January 2012 Newsletter

Friends,

Happy New Year! I hope that your holiday and New Year's celebrations were fun and relaxing.

The year ahead will present California with many challenges and opportunities. At the top of the list is finding a balanced approach to solving the budget crisis. Significant progress toward eliminating the budget deficit was made last year. Over $16 billion in cuts were made last year, many to essential services. Health and Human Services programs were cut $6 billion and education was cut $4 billion.

In 2010, I talked about the University of California Berkeley receiving only 25 percent of its funding from the state. In 2011, it received 11 percent from the state and now only 10 percent. K-12 education has been cut over 20 percent since the recession started.

This year we must once again ask ourselves what programs we value and at what level we want to fund them. Do we want to continue to cut vital programs like education, public safety, and healthcare, jeopardizing our future economic competitiveness or do we want to build a bridge to recovery?

The Governor's January budget represents a balanced approach to closing the deficit. As part of his proposal, he is asking the voters to approve temporary revenues to build a fiscal bridge to recovery. He understands that education is our real economic engine and intellectual talent is our most valuable resource. Additional cuts to education will have significant long-term consequences for our economy.

As chair of the Budget Subcommittee on State Administration, I will begin holding hearings over the next month to really examine the Governor's proposals in detail. Most importantly though, I want to hear from you, my constituents, about what type of state you want California to be.

Throughout February and March, I will be hosting pancake breakfasts across the 15th District. I will be discussing my budget priorities for this year and I want to hear about your priorities. The details of the different breakfasts are below. I hope to see you there.

Best wishes for a successful 2012.

Sincerely,

Joan Buchanan
Assemblymember, 15th District

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Pancake Breakfasts

I will be hosting four town-hall style pancake breakfasts all across the 15th District. I hope you will come hungry and ready to talk about California's future. Please RSVP on my website for the breakfast you would like to attend.

February 4th - Livermore
10 a.m. – Noon
Robert Livermore Community Center
4444 East Avenue Livermore, CA 94550

February 18th – Oakley
10 a.m. – Noon
The White House
204 Second Street Oakley, CA 94561

February 25th – San Ramon
10 a.m. – Noon
Laborer's Training Center
1001 Westside Drive San Ramon, CA 94583

March 17th – Walnut Creek
10 a.m. – Noon
Walnut Creek Elk's Lodge
1475 Creekside Drive Walnut Creek, CA 94596

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Legislative Priorities for 2012

Every year I try to limit the number of bills I author because I believe that the Legislature spends too much time writing new laws rather than solving problems and ensuring adequate oversight of existing programs and services.

The Budget

• The most important bill we pass is the budget bill. It is a statement of our values. Producing a balanced, on-time budget is our highest priority. As a member of the Budget Committee and chair of the Budget Sub Committee on Government Administration and Information Technology, I support and understand the need for proper oversight and review. I also expect the Legislature to spend considerable time evaluating the Governor's pension reform package and its impact on our finances.

Education

• Education will continue to be a high priority for me. As a former school board member, I understand the impact of recent cuts in funding and believe it is critically important to maintain and increase current funding levels. A strong education system is our greatest economic engine.

Delta Protection

• Every year, invasive non-native plant species grow like weeds throughout the Delta water ways, threatening the ecosystem, obstructing navigation, interfering with recreation and harming fisheries. Currently, only water hyacinth and egeria densa are authorized for treatment by the Department of Boating and Waterways (DBW). South African Spongeplant is a highly invasive weed that is growing and spreading quickly. I will introduce a bill to designate DBW as the lead agency in controlling South African Spongeplant in the Delta because early stage treatment is the most cost effective.

Streamlining Government Procurement

• Another area of interest is the use of technology to streamline government processes. This includes updating existing legacy systems that are decades old. As chair of the Select Committee on Government Efficiency, Technology, and Innovation, I had several meetings and held a hearing during the recess on how the state buys, builds, and implements new technology systems. I am working with the Department of General Services, California Technology Agency, and industry organizations to improve the procurement process.

Detailed information about the bills I have authored can always be found on my website. My new bills for the 2012 legislative session will be posted once they are finalized in the next few weeks. The last day to introduce new bills this year is February 24.

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Introducing Debbie

I would like to welcome Debbie Look as a Field Representative in our office.  Debbie already has strong ties to the community, having lived in Pleasanton for 11 years and being very involved in local and state PTAs.  She has served on the California State PTA Board, most recently as Vice President of Education.  We look forward to adding her expertise to our office.  Debbie will primarily be representing me in the Tri-Valley Communities as well as across the district in education issues.  She can be reached in my San Ramon office at (925) 328-1515.  Email Debbie

Additionally, I would like to announce that Iris Obregon, who has been a Field Representative in my office for the past 2 years, will be taking over as district director.  Iris has done an outstanding job working with constituents in East Contra Costa County and I hope you will join me in welcoming her to her new role.  She will continue to work primarily in our Oakley Office, (925) 679-2715. Email Iris

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Assembly Fellowship Program

Each year, 18 individuals are selected to participate in the program. The 11-month fellowship provides an introduction to public policy formation and adoption in the California Legislature through full-time work as a professional legislative staff member. This unique program provides an opportunity for individuals of all ages and backgrounds to directly participate in the legislative process.

Applicants must have received their bachelor’s degree by September 2012. Both mid-career professionals and recent college graduates are encouraged to apply.  Applications for the 2012-2013 class must be submitted by February 22, 2012. Click here for more information.

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Around the District

La Clinica Grand Opening

Joan participates in the Grand Opening of La Clinica de La Raza in Oakley. Pictured with: State Senator Mark DeSaulnier, Supervisor Mary Piepho, La Clinica CEO Jane Garcia, Mayor Jim Frazier and Councilmember Carol Rios of Oakley.

Holiday Open House

Joan hosts a Holiday Open House, at her District Office in San Ramon, for her constituents to celebrate the season.

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