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By George Runner — Wednesday, April 29th, 2009
 Senator George Runner Serving the 17th District which incorporates portions of the Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Ventura and Kern counties. When discussing elections and voting, people often drop the buzz words “voter disenfranchisement.” In other words, they argue that policy makers should oppose legislation that might obstruct potential voters from casting their votes. Ballot access is a Constitutional right and ballot security ensures that this right is upheld. Unfortunately, California is not protecting the democratic process. Voter fraud caused by lack of ballot security disenfranchises citizens. When individuals who are ineligible to vote, such as felons, illegal immigrants, non-residents, and people with false identities vote, they skew the results, and the voice of all citizens becomes diluted. Currently, there are no laws in California requiring proper identification to prevent unqualified people from voting. Clearly, California’s voting system needs improvement. Fraud discourages voters from participating in our democratic process—why vote if your opinions do not count? It’s time to give Californians a reason to vote again and allow all voices to be heard. CONTINUED » |
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By Anonymous — Tuesday, April 28th, 2009
Tax his land, Tax his bed, Tax the table At which he's fed. Tax his tractor, Tax his mule, Teach him taxes Are the rule. Tax his work, Tax his pay, He works for peanuts Anyway! Tax his cow, Tax his goat, Tax his pants, Tax his coat. Tax his ties, Tax his shirt, Tax his work, Tax his dirt. Tax his tobacco, Tax his drink, Tax him if he Tries to think. Tax his cigars, Tax his beers, If he cries Tax his tears. Tax his car, Tax his gas, Find other ways To tax him fast! CONTINUED » |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009
Guess our national leaders didn't expect this, hmm? Darrell Scott, the father of Rachel Scott, a victim of the Columbine High School shootings in Littleton , Colorado , was invited to address the House Judiciary Committee's subcommittee. What he said to our national leaders during this special session of Congress was painfully truthful. They were not prepared for what he was to say, nor was it received well. It needs to be heard by every parent, every teacher, every politician, every sociologist, every psychologist, and every so-called expert! These courageous words spoken by Darrell Scott are powerful, penetrating, and deeply personal. There is no doubt that God sent this man as a voice crying in the wilderness. The following is a portion of the transcript: "Since the dawn of creation there has been both good & evil in the hearts of men and women. We all contain the seeds of kindness or the seeds of violence. The death of my wonderful daughter, Rachel Joy Scott, and the deaths of that heroic teacher, and the other eleven children who died must not be in vain. Their blood cries out f or answers. "The first recorded act of violence was when Cain slew his brother Abel out in the field. The villain was not the club he used.. Neither was it the NCA, the National Club Association. The true killer was Cain, and the reason for the murder could only be found in Cain's heart. CONTINUED » |
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By Tony Strickland — Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009
Bills would transition California to a renewable energy-efficient economy
Sacramento, CA – Senate Bill 463, authored by State Senator Tony Strickland’s (R-Thousand Oaks) which would create a tax credit for the purchase and installation of renewable energy resources, passed the Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee. In addition, Senate Bill 542, Solar Energy & Energy Efficiency Programs, which Senator Strickland has joint-authored with Democratic Senator Pat Wiggins (D-Santa Rosa) passed the Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee as well. “I’m working with Democrats and Republicans to change California to a renewable energy economy to create jobs, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, improve the environment, and lower energy prices. By focusing on legislation that promotes renewable, clean energy, we promote local businesses. When businesses grow, jobs multiply,” said Senator Tony Strickland. Senate Bill 463, Renewable Energy Projects, would entitle a person to a one-time tax credit not to exceed $3,000, or equal to 30 percent of all costs for the purchase and installation of a renewable energy resource project. Senate Bill 542 would add apartments, duplexes, and commercial rental properties into the California Solar Initiative and other energy efficiency programs to encourage the use of renewable energy. “California is squeezed between an economic crisis and an energy crisis that requires us to fundamentally rethink how we do business. We need to offer tax credits and incentives for individuals and businesses that transition to renewable, clean energy. Senate Bills 463 and 542 will take us into the 21st century, and will help California become more energy-efficient,” said Senator Strickland. Senate Bill 463 will now go to the revenue and taxation committee. Senate Bill 542 will go on to appropriations committee. Tony Strickland represents California Senate District 19, which includes portions of Los Angeles, Ventura, and Santa Barbara counties. |
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By Tony Strickland — Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009
Sacramento, CA – Senate Bill 37, authored by State Senator Tony Strickland’s (R-Thousand Oaks) which requires state agencies to provide electronic pay stubs to employees who participate in the direct deposit program, unanimously passed the Senate Public Employment and Retirement Committee. According to the State Controller, Senate Bill 37 can save the State as much as $3.7 million dollars annually by cutting printing costs. “Senate Bill 37 will take us into the 21st century. In a time of fiscal emergency we need to think about ways to save money and this is a step in the right direction,” said Senator Strickland. Senate Bill 37 will allow state employees who participate in the direct deposit program to electronically receive their statement of earnings. Those employees who do not wish to participate have the option of continuing to receive a paper version of their statement. This bill will be contingent upon the funding of the State Controller’s 21st century project, which will have the capabilities to carry out this function. CONTINUED » |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009
FILLMORE CITY COUNCIL WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2009 FILLMORE CITY HALL AGENDA |
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By George Runner — Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009
California transportation and jobs will benefit from federal stimulus dollars
Senator George Runner Serving the 17th District which incorporates portions of the Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Ventura and Kern counties. On Feb.17, 2009, President Obama signed the $787 billion federal economic stimulus package – the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 – which targets more than $46 billion nationwide for transportation and mass transit projects, with $3.67 billion dedicated to transportation in California. It is important to note that the federal stimulus program is an attempt to create jobs in California, not a transportation program designed to meet all the legion of funding criteria that make the development of projects a bureaucratic nightmare. Using economic forecasts that project that every billion in public works spending creates 18,000 jobs, the implementation of this stimulus proposal will lead to the creation of almost 50,000 new jobs in California. A majority of the Federal Transportation dollars are for Highways and Local Streets and Roads (with the approximate share for California set at $2.6 billion) as well as Mass Transit (approximately $1.07 billion of which is dedicated to California transit operators). These pots of money are set by formula, and the amount to be received by each state is already determined. CONTINUED » |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, April 15th, 2009
Speaking to the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce on March 10, President Barack Obama said of his Secretary of Education Arne Duncan: Secretary Duncan will use only one test when deciding what ideas to support with your precious tax dollars: It’s not whether an idea is liberal or conservative, but whether it works. If the above statement can be taken as a promise that the Obama administration would support any education reform that “works”, then the Obama administration already broke that promise last week when they sent letters to 200 low-income families announcing that the Department of Education was rescinding scholarships previously awarded through the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program. CONTINUED » |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, April 15th, 2009
 Arnold Schwarzenegger California State Governor Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today offered rewards for information leading to the arrest and conviction in a California court of the person or persons responsible for each of the following five unsolved murder cases in California. The following is a brief description of each crime and the reward amount offered: On March 15, 1997, 22-year-old Carmen Estrada and her unborn baby were killed at the Vallarta Bar in San Diego, by her boyfriend and the father of her unborn baby, Luis Eduardo Galindo. The Governor is offering a reward in the amount of $50,000. It was requested by San Diego Police Chief William M. Lansdowne. On October 17, 2006, 55-year-old Jon Hayward, 53-year-old Vickie Freidli and 18-year-old Rebecca Freidli were murdered and their home was intentionally set on fire in Riverside County. The Governor is offering a reward in the amount of $50,000. It was requested by Riverside County Sheriff Stanley Sniff. On May 23, 2008, 47-year-old Vahid Hosseini was robbed as he was leaving the Bank of the West in San Jose. He succumbed to his injuries on June 3, 2008. The Governor is offering a reward in the amount of $50,000. It was requested by San Jose Police Chief Robert L. Davis. CONTINUED » |
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By George Runner — Wednesday, April 15th, 2009
Runner introduces legislation to help adoption process run smoother, honor fallen Marine, and ease law regarding campers
Senator George Runner Serving the 17th District which incorporates portions of the Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Ventura and Kern counties. In recent weeks, I introduced several bills that would make a variety of necessary changes to California law. Today, I am highlighting three of those bills. Senate Resolution 5 - SCR 5 designates a portion of State Highway Route 14 in Los Angeles County, between Avenue M and Avenue L in the City of Lancaster, as the Marine Corporal Christopher D. Leon Memorial Highway. In 2006, Cpl. Christopher Leon, of Lancaster, died by sniper bullet while protecting Army troops patrolling the insurgent stronghold of Ramadi, west of Baghdad. Leon was a 2004 Lancaster High School graduate and chief radio operator for the 5th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company. He was 20 years old. I am proud to carry this measure. I believe this is the least we can do for a fallen hero. Naming a portion of a highway is an important reminder of the men and women who have bravely fought and died for our freedom. We should never forget their names or their sacrifices. SCR 5 is moving along in the legislative process, having just passed in the Senate housing and Transportation Committee last week. CONTINUED » |
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By Anonymous — Tuesday, April 14th, 2009
 City of Fillmore FILLMORE CITY COUNCIL Council will then adjourn to: AGENDA |
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By Anonymous — Monday, April 13th, 2009
Fillmore City Council has announced the name of the city’s transitional city manager. Larry Pennell, retired city manager of Wasco and Benicia, CA has tentatively accepted an offer for the position. Pennell will be paid $110/hr plus a daily per diem of $100 to offset overnight accommodations, according to city councilmember Steve Conaway. If he accepts, Pennell will serve in Fillmore for 3 to 4 days a week, directing city activity until a permanent hire. He will start on April 22. Deputy City Manager Bill Bartels was appointed interim city manager after the resignation of Tom Ristau, who accepted a position with the City of San Fernando (LA) in the recreation department. It is not known whether Bartels will seek the permanent position. |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, April 8th, 2009
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, April 8th, 2009
Barring a sudden change in weather, sometime tonight North Korea will likely launch a multistage rocket over Japan, far into the Pacific Ocean. The Kim Jong Il regime is claiming the launch is a test of their civilian satellite program, but it is widely understood that this claim is just a pretext for testing their Taepodong-2 intercontinental ballistic missile. A 2001 National Intelligence Estimate by the U.S. Intelligence Community assessed a two-stage Taepo Dong-2 could target Alaska, Hawaii, and the western United States while a three stage missile could threaten all of North America with a nuclear warhead. And just last week the Washington Post reported that U.S. and independent intelligence experts agree that North Korea has built or is attempting to build nuclear warheads small enough to fit on its ballistic missile arsenal. CONTINUED » |
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By George Runner — Tuesday, April 7th, 2009
Help a military veteran find a job & Latest report on Alzheimer’s in California is released
Senator George Runner Serving the 17th District which incorporates portions of the Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Ventura and Kern counties. Help a military veteran find a job One of the biggest challenges our military men and women face is settling back in to the civilian world – particularly when it comes to finding jobs. I have always been mindful of the challenges facing our returning Armed Forces. And now with the ongoing financial and employment difficulties that our nation is facing, it has become exceedingly difficult for military folks to find work in the private sector. In an effort to support members of the United States military who have returned home after serving their country, I have compiled a list of web sites dedicated to providing residents and businesses the opportunity to hire from bases located in their communities. cdva.ca.gov/VetService/Overview.aspx PatriotJobs.net RecruitArmy.com HireAHero.org USAJobs.com HirePatriots.com CONTINUED » |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, April 1st, 2009
City of Fillmore FILLMORE CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING CITY HALL AGENDA NO NEW BUSINESS WILL BE CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL AFTER THE HOUR OF 11:30 P.M. UNLESS A MAJORITY OF THE CITY COUNCIL DETERMINES TO CONTINUE BEYOND THAT HOUR. ITEM REFERENCE** 4. CITY COUNCIL CONSENT CALENDAR – None. 5. CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS ITEMS 5A. Discussion and Consideration of Salary, Benefits and Other Compensation for Oral |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, April 1st, 2009
Senator George Runner Serving the 17th District which incorporates portions of the Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Ventura and Kern counties. SACRAMENTO – Sen. George Runner (R-Antelope Valley) today presented a measure in the Senate Judiciary Committee that will add expediency to the adoption process and move children out of foster care and group homes faster. Senate Bill 179, which passed with a 5-0 vote, shortens the time that a birth parent has to file a notice of appeal—from 60 to 30 days—when the court orders the termination of parental rights. Parental rights are only terminated following multiple failures by the birth parent to successfully reunify with biological children, typically due to serious problems including drug abuse, physical or mental abuse, or neglect. “This bill is about stability for these kids who have greatly suffered, and finally have an opportunity for a loving family and home,” Runner said. “So many kids are getting lost in foster care and group homes. The state needs to lower hurdles for families willing to provide homes to kids whose biological parents have failed them.” SB 179 also modifies the current process of serving notice to birth parents when the court terminates parental rights. “This legislation is a cost effective way to expedite adoptions without adversely impacting the rights of birth parents and their kids,” Runner said. “All parties – The bill now goes to the Senate floor for a vote. |