STATEMENT FROM MAYOR BILL BOGAARD ON REDEVELOPMENT BILLS PASSED BY CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE

On behalf of the Pasadena City Council and the entire community, I want to extend gratitude to Assemblyman Anthony Portantino for his opposition to two California Assembly bills and his support for redevelopment.  

Last week, despite his opposition, the California Legislature, as part of their budget package, passed the two bills – ABX1 26 and ABX1 27 – that seek to extract $1.7 billion from redevelopment agencies this year and $400 million next year and ongoing into the future. 

ABX1 26, as adopted, eliminates redevelopment agencies effective Oct. 1, 2011; ABX1 27 exempts any redevelopment agency from elimination if it makes specified payments to the state.

At this time we do not know the exact payment amounts. Legislation of this type directly underminesPasadena’s financial ability to move forward with many of our planned projects such as the rehabilitation of the YWCA building, renovations to the Villa-Parke Community Center gymnasium and improvements to Central Park in Old Pasadena.

This legislation also jeopardizes many jobs throughout our community and eliminates millions of dollars in revenue that otherwise could be used to provide safe and affordable housing opportunities for Pasadena residents who need them most.

We will continue to analyze the two bills and formulate a strategic response to the legislative action that will keep Pasadena’s tax dollars in Pasadena.

Nonetheless, we believe, along with many legal experts throughout the state, that the bills violate the following provisions of the California Constitution:

·         Article XIIIA, Section 25.5, which prohibits city or county property tax from being used for schools.

·         Article XIIIA, Section 1, which prohibits the transfer of property tax to transit districts.

·         Article XIII, Section 24, which prohibits the legislature from restricting the use of taxes imposed by local governments for their local purposes.

·         Article XIIIA, Section 25.5, which prohibits indirect allocation of tax increment to schools, transit districts and fire protection districts.

·         Article XVI, Section 6, which prohibits the transfer of city or county revenues to schools,  transit districts and fire protection districts, which are unlawful gifts of public funds.

·         Article XIIIB, which prohibits the use of property tax to fund state mandates.

·         Article XVI, Section 16, which requires all tax increment to be used to repay indebtedness incurred by redevelopment agencies to carry out redevelopment projects.

·         Article XIIIA, Section 25.5, which prohibits city and county property tax from being transferred to special districts without a 2/3 vote.

Overall, we stand with the League of California Cities and the California Redevelopment Associationand their members in the belief that ABX1 26 and ABX1 27 are bills that would eliminate the only local tool available to create jobs, eliminate blight and fund affordable housing.

PASADENA POPS TO LIGHT UP SKY IN CELEBRATION OF CITY’S 125TH ANNIVERSARY

The Pasadena POPS, founded in 1928 as the Pasadena Civic Orchestra and initially funded by the city of Pasadena, will celebrate Pasadena's 125th anniversary with a special concert of patriotic music and fireworks Saturday, June 18, at the lawn adjacent to the Rose Bowl Stadium. 

Gates will open at 5:30 p.m. and the concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. Single tickets range from $25 to $90. Children 14 and under are $10. Seating options range from round tables with chairs to lawn seating for those who want to bring blankets and low-back chairs. Concert goers may bring their own picnics and beverages or pre-order from four restaurants. Parking is free at the site.

The Fireworks POPS Spectacular will be led by guest conductor Michael Krajewski, principal Pops conductor for the Houston, Atlanta and Jacksonville symphony orchestras.

The concert will feature a multimedia screening that commemorates the beauty of Pasadena and its fascinating history. 

The evening will end with a dazzling display of fireworks set to music. Programming will include “1812 Overture,”  “America the Beautiful,” “Everything’s Coming Up Roses” and “Rockin’ with the Beach Boys.”

 

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.pasadenasymphony-pops.org or call (626) 793-7172.

For more information about all of Pasadena’s 125^th anniversary celebrations, visit www.cityofpasadena.net/125 or call (626) 744-4755.

Former Schiff Intern Captures Big Win on Jeopardy!

Wednesday June 01, 2011

Washington, DC– Rep. Adam Schiff (CA-29) is proud to acknowledge the accomplishment of former intern Tom Brown, on his big Jeopardy win. Brown served as an intern in the Congressman's Washington, DC office in the summer of 2006. While simultaneously juggling an internship and coursework at Princeton University, Brown demonstrated a strong work ethic and intellect that served him well in preparing for his big win in Jeopardy.

“It is wonderful to see our interns move on to succeed in life as impassioned educators, entrepreneurs, businessmen, policy makers, or in Tom Brown’s case, a Jeopardy winner!” exclaimed Schiff. “Witnessing the successes of members of our team reminds me of how fortunate I am to be working with such unique and talented individuals. This is a great achievement for Tom, and I hope he continues to thrive in all of his future endeavors.”

Brown currently works as a special assistant to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski.

Schiff Condemns Murder of Pakistani Journalist

Wednesday June 01, 2011

Washington, DC –Today, Rep. Adam Schiff (CA-29) released the following statement after reports that Asia Times Online’s Pakistan bureau chief Syed Saleem Shahzad was found tortured and slain yesterday near the town of Mandi Bahauddin, about 75 miles southeast of Islamabad:

“I am deeply distressed and saddened by the news that Asia Times Online’s Pakistan bureau chief Syed Saleem Shahzad was found tortured and slain yesterday about 75 miles southeast of Islamabad.

“For months Shahzad had expressed to colleagues that he feared for his life, as he had been warned by intelligence agents to stop writing about sensitive matters.

“The 40-year-old went missing on Sunday, two days after he published an article claiming Al Qaeda had infiltrated the Pakistani navy and asserting that the May 22 siege on a naval base in Karachi, which resulted in the death of 10 security personnel, was carried out by militants in retaliation after the military refused to release a group of naval officials suspected of having militant ties.

“Reporting is a dangerous business, especially for journalists reporting on militant groups in Pakistan, the intelligence community and potential links between the two. My thoughts and prayers are with Shahzad's family and friends in their time of loss and sorrow, and I strongly condemn this brave journalist’s death.

“Tragically, Shahzad’s death is just the latest in a long series of beatings and murders of journalists in Pakistan, which the Committee to Protect Journalists listed as the world's most dangerous country for reporters in 2010. Last year alone, eight journalists were killed in the country, and Shahzad was the third reporter to be slain in Pakistan this year.

“Unfortunately, Pakistan’s constitution, in addition to other legislation, such as the Official Secrets Act, authorizes the government to stem freedom of speech on a myriad of issues, from the constitution itself, to the armed forces, the judiciary, and religion.

“These principles violate international law, which clearly guarantees freedom of expression and the right to a free press. As Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus for the Freedom of the Press, I urge the Pakistani government to undertake all efforts to ensure the safety of journalists within its borders, in addition to a full, independent and transparent investigation into the death of Shahzad.

“Governments throughout the region and elsewhere in the world must protect journalists and allow them to do their work without having to fear being harassed or detained, or worse.

“A free and open media is an essential guarantor of human rights. The censorship, intimidation, imprisonment, and murder of journalists violate not only their personal liberty, but also the rights of those who are denied access to these ideas and information.

“The Pakistani government must make every effort to bring Shahzad’s killer to justice, as the failure to prosecute individuals who have carried out crimes against journalists contributes to that nation’s climate of intolerance and impunity.”

Metro announces June changes affecting Altadena routes

From the AltadenaBlog

Via LAist, Metro has announced some route changes and cuts that will affect bus transit in Altadena:

180 Hollywood-Glendale-Pasadena via Los Feliz Bl & Colorado Bl

New late night shuttle service on Lake Av between Colorado Bl and Altadena Dr, providing connections with Metro Gold Line Lake Station. Shuttle will operate daily.

485 Altadena-Downtown LA via Lake Av. & El Monte Busway

Operate Line 485 from Altadena Dr & Lake Av to Patsaouras Transit Plaza (Union Station) between the hours of 6am and 9pm with a frequency of 40 minutes at peak hours and 60 minutes off-peak, weekdays only. Discontinue Saturday and Sunday service. Late night weekday service on Lake Av provided by new Line 180 shuttle.

More details on routes and schedules are at www.metro.net.