This story was reported for San Diego News Network on August 27, 2009.
Revenue from taxes is expected to drop, activists are attempting to give legislators tips and local college students will soon protest when classes start again – meanwhile, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger deals with the death of his “Uncle Teddy” and improving schools for some federal cash.
Sacramento is definitely not taking any breaks, any time soon.
Schwarzenegger races to Chula Vista: Schwarzenegger visited Chula Vista Learning Community Friday to tout the progress it has made as a charter school in California. His visit is meant to garner support for his proposal to change the state’s education system to gain federal funds.
“Race to the Top” is a program within President Obama’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which will reward states with education funds but only if they meet some requirements. Right now however, Schwarzenegger said California doesn’t qualify but can if state lawmakers pass legislation by October.
Schwarzenegger is asking the Senate and Assembly to change three sectors of California’s education system: take the cap off charter schools and allow for more to be built; allow students to attend schools outside of their districts and increase accountability and transparency for teachers.
Joined by Mayor Cheryl Cox, California Charter Schools Association president Jed Wallace and other education advocates, Schwarzenegger said he’s been pushing for these changes since entering office.
“These are reforms that I’ve been pushing for, for many, many years,” Schwarzenegger said. “I’m asking legislators to have legislation ready to be signed by early October.”
Wallace touted Schwarzenegger’s work for education reform and said charter schools are on a path to success.
“Charter schools are doing exactly the things that our president [Barack Obama] has asked us to do,” Wallace said. “Let’s make sure successful charter schools can continue to grow.”
Angry Aztecs unite: Thousands of San Diego State University students will hold a rally Monday to protest the budget cuts.
SDSU is facing a $35 million budget reduction affecting about 34,500 students with the California State University system making a cut of $600 million affecting about 417,112 students.
SDSU President Stephen Weber and Associated Students president Tyler Boden, among others, are expected to attend the rally, which will take place at 11:30 a.m. on the campus.
Local traffic court sees a red light: Because of the state’s financial woes, the San Diego Superior Court is suspending traffic night court at its East County facility in El Cajon beginning Sept. 16.
The night court had been held from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on the third Wednesday of the month, which happens to be the same day recently adopted as the monthly court closure date by the California Judicial Council.
Six court staff members who had been handling about 30 night court walk-ins a month in El Cajon could be better utilized during normal business hours, court officials said.
The suspension of night court will also reduce the use of three deputy sheriffs, resulting in a security cost reduction, court officials said.
People cited to appear in the East County Division of the court will have to go to the courthouse during regular business hours — 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. — to handle traffic matters.
Traffic night courts in Central San Diego, South County and North County will continue to operate.
Rest in peace “Uncle Teddy”: While Schwarzenegger visited the Chula Vista school, his wife, Maria Shriver, joined her family at the mass for the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy.
Kennedy, who died Tuesday after a year-long struggle with brain cancer, was brought to the presidential library in Boston, Mass. Thursday. Along with his family members that were in attendance, a number of senators throughout the country are expected to visit the library.
At the Twitter headquarters on Wednesday in San Francisco, Schwarzenegger called his “Uncle Teddy” the “rock of our family.” He also spoke of advice Kennedy once gave the Governor after entering office.
Schwarzenegger’s main rival in Sacramento, Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) released a statement calling the Kennedy a “true champion for justice.”
“His imprint will forever be on our country through his work on behalf of school kids, seniors, the poor and people with disabilities,” Steinberg said. “America is a different and better place because of his dedication to the issues of peace, civil rights and health care for all.”
The long-time senator will be buried on Saturday at the Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia alongside his brothers, President John F. Kennedy and Sen. Robert F. Kennedy.
Here’s an idea for you, lawmakers: A group of activists, called the California Forward Action Fund, are pitching ideas to state legislators.
The group has released a two-page plan that they’re asking California leaders to consider. Their plan includes three sectors: “Responsible Budgets on Time,” “Government that’s Closer to the People” and “Constituent Access and Accountability.”
They are asking lawmakers to pass two-year budget plans, change the two-thirds majority vote requirement for fiscal bills to pass the Senate and House, give more control to local communities and reduce term limits for lawmakers to 12 years.
Less revenue with less workers: What you’re about to read is weird.
California lawmakers have decided that the reduction of state employees will reduce state revenue from taxes, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
The Department of Finance and other state agencies told the Senate Budget Committee Wednesday that because of the three-day furloughs imposed on state employees to save the state $1.3 billion – the state will see a reduction in tax revenue by $1 billion. That’s because state employees responsible for collecting unpaid taxes will not be able to find the time to collect the money with the furlough days.
According to the Chronicle, California saw a reduction of $177 million last fiscal year.
Anderson’s IOU bill passes committee: Assemblymember Joel Anderson (R-El Cajon) can breathe a sigh of relief Thursday along with thousands of IOU recipients. Anderson, author of Assembly Bill 1506, saw the bill pass the Assembly Appropriations Committee and will soon see it in the full Assembly for a vote.
In July, Anderson proposed AB 1506, a bill that would allow Californians who’ve received IOUs to use the IOUS as payment for any obligations owed to the state, which could include state taxes, payroll taxes or any licensing fees.
“I am thankful to the thousands of Californians who took the time to voice their support for this important issue,” Anderson said. “Their voices were heard by the committee, and in this case, the system is working.”
The passage comes after tension rose in the committee between Anderson and chair Assemblymember Kevin De León (D-Los Angeles). Last week, De León asked that the committee temporarily put the bill in the “suspense file” because of the heavy price tag on the bill — bills over $150,000 goes in the files and Anderson’s bill would cost California $1.2 million.
But, everything is peachy between the two now.
In a letter to De León, Anderson wrote, “The unanimous vote for AB 1506 clearly demonstrates we all can work together in a bipartisan manner for the betterment of all Californians.”
Hoa Quach is the political editor for the San Diego News Network. City News Service and Associated Press writer Julliet Williams contributed to this report.