Valerie Gotten
Valerie G has been an editor with California Newswire for several years, is a gifted theremin player, can quote copious lines from 'Red Dwarf' and also knows where her towel is. Oddly, she does not drive, nor does she take the bus. She identifies as both human and democrat.
Calif. Gov. Brown Issues Statement on CDCR's Plan to Improve California's Prison System
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. on Monday issued this statement following the release by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) of 'The Future of California Corrections: A Blueprint to Save Billions of Dollars, End Federal Court Oversight, and Improve the Prison System':
Calif. Governor Brown Issues Proclamation Declaring Earth Day
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- On Sunday, April 22, 2012, California Governor Brown issued the following Proclamation Declaring Earth Day:
Padilla Bill to Comply California with Federal Voting Rights Act
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- California Senator Alex Padilla (D-Pacoima) today announced that his bill, SB 1233 (Padilla) was passed by the Senate Elections Committee. The bill would require ballot initiative petitions to be provided in other languages. The bill now moves to the Senate Appropriations Committee for consideration.
Senate Education Committee Approves Padilla Bill to Protect California School Children
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- The Calif. Senate Education Committee today approved SB 1530 authored by Senator Alex Padilla (D-Pacoima). The bill expedites and elevates the dismissal process for teachers and other certificated employees whose misconduct is serious and egregious. SB 1530 won the unanimous support of the committee. The bill now moves to the Senate Appropriations Committee for consideration.
Calif. Bills to Protect the Public's Access to Communications Services Passed by Senate Committee
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- The California Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee today passed SB 1160 and SB 1161 authored by Senator Alex Padilla with unanimous bipartisan support 13 to 0 and 12 to 0. SB 1160 would protect California consumers by preventing the arbitrary interruption of communications service. SB 1161 would affirm California's growing role as the leader of the global Internet economy.
Calif. Governor Brown Seeks to Eliminate More Than 700 Unnecessary State Reports
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today released a list of more than 700 unnecessary bureaucratic reports currently required by law and called on the state legislature to eliminate them in order to streamline government and reduce waste.
Calif. Assemblyman Mike Gatto’s Green Fuels Bill Passes Key Hurdle
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- California Assembly Bill 1900, authored by Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Los Angeles), a bill that would change the state's rules on Renewable Natural Gas, passed the Assembly Committee on Utilities and Commerce on Monday by a vote of 11-1. The bill would change the rules for Renewable Natural Gas (also known as biomethane), a natural, renewable-energy source fuel. Current rules have been described by many as bizarre or simply counter-productive.
Great Park Artisan Food and Arts Festival comes to The Orange County Great Park April 28, 2012
IRVINE, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Enjoy an all-day celebration of artisan food, sustainable gardening and creative art at the Great Park's first ever Artisan Food and Arts Festival on Saturday, April 28 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m at The Orange County Great Park. Local chefs and artisans will be on hand to demonstrate delicious fresh dishes from local foods, bread baking, jam, cheese and soda making, and refrigerator pickling.
Calif. Governor Brown Announces Appointments for April 13, 2012
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced the following appointments. First, Mark Cowin, 53, of Sacramento, has been appointed director of the California Department of Water Resources. Cowin has served as director and acting director of the California Department of Water Resources since 2010.
California Professional Firefighters Association Endorses Tom Calderon for Calif. State Assembly
MONTEBELLO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Tom Calderon's campaign for Calif. State Assembly announced the endorsement of the California Professional Firefighters Association today. Calderon's public safety endorsements also include the Los Angeles County Firefighters (IAFF Local 1014), Montebello Firefighters Local 3821, the Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs.
NWPC, PODER PAC, WIL, WPC Women's Organizations Unite Behind Michele Martinez for California State Assembly
SANTA ANA, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Michele Martinez's Campaign for California State Assembly announced the endorsements of the California Branch of the National Women's Political Caucus (NWPC), PODER PAC, Women in Leadership (WIL) and the Women's Political Committee.
L.A. Mayor Villaraigosa Signs Development Reform Ordinance Cutting Red Tape
LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa signed the Multiple Approvals Ordinance on Monday, cutting red tape and simplifying the development review process. Under the new ordinance development projects that require multiple approvals from the City of Los Angeles will now have one deadline rather than multiple expiration dates for individual entitlements.
California Gov. Brown Announces Appointments for April 11, 2012
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced the following appointments. First, Dale Brodsky, 60, of Orinda, has been appointed to the Fair Employment and Housing Commission.
Calif. Governor Brown Announces Appointments for April 10, 2012
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. on Tuesday announced the following appointments. First, Brian Annis, 43, of Sacramento, has been appointed deputy secretary for transportation at the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency.
Calif. Senate Committee Approves Padilla Advanced Manufacturing Bill
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- The Senate Governance and Finance committee today approved Senate Bill 1128 (Padilla) on a 7 to 0 vote. The bill would encourage investment, job creation and economic growth in California by allowing sales and use tax exemptions on the purchase of manufacturing equipment in the advanced manufacturing sector. The bill will next be heard in the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Santa Ana Firemen's Benevolent Association Endorses Michele Martinez for State Assembly
SANTA ANA, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Michele Martinez's Campaign for State Assembly announced the endorsement of the Santa Ana Firemen's Benevolent Association today.
Los Angeles County Young Democrats Endorse Tom Calderon
MONTEBELLO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Tom Calderon's campaign for State Assembly announced the endorsement of the Los Angeles County Young Democrats (LACYD) today. Their membership voted on the endorsement at their March 31 meeting in Long Beach.
California Autonomous Vehicle Bill Moves Forward: Senator Padilla Bill would Establish Standards for Testing and Operation
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- CA Senate Bill 1298, authored by Senator Alex Padilla (D-Pacoima), passed the Senate Transportation Committee today on an 8 to 0 vote. The bill would establish safety and performance standards for the safe operation of autonomous vehicles on public roads in California.
Calif. Assemblyman Mike Gatto's Water Conservation Bill Clears First Committee
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- A key water-conservation bill introduced by Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Los Angeles) passed the Assembly Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committee today by a vote of 11-1.
Los Angeles-based Dance Company Jazz Tap Ensemble Tours Africa With U.S. Department of State's DanceMotion USA
LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and the Brooklyn Academy of Music will send Jazz Tap Ensemble, a Los Angeles-based dance company, to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe to tour as part of DanceMotion USA(SM), April 9 - May 5, 2012.
Calif. Governor and First Lady Honor Cpl. Alex Martinez
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- On behalf of all Californians, Governor Brown and First Lady Anne Gust Brown honor Cpl. Alex Martinez, who bravely gave his life in service to our state and nation. The Governor and First Lady extend their deepest condolences to his family and friends at this difficult time.
Calif. Assemblyman Mike Gatto's Bill to Bring Back Vintage License Plates Clears Significant Legislative Hurdle
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- CA Assembly Bill (AB) 1658, a bill by Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D–Los Angeles) that would allow car enthusiasts to apply to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for 'classic' California license plates, passed its first legislative hurdle on Monday.
L.A. Mayor Villaraigosa Invites Angelenos to Get Out of Their Cars and Onto the Streets for Fourth CicLAvia
LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, councilmembers, and bike community members this week invited Angelenos to get out of their cars and onto the streets for the City's fourth CicLAvia.
Calif. Governor Brown Announces Appointments for April 6, 2012
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. on Friday announced the following appointments. First, Paul Slavik, 70, of Huntington Beach, has been appointed to the Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Commission, where he has served since 2008.
L.A. County Firefighters and Montebello Firefighters Unite Behind Tom Calderon for Calif. Assembly
LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Tom Calderon's campaign for State Assembly announced the endorsements of the Los Angeles County Firefighters (IAFF Local 1014) and Montebello Firefighters Local 3821 today.
California Governor Brown Announces Appointments for April 3, 2012
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. on Tuesday announced the following appointments. First, Tonya Blood, 41, of Sacramento, has been appointed chief of the Bureau of Electronic Appliance Repair, Home Furnishing and Thermal Insulation.
Calif. Governor Brown Announces Appointments for April 2, 2012
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced the following appointments. First, Graciela Castillo-Krings, 31, of Sacramento, has been appointed deputy director of legislative affairs at the California Department of Resources, Recycling and Recovery.
Calif. Governor and First Lady Honor Capt. Francis D. Imlay
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- On behalf of all Californians, Governor Brown and First Lady Anne Gust Brown honor Capt. Francis D. Imlay, who bravely gave his life in service to our state and nation. The Governor and First Lady extend their deepest condolences to his family and friends at this difficult time.
Calif. Gov. Brown Delivers Plan to Streamline and Simplify State Government to Little Hoover Commission
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- On Friday, following through on his pledge to streamline state government, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today sent a far-reaching reorganization plan to the Little Hoover Commission that cuts the number of state agencies from 12 to 10, eliminates duplicative and unnecessary entities and consolidates those with similar roles and functions.
Calif. Governor Brown Announces California Transportation Commission Appointments for March 29, 2012
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- California Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced the following appointments. First: Darius Assemi, 51, of Fresno, has been appointed to the California Transportation Commission, where he has served since 2009.
Calif. Governor Brown Issues Proclamation Declaring Tsunami Preparedness Week
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Today, California Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. has proclaimed March 25-31, 2012, as 'Tsunami Preparedness Week.' The full proclamation text follows.
Hearing to Focus on California's 1.4 Million English Learner Students and Impacts of Governor Brown’s Proposed 'Weighted Student Formula'
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- The Senate Select Committee on English Learners, Chaired by Senator Alex Padilla (D-Pacoima) will hold a hearing on how the Governor's proposed weighted student formula will impact California’s English Learners. The hearing will take place Monday, March 26, 2012, at 3 p.m. in Room 112 in the State Capitol. The hearing will be webcast live at the California Channel.
Calif. Governor Brown Announces Appointment: Patricia Mazzilli
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced the following appointment. Patricia Mazzilli, 53, of Stockton, has been appointed executive director at the Corrections Standards Authority.
CA Gov. Brown Announces $120 Million Settlement to Fund Electric Car Charging Stations Across California
GOLETA, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. joined with the California Public Utilities Commission today to announce a $120 million dollar settlement with NRG Energy Inc. that will fund the construction of a statewide network of charging stations for zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs), including at least 200 public fast-charging stations and another 10,000 plug-in units at 1,000 locations across the state.
San Francisco, San Jose and Regional Leaders Celebrate Caltrain Electrification
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Today, San Francisco Mayor Edwin M. Lee, San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed and Bay Area officials applaud the draft regional agreement with the California High Speed Rail Authority on the $1.5 billion electrification of Caltrain on the Peninsula corridor as a strategic early investment in a blended high speed rail system.
L.A. Mayor Villaraigosa Releases Regional Export Plan at Inaugural Brookings and JP Morgan Chase Conference
LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa on Wednesday announced the release of the Los Angeles Regional Export Plan and new funding for programs facilitating exports through the Los Angeles Regional Export Council (LARExC) during a keynote speech at the Inaugural Brookings Institution and JPMorgan Chase Global Cities Initiative (GCI) Forum.
L.A. Mayor Villaraigosa Announces 2012 Minority Business Firms of the Year
LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and the Los Angeles City Council will honor five Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) during the two-day 17th Annual Minority Business Awards and Conference 'Fostering Strategic Business Growth for Job Creation' to be held March 23rd and 27th.
Calif. Governor Brown Appoints California Poet Laureate: Juan Felipe Herrera
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today appointed Juan Felipe Herrera to the position of California Poet Laureate. Mr. Herrera, 63, is the author of twenty-eight books and currently serves as the Tomas Rivera Endowed Chair in the Department of Creative Writing at the University of California, Riverside.
Calif. Governor Brown Announces Appointments for March 21, 2012
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced the following appointments. First, George Alexeeff, 57, of Walnut Creek, has been appointed director of the Office of Environmental Health and Hazard Assessment at the California Environmental Protection Agency.
Calif. Governor Brown Honors 102 Year-Old WWII Veteran during Women's Military History Week
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. met with 102 year-old WWII veteran Bea Cohen today at the State Capitol, as part of celebrations honoring Women's Military History Week. Ms. Cohen is believed to be the oldest living female WWII veteran in California and one of the oldest in the country.
Calif. Governor Brown Announces Appointments for March 20, 2012
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced the following appointments. First, Thomas Barry, 47, of San Francisco, has been appointed to the State Mining and Geology Board. Barry has been a senior geologist at Shaw Environmental and Infrastructure Group since 1997.
Three California Assemblymembers Initiate Federal Constitutional Amendment
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- California Assemblyman Michael Allen (D-Sonoma County), Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Los Angeles), and Assemblyman Bob Wieckowski (D-Fremont) have introduced Assembly Joint Resolution (AJR) 32, a measure that begins the process to amend the United States Constitution to nullify the Supreme Court's decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission.
Calif. Governor Brown and First Lady Honor Spc. Edward J. Acosta
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- On behalf of all Californians, Governor Brown and First Lady Anne Gust Brown honor Spc. Edward J. Acosta, who bravely gave his life in service to our state and nation. The Governor and First Lady extend their deepest condolences to his family and friends at this difficult time.
Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs Endorses Tom Calderon for Calif. State Assembly
LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Tom Calderon's campaign for State Assembly announced the endorsement of the Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs today....
Calif. Governor, Speaker, Pro Tem and Restoring California Coalition Announce Agreement on Nov. 2012 Ballot Measure
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Today, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr., Assembly Speaker John A. Perez, Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg and the Restoring California Coalition (the California Federation of Teachers, California Calls, the Courage Campaign and ACCE) joined forces on a new revenue initiative for the November 2012 ballot.
Calif. Governor Brown Marks Boeing's Delivery of 787 Dreamliner to California
LONG BEACH, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today welcomed Boeing's new 787 Dreamliner to California, saying the cutting-edge airliner symbolizes the state's innovation and creativity. Hundreds of California engineers helped to design the Dreamliner, which uses 20 percent less fuel than similar-sized planes.
Calif. Governor Brown Announces Appointments for March 12, 2012
SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. on Monday announced the following appointments. First, Gregory Ahern, 54, of Livermore, has been appointed to the California Lottery Commission. Ahern has been sheriff coroner for Alameda County since 2007, and has served in the Alameda County Sheriff's Office since 1980.
S.F. Mayor Lee Launches TechSF Initiative to Train S.F. Residents For High Tech Jobs
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /Califonria Newswire/ -- Mayor Edwin M. Lee today launched TechSF to train and reskill San Francisco residents for the City's growing number of technology and IT jobs, announcing a $5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor's Technical Skills Training Grants program to jumpstart funding for the City's major new workforce training initiative.
California School Employees Endorse Tom Calderon
MONTEBELLO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Tom Calderon's campaign for California State Assembly announced the endorsement of the California School Employees Association (CSEA) today. The California School Employees Association represents around 210,000 dedicated school support staff throughout California.
L.A. Mayor Villaraigosa Urges U.S. Education Secretary Duncan to Empower School Districts
WASHINGTON, D.C. /California Newswire/ -- Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa asked U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan on Friday to empower school districts to apply for Race to the Top grants and for waivers from No Child Left Behind's rigid regulations.
