ANDERSON BILL TO PROVIDE TAX RELIEF FOR CEDAR FIRE VICTIMS PASSES ASSEMBLY APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE
Printer-friendly versionMay 26, 2009 (Sacramento)—Assembly Bill 157, a measure authored by Assemblyman Joel Anderson (R-Alpine) to help fire victims and other disaster survivors, passed the Assembly Appropriations Committee on May 18 by a unanimous vote. Under Anderson’s bill, homeowners in the 2003 Cedar Fire, as well as those who lose homes in other disasters after July 1, 2007, will have seven years to replace their homes in San Diego County without facing property tax consequences. The tax relief bill would increase from five years to seven years the timeframe for a property owner to acquire or construct a property to replace one damaged or destroyed in a Governor-declared disaster, while remaining eligible for a base-year value transfer from the damaged property to a new home within the same county. The measure enables disaster survivors to avoid triggering Proposition 13 provisions that would normally require one to pay higher property taxes on a new or replacement home. According to the San Diego County Assessor’s Office, few property owners are still seeking a base year value transfer from the 2003 Cedar Fire. The Legislative Analyst’s office estimates that the annual revenue loss to the state of California from the bill would be $10,000, with fewer than 10 disaster victims per year seeking an average of $1,000 per property for base year value transfers in the fifth through seventh years after a disaster. Printer-friendly version
BATTLES LOOM AS TO WHEN GAYS WILL SERVE OPENLY IN MILITARY; LOCAL LEADERS AIR THEIR VIEWS
Printer-friendly versionBy E.A. Barrera "The Navy knew that they had a large gay population. During one particular ‘Naval Investigative Services’ witch-hunt in 1976, one of my commanders commented that if they uncovered and removed all the people in the Navy who were gay, the Navy wouldn’t be able to function. But the climate was severe and it was one of the reasons I finally decided I’d had enough." –Robert Pedrick, Captain (Retired); US Navy, 1961-1985 May 25, 2009 (San Diego)–During the waning days of May and into early June – as Congress debates President Barack Obama’s Defense budget – competing voices have raged in the battle to end the "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell" policy regarding gays serving in the US military. The twist however to this now two decades old argument, is not about whether gays should be allowed to serve in the military … but when the law banning such service will be repealed. On May 25, Admiral Michael Mullen, who serves as President Obama’s Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the Pentagon would comply if Congress repealed the ban on gays and lesbians serving openly in the military. Speaking to ABC’s George Stephanopoulos on his weekly Sunday morning program "This Week", Mullen said he was working on an assessment of what overturning "don’t ask, don’t tell" policies would mean for the military. "The president has made his strategic intent very clear, that it’s his intent at some point in time to ask Congress to change this law," said Mullen. "I think it’s important to also know that this is the law, this isn’t a policy. And for the rules to change, a law has to be changed." Mullen said the Pentagon would operate under existing rules, banning gay service members from revealing their sexual identities, until Congress changed the law. Since Obama’s election, advocates of repealing the ban on gays serving in the military have been waiting for the President to issue an executive order repealing DADT. Mullen made it clear that only Congress had authority to change Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, as it was a federal law and not simply military policy. This point was reiterated by White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs earlier this month. "Try as one may, a president can’t simply whisk away standing law of the United States of America. But if you’re going to change the policy, if it is the law of the land, you have to do it through an act of Congress," said Gibbs. This year marks the 16th anniversary of President Clinton’s historic and ultimately losing battle to allow gays to openly serve in the military. June marks the 15th anniversary of implementation of his Administration’s controversial decision – which ostensibly left the ban in place. "Repeal will not happen without your taking the case to the Pentagon, to Congress, and to the American people. You are a natural leader, Mr. President. We are approaching a critical moment in this debate. Now is the time to lead. Failing to speak out against "don’t ask, don’t tell" in your own Defense Department budget really does mean that you are giving the green light to the content and enforcement of this law. We can’t ignore the reality that it will then become Obama’s law," wrote Aubrey Sarvis, Executive Director of the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN). Sarvis said the "logical place and time" for presidential leadership on repeal of DADT would be when Obama sent his defense budget to Congress. "Keep your promise, Mr. President, and ask Congress and the American people to join you in standing against this reprehensible law that tortures every day so many young men and women who want to serve our country. Consign it to the dustbin of history where it belongs." But leading gay and lesbian political figures across the nation have advocated patience, fearing that the American public will have little desire for a debate over gays serving in the armed forces while in the midst of the worst economic crises since The Great Depression. "I believe we should and will do ‘don’t ask, don’ tell’ next year," said Congressman Barney Frank in Roll Call magazine on April 27.. "We haven’t done the preliminary work, the preparatory work. It would be a mistake to bring it up without a lot of lobbying and a lot of conversation." Frank – chairman of the House Financial Services Committee and perhaps the dean of openly gay lawmakers on Capitol Hill, was joined by openly lesbian Wisconsin Democratic Representative Tammy Baldwin. "We don’t even know the votes in committee, let alone the votes on the floor. … So I think the prediction it will not happen in calendar year 2009 is probably accurate," said Baldwin. "People have to understand the political pressures," added Frank. "The question is when to do it. The key issues are not procedural, it’s political." Intended to end the witch hunts on gay service members, Clinton’s "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell" policy was developed as a compromise between the existing outright ban and the complete lifting of that ban many believed the Administration would deliver. Yet fifteen years later, California Democratic congresswoman Ellen O. Tauscher of the Bay Area has introduced a bill that would end the policy and allow gays and lesbians to serve openly in the military. Tauscher (who recently announced she would leave the House to work as Undersecretary of State for Arms Control and International Security with Hillary Clinton), said the existing costs of the policy are too great in terms of the nation’s recruiting needs, as well as for those who were let go from the service over the years due to their sexuality. "With fifteen years of social progress and the recent sea of change we have witnessed in the national political landscape, I am further encouraged that now is definitely the time to act," said Tauscher on March 2 upon introducing the
CONGRESS FILNER TO HOST WEDNESDAY TOWN HALL AT SDSU ON NEW POST-9/11 GI BILL, EDUCATION BENEFITS FOR VETS
Printer-friendly versionMay 26, 2009 (San Diego)–Tomorrow, Congressman Bob Filner is hosting a Veterans Town Hall at San Diego State University (SDSU) to publicly discuss the impact of the new Post-9/11 GI Bill on our veterans. Congress passed legislation to significantly expand the educational benefits for veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. The Department of Veterans Affairs recently began accepting applications for these benefits. “I want veterans and their loved ones to be fully informed,” said Congressman Filner. “A wide range of benefits that pay the full cost can be used to attend college, business, technical, or vocational schools, or to participate in apprenticeships or entrepreneurship training, among other opportunities. There’s something for everyone.” “Our veterans have contributed so much but many are eager to contribute still more,” said Stephen Weber, President of SDSU. “It is our job as educators to give them the tools with which they can achieve that ambition.” After hearing from a panel of school admissions representatives, Veterans Affairs and California state education coordinators, and other veterans’ organizations, there will be an opportunity to have questions and concerns addressed. WHAT: Veterans Town Hall, Q&A on New GI Bill Benefits WHO: Bob Filner, U.S. Representative, CA 51st Congressional District Stephen Weber, President, San Diego State University Patrick Campbell, Counsel, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America Keith Wilson, Veterans Affairs Benefits Administration, Education Services ZoAnn Laurente, California Approving Agency for Veterans Education Joan Putnam, SDSU Admissions Veterans Coordinator Peter Salas, President, SDSU Student Veteran Organization WHEN: 9:00 a.m. Tomorrow, May 27th, 2009 WHERE: San Diego State University Aztec Athletic Center On 55th Street, across from Cox Arena Parking Structure #5 Corner of 55th Street and Montezuma Road San Diego, CA Printer-friendly version
HEALTH EXPERT & SONGWRITER TO SPEAK AT GROSSMONT COLLEGE GRADUATION JUNE 3
Printer-friendly versionMay 26, 2009 (El Cajon)–Grossmont College has announced that Dr. Dorothy Wiley will be the keynote speaker and Jose Molina Serrano will be featured as student speaker at the commencement ceremony on June 3rd at 5:30 p.m. Wiley is a global expert on public health issues, while Serrano is a musician whose music was played aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia. Wiley, who earned her associate degree in nursing at Grossmont College in 1977, is an associate professor of primary care nursing at the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), School of Nursing. She is one of the world’s leading authorities in epidemiology, which is the study of factors and interventions that benefit public health and preventative medicine, and she was an investigator in the development a vaccine to prevent cervical cancer and genital human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, a common infection that causes almost all cases of cervical cancer. Serrano, a resident of La Mesa, is an accomplished guitarist and songwriter who has toured the world during the past four decades with several big-name Latin rock bands, including childhood friend Carlos Santana. But, he always wanted to attend college. “I felt denied and ashamed for not completing my education,” said Serrano, a ninth grade dropout from Tijuana who moved to the United States at age 19. In 2003, Serrano showed up on campus on a day when classes were not in session, and ran into faculty member Baker, who provided registration information and encouragement. Serrano is a candidate for an associate degree in music. Last year, his CD was taken aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia and his song “Away From Home” was played to awaken the sleeping astronauts. The college said 1,103 students are expected to receive associate degrees, along with 346 earned certificates of achievement. About 4,000 people are expected to attend the June 3 ceremony. Grossmont College is located at 8800 Grossmont College Dr., in El Cajon. For driving directions and a campus map, visit http://www.grossmont.edu. For more information about commencement, call (619) 644-7000, ext. 3550, to hear a recorded message. Printer-friendly version
GIO RESTAURANT HONORED AS CALIFORNIA SMALL BUSINESS OF YEAR FOR OUR REGION
Printer-friendly versionHonored at Formal State Recognition Celebration – Selected from among 3.7 million small companies in California Editor's note: Can we pick 'em or what? Gio was one of the very first restaurants we covered when we launched, with a rave review by our "Vines & Steins" connoisseur columnist: http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/?q=0809vinesteins May 26, 2009 (Sacramento) — A crowd of 500 business leaders, legislators, corporate partners and small business dignitaries applauded as Gio Restaurant was honored as ‘California Small Business of the Year for the 36th Senate District. Gabriel and Tracy Giordano received this special recognition from Senator Dennis Hollingsworth to applaud a single district-based small business for exemplifying the contributions of the California’s 3.7 million small business owners to the California economy. To highlight this special day, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger welcomed the audience and congratulated all of this year’s winners. The Governor reflected on his love of California and how all of his business opportunities were due to living and working in this fine State. The award was announced on May 26th at the annual California Small Business Day in Sacramento, and Gio Restaurant joined small businesses of the year identified in over 75 state legislative districts. Scores of legislators joined in chorus to salute the spirit of entrepreneurship among California's small business owners and operators throughout this day-long event. “We are humbled and grateful to have been selected for this award and it is a tribute to our employees customers and community,” said Gabriel Giordano. “This is a special event when government, businesses, associations and community come together to honor the small business contributions of innovations, job creation and economic growth to the State of California,” said Betty Jo Toccoli, President of the Small Business Association, on behalf of the two-dozen small business organizations hosting the event. Small businesses serve as the primary economic engine that drives the state’s economy. Over one half of Californians employed in the private sector work for a small business. The state’s small firms produce more new jobs, more inventions, and more patents, than any other size company in California or any other state in the nation. Printer-friendly version