The Senator Reports

December 24th, 2009

California’s Just About Ready to Race to the Top
By Senator Mark Wyland (R-Carlsbad)

Last Thursday in a rare week before Christmas session, the Senate approved the Assembly’s amended and compromise version of the “Race to the Top” education reforms, which were the reforms needed that would allow California to be eligible for billions of dollars in federal education funding.

While I don’t believe this legislation does all that we can do to improve public education in California, I do applaud it as a strong start. Besides making our state more competitive for the available federal dollars, this legislation empowers parents by creating an open enrollment option for those in the lowest achieving schools and requires local school boards to undertake reform if 50 percent of the parents of children at a school sign a petition.

Although I believe there is still work to be done to truly turnaround our struggling public school system and fight an increasing dropout rate, I supported this measure as a first step in the right direction.

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

Redrawing the Lines
By Assemblyman Martin Garrick

For many years the task of drawing legislative district lines has been in the hands of elected officials. That changed last year when voters passed an initiative to create the Citizens Redistricting Commission. The Commission will consist of fourteen California residents who will be tasked with drawing the districts for State Senate, State Assembly, and Board of Equalization.

On December 15th, the California State Auditor began accepting applications from Californians interested in serving on the commission. The application process is open to all individuals who have been a registered voter for five years and participated in two of the last three elections. However, to protect the integrity of the process, persons who are elected officials or candidates, registered lobbyists, campaign staff, or paid political consultants are ineligible.

The State Auditor has already reported tremendous public interest in the Commission and there is still time to apply. If you are interested in serving, please visit www.wedrawthelines.ca.gov and submit your application before February 12, 2010. If you need further assistance please do not hesitate to contact my district office at (760) 929-7998.

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.