Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Open Board of Directors
San Bernardino Community College District
114 S. Del Rosa Drive
San Bernardino, CA 92408
Minutes
Present: Pete Aguilar, Don Averill, Deborah Barmack, Carole Beswick, Tom Brickley, Ann Bryan, Ken Coate, Ray Gonzalez, Peter Hildalgo, Mark Kaenel, Bill Lemann, Neil Macready, John Mirau, Mike Page, John Prentice, Kristine Scott, Paul Shimoff, Larry Sharp, Christina Bivona-Tellez and Robert Visconti.
Guests: Damon Bogan, Robbie Broedow, Sue McKee, Nathan Miller and Stephen Wall.
Announcements: 1) Members of the Ad Hoc Redistricting Committee continue to monitor the changes and visualizations released by the Redistricting Commission. Most of the principals from the Inland Action submission have been embraced by the Commission and the Inland Empire will likely increase legislative representation from 16 to 20. The Commission is scheduled to vote next week. For more information please go to www.wedrawthelines.ca.gov
M/S/P: Minutes of the July 12, 2011 meeting
Kristine Scott introduced Assemblyman Mike Morrell.
The Assemblyman noted that he was struck by reports of the economic recovery strategies in states such as Ohio, Florida and Texas that focused on coming to California and convincing businesses to relocate out of state. California has lost 1.1 million jobs and Texas has gained 760,000. Business start ups that typically take in excess of 2 years in California can be accomplished in 8 weeks in Texas. He stated that California is still the Golden State with Mediterranean weather, world renowned technology, large accessible seaports, strong agricultural areas and more. Government however needs to reduce regulations and get out of the way of business.
He is a strong advocate for reducing government and its power. He sees waste and duplication in Sacramento and believes in a limited constitutional government. As a member of the budget committee he understands the current terminology in Sacramento of realignment, transfer, and shift to equate to basically a dumping of responsibility to the local level. He would like to see cities and local municipalities have more responsibility as he believes they are more accountable and trustworthy.
Assemblyman Morrell is happy to be a part of the 28 republicans that were recently able to stop the increase in gas taxes and DMV fees and curb the some 300 new regulatory bills that have been introduced since he came to office. Taxes and regulations are hindering growth.
He expressed caution regarding Redevelopment Agencies. Although he would rather have local cities receive funds than Sacramento there has been evidence of misuse that should not be allowed. As a rule, our tax monies should remain in our district.
Funding for transportation and infrastructure could be increased by removing excess and trimming of agencies such as the Department of Transportation. The Department is grossly overstaffed and only bids out 7%t 9% of jobs. Private bidding could allow the involved cities and state to cut through regulations and get jobs moving.
Assemblyman Morrell stated that the way to correct and change government is to first elect the right people and then return tax money where it came from. Historically when money stays with the people it is invested in the future, in themselves and is spent in the community.
A Q & A period followed.
Meeting adjourned at 8:20 a.m.