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May 2010
Dear Friends and Neighbors, Welcome to our new 26th Senate District eNewsletter. Now that tax day has come and gone staff at the Governor's Department of Finance and the Senate and Assembly Budget Committees are beginning to review revenue returns from personal and corporate state income taxes. The actual amounts collected will affect the size of California's projected deficit and frame what the Governor and Legislature need to do during the "May Revise" of the state's budget. On April 1, State tax receipts were a promising $2.68 billion over anticipated revenues, however, collections through the end of April had fallen off of that pace, and Senate budget advisors cautioned that the final April receipts will probably come under expectations. The final revenue figures will be released on May 14, along with the Governor's recommended revised budget. Following the release of the "May Revise," the Legislature will accelerate its work on budget bills and finalize a state budget. I am honored to serve you. So, whether you live in the cities of Los Angeles or Culver City, or the communities of Baldwin Hills, Baldwin Vista, Beverlywood, Carthay Circle, Century City, the Crenshaw District, Culver City, Hancock Park, Hollywood, Hyde Park, Jefferson Park, Koreatown, Ladera Heights, Lafayette Square, Larchmont, Leimert Park, Los Feliz, Miracle Mile, South Los Angeles, Southwest Los Angeles, View Park, West Los Angeles or Windsor Hills, I intend to make our new eNewsletter your official 26th Senate District electronic connection to the State of California. I invite you to visit my official Senate website on a frequent basis to follow the progress of my legislative proposals and stay up-to-date on state matters of importance to you. Also log on to be informed about community events taking place in your neighborhood or to locate websites links to federal, state and local government offices. Don't hesitate to contact my staff 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. Upcoming Events:26th Senate District Summer Youth FairSenator Curren Price will be hosting a Summer Youth Fair on Saturday, June 5, 2010 10am-2pm at Rancho Cienega Park . Rancho Cienega Park is located at 5001 Rancho Cienega Road Los Angeles, Ca 90016. Come learn about various resources and opportunities avaialble to children, teens and young adults during the upcoming summer months! The event is open to the public if you any guestions regarding this event please contact Senator Curren Price's office at 213-745-6656. State Capitol Update:Legislative Bills Introduced By Senator Curren Price during the 2010 Session SB 875: Qualified securities offerings: exemption. This bill would exempt from qualification offerings or sales of securities using a general solicitation or general advertising, provided the transaction meets specified requirements, including a requirement that the sales are made to accredited investors. The intent of this bill is to allow small businesses to access capital from private investors without having to go through a private equity firm or a money manger. SB 957: Student financial aid: Cal Grant C awards. This bill would require the Student Aid Commission to develop and regularly update the areas of occupational or technical training for which students may utilize Cal Grant C awards and would require the commission to give priority in granting the awards to students pursuing occupational or technical training in areas that meet specified, high employment need, high employment salary or wage projections high employment growth. SB 994: Elections: payment of expenses. This bill would provide that expenses incurred for elections proclaimed by the Governor to fill a vacancy in the office of State Senator or Member of the Assembly, or to fill a vacancy in the office of United States Senator or Representative in Congress, are to be paid by the state. Where an election proclaimed by the Governor is consolidated with a local election, the bill would provide that the state would pay only those additional expenses directly related to the election proclaimed by the Governor. SB 1076: Income taxes: voluntary contributions: Arts Council. This bill would authorize taxpayers to voluntarily contribute amounts in excess of their tax liability for the support of the Arts Council when filing their state Personal Income Tax returns. SB 1088: Health care coverage. This bill would prohibit the limiting age for dependent children covered by these health care service plan contracts and group health insurance policies from being less than 27 years of age. The bill would also provide that no employer is required to pay the cost of coverage for dependents who are at least 23 years of age, but less than 27 years of age. SB 1108: Public contracts: small business participation. This bill would authorize the Department of General Services to direct all state agencies, departments, boards, and commissions to establish the goal to achieve 25% small business participation in state procurements and contracts, to ensure that the state's procurement and contract processes are administered in order to meet or exceed the goal, and to report to the Director of General Services statistics regarding small business participation in his or her agency's procurements and contracts. SB 1175: California Travel and Tourism Commission: trade promotion. This bill would authorize the California Travel and Tourism Commission, at its own discretion, to conduct a review of its principal mission and core competencies in order to determine if the commission should include trade promotion in its strategic marketing plan or other future plans of the commission. The bill would require the commission to report its findings to the Legislature no later than December 31, 2013, if it elects to conduct this review. The bill would repeal its provisions on January 1, 2014. SB 1215: Public contracts: architectural and engineering services firms: prequalification lists. This bill would authorize the Department of Transportation to establish prequalified lists of architectural and engineering services firms. The bill would authorize the department, for each category of architectural and engineering service, to establish separate lists for small, medium, and large projects by geographical area. The bill would require the department to comply with certain requirements relating to the advertisement and award of contracts in the event the department utilizes the prequalification list. SB 1341: Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority: contracting. The County Transportation Commissions Act creates county transportation commissions or authorities in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Ventura counties, with specified powers and duties. Existing law, with respect to those agencies, generally requires purchase of all supplies, equipment, and materials, and the construction of all facilities and works, when the expenditure exceeds $25,000, to be by contract let to the lowest responsible bidder. Existing law contains various alternative provisions applicable solely to the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority. This bill would enact additional provisions applicable to the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority relative to preferences in contracting for small business enterprises, as defined. SB 1359: Public social services: food stamps. This bill would implement recommendations of the California Budget Project relating to the Food Stamp program, including: impose requirements for semiannual reporting for the Food Stamp program; delete the fingerprint imaging requirements; and prohibit eligibility for food stamps from being conditioned on the limitation of an individual's or family's assets, as defined, and would delete existing asset limitations. SB 1375: Telephone corporations: residential telephone service: 911 calls. Existing law requires all local telephone corporations, excluding providers of mobile telephony service and mobile satellite telephone service, to the extent permitted by existing technology or facilities, to provide every existing and newly installed residential telephone connection with access to "911" emergency service regardless of whether an account has been established. This bill would require local telephone corporations to provide a connection that has the capacity to place a "911" call rather than providing access to "911" emergency service. SB 1427: Foreclosures: property maintenance. This bill would require a notice of default to include a statement that identifies the name, address, telephone, and e-mail address of any person or entity that is designated to be responsible for the maintenance of the property for which the deed of trust is recorded. Existing law, until January 1, 2013, requires a legal owner to maintain vacant residential property purchased at a foreclosure sale, or acquired by that owner through foreclosure under a mortgage or deed of trust. Existing law authorizes a governmental entity to impose civil fines and penalties for failure to maintain that property of up to $1,000 per day for a violation. Existing law provides that these statutory provisions do not preempt any local ordinances and prohibits a governmental entity from imposing fines on a legal owner under both these provisions and a local ordinance. This bill would provide that these statutory provisions preempt any local ordinance and would further provide that any fines or penalties imposed for failure to maintain a property are the obligation of the legal owner and that these fines would be treated as a lien against the property in a foreclosure sale. SB 1434: Voter registration: affidavits: rebuttable presumptions. This bill would provide that if an affiant fails to identify his or her place of birth, the county elections official shall apply a rebuttable presumption that the affiant is eligible to register to vote if the affiant marked the box on the affidavit of registration, executed under penalty of perjury, that the affiant is a citizen of the United States. The bill would additionally provide that it would incorporate provisions of Senate Bill 6 if Senate Constitutional Amendment 4 from the 2009-10 Regular Session is approved by the voters. SB 1439: Horse racing: minisatellite wagering facilities. This bill would provide that the requirement that the approval of a racetrack, satellite wagering facility, tribal casino that has a satellite wagering facility, or fair be obtained if the proposed minisatellite wagering facility is within 20 miles shall only apply to those facilities that are operated by racetracks or fairs that actually conduct 7 weeks or more of live racing in the preceding year. The bill would authorize the board, if a satellite wagering facility or tribal casino does not consent to a minisatellite wagering facility being situated within 20 miles, to conduct a one-year test at the proposed site in order to determine its impact on total parimutuel revenues and on attendance and wagering at existing satellite wagering facilities. The bill would authorize a certain impact fee, as provided. SB 1448: School accountability: low-performing schools. This bill, subject to an appropriation of federal funds for this purpose, would require the State Department of Education to contract for the development of a new indicator that measures pupil-level growth in academic achievement over time using specified statewide tests. The new indicator would be required to allow the state to comply with the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 and to measure adequate yearly progress under that act. The bill would require the department to convene an advisory board consisting of representatives from the state board, the Secretary for Education, the Department of Finance, the Legislative Analyst's Office, parent groups, school districts, and education researchers to provide general guidance and make recommendations relative to modifying assessments, academic content standards, performance expectations, and eligibility criteria for state support and resources. The bill would require the department, subject to funding being provided in the annual Budget Act, to contract with a consultant for independent oversight of the project to develop a new academic performance indicator. The consultant would be required to twice annually submit a written report on the progress in developing the new indicator and how the new indicator is meeting specified goals to the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the state board, the advisory board, the Director of Finance, the Legislative Analyst, and the appropriate policy and fiscal committees of the Legislature. SB 1453: CalWORKs and food stamps. This bill would declare the intent of the Legislature to enact Legislation that would reform fingerprinting, asset limitation, and reporting Requirements under the CalWORKs program and the Food Stamp program. SCR 71: Black History Month. This measure recognizes February 2010 as Black History Month, urge all residents to join in celebrating the accomplishments of African Americans during Black History Month, and encourage the people of California to recognize the many talents, achievements, and contributions that African Americans make to their communities. Please visit Senator Curren Price's website to follow his bills as they travel through the legislative process.
Senator Curren Price Joins Select Committee on Smart GridsThe Select committee will hold a series of hearings to provide legislative oversight for implementation of Smart Grids. The committee chaired by Senate Majority Leader Dean Florez will investigate and assess the development of the "smart grid" throughout the state; the use of stimulus money for the grid; the integrity and reliability of new metering technologies; for smart grid data; and the consumer protections in place regarding utility billing, disconnection, real-time pricing, privacy and security standards. Senator Price Presents Resolution to California Youth in Theater
For more information on Senator Curren Price's legislative bills, legislative events, or committee hearings please contact the Senator's State Capitol office at 916-651-4026. In the District:Senator Price Appoints Uchenna N. Nworgu to Chair 26th District Commission on Trade and Investment in AfricaIn Los Angeles - Senator Curren D. Price, Jr. appointed Uchenna N. Nworgu to Chair his newly created 26th District Commission on Trade and Investment in Africa. Mr. Nworgu is an Investment and Marketing Consultant serving the business community's interest in Africa. He is a graduate of Loyola Marymount University and a veteran fiscal officer with the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services. "The countries on the African continent are emerging economies and many are exploring innovative mechanisms to maximize capital flow to their regions, especially during this global economic downturn. There is a need to create awareness among business leaders and the general public, about the trade and commerce opportunities for the private sector, both for-profit and not-for-profit entities", stated Senator Price. For more on the Senator's remarks click here.
Newspaper Names Senator Curren D. Price Jr. Advocate for Small and Minority BusinessesLos Angeles, CA –The Small Business Exchange weekly, in a front page article in its March 11th issue concluded that "the small and minority business community, as a whole, have no greater friend than Senator Price." The newspaper article states that since Sen. Price first joined the Legislature, he has consistently worked toward making the state a more proactive member in encouraging and implementing full diversity in its procurement and business contracting practices. To read the article click here. Senator Price Hosts Child Safety Event
Transforming Healthcare Delivery through Telemedicine
Senator Curren D. Price co-hosted the Southern California Kick-off and Symposium On March 19, 2010 at the Good Samaritan Hospital, Los Angeles creating and connecting partnerships for Telemedicine and Telehealth. The event consisted of industry experts with diverse backgrounds to accelerate Telehealth as a resource and create a Meta- leadership network. Tools for Transformation 4th Annual Legislative Breakfast and ConferenceSenator Curren D. Price, Jr., a member of the of the California Legislature's Select Committee on Autism and Related Disorders, recognized April as National Autism Awareness month at the Special Needs Network's 4th Annual Legislative Breakfast and Conference on April 16, 2010 at the California Science Center (located at 700 State Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90037). Sen. Price, Speaker Emeritus Karen Bass and Supervisor Mark-Ridley Thomas discussed issues of health disparities and the prevalence of autism and developmental disorders in communities of color and the impact of the recently passed Health Reform Bill on individuals with disabilities. Hollywood Mobile District OfficeApril 18, 2010 Senator Price took his district office to Hollywood Farmers' Market –literally!! Senator Price and staff were on hand to provide valuable resources to the community. The Hollywood Farmers' Market is a "certified" open-air street market which features food vendors, free special events for the community included chef demos, childrens' craft workshops, and family-oriented festivals. Senator Curren D. Price, Recieves GLAAAC Small Business Advocate AwardLos Angeles – Senator Curren D. Price Jr., who is widely known statewide as "a friend of small businesses," received the Small Business Advocate Award from the Greater Los Angeles African American Chamber of Commerce (GLAAAC) its 17th Annual Economics Award Dinner held on March 18, 2010. This award is historically awarded to the individual, organization, or company that has demonstrated the highest level of responsiveness in advocating for the small business enterprise. "I have worked closely with the minority contracting community to better understand their issues and concerns," said Senator Price. "I have held regular meetings with Caltrans and other state agencies, departments, boards and commissions to ensure that small businesses are included in the contracting process. I want small businesses to know that they have an advocate in the Senate who is working to ensure that California certified small businesses have increased contracting opportunities. "For more on this press release click here Senator Curren Price Attends Art Show at the African American Unity Centerhttp://www.lasentinel.net/Art-Show-at-the-African-America-Unity-Center.htmlIn Los Angeles on Saturday, March 20, 2010 Senator Curren Price showed his support at the Art Show as he greeted artists and those who attended the event at the African American Unity Center. The event was organized by the Brotherhood Crusade and African American Unity Center (AAUC) coordinated a day for children and community members featuring artwork from 5 community artists. The theme of the event was "Express Yourself, Unity and Education through Self Expression." The event together was an effort to stress the importance of art in education and self-expression. Senator Price Honors 26 Remarkable Women at 4th Annual Sheroes Luncheon
He also presented the Rose Award to Congresswoman Diane Watson for extraordinary public service. Speaker Emeritus Assemblywoman Karen Bass gave the official welcome to the honorees who come from diverse walks of life including education, health care and civic service. A "SHero" is a woman who has demonstrated leadership, pride, volunteerism and commitment to her community in a remarkable manner. The Mistress of Ceremonies was KTLA's Michaela Pereira. "The activism of these women is the backbone of our community," said Senator Price. "These SHeroes are an inspiration to all citizens." For a complete list of Sheros please visit Senator Price's website. For Information on the SHero Ceremony as well as a list of all please call the "Tribute to SHeroes " line at (213) 985-4117 or e-mail sd26sheroes@gmail.com Senator Curren Price Hosts Crenshaw’s 4th Annual Community Fair
Annual City Wide Holocaust RemembranceOn Sunday, April 11 Senator Price attended the Annual City Wide Holocaust Remembrance Day at Pan Pacific Park-Los Angeles .The event paid tribute to those who lost their lives in the Holocaust and those individuals who fought against these atrocities. For Your Information:State Offers Energy Assistance ProgramsCalifornia is offering $350 million in rebates through the Solar Water Heater Assistance Program. Administered by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), the program offers up to $1,500 to homeowners who install a new solar water heating system. The program is administered by PG&E, Southern California Edison,San Diego Gas and Electric, and Southern California Gas Company. For low income families struggling with winter heating bills, the CPUC administers the California Alternative Rates for Energy (CARE) program. CARE is available for families enrolled in public assistance programs such as Medicaid/Medi-Cal, Women Infants and Children (WIC), Healthy Families A & B, National School Lunch's (NSL) Free LunchProgram, Low Income Energy Assistance (LIHEAP), Head Start Income Eligible (Tribal Only), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, and the Temporary Assistance for NeedyFamilies (TANF) or Tribal TANF. Families whose income does not qualify them for CARE may qualify for the Family Electric Rate Assistance Program (FERA). This program may apply to customers of Southern California Gas and Electric, San Diego Gas and Electric, and PG&E. Please check the website for income eligibility and contact information.
Tax Credits: Not Too Late To Get Yours
The result? Millions of people apparently didn't realize they also needed to credit the deduction when they filed their taxes. This required the filing of a Schedule M form. The IRS is attempting to help those taxpayers who qualify by completing the forms for them. Unfortunately, this additional step may slow the processing of returns. A list of available credits is on the I.R.S. website. Tax Relief for Troubled HomeownersAfter the Governor vetoed two earlier
legislative attempts to provide tax relief to
thousands of California homeowners, a
third version has now been signed into law.
SB 401, the Conformity Act of 2010, aligns Many homeowners who found themselves upside down in their mortgage thought they had solved their mortgage nightmare through a short sale. The forgiven mortgage debt was exempted from federal income tax under federal law, but home- Tax Relief for Troubled Homeowners owners learned there was no similar exemption from state income taxes. SB 401 now resolves the issue, so that the forgiven debt — the difference between the sale price and the amount of the loan — is exempted from state income tax as well. The Franchise Tax Board has information on its website. The new law applies to mortgage debt forgiveness for tax years 2007 through 2012. Please consult your tax professional or the Franchise Tax Board to see if you qualify for this exemption. Cash for (Appliance) ClunkersThis year's Earth Day kicked off the beginning of the State Energy Star rebates can be combined with other existing Energy Star labels are approved for products which contribute to significant energy savings and meet energy efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. EPA. Fire Protection Begins at Home
California firefighters and first responders
are recommending homeowners be on
the defensive. Rural property owners should
start now and create 100 feet of defensible
space around their home and buildings.
Since winter storms often carried stronger
winds, firefighters are gearing up for a challenging Fire service budget cuts may add to the problem in many communities, especially in areas like San Diego, which has experienced several recent severe fire seasons. According to a San Diego Union Tribune report, Fire Chief Javier Mainar told city officials that periodically taking fire engine Fire Protection Begins at Home companies out of service through rolling "brownouts" will slow response times. In March of this year alone, San Diego experienced 4,400 incidents where response times exceeded the national standard of five minutes. This year, it's even more critical for homeowners to do their part for better fire protection. Earthquake Safety
Families should also agree ahead of
time on a single person and/or place of
contact in case they are separated. The
Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA), in partnership with the American The pamphlet recommends that a
family emergency kit include: one gallon of
water per person per day, non-perishable
packaged or canned food and a manual
can opener, a change of clothing, rain
gear and sturdy shoes, blankets or sleeping
bags, prescription medications and
extra glasses, a battery-powered radio
and flashlight, a list of doctors, and a list of
insurance contact information and policy It is never too early for families to plan for a natural disaster. At Your Service
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. |
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On March 16, 2010 hundreds of theatre students, theatre educators, friends and administrators from schools all across the state gathered at the State Capitol to celebrate the 12th Annual California Youth in Theatre Day. In honor of the occasion, Senator Curren D. Price presented a resolution to Gai Jones, founder of California Youth in Theatre Program. As Chair of the Joint Committee on the Arts, Senator Price has been a strong supporter of arts education, and a leader in finding new sources to fund arts programs. To learn more about the event click here http://www.cetoweb.org/pdf/NO20.pdf
At a festive and elegant event, Senator Curren D. Price, Jr. presented awards to 26 remarkable women in the 26th Senate District at his 4th Annual SHeroes Awards Ceremony at the Radisson Hotel at USC on May 2nd.
The IRS is helping taxpayers make sure
they received the "
Spring has arrived and that means Californians need to work on fire defense. As warmer weather arrives, undergrowth will
begin thickening quickly.
Earthquakes in Haiti and Chile are
sober reminders that California families
should discuss safety plans prior to an
emergency. The
