Inside This Issue • In the District • Free Eye Clinic at Exposition Park   • Senator Curren Price Presents the Artistic License Awards • Senator Price was honored to make two presentations at this event: first to Holocaust Remembrance Day "Yom HaShoah" in Los Angeles • California Lawyers for the Arts’ Fourth Annual Artistic License Awards • Small Business Access to Capital and International Trade Forum • Introduction of the African Union Ambassador • 5th Annual “Tribute to Sheroes” Awards Ceremony • Budget Update 2011 : May Revise • May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month • Update on California's Redistricting • At Your Service 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

June 2011 Dear Friends and Neighbors, I would like to welcome you to my eNewsletter. This special edition of my eNewsletter recognizes May as Small Business Month ! As a strong advocate for small business, I will continue to work to create new opportunities for small business enterprises. 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. In the District: Image1032 May 13, 2011, Senator Curren Price gave opening remarks at the Greenlining Institute 18th Annual Economic Development Summit held at the Center at Cathedral Plaza in Los Angeles. May 13, 2011, Senator Price's International Trade Advisory Committee members met with- South African Consulate-General Cyril S. Ndaba to discuss International trade, import/export, and small business opportunities. Senator Price hosted the meeting in his district office. May 14, 2011 Senator Curren Price was special guest at this year's F.A.M.E. Annual Hunger Walk . The festivities began at First AME Church in Los Angeles. Free Eye Clinic at Exposition Park Image Senator Price showed his support at The Free Eye Clinic event that took place at Exposition Park April 4 – April 8th 2011.  Charitable vision programs such as Visual Impact Now and One Sight provided free vision screenings, eye wear, and eye care education . Senator Price was honored to make two presentations at this event: first to Holocaust Remembrance Day “Yom HaShoah” in Los Angeles Senator Price joined other civic and community leaders on stage, including Council General of Israel Jacob Dayan and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, at this year’s community-wide Holocaust Remembrance Day memorial.  The May 1st event drew thousands to Pan Pacific Park. Senator Price was deeply moved by the somber occasion, the heartfelt testimonies, and the courageous survivors whom he met.  California Lawyers for the Arts’ Fourth Annual Artistic License Awards On May 1st, Senator Curren Price participated in the California Lawyers for the Arts’ Fourth Annual Artistic License Awards reception at the William Turner Gallery. Senator Price was honored to make two presentations at this event: first to Supervisor Ridley-Thomas, then to CA Arts Council Chair Feruzzi  Shriver. They each received a 2011 Artistic License Award in recognition of their advocacy and accomplishments on behalf of the Arts.  Senator Price is Chair of the Joint Legislative Committee on the Arts. His bill SB1076 enabled a tax-check off program for the CA Arts Council, allowing Californian’s to directly support art education and outreach programs throughout the state. (Please include photo with Malissa Feruzzi Shriver if possible)

Small Business Access to Capital and International Trade Forum

Introduction of the African Union Ambassador

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May 2, 2011, Senator Price introduced Amina Salum Ali, the African Union Ambassador to the United States, during session on the Senate Floor.  Senator Price presented her with a Senate Resolution and stated,  “Ambassador Ali plays a vital role in fostering relationships with the United States by working diligently to communicate the needs of the constituencies of African Union member nations”.

Constituents Making a Difference in the 26th District: 

5th Annual “Tribute to Sheroes” Awards Ceremony

On May 15, 2011 Senator Price hosted the 5th Annual Tribute to Sheroes Awards Ceremony.  Sheroes are phenomenal women recognized in their community for their outstanding service.  The event took place at Taglyan Cultural Complex in Los Angeles. At the festive event, Senator Curren D. Price, Jr. presented awards recognizing the following 26 remarkable women as this year’s SHeroes:

In the Capital:

BUDGET UPDATE 2011 : MAY REVISE
California must put its fiscal house in order and adopt long term solutions

The net increased state revenue is good news to help the state fund important services for Californians. However, that simply reduces the deficit. It falls far short of eliminating it; leaving a remaining deficit of nearly $11 billion.
Fiscal realities have slashed the size of government, cutting billions of dollars out of the budget over the past three years. In education, alone – critical for California’s future – this includes three-year totals of $20 billion across K-12, UC, CSU and our community colleges.

The Governor’s budget plan makes necessary tough decisions; including maintaining most existing tax rates equaling eight billion dollars annually for five additional years. Without serious, long-term solutions, California will face $10 billion budget deficits in each of the next three years.Business leaders and economists have told us the key element needed to grow the economy and create jobs is for the state to stabilize its budget once and for all. Eliminating fiscal and economic uncertainty will establish more stability in the bond markets for California, and provide an economic boost by making our state a better place to do business. That’s what the Governor’s plan will do. 

For your Information:

May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month – a time to recognize the contributions of our Asian and Pacific Islander community in the United States.

A rather broad term, Asian-Pacific encompasses all of the Asian continent and the Pacific islands of Melanesia (New Guinea, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Fiji and the Solomon Islands), Micronesia (Marianas, Guam, Wake Island, Palau, Marshall Islands, Kiribati, Nauru and the Federated States of Micronesia) and Polynesia (New Zealand, Hawaiian Islands, Rotuma, Midway Islands, Samoa, American Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, Cook Islands, French Polynesia and Easter Island).

The celebration was set in May because of two important anniversaries. On May 7, 1843 the first Japanese immigrants arrived in the United States, and on May 10, 1869 - the pounding of the Golden Spike marked the completion of the transcontinental railroad and the difficult work of many Chinese immigrant laborers.
Similar to Black History Month, Asian Pacific American Heritage Month started as a week-long commemoration, but was expanded to a full month. The week was first recognized by President Jimmy Carter in 1978, and the celebration was expanded to a month by President George H.W. Bush in 1990.

This year, the U.S. Census has published data from the 2010 census on Asians, Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islanders. They found that California had the largest Asian population increase between July 1, 2008 and July 1, 2009.

The Library of Congress, the National Archives and others maintain a helpful web-portal for the public to learn about the Asian-Pacific Islander community and heritage month celebrations. The website contains helpful information and lesson plans for teachers.

Update on California’s Redistricting

The Citizens Redistricting Commission has entered its public input phase and is holding meetings throughout the state to receive input on how to proceed with drawing district lines for Congress, the Legislature and the Board of Equalization. In the month of May alone, the Commission will meet in eight different municipalities. For a complete schedule of upcoming Commission meetings and
their locations click here.

In an effort to facilitate a fair public process the Commission will accept both oral and written comments
during this phase. The Commission has also made it clear that equal weight will be given to both forms of input.

In addition to participating in the public hearings, anyone interested in the redistricting process may provide written comment via e-mail at votersfirstact@crc.ca.gov. All content submitted via e-mail is considered public and will be made available.

The initial phase of public comment will come to a close on May 26, 2011. The Commission will then hold a series of public meetings where they will develop the first draft maps for release on June 10, 2011. Following a second phase of public input meetings the Commission has established a goal of publishing second draft maps on July 7, 2011. The Commission has until August 15, 2011 to approve the final maps.

Information regarding the Commission, including a schedule of their public input meetings can be found at www.wedrawthelines.ca.gov.

Notice of I-405 Freeway Closing July 15 - 18

This is an update pertaining to the full closure of the I-405 freeway beginning July 15, through July 18, 2011. Please plan accordingly and spread the news. 

As background, Metro is currently improving the I-405 freeway through the Sepulveda Pass to add a northbound HOV lane.  Part of the project scope necessitates the demolition and reconstruction of the Mulholland Bridge.  The bridge will be demolished one half at a time.  The first demolition is scheduled for the weekend of July 16-17, 2011.  The second demolition will occur one year later.

The entire 53-hour closure of the 405 freeway will be managed through an incident command post headed by LAFD/LAPD/CHP/Caltrans/Metro. 

Stay informed at: www.metro.net/405

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.