San Diego Employers Expect to Hire at a Solid Pace for Third Quarter 2013

Anticipated local hiring rate below state level, but above Los Angeles

 June 11, 2013 — San Diego — According to the Manpower Employment Outlet Survey, employers in San Diego County expect to hire at a solid pace during the third quarter of 2013.

From July to September, 19% of companies interviewed plan to hire more employees, while 69% expect to maintain their current workforce levels. On the other end of the job spectrum, 8% of area companies expect to reduce staff and 4% are simply not certain of their hiring plans. All of this action yields a net employment outlook of 11%.

“Employers’ hiring expectations for the third quarter are the same compared to second quarter when the outlook was also 11%,” said Manpower San Diego President Phil Blair. “Compared to one year ago when the net employment outlook was 13%, employers are slightly less optimistic about their staffing plans.”

On the state level, 21% of California companies interviewed plan to hire more employees, while 70% expect to maintain levels and only 6% plan to reduce staff.

Results from neighboring Los Angeles reveal that 13% of companies surveyed in its metropolitan area expect to increase staff levels, while 74% plan to maintain current staff levels and 6% plan to reduce staff.

The survey is conducted quarterly to measure employers’ intentions to increase or decrease the number of employees in their workforces during the next quarter.

About Manpower San Diego
Manpower of San Diego was started in 1977 and is owned by Phil Blair and Mel Katz. The franchise consistently ranks as one of the largest employers in San Diego and southern Riverside Counties and supports businesses through their many offices. Each day, Manpower has approximately 2,500 skilled associates on jobs in office, retail, industrial, technical and healthcare areas. All Manpower offices are registered and certified to ISO 9002 by the Quality Management Institute (QMI). ISO 9002 is one of five standards associated with the ISO 9000 series, the international standard of quality for all businesses.

Assemblymember Weber Recognizes Diamond Pacific Construction As Exceptional California Small Business

SACRAMENTO, CA-   In an official ceremony today hosted by the California Small Business Association, Assembly Member Shirley N. Weber (D-San Diego) honored City of La Mesa’s Gregg Torwick of Diamond Pacific Construction, Inc. at the Sacramento Convention Center.  The California Small Business Association sponsors this annual event to provide a platform for legislators to recognize the significant contributions small businesses make to California.

“I am proud to recognize the continued dedication and efforts of Navy veteran Gregg Torwick and the Diamond Pacific Construction, Inc. to bring jobs and commerce to the 79th District. Small businesses are the driving force of our economy:  local, state and nationwide,” stated Assembly Member Weber. 

Mr. Torwick has garnered multiple awards from the construction community, including the AGC Specialty Contractor Award, the ABC Excellence in Construction Award and the AGC Build San Diego Award in his strive for excellence, safety and community awareness. He is also an active member of both the City of San Diego Unified School District Outreach Council and the City of San Diego-Citizens Equal Opportunity Council.  Mr. Torwick is currently the San Diego Chapter President to the Elite Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business.

The Diamond Pacific Construction Executive team brings 80 years of construction combined experience, on more than $250 million of projects, including demolition, site work, utilities, concrete placement, and horizontal & vertical construction.  It also has completed projects throughout California’s 79th District that include Sharp Hospital Chula Vista, San Diego State University and the San Diego Academy in National City.

STATEMENT OF ASSEMBLY MAJORITY LEADER TONI ATKINS ON ANNOUNCED CLOSURE OF SAN ONOFRE NUCLEAR GENERATING STATION

(San Diego) Assembly majority Leader Toni Atkins issued the following statement regarding today’s statement by Southern California Edison that San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) will be shut down:

“Given the safety concerns and uncertainty surrounding operation of SONGS, I applaud Edison's decision. Ever since the facility shut down, I have advocated for a transparent process that does not saddle ratepayers with the costs of operating a non-functioning plant.  As SONGS winds down its operations, it will be important that safe handling of nuclear material be a priority, that both ratepayers and employees be treated fairly, and that we continue to work to ensure an adequate power supply for Southern California.”


Majority Leader Atkins represents the 78th Assembly District, which includes the central and coastal San Diego area from Imperial Beach to Del Mar.

The Audacity of Todd

As those of you that have followed my posts recently I haven't been a fan of Todd Gloria. He makes me believe that apparently it's 1996 and that Republicans still control the city and the Dem victories of 2012 are some sort of fluke and we must kowtow so that when the natural order of a GOP led council and mayor returns to San Diego at least he'll get some sort of thanks for keeping the other Dems at bay. At least by what he's been doing since becoming Council President, that is what he has lead me to believe. That or he's cut a deal with the GOP but again I refer you to my previous post.

But today I am blown away by what happened during a City Council Committee hearing that took place earlier in the week. Now granted this was a PS&NS (Public Safety and Neighborhood Services) Committee Hearing and not even the Voice of San Diego covers those but if they did on June 5th they would have gotten this nugget.

Now I guess John Lamb from City Beat has now posted this as well which is great but so far not a peep from anyone. Anyway, I wonder how Todd will spin this one?(Maybe by calling Will Moore a liar.) I mean he'll arm twist the pro bono legal advisor to the local Democratic Party but will play footsie with Mark Kersey and flaunt him all round town?

At the rate this is going maybe Todd will do a reverse Nathan...

Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez Appoints Chief of Staff and District Director

Evan McLaughlin to serve as New Assemblywoman’s Chief of Staff; Humberto Peraza appointed District Director

SACRAMENTO – (Wednesday, June 5, 2013) – California State Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego) announced today the appointments of Evan McLaughlin as Chief of Staff and Humberto Peraza as District Director for the 80th Assembly District.

McLaughlin was most recently the Political and Legislative Director for the San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council, AFL-CIO, a federation of 135 local unions representing 200,000 workers in the region. He served the Labor Council from 2008 to 2013 as the chief deputy to Ms. Gonzalez on matters involving public policy, electoral campaigns and community organizing when she headed the Labor Council. McLaughlin also served as Campaign Manager to Ms. Gonzalez’s campaign for State Assembly in 2013. McLaughlin co-founded the San Diego chapter of the New Leaders Council and serves on the boards of directors for the League of Conservation Voters of San Diego, San Diego Leadership Alliance and Empower San Diego. McLaughlin was an award-winning politics and government reporter at Voice of San Diego from the nonprofit news website’s inception in 2005 until 2008. McLaughlin resides in City Heights but will be moving to Sacramento with the new position.

Peraza is an elected member of the Southwestern College District Governing Board and has been a longtime advisor to elected officials in the region. Peraza served as Policy Advisor to San Diego City Council President Ben Hueso; District Chief of Staff to Congressman Bob Filner; San Diego & Imperial Counties Area Director/Statewide Latino Director for U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer; and also worked for Congressman Xavier Becerra in both Los Angeles and Washington D.C. Most recently, Peraza was owner of Counter Point Government Relations LLC, where he advised private sector clients on matters of public safety, education and business development. Peraza has also served on the City of Chula Vista’s Charter Review Commission and on the boards of League of Conservation Voters San Diego, MOVE San Diego, Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest and its Action Fund. He resides in Chula Vista.

“My goal to rebuild the middle class through the creation of good-paying jobs, expanded educational opportunities and access to affordable health care is going to take a real team effort,” Assemblywoman Gonzalez said. “With the addition of the Evan, Humberto and the staff they will supervise, the residents of the 80th district have the team they need to best represent Southern San Diego County in the State Capitol.”

The 80th District includes Chula Vista, National City and the San Diego neighborhoods of San Ysidro, City Heights, Golden Hill, Sherman Heights, Barrio Logan, Logan Heights, Paradise Hills and Otay Mesa. More information about 80th Assembly District is available at http://asmdc.org/members/a80/.

ASSEMBLY MEMBER SHIRLEY WEBER HOSTS BUDGET TOWN HALL MEETING

 

San Diego, CA -   Assemblymember Shirley N. Weber (D-San Diego) will convene a budget town hall meeting in her district to discuss how the State Budget impacts San Diegans.  The revised budget proposal assumes $98.1 billion in revenue and $96.4 billion in expenditures and includes a $1.1 billion reserve.  In the next couple of weeks, the Legislature and the Governor will work together to pass a responsible on-time budget by June 15, 2013. Each year State Legislators are tasked with the difficult job of balancing our state budget. This includes defining how much money will be available for public services like education, health and human services, and determining how much we pay in taxes.  Please join Assemblymember Weber for an interactive town hall to discuss your priorities for California's Budget.


WHO:
Assembly Member Shirley N. Weber is hosting this event.   Dr. Brian R. Sala, Acting Director of the California Research Bureau, will provide an overview of the California State Budget.  Local representatives participating include: Stan Dobbs, Chief Financial Officer of the San Diego Unified School District; Dr. Albert G. Alt, Chief Financial Officer and Mr. Manuel Rubio, Director of Grants and Communications, from the Sweetwater Union High School District; as well as Barbara Jimenez, San Diego County Deputy Director/General Manager for Health and Human Services .
Also invited are Dr. Constance Carroll of the San Diego Community College District, as well as the City of Chula Vista’s Director of Finance Maria Kachadoorian and Budget and Analysis Manager Angelica Aguilar.
WHAT: 
State Budget Town Hall Meeting
WHEN: 
Saturday, June 8, 2013, from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
WHERE: 
Montevalle Community Center (840 Duncan Ranch Road; Chula Vista, CA 91914)

For information and to RSVP, please contact George Gastil at (619) 462-4848 or register online at http://asmdc.org/members/a79/.

ASSEMBLY PASSES ATKINS BILL TO PROTECT COAST

(Sacramento) The California Assembly 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.

“California’s coastline is the iconic symbol of the Golden State and is integral to our economy and our lifestyle,” says Atkins.  “My bill will ensure that the agency tasked with its protection has the tools to perform its mission, while avoiding costly litigation and ensuring the fair treatment of all.  I am grateful to my Assembly colleagues for their support.”

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 will now move to the State Senate for consideration.

ATKINS BILL TO RESTORE LOCAL AFFORDABLE HOUSING SET ASIDE PASSES

(Sacramento) The California State Assembly today passed AB 1229, authored by Assembly Majority Leader Toni Atkins.  The bill restores the ability of local governments to use inclusionary zoning to increase the availability of rental housing for low and moderate income residents and 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.  AB 1229 overturns this ruling.

“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 require new housing developments to include a specified percentage of units that are affordable for low and moderate income residents.  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.

The bill now moves to the State Senate for consideration.

Local Walmart worker joins nationwide, prolonged strike

Striking worker will join caravan to Walmart shareholders meeting in Arkansas to call for better jobs

SAN DIEGO – Armando Valenzuela, an employee of Walmart store 2291 in Chula Vista, CA, today went on strike, joining more than 100 other Walmart workers across the country. Valenzuela presented the manager of his Walmart store with a letter outlining the basis for his Unfair Labor Practices Strike lasting for one week.

"Every one of my Walmart co-workers across the country has their own awful story, but they aren't all yet ready to to risk their jobs to speak out," said Armando Valenzuela, striking Walmart employee. "I'm standing up today and taking the message to Walmart headquarters on behalf of the millions of Walmart employees who deserve so much better."

Valenzuela will now join a Freedom Rider-inspired “Ride for Respect” caravan to Bentonville, Arkansas to participate in the Walmart shareholders meeting on June 7, 2013. Workers from 12 states so far have gone on strike, and members of the caravan will deliver a petition at the shareholders meeting calling on Walmart to publicly commit to jobs with full-time hours and a minimum salary of $25,000.

"All workers, union and non-union, deserve basic respect and the opportunity to provide for themselves and their families," said Richard Barrera, Secretary-Treasurer of the San Diego Labor Council. "We continue to call on Walmart and all employers to be responsible community partners and treat their workers with dignity and fairness."

The first prolonged strike in Walmart history, the national action follows the first coordinated Walmart strikes in October and nationwide Black Friday walkouts in November.

"It takes tremendous courage to stand up against the biggest corporation in America," said Mickey Kasparian, President of UFCW Local 135. "I'm proud to stand with Armando and all the everyday workers throughout this process to demand fair and decent treatment for all Walmart employees."

The group OUR Walmart recently filed thirty counts of unfair labor practices with the National Labor Relations Board, including alleged acts of retaliation and intimidation by Walmart management.

"One of the most fundamental elements of our social contract is the fundamental commitment that if you work hard and do your share, you'll be able to afford to live safely and healthily," said Rabbi Laurie Coskey, Executive Director of the Interfaith Committee for Worker Justice. "But it takes more than simply believing; it takes people like Armando who are willing to stand up and fight against corporations who aren't working in good faith with our communities."

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San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council
The San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council, AFL-CIO includes 135 affiliated labor groups in the region with a membership of more than 200,000 working families.  Founded in 1891, the Labor Council advocates for more jobs, better jobs and better lives for all of San Diego’s workers – union and non-union.
www.unionyes.org

ASSEMBLY PASSES ATKINS BILL TO INCREASE ACCESS TO EARLY ABORTIONS

(San Diego)  The California State Assembly today passed legislation by Assembly Majority Leader Toni Atkins to address the shortage of trained healthcare providers who are permitted to perform first trimester abortions.  AB 154 allows nurses, physician’s assistants, and nurse-midwives to perform aspiration abortions after receiving proper training.  Currently, over half of California’s counties have no abortion provider, forcing women to travel long distances and experience long delays in accessing this critical healthcare procedure.

“Women need quality health care in their own communities and without excessive wait times,” says Atkins.  “This is particularly true with abortion services, which are cheaper and less complicated earlier in a pregnancy.  My bill improves the lives of women and their families.”

A recent comprehensive study conducted by the University of California San Francisco and published in the American Journal of Public Health showed that trained nurse practitioners, midwives and physicians assistants can safely provide early abortions and that women appreciate receiving care in their own communities.  AB 154 includes stringent training and competency requirements for these practitioners.

The bill is sponsored by the California Women’s Health Alliance, a coalition of groups such as Planned Parenthood that is dedicated to protecting and improving the reproductive health of California women and will next be heard in the Assembly Health Committee. The bill is also supported by the California Medical Association.

AB 154 now moves to the State Senate for consideration.

BOY SCOUTS DECISION ONLY GOES HALFWAY

(Sacramento) Assembly Majority Leader Toni Atkins made the following statement regarding today’s decision by the Boy Scouts to admit gay boys but still ban LGBT adults:

Today the Boy Scouts of America took a half step forward toward being an organization that embraces one of the most fundamental principles of American society, that all people are equal.

It is good that in the future no boy will be turned away from Scouting because of his sexual orientation.  However, to continue to treat LGBT adult leaders, including Scouts who have reached adulthood and presumably embody Scouting’s values, continues the shameful practice of treating some volunteers as second class citizens.  Most important, boys who have an LGBT parent who wants to be a Cub or Boy Scout Den Leader will still be told that their parent is inferior.  No youth organization should tell a child such a thing.

Moreover, because of their continuing discrimination and their self-avowed status as a religious organization, the Boy Scouts should not receive taxpayer subsidies for use of public facilities, despite today’s vote.

The struggle for an equal and inclusive society can be a long, slow process and progress is often incremental.  It is my hope that today is just a first step for the Boy Scouts and not a final one.

ASSEMBLY PASSES ATKINS BILL TO ADDRESS BOAT PAINT POLLUTION

(Sacramento) The California State Assembly today unanimously passed a bill by Assembly Majority Leader Toni Atkins that will lead to a determination of how best to address the water pollution caused by copper-based boat hull paint.  AB 425 requires the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) to evaluate and make recommendations regarding whether to make the paint subject to increased state oversight and how best to mitigate its potentially harmful effects.  The bill calls for DPR to issue its report no later than February 1, 2014.

“Copper paint protects boat hulls, but can be harmful for our waterways and the animals that live in them,” says Atkins.  “AB 425 will provide the scientific analysis we need in order to formulate sound environmental policy to protect our water quality and marine life in a way that is least burdensome to boat owners.”

Copper based paint keeps boat hulls free of damaging organisms like barnacles and algae, but, at the same time, can foul the water and endanger aquatic life.  This is particularly problematic in waterways that are semi-enclosed, experience little water circulation, and have a high concentration of recreational vessel moorings, where boats spend most of their time in one place.

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.  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.

The bill will next be considered in the State Senate.

Richard Barrera elected Secretary-Treasurer and CEO of the San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council, AFL-CIO

Barrera succeeds Lorena Gonzalez after her election to the 80th Assembly District

SAN DIEGO - Lorena Gonzalez resigned her position as Secretary-Treasurer and CEO of the San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council, AFL-CIO on Wednesday, May 22, 2013, one day after being elected to represent California's 80th Assembly District.

"I've worked side by side with Lorena for years, and I have always been proud to have her at the head of this Labor Council and as the best advocate that working families in San Diego could have asked for," said Mickey Kasparian, President of the San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council and UFCW Local 135. "I couldn't be happier that, along with Myrtle Cole, this Labor Council is able to mark the end of Lorena's tenure by electing two of our own to champion labor and workers' rights as they represent San Diego."

After announcing her resignation on Wednesday, May 22, 2013, Gonzalez asked for support of her recommendation of Richard Barrera to succeed her as Secretary-Treasurer and CEO of the San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council. Later Wednesday evening, Richard Barrera was unanimously recommended for the position by the Labor Council Executive Board and elected the next Secretary-Treasurer and CEO by Labor Council delegates at their monthly meeting.

"Lorena's leadership of this Labor Council is the stuff of legend, and I'm honored to continue the work that she's led for so many years," said Barrera after his election by Labor Council delegates. "Working families have built tremendous power for themselves in San Diego, and I can't wait to keep pushing to grow our middle class, protect workers on the job, and stay on the path to achieve economic justice for every San Diegan."

"I've worked with Richard for years and seen him in action on behalf of working people here in San Diego, and I know his drive and commitment will lead the Labor Council to continued success," Kasparian continued after Barrera’s election. "I’m excited for Richard's vision as we all look to build an even stronger movement for working families in San Diego."

Barrera will complete the four year term to which Gonzalez was elected on March 28, 2012, expiring in 2016.

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San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council
The San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council, AFL-CIO includes 135 affiliated labor groups in the region with a membership of more than 200,000 working families.  Founded in 1891, the Labor Council advocates for more jobs, better jobs and better lives for all of San Diego’s workers – union and non-union.

www.unionyes.org  

Labor Council Response to Special Election Results in the 80th Assembly District & 4th San Diego City Council District

 

SAN DIEGO - San Diego Labor Council Secretary-Treasurer Lorena Gonzalez made the following statement in response to reported results in two San Diego special elections today:


“Tonight we're seeing exactly what happens when San Diego's working families stand up for themselves against the downtown special interests. Despite the best efforts of the likes of the Lincoln Club, Walmart, hoteliers, and lobbyists, working people have come together for their communities to make their voices heard.

“The strides that we've seen in these communities in just the last few years have been amazing. These working San Diegans have found the time and energy to really commit to organized, empowered neighborhoods, and we've seen the results in the election of Mayor Bob Filner, the defeat of Proposition 32, and in two more landmark victories for working families tonight.

“The most exciting part is knowing that this isn't simply a one-time election effort. This is real, grassroots infrastructure that's built to last and make sure the hard working people in these communities continue to be heard as we all continue working to build a better San Diego that works for everyone.”

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San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council

The San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council, AFL-CIO includes 135 affiliated labor groups in the region with a membership of more than 200,000 working families.  Founded in 1891, the Labor Council advocates for more jobs, better jobs and better lives for all of San Diego’s workers – union and non-union.
www.unionyes.org

STATEMENT OF MAJORITY LEADER ATKINS ON GOVERNOR BROWN’S REVISED BUDGET

(Sacramento)  Assembly Majority Leader Toni Atkins made the following statement on today’s release of Governor Jerry Brown’s “May Revise,” a revised budget proposal for fiscal year 2014 which reflects recent economic factors:

“I applaud Governor Brown’s cautious and balanced approach to state finances which prioritizes our investment in the future through education and healthcare.  This approach keeps our promise to help those with the greatest need, while also maintaining our focus on steps that will pay off in terms of prosperity for many generations to come.  It is also consistent with the principles outlined in the Assembly Democratic Caucus’ Blueprint for a Responsible Budget, released last week – fiscal responsibility, strengthening the middle class, and delivering effective, efficient services for Californians.

The Governor and the Legislature have worked together over the past few years to achieve today’s balanced and stable budget.  We have done this through tough and painful cuts that reduced safety net services.  The voters’ approval of the temporary taxes in Proposition 30 has also relieved the strain on state coffers as we slowly recover from the Great Recession.  I look forward to working with my legislative colleagues to review the details of the Governor’s proposal as we move toward adoption of a balanced, on-time budget by June 15.”

ASSEMBLYMEMBER WEBER RESPONDS TO GOVERNOR’S REVISED BUDGET

SACRAMENTO, CA- Assembly Member Shirley N. Weber (D-San Diego) commends Governor Jerry Brown for presenting a budget that provides more funding for education and puts California on a path to long term fiscal stability.  During a press conference today in Sacramento, highlighting revisions to his previous budget proposal, the Governor announced that the state is $4.5 billion above revenue estimates made in January and highlighted his plans to restructure the local school funding formula to benefit low income, English learners, and foster youth as well as implement the State's new Common Core Curriculum Standards.

Specifically, the Governor proposes to increase funding for the local control funding formula by an additional $240 million, for a total of $1.9 billion.  He also plans to allocate $1 billion in one-time funds in 2013-14 to fund the Common Core Standards. These revenues would be available for professional development, instructional materials, and technology enhancements, which would be funded per pupil at roughly $170 per student, the Governor indicated.

“The inequities and disparities of the current system are well documented and should no longer be tolerated, said Assemblymember Weber, who was an educator for over 40 years. “We now have an historic opportunity to ensure all students have equal access to base funding and to invest in students of high need. The Governor’s Local Control Funding is a starting point to ensure that this is accomplished, but there are still some concerns that need to be worked out.  There has to be accountability and transparency to ensure that dollars are allocated wisely.  Furthermore, we need to ensure that this influx of dollars will focus on creating career pathways for our disadvantaged students so that they can obtain high wage jobs and in turn give back to our economy,” she said.

California recently joined a number of other states in adopting the Common Core State Standards, which establishes new criteria for what students should learn in school. It also joined a consortium of states to develop new tests based on those standards. California has already adopted the Common Core Standards in Math in the fall of 2010 and new English Language Development Standards in 2012.  Governor Brown’s May Revise provides a $1 billion allocation to assist schools in implementing these standards.

“This year I am authoring AB 899, which is a bill intended to establish a process to align the English Language Development (ELD) standards to the new Common Core Math and New Generation Science Standards to help our nearly 1.4 million English Learners. I am glad that the Governor is making the Common Core Standards a priority. I look forward to working with the Governor and my colleagues in the Legislature to ensure students in California and the nation are at the same academic level as students in other countries,” said Assemblymember Weber.

The revised budget proposal assumes $98.1 million in revenue and $96.4 million in expenditures and includes a $1.1 billion reserve.  In the next couple of weeks, the Legislature and the Governor will work together to pass a responsible on time budget by June 15, 2013. Assemblymember Weber appreciates the Governor’s commitment to maintaining the fiscal stability that has come from an improving economy.

ATKINS BILL TO STREAMLINE TRANSGENDER NAME CHANGES PASSES ASSEMBLY

(San Diego)  Assembly Bill 1121, authored by Assembly Majority Leader Toni Atkins, was passed by the California State Assembly 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.

“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.

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.  It will now move to the California State Senate for consideration.

Pharmacist Kickbacks Jeopardizing the Health of San Diego Patients

The following is a guest opinion by Hollaine Hopkins from the Lupus Foundation, California chapter.

Health care cost containment is a critical issue facing every participant in the health care system. Efforts to contain costs, however, appear to have given rise to dangerous financial arrangements between health insurers and pharmacists that may be jeopardizing the health of San Diego patients.

A loophole in California law allows your health insurer to give a financial kickback to your pharmacist every time the pharmacist switches your medication to older, cheaper, non-chemically equivalent drugs from those originally prescribed by your doctor, even without your knowledge.

Switching patients to non-chemically equivalent drugs is a potentially dangerous practice known as “therapeutic substitution.” Unlike switching patients to identical generic drugs – which simply function as a cheaper alternative – pharmacists who make therapeutic substitutions are subjecting patients to drugs with different ingredients and dosages, different release mechanisms, and different side effects and complications.

For the more than 1.5 million Americans living with lupus, a therapeutic switch can directly result in a decline in health. Although two medicines may treat the same condition, when the ingredients are not the same, there can be different side effects or treatment can be ineffective. There is currently no cure for lupus and many patients take up to 20 pills every day simply to mitigate the symptoms of the disease. Those patients need to know they are getting the medications their doctor prescribed.

California law currently prohibits physicians from receiving any financial incentive from insurers for prescribing any particular course of treatment. Because of a loophole in the law, however, pharmacists are allowed to take a kickback from an insurer every time they make a therapeutic switch to a cheaper drug.

Perhaps not surprisingly, physicians report a spike in the number of requests to authorize these switches, leaving physicians without any idea if the pharmacist is recommending the switch because it is in the best interest of the patient or if it is because the pharmacist is receiving financial compensation for the switch.

Pharmacists are a critical part of a collaborative health care environment based on ethics and trust. Pharmacists are rightly well-regarded figures in their communities, and when pharmacists provide counsel, patients listen.

Prescribing physicians also routinely take the advice of pharmacists on alternate therapies, without question, for any number of reasons. A pharmacist may know that a patient’s health plan does not cover the medication a doctor has prescribed, for example. Pharmacists may also have knowledge of patient history that can help patients avoid negative drug interactions.

San Diego patients should be confident that treatment decisions are based solely on what is in their best interest and should not have to worry about whether their pharmacist is being unduly influenced by health insurer kickbacks.

League of Conservation Voters San Diego Releases 2012 Environmental Quality Report Card

Report Card grades San Diego Councilmembers and Mayor on environmental record in 2012

San Diego -- League of Conservation Voters San Diego today released the 2012 Environmental Quality Report Card for City of San Diego. The Report Card identifies 17 priority votes from 2012 and grades each member of the San Diego City Council and now-former Mayor Jerry Sanders on their record on environmental issues.

Grades for the nine elected officials ranged from an 88% ‘B’ for Councilmember David Alvarez to 59% failing ‘F’ grades for former Councilmember Carl DeMaio and former Mayor Jerry Sanders.

“The good news is, the entire council showed improved scores after an abysmal 2011 report card,” said Livia Borak, President of League of Conservation Voters San Diego. “The key now will be building on improved communications to keep our elected leadership informed and engaged on environmental priorities as we move forward.”

The entire Council improved its ranking by voting unanimously on numerous positive environmental issues, including the Water Policy Implementation Task Force, approving the purchase of emergency generators for sewage pump stations, accepting the Recycled Water Study, blocking the Quail Brush energy project, approving the California Property Assessed Clean Energy financing program, and dedicating park and recreation lands.

“It’s encouraging to see stronger voting records from the council, but we still have plenty of room for more leadership on environmental justice and climate change,” said Nicole Capretz, Associate Director, Green Energy/Green Jobs Campaign for the Environmental Health Coalition. “The next step is to make sure these issues are central to long-term planning in San Diego.”

The 2012 EQRC includes a breakdown of the votes and explanations of priority issues from the past year. It also outlines ways that members of the city council can improve their grades going forward.

“In 2013, we’ll be looking to the council to address a number of issues that will impact our region for years to come,” said Jill Witkowski, Waterkeeper at San Diego Coastkeeper. “From storm water regulations that could finally make the water safe after it rains to climate change standards that seriously address the threats to our region, now is the time to commit to smart, lasting policies to keep San Diego on the right track.”

The entire report card can be downloaded at the League of Conservation Voters San Diego website at http://lcvsd.org/

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LCVSD is a chapter of the California League of Conservation Voters, which seeks to protect the environmental quality of the state by working to elect environmentally responsible candidates and hold them accountable to the conservation agenda. By being an "on the ground" voice in the San Diego community, LCVSD provides an opportunity for environmental activists to directly impact the local electoral process while promoting environmental candidates.

MAJORITY LEADER ATKINS HONORED AS AGRICULTURE ADVOCATE

(Sacramento)  Assembly Majority Leader Toni Atkins of San Diego was honored today with the Cornucopia Award from California Women in Agriculture, http://www.cawomen4ag.com/ .  The award is given annually to an urban legislator who has demonstrated a willingness to enter into dialogue with agriculture.

“While San Diego is well known as the second largest city in California, what is less well known is that agriculture is a key economic engine for San Diego County,” says Atkins.  “I am proud to receive this award and to play a role in enhancing the partnership between urban and rural California, especially by supporting the role of women in agriculture.”

San Diego County has the 12th largest agricultural economy of 3,000 counties nationwide.  It also has more small farms than any other county in the nation.  San Diego is the number one producer of avocados and nursery crops; number two in acres devoted to guavas, pomegranates, limes, and macadamias; and number 3 in honey production.  The county is also first in number of part-time farmers and second nationally in the number of farms with women as the principal operator.

More information about San Diego agriculture is available from the San Diego Farm Bureau, http://www.sdfarmbureau.org/SD-Ag/Ag-Facts.php.