Legislative Update

Most of the bills I introduced this session have been approved by various committees of the Assembly after being passed by the full Senate.

Since then, the legislature departed Sacramento for its annual summer recess. I’m here in my district, spending time with constituents.

Lawmakers face heavy work when we return to the Capitol on Aug. 17 for the nearly month-long push to the end of the 2015 session. Legislators in those closing weeks will deliberate on hundreds of bills in a regular session as well as newly introduced measures in two, concurrent special sessions.

The governor called the special sessions to find new funding for transportation, healthcare and support for the developmentally disabled.

High on my agenda is passage of Senate Bill 32, the successor to my landmark 2006 law, Assembly Bill 32.

SB 32 extends and deepens its predecessor’s target of reducing climate pollution to 1990 levels by 2020, a goal that California is steadily nearing. The pending legislation sets an overarching climate pollution reduction target for 2050. By reducing emissions to 80 percent below 1990 levels, SB 32 will provide California businesses with regulatory certainty, improve public health and strengthen the economy.

At the same time, SB 32 puts into law an interim goal – created by Gov. Jerry Brown in a recent executive order – of lowering emissions by 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030.

SB 32 will keep AB 32’s momentum going for another 30 years by building on progress we have made. It will be good for the planet, good for the economy and good for the health of all Californians.

The bill passed the Senate and one Assembly committee. It’s currently awaiting a hearing in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

Challenges Ahead in Special Sessions

Meanwhile, Gov. Jerry Brown and lawmakers have little time to come up with billions of dollars to pay for critical programs. Foremost is the ongoing crisis in our crumbling state highway system. Simply put, California needs $8 billion a year to rebuild freeways, roads and bridges but has only $2.3 billion in available revenues. That creates an annual deficit of $5.7 billion that translates into rough pavements, deep potholes and dangerous bridges.

Deteriorating infrastructure costs motorists as much as thousands of dollars a year in repairs to their vehicles. The condition of our roads is dire. Currently, 68 percent of our roads are classified as being in “poor” or “mediocre” condition. About 3,000 bridges are structurally weak and needing repair.

A fix will be expensive and will likely involve new funding sources. A legislative committee has suggested that revenues could be raised by automatically indexing motor vehicle fuel taxes to inflation rates, replacing current per-gallon taxes with sales taxes, raising vehicle fees and collecting mileage-based road-use fees.

The concurrent special session is searching to find even more money to pay the state’s portion of costs for the federally backed Medi-Cal system and to provide services for the developmentally disabled. The governor wants lawmakers to consider changes in a tax levied on managed care providers.

The second special session faces the challenge of filling a more than $1 billion hole in the state’s system for aiding the developmentally disabled, which is buckling from years of deep budget cuts. Operators of special centers that train and support the developmentally disabled contend that they cannot keep their doors open without increased reimbursements from the state and higher wages for doctors and staff.

The state, they argue, has an obligation under the Lanterman Act to help the developmentally disabled live to their fullest potential.

Final Volumes of Oil Well Stimulation Study Released

The recently released final volumes of the California Council on Science and Technology study on oil well stimulation validate my reasons for authoring California’s first fracking regulation law, Senate Bill 4, in 2013.

The study – required by SB 4 – concludes that fracking, as well as all oil and gas drilling and waste-disposal activities, should be done transparently. The new SB 4 regulations governing fracking mandate groundwater monitoring, notifying neighboring property owners and tenants, plus disclosing the location of wells, the chemicals used, the source and amount of water used and how it is disposed of.

The science panel’s report followed the July 1 implementation by the state Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources of permanent fracking regulations, superseding the interim regulations in effect since January 1, 2014. The same agency also certified the statewide environmental impact report for the controversial oil well stimulation treatments on July 1.

Government agencies, the public in general and residents living near any oil well sites need to know in detail about the presence of dangerous chemicals mixed in water used to extract hydrocarbons and pumped to the surface as drilling byproducts.

The scientists are emphatic that state regulators must protect underground sources of drinkable water from being contaminated by shallow and unsafe drilling practices.

To that end, I will amend my current bill, SB 248, to include some of the most crucial recommendations contained in the findings of the eminent scientists. Local governments may want to review this report to update their ordinances.

I will make a particular effort to pass legislation that phases out the use of about 900 so-called percolation ponds that threaten to taint nearby groundwater basins. Such toxic substances, associated with fracking, other forms of enhanced oil recovery, and, indeed, all oil drilling and underground waste injection, pose a risk to the health of health of animals and humans. SB 248 has passed the state Senate and the Assembly Natural Resources Committee. It now awaits a hearing in the Assembly Appropriations Committee in August.

As Chairwoman of the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee, I will closely monitor state regulatory agencies in adopting the scientists’ recommendations.

I expect the leaders of the state Department of Conservation and its Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources and the State Water Resources Control Board to start this important task immediately.

Fire Safety Preparedness and Prevention in SD 27

Ventura County firefighters demonstrated the work that goes into building a fire break at a recent press conference at the Reagan Library in Simi Valley.

Wildfires are a part of life in Southern California. While fire is, and always has been, part of our landscape, the changing climate has extended our fire season to a year-round threat. Drought conditions further elevate the risk of wildfires.

Between 2012 and 2014, Los Angeles and Ventura counties experienced nearly 2,000 wildfires collectively, burning more than 65,000 acres of land, causing millions of dollars in property damages and requiring millions more for response efforts. In 2015, more than 30 wildfires have already affected the same two counties, burning approximately 1,500 acres.

CAL FIRE and our local heroes with the Ventura County, Los Angeles County and City of Los Angeles fire departments have some excellent resources to help us all become better prepared to prevent the spread of wildfires. The tips below will help you get started. Please see the web links below these tips for more in-depth information.

1. Create and Maintain an Adequate Defensible Space. Establish a 100-foot buffer area around your home. Routinely remove dead plant debris, grass, and weeds. Clear roofs and rain gutters. Ensure trees are a safe distance away from your home and chimneys. Keep trees and shrubs horizontally and vertically spaced apart within the buffer zone.
   
2. Harden your home. Build or remodel your home with materials that can help your home withstand flying embers finding weak spots in your home’s structure.
   
3. Create a Wildfire Action Plan. Prepare household members to act when a wildfire strikes. Identify evacuation routes, a safe meeting location, and an out-of-area contact for all communication. Shut off gas, electric, and water mains. Have and know how to use a fire extinguisher.
   
4. Assemble an Emergency Supply Kit. Include essential items for all household members such as food/water, first-aid kit, prescriptions; clothes; flashlight and batteries; important documents; and portable radio.
   
5. Pre-Evacuation Steps. If time allows, the following actions can help your home survive an approaching fire.
   
   • Indoor: Shut all windows and doors, leaving them unlocked; remove flammable window shades, curtains and close metal shutters; move furniture away from windows and doors; shut off gas, pilot lights, and air conditioning; and leave lights on so firefighters can see your house under smoky conditions.
     
   • Outdoor: Move flammable items either indoors or place them in a pool; turn off propane tanks and move BBQs away from structures; turn off sprinklers to reserve water pressure for firefighters; leave lights on so your home is visible to firefighters in the smoke or at night; leave a ladder out for firefighters to quickly access your roof; seal attic and ground vents to prevent embers from entering and igniting; and patrol your property and monitor the fire situation.

Together, our awareness and preparedness can help to save lives, and protect property, resources, open space, and wildlife!

Please see the links below for additional information.

• CAL FIRE: Wildfire is Coming. Are You Ready? http://www.readyforwildfire.org/being_ready
  
• City of Los Angeles Fire Department: Brush fire safety. http://lafd.org/fire_prevention/brush/introduction
  
• Los Angeles County Fire Department: Ready! Set! Go! Booklet. https://www.fire.lacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/RSG-Booklet.pdf
  
• Ventura County Fire Department: Wildfire Preparedness Webpage. http://fire.countyofventura.org/Prevention/WildfirePreparedness/tabid/231/Default.aspx

Welcome Lauren Gallant!

Lauren Gallant

Lauren Gallant has been hired as my new district director, succeeding Kara Seward who left in June to return to her hometown of Indianapolis, Ind., to be closer to her family.

Born and raised in the San Fernando Valley, Lauren received a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from USC, a Master’s degree in Public Policy from Pepperdine University, and is completing a post-master’s Graduate Certification in Legislation from Georgetown University.

From 2008 through 2013, Lauren served as Field Deputy for then-State Senator Alex Padilla as the primary representative to the Los Angeles business community. During this time, her policy portfolio included issues pertaining to higher education, public safety, energy and the environment, and economic development.

For the past two years, Lauren served as Assistant Director of Government & Community Relations for City of Hope, a nationally acclaimed clinical research center, hospital and graduate medical school specializing in cancer treatment. In this capacity, she advocated for affordable health care and advancements in academic research on behalf of City of Hope throughout Los Angeles County, Sacramento and Washington, D.C.

In her personal time, Lauren remains active in community engagement through the L.A. City Domestic Violence Task Force, the Marymount High School Los Angeles Alumnae Board of Directors, and Young Professionals Board for the Disability Rights Legal Center at Loyola Law School.

Volunteer of the Month

June Glasmeier

Every month I honor an individual or group in my district whose volunteer efforts make a difference in the community. June Glasmeier of Thousand Oaks, who has been making a difference for seniors statewide, is my July Volunteer of the Month.

After raising two children and being involved in their activities for many years, Glasmeier shifted her passions to helping the senior community. “I just felt that there was work that needed to be done to improve the quality of life for our senior citizens,” she explained.

Elected to the California Senior Legislature in 2004, Glasmeier is part of a group of 120 members who are chosen by their peers to advocate for the state’s senior population. They develop legislative proposals in response to senior needs and advocate for inclusion of these proposals to the State Legislature. Since the program began in 1981, 75 percent of these proposals have resulted in legislation. Glasmeier has been an active member.

She also volunteers for the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council, the Thousand Oaks Council on Aging, the Conejo/Las Virgenes Future Foundation Task Force, the Conejo Valley Historical Society, and Community Conscience, which maintains the Under One Roof project for social service organizations.

The active octogenarian sees no reason to slow down. “I’m not done!” she proclaimed.

If you would like to nominate a Volunteer of the Month, please email your recommendations to [email protected].

Sustainability Award

Moorpark Mayor Janice Parvin, Simi Valley Mayor Bob Huber and Thousand Oaks Mayor Al Adam attended a ribbon cutting for CONNECT InterCity, a new Americans with Disabilities Act and senior inter-city dial-a-ride service.

Each month I recognize a business, person, or organization in my district dedicated to preserving and sustaining our environment. This month’s award goes to the East County Transit Alliance (ECTA) for its new Americans with Disabilities Act and senior inter-city dial-a-ride service, CONNECT InterCity.

Starting Aug. 3, the program will provide service in comfortable new vans in the cities of Moorpark, Simi Valley and Thousand Oaks with no need for transfers between cities. Service will also be available to Camarillo, Somis, and CSU-Channel Islands, and connections can be made to Gold Coast Transit District’s GO ACCESS service in western Ventura County. ADA-qualified riders can also make transfers to LA Access for service to Los Angeles County. Seniors and the disabled will be able to travel Monday through Friday, 6 a.m to 6 p.m., for a flat fare of $5. The phone number to call for service is (805) 375-5467.

The ECTA was formed in 2013 in response to Ventura County Transportation Commission’s Regional Transit Plan which called for improved coordination of transit operations in eastern Ventura County. This is the ECTA’s first consolidated effort. It required tremendous coordination between agencies, explained Sommer Barwick, Director of Community Services for the City of Simi Valley.

The program is being operated by Thousand Oaks Transit. “It’s been a long time coming,” said Alex Porlier, Transit Assistant from the City of Thousand Oaks. “We’re excited.”

Drought Heroes

Many Mansions’ Bella Vista Apartments, before and after turf removal.

Outdoor irrigation represents 50 to 80 percent of all water use for some communities in the state. I am showcasing examples of turf removals in Senate District 27.

Kudos go to Many Mansions for not only providing affordable housing to low-income residents of Ventura County, but also installing water-saving landscape at two of their properties. Turf was removed at Bella Vista and Peppertree Apartments in Thousand Oaks in areas that are not heavily used. Gravel, groundcover, mulch, drought-tolerant landscaping, and a new drip irrigation system were installed.

Many Mansions also worked with the Southern California Gas Company last year to replace shower heads in their units with low-flow fixtures and added faucet aerators to kitchen and bathroom sinks to reduce water usage.

Send photos of your lawn conversion from grass to drought-tolerant, native landscaping to [email protected]. Keep an eye on this space to see your photos featured!

Connecting with Consituents

Granada Hills High School was recognized in the State Senate for winning the highly competitive National Academic Decathlon. Congratulations to the hard-working students and coaches. Granada Hills, El Camino, Taft, and Moorpark High Schools have won this championship over the past 20 years

Congressman Steve Knight and I participated in Santa Clarita’s Fourth of July parade.	Liberty Canyon of Agoura Hills celebrated the Fourth of July with a neighborhood parade. Mayor Illece Buckley Weber led the procession of local children, dogs, and families. Liberty Canyon is also the gateway of the proposed wildlife corridor.

At the ceremony following the Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run in Calabasas, I presented a certificate to Kirk Bell, who accepted the award on behalf of all the tireless Calabasas volunteers. Athletes from Great Britain enjoyed a three-night stay at King Gillette Ranch, courtesy of Host Town Calabasas, the Calabasas Chamber of Commerce, the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority, and the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy.

The West San Fernando Valley welcomed Special Olympics athletes with great fanfare! The teams from Greece, Malta, Timor Leste, Venezuela, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, and Serbia were treated to a special presentation and dinner. Pictured is the team from Cambodia.	Special Olympics World Games host communities Chatsworth and Northridge helped kick off the Final Leg Torch Run at Ride On Therapeutic Horsemanship in Chatsworth. City of Los Angeles Police Captain Robert Marino, Councilman Mitch Englander, and Dean of CSUN Dr. Dianna Harrison joined athletes and law enforcement volunteers to celebrate the games.

Celebrating the Natural Beauty of SD 27

Photographer Jack Fusco recently took his extraordinary talents to Malibu and produced this time-lapse photo from a sea cave. He specializes in landscape-astrophotography. Shots are sometimes planned months in advance to make sure all of the elements align properly. See more of his amazing images at www.jackfusco.com.