The Senator Reports

January 7th, 2010

Announcing: The New Wyland Senate Fellow
By Senator Mark Wyland (R-Carlsbad)

One of the most distinguished programs around the Capitol is the California Senate Fellows (CSF) program. The CSF program offers college graduates a full-time staff position in the State Capitol where they’ll gain hands-on public policy and communications experience that coincides with their classroom studies. These bright men and women interview with personal offices, committees and caucus staffs, and are then matched up with offices according to interest, personality and of course, political party.

This year, my office acquired Julie Hooper, a recent University of California, Davis grad who has a passion for education reforms and legislative process. In college, Julie was Vice President of the Undergraduate Association and interned at the Republican National Committee (RNC) in Washington, DC. Following her fellowship experience, she aims to attend graduate school and focus on political communications. Julie is excited to be a part of our team and we’re just as thrilled to have her serving our 38th Senate District.

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

Governor Declares Fiscal Emergency
By Assemblyman Martin Garrick

This week, Governor Schwarzenegger is expected to exercise the powers granted to him by Proposition 58 and declare a fiscal state of emergency in California. As such, the Legislature would be called into a special budget session to fix an ever widening budget gap.

Recent estimates by the Legislative Analyst Office suggest that the current year budget deficit is $6.3 billion. Add to that a project shortfall of $14.4 billion for the upcoming 2010-11 fiscal year and you have another difficult budget year in Sacramento.

This news isn’t shocking to those who have been paying attention to the economy over the last few years. While there has been a slight up tick in employment and the housing market has steadied, we are nowhere near the boom times of the late 1990’s.

The Legislative Analyst Office suggests that we take a steady approach to solving our budget woes and I couldn’t agree more. Relying on massive tax hikes to close the deficit will do nothing but exacerbate our economic problems. Instead, we must focus on ways to create a more sustainable spending plan that is in line with our economic reality.

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.