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.”

Happy Thanksgivi​ng from Rep. Denham

Dear Friend,

 

As we begin the holiday season this week, I want to take a moment to wish all of you a happy and safe Thanksgiving. Political rhetoric and increasing uncertainty seem to be controlling the media coverage these days, but it’s important that we remember the freedoms we have and the potential of our great nation.  Although we have all been disappointed with the outcomes of the Super Committee, we must continue to work towards bi-partisan, pro-growth policies to get the private sector expanding again and people back to work.

 

I thought our debt surpassing $15 trillion would put our enormous challenges in focus and serve as a wakeup call for Congress. After only 10 months in office, I must admit I am frustrated by the same issues I was as a small business owner and father of two just less than a year ago in California.  This disappointment is why I ran for office, and I believe my commitment to put forward pro-growth policies is why I was elected.

 

Last week, I voted in support of an amendment that would have balanced our budget, the fundamental task of our government. The amendment would have forced Congress to balance its budget every year – as all California families and businesses are forced to do. Let's be honest, it's a fact of life- you cannot spend more than you earn.   This amendment failed and the Super Committee failed to achieve its goal; but in the coming weeks, I'm hopeful House Leadership will work to close the gap on these unresolved issues by evaluating bipartisan solutions like my bill, the Civilian Property Realignment Act (CPRA).  I introduced the CPRA in March to literally shrink the size of our government and eliminate waste in order to save taxpayer dollars.  While I do not sit on the Super Committee and I am not the President of the United States, I will continue to put forward solutions that can help us achieve our nation's bipartisan goal: put people back to work and get our spending under control.

 

This holiday season, it is especially important to remember with gratitude and look forward with hope.  For all of you at home, enjoy the time with your family this Thanksgiving. I also encourage you keep in mind those who are fighting courageously overseas for our nation. These men and women are sacrificing their time with their families to protect all we are thankful for.

 

Many times the struggles of our service members are forgotten. This Thanksgiving, let's not let this be the case.  Thousands of troops will be returning home before the end of the year, and it is increasingly important that we honor our promise to our veterans and their families.  We must uphold our commitment to ensure a seamless transition to civilian life for all our veterans. This Thanksgiving, I'd like to thank all of our troops overseas for your sacrifice and commitment.

 

Next Tuesday, I will be hosting a tele-town hall to answer any questions you may have about my Civilian Property Realignment Act (CPRA), recent events with the Super Committee and what this means for our economy and job creation. To be added to our VIP list for the call, click here, call my Modesto office, 209.579.548, or call my Fresno office, 559.449.2490.

 

I hope all of you have a Happy Thanksgiving.

 

Sincerely,

 

JEFF DENHAM

United States Representative

Governor Brown Creates California Interagency Council on Veterans

SACRAMENTO – Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today issued an Executive Order establishing the California Interagency Council on Veterans to improve how veterans’ services are coordinated across local, state and federal government.

“The California Interagency Council on Veterans gives everyone a seat at the table and ensures we’re working collaboratively to address the needs of the 30,000 servicemen and women who return to California each year,” Brown said. “We owe our veterans the best and when they come home, we must serve them the same way they so bravely served us.”

Governor Brown’s Executive Order directs the Secretary of the California Department of Veterans Affairs to establish the Council, which will be tasked with identifying and prioritizing the needs of California's veterans and coordinating the activities at all levels of government in addressing those needs.

“With so many combat veterans returning to California every year it is imperative that state agencies and departments coordinate our efforts to ensure these young men and women are connected to the services and benefits they need to successfully transition home,” said California Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Peter J. Gravett.

This order is based on AB 557, authored by Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez with Assemblymembers Paul Cook, Richard Pan, and Henry T. Perea.

“I'm very pleased the Governor has created the Interagency Council on Veterans Affairs because one of our most important duties is to keep faith with the men and women who have served the United States in uniform,” said Speaker Pérez. “I introduced legislation to create the Council early this session because we need to do more with less, and by creating this Council, we will bring new focus and new efficiency to provide needed services to California's veterans. I'm very pleased the Governor has taken the proactive step of creating this Council by Executive Order so that it can begin its vital work immediately."

Under the order, Speaker Pérez and Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg are each expected to appoint a member to the Council from their respective houses. These appointees will join Secretaries and department heads of the Labor and Workforce Development Agency, California Volunteers, Business Transportation and Housing Agency, Health and Human Services Agency, Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Military Department, Employment Development Department, Department of Consumer Affairs, Department of Rehabilitation and Department of Housing and Community Development.

Additionally, the Governor’s order requests that the Chief Justice of California, President of the University of California, Chancellor of California State University and Chancellor of California Community Colleges each appoint a member to the Council. The Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs will also coordinate with Federal partners and external stakeholders to ensure both groups are active participants on the Council.

California’s veterans face many challenges as they transition back to civilian life, including:

• The unemployment rate for Gulf War II veterans is 42 percent higher than it is for non-veterans.

• Approximately 25 percent of Gulf War II veterans have a disability that is connected to their military service, compared with approximately 13 percent of all veterans.

• Recent tests of returning troops show that 20 percent of infantry and 10 percent of other troops suffer from at least mild brain injury.

• Over 35 percent of veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, who have sought healthcare through the Veterans Administration, have been diagnosed with mental disorders.

• California has the largest number of homeless veterans in the nation and 62 percent of all homeless veterans have been diagnosed with both substance abuse issues and serious mental health problems.

The text of the Executive Order can be read here.

Governor Brown Announces Appointments

SACRAMENTO – Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced the following appointments.

Cliff Allenby, 74, of Elk Grove, has been appointed chair of the Managed Risk Medical Insurance Board. Allenby is currently interim director of the Department of Mental Health. He was interim director of the Department of Social Services from 2006 to 2007 and director of the Department of Developmental Services from 1997 to 2006. Allenby served as chief legislative representative for the County of Los Angeles from 1996 to 1997 and senior vice president of the California Building Industry Association from 1991 to 1996. He was secretary of the California Health and Welfare Agency from 1987 to 1991. This position requires Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Allenby is registered decline-to-state.

Norman Andrews, 64, of Lancaster, has been appointed administrator of the William J. "Pete" Knight Veterans Home of California-Lancaster. He has been a consultant at Andrews and Associates since 2010. Andrews was the administrator and chief executive officer at Kindred Hospital Westminster from 2007 to 2010 and also at Kindred Hospital San Gabriel Valley from 2005 to 2007. He served in multiple positions at Antelope Valley Medical Center from 1999 to 2005, including hospital supervisor and senior vice president of operations. Andrews was chief executive officer of Oak Valley District Hospital from 1998 to 1999, chief executive officer for Econo Health Group from 1997 to 1998, and the administrator of Priority Health Services from 1994 to 1997. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $91,392. Andrews is a Republican.