Nearly a month before Gov. Jerry Brown releases his budget for fiscal year 2014-15, which begins July 1, Assembly Democrats offered their “2014-15 Blueprint for a Responsible Budget.” “By following this budget blueprint we can ensure fiscal stability in California by establishing a real rainy-day fund and building the state’s budget reserve,” Speaker John Pérez…
During the 2012-13 legislative session that ended Sept. 30, the State Legislature passed and Gov. Jerry Brown signed nearly 800 bills or laws. Most of these are effective Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2014. Several bills fall specifically within the jurisdiction of the California Department of Motor Vehicles. The following laws go into effect on January 1,…
Earlier this month, a Sacramento County Superior Court judge sided with Cal Fire regarding property owners’ rights to a refund if the State Responsibility Area Fire Prevention Fee is deemed unconstitutional. Property owners who have not filed a timely Petition for Redetermination will not be eligible for refunds of the fee payment if the court…
Late last week, the U.S. Senate passed the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2014 (H.R. 3304), which included language that Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and John McCain (R-Ariz.) submitted transferring 22 military aircraft to the Forest Service to battle major wildfires. Under the defense bill passed Thursday night, seven surplus HC-130H Hercules aircraft…
Last month, the state’s Legislative Analyst’s Office issued its budget forecast for the remainder of fiscal year 2013-14 and next year, too. “The state’s budgetary condition is stronger than at any point in the past decade,” the November report stated. Unless something highly unexpected occurs, the report projects a surplus twice the size of Gov….
The litigation over the state’s Fire Prevention Fee had another court date, Thursday, Nov. 21. The state and the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, which has filed a class action suit disputing the legality of the $150 fee, are still arguing which issues will go to trial. After the hearing, the court took the issues under…
The U.S. Forest Service will begin its winter prescribed burn program in the San Bernardino National Forest with the arrival of favorable weather conditions. Winter burning projects continue the effort to reduce the threat of catastrophic wildfire and improve forest health. The prescribed fire program will continue through the winter months as weather and conditions…
Last week, the Hemet City Council narrowly agreed to enter into negotiations with the Riverside County Fire Department to provide city fire services (prevention and protection). A final decision is still in the future and depends upon the outcome of these negotiations as well as further negotiations with the Hemet firefighters about several issues. The…
State Sen. Bill Emmerson (R-23) has tendered his resignation effective Dec. 1, admitting to losing passion for the job. Emmerson had previously represented the Hill in the state Senate until last November’s elections implemented the 2010 redistricting. Idyllwild and other Hill communities are now within the 28th Senate District, but elections for even-numbered districts will be November 2014. Nevertheless, since his election to represent the new 23rd district, Emmerson said he…
After the first quarter of fiscal year 2013-14, the Riverside County financial condition continues to improve very slowly. However, several very dangerous issues are on the horizon before the fiscal year ends June 30, 2014. The most egregious is the deteriorating finances of the County’s Regional Medical Center in Moreno Valley. Its current cash storage…
