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Valerie Gotten

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. Governor Brown Issues Legislative Update for Sept. 7, 2011 (CORRECTED)

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ –- Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced today that he has signed the following bills: AB 177 by Assemblymember Tony Mendoza (D-Artesia) – Juveniles: parenting classes. AB 307 by Assemblymember Brian Nestande (R-Palm Desert) – Joint powers agreements: public agency: federally recognized Indian tribe.

Calif. Governor Brown Issues Legislative Update for Sept. 6, 2011 (CORRECTED)

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced on Tuesday that he has signed the following bills: AB 134 by Assemblymember Roger Dickinson (D-Sacramento) – Appropriation of water: Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District. AB 147 by Assemblymember Roger Dickinson (D-Sacramento) – Subdivisions.

Calif. Governor Signs Senator Padilla's Smoke-Free Rental Housing Bill

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Calif. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Pacoima) announced today that Governor Jerry Brown has signed into law SB 332. This new law expands the availability of smoke-free housing in California by allowing landlords to prohibit smoking in rental units. The law goes into effect on January 1, 2012.

Calif. Gov. Signs Padilla Bill to Prevent Genetic Discrimination – Unruh Civil Rights Act Modernized to Reflect 21st Century

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- California Senate Bill 559, a landmark civil rights protection bill authored by Senator Alex Padilla (D-Pacoima) was signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown Tuesday night. The new law will protect Californians by prohibiting discrimination based on an individual’s genetic information. The law goes into effect on January 1, 2012.

Calif. Gov. Brown and San Diego Business Leaders Call on Legislature to Pass California Jobs First Plan

SAN DIEGO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today will join San Diego business leaders at Gen-Probe, Inc. to call on the state Legislature to pass his California Jobs First plan, which eliminates a toxic tax loophole and offers over $1 billion a year in tax relief for businesses that create jobs in the state.

Calif. Senator Gloria Negrete McLeod Announces Campaign for Congress

Chino, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- State Senator Gloria Negrete McLeod announced her campaign for Congress today. Senator Negrete McLeod will run in the newly created 35th Congressional District, which includes the cities of Pomona, Montclair, Ontario, Chino, unincorporated Bloomington, and portions of Fontana and Rialto.

Calif. Senator Alex Padilla and Speaker John Perez Announce L.A. Stadium and Convention Center Legislation

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ --Senator Alex Padilla (D-Pacoima) and Assembly Speaker John A. Perez (D-Los Angeles) were joined by business and labor leaders at a press briefing today to announce legislation that could bring a new sports arena and convention center to downtown Los Angeles.

New Weekly Music Showcase hosted by radio host Sheena Metal debuts at The Other Door in NoHo

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Bands and fans will have an exciting new opportunity for music, merriment and much more as Sheena Metal hosts “Carnyville: An Industry Showcase at The Other Door” every Thursday evening. Located in the NoHo Arts District, the premiere event will take place September 8, 2011 and will feature live music on the club stage.

Mayors Unveil USCM Common Sense Jobs Plan Before Labor Day

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- During a time of historic unemployment and stagnant job growth, U.S. Conference of Mayors President Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Vice President Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter and Second Vice President Mesa (AZ) Mayor Scott Smith released the USCM Common Sense Jobs Plan.

Calif. Gov. Brown Issues Statement on Standard & Poor's Rating for California's Upcoming Sale of Revenue Anticipation Notes

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. on Thursday issued the following statement regarding Standard & Poor's rating for California’s upcoming sale of Revenue Anticipation Notes.

Calif. Governor Brown Issues Legislative Update for Sept. 1, 2011

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced Thursday that he has signed the following bills: AB 188 by Assemblymember Marty Block (D-San Diego) – Property tax exemption: principal residence: veterans and their unmarried surviving spouses. AB 571 by Assemblymember Curt Hagman (R-Chino Hills) – Corporations: distributions.

PowerGuard Specialty Insurance adds Business Development Exec Tim Kinsella in N.Y.

IRVINE, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- PowerGuard Specialty Insurance Services - a Managing General Agent and Lloyds cover holder specializing in unique insurance and risk management solutions for the wind and solar energy industries - today announced that risk management, financial services and alternative energy professional Tim Kinsella has joined the company as a business development executive.

Calif. Governor Brown Issues Legislative Update for Aug. 31, 2011

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced today that he has signed the following bills: AB 139 by Assemblymember Felipe Fuentes (D-Los Angeles) – State claims. AB 434 by Assemblymember Dan Logue (R-Chico) – County penalties: forensic laboratories.

MCT Trading Makes Inc. 5000 Annual List of Fastest-Growing Companies

SAN DIEGO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- MCT Trading, Inc. (MCT), a recognized leader in mortgage pipeline hedging and risk management services, announced today that it has been named to Inc. 5000 2011 fastest-growing private companies list. MCT ranks 776 on the list with an industry rank in the financial services category of 39 and impressive three-year sales growth of 405 percent.

Calif. Senator Padilla Legislation on the Move: Two Bills Signed by Governor Brown with More on the Way

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Senator Alex Padilla’s (D-Pacoima) ambitious legislative agenda has already achieved some success this year with the Governor signing two of his bills and more working their way through the Legislature. Find below some of the highlights and status of pending legislation by Senator Padilla.

L.A. Mayor Villaraigosa Welcomes New Farmers Insurance Facility That Benefits From Citywide Development Reform Efforts

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Councilmember Dennis Zine, and city officials joined Farmers Insurance representatives to welcome the company to their new Woodland Hills facility that directly benefited from the City's recent development reform efforts.

School Board Member and Former Rosemead Mayor John Tran Announces Campaign for Calif. State Assembly

ROSEMEAD, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- El Monte Union High School Board Member and Former Rosemead Mayor John Tran announced his campaign for State Assembly today. Tran will run in the 49th State Assembly District, which includes the cities of Alhambra, Arcadia, Monterey Park, Rosemead, San Gabriel, San Marino, Temple City, and portions of El Monte, Montebello, South El Monte and the unincorporated community of South San Gabriel.

L.A. Mayor Villaraigosa Celebrates Major Solar Installation Project In Central Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power General Manager Ron Nichols, Dr. Walter Jayasinghe and city officials on Friday celebrated the completion of a major solar panel installation project in central Los Angeles.

Calif. Governor Brown Announces Appointments to Alfred E. Alquist Seismic Safety Commission for Aug. 29, 2011

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced the following appointments. First, Peggy Hellweg, 59, of Orinda, has been appointed to the Alfred E. Alquist Seismic Safety Commission. Hellweg has been a research geophysicist at the Berkeley Seismological Laboratory since 2001.

Tom Calderon Announces Campaign for California State Assembly

MONTEBELLO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Former State Assemblymember and Montebello Unified School District Board Member Tom Calderon announced his campaign for State Assembly today. Calderon will run in California’s newly created 58th Assembly District, which includes the cities of Artesia, Bell Gardens, Bellflower, Cerritos, Commerce, Downey, Montebello, Pico Rivera and portions of Norwalk.

Calif. Governor Brown Announces Appointments for Aug. 26, 2011

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced the following appointments. First, Lisa Barkett, 52, of La Jolla, has been appointed to the 22nd District Agricultural Association, San Diego County Fair Board.

Padilla Bill to Criminalize Cell Phones in California Prisons Moves Forward

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Senate Bill 26, authored by Senator Alex Padilla (D-Pacoima), was approved by the Assembly Appropriations Committee Thursday with unanimous bipartisan support. SB 26 would crack down on the smuggling and possession of cell phones and other wireless communication devices in California prisons. The bill now goes to the full Assembly for consideration.

Business Leaders Respond to Governor Brown's California Jobs First Plan

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Following Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr.'s proposal of a three-part California Jobs First plan this morning, business leaders expressed overwhelming support for his plan to put Californians to work.

Calif. Governor Brown Proposes California Jobs First Package to Spur Local Job Creation

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Taking action to put Californians to work, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today proposed a three-part California Jobs First plan that offers over $1 billion a year in tax relief for businesses that create jobs in the state.

Calif. Governor Brown Announces Appointment – Michael E. Rossi appointed to the Board of the High Speed Rail Authority

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -– Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced the following appointment. Michael E. Rossi, 67, of Pebble Beach, has been appointed to the Board of the High Speed Rail Authority.

Calif. Governor Brown Announces Appointments for Aug. 23, 2011

SACRAMENTO,. Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. on Tuesday announced the following appointments. First, Jeanne Clinton, 60, of Berkeley, has been appointed special advisor to the California Public Utilities Commission. Clinton has been a manager of the Climate Strategies Branch of the Commission since 2009.

L.A. Mayor Villaraigosa to Film Industry: Let's Keep Los Angeles The Entertainment Capital of the World

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa today participated in a roundtable discussion at Variety headquarters with film production and location managers to highlight the cost-saving opportunities and film-friendly policies the City has implemented to keep production in Los Angeles.

Calif. Governor Brown Announces Appointments for Aug. 19, 2011

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. on Friday announced the following appointments. First, Paul Benedetto, 51, of Elk Grove, has been appointed deputy secretary of operations at the California Technology Agency. Benedetto has been director of the Office of Systems Integration at the California Health and Human Services Agency since 2008 after serving as chief deputy director from 2007 to 2008.

Calif. State Senate Approves Padilla Bill to Prevent Genetic Discrimination

Sacramento, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Senate Bill 559, a landmark civil rights protection bill authored by Senator Alex Padilla (D-Pacoima) was approved with strong bipartisan support by the State Senate today. The bill protects Californians by prohibiting discrimination based on genetic information in California. The legislation now goes to the Governor for his signature.

Calif. State Assembly Approves Padilla Bill to Prevent Genetic Discrimination

Sacramento, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Senate Bill 559, a landmark civil rights protection bill authored by Senator Alex Padilla (D-Pacoima) was approved with strong bipartisan support by the State Assembly today. The bill protects Californians by prohibiting discrimination based on genetic information in California. The legislation now goes back to the Senate for concurrence and then to the Governor for his signature.

L.A. Mayor Challenges Sacramento to Take On Prop. 13 Reform To Increase Education Funding and Train California's Future Workforce

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- With California facing a deficit of one million college degree holders in 2025, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa delivered a speech to the Sacramento Press Club on Tuesday about the need to invest in California's education system to train our future workforce and keep our state globally competitive.

Calif. Governor Brown Announces Appointment of Michael E. Rossi as senior jobs advisor in the Office of the Governor

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. on Wednesday announced the following appointment: Michael E. Rossi, 67, of Pebble Beach, has been appointed senior jobs advisor in the Office of the Governor.

Tahoe Summit 2011: Governor Brown and Governor Sandoval Announce Renewed Commitment to Lake Tahoe

LAKE TAHOE, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- In an historic joint appearance at the 2011 Tahoe Summit, Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. and Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval announced on Tuesday a renewed commitment to updating the Regional Plan for Lake Tahoe and enhancing the role of the two states in cooperating with the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA).

California Legislative Black Caucus Endorses Isadore Hall for Congress

Sacramento, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- The California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) endorsed State Assemblymember Isadore Hall’s campaign for Congress today.

Calif. Gov. Brown announces Appointments for Aug. 15, 2011

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr.on Monday announced the following appointments. First, Cliff Allenby, 74, of Elk Grove, has been appointed chair of the Managed Risk Medical Insurance Board. Allenby is currently interim director of the Department of Mental Health.

L.A. Mayor Villaraigosa Appoints Rafael Bernardino To Board Of Fire And Police Pension Commissioners

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa announced the appointment of Rafael Bernardino to the Board of Fire and Police Pension Commissioners on Monday.

Calif. Governor Brown Announces Appointments for Board of Parole Hearings

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. on Wednesday announced the following appointments. First, Dan Figueroa, 60, of Blythe, has been appointed to the Board of Parole Hearings. Figueroa worked at Chuckawalla Valley State Prison as a correctional counselor from 1996 to 2010 and as a business services supervisor from 1992 to 1996.

Calif. Governor Brown to Discuss National Clean Energy Summit 4.0 with U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. will join U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and U.S. Secretary of the Navy...

Calif. Governor Brown Signs Compact With The Pinoleville Pomo Nation

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. on Monday announced he has signed a tribal-state gaming compact between the State of...

Calif. Governor Brown Issues Legislative Update for August 8, 2011

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced on Monday that he has signed the following bills: AB 84 by Assemblymember...

Calif. Governor Brown Issues Legislative Update for Aug. 4, 2011

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced on Thursday that he has signed the following bills: AB 61 by Assemblymember...

Calif. Governor Brown Issues Legislative Update for Aug. 3, 2011

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced today that he has signed the following bills: AB 55 by Assemblymember Mike...

Calif. Governor Brown Announces Appointments to California Commission on Teacher Credentialing

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced the following appointments: First, Erick Casallas, 31, of Bakersfield, has been appointed...

Calif. Governor Brown Issues Legislative Update for Aug. 1, 2011

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -– Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced on Monday that he has signed the following bills: • AB 494 by Assemblymember...

Calif. Governor Brown Issues Legislative Update for July 26, 2011

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced today that he has signed the following bills: AB 107, 108, 120; SB...

Legal Leaders Express Support for Gov. Brown's Nomination of Goodwin Liu for California Supreme Court

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Leaders in the legal field expressed strong support for Governor Brown's nomination of Goodwin Liu, Professor of Law at...

Calif. Governor Brown Nominates Goodwin Liu for California Supreme Court

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. nominated Goodwin Liu, Professor of Law at the University of California, Berkeley Law School,...

Calif. Governor Brown Issues Legislative Update

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced today that he has signed several bills, including AB 82 and AB 130....

Calif. Governor Brown Announces Appointments for July 20, 2011

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. on Wednesday announced the following appointments: John 'Jack' Brooks, 87, of San Francisco, has been appointed to the Board of Pilot Commissioners for the Bays of San Francisco, San Pablo, and Suisun.

Calif. Gov. Brown announces Appointments for July 19, 2011

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ -- Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced the following appointments: Gerardo Mouet, 53, of Santa Ana, has been appointed to the 32nd District Agricultural Association, Orange County Fair Board.

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