Proposals support economic recovery, local economic development and small business (SACRAMENTO) – Today, the Assembly Committee on Jobs, Economic Development, and the Economy, chaired by V. Manuel Pérez (D-Coachella), approved three bills at its first policy hearing of the 2012 legislative session. “The policy proposals approved today all focus on the state’s economic recovery,” explained Pérez, “and they underscore the importance of improved coordination at different levels of government to best leverage private and public…

State Assemblymember Pérez to attend; community urged to participate (SACRAMENTO) – This Thursday, two public meetings will be held in the Coachella Valley to engage community members on the matter of the Sentinel mitigation fund.  State Assemblymember V. Manuel Pérez, author of AB 1318 that established the fund, will be attending both meetings and urges Coachella Valley communities to participate. “It’s vital that we ensure an open and transparent process related to the Sentinel mitigation…

Stands with local communities on benefit of economic development program (EL CENTRO, CALIF.) – Today, Assemblymember V. Manuel Pérez (D-Coachella) joined business owners, community members, and local officials from the Imperial and Coachella Valleys to voice strong support for the protection and strengthening of the California Enterprise Zone (EZ) program at a public forum in El Centro held by the California Department of Housing and Community Development. Today's forum is the second of three "listening…

Efforts to fix the dying Salton Sea have ebbed and flowed over the years, but longtime observers of this seemingly endless saga say they're hopeful real progress might finally emerge after this week's state assembly hearing in North Shore. "I'm encouraged from the meeting," said Timothy Krantz, a University of Redlands environmental studies professor who's spent the past 14 years studying sea restoration. "I think there's a realization on the part of the state that…