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MILPITAS......

JOINT PARCEL TAX WITH SCHOOL DISTRICT SCRAPPED NEW!!

The Milpitas City Council took action on the following items at their Tuesday, November 17, 2009 meeting:

PRESENTATIONS – Mayor Livengood recognized city officials for the Environment California’s 2009 Solar Champion Award to City of Milpitas.

REPORTS OF COUNCIL, COMMITTEE, AND SUBCOMMITTEE

COUNCIL

- Approved the Mayor’s recommendation for One Appointment to the Youth Advisory Commission.

- Approved Mayor’s recommendation for $500 Donation to Curtner Elementary School Walk-a-thon.

- Received Follow Up Report from City Clerk on Lobbyist Registrations on file with regard to the potential ban on plastic bags issue.

- No further action was taken on Vice Mayor Pete McHugh's proposal for a Joint Parcel Tax with the Milpitas Unified School District for the purpose of funding Parks and Recreation Programs that benefit both entities due to the complications of different city and school district boundaries and the possibility of two parcel tax elections next year.

MILPITAS POST CITY STEERS AWAY FROM PARCEL TAX NEW!!

MILPITAS POST - JOINT CITY-SCHOOL PARCEL TAX FLOATED NEW!!

TCV MILPITAS - SCHOOL BOARD AND CITY DISCUSS POSSIBLE PARCEL TAX NEW!!

PUBLIC ART COMMITTEE

- Received a Report from the Public Art Committee and approve “Generations” Project for the New Senior Center.

TCV MILPITAS - COMMISSION RECOMMENDS BENCHES TO COUNCIL NEW!!

NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES AND EDUCATION SUBCOMMITTEE

- Approved amended form from the Neighborhood Services and Education Subcommittee Request for Proposal for the use of the Sal Cracolice Facility. Council also requested that the Cracolice family be notified of future potential uses of this site.

NEW BUSINESS

- Received the Monthly Economic Development Report that shows more new stores in the Great Mall, more Building Department online services, fee waivers for micro businesses, higher vacancy rates in R & D, manufacturing, warehouse, and office spaces.

- Voted to remove one member of the Youth Advisory Commission due to lack of attendance and move Alternate Members.

- Introduced amended City's Sewer Use Ordinance to deal with dental mercury amalgams, fats, oil, and grease waste.

CITY COUNCIL AGENDA, ATTACHMENTS, MINUTES, WEBCAST

CITY COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEES

PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA, ATTACHMENTS, MINUTES, WEBCAST

LIVENGOOD OPTS OUT OF STATE RACE NEW!!

Milpitas Mayor Bob Livengood, candidate for the 20th Assembly District election next November, announced Tuesday night (11-17-09) that he has stepped out of the race and has endorsed Garrett Yee for the seat. "After careful thought and consideration, I have decided not to run for the California State Assembly," Livengood said. "I want to thank all of my early supporters, friends, family, and donors who have been behind me from the beginning. I have been, and continue to be, a public servant and representative of the people of Milpitas. "I have chosen to endorse Garrett Yee for Assembly because I know that he will represent this district with honor and integrity."

MILPITAS POST - LIVENGOOD DROPS ASSEMBLY RACE, ENDORSES YEE NEW!!

LOCAL ELECTIONS COMING IN 2010 NEW!!

In 2010 the mayor's seat and two council positions will be on the November ballot. Only Vice Mayor Pete McHugh has officially thrown his hat in the ring for termed-out Mayor Bob Livengood's job. Livengood was reportedly looking at running for two-term Assemblyman Alberto Torrico's post in the 20th Assembly District. Councilmembers Althea Polanski and Armando Gomez are up for re-election next year. So far Deepka Lalwani has reportedly expressed interest in running for the City Council. If voters pick McHugh for mayor next year a special election could be held to fill his unexpired council term of two remaining years. In the Milpitas Unified School District Board of Education Trustees Mike Mendizabel, Marsha Grilli, and William (Bill) Foulk will be up for re-election in 2010. The Milpitas Chamber of Commerce is exploring the possibility of holding candidates forums in 2010.

WALMART SEEKS TO ENLARGE MILPITAS STORE NEW!!

Walmart has submitted a draft environmental impact report to the City of Milpitas for a store expansion that would allow it to sell fresh food and groceries on a 24-hour, seven day a week basis. Walmart proposes a planned addition of about 18,457 square feet of building area to the southern portion of its existing 131,725-square-foot Milpitas store at 301 Ranch Drive, situated on a 14.56-acre parcel. It submitted its draft EIR to the city's Planning and Neighborhood Services Department on Nov. 5. "It's a pretty small expansion," Angie Stoner, a Walmart spokesperson, said. "It will be a Walmart store with a supermarket."

MILPITAS POST - WALMART HOPES TO SUPERSIZE IN MILPITAS NEW!!

COUNCIL TO CONSIDER JOINT PARCEL TAX WITH SCHOOL DISTRICT NEW!!

The Milpitas City Council will consider the following items at their Tuesday, November 17, 2009 meeting:

(Consent Item *)

PRESENTATIONS – Environment California’s 2009 Solar Champion Award to City of Milpitas.

REPORTS OF COUNCIL, COMMITTEE, AND SUBCOMMITTEE

COUNCIL

* Consider Mayor’s recommendation for One Appointment to the Youth Advisory Commission.

* Approve Mayor’s recommendation for $500 Donation to Curtner Elementary School Walk-a-thon.

* Receive Follow Up Report from City Clerk on Lobbyist Registrations on file with regard to the potential ban on plastic bags issue.

- Consideration from Vice Mayor Pete McHugh of a Joint Parcel Tax with the Milpitas Unified School District for the purpose of funding Parks and Recreation Programs that benefit both entities.

MILPITAS POST - JOINT CITY-SCHOOL PARCEL TAX FLOATED NEW!!

TCV MILPITAS - SCHOOL BOARD AND CITY DISCUSS POSSIBLE PARCEL TAX NEW!!

PUBLIC ART COMMITTEE

* Receive Report from the Public Art Committee and approve “Generations” Project for the New Senior Center.

TCV MILPITAS - COMMISSION RECOMMENDS BENCHES TO COUNCIL NEW!!

NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES AND EDUCATION SUBCOMMITTEE

* Neighborhood Services and Education Subcommittee Request for Proposal for the use of the Sal Cracolice Facility.

NEW BUSINESS

- Receive the Monthly Economic Development Report.

* Vote to remove one member of the Youth Advisory Commission due to lack of attendance and move Alternate Members.

CITY COUNCIL AGENDA, ATTACHMENTS, MINUTES, WEBCAST

CITY COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEES

PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA, ATTACHMENTS, MINUTES, WEBCAST

COUNCIL HEARS GLOOMY CITY FINANCIAL REPORTS NEW!!

The Milpitas City Council took action on the following items at their Tuesday, November 3, 2009 meeting:

PRESENTATIONS

Mayor Livengood presented the 2009 Neighborhood Beautification Awards to homeowners and landowners followed by a brief reception.

MILPITAS POST - NEIGHBORHOOD BEAUTIFICATION AWARDS SALUTE MILPITAS HOMEOWNERS NEW!!

JOINT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY AND CITY COUNCIL MEETING

- Received Progress Report for the new Senior Center as on budget and on time.

- Accepted the City’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, Component Unit Financial Statements, and Other Related Annual Audited Reports for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2009 showing lower income from taxes and fees. Staff expects more revenue to be taken from cities in the future as the state continues to have deep deficits. The Budget-Expenditure Task Force to brief Council in December with recommendations by early January 2010.

- Received Financial Status Report for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2009.

- Accepted the Milpitas Redevelopment Agency Fiscal Year 2008-09 Annual Report.

- Received City of Milpitas Investment Portfolio Status Report for the Quarter Ended September 30, 2009.

REPORTS OF COUNCIL

- Received report from the City Clerk on Lobbyist Registrations on file with regard to the potential ban on plastic bags issue. Mayor Livengood expressed concern over unregistered contacts and pushed for enforcement of lobbyist registrations and requested an update at the next council meeting.

- Approve Mayor’s recommendation for himself as Council Liaison to the Milpitas Recycling and Source Reduction Advisory Commission.

- (Removed from agenda by Council at meeting) Consider Request of Councilmember Gomez with Regard to Paid Time Off for Employees who serve as Spring Valley Firefighters.

NEW BUSINESS

- Approved request for Out-of-State Training for Emergency Services Coordinator to Attend Harvard Kennedy School’s National Preparedness Leadership Initiative Program.

ORDINANCE

- Adopted Ordinance, Adding Section regarding Exemptions to Massage Establishments and Practitioners Permits to the Milpitas Municipal Code.

RESOLUTIONS

- Adopted a Resolution Approving the Form of and Authorizing the Execution and Delivery of a Purchase and Sale Agreement and Related Documents with Respect to the Sale of the Seller’s Proposition 1A Receivable from the State; and Directing and Authorizing Certain Other Actions in Connection Therewith. This action allows for quick repayment of funds to the cities borrowed by the state.

MILPITAS POST - CITY DODGES PROPERTY TAX RAID BY STATE NEW!!

- Adopted a Resolution Superseding current Resolutions and approve an Updated Schedule of Parking Penalties from $35.00 to $50.00 and requirements for Parking Examiners.

CITY COUNCIL AGENDA, ATTACHMENTS, MINUTES, WEBCAST

CITY COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEES

PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA, ATTACHMENTS, MINUTES, WEBCAST

MILPITAS UNIFIED CONSIDERING PARCEL TAX IN 2010 NEW!!

Officials from the Milpitas Unified School District are weighing the reality of placing a parcel tax on next year's ballot in a final plea for help to maintain its educational programs while blows continue being dealt to school districts throughout the state. But if a recent public opinion poll is any indication of how residents will vote, slightly less than the necessary two-thirds would support a $110 parcel tax, according to a survey conducted by Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin & Associates.

MILPITAS POST - MILPITAS BOARD OF EDUCATION RECEIVES PARCEL TAX SURVEY RESULTS NEW!!

TCV MILPITAS - SCHOOL BOARD AND CITY DISCUSS POSSIBLE PARCEL TAX NEW!!

FOUR PC TERMS COMING UP NEW!!

Mayor Bob Livengood is preparing to recommend Milpitas Planning Commission candidates for official approval by December. The planning commission appointments could either re-affirm or replace three regular members and one alternate whose terms expire on Dec. 31. The commissioners are Gurdev Sandhu, Alexander Galang, Aslam Ali and alternate Mark Tiernan. Livengood said he must submit his choices for the planning commission to the city by Nov. 25, the day before Thanksgiving, to get the item agendized for council's first meeting in December.

MILPITAS POST - FOUR SEATS ON PLANNING PANEL UP NEW!!

CITY OF MILPITAS - PC APPLICATION NEW!!

COUNCIL TO STUDY PLASTIC BAG ISSUES FOR NOW NEW!!

The Milpitas City Council took action on the following items at their Tuesday, October 20, 2009 meeting:

PUBLIC HEARING

- Denied Administrative Appeal of City Manager Decision Upholding Fire Inspection Fees Invoiced to Mr. Peter Nelson for Years 2004, 2005, and 2006.

JOINT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY AND CITY COUNCIL MEETING

- Adopted a Resolution Granting Final Acceptance of Well Upgrade Project, Phase II, Project No. 7076 (Pinewood Well).

REPORTS OF COUNCIL, COMMISSION, AND COMMITTEE

- Discussed Mayor Livengood's consideration of a Possible Ban on Single-Use Plastic Shopping Bags. The Mayor does not intend to ban paper bags. The Council decided to wait and see what happens in San Jose, directed the Milpitas Recycling and Source Reduction Advisory Commission to conduct further study and public outreach, work on general public education with city businesses and the Milpitas Chamber of Commerce, and the study would include whether Styrofoam and similar materials should be included in an ordinance based on impacts to small businesses.

TCV MILPITAS - PLASTIC BAGS: TO BAN OR NOT TO BAN NEW!!

MILPITAS POST - CITY TO STUDY BAG BAN NEW!!

MILPITAS POST - BAG BAN WILL BE DEBATED BY MILPITAS OFFICIALS

SAVETHEPLASTICBAG.COM NEW!!

- Approved Vice Mayor Pete McHugh's request to refund the fees for the Milpitas Rotary Club’s Pumpkin Patch to be held October 16 – 31, 2009.

PUBLIC ART COMMITTEE

- Approved Payment for “Art in Your Park” Project for Pinewood Park.

PARKS, RECREATION, AND CULTURAL RESOURCE COMMISSION

- Approved two Youth Sports Assistance Fund Grant Applications.

NEW BUSINESS

- Received the Monthly Economic Development Report; Marina Foods to open soon, IHOP will be opening in December, South Bay Honda is now open, Bed, Bath and Beyond has pulled building permits for space at the Great Mall, Dollar Tree opening soon at McCarthy Ranch as Borders renews lease and Sports Authority closes, and three hotels have signed up for "Shop and Stay" program.

- (Removed from final agenda) Approve an Agreement with South Bay Honda for Deferral of Fees Associated with the Development Review Process.

ORDINANCE

- Introduced Ordinance, Adding Exemptions to Massage Establishments and Practitioners Permits of the Milpitas Municipal Code.

RESOLUTIONS

- Adopted a Resolution making findings for Unexpended Development Fees and Review and Accept the Annual Developer Fee Disclosure Information.

CITY COUNCIL AGENDA, ATTACHMENTS, MINUTES, WEBCAST

CITY COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEES

PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA, ATTACHMENTS, MINUTES, WEBCAST

SOUTH BAY HONDA OPEN IN MILPITAS

South Bay Honda, which recently finished building its new 60,000-square-foot car dealership in Milpitas, opened Monday (10-5-09). The new $11-million dealership, located on a 5-acre lot at 920 Thompson St. that is visible from Interstate 880, is adjacent to Piercey Toyota at 950 Thompson St. "We're officially in business," David Moeller, a partner with South Bay Honda, said. The new Milpitas dealership that holds 400 new and used cars replaces South Bay Honda's former location in Los Gatos, and will serve as the headquarters. A grand opening event for the Milpitas car dealer is scheduled in November.

MILPITAS POST - NEW SOUTH BAY HONDA OPENS

COUNCIL MOVES TO EXPAND REDEVELOPMENT AREA

The Milpitas City Council took action on the following items at their Tuesday, October 6, 2009 meeting:

PRESENTATIONS

PROCLAMATIONS

Mayor Livengood presented proclamations to Knights of Columbus Council 8747 and Council 5796 for their drive to Help People with Intellectual Disabilities Days – October 16-18, 2009

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Vice Mayor Pete McHugh announced his candidacy for mayor in the November 2010 municipal election.

PUBLIC HEARING

- The Council continued to October 20 the Administrative Appeal of City Manager Decision Upholding Fire Inspection Fees Invoiced to Mr. Peter Nelson for Years 2003, 2004, and 2005.

JOINT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY AND CITY COUNCIL MEETING

- Received the Senior Center Project Progress Report and approved advertisement, bidding, and purchase of Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment Packages.

- Approved Plans and Specifications for Library Donor Board and authorized the advertising for Bid Proposals.

- Adopted a resolution accepting the Preliminary Plan for the Area Proposed to be added to the Milpitas Redevelopment Project Area No. 1 by the proposed Thirteenth Amendment and authorized the preparation of the Preliminary Report to Affected Taxing Entities.

REPORTS OF THE MAYOR AND COMMISSION

- Approved the Mayor’s recommendations for appointments/re-appointments to the Arts Commission (2 re-appointments and 3 appointments) and the Recycling and Source Reduction Advisory Commission (1 re-appointment and 2 appointments).

PARKS, RECREATION, AND CULTURAL RESOURCE COMMISSION

- Approved Twelve Family Child Care Assistance Fund Grant requests.

NEW BUSINESS

- Received a presentation by Dave Hyams from Alameda County Congestion Management Agency (CMA) on the I-680 Express Lanes construction that will be completed and opened in August of 2010.

- Received a 2005 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory Report and Proposed Energy Efficiency Actions, including a Community Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory.

- Approved a Recommendation to Participate in the Proposed “Stay and Shop” Program with the Great Mall and local hotels.

- Approved the City Council Meeting Schedule for 2010 including cancellation of both of the July regular 2101 meetings.

CITY COUNCIL AGENDA, ATTACHMENTS, MINUTES, WEBCAST

CITY COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEES

PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA, ATTACHMENTS, MINUTES, WEBCAST

POSSIBLE NUMMI PLANT CLOSURE IMPACTS MORE THAN FREMONT

Employees of the New United Motor Manufacturing Inc. plant in Fremont say if the plant closes next year, the impacts will reach farther than just the thousands of on-site jobs lost they say it will impact the greater Bay Area, perhaps the entire West Coast. A media report from Japan stated the plant will be closed by March. If it closes, production of Toyota Motor Corp.'s Tacoma series of pick-up trucks may be moved to Texas. The news of the potential shuttering comes just months after General Motors Corp. pulled out of a 25-year co-op deal with Toyota at the plant, as well as in the midst of labor negotiations with Toyota employees.

MILPITAS POST - NUMMI CLOSURE WOULD RIPPLE IN MILPITAS

MILPITAS POST - LAWMAKERS PLEDGE TO SUPPORT NUMMI

LA TIMES - CALIFORNIA LAWMAKERS SCRAMBLE TO KEEP STATE'S LAST CAR FACTORY OPEN

SILICON VALLEY......

LOCAL RACES, CANDIDATES NEW!!

Four hopefuls are seeking to replace termed out District 1 County Supervisor, Don Gage in 2010. Los Gatos Mayor Mike Wasserman, Rosemary Kamei of Morgan Hill, who represents Los Gatos on the Santa Clara Valley Water District Board of Directors, former San Jose City Councilman Forrest Williams, and Teresa Alvarado of San Jose. Supervisor Ken Yeager is up for re-election in 2010. Deputy District Attorney Jeff Rosen is challenging District Attorney Dolores Carr in 2010.

TAXPAYERS ALLOW OPEN SPACE AUTHORITY TO KEEP $30 MILLION NEW!!

It was millions of dollars in free money. But most of it went unclaimed. Only 25 percent of Santa Clara County property owners eligible to receive a refund of up to $130 from the Santa Clara County Open Space Authority returned the paperwork in time to get their money back. As a result, the authority, a government agency based in San Jose that buys land for parks and wildlife, will be able to keep roughly $30 million — a windfall for new land purchases. Refund checks will go out in mid-December.

MERCURY NEWS - NOT MANY ASK FOR SANTA CLARA COUNTY OPEN SPACE AUTHORITY REFUND NEW!!

BART TO WARM SPRINGS GROUNDBREAKING NEW!!

BART officially began its march southward Wednesday (9-30) with plans to reach southern Fremont in 2014 and east San Jose four years later. Dozens of elected and government officials from both Alameda and Santa Clara counties gathered in Central Park for the groundbreaking of a five-year, $890 million project to bring BART 5.4 miles south to the Warm Springs district. The project will set the stage both for extending the transit agency deeper into Silicon Valley and redeveloping a huge swath of south Fremont, including the soon to be shuttered NUMMI auto plant about a mile from the future station. "Now we can say that whatever happens down there, BART will be an integral part of the planning for southern Fremont," Mayor Bob Wasserman said.

THE ARGUS - BART BEGINS TREK DEEPER INTO FREMONT NEW!!

LARGE CALAVERAS DAM PROJECT NEW!!

A venerable Bay Area landmark. Built decades ago, but now in danger of a collapse in a major earthquake. Engineers beating a path to restore it with a massive construction project. The Bay Bridge? Think again. A similar effort — without the fanfare or attention — is gaining momentum to rebuild a vital linchpin of the Bay Area's Hetch Hetchy water system. Environmental studies are due out on a $409 million project to replace Calaveras Dam, a 210-foot-high structure east of Milpitas in the remote, oak-studded hills along the border between Santa Clara and Alameda counties. The project by the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, the first new Bay Area dam in a decade, will also potentially save lives in case of a disaster and rekindle the supply of endangered steelhead trout. When it was built in 1925, Calaveras was the tallest earth-fill dam in the world, an engineering marvel that created a lake three miles long. But in 2001, the state Division of Safety of Dams declared it unsafe for a major earthquake. If the dam collapsed during such a quake on the nearby Calaveras Fault, it would send a 30-foot-high wall of water rushing into Fremont and toward Interstate 880, later studies showed. Such an event could potentially kill thousands of people.

MERCURY NEWS - LARGE NEW DAM CONSTRUCTION STEAMING AHEAD IN SANTA CLARA AND ALAMEDA COUNTY NEW!!

SAN JOSE VOTES FOR BAG BAN

The San Jose City Council Tuesday (9-22-09) voted to make their city the largest in the nation to ban most plastic and paper shopping bags — and took steps to bring other Santa Clara County cities along with them. While the ban approved Tuesday (9-22-09) won't take effect until 2011 — and still must go through an environmental impact study that will require the council's final sign-off — it's a major new front in the war on plastic bags, which environmentalists say foul waterways, clog landfills and threaten wildlife. Milpitas Mayor Bob Livengood said afterwards that a ban on paper bags "gets a little more complicated" and that he was not prepared to support a ban on both types of bags. Despite the San Jose City Council's vote, the matter is far from being resolved. Before a final vote on an ordinance next spring, city staff must prepare an environmental review, develop a method for measuring its success and obtain support from other local cities as well as the Santa Clara County Recycling and Waste Reduction Commission. Even then, the ordinance would not take effect until December 31, 2010, allowing time for additional outreach to businesses and consumers.

MERCURY NEWS - SAN JOSE COUNCIL VOTES TO BAN MOST PLASTIC AND PAPER BAGS BEGINNING IN 2011

MERCURY NEWS - SAN JOSE CITY COUNCIL TO TAKE UP BAN ON PLASTIC, PAPER BAG

MERCURY NEWS - SAN JOSE CITY OFFICIALS TO CONSIDER CURB ON PLASTIC BAGS

SAVETHEPLASTICBAG.COM

SILICON VALLEY AT 12 PERCENT UNEMPLOYMENT

Silicon Valley's jobless rate continued its relentless climb to an unprecedented 12 percent in August, but economists say the coming months should see the rate flatten out, though big declines are still far off. The jobless figure was — again — the highest in comparable records going back to 1990, the Employment Development Department said. California, where records extend further back, posted a postwar record jobless rate of 12.2 percent. But even as unemployment continued to shatter records, economists spotted some signs of encouragement, as the pace of cutbacks slowed. The state shed only 12,300 jobs in August, far less than the 39,000-job loss in July.

MERCURY NEWS - SILICON VALLEY JOBLESS RATE HITS RECORD 12 PERCENT

TOYOTA TO CLOSE FREMONT NUMMI PLANT

Toyota Motor Corp. plans to end production in March 2010 at a California joint venture where it has built vehicles with General Motors, the company said Thursday (8-27-09). The decision would mean the shutdown of the sole auto assembly plant on the West Coast if no other carmaker emerges to keep it going. Toyota's board voted to end the company's production contract at the Fremont.-based New United Motor Manufacturing Inc., spokeswoman Cindy Knight confirmed. Toyota had said previously that it was moving toward liquidating its stake in the California facility after the plant's fate was thrown into question in June when GM announced it was withdrawing from the 50-50 joint venture.

MERCURY NEWS - TOYOTA PLANS TO CLOSE FREMONT'S NUMMI PLANT IN MARCH

STATE AIR REGULATIONS COULD KILL SILICON VALLEY JOBS

Even before the recession hit, some California industries worried about the costs of complying with the state's landmark global-warming law. Now, with rising unemployment and a staggering economy, their worry has turned to fear. "We're very concerned about our survival," said Tim Matz, who directs environmental affairs for the company that owns the huge Hanson Permanente cement plant in Cupertino. Oil refineries and cement plants, in particular, will face big costs complying with AB 32, an act signed into law in 2006 that mandates that California's emissions return to 1990 levels by 2020 to help curb climate change. The broad effort to cut greenhouse-gas emissions will affect everything from power plants to home construction to the types of cars on the road and the fuel they use. Early-action measures go into effect in 2010, with full implementation set for 2012.

KCBS - CHIP MANUFACTURERS OPPOSE NEW AIR REGULATIONS

CALIFORNIA......

MASSIVE WATER BOND SIGNED NEW!!

Framed by a shrinking mountain reservoir, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a far-reaching water bond measure Monday (11-09-09) intended to rebuild California's crumbling water system and fund new dams to save up the precious resource for dry years. Yet at a time when several Western states are preparing to tear down dams rather than build new ones, the governor acknowledged he will face hurdles in persuading Californians to vote next November for the $11 billion measure, which was passed last week by the state Legislature. In the San Joaquin Valley, where most of the nation's fruits and vegetables are grown, farmers warn that their crops will wither if the government doesn't build a second reservoir above Friant Dam, which was built in the 1940s to nurture croplands below. "For decades, Californians have been fighting about water," Schwarzenegger said. "I've heard the pleas of the people here from this valley, I have heard the pleas of the people of the state of California, and I think the legislators have heard those pleas as well. So I am here to tell all of you help is on the way."

MERCURY NEWS - GOV. ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER SIGNS $11.1 BILLION CALIFORNIA WATER BOND MEASURE NEW!!

MERCURY NEWS - CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE PASSES LONG AWAITED WATER REFORMS NEW!!

NEWSOM QUITS GUBERNATORIAL RACE NEW!!

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom announced that he is withdrawing from the California governor's race. "With a young family and responsibilities at City Hall, I found it impossible to commit the time required to complete this effort," Newsom said in a statement released by his campaign. Newsom's wife gave birth to their first child, a girl, last month. But he has also struggled to raise money for his campaign, despite the endorsement of former President Bill Clinton. His fundraising has badly trailed Attorney General and former governor Jerry Brown, who has not officially entered the race. "This is not an easy decision," Newsom said in the statement. "But it is one made with the best intentions for my wife, my daughter, the residents of the city and county of San Francisco, and California Democrats."

MERCURY NEWS - GAVIN NEWSOM WITHDRAWS FROM GOVERNOR'S RACE NEW!!

CALCHAMBER COALITION QUESTIONS NEW TAX IMPACTS NEW!!

Fundamental questions remain unanswered about a proposal to adopt a new business net receipts tax, a California Chamber of Commerce-led coalition of more than 50 business and employer groups reminded legislators last week. As recommended by the Commission on the 21st Century Economy, much further analysis is needed on the group’s final report, including the new tax on business, the CalChamber and coalition said in an October 14 letter to legislators. Nine of 14 commissioners, including Chairman Gerald Parsky, signed onto the final report, which recommended the new business net receipts tax to offset revenue losses from flattening the personal income tax and eliminating the corporate income tax and the state portion of the sales tax. The CalChamber and coalition support the commission recommendation of a stronger rainy day fund in the belief that volatility is primarily a spending problem rather than a revenue problem. They also applauded the commission’s recognition that California’s high personal and corporate income tax rates and taxation of business inputs has a negative impact on economic growth and competitiveness. Replacing these taxes with a new tax, however, absent a thorough understanding of its impacts, could have its own set of harmful consequences, the CalChamber and coalition warned lawmakers. The coalition questioned whether it is fair and equitable to impose a significant tax even when there is no income, as the business net receipts tax would do.

CALCHAMBER - CALCHAMBER-LED COALITION URGES LEGISLATURE TO ADDRESS QUESTIONS ON NET RECEIPT TAX NEW!!

TAX PANEL PRESS RELEASE NEW!!

FINAL TAX PANEL REPORT - PRESENTATION NEW!!

SAC BEE - CALIFORNIA TAX PANEL SET TO RECOMMEND SWEEPING CONTROVERSIAL CHANGES NEW!!

CALCHAMBER - CALCHAMBER, BUSINESS GROUPS QUESTION HARMFUL TAX PROPOSALS NEW!!

CALIFORNIANS AGAINST HIGHER TAXES

GOVERNOR VETOES 'JOB KILLERS', SIGNS 'JOB CREATORS'

The California Chamber of Commerce announced that Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has vetoed all six “job killer” bills sent to his desk for action by the Legislature. He also signed two CalChamber-supported “job creator” bills. Since taking office Governor Schwarzenegger has vetoed more than 90 percent of the “job killer” bills that have been sent to his desk.

CALCHAMBER - GOVERNOR VETOES ALL IDENTIFIED 'JOB KILLERS'; SIGNS TWO 'JOB CREATORS'

STATE SUPREME COURT RULES TRANSIT FUNDS GRAB ILLEGAL

Beleaguered transit agencies across the state have received a dose of good news, as the California Supreme Court upheld a lower-court ruling that raids on funding for bus and train service are illegal. The court turned away an appeal by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's administration, which was seeking the right to divert $3.4 billion in transit funds to the general fund to ease the state budget deficit. That left intact the ruling of the 3rd District Court of Appeal this summer that recent funding diversions violated a series of voter measures supporting transit taxes. "By denying the state's appeal, the Supreme Court has affirmed once and for all what we always maintained was true: that it's illegal to shift dedicated state transit funds away from transit agencies and their riders," said Joshua Shaw, executive director of the California Transit Association, in a news release.

MERCURY NEWS - BILLIONS COULD GO BACK TO TRANSIT: CALIFORNIA SUPREME COURT UPHOLDS RULING

NEW GOP ASSEMBLY HOPEFUL

Adnan Shahab is always up for a political challenge. Eleven years ago, the Fremont native ran for City Council as a college student, but he finished last. Now he has higher aspirations — and even longer odds. Shahab has filed papers stating his intention to run as a Republican for a state Assembly seat in November 2010. The 20th Assembly District, represented by soon-to-be-termed-out Majority Leader Alberto Torrico, D-Newark, is not fertile ground for the GOP. The last Republican candidate, Jeffrey Wald, received just 28.6 percent of the vote in 2008. Shahab, 31, a graduate of Washington High School and UC Berkeley, isn't saying that he will add to the GOP's ranks in Sacramento, but he does think he can advance its cause in southern Alameda County. If no other Republican steps forward to run, Shahab and any third party candidates will face the winner of June's Democratic primary among Fremont Councilmember Bob Wieckowski, Milpitas Mayor Bob Livengood and Ohlone College Trustee Garrett Yee. The winner of the November 2010 general election will represent the 20th district, which includes Fremont, Newark, Union City and Milpitas, as well as parts of Pleasanton, Castro Valley, Hayward and San Jose.

MERCURY NEWS - FREMONT NATIVE WANTS TO LEAD GOP TO ASSEMBLY VICTORY NEXT YEAR

AB 32 COULD COST EACH CALIFORNIA BUSINESS $50,000

A study released July 13, 2009 finds that small businesses in California will pay an additional $49,691 as a result of the California Air Resources Board’s implementation of AB 32. The study conducted at the request of the California Small Business Roundtable, analyzes the potential economic impacts of AB 32 on the state of California, its consumers and its small businesses. The study focuses on the costs to be incurred by consumers in five specific areas: housing, transportation, natural gas, electricity and food. Using three different scenarios to measure the economic costs, it found that the potential loss of output, jobs, indirect business taxes and labor income is substantial and significant. The report reveals that when the plan is fully implemented, California families will be facing increased annual costs of $3,857 and that in order to cope with the increased costs generated by the Greenhouse Program, consumers will be forced to cut their discretionary spending by 26.2%. It concludes that when California’s climate change program, AB 32, is fully implemented, the average annual loss in gross state output from small businesses alone would be $182.6 billion, approximately a 10% loss in total gross state output. This will translate into nearly 1.1 million lost jobs in California. Lost labor income is estimated to be $76.8 billion, with nearly $5.8 billion lost in indirect taxes. This decline in revenues will have a severe impact on future state budgets.

FOX & HOUNDS - NEW STUDY FINDS AB 32 SCOPING PLAN IMPOSES STAGGERING COSTS CALIFORNIA'S FAMILIES AND SMALL BUSINESSES

NEWS 10KXTV - STUDY: GLOBAL WARMING PLANS COULD HURT SMALL BUSINESSES

REDISTRICTING COMING

A decade ago, California’s Democrat-controlled Legislature carved up the state’s political districts to protect incumbents, Democrat and Republican, based on the census. The once-a-decade process known as redistricting, as little understood by the public as it is critical to politicians’ survival, enshrined Democratic dominance of the Capitol even as it created scattered enclaves of Republican power. The result: A hyperpartisan brew that is felt to this day in virtually every aspect of legislative life. Next spring, the census begins again, and the changes will serve as the foundation for new political boundaries for the 2012 elections that reflect the population changes in a state of 38 million people. But this time, there will be differences. First, the districts of the Senate, the Assembly and the Board of Equalization – 124 districts in all – will be drawn by an independent commission, not the Legislature. The Legislature will draw only the 53 districts of California’s delegation in the House of Representatives. The members of Congress felt they would fare better at the hands of fellow politicians than at the hands of the public.

CAPITOL WEEKLY - REDISTRICTING: ULTIMATE POLITICAL BATTLE LOOMS IN CALIFORNIA

CALCHAMBER CLIMATE INFO WEBSITE

The California Chamber of Commerce launched a new website providing information on climate change policies for its members, businesses, policymakers and the public. The website can be found at www.climateconnect.org. “Implementing California’s recent climate change legislation the right way is a top public policy priority for government and employers,” said Allan Zaremberg, CalChamber President and CEO. “It is important that we focus on implementing AB 32 in a way that will satisfy both our environmental and economic objectives. Maintenance of a strong economy is crucial so that we have the resources to develop the innovative technological solutions necessary to reach our greenhouse gas reduction goals."

CLIMATECONNECT.ORG

WASHINGTON......

HOUSE PASSES HEALTH CARE BILL CONDEMNED BY GOP NEW!!

The Democratic-controlled House narrowly passed far-reaching health care legislation, handing President Barack Obama a hard-won victory on his chief domestic priority though the road ahead in the Senate promises to be rocky. The 220-215 vote late Saturday (11-7-09) cleared the way for the Senate to begin a long-delayed debate on the issue that has come to overshadow all others in Congress. "The House bill is dead on arrival in the Senate," Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said Sunday. "It was a bill written by liberals for liberals." A Democratic colleague, Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island, predicted an overhaul would pass the Senate because "it's essential" to the country's economic success and people's quality of life. "It will take time," he added. House Republicans were nearly unanimous in opposing the plan that would expand coverage to tens of millions of Americans and place tough new restrictions on the insurance industry.

MERCURY NEWS - HEALTH CARE FOCUS MOVES TO SENATE AS HOUSE NARROWLY PASSES BILL NEW!!

MERCURY NEWS - HOUSE, SENATE HEALTH CARE BILLS DETAILED NEW!!

GOP GOVERNOR SWEEP NEW!!

Independents who swept Barack Obama to a historic 2008 victory broke big for Republicans on Tuesday (11-3-09) as the GOP wrested political control from Democrats in Virginia and New Jersey, a troubling sign for the president and his party heading into an important midterm election year. Conservative Republican Bob McDonnell's victory in the Virginia governor's race over Democrat R. Creigh Deeds and moderate Republican Chris Christie's ouster of unpopular New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine was a double-barreled triumph for a party looking to rebuild after being booted from power in national elections in 2006 and 2008.

MERCURY NEWS - GOP SWEEP: BIG GOVERNOR VICTORIES IN VIRGINIA, NJ NEW!!

NATION'S UNEMPLOYMENT RISES TO 10.2% NEW!!

The unemployment rate has hit double digits for the first time since 1983 — and is likely to go higher. The 10.2 percent jobless rate for October shows how weak the economy remains even though it is growing. Rising unemployment also could threaten the recovery if it saps consumers' confidence and makes them more cautious about spending as the holiday season approaches. Nearly 16 million people can't find jobs even though the worst recession since the Great Depression has apparently ended.

MERCURY NEWS - JOBLESS RATE HIGHEST SINCE '83, AND LIKELY TO RISE NEW!!

LT. GOV. GARAMENDI WINS 10TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT RACE NEW!!

Democratic Lt. Gov. John Garamendi will soon trade his state title for that of congressman after an expected victory in the face of a surprisingly tough GOP challenger. Garamendi easily beat Republican challenger David Harmer of Dougherty despite late cash infusions from the national party and an enthusiastic volunteer corps. Outspent 2-to-1 in the heavily Democratic 10th district, the virtually unknown Republican David Harmer mustered just 39 percent of the vote, vowing to tap into public angst over an obdurate recession, federal spending and health care reform. But Garamendi repeatedly touted his broad and deep political experience, and he never retreated from his support of progressive policies. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, now needs to decide who will replace Garamendi as lieutenant governor. There has been a lot of speculation over who he might pick. Could former GOP congressman Tom Campbell get confirmation from the Democrat Legislature?

MERCURY NEWS - GARAMENDI EASILY DEFEATS SURPRISINGLY TOUGH GOP RIVAL NEW!!

LA TIMES - SCHWARZENEGGER HAS PLUM POSITION TO FILL NEW!!

SAC BEE - DAN WALTERS - WHO WOULD REPLACE GARAMENDI? NEW!!

MERCURY NEWS - LT. GOV. GARAMENDI MOVES TO CONGRESSIONAL RACE

FIORINA IN U.S. SENATE RACE NEW!!

Former Hewlett-Packard Co. Chief Executive Carly Fiorina said she is running for the Republican nomination to battle liberal stalwart Barbara Boxer for her U.S. Senate seat. Fiorina ended months of speculation with an announcement in an opinion piece in the Orange County Register. Her entry into the race could present California's junior senator with her most formidable re-election challenge, but Fiorina first would have to survive a primary against state Assemblyman Chuck DeVore, who has worked feverishly over the past year to court GOP voters. "Tax, spend and borrow is not a governing philosophy; it's a cycle of dependency and it is one that must be broken," Fiorina wrote. "Washington must show the discipline to cut spending and create policies that encourage and empower businesses to put people back to work."

MERCURY NEWS - CARLY FIORINA ANNOUNCES BID FOR U.S. SENATE NEW!!

MERCURY NEWS - BOXER COULD FACE RE-ELECTION FIGHT OF HER CAREER AGAINST FIORINA

MERCURY NEWS - FORMER HP CHIEF FIORINA STEPS TOWARD US SENATE BID

MORE BANK FAILURES NEW!!

It's a big number that only tells part of the story. The number of banks that have failed so far this year topped 100 on (10-23-09) Friday—hitting 106 by the end of the day—the most in nearly two decades. But the trouble in the banking system from bad loans and the recession goes even deeper. Dozens, perhaps hundreds, of other banks remain open even though they are as weak as many that have been shuttered. Regulators are seizing banks slowly and selectively—partly to avoid inciting panic and partly because buyers for bad banks are hard to find. Going slow buys time. An economic recovery could save some banks that would otherwise go under. But if the recovery is slow and smaller banks' finances get even worse, it could wind up costing even more. This year's 106 bank failures are the most in any year since 181 collapsed in 1992 at the end of the savings-and-loan crisis.

MERCURY NEWS - BANK FAILURES HIT 106 FOR YEAR; MANY MORE ARE WEAK NEW!!

PRESIDENT OBAMA AWARDED NOBEL PEACE PRIZE NEW!!

The choice of Barack Obama as the recipient of the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize on Friday, less than nine months into his eventful presidency, was an unexpected honor that elicited praise and puzzlement around the globe. Normally the prize has been presented, even controversially, for accomplishment. This prize, to a 48-year-old freshman president, for "extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples," seemed a kind of prayer and encouragement by the Nobel committee in Norway for future endeavor and more consensual American leadership. But the prize quickly loomed as a potential political liability — perhaps more burden than glory — for Obama. Republicans contended he won more for his star power and speechifying than for his actual achievements, and even some Democrats privately questioned whether he deserved it. The Nobel committee's embrace of Obama was viewed as a rejection of the unpopular tenure, in Europe especially, of his predecessor, George W. Bush. But the committee stressed that it had made its decision based on Obama's actual efforts toward nuclear disarmament as well as American engagement with the world relying more on diplomacy and dialogue.

MERCURY NEWS - OBAMA'S UNEXPECTED NOBEL SELECTION STIRS PRAISE AND DOUBTS NEW!!

RIO IN, CHICAGO OUT FOR 2016 OLYMPICS NEW!!

The 2016 Games are going to Rio de Janeiro. Finally, South America gets an Olympics. In a vote of high drama, the bustling Brazilian carnival city of beaches, mountains and samba beat surprise finalist Madrid, which got a big helping hand from a very influential friend. Chicago was knocked out in the first round—in one of the most shocking defeats ever handed down by the International Olympic Committee. President Barack Obama's last-minute hop to Denmark didn't swing the games Chicago's way. He came, saw, charmed but did not conquer. Even Tokyo, which trailed throughout the tight race, did better—eliminated after Chicago in the second round. On Rio's Copacabana beach, where the city will hold beach volleyball in 2016, the party was heading into the night. In Chicago, there was bewildered silence. Rio spoke to IOC members' consciences: the city argued that it was simply unfair that South America has never hosted the games, while Europe, Asia and North America have done so repeatedly.

MERCURY NEWS - SAMBA! RIO WINS RIGHT TO HOST THE 2016 OLYMPICS NEW!!

SMALLER SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS

Millions of older people face shrinking Social Security checks next year, the first time in a generation that payments would not rise. The trustees who oversee Social Security are projecting there won't be a cost of living adjustment (COLA) for the next two years. That hasn't happened since automatic increases were adopted in 1975. By law, Social Security benefits cannot go down. Nevertheless, monthly payments would drop for millions of people in the Medicare prescription drug program because the premiums, which often are deducted from Social Security payments, are scheduled to go up slightly.

MERCURY NEWS - MILLIONS FACE SHRINKING SOCIAL SECURITY PAYMENTS

MERCURY NEWS - SOCIAL SECURITY WILL NOT RAISE BENEFITS IN 2010, FORECASTS SAY

HEALTH CARE REFORM DOMINATES TOWN HALL MEETINGS

The bitter divisions over an overhaul of the health care system have exploded at town-hall-style meetings over the last few days as members of Congress have been shouted down, hanged in effigy and taunted by crowds. In several cities, noisy demonstrations have led to fistfights, arrests and hospitalizations. Democrats have said the protesters are being organized by conservative lobbying groups like FreedomWorks. Republicans respond that the protests are an organic response to the Obama administration’s health care restructuring proposals.

NY TIMES - HEALTH DEBATE TURNS HOSTILE AT TOWN HALL MEETINGS

SAN DIEGO UNION TRIBUNE - REPUBLICANS OFFER SENIORS HEALTH 'BILL OF RIGHTS'

LA TIMES - SENATE COMMITTEE SCRAPS HEALTHCARE PROVISION THAT GAVE RISE TO 'DEATH PANEL' CLAIMS

FOX NEWS - HEALTH CARE DEBATE SHIFTING INTO FREE SPEECH DEBATE

THE HILL - ELDERLY LEAD OPPOSITION ON OBAMA HEALTH CARE

FOXNATION .COM - TOWN HALL MEETINGS

ACTION - AMERICAN FAMILY ASSOCIATION

REAL CLEAR POLITICS

YOU CAN HELP ENACT LEGAL REFORMS

The U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform (ILR) is a national campaign, representing the nation's business community, with the critical mission of making America's legal system simpler, fairer and faster for everyone. Founded by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in 1998 to address the country's litigation explosion, ILR is the only national legal reform advocate to approach reform comprehensively by not only working to change the legal culture, but also to change the legislators and judges that create that culture. ILR supports: federal and state legislative reforms, voter education efforts, public education campaigns, grassroots activities. ILR aims to: neutralize plaintiff trial lawyers' excessive influence over the legal and political systems, promote the election or selection of pro-legal reform judges and other public officials, create and maintain public support for legal reform, including building alliances with groups and organizations to advance the legal reform agenda, enact common sense reforms to ensure fairness in liability suits, ensure damage awards are fair and equitable, eliminate frivolous lawsuits, and enforce legal ethics rules.

INSTITUTE FOR LEGAL REFORM

GLOBAL WARMING EXPOSED

In his special program "Exposed: The Climate of Fear — the Other Side of the Global Warming Debate,” Glenn Beck challenged the conventional wisdom on global warming, firing this salvo at the opening: "This is not a balanced look at global warming. It is the other side of the climate debate that you don`t hear anywhere. Yes, Al Gore, there is another credible side."

NEWSMAX - GLENN BECK EXPOSES "CLIMATE OF FEAR"

LA TIMES - U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SEEKS TRIAL ON GLOBAL WARMING NEW!

NEWSMAX - SCIENTIST: GLOBAL WARMING CLAIMS A LOT OF HYPE NEW!

TELEGRAPH - POLAR BEAR EXPERT BARRED BY GLOBAL WARMISTS NEW!

THE ECONOMIC TIMES - INDIA WON'T ACCEPT EMMISSION REDUCTION TARGET PERIOD SAYS JAIRAM RAMESH NEW!

MERCURY NEWS - WHITE HOUSE MEMO CHALLENGES EPA FINDING ON WARMING NEW!

BUSINESS AND MEDIA - GLOBAL WARMING ALARMISTS LIKE HIGH GAS PRICES

NEWSBUSTERS - WEATHER CHANNEL FOUNDER: GLOBAL WARMING 'GREATEST SCAM IN HISTORY'

ABD - GREEN MYTHS ON GLOBAL WARMING

US SENATE EPW REPORT - OVER 400 PROMINENT SCIENTISTS DISPUTED MAN-MADE GLOBAL WARMING CLAIMS IN 2007

NEWSMAX - INHOFE: 'CONSENSUS BUSTERS' BUST GLOBAL WARMING

WORLD NET DAILY - GORE CAMP SUGGESTS SCIENTIST BOUGHT OFF