New Santa Ana | Tag Archives: california

Santa Ana prepares for the drought

Posted on May 9, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in california, Civic Affairs, Miguel Pulido, Santa Ana, Water 3 Comments

By: Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido

California is in its fourth year of a severe drought. In response, Governor Jerry Brown issued an Executive Order on April 1st, mandating statewide water reductions for the first time in history. The Governor’s Executive Order calls for a reduction in water usage by 25 percent statewide. To achieve these savings, the State Water Board has adopted emergency regulations to set water use reduction targets for communities around the state.

What does this mean in Santa Ana? Continue reading→

Santa Ana residents can get paid for replacing their water-wasting lawns

Posted on April 4, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Santa Ana, Water Leave a comment

By now you surely are aware that California’s drought is not going away. It is getting worse. And while the evidence shows that much of the problem involves water wasted on a small but rare fish in the Delta, up north, and the water-consuming crops, such as rice and almonds, that farmers insist on growing, in the San Joaquin Valley (because they pay too little for their water), the reality is that here in Santa Ana we are going to have to find more ways to conserve water.

One option that is available is turf replacement and SoCal WaterSmart is offering a generous rebate right now if you replace the turf grass around your home.

Grass uses a lot of water and requires frequent maintenance – making it a time-consuming and expensive yard option. In fact, the average residential customer spends about 60% of their water on outdoor irrigation. By changing turf to a California Friendly™ yard of drought tolerant plants you can save water and money. Continue reading→

Gov. Brown directs the first ever Statewide mandatory water reductions

Posted on April 1, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in california, Democratic Party, Jerry Brown, Politics, Water Leave a comment

4-1-2015

GOVERNOR BROWN DIRECTS FIRST EVER STATEWIDE MANDATORY WATER REDUCTIONS

SACRAMENTO – Following the lowest snowpack ever recorded and with no end to the drought in sight, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced actions that will save water, increase enforcement to prevent wasteful water use, streamline the state’s drought response and invest in new technologies that will make California more drought resilient.

“Today we are standing on dry grass where there should be five feet of snow. This historic drought demands unprecedented action,” said Governor Brown. “Therefore, I’m issuing an executive order mandating substantial water reductions across our state. As Californians, we must pull together and save water in every way possible.” Continue reading→

Santa Ana College awarded $5 million in state funding for innovation in higher education

Posted on March 23, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in california, Education, Politics, Santa Ana Leave a comment

$50 MILLION AWARDED FOR INNOVATION IN HIGHER EDUCATION

SACRAMENTO – Recognizing campuses of the University of California (UC), California State University (CSU) and California Community Colleges that are expanding access to higher education by improving outcomes, the Committee on Awards for Innovation in Higher Education today announced the winners of a total of $50 million in awards.

“The innovations we are celebrating today are already helping to maintain and expand access to higher education for California’s students,” said Michael Cohen, chair of the Committee on Awards for Innovation in Higher Education and director of the Department of Finance. “Today’s action recognizes the hard work, innovation and creativity of our higher education campuses in improving the success of their students.” Continue reading→

Solorio appointed to the California Student Aid Commission

Posted on January 8, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in california, Education, Jose Solorio, Santa Ana 1 Comment

For Immediate Release: January 8, 2015
For More Information Contact: Maricela Taylor, (714) 794-8431

JOSE SOLORIO APPOINTED TO CALIFORNIA STUDENT AID COMMISSION

Appointed by State Senate Rules Committee, the Rancho Santiago Community College District Trustee Will Focus On Making Higher Education Affordable

Santa Ana – The State Senate Rules Committee voted this week to appoint Community College Trustee Jose Solorio to the California Student Aid Commission. Since its creation by the State Legislature in 1955, the Commission has served as the principal state agency responsible for administering financial aid programs (e.g., Cal Grants) for students attending public and private universities, colleges, and vocational schools in California. Continue reading→

$151M in tax credits available to Santa Ana businesses

Posted on January 8, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in Business, california, irvine, Santa Ana, Taxes Leave a comment

City of Santa Ana, Downtown Orange County

Community Alert: Santa Ana Businesses – $151 Million In Tax Credits Available Through State Program

Santa Ana, CA (January 8, 2015) – On Monday, January 5th, The Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) opened the California Competes program and began accepting applications for businesses that want to add jobs in California. The state will provide $151 million in tax credits this fiscal year to small, medium and large companies across the state.

Last fiscal year, GO-Biz awarded $28.9 million to 29 companies that are planning to create 6,000 jobs and invest more than $2 billion in the state. Continue reading→

U.S. Rep. Sanchez’ statement on the retirement of Senator Boxer

Posted on January 8, 2015 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2016 Elections, Barbara Boxer, california, Democratic Party, Loretta Sanchez, Politics, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez, Representing California’s 46th Congressional District
STATEMENT, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 8, 2015
MEDIA CONTACT: Barb Solish, Barb.Solish@mail.house.gov

REP. LORETTA SANCHEZ STATEMENT ON SENATOR BOXER RETIREMENT

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (CA-46) today released the following statement after California Senator Barbara Boxer announced that she would not seek re-election in 2016.

“Senator Barbara Boxer has made history more times than I can count. As a champion of environmental protection, quality public education and women’s rights, Senator Boxer has played a pivotal role in Washington. Above all, Senator Boxer put Californians first and for that our state will be forever grateful. Continue reading→

Governor Brown pardons over one hundred convicts

Posted on December 25, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in california, Crime, Jerry Brown 1 Comment

GOVERNOR BROWN GRANTS PARDONS

12-24-2014

SACRAMENTO – Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced that he has granted 105 pardons.

The individuals granted pardons all completed their sentences and have been released from custody for more than a decade without further criminal activity.

Individuals who have been convicted of a crime in California may apply to the Governor for a pardon. All applicants for a pardon who were eligible obtained a Certificate of Rehabilitation, which is an order from a superior court declaring that a person convicted of a crime is now rehabilitated. A gubernatorial pardon may be granted to people who have demonstrated exemplary behavior and have lived productive and law-abiding lives following their conviction. Pardons are not granted unless they are earned. Continue reading→

Santa Ana to receive another $1.5M in active transportation state funding

Posted on November 24, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in california, Santa Ana, Transportation 1 Comment

City of Santa Ana

Community Alert: CALIFORNIA TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION (CTC) AWARDS CITY AN ADDITIONAL $1.5 MILLION IN ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION FUNDING

SANTA ANA, CA (November 24, 2014) – The City of Santa Ana was recently awarded an additional $1.5 million in Active Transportation Program (ATP) Cycle 1 funding for two more projects by the California Transportation Commission (CTC).

“Keeping our roadways safe for all modes of transportation is a major priority for the City. This is great news for the City because when combined with the six projects approved in August, it means the City will receive a total of about $4.8 million dedicated to bicycle and pedestrian improvements,” said Councilman Vincent Sarmiento. Continue reading→

Did the City violate their Sunshine Act with regard to their new water regs?

Posted on October 25, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in california, Civic Affairs, Santa Ana, Sunshine Ordinance, Water 11 Comments

The City of Santa Ana announced this week that “under their approved emergency water regulations, they have declared a Level 1 Water Shortage. This means every municipal water user must reduce their consumption by 3 percent compared to their usage during the same time period last year. Failure to achieve the 3 percent conservation reduction the first time will result in a warning to increase your conservation efforts. Continuous failure to conserve may result in a 15 percent penalty on your water bill.

The City has made the information about their water regulations readily available online. However according to the City’s Water Conservation Ordinance No. NS-2781, which was passed by the City on April, 20, 2009, the City was also supposed to:

When a water shortage appears imminent, the City Manager notifies the City Council and recommends holding a public hearing for the purpose of determining whether a water shortage emergency exists. If the City Council determines that a water shortage exists, it then makes the decision as to the appropriate phase of the Ordinance to implement.” Continue reading→

The voter registration deadline is today for the Nov. General Election

Posted on October 20, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in california, Politics, Santa Ana Leave a comment

City of Santa Ana

Community Alert: VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS TODAY, OCTOBER 20

SANTA ANA, CA (October 20, 2014) – The City of Santa Ana along with numerous organizations encourage you to exercise your right to vote. The deadline to register to vote for the November 2014 Election is today – Monday, October 20, 2014.

You may register to vote in California, if:

You are a United States citizen
You are a resident of California
You are at least 18 years of age (or will be by the date of the Election)
You are not in prison or on parole for a felony conviction
You have not been judged by a court to be mentally incompetent

Continue reading→

Governor signs bill that will allow community colleges to offer four year degrees

Posted on September 29, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in california, Education, Jerry Brown, Politics, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Santa Ana College

Governor Jerry Brown has signed a bill, SB 850, by Senator Marty Block (D-San Diego) that will allow community college districts to grant baccalaureate degrees. This will start out as a pilot program that will allow 15 campuses from 15 different districts to offer one baccalaureate degree each starting Jan.1, 2015 and ending in July 1, 2023. Programs would begin no later than the 2017-18 academic year.

Baccalaureate degrees offered at the chosen campuses could not be duplicative of degrees offered by the University of California (UC) or California State University (CSU) campuses. “It will be value added, not duplicative,” Block said. The state’s community college Board of Governors and Chancellor in consultation with the UC and CSU systems would select the participating districts and campuses. Continue reading→

Gov. Brown rejects State Senator Correa’s Mexico Trade Office bill

Posted on September 28, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in california, Democratic Party, Governor Jerry Brown, Lou Correa, mexico, Politics Leave a comment

Governor Jerry Brown announced yesterday that he had declined to sign State Senator Lou Correa’s SB 928 – a bill that would have required the Governor’s Office of Economic and Business Development to open an international trade and investment office in Mexico.

In Brown’s veto message he wrote that he agreed that trade with Mexico is of significant importance. Brown mentioned that he traveled to Mexico in August of this year and he hosted the President of Mexico in Sacramento shortly thereafter. Continue reading→

Bi-partisan legislation to reopen trade office in Mexico passes final legislative test

Posted on August 24, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Bob Huff, Business, california, Lou Correa, mexico, Politics, Republican Party Leave a comment

Governor Jerry Brown meets Mexico's President Enrique Peña Nieto

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 20, 2014

CONTACT: Damon Conklin (Senator Lou Correa), 916-651-4034, Bill Bird (Senator Bob Huff), 916-651-4029

Bi-Partisan Legislation to Reopen Trade Office in Mexico Passes Final Legislative Test

SACRAMENTO, CA: Legislation to help boost California’s exports to Mexico cleared its final legislative hurdle today, passing off the Senate Floor with unanimous support.

SB 928, authored by Senators Lou Correa (D-Santa Ana) and Bob Huff (R-Diamond Bar) would direct the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (“GO-Biz”) to establish a California trade office in Mexico City by January 1, 2016. Continue reading→

Drought severity increasing

Posted on June 21, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Santa Ana, Water Leave a comment

Drought Severity Increasing

By Orange County Supervisor Pat Bates

May was Water Awareness month, and as you probably noticed, water was in the news. Not because it was May, but because the severity of the California drought is increasing. Farmers are pumping more and more water from underground aquifers that can’t support the demand. Communities throughout the state are literally going dry.

So why is the message not as grim or dire in Southern California? It’s because we have invested in water storage, water use efficiency, and new supply sources; we have prepared for dry times like the present. However, a long, hot summer could put us into water allocations or even water rationing if we don’t do our best to be more water efficient now.

It is important to note there is a state mandate from the Governor to do the following: Continue reading→