Sunshine Week: Legislative Transparency Act

By Kristin Olsen

This month marked "Sunshine Week", which recognizes the importance of transparency and accountability in government.

I have introduced AB 1730, also known as the Legislative Transparency Act, to increase transparency in the Legislature by requiring all bills to be in print and available online for at least 72-hours before legislative actions.

The Act also requires all members of the Legislature to post their monthly office and committee budgets on their state websites.

Finally, AB 1730 requires 24-hour online campaign reporting of funds received over $100 dollars during key legislative and budget deadline weeks.

The public deserves full information from elected officials about how their taxes are being spent. It is unconscionable that the Legislature would have ever sought to withhold such information.

To find out more about this important government reform measure, click here.

Governor Honors 102 Year-Old WWII Veteran

SACRAMENTO – Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. met with 102 year-old WWII veteran Bea Cohen today at the State Capitol, as part of celebrations honoring Women’s Military History Week. Ms. Cohen is believed to be the oldest living female WWII veteran in California and one of the oldest in the country.

A native of Buhush, Romania, Ms. Cohen witnessed the start of WWI before immigrating to the United States as a child. When the second World War started, Ms. Cohen produced munitions and war supplies at the Douglas Aircraft Company in Los Angeles before enlisting in the U.S. Army. As a Private First Class, she was assigned to Elveden, England, where she worked in top-secret communications. Today, Ms. Cohen lives in Los Angeles and still attends meetings at the West Los Angeles Veterans Home.

Earlier today, Ms. Cohen was the guest of honor at a state reception honoring all women veterans and military personnel, where she was recognized by the California Department of Veterans Affairs, the Governor’s Office and the California State Assembly.

Republicans Introduce Bill Package to Support California's Returning Veterans

SACRAMENTO – As thousands of California’s servicemen and women – such as Assemblyman Jeff Gorell – prepare to return home from war, Assembly Republicans today introduced legislation to improve services for all veterans to help them adjust to civilian life.

“From Pearl Harbor and Vietnam to Afghanistan and Iraq, our veterans were there when our country needed them,” said Assemblymember Paul Cook, (R-Yucca Valley), the chair of the Assembly Veterans Affairs Committee and a retired Marine Corps Colonel. “Now it’s our responsibility as legislators and grateful Americans to be there for them when they return home.  That is why we are introducing proposals to ensure that veterans receive the services and benefits they deserve.”

The Assembly Republican bill package would make it easier for veterans to transition back to their communities and get the resources they need.  Republicans crafted these measures partly in response to the evolving U.S. role in the Middle East, as tens of thousands of troops such as Asm. (and U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander) Gorell will be coming home over the next several months.  Asm. Gorell provided the ideas for many of these measures, and Asm. Cook has introduced them on his behalf while he is away on active duty.

Among the many reforms that Republicans are proposing today are:
•    Making it easier for our troops to vote  (Assembly Bill 1929, Gorell)
•    Helping veterans obtain state employment (Assembly Bill 1930, Gorell)
•    Creating a “one-stop shop” for veterans to access services and benefits (Assembly Bill 1931, Gorell)
•    Making sure military training counts for licensure of health care jobs (Assembly Bill 1932, Gorell)
•    Allowing former military police officers to more easily qualify as local police officers (Assembly Bill 2130, Gorell)
•    Protecting the custody rights of military single parents (Assembly Bill 1807, Cook)
•    Giving veterans a tax break on certain service-related pay (Assembly Bill 2004, Knight)
•    Extending priority class registration enrollment for current or former members of the Armed Services at a community college or state university to 15 years (Assembly Bill 1832, Silva)
•    Requiring public colleges and universities to give credit for veterans’ medical coursework (Assembly Bill 1976, Logue)
•    Waiving inspection fees for veterans with disabilities to modify their homes (Assembly Bill 1592 Olsen)
•    Restoring funding for new veterans homes in Fresno and Redding (Assembly Bill 2151, Halderman)

Veterans home funding is a top budget priority for Assembly Republicans.  These homes were built to house hundreds of veterans, but Governor Brown and the majority party removed key funding in their budget last year.  No public hearings were held before the cut was made and it prevented the homes from opening on time.

“Veterans should always be a top legislative and budget priority,” said Assemblymember Linda Halderman (R-Fresno), the author of Assembly Bill 2151. “That is why I have authored legislation to ensure that the state honors the promise it made to our veterans two years ago by immediately restoring funding for the veterans homes in Fresno and Redding. Our veterans should never be a budget bargaining chip.”

“In a budget of $90 billion, it makes no sense to cut a few million dollars on those who sacrificed so much for our country,” said Assemblymember Jim Nielsen (R-Gerber), the principal co-author of Assembly Bill 2151.  “Budgets are about priorities and our veterans must be a priority.”

An important priority for Republicans is ensuring veterans have access to college courses and job training for their post-military careers.

“When our military heroes return home from battle, it is essential that they receive the training they need to successfully transition to civilian life,” said Assemblymember Jim Silva (R-Huntington Beach).  “Giving them priority registration to college classes will ensure that they are prepared to succeed in whatever field they choose and provide financially for themselves and their families.”

Republicans also emphasized their legislation to help veterans financially by giving them breaks on certain taxes and fees.

“California’s veterans returning from hazardous missions overseas have selflessly put themselves in harm’s way, and deserve the state and federal benefits they earned,” said Assemblymember Steve Knight (R-Antelope Valley). “America is indebted for the service of its military men and women, and I am proud to support our veterans by authoring legislation that conforms federal and state tax laws.”

“Bureaucracy and red tape should never get in the way of veterans with disabilities trying to adjust to a new life,” said Assemblymember Kristin Olsen (R-Modesto).  “By waiving inspection fees for veterans modifying their homes to cope with their service-related injuries, we will help them save money and live a higher quality of life much sooner.”

CA Democratic Party Chairman on President Obama's Opposition to Discriminatory Same-Sex Marriage Ban in North Carolina

California Democrats proudly support President Obama for taking a stand against a divisive ballot amendment that seeks to codify discrimination against same-sex couples into North Carolina's constitution.

As Democrats across the nation make plans to gather in Charlotte, North Carolina for the 2012 Democratic National Convention, it's imperative that we send a clear and united message against all such efforts that seek to divide Americans and enshrine discrimination. California Democrats stand ready to help and we will soon be in touch with ways that Democrats here can start getting the word out to voters in North Carolina about the need to defeat Amendment One.

Republican Leaders Mourn the Loss of Agua Caliente Chairman Richard Milanovich

SACRAMENTO, CA – Longtime Chairman of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Richard Milanovich passed away yesterday, after battling cancer for many years. Milanovich is revered in many communities as an influential leader and motivator, and will be remembered for his impact and tireless work on tribal affairs.

“Our deepest condolences and heartfelt thoughts go out to the family of Chairman Milanovich,” said CRP Chairman Tom Del Beccaro. “Richard was a very selfless and compassionate man, who worked non-stop to inspire a new generation of leaders; he will be deeply missed.”

State Senator Bill Emmerson, who represented Milanovich in California’s 37th Senate District added, “Richard was a true visionary who enabled the Aqua Caliente tribe to attain self-sufficiency through education, housing and healthcare programs while still retaining the tribe's rich cultural heritage. He was a true gentleman.”

Milanovich served in the Army during the Cold War, where he was stationed in Germany and assigned to long-range reconnaissance patrol. He became a member of the Agua Caliente Tribal Council in 1978 and was elected as chairman in 1984.

"The passing of Richard Milanovich is a great loss to Agua Caliente and to our community. Chairman Milanovich will be remembered as one of the most influential leaders in California history,” said Assemblyman Brian Nestande, who represented Milanovich in California’s 64th Assembly District.

Milanovich is survived by his wife, Melissa, and six children: Scott, Reid, Trista, Sean, Travis and Tammy.