SACRAMENTO – In this week’s Democratic Radio Address, Assemblymember Henry T. Perea (D-Fresno) discusses the crisis of unsafe drinking water in California—a problem which disproportionally affects lower-income and minority populations. Assemblymember Perea has put forth Assembly Bill 145, transferring the Drinking Water Program from the California Department of Public Health to the State Water Resources Control Board, which has regulatory power over contaminated groundwater and will allow smaller communities to obtain more efficiently the funding that they need for clean water.
This week's radio address is 1:43.
“Hello, I’m Assemblymember Henry T. Perea.
As you may be aware, the California Department of Public Health, CDPH, recently received a notice about its Drinking Water Program from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reporting that 455 million dollars in federal funding allocated for safe drinking water was left unspent.
Our communities have been demanding access to clean, safe drinking water for many years. While this notice is an unfortunate reality, it is not an issue that has grown over night. The State Water Resources Control Board has identified 265 communities that have contaminated drinking water.
This water crisis disproportionally affects many poor minority areas with little resources to find solutions to their problems.
Over the past few years I have been working to bring safe drinking water to these communities by fixing deficiencies within the CDPH. Much progress has been made but we have come to a crossroad where the State is still not doing its job to solve the water problems we face today.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has made it clear that California needs to make big changes and that is why I have introduced AB 145.
AB 145, will transfer the Drinking Water Program from the CDPH to the State Water Resources Control Board. This move will allow for greater policy integration on water issues, accelerated rulemaking, increased efficiencies, and heightened transparency.
While the fight for clean drinking water is not over, we need to create a water governance structure we can hold accountable, so that all Californians have immediate access to one of life’s most basic necessities - water.
I’m Assemblymember Henry T. Perea, thank you for listening.”
Website of Assemblymember Henry T. Perea: www.asmdc.org/Perea
Asambleísta Henry T. Perea Trata Tema de la Peligrosa Crisis del Agua Potable en California
SACRAMENTO – En el mensaje demócrata semanal, el Henry T. Perea (D-Fresno) comenta sobre la peligrosa crisis del agua potable en California—un problema que afecta desproporcionalmente a las poblaciones minoritarias y pobres. El asambleísta Perea ha presentado el proyecto de ley AB 145, el cual el Programa de Agua Potable desde el Departamento de Salud Pública de California a la Junta de Control de Recursos Hídricos del Estado, el cual tiene los poderes reguladores sobre las aguas contaminadas y permitirá a las pequeñas comunidades a obtener de manera más eficiente los fondos que requieran para tener agua potable limpia y segura.
El discurso radial en archivo de MP3 puede ser localizado en el sitio de Internet. Tiempo de duración es 2:37.
“Que tal, les habla el asambleísta Henry T. Perea.
Como debe ser de su conocimiento, el Departamento de Salud Pública de California, recientemente recibió un aviso sobre su Programa de Agua Potable de la Agencia de Protección del Medio Ambiente de los Estados Unidos señalando que 455 millones de dólares en fondos federales destinados para la protección del agua potable no fueron usados.
Nuestras comunidades han venido demandando acceso al agua potable limpia y segura por muchos años. Y aunque este aviso es una desafortunada realidad, no es un tema que ha sucedido de la noche a la mañana. La Junta de Control de Recursos Hídricos del Estado ha identificado 265 comunidades que tienen su agua potable contaminada.
Esta crisis del agua afecta desproporcionalmente a muchas áreas de minorías pobres con muy pocos recursos para encontrar soluciones a sus problemas.
Desde hace unos años he estado trabajando para conseguir agua potable segura para esas comunidades reparando las deficiencias dentro del Departamento de Salud Pública de California. Se ha logrado mucho progreso pero hemos llegado a un cruce donde el Estado todavía no cumple con su parte del trabajo para resolver los problemas del agua que confrontamos hasta el día hoy.
La Agencia de Protección del Medio Ambiente de los Estados Unidos ha dejado en claro que California necesita realizar grandes cambios y es por esa razón que he presentado el proyecto de ley AB 145.
AB 145 transferirá el Programa de Agua Potable desde el Departamento de Salud Pública de California a la Junta de Control de Recursos Hídricos del Estado. Esta transferencia permitirá una mejor integración de políticas en temas del agua, acelerar las reglamentaciones, incrementar la eficacia, y enaltecer la trasparencia.
Y aunque la lucha por agua potable limpia no ha terminado, nosotros necesitamos crear una estructura de gobernanza del agua que podamos hacer responsable, para que así todos los californianos tengan acceso inmediato a una de las necesidades básicas de vida – el agua.
Gracias por su atención. Les habló el asambleísta Henry T. Perea.”Portal del asambleísta Perea: http://asmdc.org/perea
CONTACT: John Vigna (916) 319-2408
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SACRAMENTO – Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez (D-Los Angeles) appointed Mark Vargas to the California Coastal Commission, effective today.
"California's coast is one of our most important environmental and economic assets," said Speaker Pérez. "Mr. Vargas will provide an important voice in the Commission's ongoing work to ensure the sustainability of this vital resource."
Vargas, 36, was the Speaker's appointee to the Little Hoover Commission. He resigned from that post yesterday.
A United States Green Building Council LEED Accredited Professional, he is the President of Mission Infrastructure, a project management firm which serves both government and private agencies in Los Angeles and San Bernardino. The company recently completed a community mitigation fund project with the Port of Los Angeles, American Lung Association, and the Natural Resources Defense Council.
Vargas also is Chairman of the Los Angeles Unified School District's Personnel Commission. He was previously the Southern California Director for the Secretary of State. Vargas also served as a Special Assistant to Governor Gray Davis for four years. In the Governor's Office, he helped attract life-sciences interests in the state, and he served as a liaison to the Mexican government.
The California Coastal Commission is composed of 12 voting members who are appointed in equal number by the Governor, the Senate Rules Committee and the Speaker of the Assembly. Vargas replaces William A. Burke, who resigned earlier this month. Vargas's appointment will last until May 20, 2015.
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What Others Are Saying About the Appointment…
Natural Resources Defense Council Staff Attorney Adrian Martinez:
"Mark has a history of bringing diverse voices together on complex issues. He will bring new energy to this vital commission protecting California's treasured coast. We expect his experience from leading community programs at the Port of Los Angeles will serve him well at the state level and congratulate him on this appointment."
Heal the Bay Science and Policy Director Sarah Sikich:
"We've been pleased with the Speaker's previous appointments. The Coastal Commission is a critical decision-making body on the many issues that face California's coast from to climate change to habitat protection. We look forward to working with Mr. Vargas to ensure that our coast remains healthy and accessible for all."
California League of Conservation Voters CEO Sarah Rose:
"The Speaker has been a great leader on coastal protection and we extend our thanks for the appointment of Mark Vargas to the California Coastal Commission. Vargas' experience suggests that he will work as a commissioner committed to protecting our coastal resources for all Californians."
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The Issues
