Committee Membership Chair of: • Business, Professions and Economic Development • Joint Committee on the Arts • Select Committee on Procurement • California Legislative Black Caucus Member of: Standing Committees • Appropriations • Insurance • Education • Public Safety Culver City Resources • Government • Employment Opportunities • Arts & Culture • Parks Recreation and Community Service • Business Los Angeles Resources • Home improvements, construction, permits and zoning • Traffic updates • Find a job with the City • Pay your DWP bill • DWP rebates and programs • Water conservation • Save energy at home • Pay your parking tickets online • Request graffiti removal • Recycle bulky items • Report a pothole • Request street lighting • Report problems with street lights • Bus schedules - Metro / DASH • Airports • Adopt an animal • Animal licenses • Find a library • Pay your library fines • Education, health and safety Email me

November 2011 Happy Thanksgiving! Dear Friends and Neighbors, This special edition of my eNewsletter will highlight my Legislative success this past session as well as my efforts in the Legislature and the community to promote the growth and success of Small Businesses. Governor Brown signed or vetoed hundreds of bill this past session, many of which just couldn't meet the financial test. The ongoing economic downturn in California and throughout the country has forced the Capitol to place revenue restrictions on legislation that makes sense but simply costs more than the state budget can afford. Still, I am happy to report that 80 percent of my bills were signed into law by the Governor and I will give you an overview later in this newsletter. I would also like to share with you my continued focus on small businesses. As a strong advocate for small businesses, I introduced nearly a dozen bills this year that will positively impact small businesses. I also convened numerous forums and symposiums throughout the community to provide information and access to small businesses that will insure that they get a fair share of the economic pie. I also introduced a legislative package aimed at guaranteeing participation for California businesses in all stages of building the California High Speed Rail. These bills, SB 733, SB 734, and SB 735, will, among other things, set standards for small business involvement in High Speed Rail contracting, require the California High Speed Rail Authority to specifically outline efforts pertaining to small business in its business plan and specify the role that local employees will play in segments of the project. We must ensure opportunities for the businesses and communities in this state that need a voice the most. I intend to lead the efforts to ensure the strength of emerging businesses is focused on to assure maximum participation of our communities and constituents. Initial construction for the California High Speed Rail is slated to begin in 2012, ushering in the most expensive single infrastructure project in U.S. history. I believe in policies that spark economic growth, encourage innovation, open the doors of opportunity for all, create jobs and stimulate our state's economy. The passion I have to serve my constituents led me to create several business related advisory committees and author legislation that would increase opportunities for small business to compete for state contracts and offer incentives for creating new jobs. I encourage you to visit my official Senate website on a frequent basis to follow the progress of budget negations as well as my legislation as it moves through the legislative process. My website will also provide you with information on free community events taking place in your neighborhood. Don't hesitate to contact my office or me whenever you have issues of concern or problems that warrant attention. Email my eNewsletter to your neighborhood contacts and urge them to sign up to receive future issues. Thank you for the privilege of serving as your State Senator. Sincerely, SENATOR CURREN D. PRICE JR. Senator Price Presides Over Senate Session.

Senator Price's 2011 Legislation Signed into Law by Governor Brown

I am proud to announce a successful 2011 Legislative Session. Governor Brown signed into law 12 of my bills. Of the 15 bills sent to the Governor, only three were vetoed.

Collectively these bills expand opportunities for small businesses, protect consumers, ensure that our neediest students receive the resources necessary for success in the classroom, and promote the public safety.

Legislative bills signed by the Governor:

SB 100 - provides for greater oversight and regulation of surgical clinics, and other types of clinics such as fertility and outpatient settings. This bill will ensure that quality of care standards are in place at these clinics and checked by the appropriate credentialing agency.

SB 294 - requires the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) and the California State Teachers' Retirement System (CalSTRS) to develop a five-year strategic plan to expand participation of emerging investment management firms in investing and managing state pension funds.

SB 220 - authorizes dependent children to be eligible for coverage under group life insurance policies up to age 26 and maintains protections for older dependents with intellectual or developmental disabilities.

SB 451 - requires the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) to develop and regularly update the areas of occupational or technical training for which students may utilize Cal Grant C awards, and would require CSAC to give priority in granting the awards to students pursuing occupations or technical training in high growth, high wage or high demand jobs sectors.

SB 509 - allows school districts to purchase the most recently adopted materials for the neediest schools without the financial burden of purchasing for the entire district.

SB 594 - improves overall efficiency by consolidating certain disclosure and policyholder notices into a single mailing, thereby reducing numerous customer communications that often confuse customers.

SB 706 - reforms the Department of Real Estate's Enforcement Program and the Office of Real Estate Appraisers. This bill states that protection of the public shall be the highest priority for the Department and the Office in exercising their licensing, regulatory, and disciplinary functions.

SB 756 - provides local jurisdictions the ability to prosecute sex offenders who fail to register as currently required by California law. This legislation also requires sex offenders to provide proof of residence when requested by law enforcement officers.

SB 107 - extends the authority of the California Interscholastic Federation.

SB 539 - extends the sunset date of the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT) to January 1, 2016, requires employers of vocational nurses and psychiatric technicians to report resignations for cause, and allows the BVNPT the option to review vocational nursing schools and psychiatric technician schools for compliance.

SB 540 - extends the sunset date of the Dental Board of California (DBC) to January 1, 2016, adds one additional public member to the DBC, and makes other programmatic changes

SB 541 - authorizes the boards and bureaus within the Department of Consumer Affairs, as well as the State Board of Chiropractic Examiners, and the Osteopathic Medical Board to continue to utilize expert consultants, as done in the past, without having to go through the formal contracting process.

In The District

California Legislative Black Caucus Policy Conference

Senator Curren Price, Assembly Member Holly Mitchell, Bernard Tyson, President, COO Kaiser, Assembly Member Isadore Hall, Assembly Member Mike Davis.

As Chairman of the California Legislative Black Caucus, I was happy to work with our Co-Chair, Assembly Member, Mike Davis and the other six members to host a Policy Conference to address the disparities that exist for African Americans in the areas of employment, health, education and the criminal justice system to develop a CLBC legislative package for next year.

Panels of experts addressed these issues during the two-day conference that was held at LAX Westin Hotel. Among the keynote speakers were Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Congresswoman Karen Bass and former Assemblywoman Gwen Moore. Business leaders participating in the conference included Bernard J. Tyson, President & COO, Kaiser Permanente and Ken McNeely, President, AT&T. Members of the CLBC participated in a lively and informative Town Hall and numerous members of the Business Community were feted including.

"The members of the Legislative Black Caucus must focus on the areas where our community is hurting and create policy that will empower our community and alleviate the suffering," said Senator Curren D. Price, Jr., Chair of the Caucus

Special Advance Screening Of "Thundersoul"

Charles D. Segars, CEO, Ovation; Malissa Feruzzi Shriver, Chair of Board, CA Arts Council; Senator Curren D. Price; Craig Watson, Director, CA Arts Council; Kimber Smith, Director, Community Engagement & Strategic Partnerships, Thunder Soul; Mark Landsman, Filmmaker, Thunder Soul

I was pleased to work in partnership with the Museum of Tolerance, Ovation, the California Arts Council, and the California Alliance for Arts Education, Music Center: Performing Arts Center of Los Angeles County and the Los Angeles Arts Commission/Arts for All. an advance screening of the documentary, "Thunder Soul" at the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles, on Tuesday evening. The special screening brought together community and faith leaders, educators, business leaders and arts advocates who recognize the value of arts in the classroom. "Thunder Soul" is a moving documentary, which demonstrates how one teacher, Professor Conrad O. Johnson, made a positive and often life changing difference in the lives of his students through the power of music.

Meeting with Namibia Delegation

I was eager to meet with Trade Ministers from Namibia to discuss trade opportunities between our state and Africa. I met with many business and trade delegations throughout the past year including business leaders from Tanzania and the African Ambassador the the Union of African States. My pressing goal is to increase international trade between California and other countries.

Endeavor Space Shuttle to Arrive At California Science Center

I was pleased to hear the NASA Administrator General Charles Bolden's announcement that the California Science Center is one of four institutions chosen to receive a Space Shuttle Orbiter for permanent display. I was proud to be a member of a group of California legislators who lobbied strongly for the Shuttle to come to the Science Center. This is a great win for Los Angeles and California. Millions of Californians for generations to come will be able to get an up-close look at the Space Shuttle Orbiter Endeavor. Having this important piece of science, engineering and technological history on display at our California Science Center will motivate our youth and secure a roll for us in future space explorations. The California Science Center has a gallery dedicated to air and space artifacts and the addition of the Space Shuttle supports the goals of its 25-year Master Plan, which includes building an entirely new gallery devoted to aeronautics and space exploration.

For Your Information

Los Angeles Food Bank Commodity Supplemental Food Program

If you or someone you know is a Senior (60 YEARS AND OLDER) AND MEETS THE Senior Income Guidelines of $1,180 per month (1 person) of $1,594 per month (2 persons), they may qualify to participate in the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank Commodity Supplemental program. This program will provides Seniors with a free food kit once a month, prepared with specific nutritional needs in mind, and will include meats, canned fruits and vegetables, dry milk and related products, cereals and other grain products. For more information on this program, please call 1-800-510-2020 or go to the Los Angeles Food Bank website at www.lafoodbank.org.

Freedom Sisters Exhibition At Museum Of Tolerance

Be sure to visit the Freedom Sisters exhibition showing at the Museum of Tolerance. This exhibit honors the Legacy of African American Women who had helped shaped the spirit and substance of the Civil Rights Movement. The exhibit is slated to run from now until January 8th, 2012. For more information, please visit the Museum of Tolerance website at www.museumoftolerance.com.

Upcoming Events

Senator Curren Price's Holiday Gathering And Open House

When: WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2011
Time: 6pm-8pm
Location: SENATOR CURREN D., PRICE, JR.'S DISTRICT OFFICE
700 STATE DR. LOS ANGELES, CA 90037

For more information on this event, please contact my District Office at (213) 745-6656

At Your Service

Senator Curren Price with his Capitol and District office staff on the Senate Floor.

My capitol and district office is dedicated to helping my constituents. If you need help filling out government forms, information on legislation, or assistance in dealing with state agencies, please contact my district office at 213-745-6656 or my capitol office at 916-651-4026 feel free to stop by or click here to submit an on-line form that goes directly to my district office. My office is here to serve you.