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July 12, 2013

Senate District 28 Releases 7-Month Report

SACRAMENTO – Below, in bill-number order, are some of the bills, sponsored by Sen. Ted W. Lieu, that will be heard in policy or fiscal hearings in the Assembly after summer recess. Sept. 13 is the constitutional deadline for Sen. Lieu to get the bills to the governor’s desk.

Senate Bill 2 – Sunshine in Campaigns Act

This bill would impose significant campaign-finance reforms to strengthen the California Political Reform Act through improved enforcement, increased penalties and greater accountability. This bill also requires all candidates to “stand by their ad.” Next step: Review by the Assembly Elections Committee on Aug. 13.

SB 49 – School Safety Plans

Worried parents would know if their children’s school has an established emergency-response system under this bipartisan plan that would require each California public school to have a readily accessible safety plan. This bill also requires schools to consider active shooter scenarios in the plan. Next: Assembly Appropriations is expected to review this by mid-August.

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Rep. Hahn Highlights Benefits of Immigration Reform

Briefs

Reporters Desk

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July 12, 2013

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Rep. Hahn Highlights Benefits of Immigration Reform

Janice Hahn (CA-44) recently touted the economic benefits of comprehensive immigration reform for workers, middle class families, and the country as a whole.

A new White House report found that fixing our broken immigration system would create jobs, boost economic growth, reduce deficits, and strengthen Social Security, among a range of other critical markers of progress.

The new report analyzed the immigration reform legislation recently approved by the Senate and detailed how the legislation is expected to promote economic growth in the United States. The reform calls for expedited citizenship for undocumented youth known as DREAMers that will promote higher education and allow them to succeed in the workforce. The legislation also includes new visa provisions to attract foreign entrepreneurs, new policies to facilitate tourism and increased funding for new jobs in Customs and Border Patrol.

Buscaino, POLA Boosts LA Waterfront Impact

Reporters Desk

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July 12, 2013

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According to reports from the Port of Los Angeles to Councilman Joe Buscaino’s office, in the past year, the USS Iowa, CRAFTED at the Port of LA, and the special events series at the LA Waterfront has welcomed more than 500,000 visitors to San Pedro.

With $8.4 million in total spending activities, including nearly $2 million in visitor spending locally, we’ve seen the creation of 140 new jobs. Ports O’ Call separately welcomed about 840,000 visitors, supported 121 full-time and 286 part-time jobs, and generated $33 million in sales revenue in this past year. These numbers promise great things for the future of Ports O’Call and the LA Waterfront.

USS IOWA

Visitors

· 330,000 tickets sold (50 percent more than independent market study forecasts)
· 19 percent from out-of-state
· 5 percent from other countries

Jobs

· 110 jobs are supported by museum operations and spending

Spending

· Museum – $2.6 million
· Visitors – About $800,000

CRAFTED

Visitors

· 86,000 visitors since its opening in 2012
· Currently receives over 900 visitors every weekend

Jobs

· 16 jobs are supported by CRAFTED operations

Spending

· CRAFTED has spent $3.4 million to date, including $2.8 million on improvements to their Port facilities

Lobster Fest

Visitors

· 42,000 guests in 2012

Jobs

· 470 weekend jobs for the duration of the festival

Spending

· Estimated 2013 production spending of about $600,000
· Anticipated visitor spending of about $600,000

Cars and Stripes Forever

Visitors

· 23,000 attended in 2013
· 3,000 more than 2012
· More than double the first event in 2009

Jobs

· 6.6 full-time jobs, based on estimated visitor spending

Spending

· Estimated at about $340,000, based on other visitor surveys
· Some local retailers reported a 5 percent increase in post-event business

Cirque du Soleil

Visitors

· 47,000 expected guests

Jobs

· 150 local staff for the duration of the show
· 23 annualized jobs from visitor spending

Spending

· Anticipated production spending of about $1.1 million
· Anticipated visitor spending of about $1.6 million

Ports O’ Call

Visitors

· Estimated 840,000 visitors

Jobs

· 121 full time & 286 part time

Spending

· Estimated $33 million in sales in 2013 dollars
· Based on 2008 Keyser Marston study economic impact study

The Spanish War and San Pedro

Letters

Reporters Desk

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July 12, 2013

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One hundred and fifteen years is enough. It was 115 years ago that the United States launched it’s first overseas, some say, imperial war, the Spanish-American War. Besides giving the U.S. military control over the Philippines and several Pacific islands, the war assured U.S. military, political and economic domination over Cuba as well.

Within a few years, the U.S. military occupied Cuba’s Guantanamo Bay on the island’s southeastern coast. U.S. taxpayer dollars built a military base on Cuba’s waterfront land in order to control the island, and to serve as a military launching pad for the rest of the Southern Hemisphere. Over 100 years later, we are still occupying this land.

To me this is a “Pedro issue”.

The inability of Cubans to use Guantanamo Bay is the equivalent of the United States not having access to the Los Angeles Harbor Area for economic, recreational and cultural development.This is an issue of justice-Port to Port.An injury to one is an injury to all…
And here’s the kicker: This weekend hundreds of locals will “celebrate” this imperial war at the Old Fort MacArthur Days. Along with celebrating other wars and carnage, performers will trounce around in weekend warrior garb and “re-enact” those ol’ Glory Days of the Rough Riders storming up San Juan Hill in Cuba.

The problem for this San Pedran? I’ve seen San Juan Hill, and it’s in a country that is not ours, and weinvadedit, and this weekend we are celebrating that invasion as if history weren’t still alive and breathing.. And I’ve been to Guantanamo Province, full of 100,000’s of Cubans, working everyday to develop their country, and wishing they had their beautiful, productive bay back. (Alas, we all know what is being “produced” there now, for shame.) This is happening today, and every day, Pedrans. And we celebrate the invasion and occupation this weekend. What is wrong with this picture?

How can I not be in solidarity with Cuba? They want Guantanamo Bay returned to them, and they can’t do much about it, lest the Empire Strike Back. So I write this simple letter. And I will pay my $10 to see what the “celebration” is all about, and to put my 2 cents in.

Coincidentally, we are holding a Cuba Cultural and Information Night Friday July 12 from 7-9 PM at the Random Lengths offices. If you are interested in learning about peace rather than war, you are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Rachel Bruhnke

Witness for Peace/Southwest

Harbor Area Chapter

Mercedes-Benz USA Comes to LB

Briefs

Reporters Desk

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July 11, 2013

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Mercedes-Benz USA recently signed an agreement to lease more than1 million square feet of the former Boeing 717 manufacturing plant in Long Beach with landlord SARES-REGIS Group and Institutional Partner.

The building is located at 4501 East Conant Street in Long Beach, immediately across the street from the Long Beach Airport and the 260-acre mixed-use development known as Pacific Pointe at Douglas Park.

CBRE’s John Schumacher and Brian DeRevere represented the landlord in the transaction.

The Boeing facility has been empty since 2006.

This lease is the largest infill industrial lease in Los Angeles County in the past 25 years.

Marriott Courtyard hotel recently opened on Lakewood Boulevard.

Women’s Health Report Highlights Health Care Challenges

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Reporters Desk

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July 11, 2013

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Women’s Health Report Highlights Health Care Challenges

Low-income women living below the federal poverty level were four times more likely to report a fair or poor health status compared to women with incomes over 300 percent of the federal poverty level according to a new report released July 9, by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.

The report,Health Indicators for Women in Los Angeles County: Highlighting Disparities by Ethnicity and Poverty Level, highlights the latest data on access to health care, health behavior, health status, and incidence and mortality rates. Also included in the report is a new Determinants of Health section with socioeconomic indicators such as employment status, housing, and social support.

TheHealth Indicators for Women in Los Angeles County: Highlighting Disparities by Ethnicity and Poverty Levelreport illustrates the multitude of social, physical, and economic factors that work together to shape the health of women in Los Angeles County. Included are new indicators on mental health, musculoskeletal health (arthritis, osteoporosis), and life expectancy; trends of key women’s health outcomes over the last decade; and a focus on how women at different life stages fare on important indicators. Indicators in the report are described for women and men combined, and for women alone.

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State-of-the-art Tug Comes to POLA

Reporters Desk

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July 11, 2013

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SAN PEDRO —Harley Marine Serviceshas brought its tugboat recently to service the Port of Los Angeles.

The ROBERT FRANCO arrived in Los Angeles this past week, joining four other tugs in the fleet that assist cargo vessels and tankers in and out of the San Pedro Bay port complex.

The ROBERT FRANCO features Tier III engines and shore-side electrical power plug-in capabilities. Tier III engines, which are several years away from being required by law, and reduce nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter amounts by 90 percent, compared to Tier 0 engines.

The powerful tug is equipped with 6,800 horsepower and provides 91 tons of bollard pull. With the increasing size of container ships and tankers calling at the port complex, Harley Marine Services is committed to building higher horsepower tugs to provide these larger ships safe navigation in the port complex and provide emergency towing service offshore. The vessel is also equipped with state-of-the-art marine electronics, tow winches and fire and safety equipment.

Force Feeding Continues in Guantanamo

News

Reporters Desk

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July 11, 2013

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A YouTube, posted July 8, show how musician, actor and activist Yasiin Bey, better known as Mos Def, recently underwent force feeding procedure in solidarity with Guantanamo Bay prisoners on hunger strike.

Yasiin Bey (Mos Def) Demonstrates Guantanamo Force-Feeding Standard Operating Procedure was recorded in a four-minute video by Bafta award-winning director Asif Kapadi.

There are about 166 prisoners in Guantanamo Bay Prison. More than half of which have been cleared for release, but have yet to see it through. In reaction, some prisoners have launched a hunger strike.

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Samoans Come Together for Flag Day

News

Lyn Jensen

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July 10, 2013

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By Lyn Jensen, Carson Reporter

For 28 years, one of Carson’s biggest events has been the Annual Samoan Flag Day Celebration.

The event takes place for eight days this year, Aug. 3-10, at Victoria Regional Park in Carson.

This year’s theme will be “Ole Telo O Lina E Mama Ai Se Auega,” which translates from the Samoan as “Helping Hands Will Ease the Burden.” Attractions include vendors, entertainment and a rugby tournament.

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