As I write this, the Capitol is preparing for the "We Are Americans" march.  I think this is a very poorly chosen title for the event.  We will be in session only from 9:00 to 11:00 am, so we will get some legislative work done, but will not put in a full day.  I plan on leaving the campus as soon as we adjourn.  I have no interest in seeing 100,000 people or hearing what these protesters have to say.  I also hope that the backlash created by the demonstrations planned today will finally goad the Senate into doing what they should have done long before:  pass legislation that 1) immediately fortifies the border to stem the invasion; 2) creates a program that will allow employers to verify the eligibility of all workers (the current system would be overwhelmed if all employers tried to use it); 3) and starts the process of identifying those who are currently here illegally and removing them from this country.  If we need additional labor (I have serious doubts about the need), then we can expand the visa program that will allow people to enter on a temporary basis and return to their country of origin when the need no longer exists.

 

This is also the week that we should hear the decision of the judge in the ELL case.  I hope he will see the value of the plan we have proposed; but if he doesn't, the legislature will appeal the decision.  We did get a partial victory in the 9th Circuit's stay of the distribution of the "fines," but there is still a lot to settle.

 

Otherwise, we continue to slog our way through the myriad of bills proposed this session.  Work on the budget is going slowly -- and a shortened day on Monday is not a help to the process.  I'm continuing to advocate for property tax relief, the repayment of money swept from dedicated funds in previous years, and additional funding for infrastructure needs.  I see these as the highest priority for the additional revenues that are coming in this year.  I continue to fight against new programs that we will have to support, even when the one-time revenues are no longer there.

 

There was one exception to the above statement.  I voted in Approprations for a task force that will study how to expand e-learning throughout the State.  The sponsors belief is that it will save money in urban areas by decreasing the need for new school construction.  I supported this measure with the proviso that this task force include as one of its priorities the addition of e-learning sites in the rural areas where children endure long bus rides just to get to school.  This is where I believe e-learning could be most successful, and I was willing to put some money into this effort.

 

Until next week,

 

Nancy