What: The public is invited to attend a meeting of the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council (SAC). Highlights include updates and discussions on marine reserves education and socioeconomic studies, ship traffic patterns near the sanctuary, new technologies in marine mammal sightings data collection, and advisory council planning for 2012.
When: Friday, January 20th, 2012 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Where: Casa Las Palmas 323 E. Cabrillo Blvd · Santa Barbara, CA
Who: The Sanctuary Advisory Council (twenty-one members representing the interests of commercial fishing, recreational fishing, non-consumptive recreation, tourism, business, research, education, conservation, Chumash community, public at-large, and ten government agencies), and Superintendent Chris Mobley.
Draft Meeting Agenda (subject to possible change – check channelislands.noaa.gov/sac/main.html before the meeting):
9:00 am Administrative Business and Announcements, Superintendent’s Report, Council Member Announcements
10:00 am Marine Protected Areas: Announcements, Education and Outreach, Socioeconomic Studies
11:45 am Public Comment
12:00 pm Lunch
1:00 pm Ship Traffic Patterns near the Sanctuary
1:15 pm New Technologies to Enhance Marine Mammal Sightings Data Collection
1:30 pm Public Comment
1:45 pm Identification and Prioritization of Council Work Topics for 2012
2:30 pm Working Group Reports
2:55 pm Meeting Close-out
3:00 pm Adjourn
More information about the Sanctuary Advisory Council and this meeting: channelislands.noaa.gov/sac/main.html
The Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary was designated in 1980 to protect marine resources surrounding San Miguel, Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, Anacapa, and Santa Barbara Islands. The sanctuary spans approximately 1,470 square miles extending from island shorelines to six miles offshore, encompassing a rich diversity of marine life and habitats, as well as rich historic and cultural resources. Additional information is available at: channelislands.noaa.gov. The Sanctuary Advisory Council provides advice to the Sanctuary Superintendent regarding management. The Council serves as a forum for consultation and deliberation for the community, assures public input to management decision-making, and helps expand public awareness about the sanctuary and its resources. The Advisory Council holds regular public meetings in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NATIONAL OCEAN SERVICE
Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary
113 Harbor Way, Suite 150
Santa Barbara, CA 93109

State Senator Sharon Runner (R-Antelope Valley) issued the following statement on the Governor’s Budget:

“California is an innovative state whose entrepreneurs create jobs when the government stops getting in the way. Sadly, while many successful companies start here, too many are forced to leave due to high taxes and overregulation. These employers need to have the confidence that their company will have a fair chance of succeeding if they spend the money to hire people off the unemployment rolls.

“Increasing taxes does nothing to enourage the creativity and enterprise of employers.

“Elected officials must foster a business friendly climate to create jobs, not one that drains businesses of their hard-earned revenues.”

As a conservative and a longtime community activist, I have fought against the passage of legislation that is bad for Californians. Unfortunately, I have not always been successful as I am outnumbered in the Legislature as a member of the minority party. Democrats outnumber Republicans by two to one in committees where proposed legislative measures are up for consideration. Despite me and my conservative colleagues' best efforts, the following laws took effect on January 1:

· Senate Bill 48 (Leno-D): Public schools must now include positive lessons on the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) community and their contributions, as well as Native Americans, Asian Pacific Islanders and people with disabilities.

· Assembly Bill 130 (Cedillo-D): The first half of the California Dream Act goes into effect, qualifying undocumented students attending California's public institutions of higher education for privately funded financial aid.

· Assembly Bill 144 (Portantino-D): It is now a misdemeanor to carry an exposed and unloaded handgun while in any public place.

· Assembly Bill 183 (Ma-D): Alcohol joins the list of items banned from purchase at self-checkout stands (which also includes cigarettes and spray paint).

· Senate Bill 746 (Lieu-D): Tanning beds are now barred to anyone under 18, even with parental permission.

· Senate Bill 929 (Evans-D): The California Vehicle Code now requires children up to 8 years old and under four-foot-nine to use a child safety seat while riding in a car. An increase from the previous requirement of six years of age.

On a brighter note, my colleague Senator Bob Huff of Diamond Bar passed a measure to help students with epilepsy:

· Senate Bill 161 (Huff-R): California-trained non-medical school employees can now provide emergency assistance to students with epilepsy experiencing a seizure.

Thousand Oaks, CA (January 9, 2011) - Congress is broken. Divisive partisan politics have gridlocked Congress. Special interest money influences legislation.

Linda Parks is running for Congress to fix the system and that means she's not going to take money from political parties, she's not going to take money from unions, and she's not going to take money from political action committees (PAC's).

Linda is running for Congress with the support of people instead! Experts say a successful campaign for Congress will exceed one million dollars.

This is an unseemly amount and it is precisely why Linda is running - to show that we can beat big money special interests and not have Congress members who are bought and paid for.

Instead of special interest money, Linda's campaign relies on contributions from individuals.

When asked, "How can a candidate for Congress win unless they are backed by the big money special interests and political parties?" Linda's answer is: "I've been significantly outspent and am living proof money doesn't always buy elections." Linda asks voters to send a message to the nation by electing someone who is not beholden to parties or special interests.

She states: "Make this be our Declaration of Independence from the special interests, the unions, the parties, and the corporate political action committees with their influence over Congress."

Saturday, January 21, 2012 at Noon
Linda will officially launch her campaign January 21, 2012 at Freedom Park, on Eubanks Street in Camarillo.

Please come and join Linda as she Declares Independence from the party politics that are failing our nation and from Corporate Special Interests that Congress puts over the interests of citizens.

Hear her pledge to not take corporate contributions, or party contributions, or union contributions.

CITY OF FILLMORE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2012 6:30 P.M.
FILLMORE CITY HALL CENTRAL PARK PLAZA 250 CENTRAL AVENUE
FILLMORE, CALIFORNIA 93015-1907

Replay Schedule: City Council/RDA meetings will be re-broadcast on Channel 10 daily at 6:00 p.m.
1. Call to Order: 6:30 P.M.

2. Pledge of Allegiance

3. Roll Call: Councilmembers Brooks, Conaway, Sipes and Mayor Washburn

4. Approval of Agenda

5. Presentations and Announcements

A. Presentation from Greg Sherlock, State Farm, to Fillmore Fire Department
B. Presentation of Certificate of Appreciation to Glenda Jay for Exemplary Effort

6. Public Comments

7. Consent Calendar

Recommendation for Items A. through D. is to Approve.

A. Warrant List for JANUARY 10, 2012.
B. Minutes of SEPTEMBER 13, 2011 Regular Meeting.
C. Minutes of DECEMBER 13, 2011 Special Meeting.
D. Minutes of DECEMBER 13, 2011 Regular Meeting.

8. Department Reports

City Council

A. Interview of Council Candidates, Discussion and Appointment of new Member to fill unexpired term of former Council Member Walker which expires November 2014.

Recommendation:
1) Conduct interviews of applicants in order by lot drawing (see below for standard questions and each Councilmember will ask each candidate the same discretionary question of his/her choosing);
2) Consider the written applications and interviews of the applicants;
3) Appoint one Applicant by majority vote to serve the remainder of the unexpired term.

City Manager

B. Discussion and Direction to Staff on Town Hall Meeting Format scheduled for Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 6:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers.

Recommendation: 1) Discuss and provide direction to staff.

8C. Consideration and Adoption of 1) Resolution 12-3327 of the City of Fillmore to Express its Intent to Serve as the Successor Agency of the Redevelopment Agency of the City of Fillmore, Pursuant to Health and Safety code Section 34171(j) and Section 34173, and to Elect to Retain the Housing Assets and Functions Previously Performed by the Redevelopment Agency of the City of Fillmore, Pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 34176; OR,
2) Resolution 12-3328 of the City of Fillmore to Express its Intent to Serve as the Successor Agency of the Redevelopment Agency of the City of Fillmore, Pursuant to Health and Safety code Section 34171(j) and Section 34173, and Not to Elect to Retain the Housing Assets and Functions Previously Performed by the Redevelopment Agency of the City of Fillmore, Pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 34176; AND,
3) Direct Staff to Administratively Prepare the Recognized Obligation Payment Schedule (ROPS) and Submit it to the Appropriate Parties.

Recommendation: Consideration and Adoption of:
1) RESOLUTION 12-3327 OF THE CITY OF FILLMORE TO EXPRESS ITS INTENT TO SERVE AS THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY OF THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE CITY OF FILLMORE, PURSUANT TO HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE SECTION 34171(j) AND SECTION 34173, AND TO ELECT TO RETAIN THE HOUSING ASSETS AND FUNCTIONS PREVIOUSLY PERFORMED BY THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE CITY OF FILLMORE, PURSUANT TO HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE SECTION 34176;
OR,
2) RESOLUTION 12-3328 OF THE CITY OF FILLMORE TO EXPRESS ITS INTENT TO SERVE AS THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY OF THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE CITY OF FILLMORE, PURSUANT TO HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE SECTION 34171(j) AND SECTION 34173, AND NOT TO ELECT TO RETAIN THE HOUSING ASSETS AND FUNCTIONS PREVIOUSLY PERFORMED BY THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE CITY OF FILLMORE, PURSUANT TO HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE SECTION 34176. AND,
3) Direct Staff to Administratively Prepare the Recognized Obligation Payment Schedule (ROPS) and Submit it to the Appropriate Parties.

9. Committee, Commission, and Board Reports

10. City Council Reports, Recommendations, and Comments

A. City Councilmember Travel Requests/Brief Reports

B. Any Councilmember May Propose Items for Placement on Future Agenda

C. Council Referrals/Brief Comments

11. City Manager

A. Follow-Up on Requests from the Public/City Council

B. Announcements and Upcoming Issues

12. Closed Sessions

A. Public Employee Performance Evaluation pursuant to Section 54957 – Title: City Manager. This evaluation is the City Manager’s Annual Evaluation as specified in the City Manager Employment Agreement.

B. Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation (subdivision (a) of Section 54956.9): City of Industry and City of Livermore v. City of Fillmore, et. al. Case No. BC411865, Los Angeles County Superior Court.

C. Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation (subdivision (a) of Section 54956.9). El Dorado Estates v. City of Fillmore, Case No. CV11-07562 SJO, United States District Court for the Central District; and El Dorado Estates v. City of Fillmore, Case No. 56-2009-00358555-CU-WM-VTA, Ventura Superior Court.

13. Adjournment: City Council adjourns to a Town Hall Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, 250 Central Avenue.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Upcoming Meetings and Related Agenda Items (Info Only)

Jan 24th Town Hall Watershed Protection; VC Alert, Possible Redevelopment Agency item creating Successor Agency
Feb 28th Mid-Year Budget

Agenda Posted: January 5, 2012, 5:00 p.m.

Written by Mike Brownfield

Last night’s nail-biter in Iowa marked the beginning of election year 2012. And with Americans heading to the polls — next in New Hampshire, then South Carolina and beyond — they will hope to rely on the integrity of the election system to ensure that every legitimate vote counts and that fraud is not the deciding factor on the local, state or national level.

Unfortunately, despite all the technological advances in our modern democracy, voter fraud still occurs, and yet there is still resistance to one very simple tool that could help eradicate it — voter ID. Some, like The New York Times, say that voting fraud is a myth, that “there is almost no voting fraud in America.” But as Heritage senior legal fellow Hans von Spakovsky explains, voter fraud is all too common in America today:

The fraud denialists also must have missed the recent news coverage of the double voters in North Carolina and the fraudster in Tunica County, Miss. — a member of the NAACP’s local executive committee — who was sentenced in April to five years in prison for voting in the names of ten voters, including four who were deceased.

And the story of the former deputy chief of staff for Washington mayor Vincent Gray, who was forced to resign after news broke that she had voted illegally in the District of Columbia even though she was a Maryland resident. Perhaps they would like a copy of an order from a federal immigration court in Florida on a Cuban immigrant who came to the U.S. in April 2004 and promptly registered and voted in the November election.

Even former liberal... http://blog.heritage.org/2012/01/04/morning-bell-voter-id-prevents-elect...

Senator Sharon Runner (R-Antelope Valley), a limited scleroderma patient, issued the following statement regarding her re-enrollment on the active lung transplant list:

“After several lung infections, the doctors have put me on the lung transplant list.

“Because I am susceptible to infections, I will be working away from the office for the time being.

“While I will not physically be in the office, I will continue to serve the citizens of the Antelope Valley, the Santa Clarita Valley and the High Desert thanks to telephone, email and all forms of electronic communications. As always, my dedicated and experienced staff will continue to provide assistance with all state-related matters.

“Serving the public is an honor that I take seriously. I want to assure my constituents and colleagues that I will carry out my responsibilities with the same level of dedication they have come to expect.

“Given my overall good health, combined with my age, the doctors expect me to make a full recovery. And I look forward to continue the fight to protect Californians.”

About Scleroderma
Limited scleroderma, or CREST syndrome, is an autoimmune condition affecting the body’s connective tissue. The purpose of the body’s immune system is to fight infection and disease; however, with limited scleroderma, the immune system attacks the healthy connective tissue as well. For more information, please visit the Scleroderma Foundation’s website at www.scleroderma.org.

In Human Events I discuss some new allegations that show yet again how willfully blind the Obama Administration's approach to jihad terrorism and Islamic supremacism really is:

It is now official U.S. Government policy that Islam has nothing whatsoever to do with terrorism, and that therefore any examination of the stated motives and goals of Islamic jihad terrorists constitutes “Islamophobia” and must be shunned, as well as punished. But new revelations this week from a confessed jihad plotter indicate that this is exactly the opposite policy of what should have been adopted.

A young Muslim... http://www.jihadwatch.org/2012/01/spencer-jihad-plotting-persists-in-mos...

As your elected member of the California State Board of Equalization, I am fighting to ensure your voice is heard in Sacramento. As always, I welcome your ideas about how we can work together to solve the pressing problems facing our state.

How about some good news to close out this year?

If you’re a Californian, your taxes are lower today than they were a year ago. That’s a good thing for you, your community and our state economy.

You may recall that earlier this year many politicians claimed catastrophe would strike if legislators rejected a five year extension of a multi-billion dollar hike in income taxes, sales taxes and car taxes.

Thankfully, Republican legislators held firm. And, believe it or not, the sky did not fall. In fact, if you look closely at the latest numbers from the Department of Finance, you’ll find that billions in unanticipated revenue has materialized this year without any tax hike at all.

Furthermore, according to the latest Board of Equalization numbers, taxable sales are up 8% throughout our state. Sales tax revenue has exceeded budget revenue estimates by more than $100 million so far this fiscal year.

You see, a recovering economy is far more effective at generating revenues than any tax hike. When Californians have jobs, state coffers always have plenty of revenue.

Of course, we still have a lot of work to do. As we enter the new year, jobs continue to be the key to solving California’s most pressing problems. As your elected representative, I’ll continue to work on your behalf for jobs and a brighter future for our state.

Tax Victories You May Have Missed

Not every tax victory makes the front page of the newspaper. Here are a few victories you may have missed this year:

1. Ag Exemption for Solar: In a victory for farmers, the partial sales and use tax exemption for farm equipment can be applied to purchases of solar equipment if the taxpayer can “demonstrate that the solar facility is specifically designed to provide power to qualifying machinery.”

2. Collection Cost Recovery Fee: In a victory for struggling business owners, a proposed 20% increase in BOE's collection cost recovery fee has been shelved for now. The fee will remain fixed in 2012 to allow time for staff to study the issue more thoroughly. Learn more.

3. Deals of the Day: In a victory for consumers, coupons purchased at deal-of-the-day websites, like Groupon and LivingSocial, will be taxed at the amount the consumer actually spends (e.g. $50) rather than the value of the item purchased (e.g. $100). Learn more.

4. Qualified Purchasers: In a victory for small businesses, the Board suspended “courtesy registrations” and is allowing businesses who never signed up for this controversial use tax collection program to leave if they no longer meet the criteria to be in the program.

5. Welfare Exemption: In a victory for non-profits, the Board has clarified that charitable organizations should receive a property tax exemption if the “charitable activities performed by the nonprofit organization confer some ‘meaningful,’ ‘important," or ‘significant’ benefit to people in California.” This means even California-based non-profits with an international focus may be eligible for this property tax exemption. Learn more.

Should you desire further information on any of these issues, please do not hesitate to contact my office for assistance.

Tax Tip of the Month

Q. Are California small businesses and non-profits eligible for the new federal healthcare tax credit?

A. Yes. More than 630,000 California employers with less than 25 full-time employees may be eligible for the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit. Eligible recipients include small businesses and non-profits that pay at least 50% of their employees' healthcare premiums.

To learn more about this tax credit, log on to www.IRS.gov

As an elected member of the California State Board of Equalization, I have the unique privilege of serving as a taxpayer advocate for the citizens of California.

California is the only state in the nation that has an elected tax board that is directly accountable to voters. The five-member board on which I serve administers more than 30 tax programs and fees, including sales and use tax, tobacco tax, fuel taxes and timber yield taxes. My fellow board members and I hear appeals relating to these taxes and fees, as well as state personal income tax appeals that originate from the Franchise Tax Board.

Each day, my staff and I work hard to ensure that taxpayers are treated fairly when dealing with California tax bureaucracies. Whether the issue is a tax appeal or an audit, we want to see taxpayers treated with the respect they deserve.

The district I represent is comprised of more than 9 million Californians and more than half of the state's land mass. The district spans much of inland California—from the Oregon border to Southern California—and includes the entire Central Valley. As you might suspect, tax issues impacting California farmers are of great interest and concern to me.

One of the issues my office has worked on this past year relates to the agricultural exemption for farm equipment. Current California law provides a partial sales and use tax exemption for equipment and machinery primarily used in agricultural activities. Farmers who purchase this equipment need not pay the state General Fund portion of the sales tax, but must still pay local sales taxes.

The definition of farm equipment and machinery is fairly broad and includes, among other things, agricultural heating and cooling equipment, livestock systems, irrigation systems and wind machines.

This seems straightforward enough, but someone must decide which specific equipment qualifies for the exemption, and which does not. The Board of Equalization makes these calls. Given the high cost of farm equipment, the financial impact of even a seemingly small decision can have a huge impact on taxpayers.

Here's a real-life example: A growing number of California farmers are purchasing solar panels to help lower their irrigation system energy costs. Given that diesel generators receive a tax exemption, it came as a complete surprise when they were told that their new solar systems would not qualify for the same tax exemption.

This initial interpretation hinged on the fact that California law requires that these new solar systems be directly connected to utility distribution lines rather than to the irrigation systems they are purchased to power. Because there was no direct connection, farmers were initially denied the tax exemption.

Considering our state policymakers' enthusiasm for alternative and renewable energy solutions, this interpretation seemed simply absurd.

It is at times like this that taxpayers need a friend they can call for help. When I learned of this issue, I directed the staff to take a closer look. Working closely with the impacted farmers and the California Farm Bureau, my office was able to provide additional information to bring about a more reasonable outcome for California farmers.

I'm pleased to report that the Board of Equalization staff has released an opinion clarifying that the tax exemption can be applied to solar equipment if the taxpayer can "demonstrate that the solar facility is specifically designed to provide power to qualifying machinery."

Now that we've found a pathway to ensure this tax exemption is available, it's important for farmers to ensure they will qualify for the exemption before they make a purchase. However, farmers who have already purchased a solar system and paid the full tax should be aware that they may file a claim for refund for up to three years after a purchase.

I look forward to working with staff, the Farm Bureau and other interested parties to ensure that this information is available in a clear and concise manner.

As always, my office stands ready and willing to assist taxpayers who encounter problems with the board or other state tax agencies. Please do not hesitate to contact me should you need assistance.

Elected in November 2010, George Runner represents more than nine million Californians as a member of the State Board of Equalization. For more information, visit www.boe.ca.gov/Runner.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - Attorney General Kamala D. Harris announced today that her office, along with the offices of seven other attorneys general, has reached a $553 million settlement with manufacturers that engaged in price fixing of flat screen LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) panels found in monitors, laptops and televisions.

In October 2010, Attorney General Harris filed a lawsuit against ten companies for engaging in price fixing of LCD panels from 1999 to 2006 that resulted in higher prices for California residents and businesses, as well as government agencies.

Today's settlements resolve Attorney General Harris' claims against seven companies, along with those of seven other attorneys general and a national class action. As part of the settlements, the companies that engaged in price fixing will provide a fund for consumers and businesses in 25 states, including California. The settling companies have also resolved claims brought by Attorney General Harris for civil penalties under California's Unfair Competition Law, as well as restitution for government agencies that purchased the flat screen LCD panels.

Attorney General Harris is joined in these settlements by the attorneys general of Arkansas, Florida, Michigan, Missouri, New York, West Virginia and Wisconsin, as well as a class action brought on behalf of private claimants in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California.

Settling defendants include: Chimei Innolux Corp., Chi Mei Optoelectronics USA, Inc., Chi Mei Optoelectronics Japan Co., Ltd, HannStar Display Corporation, Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Displays, Ltd., Hitachi Electronic Devices, USA, Inc., Samsung Electronics, Co., Ltd., Samsung Electronics America, Inc., Samsung Semiconductor, Inc., Sharp Corporation, and Sharp Electronics Corporation.

The California case was originally filed in San Francisco Superior Court, where litigation continues against AU Optronics Corporation, AU Optronics Corporation America, Inc., LG Display Co., Ltd., LG Display America, Inc., Toshiba Corporation, Toshiba Mobile Display Co., Ltd., and Toshiba America Electronics Components, Inc.

In 2008, two companies - LG Display Co., Ltd. and LG Display America, Inc. - pleaded guilty to federal charges for price fixing TFT-LCD panels and paid $400 million in federal fines. Defendants AU Optronics Corporation and AU Optronics Corporation America, along with several employees, have been indicted on federal charges of price fixing. The criminal trial is scheduled for January 2012 in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California.

California consumers and government entities will receive a significant portion of the more than $500 million settlement, with an exact percentage to be determined later. Following completion of the litigation, California consumers and businesses can file claims for monetary relief. Information about how to file a claim will be available at the Attorney General's website at www.oag.ca.gov or by calling 800.952.5225.

The complaint is attached to the electronic version of this release at www.oag.ca.gov.

Credit: Arnaud de Borchgrave and Arnaud de Borchgrave

Afghanistan expects U.S. aid to flow without interruption for six more years following the final U.S. troop withdrawal at the end of 2014 - three years hence. By itself, the U.S.-trained and U.S.-fielded Afghan army will require $5 billion to $7 billion a year in U.S. support to field

an army of 350,000 in a country the size of France. Nothing is less certain.

With major defense cuts now in the works, the Pentagon will have insufficient funds to maintain current force levels in the Army, Navy, Marines and Air Force. It certainly won’t have the wherewithal to fight a two-front war as it did in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Defense budget supplementals throughout the first decade of the 21st century doubled the real costs of defense in a two-war configuration. Taxpayers didn’t feel any pain as the real cost of $1.5 trillion ($1 trillion for Iraq, $500 billion for Afghanistan, and counting) was simply added to the national debt. Thus, de facto war-tax supplementals were never an issue.

Two or three trillion... http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/dec/8/saudi-nuclear-option/

Credit: Buck Sexton

The F-35 is set to become the dominant fighter plane of the U.S. and its allies in the 21st century.

A conglomerate of aerospace industry leaders (Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, BAE Systems and Pratt & Whitney) have combined manufacturing, engineering and technological capabilities to develop the F-35 Lightning.

While the Joint Strike Fighter program has been incredibly expensive, here is a look at the final product– and 10 reasons why it is a true fifth generation multi-role air superiority fighter.

1) Mission Flexibility

The Basic F-35 design is... http://www.theblaze.com/stories/the-10-reasons-the-f-35-lightning-fighte...

Credit: Liz Klimas

It’s an event being called a “modern day miracle” and the best Christmas present “ever ever ever”. Sam Schmid, a 21-year-old University of Arizona student, awoke from a coma just hours after the doctors broached the subject of taking him off life support and organ donation with his parents.

Good Morning America reports that Schmid was in a car crash in October that killed two fellow passengers, leaving him with a brain injury that had “all the odds stacked against him,” according to his neurosurgeon, Dr. Robert Spetzler. Now doctors expect Schmid to make a full recovery.

“It seems like we were... http://www.theblaze.com/stories/brain-dead-student-awakens-hours-after-d...

WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties), issued the following statement today:

“Today, the House and Senate approved a two-month extension on the payroll tax reduction, payments to Medicare doctors and an extension of unemployment benefits.

“I would have preferred a year-long extension to provide more certainty to taxpayers, employers, doctors and seniors. In fact, I voted for a full-year extension on December 13, when the House voted 234-193 for the yearlong extension. But when the Senate made it clear they would not negotiate over the holidays, I joined with my colleagues to ensure middle class Americans were protected when the new year begins. It is time that Congress works together to resolve the pressing problems faced by millions of Americans during this time of economic hardship. I look forward to working on a full-year extension of these programs as soon as Congress returns to Washington in January."

Mark Steyn argued that the United States is destined for financial collapse and a decline in its role as a world leader if current political and cultural norms continue. The author contended that American debt has placed the country in a precarious position and that regulation and lack of innovation have become hallmarks of the country's business climate.

This was the first lecture in The NHIOP Bookmark Series at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire.

http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/301129-1

Outgoing Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) was on the House floor late Monday afternoon wearing a t-shirt and a sling due to a recent operation on his thumb.

Frank was wearing... http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2011/12/19/barney_frank_wears_rev...

WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties), voted today for the National Defense Authorization Act. It passed the House today on a bipartisan vote of 283-136.

“Since 9/11, we have been at war with terrorists whose intent is to destroy America,” Gallegly said. “It is imperative that we provide our military men and women with the tools necessary for them to protect the United States.”

The act funds our national defense at $554 billion, $19 billion less than was authorized last year. It ensures that our troops deployed in Afghanistan and around the world have the equipment, resources, authorities, training and time needed to successfully complete their missions and return home; takes care of our military and their families; and makes investments needed to protect the United States from current and future threats.

It also codifies into federal law U.S. Supreme Court rulings made since September 11, 2001, on how military combatants are treated. It preserves habeas corpus rights for all American citizens while allowing our military the flexibility to fight al Qaeda and other terrorists. The bill does not expand military detentions or define the rights of American citizens beyond Supreme Court rulings and what was already federal law.

County Clerk Recorder/Registrar of Voters Mark A. Lunn announced that Petitions in Lieu of filing fee documents for the following offices for the June 5, 2012, Presidential Primary Election may be obtained from the Ventura County Elections Division beginning Friday, December 30, 2011:

Voter-Nominated offices for the June 5, 2012, Presidential Primary Election
U.S. Senator
U.S. Congressional Representative: 24th, 25th, 26th, & 30th Congressional Districts
Member of the State Senate: 19th & 27th Senatorial Districts
Member of the State Assembly: 37th, 38th, 44th, & 45th Assembly Districts
Non-partisan offices include:
Judge of the Superior Court
Ventura County Board of Supervisors: 1st, 3rd & 5th Supervisorial Districts

“This is an important election and will have a definite impact on our County, State and Nation in the years to come,” said Lunn. “I encourage all voters to participate in our democracy and ensure that their voice is heard next June.”

Official Nomination documents for candidates may be obtained Monday, February 13, 2012, at the Ventura County Elections Division, Lower Plaza, Hall of Administration, 800 S. Victoria Avenue, Ventura. Official nomination documents must be filed with the Ventura County Elections Division by 5:00 p.m. Friday, March 9, 2012.

Information regarding filing for these offices and the filing fee amounts may be obtained by calling the Ventura County Elections Division at (805) 654-2664 or visit the Ventura County Elections Division website: http://recorder.countyofventura.org/elections.htm

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Over the past year, the Obama Administration has taken several steps to grant relief to illegal immigrants and other removable aliens without approval from Congress. These actions strain the constitutional separation of powers and defy the will of the American public. They are part of the Administration’s unrelenting effort to grant amnesty to illegal immigrants.

Unfortunately, the Administration is imperiling the Secure Communities program as part of this effort. Secure Communities is a powerful law enforcement tool that allows U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to detain removable aliens arrested by local law enforcement agencies.

Secure Communities grew out of a local law enforcement program that we established in the mid-1990s. In the 1996 illegal immigration reform bill, I included a provision that established a pilot program in Anaheim and Ventura County, California, that authorized local law enforcement officials to screen criminals in local jails prior to being arraigned. And in 1997, this pilot program was expanded to jurisdictions throughout the United States.

Today, this program, which is now called Secure Communities, is supported by local law enforcement organizations across the nation, including the Major County Sheriffs’ Association.

Ultimately, Secure Communities assists local law enforcement with the identification and removal of criminal aliens, making it a vital tool for protecting the safety of our streets and neighborhoods. Yet, amnesty groups remain stubbornly opposed to it and claim that Secure Communities results in racial profiling. However, it is perplexing how a computer can racially profile when everyone who comes to the attention of law enforcement is checked through a database.

From the outset, the Administration has failed to enforce our immigration laws and has effectively placed its own political agenda ahead of its constitutional responsibility to carry out the laws enacted by Congress. Secure Communities is certainly no exception.

The Administration is taking what is an otherwise useful law enforcement tool and making “changes” to it, not to strengthen the program, but to undermine it.

The Administration has taken several steps to satisfy the desires of pro-amnesty groups, including the formation of a task force consisting largely of amnesty supporters that is designed to tell the Administration how and when it should ignore the laws written by Congress.

Never before, to my knowledge, has an outside group composed largely of members with little enforcement and operational knowledge of the Department of Homeland Security been permitted to provide advice on enforcing immigration laws.

I, along with other members, have urged the Administration to reverse the policy of granting administrative amnesty to illegal immigrants by misusing so-called “priorities”.

The Administration needs to focus on creating jobs for American citizens and legal workers instead of looking for backdoor means to permit illegal immigrants to stay in this country.

I now turn to Ranking Member Lofgren for an opening statement.