Denham: Creating Jobs in California

Dear Friend,

 

Last night I had the rare opportunity to meet with Governor Brown and the California Congressional Delegation.  While there were topics where we did not see eye to eye, we agreed there are many job-creating policies we can collaborate on for the betterment of California.

 

I was sure to ask Governor Brown about the American Energy & Infrastructure Jobs Act of 2012, H.R. 7.  There are specific provisions that have spurred conflict within our delegation, but we all know we must improve the freeways, roads and bridges in California.  This piece of legislation is the largest transportation reform bill introduced since the Interstate Highway System was created in 1956, and it is bound to stir up areas of disagreement.  However, the American Energy  & Infrastructure Jobs Act would not only improve our nation's aging transportation infrastructure, it would increase California’s funding levels by 23% from last year, and increase the state's flexibility in determining its most critical transportation needs.  

 

We must put an end to the double-digit unemployment rate in the Valley. H.R. 7 would support the creation of more than one million private-sector jobs and cut the bureaucratic red tape in the infrastructure project approval process.

 

Specific provisions in every bill will spur debate among our delegation; but tonight, we had an opportunity to discuss ideas to create jobs in California and make our state competitive again.

 

Sincerely,

 

JEFF DENHAM

United States Representative

State transportation cuts unfair to rural students

By Kristin Olsen

 

Two young kids. One attending a school in Escalon and one attending a school in San Francisco. Aren't their lives of equal value? Don't they both deserve the same opportunities for education? Apparently not because the education trigger cuts pulled by Gov. Brown last month result in taking $132 from the Escalon student but only $36 from the student in San Francisco.

 

Last month, California became the first state to completely eliminate transportation funding for schools. Funding for many programs has had to be reduced or eliminated over the last few years in order to deal with California's budget crisis, but this cut to home-to-school transportation unfairly targets students in rural areas.

Rural students rely heavily on home-to-school transportation; most of their families are unable to provide transportation themselves due to the far distance they live from school, conflicting work schedules, or lack of access to transit options… (Read on)

 

Source: Modesto Bee

CRP Chairman Del Beccaro’s Statement on the California Democratic Party Convention

SACRAMENTO, CA – California Republican Party Chairman Tom Del Beccaro released the following statement Friday regarding the California Democratic Party Convention in San Diego:

 

"This weekend the Democrats are busy predicting the number of politicians in their party who will find new jobs. Noticeably absent is a discussion about how the millions of unemployed Californians will find jobs in an economy weighed down by tax increases and regulations."

Introducing Frank Bigelow, Assembly Candidate

Dear Friends,

 

Every year the Sacramento politicians promise to tell us the truth and to make the tough decisions to end California’s economic crisis. But the latest state budget only proves that they can’t keep their word – they passed a state budget papered over with phony financial projections and kicked California’s problems down the road yet again.

 

I’ve grown tired of the empty promises and the failure to get the job done. So I’ve decided to throw my hat in the ring to serve as our community’s voice in the State Assembly.

 

Growing up on our family ranch in eastern Madera County, I was raised to appreciate the sacrifice of those who built our great state. I continue to work my family cattle ranch, serve as a volunteer fire fighter, and sit on the Madera Board of Supervisors because I’m committed to preserve our way of life.

 

In the coming weeks, we’ll be expanding this website to help you learn more about my campaign and the issues I stand for. Be sure to check back here for constant updates.

 

Thank you again for stopping by!

 

Frank Bigelow

Source: FrankBigelow.com

Dreier Statement on the Passing of Jim Lloyd

ICYMI (Feb 3)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman David Dreier (R-San Dimas), House Rules Committee Chairman, issued the following statement today regarding the passing of former Congressman Jim Lloyd:

 

"California has lost a great man in Jim Lloyd. After facing him in two rigorous and hard-fought elections in 1978 and 1980, I gained a wonderful respect and admiration for his integrity as a public servant. Over the years, I was fortunate to work alongside Jim on a wide range of issues affecting California and our national security. He was tireless in his efforts to build a better state and a consummate patriot for our country. However, the thing I will treasure most about Jim Lloyd is the friendship that we shared. I am deeply saddened by the loss of a great friend."

CRP Announces GOP Presidential Candidate Newt Gingrich to Speak at State Party Convention

Gingrich appearance signals California Primary may play key role in 2012 Presidential Election

SACRAMENTO, CA – State Republican Party chairman Tom Del Beccaro announced today that GOP presidential candidate and former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich will headline an event at the State Republican Convention this month.

"It is my privilege to welcome one of the most dynamic figures in GOP politics over the last 50 years," said Chairman Del Beccaro. "Speaker Gingrich brings energy and vision to the Convention during a critical election year."

Gingrich will be the keynote speaker at Saturday's lunch event during the Convention which will run February 24th through 26th in the Bay Area.

"Speaker Gingrich's appearance at this month's Convention illustrates the importance of California as a key Primary state this election cycle," said Eric Beach, California Finance Chair to Gingrich. "There are more delegates in California than have been awarded in all of the other States’ primaries to date."

For more information on the Convention, visit CAGOP.org.

Governor Brown and U.S. Transportation Secretary LaHood Reaffirm Strong Support for High-Speed Rail

SACRAMENTO – Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. and United States Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today reaffirmed their strong support for building High-Speed Rail in California.

Secretary LaHood has traveled around the state this week to discuss the project with state and local officials as well as stakeholders.

 Governor Brown and Secretary LaHood issued the following statements after a meeting in the Governor’s Office this morning:

 “High-Speed Rail is a key step in modernizing our transportation system and will create much needed and good paying jobs,” said Governor Brown. “Secretary LaHood and I have joined together to advance the cause of California High-Speed Rail.”

 “Over the past week, I have traveled all over the Golden State and have found a strong base of support for the California High-Speed Rail project, from workers who will build it, manufacturers that will supply the trains to run on it and businesses that will benefit from using it,” said Secretary LaHood. “The Obama Administration is committed to High-Speed Rail because it is good for the economy and the nation. I look forward to working with Governor Brown to make this project as successful as possible.”

 Photo Credit: Justin Short, Office of the Governor.

Member of Commerce City Council Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Obstruct Investigation into Campaign Reimbursement Scheme

LOS ANGELES—Commerce City Councilman Robert Fierro has pleaded guilty to a federal conspiracy charge, admitting that he and others agreed to corruptly influence witnesses to make false declarations before a federal grand jury investigating Fierro’s role in an illegal campaign finance scheme.

Fierro, 40, a resident of Commerce, pleaded guilty to the felony charge yesterday before United States District Judge Philip S. Gutierrez.

Last Tuesday, Fierro’s sister-in-law and campaign treasurer, Ana Perez, 46, of Commerce, pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge related to her conduct in the scheme.

Fierro and Perez are scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Gutierrez on April 23. At sentencing, each defendant faces a statutory maximum sentence of five years in federal prison.

“Fierro and his co-conspirators’ attempts to obstruct a federal investigation and the federal grand jury process amount to direct assaults on the integrity of the American judicial system,” said United States Attorney André Birotte Jr. “We will be always be vigilant in holding those accountable for compromising the integrity of the judicial system.”

According to documents filed by prosecutors in federal court, during the 2004-2005 City of Commerce election campaign, Fierro recruited family and friends to make contributions to his campaign, with Fierro secretly reimbursing the value of the contributions in cash. Fierro never disclosed the contributions or reimbursements to the State of California or on his campaign’s finance records.

According to Perez’s plea agreement, Robert Fierro collected and reimbursed illegal contributions on behalf of his campaign. In one instance, Perez wrote a $500 check to Fierro’s campaign, and another $500 check to the campaign of his running mate. Fierro reimbursed Perez with a $1,000 cash payment the following day, Perez admitted in court.

In the spring of 2006, Fierro, his wife, and Perez learned that the FBI was conducting an investigation into the illegal reimbursement scheme. During an interview with the FBI, Perez falsely denied she received a reimbursement for her $1,000 contribution, according to her plea agreement. Soon thereafter, Perez and others received subpoenas to testify before a grand jury looking into the scheme. In June 2006, Fierro, his wife, and Perez scheduled a meeting with contributors who had received subpoenas and attempted to convince them to falsely testify that they were not reimbursed for their contributions, according to Perez’s plea agreement.

In July 2006, Perez appeared before a federal grand jury and falsely testified that she was not reimbursed for her contributions in 2005 and that she did not participate in the June 2006 meeting, Perez admitted in her plea agreement.

Robert Fierro’s wife—Linda Fierro, who was named in an indictment along with her husband and Perez—is currently scheduled to go on trial on March 20.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.