(Palm Springs) -- Assemblymember V. Manuel Pérez (D-Coachella) announced that beginning in June he will have office hours at two locations in Palm Springs.  The Palm Springs office hours provide local constituents with a predictable schedule for meeting with the Assemblymember and his staff.

Numerous Bills by Assemblymember V. Manuel Pérez Pass Assembly
Legislation focuses on economic and workforce development, green jobs, health, and education

June 4, 2009
(SACRAMENTO) – Seven bills authored by Assemblymember V. Manuel Pérez (D-Coachella) have passed through the Assembly this week, many with strong bipartisan support. Each is presented below.

AB 3 seeks to stream line the state’s efforts to build a renewable energy workforce. Specifically, it establishes the Renewable Energy Workforce Readiness Initiative to develop a plan for green collar career training, placement, and advancement opportunities. The California Workforce Investment Board will work in collaboration with numerous partners to implement and operate renewable energy worker training and education programs in California. The Initiative is geared to target and involve populations such as at-risk youth, displaced and incumbent workers in transition, and veterans of past or present military service. The bill passed with a vote 45-21. “Our rural counties are primed for the green economy, yet a shortage of a skilled and trained workforce has been a barrier,” said Assemblymember V. Manuel Pérez.  “AB 3 initiates a much needed effort to not only help bring economic stability to our rural areas but also create opportunities for struggling people to gain access to career technical education in order to become competitive candidates in the workforce.”

AB 1079 facilitates the clean up the New River, which flows through Calexico and up the Imperial Valley farmlands to the Salton Sea. Considered the most polluted river in the United States, it is extremely contaminated and poses significant public health risks. The bill establishes the New River Improvement Project and grants the California Mexico Border Relations Council the authority to initiate and develop the project with public and private partners on both sides of the border. The bill passed with a vote of 55-5.  “Cleaning up the New River is an investment in the Valley’s future. Without our health we cannot be good students, reliable employees, and engaged community members,” said Assemblymember V. Manuel Pérez.  “The pollution in the New River has taken a serious toll on the health and well being of Imperial Valley residents. It has been a top priority of mine to rally the necessary stakeholders to address the problem.”

AB 1339 helps to protect the financially stressed Imperial County Free Public Library system. The bill rectifies a discrepancy in the allocated property tax revenue for the Library, which would have resulted in an auditedamount owed of more than $950,000. With revenues among the very lowest for public libraries in the state, repayment of the discrepancy would have resulted in the closure of the library system. AB 1009 deems correct the county property tax payments, enabling the library system to remain open and continue serving the community. The bill passed with a vote of 78-0.  “The Free Library is a vital link to books, research materials, and the Internet for one of the most remote and impoverished areas of the state,” said Assemblymember V. Manuel Pérez. “Our rural libraries provide access to key resources for education, literacy, and training. The Free Library has already had to close four of its branches in the last 18 months. We cannot afford to lose any more.”

AB 1435 helps schools with high numbers of English learners to more effectively demonstrate student progress and achievement. The bill creates a mechanism for including results from the California English Language Development Test (CEDLT) in the Academic Performance Index (API). The API is a measure of a student performance on standardized tests, and it is the primary evaluation tool used by the state. Yet, the API provides no information on the gains by schools in reclassifying students from English learner to fluent English proficient status. AB 1435 offers a remedy by factoring CELDT scores into the determination of the API, thereby providing English learners and their parents, teachers, schools and school districts a real opportunity to demonstrate achievement.  “Becoming fluent in English can open a world of new opportunities for all students in our state, including opportunities for higher education, workforce training, and good paying jobs,” said Assemblymember V. Manuel Pérez. “Incorporating the CELDT into the API enables schools to quantify the progress being achieved by English learners as they work toward reclassification as proficient English speakers.” The bill passed with a vote of 79-0.

AB 1009 improves access to credit for small businesses. It expands the existing Small Business Guarantee Loan Program (SBGLP) to include direct loans to qualified small businesses. The SBLGP has been operated by the state for over 20 years and has an established network of financial development corporations to undertake the expansion of the existing program.  “This bill is an excellent complement to the state's existing loan guarantee program. Small businesses function as economic engines, especially in challenging economic times,” said Assemblymember V. Manuel Pérez.  “Oursmall businesses cannot wait for credit markets to unfreeze.” The bill passed in a vote of 52-26.

AB 1404 and AB 1405, both authored jointly by Assemblymember Pérez with Assemblymember Kevin de León (D-Los Angeles), clarify aspects of the implementation of the Global Warming Solutions Act, passed in 2006.  AB 1404 limits the percentage of offsets that may be obtained by greenhouse gas emitting industries as they work toward achieving their 2020 greenhouse gas reduction targets. Limiting offsets spurs the development of clean, green technology and benefits California communities through jobs, economic activity, and improved air quality. AB 1405 creates a mechanism within the Global Warming Solutions Act to ensure that disadvantaged communities have both the opportunity and the resources to participate in and benefit from efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the new energy economy that will stem from it.  “Limiting offsets helps to create jobs here in California. I am committed to a vision of green jobs, economic renewal, cleaner air, and a genuine transition to a clean energy future,” said Assemblymember V. Manuel Pérez. “And, as we work toward reducing global warming pollution and transforming our energy infrastructure, we must ensure opportunities for the people and communities most impacted.”

All bills now move to the Senate Rules Committee, where they will be referred to the appropriate policy committee.

ASSEMBLY BILL 1555 (V. MANUEL PÉREZ/FUENTES)
(Principal Co-Authors: Senators Padilla and Wiggins)