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Tri-County Sentry
Friday AUGUST 1, 2014
State News AG Harris to Convene Multinational Waters Pushes to Increase Law Enforcement Summit Consumer and Investor Protections
SAN FRANCISCO -Attorney General Kamala D. Harris convened state and federal officials from the U.S., Mexico and El Salvador for a multinational summit focused on the use of technology to fight transnational organized crime on Sunday, July 20. The summit, was held in association with the annual meeting of the U.S. Conference of Western Attorneys General (CWAG), will focus on human trafficking, intellectual property violations and money laundering. “Transnational criminal organizations are increasingly using sophisticated networks and technology to commit crimes against the people of California, the
Attorney General Kamala D. Harris United States, and globally,” Attorney General Harris said. “This summit will build on the partnership we forged in Mexico City this March to combat the increased use of social media in human trafficking and
disrupt money laundering schemes in the U.S.-Mexico border region. I want to thank my colleagues and international partners for joining me to address this serious issue.” Attendees at the summit, the 2014 CWAG Alliance Partnership Binational State Attorney General Exchange, included U.S. state attorneys general, U.S. federal officials, Mexico Attorney General Jesús Murillo Karam, El Salvador Attorney General Luis Martinez, and Mexico state attorneys general. The summit followed a U.S. delegation visit led by Attorney General Harris to Mexico City in March to strengthened relationships HARRIS, See page 12A
As the House of Representatives considers the harmful Republican financial services and general government funding proposal, Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), Ranking Democrat on the Financial Services Committee, offered three amendments designed to provide adequate resources to our financial regulators. The amendments build off concerns raised by Waters, when she criticized Republicans for attempting to use an appropriations measure to make controversial legislative changes that would undermine consumer protection, weaken important Wall Street reforms and
Brownsville, Texas, until moving to California’s Imperial Valley with his family at 14, was praised by members of the state Latino Legislative Caucus. “Mr. Cuéllar is living proof that the American Dream is alive, well, and still thriving,” state Sen. Lou Correa (D-Santa Ana) said in a statement. “From modest beginnings, Mr. Cuéllar has demonstrated a mastery of the law and a commitment to impartial justice.” Cuéllar will succeed the court’s most conservative justice, Marvin Baxter, disrupting Republican control over the court they’ve held since 1987, the San Francisco Chronicle noted.
SACRAMENTO — Assemblymember Das Williams (D - Carpinteria) applauds efforts to enforce water conservation in California. The State Water Resources Control Board has approved an emergency regulation to approve fines up to $500 a day for residents who waste water on lawns, landscaping, and car washing. “Our drought is such a threat that voluntary measures are not enough to protect our future. It is crucial that we all do our part to conserve California’s water. From fixing broken sprinklers, cease watering landscaping, to taking shorter showers, simple steps can go a long way.
Congresswoman Maxine Waters hurt regulators’ ability to protect our economy. She raised concerns about provisions within the legislation, H.R. 5016, that place improper funding restrictions on the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Consumer Fi-
nancial Protection Bureau (CFPB), among others. The three amendments offered by Waters included: An amendment to restore the independent funding of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Under the GOP finding measure, the Bureau’s independent funding stream would be eliminated, instead tied to the highly political Congressional appropriations process. Despite being directly relevant to the provisions within the bill, Republicans objected to the amendment, ruling it out of order on an appropriations measure. An amendment to fully WATERS, See page 12A
Assemblymember Das Williams Many local water agencies offer conservation incentives, like irrigation control devices and help with landscaping,” said Williams. California is experiencing the worst drought in nearly four decades. The new conservation regulation is aimed at reducing
outdoor water use. The regulation adopted by the State Water Board, mandates minimum actions to conserve water supplies both for this year and into 2015. Most Californians use more water outdoors than indoors. In some areas, 50 percent or more of daily water use is for lawns and outdoor landscaping. This regulation will expect Californians to stop washing down driveways and sidewalks; watering of outdoor landscapes that cause excess runoff; using a hose to wash a motor vehicle, unless the hose is fitted with a shut-off nozzle, and using potable water in a fountain or decorative water feature, unless the water is recirculated. The regulation makes an exception for health and safety circumstances.
Sacramento – California taxpayers who disagree with local assessors’ valuation of their property can contact the local assessor’s office to discuss the assessment or appeal their property tax bills. “Thanks to Proposition 13, property taxes remain predictable and reasonable for California homeowners,” said Board of Equalization Member George Runner. “Even so, taxpayers should carefully review their bills and know they
have the right to challenge any mistakes.” The window to file an appeal varies by county, and ends either Sept. 15 or Dec. 1, 2014. That process is only available to taxpayers who are challenging the assessed value of their property as of Jan. 1. Different appeal periods apply to taxpayers who are appealing an assessment after a property was sold, underwent new construction, or was damaged in a natural TAX, See page 12A
Latino Immigrant Reaches Major Milestone Assemblymember Williams Applauds By Lydia O'Connor and walked across the borEfforts to Enforce Water Conservation A legal expert who once der to school every day in crossed the U.S. border to get to school every day is set to be the newest addition to the California Supreme Court, where he will be the first Latino immigrant justice. Mariano-Florentino “Tino” Cuéllar, a Stanford University law professor and former Obama administration special assistant, was nominated for the post by Gov. Jerry Brown. Cuéllar faces confirmation by a three-member commission, including Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye and Attorney General Kamala Harris. “Tino Cuéllar is a renowned scholar who has served two presidents and made significant contribu-
Mariano-Florentino “Tino” Cuéllar tions to both political science and the law,” Brown said in a press release. “His vast knowledge and even temperament will -- without question -- add further luster to our highest court.” Cuéllar, who was born in Matamoros, Mexico,
Compton USD Member Skyy Fisher Vows to Keep Seat After Sexual Assault Arrest
A Compton school board member arrested last week on suspicion of sexually assaulting a sleeping man, said he will not step down despite numerous calls for his resignation. School board member Skyy Fisher, 31, was arrested on sexual assault charges of an unconscious victim reported law enforcement officials. On Tuesday, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office issued a warrant for his arrest on suspicion of oral copulation of a person who was asleep or unconscious. The Los Angeles Times reported that Fisher was taken to San Diego County and booked at the Vista Detention Center. He was held on $100,000 bail and released Thursday. According to an arrest warrant, a 26-year-old man told San Diego police in April that Fisher had performed oral sex on him as he slept. The two men were on a trip to San Diego and shared a room, but were sleeping in separate beds, according to the arrest warrant. The man told police he woke as Fisher was sexually assaulting him. In May, authorities obtained a search warrant to collect Fisher’s DNA. An analysis confirmed the presence of Fisher’s DNA
Compton school board member Skyy Fisher on the man’s body, accord- tion after he was caught on ing to court documents. a local radio program/podFisher’s tenure on the cast calling slain teenager Compton Unified School Trayvon Martin a “fa**ot Board of Trustees has been Black dude” and school plagued with controversy Superintendent Karen Frifor the past several years. son a “b**ch” in 2012. A number of local city Fisher’s comments in leaders and residents had video: called for Fishers resigna-“that white dude that
killed that faggot Black dude in Florida. I’m going to go out and try to search for this [inaudible].” -“If you all see that George Zimmerman bitch, tell him I’m looking for him.” -“That bitch superintendent wouldn’t give me a fucking district car, and I told that bitch that I was going to get her.” -“The daughter is like, doing bad in the class, and she’s trying to get back at the teacher… The father comes to the board meeting, crying and shit to the board, talking about his daughter’s been raped and all kind of bullshit. All of a sudden, this motherfucker has six attorneys.” -“Wow, so instead of you guys stealing the money, someone else is stealing the money from the district,” says one host. Fisher’s response: “Yeah! Yeah!” FISHER, See page 12A
Annual Period to Appeal Property Tax Bills is Underway
Assemblyman Jeff Gorell Statement on Job Cuts at Amgen
Thousand Oaks, CA – Assemblyman Jeff Gorell (R-Camarillo) released the following statement about the announcement that Amgen would be cutting over 2,400 jobs worldwide. Although I am disappointed to hear that Amgen is making employee cutbacks throughout the nation, I am pleased that they are retaining a substantial workforce here in Ventura County. While it's difficult for those employees who may be leaving, I will be working closely with Amgen to help their displaced workers find jobs and stay in
our community. Amgen has one of the most talented workforces in the nation and retaining these people in our community would be a tremendous benefit for everyone. Amgen has always been an excellent corporate neighbor. I have enjoyed working with them in the past and I look forward to helping them in any way possible to grow their business and to continue to expand their future operations in Ventura County. Assemblyman Jeff Gorell, R-Camarillo, represents the 44th Assembly District in the California Legislature.