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Tri-County Sentry
Friday AUGUST 29, 2014
State News Congresswoman Lee Announces Federal Rep. Bass Releases Statement Grant to Expand STEM Education Condemning Anti-Semitic Flyers
Oakland, CA – Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) announced a $1,900,191 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to the University of California-Berkeley. The grant will fund a five year project to investigate clean energy-focus intervention models to improve learning and career awareness amongst students 14-16. “I am excited to announce this funding for the University of CaliforniaBerkeley to ensure that our nation’s next generation of scientists and engineers undertake the important challenges of securing our clean energy future,” said Congresswoman Lee.
Congresswoman Barbara Lee The programs will work with approximately 975 students at 12 schools with large underrepresent-
ed populations. Students will have an opportunity to learn and apply STEM content and information and communications technology skills to expand their knowledge of energy and energy usage. Opportunities will be available in school day courses and in after school programs. “It is very important that diverse students have access to programs in the STEM fields, especially related to clean energy,” said Congresswoman Lee. “As we work to establish a clean energy future, we will need a diverse workforce ready and able to create a truly sustainable future.”
Board of Equalization Chairman Jerome E. Horton said Chairman Jerome E. Horton. “We estimate that California is losing $8.5
billion in tax revenue to criminals operating in the underworld, and Governor Brown’s signature on this bill will provide us another tool to help recapture the hidden revenues.” If AB 2681 is signed, it will enable the state to impose sales tax on those convicted of trafficking in counterfeit goods at the wholesale level. Under current law, suppliers of counterfeit goods are able to avoid paying sales tax, claiming their items are being sold to retailers who are then charged with collecting and paying taxes on sales to the BOE. This legislation will make convicted criminals at any level of the distribution chain liable for the sales tax.
Counterfeit Crackdown Bill Heads to Governor’s Desk
Sacramento – Board of Equalization Chairman Jerome E. Horton announced that BOE-sponsored legislation to counter our state’s large-scale counterfeit goods suppliers is one step away from becoming law. Assembly Bill 2681 is on its way to the governor’s desk, after the Senate voted it out on August 19, 2014. “Leveraging both state and federal laws that allow for the prosecution of criminal bosses trafficking in counterfeit goods, this measure empowers the BOE to investigate wholesalers of counterfeit goods who distribute illegal products including contraband medicine, electronics, and construction products,”
LOS ANGELES, CA-Congresswoman Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles) released the following statement after reports of antiSemitic flyers being left at a Westwood business: "I am deeply concerned that anti-Semitic flyers with swastikas have been left at a Westwood business this week, and I unequivocally condemn whomever is responsible for this despicable action. Los Angeles thrives because of our diversity, and the Jewish
Congresswoman Karen Bass
community is an integral part of our great city's history and culture. All Angelenos deserve to live, work and play in a city free from intimidation and discrimination. "It is unfortunate that we see these spikes in hateful rhetoric every time there is increased violence in the Middle East. I know that Los Angeles is better than this; this sort of hateful rhetoric has no place in our neighborhoods, and it must stop immediately."
Bill Providing Transparency to the State Water Resources Control Board Passes Assembly Floor
SACRAMENTO – Assemblyman Scott Wilk’s, R- Santa Clarita, bill requiring all external scientific peer reviews conducted by state and regional boards to be posted on the State Water Resource Control Boards website passed the Assembly. Assembly Bill 1707 is now on its way to the Governor’s desk, where it awaits his signature. “The need for this bill was discovered while searching for the peer review of the Upper Santa Clara River chloride Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL). The document was later discovered by regional board staff in a three ring binder revealing the lack of transparency this bill seeks to fix,” said
Wilk. “Regional quality boards often impose regulations on communities that may cost millions of dollars and it is imperative that peer reviews are available for public access as a
way for ratepayers to ensure the process is appropriate and necessary.” The performance of the peer reviews is already mandated by law, so the only change AB 1707 makes is requiring the reports be posted for public access. Furthermore, the bill stresses the importance of sound science being employed before requiring ratepayers to fund these mitigations and AB 1707 will be an incremental step in accomplishing that goal. “As long as we make certain that environmental action is conducted through the use of sound science and community consensus, you can be certain that I will continue to fight for its further protection,” said Wilk.
passed, the cities of Grover Beach and Wasco recently abandoned their efforts to place Charter proposals on the November ballot. However, three cities including Arroyo Grande, Costa Mesa and Escondido are among those who will place similar measures before voters in November. Chartering has come under increased scrutiny in recent years, with high profile corruption scandals landing officials from the Charter Cities of Bell and Vernon in jail and three California Charter Cities having recently declared bankruptcy. The Middle Class Taxpayers Association (MCTA) launched www.CharterWarning.com earlier this year to warn the citizens of California of the potential risks and costs associated with Charter proposals. With the deadline for filing charters for the November ballot now passed, MCTA Board Member Dr. Murtaza Baxamusa issued the following statement: "For months, the Middle Class Taxpayers Association has been working to educate the public about the hidden dangers that some city charters contain. Dangers that can open the door for corruption and mismangement that led to the scandal in Bell and paved the road to bankruptcy in other cities. "In the past few weeks, the City Councils of Grover Beach and Wasco heeded our warnings and those from the community and opted against putting a charter measure on the ballot. Realizing the potential
of public support, and the likelihood that these communities would be divided by controversy, these cities wisely decided against moving charter proposals to the ballot and we applaud them for their decision. "A small number of cities have moved to place measures on the ballot despite having almost no public support, and even worse, having just had a charter fight in 2012 – likely hoping that lower turnout in the off year will improve their chances. Costa Mesa placed a charter on the ballot in 2012, and 59% of voters voted No. That same year, voters in Escondido rejected a similar charter measure with 53% of local voters saying No. Sadly, the taxpayers in these communities are once again being forced to foot the bill to put these already-rejected proposals back on the ballot. Those resources could be put to far better use creating jobs or improving public safety. "Proponents of charters had targeted up to 30 cities for potential charter conversion, but the vast majority of those cities they lobbied – including cities like Taft, Moreno Valley, La Mirada and Murietta – all looked at the record of charter cities, and decided that general law was a safer bet for their citizens. "Ultimately, it is clear that as more Californians learn about the potential costs and consequences that chartering can bring to their communities, they are becoming more and more inclined to oppose them."
Assemblyman Scott Wilk
Multiple CA Cities Heed Warnings, Abandon Charter Efforts SAN DIEGO, CA – on the November ballot pitfalls, costs, complete lack
With the deadline for placing city charter measures
Assemblymember Brown Issues Statement on the Shooting of San Bernardino Police Officer Gabriel Garcia SAN BERNARDINO – Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown (D-San Bernardino) issued the following statement today on the shooting of San Bernardino Police Officer Gabriel Garcia: “I am praying for a speedy and full recovery for San Bernardino Police Officer Gabriel Garcia. As I stated at his vigil last Friday, we must control the violence rising in our communities. We must begin to address the underlying factors, which create an atmosphere that breeds violence. I call on every citizen to help us stop this steady increase of violent actions, which begins with all of us respecting and helping our law enforcement officers keep our communities and cities safe. It is imperative that the community leaders, law enforcement and public safety officials come together to discuss and work on a comprehensive plan to stop the violence. This is a problem that can only be solved by everyone respecting each other and working together for a common goal and purpose.” Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown represents the 47th Assembly District, which includes Colton, Fontana, Grand Terrace, Rialto, San Bernardino, and the unincorporated communities of Bloomington and Muscoy. Website of Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown: http://www.asmdc.org/members/a47/