HELP NEEDED TO DEAL WITH SEVERE JROTC SITUATION

California Senate Bill 601 has the potential to eliminate the JROTC programs from many high schools. Note the e-mail message below from a JROTC instructor at one school currently in real trouble.

The California Council of Chapters (CAL-MOAA) has offered to provide assistance, full support, as appropriate.

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Well unfortunately I really don’t know specifically what action I (we) would like your organization to take but we’re seriously against the ropes here. With the advent of SB 601 ALL California JROTC units face extinction within just two years time. Some districts have chosen to ignore the bill and have kept JROTC as a P.E. credit. Others however, such as Long beach are following it to a “T” and are offering NO alternatives. I have traveled to feeder middle schools with Cadets
to promote the program just prior to registration. The students are PSYCHED to take the class but saddened when the counselors tell them they may not….due to the requirement they take P.E. continue reading

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ACTION REQUIRED TO DEFEAT AB 2994

AB 2994 is the second attempt by the author to restrict military recruiters access to students about military service. (See bill text below)

CSCVC opposed the previous legislation, AB 1778 (Lieber) and the Governor vetoed the bill. Code Pink was active in getting AB 1778 passed.

Assuming CSCVC is opposed to this bill, to defeat it this time - I need a lot of letters from individual organizations, at all levels - Posts, Chapters, etc, as well as letters from individuals.

Letters should be addressed & mailed to:

Assemblywoman Sally Lieber
State Capitol
Sacramento, CA 95814

You can also fax it to her before mailing. Her office fax is 916-319-2122 continue reading

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MANY BILLS BEING CONSIDERED

The Assembly Committee on Veterans Affairs is moving forward on the large number of bills already referred for hearings this year.

The following bills are scheduled for a hearing on April 15:

AB 1814 Veterans claims. (Chuck DeVore, Irvine and Paul Cook, Yucaipa)
VFW sponsored bill to permit California Department of Veterans Affairs to contract with veteran service organizations.

AB 1758 Postsecondary education. (Chuck DeVore, Irvine)
Would create the California National Guard Education Assistance Program, for the purpose of promoting recruitment and retention of members of the California National Guard.
The bill was passed by the Assembly Committee on Higher Education. continue reading

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LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEES BEGIN HEARINGS

The legislative committees have started hearings on some bills. The following is a summary of recent actions.

There currently are four major bills pending on the subject of education benefits for members of the California National Guard:

AB 1758 Postsecondary education. (Chuck DeVore, Irvine)
Would create the California National Guard Education Assistance Program, for the purpose of promoting recruitment and retention of members of the California National Guard. Would also provide for covering the costs of the program by repealing the existing provision in the Education that permits aliens without lawful immigration status to attend the State Universities and Colleges by paying the lower fees for California residents.
At a hearing on March 25 by the Assembly Committee on Higher Education, the bill was amended to remove the repeal of the lower fees for students who are aliens without lawful immigration status. With that change, the Committee passed the bill on a unanimous vote. continue reading

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I am using the form of an attachment again this week because of the length of this report. If anyone has a problem opening the attachment, please advise.

The information on the website concerning these bills has been updated and can be viewed at http://www.califveterans.com/.

For information, it now appears that at least 40 members of the California State Assembly will be participating in the Veterans Recognition day. The date of the event has been changed (by the Chair of the Assembly Veterans Affairs Committee) to May 13. Detailed information will be provided at the Council meeting scheduled in Fresno on April 12 — and important decisions by the Council will be required.

Bill Manes, Legislative Officer
California State Commanders Veterans Council

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SPRING BREAK ENDS MARCH 23RD

The Congress and the California State Legislature are both on their “Spring Breaks.” The Legislature is scheduled to return to Sacramento on March 24 and to begin a lengthy series of committee hearings on all the bills that have been introduced this year.

We are beginning to receive many requests from Legislators for support of the bills which they have introduced. Thanks to the work of our Legislative Lobbyist, Pete Conaty, over the past years, the Council is considered to be an important participant in the legislative process and our views are actively solicited. Attached is a list of some bills for which the Council should take a position at this time – or, in some cases, bills for which support letters have already been sent. For those bills which are indicated as “recommending support” please send your comments to me as soon as possible if you have any objections to the proposed support position. It is important that we send the letters before the committees start their hearings.

Bill Manes, Legislative Officer
California State Commanders Veterans Council

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SHALL CAL-MOAA SUPPORT THIS LEGISLATION?

The California State Commanders Veterans Council (CSCVC) has been asked to support this bill. CAL-MOAA is a member of that group. Positions on the bill should be sent to warren@cal-moaa.org prior to April 1st.

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CSCVC: Senator Simitian’s office has asked the CSCVC for support on the following
bill.

Dana Nichol
Pete Conaty and Associates
Governmental Relations
1107 9th Street, # 530
Sacramento, CA 95814
ph 916-492-0550
fx 916-492-8957

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SHALL CAL-MOAA SUPPORT THIS LEGISLATION?

The California State Commanders Veterans Council (CSCVC) has been asked to support this bill. CAL-MOAA is a member of that group. Please send positions on the bill to warren@cal-moaa.org prior to April 1st.

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Assemblyman Smyth is asking the CSCVC if it would like to support their bill, AB 2238. See attached background sheet and article. Please let Bill Manes know if you support.

In a nutshell; a liberal, activist judge denied a foster kid’s request to join the Marines under the delayed entry program because she is against the war. It pretty much screwed the kid out of one of the few opportunities that foster children have. The kid is the sponsor of the bill via Assemblyman Smyth’s “Write your own Bill”
program for youth.

Dana Nichol
Pete Conaty and Associates

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Can you please check with some of your clients to see if they would be interested in AB 2238, which has to so with foster children and the delayed enlistment program in the military. Attached is the background sheet on the bill.

Ryan Flanigan
Legislative Director
Assemblyman Cameron Smyth
(916) 319-2038

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