Are you in the know?!

By Amber Ter-Vrugt, Director Community Relations Scripps Health

Get in the know! 

If an 8am coffee buzz coupled with opposing arguments, information from political insiders and direct contact with the very people that affect your bottom line sounds better than a day at the beach, you're in for a treat at the Oceanside Emerging Issues meeting. Join us!

You will not leave the meeting wanting for opposing sides of every argument, the Emerging Issues meeting is attended by representatives from county, state and federal officials, the business community, education, and your very own city council members.

This month, Jeff Wyly, a consultant out of Sacramento, spoke on the split roll tax. Jeff explained that Prop 13 protects property owners by capping property taxes and is in danger of being eroded with upcoming legislative action.  Jeff explained what's happening behind the scenes.  Jeff also gave an update on political movement afoot regarding revenue bonds for state projects. His firm is initiating a campaign that would give voters the ability to weigh in on revenue bonds exceeding $2B for state projects.  If passed, this initiative would potentially give voters a say in revenue bonds for projects like the Governor's delta tunnels project and the high-speed rail project.

We also heard updates and calls to action from the offices of Congressman Issa, Senator Bates, Assemblyman Chavez and Supervisor Horn.

In a nut shell, representatives from our local elected offices covered drones, education, health care and transportation! Small, minor issues, right? No way!

If I had to sum up these huge issues in one run-on sentence, I couldn't, so I will leave you with these key messages from your representatives.

.       Don't fly your drone over a fire, why? Because fire fighters have to ground the planes that drop water on the fire if your drone is in the air. Misuse of drones is causing homes and businesses to burn. That's why! Get ready for fines and jail time!
.       Pay attention to SB350, not because of the merit of the legislation, but because of the power is gives to one state agency. 
.       The feds passed the student success act which among other things allows states to withdraw from the common core. 
.       And, while our state legislators are on recess, they will be coming back to two huge special sessions.  One on health care, and one on transportation.

And last, but not least, I would be remiss if I did not give Donna Cleary, representative from Senator Bates' office, proper billing to reflect the passion she conveyed in our meeting.  In Donna's words, North County is a forgotten entity for regional transportation priorities. Donna says the squeaky wheel gets the grease, so start squeaking!

Until next time.

Amber

**opinions here are my own and not reflective of Scripps Health