Items filtered by date: April 2011
SACRAMENTO - The California Assembly today passed domestic violence prevention legislation authored by Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez (D-Los Angeles), voting to protect current and former fiancés and persons currently or formerly in a dating relationship under the felony domestic violence statute. The bill's passage moves California closer to equal protections for all victims of domestic violence.
"Everyone should be protected from domestic violence, no matter their sexual orientation or relationship status," Pérez said. "This bill closes loopholes in existing laws that treats some cases of domestic violence differently, especially for couples in a dating relationship or where the couple was formerly engaged. We must take every step possible to prevent domestic violence and ensure that batterers face the strictest penalties for their crimes."
The bill, AB 545, brings conformity to existing California law, as the list of individuals covered by misdemeanor domestic violence is significantly broader than those individuals covered by the felony domestic violence law. Specifically, an individual who is a fiancé or a person with whom the offender currently or previously had a dating relationship can be charged with a misdemeanor but not a felony.
This loophole in the definition of protected victims results in a large group of domestic violence offenders not being appropriately charged. In addition to being charged with the wrong crime, these individuals are often not subject to the appropriate punishment and treatment requirements that other domestic abusers are subject to upon conviction.
The bill, which has the support of the California Department of Justice, California State Sheriff's Association and the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence, closes that loophole by harmonizing the categories of victims in the felony and misdemeanor statutes to ensure that all victims of domestic violence are equally protected.
AB 545 is Pérez's second effort at securing equal protections for fiancés and persons currently or formerly in a dating relationship, as a similar piece of legislation that Pérez authored in 2009 passed through the Assembly, but stalled in the Senate Public Safety Committee.
CONTACT: John Vigna (916) 319-2408
Honor y Orgullo Latino
SACRAMENTO – In this Democratic Weekly Radio Address, Speaker John A. Pérez (D-Los Angeles) discusses the importance of Memorial Day, and takes some time to thank “those brave individuals stationed throughout the world fighting for American values and our way of life.” Pérez highlights efforts in the Assembly—specifically allocating Assembly operating budget savings—to fund programs that include aiding vets in federal benefit collection, expanding current social service programs that help homeless vets gets back on their feet, and increasing mental health counseling for National Guard members and their families. Pérez also speaks on AB 557, legislation he has sponsored that creates the California Interagency Council on Veteran Services and Programs, aimed at better coordination of existing veterans’ programs and more efficient delivery of services through all levels of government. Pérez closes by stating that Californians “must continue to care for our veterans just as they have fought for us” and encourages every Californian to take a moment and thank all of those who have served and given their lives for our country.
Click onto the following link for the English language MP3 file. The running time is 2:34.
Click onto the following link for the Spanish language MP3 file. The running time is 2:58.
CONTACT: John Vigna (916) 319-2408
Website of Speaker John A. Pérez: http://asmdc.org/speaker/
This is Assembly Speaker John Pérez.
This weekend brings our celebration of Memorial Day, and with it comes the opportunity for our nation and state to take some time to thank those brave individuals stationed throughout the world fighting for American values and our way of life.
We must also remember and honor those brave souls who’ve made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our nation, as well as the men and women and children who are left behind while their loved ones are deployed oversees.
California is home to almost 2 million veterans, from every conflict since the Second World War.
These Veterans and their families have unique needs and challenges including homelessness, unemployment, and high suicide rates — all of which affect veterans in greater numbers than the average population.
The Assembly is committed to supporting those who have fought for our nation, and in keeping with that commitment, I’ve approved the use of some of the cuts I made to the Assembly’s operating budget to support several veteran programs.
These programs include aiding vets in federal benefit collection, expanding current social service programs that help homeless vets gets back on their feet, and increasing mental health counseling for National Guard members and their families.
However, given the budget challenges we have and the impact of the recession, we must also focus our attention on better coordination of our existing veterans’ programs and more efficient delivery of these services through all levels of government.
That’s why I’ve introduced AB 557, which would create the California Interagency Council on Veteran Services and Programs.
The purpose of the council would be to create better coordination between all levels of key state agencies and departments, federal officials, legislative representatives, local governments, and stakeholder organizations.
This is especially important with respect to federal disability compensation and pension payments, given that only approximately 13 percent of California’s veterans collect these payments from the federal government.
It’s estimated that if California could increase its participation rate to the national average, over $200 million in benefit payments could be returned to the state and local economy which would have measurable impacts on veterans and their families.
Memorial Day is a day of remembrance and a day of gratitude — we must continue to care for our veterans just as they have fought for us — and I encourage every Californian to take a moment and thank all of those who are serving, have served, or will serve in the future.
This is Assembly Speaker John Pérez, Thank you for listening.
Presidente John Pérez y Asambleístas Demócratas Honran a los Veteranos de Guerra en el Día de Conmemoración a los Caídos: Destacan Legislación que Ayuda a Aquellos que Han Prestado sus Servicios a Nuestra Nación
SACRAMENTO – En el mensaje demócrata semanal, el bloque demócrata de la Asamblea estatal destaca la importancia del Día de Conmemoración a los Caídos y la necesidad de darnos un momento para agradecer a “aquellos bravos soldados emplazados a través del mundo que luchan por los valores de los Estados Unidos y nuestro estilo de vida.” El bloque demócrata destaca los esfuerzos en la Asamblea, especialmente el del presidente John A. Pérez (D-Los Angeles) que destina fondos de los recortes que se hicieron al presupuesto de operaciones de la Asamblea, para respaldar varios programas para los veteranos de guerra—estos incluyen ayuda a los veteranos a recaudar sus beneficios federales, expandir los actuales programas de servicio social que ayudan a los sin vivienda a ponerse de pie, aumentar las terapias de salud mental para nuestros miembros de la Guardia Nacional y sus familias. Los demócratas también mencionan la legislación AB 557 del presidente Pérez, la cual crea el Consejo Interagencial de Programas y Servicios para los Veteranos de California, con el propósito de una mejor coordinación entre los programas existentes para los veteranos. El mensaje concluye instando a los californianos a “seguir cuidando a nuestros veteranos de guerra tal como ellos lo han hecho y luchado por nosotros”, y alentar a todos los californianos a tomarse un momento y agradecer a todos los que prestan su servicio militar, a los que lo han hecho en el pasado, y a los que continuarán haciéndolo en el futuro por nuestro país.
El discurso radial en archivo de MP3 puede ser localizado en el sitio de Internet. Tiempo de duración es: 2:58.
Portal del presidente de la Asamblea John A. Pérez: http://asmdc.org/speaker/
Que tal, a continuación el mensaje radial del bloque demócrata de la Asamblea estatal de California.
Esta semana observamos el Día de Conmemoración a los Caídos, y esto trae consigo la oportunidad para que nuestra nación y estado destinen un tiempo para agradecer a aquellos bravos soldados emplazados a través del mundo que luchan por los valores de los Estados Unidos y nuestro estilo de vida.
Nosotros también debemos recordar y honrar a todas esas almas bravas que han entregado su último sacrificio en defensa de nuestra nación, así como también a todos esos hombres, mujeres y niños que deben quedar atrás mientras sus seres amados son destinados a servir en el extranjero.
California es el hogar de casi 2 millones de veteranos de guerra, de todos los conflictos bélicos a partir de la Segunda Guerra Mundial.
Estos veteranos y sus familias se ven afectados con desafíos y necesidades particulares tal como la falta de vivienda, desempleo, y altos niveles de suicidio — todos ellos afectando a los veteranos en números mayores que al resto de la población.
La Asamblea está comprometida en respaldar a todos aquellos que han luchado por nuestra nación, y en el espíritu de ese compromiso, el presidente de la Asamblea John Pérez ha aprobado el uso de algunos de los fondos de los recortes que se hicieron al presupuesto de operaciones de la Asamblea, para respaldar varios programas para los veteranos de guerra.
Estos programas incluye la ayuda a los veteranos a recaudar sus beneficios federales, expandir los actuales programas de servicio social que ayudan a los sin vivienda a ponerse de pie, aumentar las terapias de salud mental para nuestros miembros de la Guardia Nacional y sus familias.
Sin embargo, dado los desafíos presupuestarios que tenemos y el impacto de la recesión, nosotros también debemos enfocar nuestra atención en cómo coordinar mejor los programas existentes para nuestros veteranos y ser más eficientes en la entrega de estos servicios en todos los niveles del gobierno.
Es por esa razón que el presidente John Pérez presentó el proyecto de ley AB 557, el cual crea el Consejo Interagencial de Programas y Servicios para los Veteranos de California.
El propósito de este consejo será el de crear una mejor coordinación entre todas de las agencias y departamentos claves, funcionarios federales, representantes legislativos, gobiernos locales, y organizaciones interesadas.
Esto es especialmente importante con respecto a la compensación por discapacidad federal y pagos de pensión, dado que solamente aproximadamente un 13 por ciento de los veteranos de California reciben estos pagos del gobierno federal.
Se estima que si California pudiera incrementar su índice de participación al promedio nacional, más de $200 millones de dólares en pagos de beneficio podrían regresar a las economías locales y del estado lo cual tendría un impacto mensurable en los veteranos y sus familias.
El Día de Conmemoración a los Caídos es un día del recuerdo y un día de agradecimiento—nosotros debemos seguir cuidando a nuestros veteranos de guerra tal como ellos lo han hecho y luchado por nosotros—y alentamos a todos los californianos a tomarse un momento y agradecer a todos los que prestan su servicio militar, a los que lo han hecho en el pasado, y a los que continuarán haciéndolo en el futuro.
Gracias por su atención. Aquí concluye el mensaje radial del bloque demócrata de la Asamblea estatal de California.
SACRAMENTO – In case you missed it, the Los Angeles Times has followed a number of stories relating to the city of Vernon and its loophole-ridden reforms, including pay cuts that won't take effect for years to come, and the continued $500,000 pension payments to former city administrator Bruce Malkenhorst who yesterday pled guilty to illegally using public money.
"These reports underscore the fact that Vernon is willing to say or do anything to protect their corrupt status quo," said John Vigna, Press Secretary for Speaker John A. Pérez (D-Los Angeles). "Vernon's reform proposals are pure window-dressing that will do nothing to eliminate the grip Vernon officials have over that city, and the $42,000 per month pension that former Vernon official and felon Bruce Malkenhorst will continue to receive is an insult to the taxpayers of California. Taken together, the past few days have clearly reinforced the fact that the only permanent solution to protect jobs and end the corruption in Vernon is through disincorporation."
The Los Angeles Times on the Vernon City Council's Limited Reforms:
"Despite a series of reforms and pay cuts approved by the city of Vernon on Thursday, current City Council members will continue earning among the highest salaries in the state for such positions, about $70,000 a year, until they finish their five-year terms, officials said shortly after council's special meeting.
"The pay cut to $25,000 will only take effect if the councilmen are elected or appointed to a new term."
The Los Angeles Times on Bruce Malkenhorst's Pension and Criminal Activity:
"The plea Thursday involved Bruce Malkenhorst, who led Vernon for decades and was at one time California's highest-paid government official. He also holds the distinction of being the state's highest-paid public pensioner, receiving just over $500,000 a year."
"Malkenhorst was at one time California's highest-paid government official, earning $911,000 his final year. Malkenhorst was a larger-than-life figure in Southeast L.A. Friends of Robert Rizzo said the former Bell city administrator saw Malkenhorst as a mentor and confidant."
Speaker Pérez has authored Assembly Bill 46, which would establish a process for disincorporating any city with a population of fewer than 150 people. One city affected by the measure is the City of Vernon, which has a decades-long history of corruption allegations, indictments and convictions for offenses including voter fraud. The bill passed through the Assembly on a bipartisan vote last month.
Click the links below to see the full stories:
Vernon council pay cut won't happen for years for some members
Former Vernon official pleads guilty to illegally using public money
Website of Speaker John A. Pérez: www.asmdc.org/speaker
CONTACT: John Vigna (916) 319-2408
SACRAMENTO - In case you missed it, Former Vernon city administrator Bruce Malkenhorst Sr. pleaded guilty today to a charge of misappropriating public funds. The former city administrator — the second former Vernon official to be convicted in recent years in a criminal case — was sentenced to three years on formal probation and ordered to pay a $10,000 fine and $60,000 in restitution to the city of Vernon.
Deputy District Attorney Sean Hassett said Malkenhorst had the city illegally reimburse him for $60,000, including eight $99 political contributions and various personal expenses, such as golf, massages, a personal trainer and a home security system.
Speaker John A. Pérez (D-Los Angeles) has authored Assembly Bill 46, which would establish a process for disincorporating any city with a population of fewer than 150 people. One city affected by the measure is the City of Vernon, which has a decades-long history of corruption allegations, indictments and convictions for offenses including voter fraud. The bill passed through the Assembly on a bipartisan vote last month.
CONTACT: John Vigna (916) 319-2408
Speaker Also Sponsors Bipartisan Legislation to Improve Coordination Between Existing Veteran Programs
SACRAMENTO – Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez (D-Los Angeles) today announced the allocation of $1.2 million of Assembly budget savings for several programs to strengthen support for veterans and their families, who have unique needs and challenges including homelessness, unemployment, and high suicide rates — all of which affect veterans in greater numbers than the average population.
“One of the highest obligations we have is to do right by the men and women who donned our nation’s uniform,” Pérez said. “The Assembly is committed to supporting our veterans and their families, and in keeping with that commitment, I have approved the use of some of the cuts I made to the Assembly’s operating budget to support several veteran programs.”
The programs include aiding vets in federal benefit collection, expanding current social service programs that help homeless vets gets back on their feet, and increasing mental health counseling for National Guard members and their families.
Pérez also has sponsored bipartisan legislation, joining co-authors Colonel Paul Cook (R-Yucca Valley) and Dr. Richard Pan (D-Natomas), to create better coordination between key state agencies and departments, federal officials, legislative representatives, local governments, and stakeholder organizations. The bill, AB 557, would create the California Interagency Council on Veteran Services and Programs.
“These are hard times for everyone,” Colonel Cook, Chair of the Assembly Veterans Affairs Committee said. “If we can find savings in our own house and put it toward veterans’ programs that desperately need it, I’m all for it. I’m excited that the Assembly is helping to fund job opportunities and necessary services to our nation’s heroes.”
“Speaker Pérez has shown a profound commitment to veterans by working so hard to secure funding for veterans,” Dr. Pan, Vice-Chair of the Assembly Veterans Affairs Committee said. “AB 557 is an important common sense measure to coordinate our efforts and ensure that our brave veterans receive the support they deserve when they return home. It is also a great efficiency measure that will help to do more for our growing veteran population.”
“Given the budget challenges we have and the impact of the recession, we must also focus our attention on better coordination of our existing veteran programs and more efficient delivery of these services through all levels of government,” Pérez added.
Increasing coordination is especially important with respect to federal disability compensation and pension payments, given that only approximately 13 percent of California’s veterans collect these payments from the federal government. Raising California veterans’ participation rates to the national average would result in over $200 million in benefit payments, which would have a measurable impact on veterans and their families.
Under the direction of Speaker Pérez, the Assembly has cut its operating budget by 15%, which has allowed the Assembly to help fund other priorities.
See below for Veteran Program Funding Summaries:
- California Veterans Services Representative Academy – New funding allows for the creation and implementation of a new five week training program. This program assists the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CDVA) in establishing a Veteran Service Representative Academy (CVSRA) that will train Veterans Service Representatives (VSR) for the job of preparing veterans claims for benefits, primarily federal disability compensation and pension benefits.
- Homeless Veteran Stand Downs – Increased funding for Local Stand Downs — a popular and effective resource made available to veterans, particularly, homeless veterans, where they are provided a wide variety of social services from local businesses, government agencies and community and faith-based service providers.
- Mental Health Counseling for National Guard Members and their Families – New funding adds additional counselors for the California National Guard and its almost 20,000 guard men and women, many of whom are returning from, or preparing for, active duty and may be experiencing mental health issues associated with their service.
- California Conservation Corps – Veteran Back Country Trail Crews – New funding allows for the training of new crews for the California Conservation Corps (CCC) and the U.S. Forest Service. Through participation in the CCC, veterans will receive training and gain hands-on work experience in areas with considerable potential for post-corps employment. The Veterans’ Back Country Trail Crew for returned veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan will work on the following program elements: 1) forestry and fire training with the US Forest Service; 2) energy efficiency work including, but not limited to, CCC’s Energy Smart Jobs Program; and 3) other public land management work.
Website of Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez: www.asmdc.org/speaker
CONTACT: John Vigna (916) 319-2408
Funding Restores Services to 66,000 Children and Their Working Parents
SACRAMENTO – Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez (D-Los Angeles) today announced that the Assembly Budget Subcommittee voted to restore the child care cuts made in the Governor’s May Revision, while increasing budget debt payments and maintaining a budget reserve consistent with the Governor’s proposal. This funding restoration will restore services to 66,000 children and their working parents.
“Restoring funding to these important programs for California families will protect children and help working parents during these tough economic times,” Pérez said. “It’s not only the right thing to do, it makes good economic sense by providing parents the critical child care resources they need to stay in the workforce.”
The March budget agreement resulted in significant programmatic cuts to the child care and preschool programs. These cuts, totaling over $440 million primarily came from Proposition 98 revenues, and therefore were on top of the roughly $13.4 billion in regular General Fund solutions approved in March.
The Assembly has been working for months with providers, funders and others, including the Governor’s Office and the Department of Finance, to find an ongoing solution to the child care issue, recognizing child care cuts will not only be devastating to the families that rely on these programs to remain employed and become self-sufficient, but will also undermine economic recovery by forcing parents out of the workforce, shutting down small business providers and putting their employees out of work. (The specific impacts of the cuts are listed below.)
Instead of letting these negative impacts of the child care cuts take effect, the Assembly Budget Subcommittee has reversed the cuts without harming the bottom line General Fund reserve and by building on Governor Brown’s “pay down debt” budget proposal.
Here is how it works:
- The Governor proposes to repay $744 million in internal special fund loans. While repaying debt is always a good idea, the first debts repaid should be repayments that will have an immediate economic benefit for our state.
- Therefore, the Assembly Budget Subcommittee’s action repays $1 billion in Proposition 98 “Settle-up” debts, rather than the proposed $744 million in internal borrowing. Settle-up occurs when the state funds Proposition 98 below the annual minimum. According to the Governor’s May Revision, “settle-up” debts make up about $3 billion of the roughly $35 billion in budgetary borrowing.
- With this action, the Assembly Budget Committee has approved the restoration of the Child Care cuts, and will be able to also allocate over $550 million to community colleges and K-12 schools through actions later in the week.
Website of Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez: www.asmdc.org/speaker
CONTACT: John Vigna (916) 319-2408
Confirms Scott Peters as Alternate
SACRAMENTO – Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez (D-Los Angeles) today announced the appointment of Jana Zimmer to the California Coastal Commission. The Speaker also confirmed Zimmer’s selection of Scott Peters as an alternate commissioner to the Commission, created in 1972 to protect, conserve, restore, and enhance environmental and human-based resources of the California coast.
“I am delighted to name Ms. Zimmer as a member of the Coastal Commission. She has a unique background and skill set that will make her a valuable addition to the Commission charged with protecting California’s coastline, which is a source of pride and jobs for our entire state.” Pérez said.
Zimmer, a graduate from San Diego State University and Loyola Law School, is one of the most knowledgeable and well respected coastal land use experts in the tri county (Santa Barbara, San Louis Obispo and Ventura) area. Zimmer additionally boasts thirty years of experience as a Coastal Act advocate, having represented many diverse interests.
“Jana Zimmer has a 30 year track record of fighting for the coast,” David Pettit, Senior Attorney in the Santa Monica office of the Natural Resources Defense Council said. “Jana is fair-minded, tough, and a problem-solver. She has no agenda but to do the right thing. She’ll bring deep knowledge and pragmatism to the work of the Commission.”
“Building Trades workers understand that a healthy environment and a strong economy go hand-in-hand. We applaud the appointment of Jana Zimmer to the Coastal Commission because she is committed to the responsible stewardship of California’s coastline, and also understands the importance of rebuilding our economy in the process,” Bob Balgenorth, President of the Building & Construction Trades Council added. “Her history of work as an expert in land use issues has demonstrated her commitment to environmentally responsible development, a record that translates into economic and environmental benefits for California’s working families.”
Scott Peters, named by Zimmer as an alternate commissioner, has experience on the Coastal Commission, serving as a commissioner from 2002-2005. He is currently the chair of the Port of San Diego Board of Port Commissioners and sat on the San Diego City Council from 2000-2008.
“Scott Peters has a deep understanding of the many challenging issues that face our coastal areas,” Diane Takvorian, Executive Director and a Founder of Environmental Health Coalition said. “His willingness to meet and hear from all parties and to forge agreements that resolve conflicts makes him well-suited to serve on the Coastal Commission.”
Ms. Zimmer’s appointment takes effect immediately.
CONTACT: Robin Swanson (916) 319-2408
Website of Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez: www.asmdc.org/speaker
SACRAMENTO – Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez (D-Los Angeles) released the following statement regarding his UC Berkeley career:
“Earlier today, questions were raised about whether or not I graduated from UC Berkeley. I did not. I attended but did not graduate. I take full responsibility for the initial mischaracterization that I graduated, and any other mischaracterizations about this that I or others may have made. I take full responsibility for this mistake, and I regret it. I was surprised that these questions were raised because over the last several years as a candidate and legislator, I have worked to correct the record, but obviously I wasn’t diligent enough. I remain focused on the work the People of the 46th District and my colleagues elected me to do, foremost of which is approving a balanced, comprehensive budget solution that protects education, public safety and the economic recovery.”
Website of Speaker John A. Pérez: www.asmdc.org/speaker
CONTACT: John Vigna (916) 612-7795, Robin Swanson (916) 204-6890
SACRAMENTO – In case you missed it, Capitol Weekly published a story today highlighting the outlandish amounts the City of Vernon spends on lobbyists—outpacing both Los Angeles and San Francisco:
"But they've got nothing on the City of Vernon, which dropped a whopping $566,884 on lobbying during the first three months of this year alone. Over the same period, L.A. spent $343,441, and San Francisco spent nothing. Vernon's population: 96. That's about $5,900 in lobbying for each resident of Vernon, versus 9 cents per capita for L.A."
Speaker John A. Pérez (D-Los Angeles) has authored Assembly Bill 46, which would establish a process for disincorporating any city with a population of fewer than 150 people. One city affected by the measure is the City of Vernon, which has a decades-long history of corruption allegations, indictments and convictions for offenses including voter fraud.
View the full story here: http://capitolweekly.net/article.php?_c=zprriei8hl1irw&xid=zppncn2v8ed4jd&done=.zprriei8hlqirw
Website of Speaker John A. Pérez: www.asmdc.org/speaker
CONTACT: John Vigna (916) 319-2408
