The bill, labeled SB 316, would apply to classrooms containing five or more people and the locks must not prevent students from exiting freely. About 70 percent of California schools already have such locks, according to a press release. However, older classrooms—including dozens in San Diego County—require teachers to lock the doors from outside in the event of an emergency.

Existing law requires the installation of inside door locks in schools built after July 1, 2011. However, SB 316 would extend this by requiring the same from school modernization projects submitted after Jan. 1, 2014, as well.

“This is a very doable safety step that protects our teachers and students from campus intruders,” Block said, according to the press release. “Teachers and other staff should not be forced to expose themselves unnecessarily to danger while trying to protect our students.”

This isn’t the first time parents, teachers or lawmakers have raised questions about the safety measures and security of schools. However, after the Sandy Hook shooting in Newtown, Conn.—in which 20 children and six adults were shot and killed—the issue has once again been thrust into the public eye.

California Federation of Teachers President Joshua Pechthalt supports the bill and considers it a “simple, common sense safety measure.”

Denise Perez, 42, is a mother of four and says she believes inside door locks will deter crime, but cannot magically fix the greater issues at hand that lead to school shootings in the first place, such as bullying.

“We need to be diligent as a community to protect our kids,” Perez said in an email. “Unfortunately, we need more than just doors that lock from the inside to protect them.”

She says additional security measures to consider include locking campuses during school hours—with only the front office as an entrance—and having an emergency button staff members can push in the office to warn teachers of an intruder.

Block said the cost of retrofitting classroom doors with new locks would range from $30 to $60 each and says he’s in the process of finding funding for school districts unable to pay, according to an article by 10News.

The bill should reach Gov. Jerry Brown’s desk this fall. If it passes, schools across California will have until January 2015 to install the locks.

View original article: http://bit.ly/15mcgwq

Students and veterans eat lunch and discuss changes to the GI Bill, in the veteran resource room Feb. 19 | Raionna Nasmyth | Raionnadymond@gmail.com

The stressful life of waking up at the crack of dawn every day to defend American freedom may be never-ending for some military personnel, but for others it is no longer a requirement. The hope of going to school after a term of service was an anticipated reality until recently.

Many prior military service members are finding it increasingly difficult to attend college because of courses they took while they were still in the service. Many men and women in the military put themselves in harms way to preserve America’s freedom with the hope of being able to strive toward a degree when they return to civilian life.

According to Kevin Powers, a consultant to California Sen. Marty Block, AB 2462, the bill that was passed last year to help military veterans receive more academic credits has run into a few snags. The fact that there are 72 community college districts in California and each district has its own set of rules and regulations doesn’t help matters either.

In an ideal world it would be nice to have all 72 districts on the same page, says Powers, but such a scenario is highly unlikely unless it becomes a law.

One of the main issues is that some campuses accept Smart transcripts — the transcripts that are given to military personnel for completing outside courses provided by the military — while others don’t due to not being able to properly match the courses they took with the school’s course codes.

“You’ve got some campuses that won’t accept them and some that will accept a few,” says Powers. “Not everyone is on the same page. It would be easy to say, ‘All right, everyone needs to come to a resolution on how things should be run,’ but the educational system frowns on being told how they should run their school and they enjoy having a bit of flexibility. ”

According to Powers, many veterans and current service members have had problems getting their service assessed for academic credit and having their units count toward core credit for a particular degree.

Depending on the branch, military personnel are required to take certain courses to enhance their job performance. Those courses go onto what is called a Smart transcript or Art transcript, according to Sacramento City College Veterans Affairs staff member Justin Turner. The transcripts are then turned into the schools of choice with hopes of not having to retake courses they have already taken and passed while in the military.

Turner says Sen. Marty Block’s bill will help military personnel by allowing them to use courses they took while still in the military to transfer. Many veterans are finding it increasingly difficult to attend college because courses they took while they were still in the service are being held against them by financial aid.

The financial aid department makes turning in transcripts a losing battle for military personnel, says Turner. A good portion of the academic credits they took end up on the elective list, which are nontransferable to a 4-year college. According to Turner, electives count toward the 72-unit financial aid cap and once the financial aid department has sorted through all of the courses, there are only maybe one or two semesters left to qualify for federal aid.

“I think vets that serve our country and take classes while in the military are getting screwed when they come out,” says Turner. “The units should be going toward their degree and not just financial aid. The units from the transcripts go toward electives, which are used against them due to the financial aid cap. ”

Gov. Jerry Brown is presently looking into the issue, says Powers.

Brown is proposing moving the unit cap from 72 to 90 units with hopes of giving students a chance of being eligible for financial aid, says Powers.

“There is a bipartisan desire to see vets get taken care of when they get out of the service,” says Powers.

California Sen. Marty Block created the bill AB 2462 last year with hopes of restructuring the process for veterans to receive academic credit for their military training, and it became law on Jan. 1, 2013.

“My goal, last year as it will be this year, is for our veterans to receive as much academic credit as is possible and appropriate,” says Block.

In the near future, Block says he plans to address the issue with his community college partners in regard to his concerns that veterans and current service members may be penalized for their service due to the unit cap. But he says he intends to make sure that anyone who has or is currently serving is exempt from the restrictions put in place by the unit cap.

“A  panel of questioners will include Russ Lindquist, editor of the GC Summit; Marc Arizmendez, news director of Griffin Radio; and Sue Gonda, the president of the Academic Senate,” said the organizer,  Journalism Instructor Donald H. Harrison.  “He will be welcomed to the campus by both the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District Chancellor Cindy Miles and Grossmont President Sunita Cooke.”

The first half hour of Block’s presentation will be questions from the panel while the second half will open up questioning to the floor.

Block, a Democrat representing San Diego, chairs the committee in the Assembly to which all legislation concerning colleges and universities is initially referred.  Before his election to the Legislature, he served for eight years as the chairman of the San Diego City College Board.   Prior to that he was a member of the San Diego County Board of Education.

“I will be asking questions that either I came up with or that the Jounalism class (MCOM 132) crafted together and decided,” said Lindquist. “I figure that I will get a whole lot of information from him that is useful for me but also useful for our readers.”

“I am going to be asking basic general questions,” said Arizmendez. “Hopefully I am going to get together with Russ and Mr. Harrison and come up with some good hard hitting questions.”

“I am looking forward to it [the conference] because the economy is shaky in general, so I look forward to getting some real practical advice from this legislator for the sake of making the right choices upcoming as I move onto a University,” said Lindquist.

Gonda was not immediately available for comment.

Arizmendez said the press conference will be a good way to present Grossmont College’s problems to Block, whose role is key to higher education in the state.

“Hopefully we get the answers that people want to hear,” said Arizmendez.

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Brauer is a student in Media Comm 132.  He may be contacted at kellenb@gcsummit.com

The first Fred Korematsu Day will be celebrated on January 30, 2011 on Fred Korematsu’s birthday. The Korematsu Institute, launched last year by the Asian Law Caucus and in partnership with the Korematsu family, plans to roll out curriculum in K-12 schools that week and on all future Korematsu Days.

The bill, authored by Assemblymembers Warren T. Furutani (D – South Los Angeles County) and Marty Block (D – San Diego), is in honor of the late Fred Korematsu, a man who became a civil rights icon for defying the mass incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II.

“This is historic not only for Californians but for all Americans,” says Ling Woo Liu, Director of the Korematsu Institute. “Establishing Korematsu Day ensures that Fred Korematsu’s legacy will not be forgotten and future generations of Californians will learn about the importance of protecting civil liberties.”

Korematsu Day was spearheaded by former San Diego Superior Court Judge Lillian Lim and Susan Woo, who were dismayed by the general lack of knowledge of the Fred Korematsu story. These concerns were shared with others who agreed it was important to establish a a Fred Korematsu Day where schools would incorporate into their curriculum the history of the Japanese American incarceration. An ad hoc committee was then formed within the Southwest Center for Asian Pacific American Law, with the goal of establishing a Fred Korematsu Day.

“I would like to thank Governor Schwarzenegger for signing this significant piece of legislation, which promotes the protection of freedom and constitutional rights,” said Assemblymember Furutani. “Fred Korematsu was an ordinary man who did an extraordinary thing during a time when his constitutional rights were violated, and as a consequence, changed the course of history. The Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution will provide an important teaching moment for California and its students.”

“As a trailblazer of civil rights who stood against the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II, Fred Korematsu’s legacy reminds us that we must use this dark period in our history as a teaching tool to educate future generations on the importance of preserving civil liberties for everyone,” said Assemblymember Block. “I thank the Governor for signing the Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution into law because it further ensures that Fred’s legacy of bravery and sacrifice will be taught in classrooms and help us remain vigilant against the racism and stereotyping he fought to overcome.”

During World War II, Korematsu was a 23-year-old welder in San Leandro, California who defied military orders that ultimately led to the evacuation and incarceration of 120,000 Japanese Americans, including Korematsu and his family. The Korematsu family was held first in the Tanforan Race Track Assembly Center in San Bruno, Calif., and then incarcerated in the Topaz incarceration camp in Utah.

He took his challenge to the military orders to the U.S. Supreme Court, which, in 1944, upheld his conviction on the ground that the forced removal of Japanese Americans was justified by “military necessity.” That decision has been widely condemned as one of the darkest chapters in American legal history.

After four decades of having to live with a “disloyalty” conviction on his record that limited him from securing full-time work, Korematsu filed suit to reopen his case on proof that the government, when arguing his case during the war, had suppressed, altered, and destroyed material evidence that contradicted the government’s claim of military necessity. In 1983, the Federal District Court for the Northern District of California granted his petition for a writ of error coram nobis (a notice of error) and overturned his conviction.

“Fred Korematsu’s eventual court victory taught America about the fragility of civil rights especially during times of international tensions,” said attorney Dale Minami, a member of Korematsu’s legal team and Steering Committee of the Korematsu Institute. “It reinforced our belief that civil rights must be fought for and are not simply guaranteed by the courts or by any governmental institution.”

Korematsu went on to champion the cause of civil liberties, not only seeking redress for Japanese Americans who were wrongfully incarcerated, but also traveling the country to advocate for the civil rights of other victims of excessive government action, especially after 9/11. He passed away in 2005 at the age of 86.

“After my father’s conviction was overturned in 1983, his focus and mission was education,” said Karen Korematsu. “He believed it was important to teach about his struggle for justice and the Japanese American incarceration so that the mistakes of history would not be repeated in the future. The significance of this day will enable students of today and tomorrow to learn and discuss the lessons of American history relevant to the current discussions of the Constitution and our civil liberties.”

In a post-9/11 nation where national security policies are based on fear and prejudice, the Korematsu Institute is dedicated to advancing pan-ethnic civil rights through education, activism and leadership development.

SOURCE: Fred T. Korematsu Institute for Civil Rights and Education. PHOTO by Lia Chang.

Assemblyman Marty Block (D-San Diego), the bill’s author, said that AB 2682 requires the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges to establish a pilot project that will create a uniform, centrally delivered system of student assessment.

“Currently about 70% of incoming community college students do not have the adequate preparation to perform successfully in college-ready courses,” Block said.  

“Accurate assessment is vital to ensuring that these students are placed in the appropriate basic-skills classes that build the foundation for success.”

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Preceding based on material provided by Assemblyman Block

After doing so, the 7^th District Councilwoman issued a statement, explaining her siding with the majority in the 6-2 Council vote:

““We’re asking the voters of San Diego to tell us if they are willing to pay a little extra to restore core services,” she said.  “That includes public safety, libraries and plugging pot holes.”

She noted that the “Reform Before Revenue measure” calls for a host of pension and financial reforms which must be met before the temporary 5-year half-cent sales tax would be levied.

“Not one penny would be collected until pensions are reduced and managed competition is enacted as part of a comprehensive package of reforms,” she said.  “I take very seriously my constituents’ message that we need reform before revenue.”
By working together, the City Council and Mayor have enacted budget cuts totaling $335 million annually, she added.

Meanwhile, another public officeholder from San Diego’s Jewish community – state Assemblyman Marty Block—announced his campaign headquarters for reelection will be opened at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at 3717 Camino Del Rio South.

Block said that among expected attendees at the ceremony are Emerald;  Sweetwater Union High School District Trustee Arlie Ricasa;  and Lorena Gonzalez, San Diego & Imperials Counties  Labor Council Secretary-Treasurer

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Preceding compiled from news releases from Councilmember Emerald and Assembly member Block

Donald H. Harrison

SAN DIEGO – Jewish incumbents on San Diego County ballots won election or renomination to their seats in California’s primaries on Tuesday, but most Jewish candidates running for open seats fell short of the mark, or placed second for runoff spots. San Diego District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis won outright reelection in a nonpartisan race. U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer, Congress Members Susan Davis and Bob Filner, and State Assembly member Marty Block all won renominations in their respective Democratic party primaries. Howard Katz, in an unopposed Democratic primary, won the right to oppose Republican Congressman Darrell Issa, setting up a contest between members of the Jewish and Lebanese-American communities.

Among Jewish hopefuls falling by the wayside were State Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner who lost in an expensive Republican primary contest for governor to Meg Whitman; Orly Taitz, who sought the Republican nomination for Secretary of State; Mike Schmier who placed way back in the GOP race for attorney general; and David Nussbaum who was well behind the pack in the nonpartisan contest for State Superintendent of Public Instruction.

That trend held up in local contests as well: In the 36th State Senate District, Riverside County Supervisor Jeff Stone came in second to Assemblyman Joel Anderson for the Republican nomination; in the 76th Assembly District, Naomi Bar Lev placed third for the Republican nomination, and in the 6th San Diego City Council District race, Howard Wayne placed behind Lorie Zapf. Because neither Wayne nor Zapf had a majority, they will have a runoff election in November to replace termed-out City Council Member Donna Frye.

In contests in which major Jewish figures played behind-the-scenes roles, there were mixed results. Former County Sheriff Bill Kolender saw his hand-picked successor, Bill Gore, win easy election as sheriff. On the other hand, San Diego City Council member Marti Emerald was unsuccessful in persuading the voters to block the proposal to make the “strong mayor” system of government permanent and to return instead to having a city manager serve as the chief executive of the municipality.

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Harrison is editor of San Diego Jewish World

Celia Benchetrit

SACRAMENTO (Press Release)– Soille San Diego Hebrew Day School 7th student Celia Benchetrit was an honoree Monday at the state capital for her essay (printed below) on Holocaust survivor Gussie Zaks.

The essay on Zaks, who lives today in San Diego,  is printed in a book that was presented at the annual Holocaust Memorial Project and distributed to survivors and veterans, legislators, libraries and community organizations. 

Celia gathered with Holocaust survivors and WWII veterans who helped liberate concentration camps for the Sacramento ceremony at 12 p.m. Monday, April 19.  The occasion was  co-hosted by San Diego State Assembly member Marty Block of the 78th District.

Survivors, veterans and their guests from around the state attended, sharing stories of survival and memorializing those who lost their lives. During the event in the Capitol, Assembly Concurrent Resolution 31, which formally proclaims April 12 to April 18 as California Holocaust Memorial Week, was presented on the Assembly floor.

As part of the state Assembly’s annual Holocaust Memorial Project, the ceremony was hosted by Assemblymembers Marty Block (D-San Diego) and Ira Ruskin (D-Redwood City).

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Gussie Zaks – Miracles at the Right Place at the Right Time

By Celia Benchetrit

 Gussie Zaks was from the first generation of the holocaust survivors and was born in Poland in 1926. She lived her whole life in Poland with her family in a city called Klobuck. Klobuck was the city with the highest orthodox Jewish population in Poland. Gussie had lots of siblings. Her father owned a butcher shop and all the kids helped with the work. Both of her parents were born in Poland and their last name was Ungik.

Gussie Zaks experienced many situations during the holocaust where she felt she was saved by being in the right place at the right time.  Those miracles that were given to her, gave her the feeling she was saved by Hashem. She felt that Hashem was always watching over her, giving her hope, much the same as Elie Wiesel wrote about in his book, Night.

On the day that the Germans came to Gussie Zak’s house to pick up her family, she wasn’t home. It so happens that on this particular day Gussie had told her mom in the morning that she wanted to go and do some volunteer work because she was bored at home. Her whole family was sent to a camp on that day. Several of her family members did not survive that camp. However Gussie was sent later to another camp, a work camp. This is one of the ways that Gussie felt helped her survive the holocaust.

During the time she spent in the work camp, she had a reputation for being a good, hard worker and was liked by the “Chief” of the camp.  One Friday, going back to camp from the fields where they worked, she saw some potatoes growing nearby.  “A raw potato to eat was better than an apple today.”  She told herself that on Monday she was going to get those potatoes.  At lunchtime on Monday, with five armed SS women watching her, she went to get the potatoes while the SS women were resting.  Gussie got lost and couldn’t find them.  She became very anxious and started running down a hill with the five SS women watching her.  A train passed by and the guards started shooting at her, thinking she was trying to escape.  She was only fifteen years old and “didn’t understand what escape means at that time.”  

She came back to where the SS guards were and they beat her up. They told her that, when they got back to the camp, the chief SS woman was going to read her number and she would be sent to Auschwitz.  All the other girls said goodbye.  The “Chief” of the camp told her he was very disappointed that she would do this.  While he was telling her this, she was thinking “who cares what he thinks, I am going to die anyhow.”  But he saved her life. He talked to the head woman of the SS and told her what a good worker she was and they never called her number.  The other girls in the camp waited for a week for her to be killed. They wouldn’t look at her or speak to her, and they did not want to be associated with her for fear of being killed themselves.

During the interview Gussie told me; “The holocaust can’t be told one hundred percent. You had to live through it to understand.”  Those words really penetrated my body and made me think how true it was. After each of the amazing stories she shared, she said she had her mother to thank for teaching her how to be strong and to always think of others before herself. She said if her mother did not teach her those things, she did not believe she would be in this world today.  Her mother told her; “You cannot live through yourself; you have to do mitzvoth in order to survive.” 

She told me an account of how her mother lived her life and what she taught Gussie. One day Gussie was sitting on her doorstep, and saw a poor family sitting on the ground across the street from her. Gussie’s mother came out, pulled some money from her pocket, and gave the money to Gussie.  Her mother told her, “go and give the money to this poor family, you will save the girl’s life.”

The oldest daughter was ill with tuberculosis but they did not have the money to take her to the hospital for treatment. When Gussie handed the money to the family, their eyes opened wide and they thanked her. The family was able to take their daughter to the hospital, although it was too late to save her.

Gussie Zaks told me how her mother used to tell her you may not be rewarded right away for what you’ve done, but you will be rewarded later on in life or in the world to come.  Gussie believes the only reason she survived was because of the kindness her mother taught her.

There are many other stories that she told me. I chose these to be the ones that really had a true meaning to me as thirteen-year-old girl. After hearing all of her stories, it took awhile before I could say anything. I was just thinking about how it was possible for such a young girl to experience so much ugliness and whether I would’ve been able to survive and handle the situations as well as she did. I was not able to talk or express my feelings for a while. It was too much to digest.

Every story she told me was so amazing that all I was able to say afterwards were words like “wow” and “I’m impressed.”

Gussie Zaks is an amazing person because of what she has been through and what she still accomplishes today. I am so impressed that she remembers everything so well, and is able to talk to teenagers the way she would talk to her own children.

 Today, Gussie is eighty five years old and does volunteer work for several organizations, giving freely of her time.  She has always given to charities.  Gussie Zaks survived the holocaust, this remarkable woman now gives so much of herself.  She lived, and has made a difference in people’s lives. 

She volunteers her time to talk about her experiences with middle and high school students.  She has had many mothers of students she has spoken to call her and thank her for being the person that changed the direction of their lives. 

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Preceding press release and copy of Celia Benchetrit’s essay provided by Soille San Diego Hebrew Day School

“I’m very excited to welcome the First Lady to San Diego,” commented Assemblymember Block.  “The New Roots Community Farm is an excellent example of successful neighborhood involvement that not only enriches the communities to which they belong, but also improves the health and well-being of children and adults in those neighborhoods.”
           
A strong advocate of nutrition and sustainable farming, the First Lady will highlight the community location that promotes healthy living and nutrition and helps to combat childhood obesity.  She is expected to comment on the commitment from the California Endowment to invest in underserved communities within the state.  The California Endowment will announce a billion dollar commitment that will be divided among 14 communities over the next 10 years.
           
The New Roots Community Farm has 89 plots of various sizes which are available to residents.  For additional information on the First Lady’s visit or upcoming business for Assemblymember Block, please contact his district office at (619) 462-7878.

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Preceding provided by Assemblyman Marty Block

More than 40 survivors, veteran liberators and their guests from around the state are expected to attend – to share survival stories and memorialize those who lost their lives. 
           
It will be during this event that Assembly Concurrent Resolution 31, which formally proclaims April 12 to April 18 as California Holocaust Memorial Week, will be presented to the full Assembly.
           
“As the years bring us farther away from that horrific time in world history, it is our duty to preserve the memories of the millions who perished in the Holocaust,” commented Assemblymember Block. 

“By telling the stories of the survivors, indeed by creating a living memorial, we echo the message to the next generation that ‘never again’ is more than a simple phrase; it is a commitment to those who perished and those who survived.”
           
The event’s keynote speaker is Rabbi Denise Eger, founding rabbi of Congregation Kol-Ami in West Hollywood, and Vice President of the Southern California Board of Rabbis.  Eger was ordained as rabbi in 1988 and has served pulpits in Canada, New York and Los Angeles.  She will also serve as chaplain at the event.

This is the eighth year of the Assembly’s Holocaust Memorial Project.  In addition to the ceremony at the State Capitol, students interview survivors each year and write essays about their Holocaust experiences.  The essays are bound into books and distributed to ceremony participants, as well as to students and schools, survivors and veterans, legislators, libraries and community organizations.  This is the first year that the book of essays includes stories of World War II veterans who liberated concentration camps.
           
“It’s vital that we keep and share this knowledge – that we teach our children and future generations that acts of heroism during the Holocaust serve as a powerful example of how our nation and our citizens can and must respond to acts of hatred and inhumanity,” said Assemblymember Ruskin.
           
During the ceremony, survivors and veterans will join Assemblymembers at their desks.  Students and other participants will be invited to sit in the gallery.  A luncheon will follow the ceremony.  For more information about the event, please call the Capitol Office of Assemblymember Block at (916) 319-2078.

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Preceding provided by Assemblymember Marty Block

Block partnered with the California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA), community groups and stakeholders to highlight how the money could be used to assist those in San Diego who are struggling with their mortgages, in this difficult economy. 
         
“Too many of our friends and neighbors face losing their homes, and this funding would greatly assist San Diegans to provide them with the resources they need to stay in their homes and maintain their lives,” said Assemblymember Block.  “I brought together individuals and organizations which are at the front line of the foreclosure crisis to inform CalHFA officials how Californians in the region are struggling in the aftermath of the foreclosure crisis and urged them to direct as much of the funding to San Diego County as possible.”
           
Those gathered included representatives of nonprofit agencies and local government, realtors, home mortgage counselors, and other industry representatives.  The group provided important information to CalHFA about their working relationships with borrowers struggling to make their mortgage payments, what kinds of programs actually work to keep people in their homes, how program dollars could be used most effectively for San Diego. 

The funding announced on February 19, 2010 by President Obama will help families in states where house prices have fallen more than 20% from their peak, like California.  Some potential programs for the funds might include, but are not limited to, subsidizing unemployed borrowers, providing assistance with past due payments, assisting with long-term loan modifications, or extinguishing junior liens. 

             
“We owe it to our communities to fight for our fair share, and to help those who need it most,” continued Block.  “CalHFA received a wealth of information about our region, and I know they left the meeting with a clearer understanding of how hard hit our neighborhoods have been during this crisis, the level of assistance desperately needed here to help homeowners stay in their homes, and the kinds of assistance that will work for San Diegans in the long-run.”

           
For additional information on the workshop or other information from Assemblymember Block, please call his office at (619) 462-7878.

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Preceding provided by Assemblyman Marty Block

“I am honored by the opportunity to serve at such a critical time for California’s public education system,” said Assemblymember Block.  “Higher education is the foundation of a strong economy and a key to creating jobs, which is why we must do everything possible to meet the challenge of providing quality and affordable education for every student seeking to better themselves and contribute to their communities. We must look at ways to improve access for all Californians, and as Chair, I will stand committed to working with my colleagues to protect funding, preserve programs, embrace positive innovation, and advocate for the important resources that help students succeed and build brighter futures.”

A lifelong educator, Assemblymember Block served as a professor, dean and director at San Diego State University for 26 years, president of the San Diego Community College District Board of Trustees for eight years and a member of the San Diego County Board of Education before being elected to the Assembly in 2008.

In announcing the appointment, Speaker Perez stated, “I am confident, given his extensive background in higher education and his passion for students receiving a quality and affordable education, that Assemblymember Block is the absolute right choice at the right time.”  “Given the fragile state of our current system, Assemblymember Block will provide the vision and leadership necessary to navigate these tumultuous times.”

For additional information on this appointment, the Assembly Higher Education Committee or Assemblymember Block, please contact his Sacramento office at (916) 319-2078.

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Preceding provided by Assemblymember Block

“Many in our state are suffering the dire effects of our troubled economy,” said Assemblymember Marty Block (Democrat-San Diego) who is a principal co-author of the bill, “and yet residents have responded in full measure to the calamitous situation in Haiti. It is my hope that AB 347 will give at least a small amount of relief to those who have helped others.”

AB 347 now moves to the state Senate for consideration.  For additional information on AB 347 contact Assemblymember Marty Block’s Sacramento office at (916) 319-2078.

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Preceding provided by Assemblyman Marty Block

SACRAMENTO (Press Release)- The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation on Monday passed AB 1178, a bill authored by Assemblymember Marty Block (78th Assembly District, San Diego) to support California’s college students by reducing by $120 million annually the sales tax on textbooks and school supplies found at college bookstores. AB 1178 would take the burden off the shoulders of students by bringing in state revenues currently lost to a corporate tax loophole that allows for the use of foreign tax havens.
 

“Our college kids are struggling to get by while corporate bad actors take a Cayman Islands Spring Break from paying their fair share in taxes,” Block said. “For some corporations to find a loophole whereby they don’t have to pay their fair share is not only unjust, it adds to the burden the rest of us must shoulder and it should be illegal. This bill would close an often-used loophole to level the playing field in terms of tax burdens and help our college students strengthen our state’s economy.”
 

According to California Franchise Tax Board estimates, AB 1178 will generate over $330 million in state revenues over the next three years by collecting taxes currently avoided by the use of foreign tax havens.
A long time advocate of closing corporate tax loopholes that leave an undue tax burden on California residents, Block wrote AB 1178 to ensure corporations would not be penalized for simply conducting economic activity in another country.

On Tuesday, Block’s office announced that another bill, AB 1244, has been approved by the Assembly Public Safety Committee.

The proposed measure would allow the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) to provide paroled offenders a CDCR identification card immediately upon their release from state prison. This valid identification card can be used by parolees as identification to assist them in obtaining a California Driver’s License or Identification Card from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

 “A major barrier to reducing recidivism is the lack of valid identification for parolees.  Without it, they cannot obtain gainful employment, sign up for job training, or cash a check or money order.  They are precluded from becoming productive members of our communities,” commented Assemblymember Block. “AB 1244 removes a barrier to achieving those goals.”
 

This bill is co-sponsored by San Diego District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis and the United African American Ministerial Action Council of San Diego.

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Preceding provided by Assemblyman Marty Block

“My appointment allows for San Diego, and Chula Vista in particular, to have a critical voice in how the Master Plan for Higher Education can be improved and those improvements better implemented,” commented Assemblymember Block.

“While suggestions from the Joint Committee will ultimately benefit all Californians, San Diego is already dealing with educational issues that may have devastating effects for local students hoping to matriculate to a University.”

Some issues of particular concern to San Diegans include the recent veto of AB 24, sponsored by Assemblymember Block. AB 24 would have called for a study of a much needed university campus for the South County of San Diego. That along with the recent decision by the president of San Diego State University to change the admissions policy thereby denying potential admissions for many local students has been met with consternation and concern from students, teachers and community leaders alike.

“Even though California is facing challenging economic times, we know a well educated populace is the solution to our state’s most challenging issues,” continued the Assemblymember, “we have to work more diligently than ever to ensure that those hoping to get the most from public education are afforded that opportunity, and I am committed to making that process as accessible as possible.”

Block is a former president of the San Diego regional chapter of the American Jewish Committee in San Diego.

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Preceding based on material provided by Assemblyman Marty Block.

SAN DIEGO (SDJW)–Howard Wayne, the former Democratic  state assemblyman running in the 6th City Council District, has been rolling up the endorsements.  In his bid to succeed Council member Donna Frye, he has received the blessings of the San Diego Democratic County Central Committee, the San Diego Labor Council, the San Diego Democratic Club, and the Chicano Democratic Association as well as those of a host of current and former elected officials. 

Wayne, a member of the Jewish community who has been active in the Latino-Jewish Coalition, also has received endorsements from  these Jewish officeholders: State Senate President pro tempore Darrell Steinberg, Assemblyman Marty Block and San Diego City Councilwoman Marti Emerald. 

On the Republican side of the ledger, San Diego District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis, who also is Jewish, has joined a group of San Diegans endorsing Meg  Whitman for govewrnor.  She is listed as an honorary chair for a fundraising gathering  for Whitman on December 2 at the Rancho Santa Fe home of Joel and Ann Reed.  The special guest at that shindig will be former Massachusetts governor and unsucessful Republican candidate Mitt Romney.

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Preceding compiled by San Diego Jewish World staff

Assemblyman Marty Block brought forth this bill, specifically timing his place in line so that it would be AB 24th bill, a special significance since if this bill moves forward and Chula Vista gets a university, it would be the 24th within the CSU system.

While Chula Vista has 1,500 acres of land set aside for this future project and the hopes and dreams for a university have not gone anywhere for decades, the CSU system is strained and strapped for funding — whether or not the Governor will sign this bill is anyone’s best guess.

Read more

Source: KPBS.org / Ana Tintocalis

For those of you not familiar with this bill, it would force the California State University system to perform a study as to the feasibility of building a CSU campus in East Chula Vista — while the study itself will be paid for by private financing, not taxpayer money.

We encourage you to write, call, or email your local State Senator to ensure the passing of this bill.  If you live in Chula Vista, your State Senator is Denise Ducheny and she can be reached at (619) 409-7690 or by visiting her contact form on her website.

See the full text of the proposed Assembly Bill.

** Next week the Democratic Central Committee is scheduled to vote on an early endorsement of Mike Aguirre. Quite a few Central Committee members are balking at the idea because of Mike’s increasingly erratic behavior. A few people are even suggesting a possible Scott Peters run would be more acceptable to party insiders. The big unknown is if labor will take a position before Tuesday.

** Apparently Marti Emerald’s name id may be helping Marty Block in his Assembly Race for the 78th AD. A poll that has been circulated shows Block with unusually high name id, especially in areas where the 78th and the 7th City Council District overlap, and some are speculating it has to do with voter confusion. I am sure Marty will take the a primary win anyway he can get it.

** San Diego’s City Council Presidency looks like it will stay with a Democrat. According to the VOSD article today, Scott Peters will retain his position as Council President rather than letting a Republican take over the reigns. Kudos to the Dem Party for insisting the Dems on the Council act like Dems for once, maybe this will become a trend.

** Another Steve Francis sighting. This time, Francis was seen at the progressive environmental dinner for San Diego Coast Keepers. I guess he is really going for a full make-over. Maybe Jim Bell will drop out of the Mayoral race and endorse Francis.

** According to our conservative counterparts at Red County, San Diego City Councilman Brian Maienschein is considering a challenge to incumbent County Supervisor Pam Slater-Price. The best part of the post, which was up yesterday, were the now deleted comments. According to bloggers, Maienschein is getting a divorce and has been having an affair with a city hall staffer. I am all for free speech, so if anyone knows more FACTS, feel free to post here.

1) The Republicans are trying to encourage Maxine Sherard to throw her hat in the ring for the 78th. They figure that her name recognition, as a result of the millions spent last year, would make her the front-runner for the Dem nomination. Why would they want that? She would be a much easier candidate in the general compared to a Marty Block or Arlie Ricasa. Especially now that former Police Chief David Bejerano has decided to wait it out for Sheriff instead, and all they have is their “yes man” John McCann. If the Black Caucus wants a candidate in the 78th, I doubt it will be Maxine Sherard, I would say San Diego City Councilmember Tony Young is much more likely a candidate. Although, neither have expressed much interest.

2) Republican Luis Acle, I hear, will not be running for re-election on the San Diego City Schools Board of Trustees. That will leave that position wide open for Democrat Richard Barrera.

3) Republican Shirley Horton is planning to return to Chula Vista for a City Council run against Steve Castenada. Gotta love how the Republicans eat their own. I hear she wants to set herself up for a 2012 run for Greg Cox’s seat. However, Senator Denise Ducheny and Councilmember Ben Hueso have also previously expressed in interest in that seat.

4) There has been some talk about the Republican elected officials who WON’T be supporting ethically-challenged April Boling’s run for District 7 City Council. Among those past and present Republican electeds who supposedly have a beef with Boling: the entire County Board of Supervisors, former Mayor Dick Murphy, former Councilwoman Judy McCarty, current Councilman Jim Madaffer, La Mesa Mayor Art Madrid, County Treasurer Dan McCallister, (need I continue). I’ll be interested to see if Marti can pull endorsements from any of the above, or if they will eventually fall in line with the Downtown Establishment. Seems Boling has a hard time making and keeping friends, even among her base.