Kevin Jeffries News

Legislation aimed at helping state run more efficiently and save money

Recognizing that 2008 will prove to be a tight budget year for California, Assemblyman Kevin Jeffries (R- Lake Elsinore) has introduced a package of bills designed to help improve efficiency in state operations and reduce overall state expenditures. “We can cut all we want, but this formula driven budget will continue to grow out of control in future years,” Jeffries said. “The best way to address this ongoing structural deficit is with real structural reform of how we do business.”

Included in his Government Reform Package are the following measures:

AB 2490- Would consolidate numerous state departments and divisions under one umbrella organization titled the California Public Safety Agency, bringing various state public safety departments (California Highway Patrol, CALFIRE, State Fire Marshal, Emergency Medical Services Authority, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and others) currently located in many different agencies. The consolidation targets improved oversight, budgeting and spending efficiencies, and improve emergency services coordination, training, and planning for fires, disasters, and homeland security.

AB 1968- Allows the Governor to declare a Transportation Emergency for those state roads that are suffering from severe traffic congestion. Such a declaration would allow for a streamlined approval and construction process for projects that could ease traffic in these areas.

AB 1813- Combines separate holidays for Washington and Lincoln into a single “President’s Day,” as recognized by the federal government. Celebrating them as one holiday will allow the state to save over $18 million per year in overtime costs.

Jeffries also introduced two bills aimed at saving the state money by transfering state owned assets to local municipalities within his district. “These transfers will help the state save money by allowing local municipalities to take over their operation,” Jeffries points out.

AB 1915- Allows the California Transportation Commission (CTC) to transfer ownership of the portions of Route 74 located within the City of Lake Elsinore and the City of Perris from the state to the cities, so they can take over the management and maintenance of the highway. Temecula has recently taken over portions of Hwy 79 in a similar manner.

AB 2005– When amended, this bill would permit the California Department of Parks and Recreation to transfer ownership of California Citrus State Historical Park to the City of Riverside. Citrus Park is currently on a list of state parks slated for closure as a part of state cost cutting efforts. This measure could allow the park to stay open if the City of Riverside chooses to pursue ownership of the park.

Assemblyman Jeffries is developing additional bill packages related to public safety, transportation and local government that will soon be announced.

Legislation would change penalty for betting pools from misdemeanor to infraction

Assemblyman Kevin Jeffries (R-Lake Elsinore) today introduced legislation that would decriminalize participation in Super Bowl pools, March Madness brackets, and other sports betting pools commonly found at Super Bowl parties and in offices all over the country. Under current law, participating in these types of pools is a misdemeanor crime, punishable by up to a $5000 fine and up to a year in prison. “With Super Bowl Sunday right around the corner, countless Californians will take part in harmless pools at their office or amongst their friends,” points out Jeffries. “At a time when we can’t keep car thieves, multiple DUI offenders and armed robbers in prison, it is silly to continue to threaten people with jail time for buying a $5 square at a Super Bowl party.”

This legislation was prompted by an incident that occurred a little over a year ago in the community of Wildomar, in western Riverside County. Margaret Hamblin 73, and Cari Gardner, 39, both of Wildomar were charged with operating a $50 football pool at the Wildomar Elks Lodge. Hamblin and Gardner both plead not guilty. “The state is going to spend thousands of taxpayer dollars to arrest, investigate, and prosecute these two over a $50 football pool?” Jeffries asks. “I am sure that there are more important issues that law enforcement and our courts can be addressing.”

AB 1852 would lessen this charge from a misdemeanor to an infraction punishable by a fine that is not to exceed $500. Commercial sports betting and operating betting pools for profit would continue to be treated as they are today. Jeffries believes that making this an infraction instead of a misdemeanor crime places this activity in a more appropriate category. “While our goal is not to legalize wide-spread commercial sports betting, we believe that it is important for the punishment to more closely fit the crime”, stated Jeffries. “Speeding is against the law, but it isn’t a misdemeanor. A friendly wager in the privacy of one’s home or office shouldn’t be, either.”

The League of California Cities is recognizing Assembly Member Kevin Jeffries (R-Riverside) for his on-going commitment to city issues. He is one of just nine state legislators being honored this month by the League for their support of local government, particularly during the 2007 legislative session.

Along with being featured in the January issue of Western City magazine, Assembly Member Jeffries and his colleagues will be honored at a special reception in Sacramento, on Wednesday, Jan. 16, from 5:30-7 p.m. at the Sutter Club, 1220 Ninth Street.

League Executive Director Chris McKenzie acknowledged the key role Assembly Member Jeffries plays in the Legislature, as vice chair of the Assembly Committee on Public Employees, Retirement and Social Security. “Each year there are many bills heard by the PERS committee that can have major implications for local budgets and flexibility. Assembly Member Jeffries has demonstrated through his votes that he understands the challenges local governments face. We appreciate his leadership.”

“My years as an elected water board member and LAFCO member give me sympathy for the challenges faced by local government. It is important that decisions made in the legislature be sensitive to cities, counties, and special districts, and that the state does not overly burden them or taxpayers with mandates, regulations and funding shortfalls. I appreciate the role the League of Cities plays as an advocate for cities, and I hope that we will continue to find ways to work together in Sacramento on behalf of our communities”, commented Assembly Member Jeffries.

Founded in 1898, the League of California Cities is an association of California city officials who work together to enhance their knowledge and skills, exchange information, and combine resources so that they may influence policy decisions that affect cities. The League’s mission is to restore and protect local control for cities through education and advocacy to enhance the quality of life for all Californians.

“It’s NOT a fee, it’s NOT a user fee, it’s a TAX

Assemblyman Kevin Jeffries’ wasted no time in responding to the Governor’s release of the 2008-08 budget. “I applaud the Governor for finally coming back to the table to control the growth of state spending.” Stated Assemblyman Jeffries, “However, I must strongly oppose the proposed new $125 million tax/fee on Homeowner and Business Insurance policies.”

He is referring to a plan to impose a 1.25% surcharge on all homeowner and business insurance policies that the administration states will go to improve fire protection in areas most at risk to wildfires. Jeffries, however, believes that this new tax is actually an attempt to makeup for proposed cuts to CAL-FIRE. “We can be certain that new Tax will primarily used to BACKFILL budget cuts to CAL-FIRE.”, Jeffries states, “It is extremely unlikely that taxpayers will see any increased staffing or equipment as a result of this massive new tax.”

Assemblyman Jeffries believes that it is wrong to increase Taxpayer’s burdens in order for them to get services they are already paying to receive. He points out that property owners already pay regular property taxes, and these taxes should already be used to pay for public safety services. And most newly built home and business have been required to pay local government “development” fees that helped build new fire stations to serve the new growth. This is not to mention the fact that many new and not-so new homes and businesses are already in “Special Assessment” districts that collect additional property taxes to support local fire protection. “How many times are they going to have pay for the same service?”

“After having served 29 years in the fire service, I’m absolutely convinced that this ill-conceived tax will NOT deliver any measurable increased level of services for our local communities.”