Feedback for Legislative Coordinators
Keep Up Your Good Work: Now All Four Governor's Bills are Pending
Three of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's Special Session "reform" measures have had their first hearings in the legislature, and a fourth one could be heard shortly. None of the four bills has been put to a vote yet, but that could happen soon.
Be aware: notice of upcoming votes on the measures could come quickly, with little lead time. Coordinators and teams should continue mobilizing to get as many meetings and phone calls made and letters sent to lawmakers against these bills as quickly as possible.
As Flashback has already reported, SCAx1 1, the merit pay/due process attack measure by Sen. George Runner (R-Lancaster), was heard in the Senate Education Committee on Feb. 23. The majority of the committee clearly didn't like the bill, but Sen. Runner said he will amend the measure before he brings it to a vote.
Coordinators should be directing communications on this bill to the Senate Education Committee.
Meanwhile, ACAx1 1, the "pension reform" measure by Assembly Member Keith Richman (R-Northridge), came before a Special Session Committee on March 2. CTA and Coalition opponents hit the bill hard, countering the author's insulting assertion that his bill would make public employees into "millionaires." ACAx1 1 would, in fact, convert CalSTRS and CalPERS from sure-thing defined benefit plans into 401k style gambles - where employees would roll the dice on stock market performance in hopes they would win a stable retirement. The committee is expected to take the bill up for a vote at an as-yet-unscheduled future date.
Communicate with all Assembly Members on this proposal.
Coalition forces also pounded the third education "reform" bill, ACAx1 4 by Assembly Member Rick Keene (R-Chico), pretty hard on March 2 in the Special Session Assembly Budget Process Committee. Led by Supt. of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell, the bill's opponents pointed out how the gutting of Proposition 98's minimum funding guarantees would decimate school funding - costing as much as $15,000 per year per classroom. No vote was taken, but one thing is certain - the panel will vote on it in the near future.
Get in touch with the Assembly Budget Process Committee on this one.
The governor's fourth bill - the one to "fix California democracy" by changing legislative redistricting by taking it out of the hands of elected officials and putting it into the hands of appointees - is ACAx1 3, by Assembly Member Kevin McCarthy (R). It has just been sent to the Special Session Assembly District Representation Committee, with no hearing date set yet.
Communications should go to the Assembly District Representation Committee on ACAx1 3.
It's Hard Work, and You're Working Hard
Coordinators:
Congratulate yourselves on the fact your efforts thus far have helped slow the movement of these four bad "reform" bills. Now, get ready to redouble those efforts. Refer to the Alerts you've recently received for the key points on these bills. Keep working with local Chapters, Service Center Councils and coalitions. Coordinate your efforts with your Chapter Presidents and SCC Chairs, and count on your CTA staff to support your work!
Contact information for the Senate Education Committee
Contact information for the Assembly Budget Process Panel
Contact information for the Assembly District Representation Committee