JUST SAYIN’-LA’s Support for Split Roll: You might remember that the concept of split roll came out of the passage of Proposition 13 several decades ago. One part, which was to keep homeowner property taxes down, has lived up to its promises and expectations, but another portion of that same regulation also keeps the tax rate down for large businesses and corporations. All these years later, these companies are still taking advantage of the loophole that was written into that law.
Clearly, the value of these businesses has catapulted during the last 40-some years but their tax responsibility has remained disproportionately low. As a result, the homeowner is in essence largely footing the bill for those enterprises which rightfully should be paying more--while California communities have been and continue to be losing out on countless millions of dollars.
This past Tuesday, many of us met downtown to attend a LA City Council Meeting. It is always amusing to witness how quickly many agenda items are dispatched. My group (Evolve) was there to support the split-roll motion (originally introduced by Councilmembers Koretz, Krekorian et al) about which I have written earlier.
Evolve expected some heated discussion on both sides. In fact, we were prepared for that eventuality. Quite a number from the organization had even driven down from the San Francisco Headquarters in order to participate. I was dismayed when my own Councilmember, Mitch Englander, asked that the item be pulled from the consent calendar, suggesting the possibility of the motion being voted down later that morning.
Before we knew it, however, Council President Herb Wesson called up the agenda item and with no discussion and 5 seconds to lock in the vote, the motion passed unanimously (or so I thought until I looked again). Englander was the only NO. Incredible, I thought! Then an anonymous source shared with me that Englander most likely voted that way to gain or cement support for his re-election campaign. Well, not mine! Very disappointing, but we did win the war if not the battle with CD 12.
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Statewide Ban on Single-Use Plastic Bags: State Senator Alex Padilla (now running for California Secretary of State) last year introduced a bill to ban these bags throughout the State. It lost by only three votes in the State Senate, but he did not give up or give in. He re-introduced it this year, only to pass in the Senate and lose in the Assembly. It is another set-back, but proponents will not abandon this pursuit.
Since the sky did not fall when Los Angeles and other California cities passed such a ban, I feel confident that it will be approved sooner than later, especially as increasing numbers of us are becoming ever more enlightened.
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California Clean-Money Act: Yesterday we thought we were going to learn about the vote on this important issue (also referenced as the “Follow-the-Money Disclosure”). Legislative approval will have a significant impact on all of us. However, the vote has been postponed to later in the week. Many of us are on pins and needles as we await the outcome.
With the Citizens United and subsequent McCutcheon Supreme Court rulings, political campaign donation policy has been turned on its head. A partial remedy for this problem would be the passage of the Disclose Act which will require that the top three donors (of at least $10,000) be noticed on all ads in all media genres (and display the website where we can find the information on the top ten). Passage will strengthen the Political Reform Act of 1976, providing voters with “full” knowledge of who is backing each side. This would be a step toward the transparency which most of us are seeking in campaigns (even though it would only apply to proposed State propositions)—a start.
The logical next step is overturning (through future rulings) the despised Citizens and McCutcheon decisions. Short of that possibility, passage of Ted Lieu’s SB 1272 would have Sacramento convince Congress to pass a Constitutional Amendment to accomplish this aim.
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Aliso Canyon: As a follow-up to the recent Porter Ranch Neighborhood Council Meeting on this proposed expansion project, a subsequent educational meeting was held in Northridge. A panel of experts offered additional information on fracking. A film was also presented which was an in-your-face video of exactly how this procedure is executed and the myriad of negative consequences it causes.
It was heart-breaking to see little kittens struggle to stand up on their own, or cows that were mangy, or other animals for which it was an effort just to breathe. The obvious reaction, If the side-effects of fracking is that potent, what is the process doing to us—the human population?
I was thunder-struck when we were given a full list of exemptions that oil companies have been able to wrangle out of our legislators. Based on the “2005 Halliburton Loophole” (a passage of exceptions had been slipped into the much larger bill and managed to get overlooked when the final vote was taken), the following acts (Thank you, Mr. Cheney!) would no longer apply to these oil-related corporations:
- Clean Air
- Clean Water
- Safe Drinking Water
- Hydraulic Fracking
- National Environmental Policy
- Resource Conservation and Recovery
- Right-to-Know
- Superfund
We cannot be duped again! Termo already has its toe in the door. Our County Supervisors must not allow it to slip in its entire foot. It might just turn around and kick us with it.
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UFCW and Food 4 Less: Some happy news regarding the ongoing efforts by the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union. During union negotiations with Kroger-owned Food 4 Less, there have been continuing work actions, demonstrations, boycotts, and speeches.
The workers have been more than two months without a contract. At the eleventh hour, both sides saw the light! Employees will be able to vote on a new contract which addresses better wages, increased hours, and added health benefits. Details are not currently available but it seems to me that the clerks and other workers will be well on their way to a fair and just contract. It’s about time!
We do seem to be witnessing the beginning of a sea-change in how we treat our employees.
For more information, contact UFCW at 213-487-7070.
I shall continue to keep you posted on many issues of interest. Please let me know if there is a topic you would like me to consider (no promises).
Just sayin’.
(Rosemary Jenkins is a Democratic activist and chair of the Northeast Valley Green Alliance. Jenkins has written Leticia in Her Wedding Dress and Other Poems, and Vignettes for Understanding Literary and Related Concepts. She also writes for CityWatch.)
-cw
CityWatch
Vol 12 Issue 70
Pub: Aug 29, 2014