“You all knew that some things are worth dying for. One’s country is worth dying for, and democracy is worth dying for, because it’s the most deeply honorable form of government ever devised by man. All of you loved liberty.” – Ronald Reagan, Normandy Speech, 1984 Tomorrow we celebrate Veteran’s Day and want to salute everyone that has served our country. We are in the midst of a peaceful transition of power, a hallmark of why our country is great, but that is made possible by ...

Although it seemed like campaign season would never end, Election Day has come and gone last Tuesday.  As the fun of campaigning ends the hard work of governing begins.  We congratulate all winners and stand ready to work with you to assure that we move policy items forward in a manner that will help improve the quality of life and economy for all Americans.   California once again seemed to go strongly against the grain of the national results.  In an election that will impart control of ...

With a statement starting, “Today, we woke up feeling like strangers in a foreign land, because yesterday Americans expressed their views on a pluralistic and democratic society that are clearly inconsistent with the values of the people of California,” California Senate pro Tem de León (D-Los Angeles) and California Assembly Speaker Rendon (D-Paramount) released the following statement regarding the nation’s election of President-elect Trump. Click here to read the full statement.  Read More →

One of the big storylines for California was whether or not the State Legislature would see Democrat supermajorities in both the Senate and the Assembly.  As of press time it is looking likely that one house, the Assembly, will see a 2/3s vote supermajority while the Senate is looking like it will be one vote short. Although the state budget no longer requires a 2/3s vote, there are many important policy and procedural issues that still take a supermajority, so both parties take this threshold very ...

Weed is now legal for recreational use, plastic bags are banned, cigarette taxes were increased, and elimination of the death penalty was rejected, were among the results of 17 propositions that were on the ballot. Our Association makes recommendations on several of the statewide propositions and we are happy to report that almost every proposition we took a position on, went our way: Proposition 51 Education Bond – We recommended a “yes” vote and it passed with 54% of the vote. The board adopted ...

Tuesday is Election Day.  Go vote if you have not already.  Below are recommendations our board has for you on the propositions.  Read More →

The board adopted a “support” position for the state to issue $9 billion in bonds to fund improvement and construction of school facilities for K-12 schools and community colleges. Ballot Summary:  Authorizes $9 billion in general obligation bonds for new construction and modernization of K–12 public school facilities; charter schools and vocational education facilities; and California Community Colleges facilities. Fiscal Impact: State costs of about $17.6 billion to pay off both the principal ...

The board adopted a “support” position to support the hospitals draw down additional federal monies to draw matching federal funds, which will take pressure off other areas of the state budget. Ballot Summary: Extends indefinitely an existing statute that imposes fees on hospitals to fund Medi-Cal health care services, care for uninsured patients, and children’s health coverage. Fiscal Impact: Uncertain fiscal effect, ranging from relatively little impact to annual state General Fund savings ...

The board “opposes” this measure which will require voter approval before the issuance of public infrastructure bonds (“revenue bonds) over $2 billion. Ballot Summary: Requires statewide voter approval before any revenue bonds can be issued or sold by the state for certain projects if the bond amount exceeds $2 billion. Fiscal Impact: State and local fiscal effects are unknown and would depend on which projects are affected by the measure and what actions government agencies and voters take ...

The board “supports” this measure which will prohibit the Legislature from passing any bill until it has been in print for 72 hours prior to a vote.  Provides legislative “sunshine” and attempts to stop last minute “gut-and-amend” bills. Ballot Summary: Prohibits Legislature from passing any bill unless published on Internet for 72 hours before vote. Requires Legislature to record its proceedings and post on Internet. Authorizes use of recordings. Fiscal Impact: One-time costs of $1 ...