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    CA Controller Reports February State Revenues Short of Budget Forecasts

    Debra Tash
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    CA Controller Reports February State Revenues Short of Budget Forecasts

    SACRAMENTO — California’s total revenues of $5.51 billion in February were lower than forecasted in the governor’s proposed 2019-20 fiscal year budget by $1.34 billion, or 19.5 percent, and in the FY 2018-19 Budget Act by $2.01 billion, or 26.7 percent, State Controller Betty T. Yee reported today.

    Two-thirds of the way through FY 2018-19, total revenues of $79.93 billion were lower than expected in the proposed and enacted budgets by $4.20 billion and $3.33 billion, respectively. For the fiscal year to date, state revenues are 1.4 percent lower than the same time last year.

    Last month, sales and corporation taxes –– two of the state’s “big three” revenue sources –– came in higher than assumed in the governor’s proposed budget released in January.

    For February, personal income tax (PIT) receipts of $1.39 billion were $1.82 billion, or 56.6 percent, less than the Department of Finance forecasted in January; and they were $2.05 billion, or 59.5 percent, lower than assumed in the budget enacted last June. In the current fiscal year, PIT is 6.0 percent below the FY 2018-19 budget forecast.

    Sales tax receipts of $3.76 billion for February were $407.7 million higher than anticipated in the proposed FY 2019-20 budget but $58.3 million less than expected in the FY 2018-19 Budget Act.

    Corporation taxes of $258.4 million in February were 59.8 percent higher than estimates in the FY 2019-20 proposed budget and 78.5 percent higher than in the enacted FY 2018-19 budget.

    For more details and comparisons, read the monthly cash report. This month’s edition of the Controller’s California Fiscal Focus newsletter examines the growing problem of marine plastic pollution and the progress of road maintenance projects funded by gas taxes. 

    As the chief fiscal officer of California, Controller Yee is responsible for accountability and disbursement of the state’s financial resources. The Controller also safeguards many types of property until claimed by the rightful owners, and has independent auditing authority over government agencies that spend state funds. She is a member of numerous financing authorities, and fiscal and financial oversight entities including the Franchise Tax Board. She also serves on the boards for the nation’s two largest public pension funds. Elected in 2014 and reelected in 2018, Controller Yee is only the tenth woman elected to a statewide office in California’s history. Follow the Controller on Twitter at @CAController and on Facebook at California State Controller’s Office.

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    NASA Administrator Statement on NASA’s Moon to Mars Plans, FY 2020 Budget

    Debra Tash
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    NASA Administrator Statement on NASA’s Moon to Mars Plans, FY 2020 Budget

    The following is a statement from NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine: 

    “President Trump’s fiscal year 2020 NASA budget is one of the strongest on record for our storied agency. At $21 billion, this budget represents a nearly 6 percent increase over last year’s request and comes at a time of constrained resources across the federal government. It also is a huge vote of confidence for all of the agency’s hard work and dedication.

    “We will go to the Moon in the next decade with innovative, new technologies and systems to explore more locations across the lunar surface than ever before. This time, when we go to the Moon, we will stay. We will use what we learn as we move forward to the Moon to take the next giant leap – sending astronauts to Mars.

    “This budget will build on our successes in low-Earth orbit to create a sustainable exploration campaign that combines NASA’s expertise with that of our commercial and international partners’. We will continue ushering in a new era of human spaceflight as we launch American astronauts on American rockets from American soil for the first time since 2011. The Space Launch System, Orion spacecraft, and Gateway will continue to be our backbone for deep space exploration. 

    “Beginning with a series of small commercial delivery missions to the Moon as early as this year, we will use new landers, robots and eventually humans by 2028 to conduct science across the entire lunar surface.

    “With this budget, NASA’s critical work studying our home planet and the Sun will benefit humankind for generations. We will reveal the unknown with missions to Jupiter’s moon Europa and the launch of the James Webb Space Telescope. We will continue planning and developing the first round-trip mission to the Red Planet with Mars Sample Return. 

    “This budget also continues support for transformative aeronautics technology research. We will make air travel safer, greener and more efficient, and continue pioneering the next generation of supersonic flight.

    “As we approach the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11 this July, we are moving forward to the Moon and on to Mars, and we want the world to come with us. 

    “NASA is everywhere, and we are impacting people’s lives across the globe. As we celebrate the past, let’s inspire our friends and family for the future that we are building.”

    To learn more about NASA’s fiscal year 2020 budget, visit: https://www.nasa.gov/budget

     

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    St. John’s Pleasant Valley Hospital Performs First Procedure in New State- of-the-Art Cardiac Catheterization Lab

    Debra Tash
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    St. John’s Pleasant Valley Hospital Performs First Procedure in New State- of-the-Art Cardiac Catheterization Lab

    St. John’s Pleasant Valley Hospital (SJPVH), a Dignity Health hospital, is proud to announce that the skilled cardiac team recently completed its first successful cardiac catheterization procedure. This new, leading-edge cardiac catheterization lab utilizes advanced equipment for immediate diagnostic to help save lives in and around the Camarillo area. The new catheterization lab is part of the New St.

    John’s Pleasant Valley Hospital in Camarillo that opened its doors to its first new patients at the end of 2018.

    “The new catheterization lab enables our cardiac team to evaluate patients with coronary artery blockages or heart valve problems, in a new state-of-the-art cardiac catheterization lab,” said Medical Director of the Cath Lab, Richard Rothschild, MD. “Community members needing these potentially life-saving procedures can now receive unsurpassed cardiac care here in Camarillo, close to home, and mitigating the need to travel to other hospitals.”

    Cardiac catheterization (also known as coronary angiogram) is a minimally invasive imaging procedure that allows cardiologists to diagnose and treat heart and blood vessel problems.

    During an exam, a catheter is carefully threaded through an artery in the groin or the wrist, and is guided to the heart with the assistance of a special x-ray machine. Thanks to the state- of-the-art equipment at SJPVH, the new flat-panel monitors allow cardiologists to see enhanced views of areas being examined, while keeping the radiation doses low.

    “In order to best meet the needs of our growing community, we constructed the impressive new Catheterization Lab to provide the most advanced cardiac capabilities to Camarillo residents,” said Darren W. Lee, President and CEO of St. John’s Regional Medical Center and St. John’s Pleasant Valley Hospital. “It is our mission to remain at the forefront of health care, providing the most highly-skilled physicians and staff, the latest in medical technology, and the most advanced levels of care. With our new Cardiac Catheterization Lab, we are proud to be able to offer such comprehensive heart care to those we serve.”

    About St. John’s Pleasant Valley Hospital

    St. John’s Pleasant Valley Hospital in Camarillo is a recipient of the Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence and rated among America’s 100 Best Hospitals for stroke and pulmonary care by Healthgrades. St. John’s Pleasant Valley is a member of Dignity Health Central Coast, an integrated network of top quality hospitals, with physicians from the most prestigious medical schools, and comprehensive outpatient services – all recognized for quality, safety and service. Hospitals in the Dignity Health Central Coast region include Arroyo Grande Community Hospital in Arroyo Grande, French Hospital Medical Center in San Luis Obispo, Marian Regional Medical Center in Santa Maria and St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Oxnard. Each hospital is supported by an active philanthropic Foundation to help meet the growing health care needs of our communities. Learn more at DignityHealth.org/PleasantValley

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    Thousand Oaks Wallet Thieves Target Shoppers

    Debra Tash
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    Thousand Oaks Wallet Thieves Target Shoppers

    Ventura County Sheriff Department – Incident Press Release

    The Thousand Oaks Police Department is warning shoppers to secure their purses while shopping at local grocery stores due to an increase in wallet thefts.

    Shoppers are being targeted by suspects who will use a distraction technique to separate the intended victim from their purse. They also look for unattended purses in shopping carts that are not zipped. This practice allows the suspect an opportunity to remove the wallet from the purse without detection. The suspects then use stolen credit cards at other area retailers to purchase merchandise and gift cards.

    The Thousand Oaks Police Department is requesting the community’s assistance to curb this crime of opportunity by doing the following:

    • If possible, carry your purse over your shoulder or place the purse strap across your body
    • If you must place your purse in the shopping cart, NEVER leave your purse unattended
    • Keep the zipper on your purse closed
    • Pay attention to people around you who may get too close to your shopping cart
    • Be aware of other shoppers who may distract you or offer assistance while your purse is unattended in the shopping cart

    Be vigilant and aware of your surroundings. These suspects are counting on you being distracted. Please report any suspicious activity to the Thousand Oaks Police Department at (805) 654-9511 or 911.

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    Simi Valley | Trespass Suspect Gets in Brawl with Officers

    Debra Tash
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    Simi Valley | Trespass Suspect Gets in Brawl with Officers

    Simi Valley Police Department – Incident Press Release

    On March 11, just before 9:00 in the morning, Simi Valley Police Officers responded to a Trespass in Progress at VONS grocery store located in the 2900 block of Tapo Canyon Road. A female suspect, Pualani Fonua (23 years-old), was walking around the store, taking items from shelves and concealing them. The manager asked Fonua to leave the store, but she refused. 

    When Officers arrived on scene, they told Fonua she needed to leave and she refused the officers’ orders. When one of the officers attempted to escort her out, Fonua began to fight with the officers. More officers responded to the store and were finally able to take Fonua into custody. 

    During the struggle, Fonua and one of the officers received minor injuries. Fonua was arrested and will be booked for Misdemeanor Trespassing and Felony Resisting Arrest.

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    Port Hueneme | Teens go undercover in Minor Decoy Sting

    Debra Tash
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    Port Hueneme | Teens go undercover in Minor Decoy Sting

    Port Hueneme – Incident Press Release

    On Saturday, March 9, 2019, members of the Port Hueneme Police Department and officers from the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) conducted a joint “Shoulder Tap” operation throughout the City of Port Hueneme. The objective was to have decoys (minors) contact people over 21 years of age outside businesses that sell alcoholic beverages and ask them to purchase and furnish alcohol to them. The decoys made thirty-two (32) contacts at six different alcohol selling establishments. Out of the 32 contacts, three people purchased alcohol for the decoys, but failed to complete the violation by not furnishing the alcohol to them.

    On one occasion, a suspect attempted to run off with the alcohol after completing the purchase. On another occasion, the suspect wanted the minor to enter his vehicle in order to furnish the alcohol and make the transaction complete.   

    Throughout the operation, the Port Hueneme Police Department Communication Center received calls from citizens and businesses reporting that minors were soliciting people to purchase alcohol for them. On several occasions, residents lectured the minors about purchasing alcohol or warned the liquor store clerk of such efforts. Chief Salinas said, “It means the adults are doing the right thing notifying the store that illegal activity is going on out there. It’s what we want and expect from our alcohol licensees. It was incredible to see the number of residents calling the Police to report the minors attempting to purchase alcohol.”

    Minor decoy operations have proven to reduce the number of minors attempting to purchase alcohol in this manner. Before the program began in 1994, the violation rate among adults asked to buy alcohol for minors was 50%. But since using this minor decoy program regularly, the violation rate dropped to about 10%.

    According to ABC, a recent survey conducted by the Los Angeles Police Department indicated that as much as 46 percent of all minors who attempt to acquire alcohol use this method.

    The Decoy Shoulder Tap Program is an enforcement program that ABC and local law enforcement agencies use to detect and deter shoulder tap activity. Shoulder tap operations are a law enforcement strategy designed to hold adult providers of alcohol to youth accountable for their illegal behavior. Shoulder tap operations focus on the adult who is providing alcohol to an underage youth. During the program, a minor decoy, under the direct supervision of law enforcement officers, solicits adults outside ABC licensed stores to buy the minor decoy alcohol. Any person seen furnishing alcohol to the minor decoy is arrested (either cited or booked) for furnishing alcohol to a minor (a violation of Section 25658(a) Business and Professions Code).

    The goal of the program is to: (1) Reduce underage consumption of, and access to, alcohol by deterring adults from furnishing to them outside of licensed premises; (2) Expand the involvement of local law enforcement in enforcing underage drinking laws; and (3) Raise public awareness about the problem.

    Chief Salinas also stated, “It’s not entrapment because the minor decoys are instructed to be truthful about their age and they look like minors. The persons who are solicited know what they are doing is illegal if they choose to buy them and then furnish them with alcohol.”

    Over 70 law enforcement agencies from across California participated in “Operation Shoulder Tap” this past weekend.  According to ABC, law enforcement arrested or cited a total of 335 individuals across the state for furnishing alcohol to a minor.

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    Overnight Closures on State Route 126

    Debra Tash
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    Overnight Closures on State Route 126

    Ventura and Santa Paula for Construction Activities

    VENTURA, SANTA PAULA – The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) announced planned closures on State Route 126 (SR-126) for paving and guardrail work in the cities of Ventura and Santa Paula.

    From Monday, March 11 to Friday, March 15, the following planned closures of SR-126 are scheduled in the cities of Ventura and Santa Paula between 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.: 

    Westbound: 

    • One lane from Hallock Dr. to Main St.
    • Tenth St. on-ramp
    • Briggs Rd. off-ramp

    Eastbound:

    • One lane from Main St. to Hallock Dr.
    • Main St. off-ramp
    • Kimball Rd. on and off-ramp
    • Briggs Rd. on-ramp and off-ramp
    • Tenth St. on-ramp.

    Closures may start and end later. All closures are weather permitting and subject to change.

    Motorists should expect delays and are strongly advised to use alternate routes or avoid the area. Additionally, motorists can check traffic conditions before they leave by visiting the Caltrans Quickmap.

    The closures are part of a road paving project on SR-126 that stretches from US-101 to Haun Creek Bridge. C.A. Rasmussen Inc. of Valencia, CA is the contractor.

    Caltrans reminds drivers to be “Work Zone Alert” and to “Slow for the Cone Zone.”

    Fillmore and Piru for Pavement Project

    PIRU, FILLMORE – The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) announced plans to close a lane in both directions of State Route 126 (Santa Paula Freeway) for shoulder and guardrail work and traffic loop installation.

    From Monday, March 11 to Friday, March 15, the following lane closures will be in place in the city of Fillmore and the unincorporated area of Piru:

    Evening Closures 7 p.m. – 6 a.m.

    • One westbound lane from to the Los Angeles-Ventura County line to El Dorado Drive in the city of Fillmore. 

    Some closures may start and end later. All closures are weather permitting and subject to change. Local city streets may be closed to allow crews to work on the highway.  

    Motorists should expect delays and are strongly advised to use alternate routes or avoid the area. Additionally, motorists can check traffic conditions before they leave by visiting the Caltrans Quickmap.

    The closures are part of a road repaving project that stretches from the Ventura-Los Angeles County Line to Haun Creek. Granite Construction Co. of Santa Barbara, CA is the contractor.

    Caltrans reminds drivers to be “Work Zone Alert” and to “Slow for the Cone Zone.”

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    Should Young People Still Have Kids?

    Debra Tash
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    Should Young People Still Have Kids?

    Jessica Kramer | Contributor


    College students at American University in Washington, D.C., gave mixed answers when asked if people should stop having kids due to global warming.

    Democratic New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said in February that because “the lives of children are going to be very difficult” due to climate change in the future, “young people have a legitimate question” in asking if it’s OK to still have children.

    Most students were in favor of her Green New Deal, but responses about kids were mixed.

    One student told The Daily Caller News Foundation that “realistically having a ton of kids is just super not good for the environment,” but “having one or two kids is perfectly safe and OK.” Another student said that “spreading your DNA is kind of selfish, especially when we have a super huge overpopulation crisis.”

    When asked if the birth strike movement was smart, one male student said it was “dumb,” while another called an idea like China’s one child policy more “reasonable.” (RELATED: Bar-Hopping With Liberals On Election Night)

    Watch some of TheDCNF’s other videos and subscribe to our YouTube channel to make sure you never miss out on a great video.

     

    Follow Jessica on Twitter

    Send tips to Jessica@dailycallernewsfoundation.org

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    Celebration of the Whales Festival Offers Family Fun, Prizes, and Chalk Art

    Carol Miller
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    Celebration of the Whales Festival Offers Family Fun, Prizes, and Chalk Art

    OXNARD, Calif.—Visitors who attend the 22nd Annual Celebration of the Whales Festival at the Channel Islands Harbor are going to be in for a variety of surprises.

    This year’s event will feature new family-friendly activities, chalk art, and prize drawings that include whale watching excursions for the entire family.

    The event is being held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 24, 2019. Activities will be held at the Channel Islands Maritime Museum, the Channel Islands Harbor Farmers Market, and a “Gray Whale Migration Trail” along the marina path that connects the two activity centers.

    Gray Whale Migration Trail

    Children and adults can both enjoy the migration trail, which will be lined with educational activities and more than 20 pieces of sidewalk chalk art.

    To participate in the migration trail, families can pick up a special whale hat, passport, and map that helps navigate the route. Hats, passports, and the map can be picked up at designated booths at the Farmers Market or Maritime Museum.

    Stops along the trail include “Whale of a Selfie,” “Become a Whale Detective,” “Become a Whale Explorer,” and “Become a Whale Designer.” If participants complete the four stops on the trail, they will be eligible to win whale watching tickets (courtesy of Island Packers and Channel Islands Whale Watching) along with a variety of other prizes.

    Channel Islands Maritime Museum

    The Maritime Museum will host the Celebration of the Whales. At the Museum, there will be interactive and educational booths including a touch tank, family-friendly activities including arts and crafts, a bounce house, live entertainment, contests, prizes and food trucks. Admission to the museum will be free and inside visitors can enjoy short documentaries, knot tying demonstrations and more.

    Channel Islands Farmers Market

    The Farmers Market will feature an arts and crafts market, children’s activities, whale facts, and educational booths.

    The Celebration of Whales Festival is a collaborative event among Harbor lessees, businesses, and the Ventura County Harbor Department that celebrates the migration of the Pacific Gray Whale.

     

    As the first recreational harbor in Ventura County, Channel Islands Harbor has become one of the largest in California. It now includes over 300 acres of land and water, but the initial development included only a small portion of the current harbor area. Additional construction took place over the years, including the west channel of the harbor, along Harbor Boulevard and Peninsula Road. Development of the harbor has been largely accomplished through leases with private developers, who have constructed eight marinas (not including the three constructed by the County) comprising over 2200 boat slips, two hotels, two yacht club buildings, two boat yards, three shopping areas, restaurants, a Maritime Museum, over 100 condominiums and 485 apartments. In addition, public agencies have provided parks, restrooms, the public launch ramp and parking for the public. For more information on Channel Islands Harbor visit www.channelislandsharbor.org.

    Celebration of the Whales Festival 

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    Camarillo Start Smart Program

    Carol Miller
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    Camarillo Start Smart Program

    The Camarillo Police Department will be hosting a program to educate newly licensed and future drivers. This program will take place on Tuesday, March 26th, 2019 from 5:30PM until 8:30PM at the Camarillo Police Station Community Room. The “Start Smart” Program is a cooperative effort between the California Highway Patrol, Camarillo Police Department, teenage drivers, and their parents/guardians.

    In an attempt to remain proactive and not reactive, Start Smart is designed to help young drivers and their parents/guardians understand the responsibilities associated with driving a motor vehicle. Start Smart will show how a poor choice behind the wheel can change the lives of everyone involved. Our goal is to raise awareness and reduce the number of teen-related injuries and deaths due to traffic collisions.

    For reservations, call the Camarillo Police Department Community Resource Unit at (805) 388-5155. Space is limited to 20 students and their parents/guardians. There is no charge to attend the program. Interested parents are asked to contact Deputy Chris Johnston at (805) 388-5121 for more information

     

    Camarillo Police Department

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