Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Tag Archives: california

Governor Newsom announces the CA Health Corps, to expand the health care workforce to fight COVID-19

Posted on by Posted in california, Disease, Emergencies, Gavin Newsom, Public Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today launched a major new initiative to expand California’s health care workforce and recruit health care professionals to address the COVID-19 surge. Health care professionals with an active license, public health professionals, medical retirees, medical and nursing students, or members of medical disaster response teams in California are all encouraged to join the new California Health Corps.

Interested medical and health care professionals are encouraged to visit healthcorps.ca.gov for more information and to register for the California Health Corps. Medical doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists, behavioral health scientists, pharmacists, EMTs, medical and administrative assistants, as well as certified nursing assistants are encouraged to step up and meet this moment to help California respond to the outbreak.

The Governor also signed an executive order that will temporarily expand the health care workforce and allow health care facilities to staff at least an additional 50,000 hospital beds the state needs to treat COVID-19 patients. A copy of the Governor’s executive order can be found here, and the text of the order can be found here.

“California’s health care workers are the heroes of this moment, serving on the front lines in the fight against this disease. To treat the rising number of patients with COVID-19, our state needs more workers in the health care field to join the fight. If you have a background in health care, we need your help. Sign up at healthcorps.ca.gov,” said Governor Newsom.

“Outreach to unemployed health care workers and under-employed foreign medical graduates will help build the workforce needed to fight the pandemic — and also create new opportunities and jobs for Californians struggling with unemployment,” said California Labor Secretary Julie A. Su.

“California must continue to prepare our health care delivery system and make sure it has every resource to respond to a potential surge in COVID-19 patients. California’s most valuable resource is its people and I join the Governor in calling on all medical professionals to join the fight against COVID-19,” said California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly.

More ways for Californians to support their communities and request assistance are outlined on the California Volunteers website serve.ca.gov. For more information on the state’s response to COVID-19, visit covid19.ca.gov.

How you can volunteer right now while avoiding COVID-19

Posted on by Posted in california, Charities, Disease, Emergencies Leave a comment

SACRAMENTO – California Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday today announced several ways Californians can safely help their communities while adhering to California public health officials’ guidance to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

California Volunteers has created a fact sheet which outlines the different ways individuals can help, such as donating to a food bank, delivering meals and supporting nonprofits in their community. The information can be found on [serve.ca.gov]serve.ca.gov and will be shared widely on social media.

“The health and safety of Californians is our top priority. It’s times like these where we need to come together as a state and look out for one another,” said Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday. “Those in need are going to be the most vulnerable in the coming weeks and while we take safety precautions, we are able to help one another during this difficult time.”

Visit serve.ca.gov to find out how you can help your community today.

###

California Volunteers, Office of the Governor is tasked with empowering Californians to take action to improve their communities.

Governor Newsom has issued a mandatory stay at home order

Posted on by Posted in california, Disease, Gavin Newsom, Public Safety Leave a comment

CA is issuing a statewide, mandatory stay at home order, according to Governor Gavin Newsom’s Twitter page.

Those that work in critical sectors should go to work. Grocery stores, pharmacies, banks and more will stay open.

Everyone is required to stay home except to get food, care for a relative or friend, get necessary health care, or go to an essential job. If you go out, keep at least 6 feet of distance.

Go to http://covid19.ca.gov to learn more.

As of March 18, 2020 at 6 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time, there are 675 positive cases and 16 deaths in California. Governor Newsom declared a State of Emergency on March 4th, 2020. See the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) for the latest data.

CA State education leaders issue new guidance for schools, districts

Posted on by Posted in Education, Santa Ana, SAUSD Leave a comment

The California Department of Education introduced new COVID-19 guidance for K-12 schools on Tuesday, covering distance learning and student meals.

Similarly, the state’s Health and Human Services Agency shared considerations for child care and supervision.

“It is imperative that we exhaust all efforts to minimize the disruptive impact a school closure can have on our students and their families,” State Superintendent Tony Thurmond said.

Developed by state educational leaders in collaboration with the governor’s office, the resources are intended to address some of the more pressing concerns of teachers, administrators and parents in the wake of school closures.

Here are some of the highlights:

Distance learning

  • Districts should use a combination of technology and non-technology based activities. Additionally, students can work semi-independently, while teachers are available for “office hours” and student check-ins.
  • Districts must consider equity and access for students who may not have necessary technology when developing distance learning programs. Districts are encouraged to work with their local internet service providers and community groups to help ensure families receive free or affordable internet access during this time of crisis. Districts can also make available to students devices such as Chromebooks so they can connect with teachers.
  • Schools can also make available paper workbooks for families to pick from schools if online learning is not the most convenient option. For these students, teachers can schedule in-person meetings with individual students as long as they follow CDC health guidelines, including social distancing procedures.
  • For more, visit https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/he/hn/distancelearning.asp.

School meals

  • Districts should continue offering nutritious lunch and breakfast options, especially for those children ages 18 and younger who rely on free or reduced-priced meals during traditional school hours.
  • Meal distribution sites should be located in areas that are easily accessible to children eligible for free or reduced-price meals. Schools do not need to distribute meals on a school site and can distribute them at another site convenient to the community such as, but not limited to, local food banks, resource centers, Boys and Girls Clubs, YMCAs, community centers and libraries.
  • No meal applications or fees should be collected from children or families. But currently, children must be present to receive meals.
  • For more, visit https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/he/hn/schoolmeals.asp.

Child care and supervision

  • Districts receiving funding for child care programs should, to the extent practicable, arrange for supervision for students during ordinary school hours.
  • Districts should coordinate with the local Health Care Agency to ensure these programs remain safe for students and staff.
  • Districts should collaborate with community partners and other local and state government agencies to provide “pop-up” child care centers for emergency responders and other workers in jobs deemed essential during a time of crisis.
  • For more, visit https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/he/hn/guidance.asp.

The full guidance can be found at www.cde.ca.gov/ls/he/hn/coronavirus.asp.

“Child care, educational options, meal service, and providing support to our students with disabilities are all issues that our school communities are grappling with right now,” Thurmond said in a statement. “I am pleased that the governor provided the necessary answers and solutions that our LEAs (local education agencies) need to move forward as they continue to support and serve students throughout the state.”

Governor Newsom signs an Executive Order ensuring State funding for schools that close due to the COVID-19 virus

Posted on by Posted in california, Disease, Education, Gavin Newsom Leave a comment

Order mandates that school districts use dollars to fund distance learning and high quality educational opportunities, safely provide school meals, and arrange for the supervision of students during school hours

Order requires Department of Education and California Health & Human Services Agency to develop strategies to address equity challenges around internet connectivity, ensure students with disabilities receive specialized education, and safely provide meals

Order urges employers to take area school closures into account and provide flexibility during the COVID-19 crisis

SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today issued an executive order ensuring California public school districts retain state funding even in the event of physical closure. The order directs school districts to use those state dollars to fund distance learning and high quality educational opportunities, provide school meals and, as practicable, arrange for the supervision for students during school hours.

“Closing schools has a massive, cascading effect for our kids and their families – especially those least equipped financially to deal with them. The needs of California kids must be met regardless of whether their school is open or closed. School districts that choose to close must use state educational dollars to quickly meet the needs of children and families. The State of California is working around the clock to help those districts and provide best practices to ensure no kid is left behind,” said Governor Newsom.

“I applaud Governor Newsom for the action in his Executive Order to provide schools with the tools they need to continue providing students with high quality education while keeping them safe. This allows schools to put safety first without jeopardizing the financial resources needed to meet the needs of our students. The California Department of Education looks forward to working closely with Governor Newsom and educators from across the state to provide guidance for addressing critical education issues such as providing students with meals and insuring the delivery of needed services and supports to students with disabilities,” said California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond.

The order provides that even if schools close temporarily because of COVID-19, school districts must:

  • Continue delivering high-quality educational opportunities to students through other options, distance learning and independent study;
  • Safely provide school meals through the Summer Food Service Program and Seamless Summer Option, consistent with the requirements of the California Department of Education and U.S. Department of Agriculture;
  • To the extent practicable, arrange for supervision for students during ordinary school hours
  • Continue to pay employees.

The full executive order can be viewed here.

State Efforts to Assist California Workers

California will continue acting swiftly to help workers hurt by COVID-19. Affected workers can visit the Labor & Workforce Development Agency’s website to review what benefits are available to them. For instance,

  • If you’re unable to work because you are caring for an ill or quarantined family member with COVID-19 you may qualify for Paid Family Leave (PFL).
  • If you’re unable to work due to medical quarantine or illness, you may qualify for Disability Insurance. Those who have lost a job or have had their hours reduced for reasons related to COVID-19 may be able to partially recover their wages by filing an unemployment insurance claim.
  • If a worker or a family member is sick or for preventative care when civil authorities recommend quarantine, workers may use accrued paid sick leave in accordance with the law.
  • If workers are unable to do their usual job because they were exposed to and contracted COVID-19 during the regular course of their work, they may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. All information and resources can be found at Labor.Ca.Gov/Coronavirus2019

All Community Guidance Released from CDPH:
The California Department of Public Health has consolidated state guidance on how to prepare and protect Californians from COVID-19 in a single location. This includes guidance for:

  • Health care facilities, including long-term care facilities
  • Community care facilities, including assisted living facilities and child care
  • Schools and institutions of higher education
  • First responders, including paramedics and EMTs
  • Employers, health care workers and workers in general industry
  • Health care plans
  • Home cleaning with COVID-19 positive individuals
  • Gathering Guidance
  • Guidance for Using Disinfectants at Schools and Child Cares
  • Laboratories
  • Health care facilities from Cal/OSHA
  • Homelessness Providers

What to Do if You Think You’re Sick:
Call ahead: If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 and may have had contact with a person with COVID-19, or recently traveled to countries with apparent community spread, call your health care provider or local public health department first before seeking medical care so that appropriate precautions can be taken.

California’s Response to COVID-19:
We have been actively and extensively planning with our local public health and health care delivery systems. Here are some of the things we are already doing:

  • The Governor has signed an executive order further enhancing California’s ability to respond to the pandemic. The order directs residents to follow public health directives and guidance, including to cancel large non-essential gatherings that do not meet state criteria; waives the one-week waiting period for people who are unemployed and/or disabled as a result of COVID-19; and readies the state to commandeer property for temporary residences and medical facilities for quarantining, isolating or treating individuals, among other things.
  • As in any public health event, the California Department of Public Health’s Medical and Health Coordination Center has been activated and is coordinating public health response efforts across the state.
  • California continues to prepare and respond in coordination with federal and local partners, hospitals and physicians.
  • Governor Newsom declared a State of Emergency to make additional resources available, formalize emergency actions already underway across multiple state agencies and departments, and help the state prepare for broader spread of COVID-19.
  • Governor Gavin Newsom requested the Legislature make up to $20 million available for state government to respond to the spread of COVID-19.
  • California activated the State Operations Center to its highest level to coordinate response efforts across the state.
  • 24 million more Californians are now eligible for free medically necessary COVID-19 testing.
  • California made available some of its emergency planning reserves of 21 million N95 filtering face piece masks for use in certain health care settings to ease shortages of personal protective equipment.
  • The Public Health Department is providing information, guidance documents, and technical support to local health departments, health care facilities, providers, schools, universities, colleges, and childcare facilities across California
  • The California Employment Development Department (EDD) is encouraging individuals who are unable to work due to exposure to COVID-19 to file a Disability Insurance claim.
  • EDD is also encouraging employers who are experiencing a slowdown in their businesses or services as a result of the Coronavirus impact on the economy to apply for an Unemployment Insurance work sharing program.
  • California continues to work in partnership with the federal government to aid in the safe return of 962 Californians from the Grand Princess cruise ship. This mission is centered around protecting the health of the passengers, and ensuring that when the passengers disembark, the public health of the United States, the State of California, and partner communities is protected.
  • The Public Health Department is coordinating with federal authorities and local health departments that have implemented screening, monitoring and, in some cases quarantine of returning travelers.
  • In coordination with the CDC, state and local health departments, we are actively responding to cases of COVID-19.
  • The Public Health Department is supporting hospitals and local public health laboratories in the collection of specimens and testing for COVID-19.

The California Department of Public Health’s state laboratory in Richmond and 18 other public health department laboratories now have tests for the virus that causes COVID-19. Eighteen of them are currently conducting tests, with the others coming online soon.​

For more the most up to date information on COVID-19 and California’s response, visit the CDPH website.

Governor Newsom makes State-owned properties available for emergency homeless housing

Posted on by Posted in california, Gavin Newsom, homeless, Housing, Santa Ana 1 Comment

SACRAMENTO – A day after meeting with officials from cities across California on the front lines of the homelessness crisis, Governor Gavin Newsom today highlighted the 286 state-owned properties available to local governments to use for homelessness solutions. The Governor called on local leaders to review the sites available in their regions and invited officials to work with the state to develop housing and shelter proposals that help move people off the streets. The state is offering local governments $1 leases on state owned-property, and the $650 million in State Emergency Homeless Aid can be used to build out sites.

“As a former mayor I get that localism is determinative and that all levels of government must work together to get Californians off the street and into housing and supportive services,” said Governor Newsom. “The state is stepping up by making land available to cities and counties willing to meet this moment head-on. I invite local leaders to use this land on what works for their community’s homeless needs so that we can begin to make meaningful progress to help individuals experiencing homelessness.”

The Governor announced the release of these properties as part of his State of the State address Wednesday. They include vacant lots, fairgrounds, armories and other state buildings – and were identified as part of the Governor’s executive order requiring state agencies to take urgent action to make state properties and facilities available to rapidly increase housing and shelter options. The Department of General Services has developed an interactive map of the available properties, which will continue to be updated as it works with local governments on the suitability of parcels for temporary shelter.

In his State of the State address, Governor Newsom called on all levels of government to step up their efforts to combat the homelessness crisis, and laid out his Administration’s five-part approach – reducing street homelessness quickly and humanely through emergency actions, a laser focus on getting the mentally ill out of tents and into treatment, providing stable funding to get sustainable results, tackling the underproduction of affordable housing in California, and doing all of this with real accountability and consequences.

Following his State of the State address, the Governor will travel the state meeting with service providers and homeless individuals and hearing directly from Californians about his Administration’s homelessness response. He kicked off this tour in Yountville yesterday, where he met with over 50 leaders at the League of California Cities meeting, outlining his vision and inviting partnerships.

The Governor has released the full $650 million in State Emergency Homeless Aid and issued a challenge for cities and counties to partner with the state on immediate impact solutions to tackle homelessness. On the heels of his proposed budget featuring more than $1 billion to fight homelessness, and executive order on homelessness, Governor Newsom last month traveled to San Diego, Oakland, Grass Valley, Riverside, Los Angeles and Fresno, participating in a local point-in-time count and meeting with staff and residents at shelters, a board and care home, and a crisis stabilization center.

California could put 10,000 repeat felons back on the street

Posted on by Posted in Andrew Do, Crime, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Orange County is asking Governor Gavin Newsom to veto legislation that would reduce sentences for as many as 10,000 repeat felons.

Senate Bill 136, authored by Senator Scott Wiener, D- San Francisco, would eliminate a one-year sentence enhancement for repeat offenders that go on to commit more crimes. According to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, an estimated 10,000 inmates are currently serving sentences under existing sentencing laws.

“SB 136 is dangerous,” said Supervisor Andrew Do, a former prosecutor. “California lawmakers are putting dangerous predators back on the streets, where they can terrorize our neighborhoods.”

On Tuesday, the Orange County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved OC Supervisor Andrew Do’s resolution urging Gov. Newsom to veto the controversial legislation.  

SB 136: Early Release for Child Abuse, Domestic Violence

Neither the poorly crafted bill nor the legislative analyses identify the complete list of crimes that would qualify for shorter sentences. The Associated Press reports that it “would ease sentences for those convicted of repeat child abuse and domestic violence offenses.”

“This legislation grants early release to violent felons that have repeatedly engaged in child abuse and domestic violence,” said Supervisor Do. “SB 136 sends a horrible message to crime victims: California won’t protect you from the devastating violence of child abuse and spousal abuse.”

SB 136 faced bipartisan opposition in the state legislature from victims’ rights advocates, prosecutors and law enforcement agencies, including the California District Attorneys Association and California State Sheriffs Association. Sixteen Democratic lawmakers opposed the bill.

“There’s got to be accountability at some point,” Democratic Assemblyman Jim Cooper of Sacramento, a former sheriff’s deputy, told the Associated Press.

California Already Released 48,000 Prisoners in 12 Years
SB 136 comes as California has already granted early release to tens of thousands of prisoners. Today, there are approximately 48,298 fewer prisoners in California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation facilities than in 2006.

“48,000 prisoners back on the streets is equivalent to the population of Aliso Viejo or Cypress,” said Supervisor Do.

As of October 31, 2006, at midnight, 173,357 inmates were incarcerated in California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation facilities. As of September 18, 2019, at midnight, that figure is just 125,059.

Supervisor Andrew Do represents Orange County’s First District, which includes the Central Orange County Cities of Santa Ana, Garden Grove, Westminster, a portion of the City of Fountain Valley, and the unincorporated community of Midway City. In his second term, Supervisor Do has reformed Orange County’s mental health services, expanded access to health care, and led efforts to combat homelessness.

Mayor Pulido has requested more state funding for homeless resources

Posted on by Posted in california, Gavin Newsom, homeless, Miguel Pulido, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Mayor Pulido Joins Big City Mayors to Call for More State Resources to Address Homelessness

Mayors from California’s 13 largest cities met yesterday with the governor and legislative leaders to advocate for additional state resources in the 2019 budget to address the ongoing homelessness crisis. The mayors highlighted the success of the Homeless Emergency Aid Program (HEAP), an allocation of $500 million – of which $150 million went directly to cities with a population of 300,000 or more – that is on track to produce more than 4,000 new shelter beds across the state.

“The City of Santa Ana is grateful to the State of California for the Homeless Emergency Aid Program block grant, that we collectively advocated to come to fruition last year through a strong coalition of Big City Mayors,” said Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido. “We have successfully expanded our joint efforts through the support of two additional cities, intensifying the need of funding for the future to address the national crisis of homelessness. We are excited that Governor Newsom had made funding homelessness a priority as we see the direct result of state funding creating positive change in our community.”

California’s homeless population now stands at 134,278, according to 2017 statewide counts – an increase of 16% from 2015. Half of all the country’s homeless are in California; nearly half of California’s homeless are in the state’s 13 largest cities.

“State and local partnerships are critical to tackling issues as big as our homeless crisis,” said Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco), who helped the Big City Mayors secure HEAP funding in the 2018-2019 state budget. “Last year, California’s significant investment in emergency assistance enabled cities to quickly ramp up the number of beds and services available in the hardest hit communities. But we need to do more to truly solve this problem. I look forward to working with all stakeholders to determine how we can keep moving people off the streets and into affordable housing.”

Across the state, cities have utilized HEAP funds to dramatically increase capacity for low-barrier shelters, Navigation Centers, Bridge Housing, rental subsidies, and other supportive services to get traditionally hard-to-serve people into housing. The mayors highlighted how quickly the state was able to disburse funds to local governments, allocating resources according to need as demonstrated by 2017 PIT Counts, and the flexibility of what resources could be spent on as critical components of the program’s success. That information is now available in a report on HEAP funding allocation released by Big City Mayors yesterday.

New California State Senate Bill will bring even more new apartments to Santa Ana

Posted on by Posted in california, Development, Housing, John Moorlach, Planning, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Santa Ana residents who are sore about the new apartments being developed in town are really going to be upset when they hear about Senate Bill 50, a bill by State Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), who is trying to resolve the 3.5-million-home deficit in California.

Senate Bill 50 is a second attempt at making it easier to build high density housing by essentially circumventing local planning regulations if certain conditions exist. Senate Bill 50 is very likely to apply to much of Santa Ana.

SB 50 would waive allow for the construction of apartments near “high-quality transit” – meaning within a half-mile of a rail station or a quarter-mile of a bus stop with frequent service – and also in job-rich areas – which are identified by the Department of Housing and Community Development and the Office of Planning and Research. Developments located within a half-mile radius of a transit stop, but outside of a quarter-mile radius, would be eligible for waivers from height limits less than 45 feet and FAR limits of 2.5-to-1. Developments located within a quarter-mile radius of a transit stop would be eligible for waivers for height requirements under 55 feet and FAR limits of 3.25-to-1. According to a release from the advocacy organization California YIMBY, this effectively amounts to four- and five-story buildings, according to Urbanize L.A.

All of that is of course good news for developer Ryan Ogulnick, who is trying to build a new high quality apartment development at 2525 N. Main St., which is located just a quarter mile from two busy bus stops and is in an area replete with medical, retail and office jobs. In short SB 50 would ensure that his project would be approved even if the City of Santa Ana did not approve it. Of course that approval is now almost a certainty as the project’s EIR (Environmental Impact Report) was very positive and the Santa Ana Planning Agency’s staff review of the EIR was also glowing. It is now just a formality for the Santa Ana Planning Commission and eventually the Santa Ana City Council to approve this project.

SB 50 ensures that Ogulnick’s project won’t be the last of its kind. In fact another huge project is currently being planned at the MainPlace Mall. 

SB 50 has the support of local Republican hero State Senator John Moorlach – the man who predicted the Orange County bankruptcy. While the GOP has little pull in Sacramento, Moorlach’s support for SB 50 means this bill is likely go pass the State Legislature and I would be shocked if incoming Governor Gavin Newsom did not sign it. 

Santa Ana’s voters opted to raise their own taxes but are giving Tinajero the boot

Posted on by Posted in 2018 elections, Santa Ana 4 Comments

Sal Tinajero

The votes have not yet been completely tallied but so far it looks like Santa Ana’s voters have decided to raise their own sales and property taxes as Measures X and I are winning easily.

However the architect of Measure X, Sal Tinajero, is getting thoroughly trounced by longtime Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido, who has a comfortable 2,000 vote margin. This means the increasingly strident Tinajero is finished as he is now termed off the City Council as well.  Continue reading→

New bill ensures that teenage gangbangers in California won’t be tried as adults

Posted on by Posted in california, Crime, Democratic Party, Gangs, Jerry Brown, Politics Leave a comment

California Governor Jerry Brown has signed a bill that will allow teenage gangbangers to kill each other without having to worry about being sentenced as adults. Please remember this when you vote for our next Governor as Gavin Newsom is likely to continue such policies! Here is the official press release:

Gov. Brown signs bills to end sentencing of 14- and 15-year-olds in adult criminal court, support exonerated people after prison

SACRAMENTO – Gov. Brown today signed research-based criminal justice reforms to improve rehabilitation and reduce the odds of re-offending. Continue reading→

California EBT cards will be blacked out from June 23 to 24 due to a vendor change

Posted on by Posted in california Leave a comment

EBT CARDHOLDER OUTAGE NOTIFICATION

Statewide EBT Outage Scheduled for Saturday, June 23 through Sunday, June 24

Orange County, CA – The state of California is transitioning to a new Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Vendor on June 30, 2018. Because of this transition, a statewide 24-hour EBT outage and black-out period is scheduled from Saturday, June 23, 2018 beginning at 11 p.m. until Sunday, June 24, 2018 at 11:00 p.m. During this outage, cardholders will not be able to access their EBT food or cash benefits. EBT cardholders are encouraged to plan ahead for their shopping needs. Continue reading→

The OC Board of Supervisors voted today to oppose California’s Sanctuary State law

Posted on by Posted in california, Civic Affairs, Crime, immigration, Orange County, Politics, Santa Ana 1 Comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 27, 2018

Contact: Denis Bilodeau, 714-749-6386

Orange County Supervisors votes to join the Department of Justice litigation against California State Law Senate Bill 54 “California Values Act”

SANTA ANA, CA— Today on a vote of 4-0, the Board of Supervisors authorized and directed County Counsel to intervene in the pending case United States v. California, Case #18-264 on behalf of the County of Orange. The Department of Justice’s lawsuit seeks to restore the federal government’s Constitutional authority and sole jurisdiction over immigration issues and end the existing conflict that local law enforcement encounters with state law. The County of Orange seeks to join this lawsuit. Continue reading→

Retired white man wants to represent Santa Ana in the CA State Senate

Posted on by Posted in 2018 elections, Democratic Party, Politics, Santa Ana, Tom Umberg 10 Comments

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 21, 2018

RETIRED U.S. ARMY COLONEL & FORMER FEDERAL PROSECUTOR TOM UMBERG ANNOUNCES CANDIDACY FOR STATE SENATE

Also Announces Endorsements From U.S. Congressman Lou Correa, State Assemblyman Tom Daly, Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido, State Senator Betty Karnette (Ret.), and former Long Beach Mayor Robert Foster

SANTA ANA – U.S. Army Colonel (Ret.) & former Federal Prosecutor and State Assemblyman Tom Umberg announced today that he is running for State Senate to represent California’s 34th Senate District.

“I am running for State Senate because I believe that our community needs a strong fighter in Sacramento who will stand up to President Trump and his Administration on important issues like health care, immigration, energy, the environment, civil rights, education, and consumer issues,” said Umberg who previously represented the cities of Anaheim, Garden Grove, Santa Ana, and Westminster during three terms in the California State Assembly. Continue reading→

California’s Big 11 Mayors and State Lawmakers announce Legislation for $1.5B to address the homeless crisis

Posted on by Posted in california, Civic Affairs, Crime, homeless, Miguel Pulido, Politics, Santa Ana Leave a comment

City of Santa Ana

Community: California Big 11 Mayors and State Lawmakers Announce Legislation for $1.5 Billion to Address Homeless Crisis

Santa Ana, CA – Today, the mayors of the eleven largest cities in California and a bi-partisan group of state lawmakers announced the introduction of AB 3171, which allocates $1.5 billion from the state budget to help address the growing homeless crisis. Assemblyman Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) and State Senator Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens) will champion the effort in their respective houses.

“Homelessness is first and foremost a humanitarian crisis, but it is also the single greatest threat to the economic prosperity, opportunity and growth our cities are fighting for,” said Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg, who leads the Big 11. “We are on the front lines of providing compassionate and effective solutions to this issue, and we request that our state partners make alleviating homelessness in our cities an even greater priority.” Continue reading→