Sacramento, CA – Assemblyman Jeff Gorell (R-Camarillo), Vice-Chairman of the Assembly Budget committee, announced today that he has introduced Assembly Bill 208, which will prohibit state employees from receiving a full-time state salary while also concurrently accepting hourly employment positions within the same department. This specific practice to augment pay for state employees was revealed at CALPERS after a recent Sacramento Bee news story and follow up investigation by the Department of Finance.

“This practice, which I believe is pervasive throughout state government, is a back door way to provide salaried employees overtime pay where overtime for those on salary is prohibited,” said Assemblyman Gorell. “Not only does this practice circumvent the state’s compensation policies, but by assigning an employee two job classifications it takes away employment opportunities for the state’s unemployed job-seekers.”

Recent investigations by the Sacramento Bee newspaper staff and the department of finance of payroll data revealed that state workers in nearly a dozen departments hold both a salaried position and another hourly-wage position in-house.

Gorell further stated: “The state controller’s office confirmed yesterday that hundreds of managers, supervisors and other non-hourly state workers in nearly a dozen state departments are using this loophole to receive additional hourly wages above their existing salary. This practice appears to be an inappropriate, and perhaps abusive, use of taxpayer dollars to overcompensate employees for their existing responsibilities.”

Sacramento, CA – Statement by Assemblyman Jeff Gorell (R-Camarillo) Vice Chairman of the Assembly Budget Committee on bi-partisan immigration reform proposal at the U.S. Senate:

“I am very encouraged to see bi-partisan action on immigration reform in the U.S. Senate. The details I have read so far appear to be thoughtful reflection of the reality that we need to create a pathway to citizenship, while embracing common sense requirements of border security and an employment verification system going forward. A comprehensive plan is likely to bring tremendous relief to families in California caught in legal uncertainty while laying the foundation for renewed economic vitality for the struggling economy in California.

I call upon the U.S. House of Representatives to follow the example laid out in the Senate and work toward bi-partisan consensus on this important issue. Now is the time for governance and leadership in Washington.”

SACRAMENTO, CA – George Runner today issued the following statement in response to Governor Jerry Brown’s State of the State Address:

“The Governor struck a conservative tone today when he spoke of fiscal discipline, local control and regulatory reform.

“But the challenge before California remains the same: growing private sector jobs. If we want to solve our long-term budget problems, we need more taxpayers, not less.

“Despite some job gains, California’s unemployment rate remains among the highest in the nation—many California counties still have double-digit unemployment rates ranging as high as 25%.

“Many entrepreneurs, small business owners and even athletes are considering leaving our state due to rising taxes.

“And while certain government-favored industries are growing, most job creators are struggling to survive under a growing weight of new regulations, taxes and fees.

“It’s far too early to celebrate California’s recovery. Millions have yet to experience it.”

Elected in November 2010, George Runner represents more than nine million Californians as a member of the State Board of Equalization. For more information, visit www.boe.ca.gov/Runner.

Sacramento, CA – Assemblymember Jeff Gorell (R-Camarillo) today introduced legislation to clarify the way write-in candidates qualify for the general election under California’s “Top Two” election system. Assembly Bill 141 reestablishes the 1% minimum vote requirement, allowing greater legitimacy for the write-in process. The bill would remedy a significant flaw in state election procedures initially brought to light through investigative journalism by Timm Herdt of the Ventura County Star.

“The 1% minimum established a degree of legitimacy for write-in votes by assuring that an individual would not appear in a general election solely by writing in their own name,” stated Assemblymember Gorell. “It makes sense that we would want to continue that requirement under the new system of state elections.”

In 2010, public approval of Proposition 14 dramatically changed the way Californians choose their candidates for elected office. The new “Top Two” general election format was designed so that the two candidates who received the most votes in the state’s primary election would face each other in a November general election, regardless of their own party registration. Unfortunately, the language necessary to maintain a minimum threshold for write-in votes was not included in Prop 14, unintentionally abandoning the longstanding requirement that write-in candidates must receive at least 1% of all votes cast to advance to a general election. AB 141 corrects this oversight by reestablishing that 1% minimum.

SACRAMENTO – George Runner today issued the following statement in response to the Governor’s January budget proposal:

“I commend the Governor for championing fiscal discipline, which is a foreign concept to most Democrats in the Legislature. The Governor has his work cut out for him.

“However, I’m disappointed that we’ve heard virtually nothing from the Governor about spurring job creation and economic growth.

“California’s budget challenges will not be solved by higher taxes, which only serve to chase investment and jobs out of our state and make revenues more volatile.

“If the Governor and Legislature want to ensure California’s solvency, they need to help the private sector succeed in our state. That means fewer taxes and regulations, not more.

“California’s unemployment rate is still too high. We need more jobs.”

Elected in November 2010, George Runner represents more than nine million Californians as a member of the State Board of Equalization. For more information, visit www.boe.ca.gov/Runner.

Sacramento, CA – Assemblymember Jeff Gorell (R-Camarillo) today introduced legislation to clarify the way write-in candidates qualify for the general election under California’s “Top Two” election system. Assembly Bill 141 reestablishes the 1% minimum vote requirement, allowing greater legitimacy for the write-in process. The bill would remedy a significant flaw in state election procedures initially brought to light through investigative journalism by Timm Herdt of the Ventura County Star.

“The 1% minimum established a degree of legitimacy for write-in votes by assuring that an individual would not appear in a general election solely by writing in their own name,” stated Assemblymember Gorell. “It makes sense that we would want to continue that requirement under the new system of state elections.”

In 2010, public approval of Proposition 14 dramatically changed the way Californians choose their candidates for elected office. The new “Top Two” general election format was designed so that the two candidates who received the most votes in the state’s primary election would face each other in a November general election, regardless of their own party registration. Unfortunately, the language necessary to maintain a minimum threshold for write-in votes was not included in Prop 14, unintentionally abandoning the longstanding requirement that write-in candidates must receive at least 1% of all votes cast to advance to a general election. AB 141 corrects this oversight by reestablishing that 1% minimum.

SACRAMENTO, CA – George Runner today issued the following statement in response to the Governor’s January budget proposal:

“I commend the Governor for championing fiscal discipline, which is a foreign concept to most Democrats in the Legislature. The Governor has his work cut out for him.

“However, I’m disappointed that we’ve heard virtually nothing from the Governor about spurring job creation and economic growth.

“California’s budget challenges will not be solved by higher taxes, which only serve to chase investment and jobs out of our state and make revenues more volatile.

“If the Governor and Legislature want to ensure California’s solvency, they need to help the private sector succeed in our state. That means fewer taxes and regulations, not more.

“California’s unemployment rate is still too high. We need more jobs.”

Elected in November 2010, George Runner represents more than nine million Californians as a member of the State Board of Equalization. For more information, visit www.boe.ca.gov/Runner.

Sacramento, CA – Assembly Budget Committee Vice-Chair Jeff Gorell (R-Camarillo) today commented on Governor Jerry Brown’s 2013-14 budget plan:

“I think the Governor deserves credit for advancing a budget plan that imposes fiscal restraint at a time where we absolutely need to do that. It obviously resists the urge to spend money that we don’t have, and it also hopefully resists the urge to levy additional taxes and fees upon an economy that is still struggling to get out of a recession.

“We also very much appreciate the additional focus on education, the additional revenues going to public education are important. We are very supportive of that. It sounds like he came close today to endorsing our idea of freezing tuition at California colleges and universities.

”It’s also frankly a good time for us as legislators and Republicans to call upon the Governor to support ACA 4, the ballot initiative negotiated in the 2009 budget to allow voters to decide whether to create a ‘Rainy Day Fund’ which would prevent the kind of fits and starts, or as the Governor said ‘booms and busts’ of California spending and cutting that happened with the ups and downs of the California economy.”

Audio clips of Assemblyman Gorell’s comments are available in MP3 format attached to this email and on the website at: http://arc.asm.ca.gov/member/AD44/?p=audio

Sacramento, CA – As the Legislature convened for the new year, Legislative Republicans today wasted no time in taking action to protect California’s college students from costly tuition hikes, introducing legislation to prevent tuition and fee increases at all California State University (CSU), University of California (UC) and community college campuses. Under the proposal, the tuition freeze would last for at least 7 years, the same amount of time the Prop. 30 tax increases are in effect.

“As a college instructor, I have seen firsthand how hard it is for so many of my students to afford the dream of a college education,” said Assemblyman Jeff Gorell, R-Camarillo, the author of Assembly Bill 67. “The cost of a public university education has almost doubled over the last five years. It’s essential that the Legislature act now to secure these dollars for higher education and prevent further tuition hikes. Our legislation will dedicate these dollars as the voters intended – to our students.”

In November, California voters approved Proposition 30, a statewide tax increase that is expected to generate $50 billion in new revenue over 7 years – including for higher education. Republicans said that while there is a provision in the measure to ensure this new revenue flows directly to schools, there is another provision in the measure which allows the Legislature to reduce current General Fund dollars for K-14 education. As a result, schools will see just a $2.6 billion increase in funding in 2012-13, despite the fact that Proposition 30 will generate $5.3 billion in new revenue.

Worse, there is no provision in Proposition 30 guaranteeing that there will be funding increases for California State University (CSU) or University of California (UC) campuses, despite what proponents of the measure said to taxpayers and students during the campaign. While the 2013-14 budget increases funding by $125 million for each system, this is not guaranteed money and it can be reversed with a majority vote of the Legislature. Additionally, the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst recently forecast that funding for the UC and CSU systems will remain relatively flat over the next five fiscal years, even with $50 billion in new revenue anticipated from the passage of Proposition 30.

“The proponents of Prop 30 traveled to many college campuses telling students there would be no new fee increases if it passed,” said Senator Anthony Cannella, R-Ceres, the author of Senate Bill 58. “As we have seen so many times before, money that should go to our public colleges and universities could easily be transferred to fund other programs. This bill makes that promise a guarantee. I hope that all legislators understand the importance of this bill so we can uphold the promise to our students, and give peace of mind that there will be no tuition increases, period.”

Assembly Bill 67 (Gorell) and Senate Bill 58 (Cannella) will each ensure that the will of the people is upheld by requiring that there be no mandatory tuition and fee increases for CSU and UC campuses about the rates set in the 2011-12 academic year, while Proposition 30 remains on the books. Additionally, the measure states the intent of the Legislature that funding for CSU and UC campuses be increased while Proposition 30 is in effect, to make any potential fee increases unnecessary.

Sacramento, CA – The California State Assembly today announced that Assemblyman Jeff Gorell (R-Camarillo) has been chosen to serve as vice-chairman of the Assembly’s Budget Committee. As one of the first acts in this new leadership role Gorell introduced legislation that will give California’s voters the ability to make an earlier decision on implementing the state’s “rainy day” surplus fund. Assembly Bill 54 calls upon the legislature to allow voters to decide upon the pending “rainy day fund” ballot measure sooner than the 2014 general election.

Designed to help the state avoid future budget shortfalls, the measure was originally slated to appear before voters last November, but was postponed two years by the majority party to avoid its possible consequences to spending. However, the Legislative Analyst’s Office is now reporting that in light of the passage of Proposition 30’s tax increases and a forecasted economic recovery, there is “a strong likelihood that the state will have budgetary surpluses” by the 2014-15 budget year. If the state is headed for budget surplus, voters should be able to decide in June of 2014, if not before, how the state will forever handle surplus revenue.

“I am truly honored to hold this position,” stated Gorell. “I look forward to working with both Democrats and Republicans, to be prudent with taxpayer dollars and to refrain from overspending so our Golden State can return to solvency and prosperity once again.”

“Jeff Gorell has been a strong leader for our caucus in making state government more efficient, effective and accountable. As vice chair of the Assembly Budget Committee, Jeff will continue to be an effective voice for California taxpayers; fighting hard for fiscally-responsible budgets that reflect the priorities of all Californians,” said Assembly Republican Leader Connie Conway, of Tulare.

The Legislative Analyst’s Office report on California’s fiscal outlook can be viewed at: http://www.lao.ca.gov/reports/2012/bud/fiscal-outlook/fiscal-outlook-201...

Oxnard, CA - Assemblyman Jeff Gorell (R-Camarillo) was today honored by the Chambers of Commerce Alliance of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties as their 2012 Legislator of the Year.

“Jeff has proven his ability to reach across the aisle to work for the betterment of California and has a thorough understanding of how to get things done in Sacramento,” announced Oxnard Chamber of Commerce President Nancy Lindholm. “Assemblymember Gorell has the ‘fire in the belly’ to bring prosperity back to the Golden State.”

The Chambers of Commerce Alliance of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties is a coalition of eleven local Chambers of Commerce throughout Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties. Headquartered in Oxnard, the alliance works to foster collaboration among the region’s chambers of commerce and to advocate for policies that promote a friendlier business climate.

“Working to restore the economic prosperity of California’s Central Coast is one of my greatest priorities,” stated Gorell. “The partnerships we have built with the region’s Chambers of Commerce are making those goals possible. I look forward to the New Year and continued success.”

In 2012 Assemblyman Gorell was a leader in the effort to create the California Gold Team, an economic development coalition designed to attract businesses and jobs to the community. This project has already drawn interest from the aerospace community to develop the region into a research and manufacturing hub for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), an industry which is expected to grow dramatically over the next decade and provide thousands of new jobs.

Information about the California Gold Team can be found at http://www.CAGoldTeam.org

Ventura, CA - Ventura County Clerk Recorder/Registrar of Voters Mark Lunn announced today the final election results for the November 6, 2012 Presidential General Election with 100% of precincts reporting.

Final results revealed a 77% voter turnout. Lunn stated, “This election went very smoothly, especially given the substantial increase in voter registration and a high voter turnout. All registered voters were given the opportunity to cast their vote on Election Day.”

California Law allows 28 days (December 4, 2012) after Election Day for the County Registrar of Voters to certify election results. Today’s certification places Ventura County in the top 25% of California counties certifying the 2012 Presidential General Election.

This is the fifth consecutive election in which Lunn has presided, where the certification date was achieved prior to the state mandated deadline.

A total of 330,419 ballots were cast this election. This included 164,931 Vote By Mail ballots and 165,488 ballots cast at 367 polling places throughout the County.

For questions, please call the Ventura County Elections Division at (805) 654-2664.

SACRAMENTO, CA – Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced the appointment of Gilbert A. Romero to a judgeship in the Ventura County Superior Court.

Romero, 40, of Ventura, has served as senior deputy district attorney at the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office since 1999. Romero earned a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree from California State University, Northridge. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Edward F. Brodie. Romero is a Democrat.

The compensation for this position is $178,789.

Mental health services provided under Proposition 63 dramatically improve the quality of life for many of its 27,000 enrolled Californians, while returning significant taxpayer savings according to a new study by UCLA. The evaluation report found that every dollar spent on mental health services in California saved roughly $0.88 in costs to the criminal justice and health, and housing services by reducing the number of arrests, incarcerations, and hospitalizations.

“Californians trusted Proposition 63 to deliver desperately needed mental health services. This report shows that Proposition 63 is not only changing lives for the better, but going further by returning a significant saving on the public’s investment”, said the initiative’s author, California Senate leader Darrell Steinberg. “Proposition 63 is proving to be smart public policy, smart economics, and a vital service to a population and their families who have a history of being neglected by the state. Californians can be proud of their venture into intelligent progressive policy like Proposition 63.”

Proposition 63, the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) was passed by voters in 2004. The MHSA’s lynchpin program, the Full Service Partnership (FSP) serves Californians experiencing the most severe mental health challenges.

The report found across-the-board reductions of mental health patients in California’s health and justice systems during the 12 months after their enrollment in Proposition 63’s FSP programs, when compared with their experiences in the 12 months prior to enrollment. Highlights from FY 09-10 include:

4,050 fewer Emergency Room visits, saving $860,294.
977 fewer psychiatric hospitalizations, saving nearly $40.6 million in costs and 39,313 fewer days in psychiatric hospital care.
321 fewer Californians admitted to long term care facilities, saving over $13 million in costs and 71,877 fewer days spent in long term care facilities.
3,513 fewer arrests and 1,945 fewer Californians arrested, saving $62,687.
68% reduction in juvenile incarceration, resulting in 452 fewer detained youths, 42,105 fewer days of juvenile sentences, and savings over $13.4 million.
58% reduction in county jail or state prison incarceration, resulting in 672 fewer prisoners, 88,268 fewer days of sentences, and savings of nearly $13.2 million.

Overall, the FSP program off-set $63 million in potential psychiatric and physical health care costs and $26.7 million in the criminal justice system in FY 09-10.

The UCLA Center for Healthier Children, Families, and Communities said, “Although the argument of cost savings should never be advanced as the primary reason for providing public mental health services, results of this magnitude make a strong case for the wisdom of investing public resources in programs such as FSPs.”

“Proposition 63 is delivering on its promise,” says Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission Chair, Larry Poaster. “We’re seeing less homelessness, fewer incarcerations and an improved quality of life at a cost saving to Californians.”

By 2010, there were 27,468 Californians enrolled in Proposition 63’s Full Service Partnership program according to the report. Proposition 63 contributed $0.62 for every dollar spent on mental health services in California in 2009-10, with the remainder supported by the Federal Government ($0.30), the state’s General Fund ($0.05), and Medicare contributions ($0.03). $63.24 million of total $102 million in FY 09-10 expenditures on new FSP enrollees came from Proposition 63 revenue, resulting in total cost-offsetting of $89.74 million for new enrollees.

The full report can be found at: http://bit.ly/Wabo7F

In addition to the UCLA report, Senator Steinberg requested the State Auditor undertake an extensive audit, performance and outcome review of Proposition 63. Steinberg said, “I’m confident it will be positive, but where there are problems, criticisms or flaws, tell us that as well so we can improve services for those who suffer from mental illness.”

Proposition 63 established the Mental Health Services Act through a one-percent income tax on those whose annual income is one million dollars or more. The proposition specified that this funding must supplement, not replace, the funding for traditional mental health services. The proposition also specified that a portion of the funding (25 percent) must go toward prevention, early intervention and innovation to treat mental illness in its early stages and to provide outreach and services to those ethnic and cultural groups which historically have been underserved.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representative Elton Gallegly (R-CA), Vice Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following statement on Israel’s right to defend itself:

“I condemn Hamas’ recent and ongoing rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip into Israel and support Israel’s right to defend itself. While Israeli officials have alerted civilians in Gaza to the need to stay away from Hamas and its operatives in an attempt to minimize civilian casualties, Hamas is intentionally targeting Israeli civilians. Hamas’ deliberate attacks against Israeli civilians and their continued use of innocent Palestinians civilians in Gaza as human shields, is disgraceful. It is imperative that the International Community support Israel’s right to defend itself.”

SACRAMENTO – George Runner, a vocal opponent of the State of California’s new “Fire Prevention Fee,” today released an update regarding its implementation.

“The state is currently mailing bills to San Bernardino County,” said Runner. “Up next is San Diego County, which will receive more than 100,000 bills—the most of any county. According to our schedule, the bills for the remaining counties will be out the door by December 11.”

The official mailing schedule—now complete—is available online.

According to Runner, the state has now mailed more than 450,000 bills to California property owners. More than 170,000 have paid their bills, yielding more than $20 million in revenue.

Thousands of Californians have filed paperwork to officially protest the tax, and tens of thousands have failed to pay at all. As of October 19, CALFIRE reports having received 18,321 appeals, with more than 5,399 arriving in just the last week.

Noting that more than 70,000 bills have gone past-due without being paid, Runner stressed the importance of timeliness.

“It’s an illegal tax, and I fully expect the courts will strike it down,” said Runner. “But until then, if you receive a bill, you ought to pay it,” said Runner. “Taxpayers who refuse to pay could face penalties as high as 20% a month.”

In related news, the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection will hold a December 5 hearing to consider permanent regulations for the fire “fee” program. The meeting will be held at:

California Resources Building Auditorium

1416 Ninth Street, Sacramento. California

8 AM, Wednesday, December 5

The public is invited to submit written comments by e-mail to board.public.comments@fire.ca.gov or by mail to:

Mr. George Gentry, Executive Officer

Board of Forestry and Fire Protection

P.O. Box 944246

Sacramento, CA 94244-2460

Written comments are due by Tuesday, November 20.

Elected in November 2010, George Runner represents more than nine million Californians as a member of the State Board of Equalization. To help inform California taxpayers, Runner has established a website, calfirefee.com, providing the latest fire tax news and information.

City of Fillmore

Some Agendized Items:

*El Dorado Mobile Home Estates Vesting Tentative Parcel Map for a Mobile Home Resident Ownership Conversion of an Existing Mobile Home Park.

*Request City Council to Adopt Resolution Authorizing the Acting City Manager, Finance Director and City Attorney to Examine Sales and Use Tax Records.

*Request City Council to Review and Approve the Executive Search Services Agreement for the City Manager and City Finance Director Positions.

*Receive and File – Comment Letter on County of Ventura Recirculated Draft Environmental Impact Report for the Grimes Rock, Inc. Expanded Mining Facility Project.

CITY OF FILLMORE CITY COUNCIL ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2012 6:30 P.M. FILLMORE CITY HALL CENTRAL PARK PLAZA 250 CENTRAL AVENUE FILLMORE, CALIFORNIA 93015-1907

AGENDA
1. Call to Order:
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Roll Call: Councilmembers Steve Conaway, A. Eduardo Gonzalez, Brian Sipes, Mayor Pro Tem Jamey Brooks and Mayor Gayle Washburn
4. Approval of Agenda
5. Presentations and Announcements
6. Public Comments
7. Consent Calendar
Recommendation for Items A. through G. is to Approve.
A. Minutes of CONTINUED »

Assembly Member Jeff Gorell (R-Camarillo) will be speaking to Ventura County business leaders on Thursday, November 1st at the Economic Outlook Luncheon in Camarillo. Assemblyman Gorell will be discussing the California GOLD Team, an innovative new program developed with Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom. The California GOLD Team uses aggressive approaches to bring business and jobs to California's Central Coast. Assemblyman Gorell will be speaking on:

· The development of the California Gold Team: A proactive outreach initiative to bring business to Ventura County

· Building business hubs and jobs based on local strengths and assets

· Aerospace and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles: A growing industry that fits Ventura County

Hosted by the Camarillo Chamber of Commerce, the 2012 Economic Outlook Luncheon will also feature Bruce Stenslie, Executive Director for the Economic Development Collaborative of Ventura County who will talk about the state of the economy in Ventura County, and Richard Wagner, Chair of the Chamber Economic Development Committee who will report on results of the Camarillo Business Survey.

Members of the media who wish to attend the event should contact Lara Shapiro-Snair at the Camarillo Chamber of Commerce at (805) 484-4383 for more information.

George Runner today will join other elected officials, community leaders and Amazon.com representatives at an opening ceremony for the company’s new San Bernardino fulfillment center.

“I applaud Amazon’s decision to voluntarily invest in California, bringing thousands of jobs to our state,” said Runner. “Working cooperatively with job creators like Amazon is the most effective way to rebuild California’s economy.”

A new state law (AB 155) requires some out-of-state online retailers to start collecting tax as of September 15; however, Runner noted that very few companies have registered so far.

In 2011, Runner was a leading voice in opposition to the so-called “Amazon Tax,” which threatened to destroy thousands of cutting-edge small businesses known as affiliates. After a drawn-out battle, both Runner and Amazon supported compromise legislation (AB 155), which delayed key provisions of the original legislation (AB 28X) until September 15, 2012.

The compromise allowed time for Amazon.com to voluntarily establish a brick and mortar presence in California and renew its working relationships with thousands of California-based affiliates.

“As an elected member of the State Board of Equalization, I have the unique privilege of working with job creators like Amazon,” said Runner. “I want to help those companies succeed in our state in the face of many tax and regulatory obstacles.”

The new Amazon fulfillment center in San Bernardino lies just outside the boundaries of Runner’s current Board of Equalization district. However, in 2014 the district Runner represents will be reshaped by redistricting to include both Amazon’s new San Bernardino and Patterson facilities.

Elected in November 2010, George Runner represents more than nine million Californians as a member of the State Board of Equalization. For more information, visit www.boe.ca.gov/Runner.