crazy as the Republican Party has become, it’s amazing that there aren’t more defections. 

BUT my problems with Nathan’s mayoral candidacy are the following:

One. I am worried that Nathan simply CAN NOT WIN (against Faulconer or against DeMaio or against any well-funded Republican) and those who are supporting Nathan (and are doing so in good faith) are inadvertently setting up San Diego for Kevin Faulconer.

It’s no accident that the Republicans are running Faulconer. They are a lot savvier and more disciplined than the Democrats. They pulled their top people together. They commissioned a lot of polling. They thrashed it all out and they got behind their STRONGEST candidate. Believe me, they polled Nathan Fletcher versus Carl DeMaio and Nathan Fletcher versus Kevin Faulconer and Nathan Fletcher versus Ron Roberts and even Nathan Fletcher versus Mickey Mouse.

They (the Republicans) are very confident Faulconer can beat Fletcher. That’s because Nathan has what we pundits and spin doctors call “very serious negatives”. 

This election is all about TRUST. Bob Filner, after all, betrayed our TRUST. 

So, what do you think the voters are going to TRUST after the Republicans spend a gazillion dollars pummeling Nathan for all of the various contradictory positions he’s taken? Remember, this will be a special Mayoral election where turnout will be more conservative than the Presidential general last November that re-elected Obama that elected Bob Filner.

I don’t want to go into the gory details of how somebody like Karl Rove can and will fillet and fry Nathan because I don’t want to give Papa Doug and his ilk any new ideas. But, trust me, that’s what’s coming.

Carl DeMaio and Bob Filner were the most polarizing political figures in San Diego. Yet, DeMaio got 47% of the vote in the high turnout Presidential. Now, DeMaio is gone (Filner too) and I certainly don’t expect the DeMaio voters will now turn to Fletcher?

Enter now a “supposed” moderate named Kevin Faulconer. I say “supposed” because we insiders all know he’s 100% with Carl DeMaio on policy. He’s really Carl DeMaio with a smile. But the voters know him as a 2-term Councilman with a sprinkling of environmental credentials and enough ertatz accomplishments to be “sold” as a moderate who can be “TRUSTED”. 

So, that’s my first concern.

Two.  We do have another excellent option. David Alvarez is a lifelong Democrat with a proven history. David is a solid progressive. Pro-choice his entire career. Pro-environment when tough votes needed to be taken. Pro-education. Pro- worker. I could go on.  Look at the phenomenal job he did this week on the Council championing the Barrio Logan Community Plan and earning his community a measure of justice and self-determination.

David grew up in Barrio Logan, was the first in his family to attend college, and lives in the community with his family. He has a strong moral rudder and he knows which side of the race/class/neighborhood/working people divide he stands on. If elected, he will be the first Latino mayor in San Diego’s history.

Over the weekend, 150 people gathered in David’s backyard to start his campaign and walk precincts. He doesn’t have a multi-million dollar paid walk program like Nathan does. He knows that he’s not well known across the city and that the odds against him are high. But he believes that the Mayor of San Diego should be chosen by the people in the neighborhoods and not by billionaires (Dem or Rep) who use their wealth to manipulate the process.

For a parallel, just look at what just happened in NYC. The “smart” money was behind Quinn. She had the money. She had the Name ID. She had all the “smart people” and all the insiders. But DeBlasio had better politics – and a solid track record to prove it.  DeBlasio stood up to police. He stood up to Wall Street. He stood up FOR working people. He stood up to all of the self-appointed power brokers – and now he’s poised to be New York’s next Mayor.

Thinking about San Diego, those who believe that Nathan is “inevitable” because of all the money that seems to be behind him, just remember that money didn’t elect Peter Q. Davis, Ron Roberts or Steve Francis.

This, to me, is what primary elections are for. This is when we should vote with our hearts and with our beliefs . . . when we should be called to answer to our better natures.

Three. As happy as I am that Nathan is now a Democrat, I think he needs to prove himself before we anoint him as our savior and our leader.

In my book, Nathan should run for City Council. There are openings in Districts 2 and 6. We need more Democrats on the Council regardless of who the Mayor turns out to be. Nathan could/should serve a term or two on the Council. He can prove himself and his Democratic credentials by making tough votes, working with neighborhood groups, parsing thorny problems and showing us some of his mettle. 

But, instead he runs for Mayor. He’s said that he didn’t plan to run, but suddenly it became open. Well, he still didn’t have to run. Much as I dislike the Republicans, at the end of the day their best candidates sat down and hammered it out. Think about it: Carl DeMaio (of all people!!!!) took one for the team.

Why didn’t Nathan offer do the same? Why didn’t he try to sit down with Toni Atkins and Todd Gloria and David Alvarez et al and say, We need to get behind the strongest candidate. Let’s poll. Let’s assess strengths and weaknesses. Let’s agree that we are all in this together and unite the progressive forces for the betterment of San Diego.

Instead, he got out in front with the argument that HE ALONE was the best candidate to beat DeMaio. No proof. And – most important of all – no accountability. We all know he wants to be Mayor. He says that he is running as a Democrat. If he fails to make it through the primary, I assume he will he endorse and work for David Alvarez. Has anyone asked him that question? 

Having said all of that, if Nathan Fletcher does emerge in a runoff as a candidate against Kevin Faulconer, I will support him. I believe him when he says that his politics have evolved. I believe that he’s no longer the Republican back-bencher with the abysmal record. And I believe he will be a better Mayor for the issues I hold dear than Kevin Faulconer, if that’s the choice.

But, in the interim, I am supporting David Alvarez because:

-He’s a proven progressive.

-He’s accountable to the community.

-It’s time to vote my beliefs and not “settle”.

-We need to keep not just Nathan Fletcher and Kevin Faulconer honest, but we also need to keep the system honest.

Larry Remer has been a fixture in San Diego progressive politics for more than 40 years. He worked on the DOOR in the early 70s, went on to found SAN DIEGO NEWSLINE and later became a political consultant who works for progressive Democratic candidates and to pass school bonds including Propositions S and Z for San Diego public schools.

Legislature Approves Bills Authored by Assemblywoman Gonzalez to Protect and Empower California’s Noncitizens With Federal Immigration Reform Stalled

AB 1024 will Authorize Law Licenses for Noncitizens who Pass Bar Exam; AB 1152 Cracks Down on Immigration Reform Scams

SACRAMENTO, CA– (Friday, September 13, 2013) – Both  houses of the California State Legislature overwhelmingly approved bills authored by Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego) that provide professional opportunities and consumer protections to noncitizens in California while Congress struggles to approve comprehensive immigration reform.

Both Assembly Bills 1024 (Attorneys’ Right to Practice) and 1159 (Immigration Fraud Consumer Protections) are headed to the desk of Governor Jerry Brown for signature after winning large bipartisan approval in the last few hours of legislative session on Thursday evening.

“San Diego County and the rest of California has waited on Congress to fix our broken federal immigration laws, but we can’t wait any longer to improve the lives of people who are falling through the cracks because of that inaction,” Gonzalez said. “Instead, these bills are part of a package of reforms my State Capitol colleagues and I crafted to protect, empower and improve the quality of life for our friends, neighbors and family members who are forced to suffer under the status quo.”

On bipartisan votes in both the Assembly and Senate, AB 1024 was approved in an effort to permit the California State Supreme Court to admit as an attorney any applicant that has passed the State Bar examination and fulfilled all other requirements.

AB 1024 is a direct response to a case currently pending at the California State Supreme Court. Recently, the Court heard testimony in the case In Re Sergio C. Garcia on Admission (S202512), which concerned Mr. Garcia’s petition to obtain a law license in California.  Having passed the State Bar examination and fulfilled all other requirements, Mr. Garcia was routinely sworn into the legal profession in 2011.  Two weeks later his license was rescinded on the basis that the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act passed by Congress in 1996 prohibits undocumented immigrants from receiving professional licenses with the use of public funds, unless state law explicitly overrides it.

“AB 1024 completes the promise we’ve made to DREAMers who have worked hard, studied hard, passed the Bar exam and now just want the right to make a living for themselves as an attorney,” Gonzalez said.

AB 1159 would require that lawyers and consultants performing services under the pending federal immigration reform act abide by common sense business practices that will protect more than 2.5 million potentially eligible Californians from the unauthorized practice of law by non-lawyers, fraud, and unnecessary mistakes that could jeopardize a client’s pursuit of citizenship or – worse – result in deportation. The bill received unanimous support in both the Assembly and the Senate on Thursday.

“As millions of California families face the historic opportunity of improving their lives by pursuing a pathway to citizenship, the state must be ready to ensure immigration services are performed by competent professionals and include anti-fraud protections,” Assemblywoman Gonzalez said. “AB 1159 prepares California for this upswing in demand by creating more accountability and transparency in an otherwise daunting process for immigrants, who are already targets of fraud now.”

Assemblywoman Gonzalez has asked that the Legislature act in order to crack down on the unscrupulous practice by some professionals to demand payment for immigration reform services based by promising that clients could “cut to the front of the line” when federal immigration reform is eventually enacted by paying now. AB 1159 would prohibit those advanced payments. The bill also increases the bonding requirements for non-attorneys performing immigration reform services and requires that contracts for immigration reform services include a disclaimer about how to report immigration fraud to the State Bar or Attorney General in the language of the client receiving the services.

Expands current law to apply to “anyone who is not an attorney” from advertising as a “notario,” not just notaries public. This ban prevents confusion that has oftentimes been capitalized upon by non-attorneys hoping to present themselves as attorneys, as a “notario” in many Latin American nations is a type of lawyer.

Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez represents California’s 80th Assembly District, located in southern San Diego County including the cities of San Diego, Chula Vista and National City. For more information, visit http://asmdc.org/members/a80/.

ATKINS SNOOPY PLATE BILL TO SUPPORT MUSEUMS SENT TO GOVERNOR

 

(Sacramento)  AB 482, a bill to improve the cost effectiveness of the California Cultural and Historical Endowment (CCHE) and to fund museums through the sale of a Snoopy license plate, was passed by the State Legislature today and sent to the Governor.

“Museums need financial support to remain viable and to keep entry fees affordable for all Californians,” says Atkins.  “Snoopy is a beloved American icon and having his ‘endorsement’ is sure to increase sales of the license plate.  I am excited about partnering with him in support of preserving California’s cultural treasures.”

The CCHE was established at the California State Library in 2003.  Since then, it has provided $122 million in grants to not-for-profit groups, government entities, and Native American tribes from funds generated by voter-approved Proposition 40.  These grants have supported the acquisition, restoration, preservation, and interpretation of our state’s historical and cultural resources. Due to dwindling Prop 40 funds, CCHE’s activities and staff face significant reductions and a winding down of the grant program.

Under AB 482, which is sponsored by the California Association of Museums, the CCHE would move over to the Natural Resources Agency where efficiencies can be implemented, with savings to the state of approximately $30,000 per year.

At the same time, a permanent source of funding for CCHE’s programs became possible when the widow of Peanuts creator Charles Schulz offered the rights to Snoopy’s likeness for a license plate that would raise funds for museums.  AB 482 authorizes the Department of Motor Vehicles to offer the Snoopy plate, which, like all specialty license plates would cost $50, plus another $48 if motorists want their plate personalized .  If the bill passes and is signed into law, DMV will be able to accept requests for the new plate.  They require at least 7,500 prepaid requests before starting production.  The California Association of Museums has already received more than 9,200 pledges from Californians who say they will purchase the plate once it is available.  The proceeds from the plate will be distributed through a competitive grant process.  All museums will be eligible.

Governor Brown has until October 13 to sign or veto the measure.

DeMaio Receives Endorsement from Anti-Immigration, Anti-Gay, Washington Republican

Today Carl DeMaio – the handpicked candidate of national Republicans – received the endorsement of another out-of-touch, radical Washington Republican, Congressman Tom McClintock. Congressman McClintock’s extreme voting record and hateful rhetoric is completely out of touch with San Diego’s middle class families.

As one of the most conservative Members of Congress – voting with his party 90 percent of the time – Congressman McClintock routinely puts his extreme ideology before solutions, whether it’s cosponsoring a bill to redefine rape, proclaiming that “there’s only one race here, it’s the American race,” or supporting a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage.

“Carl DeMaio claims that he’s a ‘new generation Republican,’ but the company he keeps tells a different story: that he’s just another out-of-touch Tea Party Republican,” said Matt Inzeo of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “With Carl DeMaio’s embrace of Tea Party Congressman Tom McClintock, San Diego voters should be worried, since McClintock’s priorities are so out of whack – saying that ‘there’s only one race here, it’s the American race,’ cosponsoring a bill to redefine rape, and supporting a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage. It’s clear that Carl DeMaio truly is Washington Republicans’ favorite candidate, and is choosing to put his political party ahead of standing up for the hardworking middle class families of San Diego.”

BACKGROUND

Member of the Tea Party Caucus. Congressman McClintock is a member of the Tea Party Caucus in Congress. [McClatchy, 5/09/12]

McClintock on Immigration: “There’s Only One Race Here, It’s the American Race.” On August 14, 2013, “Rep. Tom McClintock (R-CA) took a strong stand against multiculturalism at a town hall meeting, arguing that immigrants need to shed their culture, become “the American race,” and if they’re unwilling to do so, “reevaluate” whether they want to be in this country in the first place. ‘There’s only one race here, it’s the American race. And the only way you accomplish that is through assimilation. That is what our immigration laws are designed to promote, and that is precisely what illegal immigration undermines…[..] If immigrants aren’t willing to shed their past culture, said McClintock, “then perhaps that is nature’s way of telling you that, maybe, you should reevaluate your options,’ said McClintock.” [Think Progress, 8/14/13]

Co-Sponsored Bill to Redefine Rape. In 2011, McClintock co-sponsored the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortions Act, which would redefine a ban on federal funding for abortions to exempt only “forcible rape” and not “rape” generally. Under the language proposed by the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortions Act, rape becomes “forcible rape.” The Washington Post reported that the bill’s critics believed “the modifier could distinguish it from other kinds of sexual assault that are typically recognized as rape, including statutory rape and attacks that occur because of drugs or verbal threats.” [HR 3 Co-Sponsors, 112th Congress; Washington Post, 2/01/11]

Part of Ongoing Effort to Amend Constitution to Ban Gay Marriage. In 2013, after the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down the Defense of Marriage Act, McClintock along with other House conservatives sought to reintroduce a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage. McClintock “criticized the 5-4 court decision as ‘ideologically driven and legally inconsistent.’” [The Hill, 6/26/13]

McClintock: “Calling a Homosexual Partnership a Marriage Doesn’t Make it One.” In 2008, McClintock supported Proposition 8 that defined marriage as between a man and a woman. “Lincoln asked, 'If you call a tail a leg, how many legs has a dog? The answer is four. Calling a tail a leg doesn’t make it one,'” McClintock said in a statement. “And calling a homosexual partnership a marriage doesn’t make it one,” [LA Times, 10/21/08]

Weber’s Bill Facilitating Contracts for Minorities, Women, and Vets Signed by Governor

(Sacramento, CA) –AB 173, the Small Business Procurement Act for University and Colleges by Assemblymember Shirley N. Weber, was signed by Governor Jerry Brown.  Signed into law on September 9, 2013, the legislation will provide higher educational institutions with flexibility to encourage contracting with state-certified small businesses and disabled veteran business enterprises.

“When I was Chair of the Citizens’ Equal Opportunity Commission in San Diego, I helped minority-owned, woman-owned, and disabled veteran owned business owners increase their public contracting opportunities with the City of San Diego, allowing these disadvantaged business owners to become solid competitors in the marketplace,” said Assemblymember Weber.

Current law grants State agencies the option of using a streamlined contract process for small businesses and disabled veteran business enterprises called the “SB/DVBE Option,” which involves contracts up to $250,000.  Under the SB/DVBE Option, public agencies have the flexibility to award contracts in the traditional manner, which includes costly advertising, protests and bidding requirements or the more efficient option of obtaining two quotes from state-certified small businesses and DBVEs.

AB 173 simply extends this contracting option and threshold to California’s Higher Education system. Under current law, the University of California must competitively bid all contracts over $100,000.  For California State Universities and California Community Colleges, they must competitively bid all contracts over $50,000 and $81,000.

These lower thresholds result in many contracts being negotiated through the formal, costly bidding process.  Routinely, the colleges complain that the requirement is cumbersome and time consuming, often taking months to purchase simple items.

This proposal would allow the three systems to use the SB/DVBE Option for contracts up to $250,000.  If the universities want to use formal bidding or the SB/DVBE Option, they can choose whichever works best for them.

“By using the SB/DBVE Option, universities and colleges will not only save time and money with a more streamlined contracting process, but they would also continue to support the procurement of small businesses and DVBEs which are crucial to the state’s economy,” stated Assembly Member Weber.

This bill received strong support in the California State Assembly and Senate and is supported by the University of California, the National Federation of Independent Businesses, the California Association of Micro Enterprise Opportunity, the Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce, and   the Sacramento Black Chamber of Commerce.

ATKINS BILL COULD EXPAND DEL MAR RACING SEASON

Measure to Reallocate Hollywood Park Dates Goes to Governor

(Sacramento) A bill by Assembly Majority Leader Toni Atkins to allow the California Horse Racing Board to reallocate racing dates currently held by Hollywood Park Race Track, which is closing at the end of its 2013 winter season, has been passed by the State Legislature and sent to the Governor.  The bill permits these dates to be distributed to the remaining Southern California tracks, most notably Santa Anita and Del Mar Racetracks. AB 1074 also renews for one year the statewide marketing organization administered by the horseracing industry.

“Horseracing fans from all over Southern California have travelled to Del Mar since before Bing Crosby sang about where the surf meets the turf,” says Atkins.  “My bill would position Del Mar to compete for the coveted Breeder’s Cup.  This would be exciting for horseracing fans and a tremendous boon to our local economy.”

The Breeder’s Cup is a two-day event that features one of racing’s largest purses and is estimated to bring as much as $60 million into the local economy of the racetrack that hosts it.

Hollywood Park was opened for racing in 1938.  The historic track has hosted some of racing’s most legendary horses, including Sea Biscuit, Affirmed and, more recently, Cigar.  However, after years as one of the premier racetracks in the United States, Hollywood Park will close this year to make way for a new retail/residential development.

Del Mar Racetrack is located at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, in the northern San Diego County city of Del Mar.  It was founded in 1937 by a partnership among a number of famous Hollywood celebrities, including Bing Crosby, Pat O’Brien, Gary Cooper, Joe E. Brown, and Oliver Hardy.

The marketing association renewed by this bill has been renewed every legislative session since it was established in 1998 by SB 27.  That bill delineated both how the funds for the association were to be collected and how they could be disbursed.

AB 1074 is supported by the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association, and Thoroughbred Owners of California.

Governor Brown has until October 13 to sign or veto the measure.

STATE SENATE PASSES ATKINS BILL TO PROTECT COAST

(Sacramento) The California Senate today passed legislation by Assembly Majority Leader Toni Atkins that enables the California Coastal Commission to levy penalties against those who disregard orders to stop violating the California Coastal Act. AB 976 will bring Coastal Commission authority in line with most other state agencies tasked with enforcing environmental laws.

“The voters of California made public access to our beaches and protection of our coastline a priority through their vote in 1972,” says Atkins.  “My bill will ensure that the agency tasked with enforcing the Coastal Act has the tools to perform its mission, while avoiding costly litigation and ensuring the fair treatment of all.  I am grateful to my colleagues for their support of our coast.”

“As a former Coastal Commissioner, I can testify that the Commission urgently needs the penalty authority provided by this measure to deter Coastal Act violations and help protect coastal access for all Californians,” said Assemblymember Mark Stone (D-Monterey Bay), principal co-author of AB 976.  “I urge the Assembly to pass this critical measure, and I hope that the Governor will sign it.”

Violations of the Coastal Act can include blocking public access to beaches, damaging environmentally sensitive habitats, or unauthorized development. Currently, the Commission can issue cease and desist orders to violators, but must pursue litigation through the California Attorney General’s office in order to enforce those orders if they are ignored, a costly and time-consuming process.  The Coastal Commission currently has over 1800 open enforcement cases and new violations are reported to them more quickly than they can close existing ones. AB 976 will allow the Coastal Commission to fine violators in much the same way as other environmental agencies, such as the State Water Board and the Department of Fish and Wildlife.  AB 976 will also ensure opportunities to challenge fines and provides rigorous due process protections.

The California Coastal Commission was created by California voters in 1972, through their approval of Proposition 20, and later made permanent by the California Coastal Act of 1976.   The Coastal Act protects beaches, wetlands, water quality, and wildlife in an area of land and water larger than the State of Rhode Island.

AB 976 now returns briefly to the Assembly before going to the Governor.

ATKINS BILL TO STREAMLINE TRANSGENDER NAME CHANGES SENT TO THE GOVERNOR

(Sacramento)  Assembly Bill 1121, authored by Assembly Majority Leader Toni Atkins, was passed by the California State Legislature and sent to the Governor today.  The bill provides transgender people seeking legal name changes to reflect their gender identity with a streamlined and inexpensive process that protects their privacy. Current law requires a transgender person to obtain a court order and to publish the name change application in the newspaper. This process can be expensive and also publicly exposes the person to potential discrimination, harassment or even violence because of being transgender.

AB 1121 creates a new administrative option for transgender people seeking to amend the gender marker on a California birth certificate through the State Registrar.  It also deletes the costly newspaper publication requirement.

“Transgender people are entitled to have their official documents and their legal name reflect their true identity without a burdensome and expensive process that endangers their personal safety,” says Atkins. “I am hopeful that the Governor will support this simple bill that will greatly enhance the lives of transgender Californians.”

Transgender people’s understanding of themselves as male or female is different from the sex they were assigned at birth.  Medical science recognizes this condition as Gender Dysphoria and prescribes specific treatments to help the transgender person transition physically, so their bodies match their gender identity.  This often includes surgery, medication, and mental health support. Being transgender is not a choice.  A person’s gender identity is set at an early age and cannot be changed at will.

The transition to living in accord with one’s gender identity also involves a legal process because birth certificates and a person’s name usually reflect the sex they were assigned at birth. In California, a person seeking a court-ordered name change has to publish a notice in a newspaper for four weeks.  They are also required to have a public hearing before a judge, the record of which is also public.  The process is lengthy and can be expensive.

Forty-four percent of transgender people experience discrimination, harassment and assault.  A public name change process heightens the likelihood of these occurring.  AB 1121 allows the transgender person to avoid the public notice and court process by applying directly to the state Office of Vital Records for a name change.

AB 1121 is sponsored by Equality California and the Transgender Law Center.  The Governor has until October 13 to sign or veto the measure.

ATKINS LEGISLATION TO ADDRESS COPPER PAINT WATER POLLUTION TO GOVERNOR

(San Diego)  The California State Legislature has sent to the Governor AB 425, a bill by Assembly Majority Leader Toni Atkins to require the State of California to address water pollution caused by copper-based anti-fouling hull paint.  Under this bill, the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) is directed to complete by February 1, 2014 its work to evaluate and make recommendations regarding whether the paint should be subject to increased state oversight and how best to mitigate its potentially harmful effects.

“The qualities that make copper-based paint effective in keeping boat hulls free from damaging organisms like barnacles and algae also makes it a threat to aquatic animal and plant life,” says Atkins.  “We need to complete the scientific analysis upon which we can base sound and balanced environmental policy that protects our marine ecosystem without being overly burdensome.”

Copper based hull paint is legal in California as long as it is registered as a pesticide; however, the level of pollution in some bodies of water exceeds that allowable under the federal Clean Water Act and state water quality regulations.  This, in turn, endangers plant and animal life, particularly in areas with limited water circulation and a high concentration of moorings for personal recreational boats, which can remain stationary for long periods.  For example, Shelter Island Yacht Basin in San Diego Bay has been ordered to reduce its copper pollution by 76% by the year 2022.

DPR has been conducting ongoing research and analysis of the issue for a number of years without issuing recommendations.  AB 425 is intended to jump start this process and require DPR to complete its work so that informed policy decisions can be made.

Governor Brown has until October 13 to sign or veto the measure.

ATKINS BILL TO RESTORE LOCAL CONTROL OVER AFFORDABLE HOUSING SENT TO GOVERNOR

(Sacramento)  AB 1229, a bill by Assembly Majority Leader Toni Atkins that will ensure that local governments can require affordable housing set-asides in new developments, if they choose, was passed by the California State Senate today, sending the bill to Governor Brown.  The bill addresses uncertainty and confusion created by a 2009 appellate court ruling that the state’s rent control law, the Costa-Hawkins Act, prohibits such programs for rental housing.

“Inclusionary zoning is a critical tool that has provided affordable homes to over 80,000 Californians.  My bill gives local governments a green light to continue using this tool without fear of conflicting with state law,” says Atkins.  “Affordable housing is critical to both communities and families because it enables workers to live near where they work, even in high cost parts of our state.”

Inclusionary zoning is a land use practice through which local governments promote affordable housing.  These policies have been in use for over 40 years, but were challenged in the case of Palmer/Sixth Street Properties L.P. v. City of Los Angeles.  In Palmer, the court held that the provision of Costa-Hawkins which gives developers, and not government, the right to establish initial rental rates applies to privately financed rental housing projects and voids many inclusionary housing policies.  At least 140 California cities and counties have some form of inclusionary housing policy.  Many of these include a provision allowing the developer to pay a fee to the local government in lieu of actually offering low cost housing.

AB 1229 is sponsored by groups seeking to maximize housing options for low income people, including the Western Center on Law and Poverty, the California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation, the Non-Profit Housing Association of Northern California and the San Diego Housing Federation.

Governor Brown has until October 13 to sign or veto the measure.

Statement of California Democratic Party Chairman John Burton on Use of Military Force in Syria

I agree with the 193 members of the U.S. House of Representatives who are urging the President to seek Congressional approval for any military action with respect to Syria. 
 


Congress should be shown definitive proof concerning the Syrian government’s role in the use of chemical weapons. The memory of weapons of mass destructions that failed to materialize in Iraq – which continues to undergo turmoil long after our departure – is far too fresh in many of our minds to demand anything less.
 


Congress must debate the wisdom of engaging in yet another military adventure in the Middle East after receiving all the independently verified facts.