The Senator Reports

June 4th, 2009

Legislative Conference Committee
By Senator Mark Wyland

The legislative conference committee is a joint committee of both houses tasked with reaching reasonable compromises when the two legislative houses can't agree on an issue.

Conference committees are traditionally comprised of six members (four from the majority party and two from the minority party), but given our current fiscal situation, the committee members have increased to five members from each house. They have recently starting meeting this year to review our current budget nightmare and consider the Governor's proposed revisions.

I believe adding members to the conference committee is a small step in the right direction to increase transparency. However, we need real reforms that would provide lawmakers the time necessary to conduct serious oversight of our budget. My proposal to stop hearing all bills this year until we enact a truly balanced budget would allow the Legislature to conduct in-depth analysis of spending and end year after year of deficits once and for all.

Senator Mark Wyland represents the people of the 38th Senate District, which includes cities in north San Diego County and the south Orange County cities of San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano.

Senator Mark Wyland
1910 Palomar Point Way, Suite 105
Carlsbad, California 92008
760.931.2455 Office
email: senator.wyland@sen.ca.gov

I recently announced E-World Recyclers, a Vista business, as my honoree for the 74th Assembly District Small Business of the Year. Co-founders Bob and Cindy Erie, joined me for a lunch and awards program in Sacramento. The program featured speakers such as Governor Schwarzenegger and business leaders.

E-World Recyclers is one of the largest recyclers of electronics in Southern California. Their facility specializes in the environmentally safe recycling of thousands of tons of electronic waste each year, by utilizing proprietary separating equipment designed to make clean streams of raw materials. E-World Recyclers has diverted millions of pounds of hazardous materials from California landfills, created numerous San Diego based employment opportunities, and is a true benefit to the San Diego community. Recycling electronic waste is good for the environment, spares natural resources and conserves energy.

Assemblyman Martin Garrick serves the communities of Carlsbad, Del Mar, Solana Beach, Encinitas, Rancho Santa Fe, San Marcos, Vista, and portions of San Diego, Escondido and Oceanside as the Assemblyman for the 74th District.