Contributor

John Campbell

John Campbell (R-Irvine) is a California State Senator representing the 35th District in Orange County. He represents the cities of Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Irvine, Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, Seal Beach and Cypress. He can be reached through his Senate website and through the website for his California Senate campaign. [go to Campbell index]

Last Week In Sacramento
Solar Energy And A New SecState...
[John Campbell] 2/21/05

Bills: Well, this is the time of year when each of us in the legislature introduce our collection of bills for 2005. I am introducing 21 bills. Over the next few weeks, I will tell you about most of them. Here are a couple:

Solar Energy: I, in conjunction with a Democratic Senator from Los Angeles, Kevin Murray, am introducing SB1 which is Governor Schwarzenegger's "Million Solar Rooftops" proposal. Solar energy will provide us with multiple benefits such as diversifying our now heavily natural gas-dependent sources of energy, cleaner air, less dependence on foreign energy, lower overall energy costs over time and the ability to grow this leading-edge industry here in California. The bill will make a number of changes to energy laws to encourage and provide incentives for the installation of photovoltaic solar cells on the roofs of new and existing residential or commercial property with the goal of providing about 7% of our total energy needs within 10 years.

Tsunami Relief tax deduction: In January, Congress voted unanimously to allow taxpayers who contribute to a U.S.-Based Tsunami Relief fund in January of 2005 to deduct that contribution on their federal tax return in either 2004 or 2005. SB 50 will allow taxpayers to do the same on their California tax returns. The bill has already passed the Senate unanimously, and I hope it will become law before you prepare your tax return.

Secretary of State: Governor Schwarzenegger has nominated Republican former Senator Bruce McPherson to replace the resigning Democrat Kevin Shelley as Secretary of State. Senator McPherson is an excellent choice. He is a man of unquestioned integrity, highly respected, experienced in election law and issues, and he is very moderate in his views. Either house of the legislature can reject the appointment on a majority vote; however, the Democratic leader of the Senate has already indicated that Senator McPherson will receive easy confirmation in the Senate.

The Speaker of the Assembly, on the other hand, has been less sanguine. He has said that they will perform numerous hearings to assess the Senator's qualifications. Isn't it interesting that he is calling for hearings on this well-regarded appointment while he is simultaneously suspending hearings to investigate the allegations of criminal behavior in the current Secretary of State's office? Criminal activity by a Democrat is not worthy of investigation but an appointment of any Republican – even one regarded highly by members of both parties – requires extensive scrutiny? Come on. What is Kevin Shelley hiding?

California Performance Review: Thursday, the Governor withdrew part of his proposal to reorganize state government. I do not think this is necessarily a bad thing. I, too, had reservations with some of the proposed reorganizations which would not save any money. But government is still inefficient and ineffective in many ways. We elected this Governor to make bold changes. He has proven that he is willing to forge ahead, particularly on issues of education and bipartisanship. I hope he continues to look at other means to make government bureaucracies less costly and more accountable. And I encourage him to continue driving forward the other bold proposals he is making. CRO

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