Senator Bob Dutton
By Senate Republican Leader Bob Dutton
As Americans around this country celebrate Independence Day on July 4th, I can’t help but think of the cornerstone that makes this nation so great – freedom.
And when I think of freedom, I reflect on the priorities that most Americans would like to achieve – a high quality of life for themselves and their families. That quality of life for many includes a safe neighborhood, a good job, quality schools and even homeownership.
Sacramento – As demonstrators representing the California Teachers Association union converge on the Capitol for a full week of protesting instead of a full week of teaching, Senate Republican Leader Bob Dutton today issued the following statement:
General Fund revenues are anticipated to be higher than Governor Brown’s projected revenues in his January 2011 Budget. Senate Republicans believe these additional revenues eliminate the need to reduce funding for education or local law enforcement.
Senate Republicans believe that protecting law enforcement and education should be the highest priority. The Democrats should step up and join Republicans in defending the most vital services provided by state government, instead of giving raises and higher benefits to public employee unions, and doling out more money for big government welfare programs.
The public employee union, known as the California Teachers Association, clearly fails to understand that there is no budget plan that does more to protect education funding than the path proposed by a number of Senate Republicans. That path to a bi-partisan budget solution includes a hard spending cap budget reform proposal that specifically protected Proposition 98 funding for schools.
The spending cap those Senate Republicans proposed ensures that schools get their full share of state revenues as guaranteed in the State Constitution, and provides that additional expenditures above the new spending limit must be used for specified purposes that include increased funding for schools (i.e., maintenance factor, settle-up, and repayment of deferred education funds).
This proposed state spending limit would guarantee that education gets more funding than either of the state budgets proposed by the governor or legislative Democrats.
In addition to the spending cap, Senate Republicans also proposed pension reform and the following education reforms that would help ensure that excellent teachers are teaching our children and more taxpayer dollars are going to the classroom:
Editor’s Note: I appreciate any and all clicks on this article as that is what keeps Naomi fed. Also, if you are willing to subscribe, follow on Twitter, Facebook, etc., it gets Naomi fed more! All of those options are located just under the title on the Examiner.com page.
I also want to note on this particular article for those who don’t know that I worked in the Welfare-to-Work system for many years that it is not that I was not in favor of this bill, it’s that I don’t feel there should be cash aid to begin with. Instead I would rather see a voucher system so that the money goes where it is intended.
Senator Bob Dutton
SACRAMENTO – In a straight party-line vote, this week the Senate Human Services Committee killed a bill to prohibit the use of Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards to purchase alcohol and tobacco. Democratic Senators Loni Hancock (D-9), Carol Liu (D-21), Roderick Wright (D25) and Leland Yee (D-8) voted against the bill while Republican Senators Tom Berryhill (R-14), Tony Strickland (R-19) and Bill Emmerson (R-37) voted in favor of the restrictions.
EBT cards function similarly to debit cards in that they can be used at ATMs and many retail establishments to access Food Stamps and cash aid (CalWorks formerly known as AFDC) benefits. Last year a Los Angeles newspaper exposed perceived abuses by welfare recipients who used their EBT cards at Indian gaming casinos, strip clubs, and cruise ships as well as out-of-state casinos. Then-Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed an Executive Order prohibiting California casinos from accepting the cards. However, the order did not address use of welfare benefits to purchase alcohol and tobacco.
To read the rest of the article, click here.
Another bill to help employees adjust work schedules is killed
SACRAMENTO – A pro-jobs bill, authored by Senate Republican Leader Bob Dutton (R-Rancho Cucamonga), aimed at helping California businesses grow and expand, was approved today by the Senate Committee on Governance and Finance.
A pro-employee bill, however, that would have made it easier for employees to adjust their work schedule, was squashed by the Senate Committee on Labor and Industrial Relations.
As we continue to watch in shock and horror over the tragic loss of life and damage caused by the series of powerful earthquakes and tsunami that struck North East Japan, my wife, Andrea, and I join with everyone in the 31st Senate District in extending our heartfelt sympathy and deepest condolences. We are also concerned for the folks on the California coast impacted by significant damage this morning caused by the tsunami.
A few days ago I mentioned that I had emailed those San Bernardino County representatives being targeted by John and Ken. Tonight I heard back from Assemblyman Paul Cook. Here is an excerpt from his email:
Hi Sharon, Just wanted to respond to this and state that I have signed a pledge and am on record with John and Ken to Not raise taxes and to Not vote to place taxes on the ballot. John and Ken are advocating for a Taxpayers Caucus, which covers the exact same material as the pledge. Given that I have signed the pledge, the Taxpayers Caucus is redundant. The organizers would rather talk in front of a microphone than take action. . . .Hope this helps clear the confusion. Thanks, Paul
So there you go.
I asked one of my Assembly contacts if the claim made by John and Ken about Republican defectors is true. I’m told it is not.
I also emailed all of the “defectors” except Emmerson, as I do not have his personal email address. I doubt I will get responses, but we shall see.
Editor’s Note: In the home county of Anthony Adams, this does not seem like a smart move.
Two-thirds of Republicans in the California Legislature announced Wednesday that they were forming a new group and pledged not only never to vote to raise taxes but also to block efforts to place a tax-hike measure before voters.
The group’s creation is a stick in the eye for Gov. Jerry Brown, a Democrat whose budget plan is based on allowing a public referendum on extending taxes in June.
SACRAMENTO–Senate Republican Leader Bob Dutton (R-Rancho Cucamonga) introduced several pieces of legislation as part of his on-going effort to improve California’s business climate and grow the economy.
“We have the second highest unemployment rate in the nation, and a big reason for that is the burdens this state has placed on small businesses,” Senator Dutton said. “These bills will help to keep and create jobs by making California competitive with other states and by easing restrictive policies that add to the cost of doing business. They are also a win-win for employees and employers as they provide greater flexibility to employees in determining work schedules.”
SB 266 allows school districts to pay all substitutes the same rate
SACRAMENTO – Senate Republican Leader Bob Dutton (R-Rancho Cucamonga) has introduced legislation that will save local school districts millions of dollars each year.
If passed, Senate Bill 266 will allow school districts to pay all substitute teachers within that district the same rate of pay. Under the current system, school districts are required to hire substitute teachers based on seniority, and to pay recently laid-off teachers at their old salary rate if they work as a substitute for at least 21 days in a 60-day period.
Involvement in politics, whether as a candidate, volunteer, staffer, or contributor, is not for the faint of heart. November 2, 2010 saw many winners and losers and some of the biggest losers were not even running for office.
By now almost all of the races have been decided statewide. We thought we would take a moment to discuss a few of the biggest winners and losers in San Bernardino County.
Senator Robert Dutton
Last week’s revelation that Ted Dutton, father of California State Senator Robert Dutton, was one of the major donors behind Citizens Against Corruption Opposing Rutherford for Supervisor 2010 was barely noticed. It’s significance is great however.
Senator Robert Dutton has not tried to hide his desire to be elected to the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors at some point in the future. Who would not with the generous salary, benefits, and pension plan?
Sources suggest he would also be allowed to purchase 10 years of service credit in the county’s retirement system for the years he spent in the California Legislature. He could also connect the six years of credit he received when he served on the Rancho Cucamonga City Council, which would provide him with a significant retirement when he left county service.
Inland Empire business owners and developers have been linked to three campaign mailers opposing the challenger for the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisor’s 2nd District seat.The committee responsible for the mailers, Citizens Against Corruption Opposing Rutherford for Supervisor 2010, filed its campaign contribution and expenditure forms Friday with the county’s Registrar of Voters Office, naming five donors.
The contributions, totaling $35,000, came from Frank Glankler III, Urban Advisors Inc., Arron Corporation doing business as Alta Loma Limo, Harold Kneller and Gregory Severson.
Total expenditures by the committee equaled $66,840.
Senator Dutton has written yet another eloquent column about why we should pass Republican Party budget solutions, but Democratic Party legislators want to do it their way no matter how many more Californians will become unemployed or how massive the state’s budget problems will become in future years.
Even though Republicans may have the winning issues on the state budget and law and order, our state is so gerrymandered where the Democratic Party will likely be able to pass their state budgets in a veto-resistant manner after the next two elections. The Democratic Party has State Senate District 12 and 15 in the cross hairs so they can be ready to pass budgets without Republican Party influence.
Unfortunately we will have to see California collapse before voters ever do consider the Republican Party as a viable choice, but even so there are many demographic groups who would rather vote for a dog instead of a Republican. Republicans are going to have to build a relationship with these demographic groups that Republicans used as wedge issues in order to adapt to the demographics of our state today. Continue reading
We need to see change regarding the gun laws in California. Call your lawmakers and tell them you want the law changed.
On Tuesday, April 6, the Assembly Public Safety Committee will consider three pro-gun bills.
Assembly Bill 2053, sponsored by Assemblymember Jeff Miller (R-71), would clarify the current statutes for law enforcement to issue a concealed firearms license. Under AB2053, the “good cause” stipulation would apply to self-defense, defending the life of another, or preventing crime in which a human life is threatened. Continue reading
***Dutton Report Alert***Non–partisan Analyst Says Global
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Dutton Report: March 2010True Job-Creation Measures Would Lift Burdens My 2010 legislative package contains a number of measures aimed at lifting the unneeded and burdensome regulations that have made California the most expensive place in the nation for businesses to survive (let alone make a profit). California’s current unemployment rate stands at 12.5 percent; the rate in San Bernardino and Riverside Counties continues to hover around 14 percent. California’s economics woes are certainly the result of a global economic downturn that has been made much worse by this state’s anti-jobs business climate. Continue reading |
| For Immediate Release |
Contact: Larry Venus
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| March 4, 2010 |
916–651–4031
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Dutton Calls on Air Board to Freeze Anti–
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In Case You Missed It:Democrats Try to Jump on Jobs
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In case you missed it:Climate zealotryDon’t make California the global warming guinea pigThis op-ed was published in the Feb. 21 edition of the Press Enterprise.By BOB DUTTON In his State of the State address, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared that jobs are his top priority and unveiled an initiative aimed at creating 100,000 jobs, streamlining regulations and curbing frivolous lawsuits. The governor’s proposals are a good first step. Allow me to suggest a vital second step: Put the brakes on out-of-control, unelected bureaucrats whose regulatory actions are killing jobs and endangering our economic future. Just look at the California Air Resources Board. Even while furloughs slow work at other state agencies, the folks at the air resources board are speeding ahead with full force to impose sweeping, untested global warming regulations. They seem intent on making California the nation’s global warming guinea pig. Continue reading |
Dutton Measure Seeks Safeguards to Protect Public From Mentally Disordered OffendersSACRAMENTO – Senate Republican Leader-elect Bob Dutton (R-Rancho Cucamonga) today introduced Senate Bill 1265 to protect the public by giving local authorities the ability to use common sense when mentally disordered offenders are released into neighborhoods. The need for the bill stems from a homicide that took place in Upland last month. The murder took place in an unsupervised “group home” where seven male offenders were living. All seven men had been released from mental hospitals under the Department of Mental Health’s Forensic Conditional Release Program (ConRep). The unlicensed facility where they lived shared a fence with an elementary school. Continue reading |
Rather than making the tough decisions necessary to bring the state’s revenues in line with spending, California’s Democrat-controlled Legislature is once again settling for partial solutions to our state’s massive budget gap.
The Democrat plan approved by the Senate today ignores nearly $5 billion in cuts proposed by the Governor and specifically excludes reductions in programs that constitute over 80 percent of the state’s General Fund budget.
Less than one-third of the $5 billion in “solutions” actually approved by the majority party are actual cuts. The remaining two-thirds are realized through tax increases, gimmicks, deferrals and other cost avoidance measures. Continue reading
| For Immediate Release |
Contact: Larry Venus
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| February 17, 2010 |
916–651–4031
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Republicans Introduce Private
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“Rumors that I am running for San Bernardino County Supervisor are inaccurate. I am the Senate Republican Leader-Elect and my future political goal is to become the GOP Senate Leader later this year. In the past, I have considered running for County Supervisor in 2014 — four years from now — but not in 2010.” — Bob Dutton
Sacramento-based sources claim that Senator Robert Dutton (R-31) will throw his hat into the ring to unseat embattled San Bernardino County Second District Supervisor Paul Biane. Three others, Upland Mayor John “JP” Pomierski, KCAA radio host Peter “Scott” Markovich, and publisher of The Alpenphorn News, Dennis Labadie, have all expressed interest in the seat, with the latter two having already declared their candidacies.
Biane was implicated this week as John Doe 5 in a criminal complaint alleging conspiracy and bribery when San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos filed charges against former Assessor and Board of Supervisors Chairman Bill Postmus and former Assistant Assessor and Third District Chief of Staff Jim Erwin. This, combined with other on-going legal issues, opens the door for a likely successful unseating of Biane. Continue reading
***Dutton Report Special***Time to Put California Jobs FirstYesterday several California small business owners and my Republican colleagues joined together to emphasize the importance of private sector job creation and to continue our campaign to revive California’s struggling economy. Our campaign titled “California Jobs First” seeks to:
Since 2000 we’ve lost over 600,000 manufacturing jobs. Adding insult to injury, regulators are now developing global warming regulations that will cost our state 1.1 million more jobs. Regulations are killing jobs in California. To protect private sector jobs, I’ve introduced Senate Bill 960 that will require the non partisan Legislative Analyst’s Office to determine the cost effectiveness and feasibility of regulations imposed by the California Air Resources Board. I’ve also introduced Senate Bill 942 that will require the State Auditor to review existing regulations and point out those that are unnecessary or too costly to implement. The bill will also sunset all regulations after 10 years unless they are determined they are necessary. These measures and others like them will help private business and bring some common sense back to our regulatory climate. It takes 25 private sector jobs to support every state government job. We need to stop killing private sector jobs that help provide the funds necessary to build roads, support our schools and make our communities a safer place to live and work. Over the next several days my Republican colleagues and I will be introducing many more pieces of legislation aimed at lifting the burdens that are hurting job creators. It’s time we put the small businesses of California first instead of making them wait at the end of the line. California will recover from this current recession. It is up to the Legislature to determine how long the recovery will take. -30- |
Dutton Takes Aim at State RegulationsBill requires Auditor to recommend eliminating regulationsSACRAMENTO – Senate Republican Leader-elect Bob Dutton (R-Rancho Cucamonga) is keeping his pledge to protect and create jobs in California by identifying and eliminating unnecessary state regulations. Senate Bill 942 calls upon the non-partisan State Auditor to review existing regulations and to recommend eliminating those found to be unnecessary or too costly. The bill also requires that regulations sunset after 10 years unless they are determined necessary. “The regulatory maze in California is mind boggling,” said Senator Dutton. “Over decades of time state bureaucrats have developed one of the most confusing and burdensome regulatory systems on the planet.” More than 600,000 Californians lost their jobs over the past year. The unemployment rate statewide is 12.4 percent, one of the highest in the nation. In San Bernardino and Riverside Counties the unemployment rate is 14 percent. The well-respected Economist magazine observed that California’s “high taxes, coupled with intrusive regulation of business and greenery taken to silly extremes, have gradually strangled what was once America’s most dynamic state economy.” “California’s economy can thrive once again, but only if state government comes to its senses and helps employers make a profit so they can hire people,” continued Dutton. “There are millions of people in this state who want a job. Let’s pass common sense bills like SB 942 that will help put California families back on the road to prosperity.” -30- |
To make our neighborhoods safer, I am crafting legislation that will give more control to local authorities when mentally disordered offenders are released back into neighborhoods.
Many of you are aware of a homicide that took place in Upland last month. The murder took place in an unsupervised home where seven male offenders were living. All seven men had been released from mental hospitals under the Department of Mental Health’s Forensic Conditional Release Program (ConRep).
It turns out that because of some quirks in the law, local communities are kept in the dark when high-risk individuals like these seven offenders are placed in their communities.
In the next several days I will be introducing a bill that will do three things:
Yesterday I had the opportunity to talk about this issue on the popular John and Ken radio show on KFI 640. I invite you to listen to an audio recordering of the interview.
I will keep you up-to-date on the progress of this common sense legislation as it is considered by the Legislature in the weeks to come.
JOBS CONTINUE FLEEING TO BUSINESS-FRIENDLY STATESLast year when Toyota announced plans to close its manufacturing plant in Fremont, legislators mounted an effort to save the 4,700 jobs that are impacted by the closure. At that time I asked, “If the Democrats were willing to save the Toyota plant by suspending environmental regulations and creating tax incentives, among other things, why are they not willing to pass such measures to save jobs all across our state?” (read my prior comments) Not surprisingly, the last-minute efforts failed to convince Toyota to keep the plant open. It was too late. Its planned closure in March provides further evidence of California’s unfriendly business climate. Here’s the twist: Toyota is now expanding its operation in Texas. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, some of the new Texas jobs are the very same jobs being eliminated in California. (see article) The fact that Toyota is shifting California jobs to Texas is not a coincidence. As I’ve said before, California should do more to emulate the State of Texas in retaining and creating private sector jobs. (read my prior comments) If California’s jobless rate (12.4%) was the same as Texas’ rate (8.3%), nearly 750,000 people who have lost their jobs in this state would still be employed and we wouldn’t have as severe a budget deficit. I again urge my Democrat colleagues to reject every bill that would cost even one private sector job. I challenge them to work together with Republicans to lift the needless regulations and unfunded mandates that make California the most difficult place in America to do business. With all due respect to my Democrat colleagues, if we don’t change our ways, California will continue to watch jobs flee to business friendly states like Texas while our recovery lags the rest of the nation. -30- |
Last week I was humbled and honored to be unanimously selected to become the next Senate Republican Leader.
The decision to take a vote now ensures a smooth transition will take place when our current leader, Sen. Dennis Hollingsworth, steps down later this year.
Dennis has done an outstanding job representing the caucus and taxpayers of this state over the past year. I will continue to work closely with him over the next several months to solve the important issues facing California residents – including private sector job creation and the state’s budget crisis.
Both Dennis and I along with the rest of the caucus are committed to balancing this year’s budget with no new taxes. Continue reading
OPPOSITION GROWING TO CALIFORNIA’S GLOBAL WARMING LAWNearly 2 out of 3 believe California shouldn’t ‘go it alone’ in enacting sweeping regulationsSACRAMENTO – Survey results released today show increasing opposition to California’s landmark global warming legislation that is currently being implemented by the California Air Resources Board. When initially asked if voters support AB 32, the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, that aims at reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent by 2020, 58 percent of those surveyed were somewhat or strongly in favor of the regulations and 27 percent were somewhat or strongly opposed. Those in support declined by 5 points over the past year, while those opposed increased by 5 percent. More importantly, when voters were given more information about the regulation, including both positive and negative messages, opposition to AB 32 increased dramatically to 56 percent, while those who where in favor dropped to just 40 percent. The increase in opposition was based on concerns that the measure will kill jobs, increase costs and further erode the state’s fragile economy. Similarly, a majority of voters initially support the reduction of carbon in gasoline (low carbon fuel standard). After they hear messages about the economic impacts and costs to consumers and the questionable benefits to the environment, support falls to a minority. “These survey results show that informed Californians agree that these new regulations will put more hardworking taxpayers out of work,” said Senate Republican Leader-elect Bob Dutton (R-Rancho Cucamonga). “When voters learn that California’s global warming regulations will kill more jobs and take money out of their pockets they become adamantly opposed to the entire experiment.” In the Inland Empire the results were even more dramatic. Initially, 52 percent of those polled were in favor, while 31 percent were opposed. After hearing the facts about AB 32, only 25 percent remained in favor, while 70 percent were opposed. No other state or the federal government is enacting these radical environmental regulations. Californians don’t believe the state should take a “go it alone approach” when it comes to imposing regulations that will impose significant costs on taxpayers and businesses alike during this economic downturn. Of those surveyed, 66 percent agreed that a California-only global warming law doesn’t make sense as it won’t meaningfully reduce global warming worldwide and would impose higher costs and drive jobs out of the state. The California Air Resources Board is responsible for implementation of AB 32. “It’s clear that Californians believe any state global warming standards should only be implemented if other states are doing the same,” Senator Dutton continued. “In fact, during a recent hearing California Air Resources Board Chairwoman Mary Nichols even admitted that California should not go it alone.” (Watch Mary Nichols comments) “These survey results show that we must continue to shed light on the California Air Resources Board as they try to jam through these regulations during a time when this state faces historic unemployment,” Senator Dutton said. “California cannot solve the perceived global warming problem. California cannot save the world.” -30- |
***Dutton Report Alert***Unemployment in San Bernardino and Riverside Counties Drops for Second Straight MonthDespite the good news, jobless rate still high at 14 percent
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