Thursday, September 1, 2016

September District Update from Speaker Emeritus, Toni Atkins, September eNews from Sacramento & San Diego, California, United States for Thursday, 1 September 2016

September District Update from Speaker Emeritus, Toni Atkins, September eNews from Sacramento & San Diego, California, United States for Thursday, 1 September 2016
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
The month of September is about embracing the last days of summer and preparing for fall, but it will also always be partly about what happened on September 11th, 2001. It's a solemn anniversary during which we remember those lost that day. This edition of my newsletter includes a story about that - plus much more.
IN THIS ISSUE:

A Note from ToniThe first job I took after moving from Virginia to San Diego in 1985 was with San Diego Job Corps on Iris Avenue in Imperial Beach. Job Corps helps people between the ages of 16 and 24 develop technical and academic skills so that they have a better chance of being successful in their lives and careers.
I loved it, and I didn't mind driving there from City Heights every day, although I did have thoughts of moving to Imperial Beach – because it was a small-town, down-home, laid-back, unassuming, working-class beachside community where people were friendly and looked out for each other.
And 31 years later, it's still like that! I call it San Diego's best-kept secret, although that's starting to change as the community revitalizes and more people from outside its borders learn about all it has to offer.
This year, I had a unique opportunity to help Imperial Beach's civic leaders in their effort to make some key upgrades. I introduced a bill in the Assembly, AB 1500, that would authorize the state of California to relinquish control of the part of State Route 75 that's located in Imperial Beach and hand it over to the city.
Route 75 begins in San Diego at Interstate 5 and heads across the Coronado Bridge and into Coronado, where it becomes Orange Avenue. It then turns south and becomes Silver Strand Boulevard as it heads into Imperial Beach before turning east and becoming Palm Avenue.
Palm Avenue is one of the areas that Imperial Beach officials are working to revitalize with new commercial enterprises and new housing, and having control of that main thoroughfare will help them tremendously. Their plan, in the works since 2000, calls for turning Palm Avenue into a mixed-use hub that has convenient and safe transit access and a new and aesthetically pleasing urban design and creates a better environment for pedestrians and cyclists.
It's harder for a community to control its own destiny when there's a state highway running through it. If signed by the governor, AB 1500 will allow Imperial Beach to control its own destiny. It's one piece of a larger effort to improve the quality of life for residents and visitors alike and spur new economic development.
I know firsthand how remarkably well Imperial Beach's leaders – Mayor Serge Dedina, City Manager Andy Hall, and the City Council – work with other leaders throughout the region and with state officials. I also know firsthand how much the city's community groups want to help others in need. The IB Collaborative brings together groups from several different sectors, from education to healthcare, to coordinate resources for the community.
The desire to help extends beyond the borders of IB. For example, the Imperial Beach Woman's Club and Boys & Girls Club enthusiastically offered their help last year and this summer with my Socks for Stand Down program, during which generous members of the community donate socks for homeless military veterans.
Imperial Beach has always held a special place in my heart. It's a vibrant little town that has an incredibly strong sense of community. It's always such a pleasure to interact with people from Imperial Beach, making it even more gratifying that I'm able to help in this small but important way.
Warmly,

Toni G. Atkins
Speaker Emeritus of the Assembly
78th Assembly District
Honoring California's LGBT Legislative Pioneers

LGBT ceremony: Honoree Christine Kehoe, in blue jacket, with, from left, Assembly member Chad Mayes, Speaker Anthony Rendon and Assembly member Susan Talamantes Eggman, chair of the LGBT Caucus.
Every year in June, the state Assembly holds an LGBT Pride ceremony on the Assembly floor and honors individuals who have furthered the cause of LGBT rights in California.
This year, a visit in June from His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama pushed our ceremony to August 8th, when we celebrated the formation of the California Legislative Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Caucus and honored seven LGBT pioneers.
California's LGBT Caucus was the first of its kind in the nation, founded in June 2002 by legislators Sheila Kuehl, Carole Migden, Jackie Goldberg, and Christine Kehoe. That original foursome was soon joined by Mark Leno and John Laird. I am currently a proud member of the caucus, along with Assemblymembers Susan Eggman (the caucus chair), Rich Gordon, and Evan Low and Senators Leno, Cathleen Galgiani, and Ricardo Lara.
For this year's ceremony, I had the privilege of honoring Chris Kehoe, my political mentor. I worked on her staff when she was on the San Diego City Council. From there, she went on to serve in both the Assembly and the Senate. It was she who pushed me to run to replace her on the City Council in 2000. I owe my political career to her.
Along with Chris, whom I had the pleasure of escorting on the Assembly floor, we also honored Mark Leno and John Laird, as well as Eric Astacaan, who was the first staff consultant to the LGBT Caucus and who served as a special assistant to me while I was Speaker; Ken McNeely, president of AT&T California; and Karen Ocamb, an award-winning, longtime LGBT journalist.
I was filled with pride during the ceremony as I watched a video chronicling the history of the LGBT Caucus, featuring interviews with past members. If it's possible to be prouder than I already was about having been the first lesbian Speaker of the Assembly, that video – and the whole ceremony – made me more so.
I stand on the shoulders of those openly LGBT legislators who came before me – they were such brave and effective leaders. They helped shape my approach to leadership, and it's partly to honor them that I have fought as hard as I have for justice and equality for California's LGBT community.
Opportunities to Honor Those Lost on 9/11
One of the ways we honor those lost on 9/11 locally is through the San Diego Stair Climb.
The National Day of Service and Remembrance on September 11th is a day that is near and dear to all of us who watched as terrorists attacked New York City, Washington D.C., and an airplane over Pennsylvania in 2001. So many innocent victims were killed, including hundreds of first responders who stepped into harm's way to help those who were in danger.
I recall where I was that Tuesday morning – driving down El Cajon Boulevard, coming from an early community business-association meeting, heading to City Hall for a City Council meeting. It was an absolute shock.
San Diego came together in a way that I will never forget. We were drawn together to grieve and to comfort fellow Americans. That memory and that feeling continue year after year.
Beginning in 2002, 9/11 family members and support groups sought a way to honor the memories of their lost loved ones, while also sparking a spirit of unity and compassion within our nation. As a result, the September 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance was established in 2009.
All Americans are encouraged to pay tribute to the memories of the 9/11 victims and heroes that day, honoring them by volunteering for service projects to benefit their local communities.
If you would like to get involved this September 11th, you can find local opportunities in San Diego, by visiting911day.org/volunteer and entering your zip code. You also can enter a keyword to search the type of community-service project you'd like to support.
This year marks the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. We felt the pain of these attacks from coast to coast. Several San Diegans were lost that day, both in the World Trade Center collapse and on the hijacked planes.
Many San Diego groups hold annual commemorative events in honor of the 9/11 victims, including the USS Midway Museum, University of San Diego, and Coronado High School.
The San Diego Hall of Champions at Balboa Park will again hold its Patriots Day Blood Drive, from 10 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. The event stands not only as a tribute to the victims, but also a commemoration of the fact that San Diego was the first to respond to New York's call for aid from blood banks across the country in the aftermath of the attacks.
In another local tradition, on September 10th, local firefighters will invite the public to help them honor the 403 emergency responders who died in the attacks by taking part in the San Diego 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb. Participants climb 110 flights of stairs in salute to the firefighters who made their way into the World Trade Center before the towers collapsed.
I want to encourage everyone to pause in honor of the 2,977 people our nation lost on September 11th, 2001, and take some time to serve your communities if you can. As always, we will not forget the loss of these precious lives.
The California Road Charge Pilot is UnderwayBack in July, when the Legislature was on recess and I was in San Diego visiting with community groups throughout my district, some constituents were interested in a pilot project the state is working on to test a different way to pay for road maintenance in California.
Currently, road maintenance is funded by charging a tax on gasoline. That worked for a long time, but it doesn't work any longer – because as cars become more fuel-efficient, people are buying less gas, and that's good, but it also means the gas tax is generating much less revenue to fund road maintenance.
And cars that are more fuel-efficient are on the road just as much as before, causing the same amount of wear and tear, and as the state's population grows, more cars are using the road – more than 24.8 million licensed drivers driving more than 28.8 million registered vehicles traveling more than 332 million miles annually – but the gas-tax revenue isn't keeping pace.
That's why we passed Senate Bill 1077 two years ago. The bill established a technical advisory committee under the California Transportation Commission and required it to design a pilot project that would test various ways to measure how Californians are using the roads.
The project, called the California Road Charge Pilot Program, launched in July. Thousands of volunteers have been recruited to test five different methods of gathering data. The project will last for nine months. After that, the technical advisory committee will issue a report that includes recommendations for how the state should switch to a road-user charge, if, in fact, the state decides to switch.
(Incidentally, my friend and former colleague on the San Diego City Council, Jim Madaffer, is the chair of the California Road Charge Technical Advisory Committee.)
People may disagree on how we pay for road maintenance, but there's no questioning that something must be done. A coalition of business groups, labor organizations, and others has called for the state to raise $6 billion over 10 years to fix local roads and state highways.
Poor road conditions cause everything from increased damage to cars, which means motorists are paying more than would otherwise be necessary for repairs, to decreased productivity among our state's businesses and workers. We must forge a solution to make California more efficient and competitive.
Early last year, I suggested asking all California motorists to pay about $1 per week, which would generate roughly $1.8 billion to help repair our roads. I considered that a conversation starter – a way to open the debate over how to solve a serious problem. That conversation morphed into an extraordinary session of the Legislature, called by Governor Jerry Brown last summer to run concurrently with the regular session and tasked with finding a way to raise the additional revenue needed.
While a second extraordinary session to solve a healthcare funding problem – called at the same time – was ultimately successful and closed, the session on transportation lingers on. It lingers because a lot of money is needed, and there are hardened opinions on both sides of the political aisle about where the money should come from. Solving big problems isn't easy.
Moving to a system where road repairs are funded through a user fee rather than an outdated gas tax is an idea well worth pursuing, and I look forward to seeing the advisory committee's recommendations in the next year or two.
To learn more about the project, please visit www.californiaroadchargepilot.com.
Help Our Democracy ThriveMany Americans miss the opportunity to vote – or give up this precious right altogether – because they are not registered. In recent elections, it's estimated that 6 million people missed out because they were unaware of a registration deadline or didn't understand how to register.
National Voter Registration Day, on September 27th, was established to change that, so I hope you can take part or let potential voters know how easy it is to sign up.
The United States lags behind in voter registration. Only about three-quarters of our population of eligible voters is registered. Voter turnout is worse. For instance, only about 51% of eligible San Diego County voters cast ballots in the June primary.
Typically, though, voter turnout rises during the general election in a presidential-election year. With that in mind, on National Voter Registration Day, volunteers in California and throughout the nation will be on hand to register, educate, and energize voters, encouraging them to take part in the democratic process.
Volunteers at booths in public locations, such as stores, sporting events, and transit stations, will be available to make the registration process easier and more accessible. Potential voters will be able to register on the spot. If you're already a voter, you may serve as a volunteer.
You can find a location near you in the San Diego region by using the National Voter Registration Day's online resources. You can also use the tools to organize your own event.
Voting qualifications are simple: You must be 18, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of California to vote. You are noteligible if you're imprisoned or on parole following a felony conviction or have been declared mentally incompetent by a court.
Remember, even if you can't be a part of National Voter Registration Day, you have until October 24th to register to be eligible to vote in the November 8th election. In California, you can do so online, at registertovote.ca.gov. You also may do so throughusa.gov or sdvote.com, which refers you to the state website. If you are renewing or obtaining a driver's license, you also may register at your local DMV office.
For our democracy to thrive, citizen participation is a must. One of the most basic ways to be involved is via the ballot box. Show you care – please register or help others do so.
Women Firefighters WantedWhile we've had some notable firsts for women in San Diego – including the city's first female fire chief, Tracy Jarman – we still have work to do when it comes to gender equality.
We all need to work together to open up careers to everyone – and that often means bringing more women into jobs that have historically been filled by men.
Firefighting is one such male-dominated field. It's a difficult yet rewarding and sometimes heroic career, and we must remind women that it is available to them.
I am happy to report that in September, there will be an opportunity for interested women to learn more about a career in firefighting. The California Firefighter Joint Apprenticeship Committee's Commission to Recruit Women for the Fire Service will hold its annual Firefighter Career Expos in two locations, and one of them is San Diego.
The San Diego expo will be held on Saturday, September 24th, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Firefighter Candidate Testing Center (10440 Black Mountain Road) in Mira Mesa.
At the expo, prospective candidates can talk to officials from fire departments up and down the state, try a physical-ability test, learn about a written test, see firefighting equipment up close, and enjoy free barbecue. It's open to everyone, but there's a special emphasis on recruiting women and other underrepresented candidates.
Candidates can pre-register at www.cffjac.org. If the San Diego expo is inconvenient for you, another one will be held at the Firefighter Candidate Testing Center in the city of Orange (626 N. Eckhoff St.), from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, October 8th.
Law Protecting Domestic-Violence Victims is in EffectThese days, almost everyone has a personal mobile device. Cell phones provide immediate access to family, friends, and support services. But sometimes members of the same family share cell phone service accounts, and one family member is the holder of the account.
As such, that person has access to information pertaining to all the other phone users under the account, such as their whereabouts and what calls they have made, in addition to having control over the phone service itself. In a domestic-violence situation, if the batterer is the account holder, he or she has a certain degree of control over the victim's personal cellphone.
Last year, Governor Jerry Brown signed my bill, AB 1407, that gives domestic-violence victims control of their own phone service, and the law became effective on July 1st of this year.
With AB 1407 in effect, under any Domestic Violence Prevention Act proceedings, a family-law court is authorized to issue an order requiring a wireless telephone service provider to transfer the billing responsibilities and rights to a wireless telephone number. So, a woman who is being battered can take control over their own phone and the phones of her children.
AB 1407 also prohibits a cause of action against a wireless telephone service company for any actions taken by the company related to the court-ordered transfer of billing responsibility.
My intent was to strengthen control over what has become the primary means of communication between a person and her support network. I strive to promote safety and emotional support for domestic-violence victims. If you know of anyone who may be a victim of domestic violence, offer your support to that person, and remind them that California is creating new ways to help those in need.
Also, please point them to the City of San Diego's domestic-violence page:https://www.sandiego.gov/police/services/prevention/victimresources/domesticviolence. It provides guidelines for what to do in case of domestic abuse and phone numbers for receiving additional help.
You Might Be Eligible for Help with that TicketA reminder for motorists with outstanding traffic tickets: If you're facing financial hardship, the state's Traffic Ticket / Infractions Amnesty Program can help. This program may reduce fines by up to 80%, potentially saving you from a household budget crisis.
In order to qualify, the initial payment for the ticket must have been due on or before January 1st, 2013, and there must have been no attempts to pay for the ticket after September 30th, 2015.
If there have been attempts to pay the ticket after September 30th, 2015, applicants won't qualify for a fine reduction, but they may be eligible for the license-reinstatement provisions of the program if their payment plans are in good standing.
Once in the program, participants will not have to pay any civil assessments, and the remaining balance owed will be reduced by 50% to 80%, based on income.
For instance, if you receive public assistance or your income is less than $14,712 for individuals, or $30,312 for a family of four, your fine can be reduced by 80%. Other applicants are eligible to have their fines cut in half. There may be a $50 charge to enter the amnesty program.
The program applies to unpaid infractions or “failure to appear” notices. The program is closed to those with:
Unpaid parking tickets
Tickets for reckless driving and DUI violations
Outstanding warrants for certain misdemeanors and felonies or if they owe victim restitution
The amnesty program continues through March 31st, 2017. In order to join, motorists can contact San Diego County Superior Court, at (858) 634-1800.
I understand there are people who want to take responsibility for their mistakes, yet also have a hard time making ends meet. It is my hope that the state's Traffic Ticket / Infractions Amnesty Program will give them the support they need to pay their fines, without causing them or their families any undue burdens.
Be Prepared When the Next Disaster Strikes
Del Mar honored the city’s CERT members this summer. CERT unites trained volunteers who are willing to offer support for their communities in the event of emergencies or disasters.
A natural disaster can strike at any time. Being prepared in family or individual households is key, but some local residents take on more responsibility in the event of a major fire, earthquake, or other calamity and become contacts for their neighbors and other community members.
I hope you will consider becoming part of your local Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT). These teams can step in during the crucial 72 hours after a disaster, when first responders might not be available because of the many overwhelming needs in a crisis.
Often, good Samaritans can be counted on to help victims in the event of an emergency, but the goal with CERT is to give members the training to be as effective as possible, while keeping themselves safe from harm.
During 24 hours of CERT academy training, volunteers learn to manage utilities, basic firefighting skills, emergency patient triage, first-aid, search-and-rescue, and how to collect incident information in order to assist first responders.
CERT programs are available throughout San Diego County, including communities and cities in my district. The next local academy has not been scheduled yet, but the City of San Diego is accepting registrations through October 1st on the CERT website at https://www.sandiego.gov/fire/services/cert for those who are interested in being a part of upcoming training sessions.
For more information on the CERT programs in my district, contact:
San Diego: Carie DeMarco, cert@sandiego.gov
Coronado: Ruthie Glorioso, rglorioso@coronado.ca.us
Del Mar: Joel Carrington, jcarrington@delmar.ca.us
Imperial Beach: John French, jfrench@imperialbeach.ca.gov
Solana Beach: Eric Phillips, ephillips@cosb.org
For a complete list of local CERT contacts, see San Diego County's list.
Another important part of being prepared, for CERT volunteers and all of our residents, is taking part in emergency drills. A statewide earthquake drill, the Great California Shakeout, is set for October 20th at 10:20 a.m.
This will be the ninth year that California has held the drills, which include schools, businesses, government agencies, and more – and it's a big deal. More than 10 million people across the state participated last year! Almost a million San Diego area residents took part.
The drills include “the drop, cover, and hold on” method of responding to the first shakes in a quake. Experts advise that in the event of an earthquake, residents drop to the ground, take cover under a desk or table, and hold on to it until the shaking stops.
In addition, ReadySanDiego.org has a number of resources for emergency preparedness, including information on CERT, and theFederal Emergency Management Agency has more information, as well.
If a natural disaster strikes, it's good to know that we have another group of people to rely on in case our police, firefighters, paramedics, and deputies have their hands full trying to get the situation under control. CERT members offer us another layer of protection. I'm grateful to those who have offered to serve their communities when we need it most.
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month
Please join me in celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month, running from September 15th through October 15th. During this period, we recognize the contributions and presence of Hispanic and Latin American culture in the United States.
Hispanic Heritage Month began on September 15th, 1968. On that day each year, we celebrate the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16th and September 18th, respectively.
The Latino community's impact on California's history can be seen in landmarks throughout the state, and with San Diego's proximity to Mexico, it's no surprise to see the Hispanic influence on our city and its character, including in Balboa Park, at Mission San Diego de Alcalá, and in the murals of Chicano Park, just to name a few.
If you're in the mood for authentic mariachi music, tequila, and traditional Latin-American food, here are some free and low cost ways that San Diego is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month:
Arte Color y Fiesta Event
To mark Mexican Independence Day, the House of Mexico invites the public to come to Balboa Park for this free celebration, including music and dancing. Those who attend are encouraged to pack a picnic for the occasion.
Where: Spreckels Organ Pavilion, Balboa Park
When: Friday, September 16th, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Fiestas Patrias Celebration
To begin the festivities, the ringing of the bell in the historic Casa de Estudillo will signify Mexico's Independence. The Fiestas Patrias Celebration will include traditional dances, mariachi music, crafts, games, and a piñata for the children.
Where: Old Town State Historic Park (San Diego Avenue and Twiggs Street).
When: Saturday, September 17th, Noon to 4 p.m.
House of Pacific Relations International Cottages Lawn Program
Each week, the program spotlights a different international culture near the park's historic 1935 Exposition cottages. The celebrations include educational and cultural programs and showcase the special traditions from many countries. This week it will be Mexico.
Where: House of Pacific Relations Cottages, Balboa Park
When: Sunday, September 18th, 2 to 3 p.m.
Buena Vista Sundays Featuring Live Cuban Music
Every Sunday, Café Sevilla will host live Cuban music by Son Antillano, led by Charlie Chavez. Enjoy music featuring traditional Cuban instruments like the tres guitar, baby bass, congas, and flue. Also enjoy tasting Café Sevilla's unique and delicious Cuban food menu.
Where: Cafe Sevilla (353 Fifth Ave., Downtown)
When: Every Sunday, beginning September 18th, 3 to 6 p.m.
¡Buen Viaje!
Have a question about an issue with the state? My staff is happy to guide our constituents in their business with our state agencies, from the Department of Justice to the Employment Development Department.
We were recently contacted by a constituent, a student who was excited to have been awarded a scholarship to spend a year abroad in Spain. Trouble arose, however, when there were complications regarding the documentation of her required criminal background check.
The authorities questioned whether the professional who notarized the results of her background check was in good standing with the state. With her departure only three weeks away, the student feared further delays and called my office for assistance.
We contacted the Department of Justice after hearing from the student, and within an hour, state officials contacted the student. All her paperwork was confirmed to be in good order and her plans to study abroad could go forward.
If you find you need help with the Department of Justice or any other state agency, please call us at (619) 645-3090. Our field representatives remain in constant contact with our state offices and will be happy to assist you with required background checks, licenses, benefits, or any other state issue.
Around the District



Happy to be part of the community effort to Save Starlight – the old Starlight Bowl in Balboa Park near the San Diego Air & Space Museum. Hundreds of volunteers joined in last month for a big clean-up of the bowl, which has been neglected for years. I hope this community asset can be revived and am pleased by the outpouring of support for saving it.


Enjoyed another City Fest, Hillcrest’s annual street fair. It was hot! But it was still nice to catch up with my constituents and some of the San Diego Police Department officers who patrolled the fair for us.



Attended the FurBall, the annual benefit for San Diego Humane Society last month and enjoyed seeing all the pups in their finery on the red carpet! Also was proud of my Joey, who was voted Beau of the Ball that night (Haley was very proud too)! Ruby, whose human is my former City Council colleague Jim Madaffer, won Belle of the Ball.
Events & Office Hours Calendar
View Calendar
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Warmly,

Toni G. Atkins
Speaker Emeritus
78th Assembly District
P.S. Social media is a great way to connect with my office! Use the icon below to like my page on Website: http://www.asmdc.org/members/a78Email: Assemblymember Toni G. Atkins
Capitol Office:
State Capitol
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, California 94249-0078, United States
Tel: (916) 319-2078
Fax: (916) 319-2178
District Office:
1350 Front Street
Room 6054
San Diego, California 92101, United States
Tel: (619) 645-3090
Fax: (619) 645-3094
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