Recent News in the 14th District

SACRAMENTO - The California State Assembly last week approved the following bill by Assemblymember Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley):

AB 1970 - Social Services Modernization & Efficiency Act of 2012
AB 1970 reduces barriers to participation and streamlines federally funded public benefit programs for eligible children and families.  This bill accomplishes those goals by allowing applicants to receive electronic communication from administering departments, conforms state eligibility information from clients to federal law, and establishes alternatives to in-person interviews for applicants.

AB 1970 now goes to the California State Senate for action.

Assemblymember Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) today released the following statement in response to the release of the recommendations issued by the University of California in response to the aftermath of protests in November at UC Berkeley and Davis:

"As a participant in past nonviolent protests, I recognize the University of California’s report as a step forward to creating necessary guidelines that will ensure the respectful handling of crowds engaging in robust dialogue on University of California campuses.

I hope that these recommendations create a model for the University of California to respect students who are exercising their constitutionally protected rights of free speech. I urge the continued collaboration between students, administrators and other stakeholders."

SACRAMENTO – In this Democratic weekly radio address, Speaker John A. Pérez (D-Los Angeles) and Assemblymember Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) visit the UC Berkeley campus to talk with UC, CSU and community college students about the Middle Class Scholarship Act (AB 1500 and 1501), which will cut state college costs by two-thirds for middle class families. The plan is paid for by closing a tax loophole benefitting out-of-state corporations and would benefit students whose families make less than $150,000 per year.

For more information on the proposal, go to www.MiddleClassScholarship.com.

This week's English address is 4:15

This week's Spanish address is 5:58

Click here to read a transcript

Plan Would Slash College Fees by Two-Thirds

SACRAMENTO— In order to make college more affordable and accessible, today Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez (D-Los Angeles) and Assemblymember Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) met with UC, CSU and Community College students at UC Berkeley to discuss the Middle Class Scholarship Act (AB 1500 and 1501), a bold plan that would cut college fees by two-thirds for middle class Californians.

The plan is paid for by closing a tax loophole benefitting out-of-state corporations and would benefit students whose families make less than $150,000 per year.

Read more...

SACRAMENTO— Assemblymember Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) today released the following statement announcing she will pursue legislation to advance recommendations contained in the UC Davis Pepper Spray report:

“This report confirms what many have suspected from the beginning—that the use of pepper spray on peaceful protesters ‘could and should have been prevented.’  The information that the pepper spray used was not an authorized weapon and the campus police were not properly trained in its use gives great weight to the Task Force’s recommendation that changes must be made involving the training, organization, and operation of UC Police Departments.  As the Assemblymember representing UC Berkeley, I intend to pursue legislation based on the recommendations encompassed in the report. I thank the members of the task force for their hard work in  providing this vital information.”

SACRAMENTO – In this Democratic weekly radio address, Assemblymember Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) discusses this week’s action by the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) to adopt an open access policy which will provide greater accountability and give Californians greater information about the work being done by the institute. Skinner, who had discussed with CIRM the possibility of legislation directing such a move, also discusses the important advances that can come from the institute, which was created by California voters in 2004.

Click onto the following link for the English language MP3 file. The running time is 2:50.

Click onto the following link for the Spanish language MP3 file. The running time is 3:40.

Click here to read a transcript

SACRAMENTO—Assemblymember Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) today released the following statement on Governor’s Announcement today on electric cars:

“I'm pleased the Governor engineered this settlement in a way that creates an important investment in California’s future. As California moves forward producing more electricity from renewable sources, it makes sense to move our transportation sector in the same direction. This settlement is a good step away from fossil fuels and toward a greener future.”

SACRAMENTO - Assemblymember Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) who authored last year’s Millionaire’s Tax in the Legislature, released the following statement on the new revenue initiative agreed to by the Governor, CFT and legislative leaders:

“It’s great news that the Governor and education advocates have come together on one revenue proposal to put before the voters. As the author of last year’s legislative Millionaire’s Tax, I am pleased that the proposal by the Governor and CFT asks our wealthiest to pay their fair share, and, with the very modest 1/4 cent sales tax, engages all Californians in sharing to support our schools, public safety and health programs.  I’m appreciative that our legislative leaders, the Governor and education advocates are in agreement, and I believe the initiative will be strongly embraced by the people of California.”

SACRAMENTO - Assemblymember Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) has released the following statement on Chancellor Robert Birgeneau’s announcement that he will be stepping down at the end of the calendar year:

“I am grateful for the dedication and service Chancellor Birgeneau has provided to Cal and our UC system.  At a time when it is increasingly difficult for students to meet the financial burden, Chancellor Birgeneau has been an eloquent voice advancing the debate on higher education funding.  He has worked hard to give access to all students independent of income, race, ethnicity, or sexual orientation.  I look forward to working with Chancellor Birgeneau in the coming year, and am very pleased he and Mary Catherine will be remaining a part of the Berkeley family.”

Attorney General Kamala Harris did a great job negotiating for California in the historic foreclosure settlement announced February 9. The settlement brings billions of dollars in financial relief, holds banks accountable, and helps Californians stay in their homes. There is still work to be done, especially in protecting the over 60% of California homeowners with Freddie Mac/Fannie Mae loans, which aren’t affected by the settlement. More than 30 Assemblymembers have joined me in supporting the Attorney General’s demands that these programs provide principal reductions for home loans in crisis—a key step in stabilizing California’s housing market and strengthening our economy. See the letter we sent to the Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency here.

SACRAMENTO--Assemblymember Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) today announced she is coauthoring legislation by Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez (D-Los Angeles) to make college less expensive and more accessible.

Skinner will co-author AB 1500 and AB 1501, which together close the Single Sales Factor tax loophole benefitting out-of-state corporations and establish the California Middle Class Scholarship, which will cut college fees by two-thirds for California students whose family income is under $150,00 but who are not eligible for financial aid.

"As the Assemblymember representing UC Berkeley, I've seen first-hand the burden rising fees are putting on students on their families," Skinner said. "I believe closing the loophole for out-of-state corporations and using that money to cut college costs, is exactly the kind of investment we need to be making in our students if we want to keep our promise to families about higher education being achievable in California."

Since the 2003-2004 academic year, CSU fees have increased 191%, UC fees have increased by 145% and community college fees have also increased significantly. Under the Middle Class Scholarship, CSU students will save $4,000 per year or $16,000 over a four-year period, UC students will save about $8,200 per year or nearly $33,000 over a four-year period, and Community College students will see their costs reduced significantly as well. According to estimates, 150,000 CSU students and 42,000 UC students would be eligible. Community Colleges would receive $150 million to reduce costs for students.

Closing the Single Sales Factor loophole, the tax break that only benefits big out-of-state corporations, will bring in more than $1 billion to cover the costs for the California Middle Class Scholarship.

For more information go to www.MiddleClassScholarship.com.

"Hooray for justice. With another decision for marriage equality, my daughter and every other Californian may soon have the right to marry whomever they love, which is how it should be. I applaud the court's ruling for demonstrating that democracy cannot be used to deny fundamental rights."

Read Nancy’s interview with Bay Nature here

BERKELEY—Assemblymember Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) today released the following statement on the groundbreaking of Berkeley Lab’s Computational Research and Theory Facility.

“As the President noted last week fundamental research and scientific discovery are critical to America's economic future.  The CRT is another excellent contribution to our region’s leadership in research.  CRT and the Berkeley Lab Second Campus just announced for Richmond will help California reap scientific advancement and economic gain.  As I continue advocating for cleaner energy and energy storage at the state level, I am encouraged by the leadership Lawrence Berkeley Lab is continuing to show in this area.”

Skinner is the author of AB 2514, which directed the CPUC to assess setting energy storage targets for California’s Investor Owned Utilities.