OC Blog

Duvall Announces Bipartisan Pro-Burmese Democracy Coalition

This came over the transom, too, but from Assemblyman Mike Duvall's office:

DUVALL RELEASES BIPARTISAN ASSEMBLY COALITION’S DECLARATION OF SUPPORT OF BURMESE PEACE AND DEMOCRACY

SACRAMENTO – Freshman Assemblyman Michael D. Duvall (R-Yorba Linda) today announced that a bipartisan coalition of Assemblymembers have signed onto a declaration he drafted in support of the people of Burma/Myanmar who have been demonstrating for peace and democracy for their country, which is currently under the control of a repressive military regime.

Silva Honored By California Downtown Association

This just came over the transom for Assemblyman Jim Silva's office:

ASSEMBLYMAN SILVA HONORED AT CALIFORNIA DOWNTOWN ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE
Orange County Assemblyman Named Legislator of the Year

Long Beach, CA – Assemblyman Jim Silva, R-Huntington Beach, was honored recently as Legislator of the Year by the California Downtown Association at their annual convention. “I’ve made it a priority to improve the business climate in California, and working with community leaders such as the California Downtown Association and their affiliates has been a privilege,” Silva said.

Michelle Steel's Op-Ed on Taxes

This was sent over this morning from Shawn Steel on an Op-Ed by his wife Michelle Steel that appeared on the Orange County Register today.  It missed the Daily News Roundup so I'm going to post it here for interested readers:

CALIFORNIA FOCUS: BIG GOVERNMENT GOES AFTER ITS FOES

Vendetta criminal indictments, prison time for petitioning, felony charges for circulating an initiative? No, this isn't the story of the pro-democracy monks persecuted in Myanmar; it's a summary of political retaliation in Oklahoma! Yes, that's Oklahoma, USA, where the political winds come sweepin' down the plain with criminal indictments.

PBS Life & Times nuclear power interview with Chuck DeVore now online

Last month I was interviewed by Roger Cooper of KCET PBS television's Life & Times.  The long-format interview goes in depth about the issues surrounding the new push for nuclear power in America. 

To see KCET PBS television's Life & Times story "Nuclear Power Push" visit this link: http://www.kcet.org/lifeandtimes/blog/?p=218.  I think you will enjoy the segment -- it's very informative.

All the best,

Chuck DeVore
California State Assemblyman, 70th District
www.ChuckDeVore.com

www.PowerForCalifornia.com

The Speaker Gives Assembly Employees Early Christmas Gift

I recently learned that the Assembly Rules Committee, at the behest of Speaker Fabian Nunez just approved a 6% pay increase across the board for all employees working in the lower chamber of the Legislature.  This is not in the form of merit pay, but under COLA.  The increase will take effect on November 1.  Here is Nunez's statement on this personnel matter:

“By now you have all received official notification from the Rules Committee regarding the Cost of Living Adjustment I requested for Assembly employees effective November 1. Not only is this COLA overdue, it is definitely well deserved.  The staff of the California State Assembly consistently impresses all the members with your talent, professionalism and regard for the needs of our state.  The successes the Assembly racked up at the end of the 2004-2006 session and the civility and tenacity with which the Assembly is tackling issues in the current session are due in large part to your efforts as individuals and as a team. This COLA, which is in line with the prudent increases made in other agencies, respects the state’s budget realities at the same time it reflects the importance of keeping experienced, trained and valuable staff members working in the Assembly. I am proud to have proposed this COLA.  It is one good way for the members of the Assembly to acknowledge we are proud of – and grateful for – the work you do.“

Correa To Hold Workshop For Local Government On Getting Park Bond $$$

This came over the transom earlier from Sen. Lou Correa's office:

Senator Correa Hosts Workshop to Assist OC Local Governments with Proposition 84 (Parks Bond) Funding.

State Senator Lou Correa (D-Santa Ana) will host a Technical Assistance Workshop on Proposition 84, passed by voters last November, on Friday, October 26, 2007, from 1:00pm to 3:00pm at 2323 N. Broadway in Santa Ana.

Mr. Sedrick Mitchell, Deputy Director of External Affairs, CA Dept. of Parks & Recreation and Ms. Patti Keating, Chief, Office of Grants & Local Services, CA Dept. of Parks & Recreation will provide participants with Proposition 84 timelines, guidelines, the application process for competitive and non-competitive funds, joint-use projects, and more.

Arnold Announces Completion of Freeway Expansion Project

This came over a few days ago from the Governor's Office:

GOV. SCHWARZENEGGER ANNOUNCES EXPANSION COMPLETED AT ONE OF THE NATION'S BUSIEST FREEWAY INTERCHANGES

Easing traffic congestion at one of the nation's busiest freeway interchanges, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced the completion of a $28 million project at the Ventura Freeway (U.S. 101)/ San Diego Freeway (I-405) interchange in Los Angeles.

Tax scofflaws and political $$

As Vice Chairman of the Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation and a member of the Budget subcommittee with jurisdiction over our tax agencies, I am well aware of a new law passed (which I did not support) which makes public the top 250 delinquent taxpayers in California.  (See: http://www.ftb.ca.gov/individuals/txdlnqnt.html.)

I did a quick analysis of the 25 top delinquent taxpayers owing California personal income taxes.  The tax debts range from $10.5 million to just under $1.5 million and includes such celebrities as the comedian Sinbad, O.J. Simpson, and Dionne Warwick. 

Of these, eight made political contributions at the federal level since 1990.  The contributions totaled $159,550 for Democrats and $7,200 for Republicans.  (See: http://www.opensecrets.org.)

The lesson here appears to be that tax cheats are more generous with the Democratic Party.  Given the difference between the parties on tax rates, is there some irony here?

Chuck DeVore
State Assemblyman, 70th District

Governor Sings Solorio Textbook Price Control Bill

It's raining "the-Governor-signed-my-bill" press releases. This came over the transom earlier today:

Governor Signs Assemblyman Solorio’s Bill To Control Textbook Prices For College Students

AB 1548 Makes Controlling College Textbook Prices A Shared Responsibility And Brings Sunshine To The Pricing and Marketing of College Textbooks 

SACRAMENTO, CA – Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed AB 1548, authored by Assemblyman Jose Solorio (D-Anaheim), which would curb the dramatic increases in the prices of college textbooks by placing additional disclosure requirements on publishers, colleges, faculty and bookstores.

Two Mike Duvall Bills Signed

This has been lingering on the transom since Friday:

GOVERNOR’S SIGNATURE OF TWO MORE DUVALL BILLS BRINGS FIRST YEAR TOTAL TO FIVE

YORBA LINDA – Today, freshman Assemblyman Mike Duvall (R-Yorba Linda) took pleasure in looking back on a highly successful week which saw Governor Schwarzenegger sign three out of three Duvall bills, with the final two on eminent domain disclosure (AB 1322) and false vehicular registration (AB 1589) chaptered on Wednesday.  This brings Assemblyman Duvall’s first year total of bills successfully chaptered into law to five, an astonishing minority party success rate of nearly one bill signed for every three proposed.