Legislative Update

April 26th, 2007*

Overview

• April 26th - Last day for policy committees to hear any bill with fiscal impact
  
• 3,500 bills introduced - 100's amended daily
  
• We review each bill and refer for analysis and a position. We review all amended bills and refer to the board (via Lisa Hoffman) for analysis and position. 
  
• Special recognition to Lisa Hoffman and Charlie Cullen for their outstanding contributions to our legislative program. 
  
• CALNENA is actively tracking 10 bills. 
  
• Political Notes -- 46 new legislators are either freshman or switched houses.  Number of freshman members creates a significant learning curve.
  • Senate -- 12 new Senators total
    • 11 of 12 are former assembly members
    • 9 former local government officials
  • Assembly -- 34 new Assembly members plus
    • 3 are former Senators
    • 17 new local officials (12 city council members; 5 supervisors)
  • Democrats still hold overwhelming majorities in Assembly and Senate
  • Senate 25-15
  • Assembly 48-32
  • Key legislative staff remain entirely the same and more powerful than ever
  • Only a handful of members are involved in major policy.  Very staff driven process.
• Governor's top staff going through major makeover (Pank, Costigan, Reese, Aguire, others to come.)
• Post election legislature has lost much of its bi-partisan spirit?
• Governor is trying to continue to play peacemaker between the parties
• Gov has more problems with Republicans than with Democrats
• Budget deficit of $2-3 billion will make things MUCH more difficult.
• Assembly Republicans elect new (more conservative) leader in Mike Villines (R-Fresno).
• New leaders likely to start jockeying for position in both houses immediately    

Significant Legislation of Interest to CALNENA

• AB 231 (Eng) and SB 1024 (Kehoe) - Both bills seek to ensure that any technology with access to 9-1-1 pays for that access.
• AB 942 (Krekorian) - Requires that all carriers provide enhanced 9-1-1 service with automatic routing, ANI and ALI.  Requires the PUC to oversee this application.
• SETNA - $2-3 billion budget deficit could impact SETNA

Thank you for the continued opportunity to represent you in the halls of the Capitol!

*Submitted by Nick Warner, CALNENA Legislative Advocate
916-443-7318/nick@warnerandpank.com

Warner & Pank, LLC
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