Scott gives speech on state of California
In an effort to build two-way communication between himself and his
colleagues and constituents in Burbank, state Sen. Jack Scott, who
also represents Glendale, gave his State of the State address to the
council Tuesday.
“I need to constantly be in touch with the ideas of my
constituents,” Scott said during his comments near the top of the
meeting.
Scott, who represents the 21st Senate District, said he will host
a Town Hall meeting regarding education at Glendale Adventist
Hospital on Oct. 24.
Mayor Jef Vander Borght said Scott’s annual speech brought the
state government closer to home.
“It brings his presence to a local level and that’s important
because all the work he does is to represent us,” Vander Borght said.
“Sacramento is so far away that we sometimes forget he’s a real guy
just like us and he can bring these issues to us and hopefully he
hears things for us that help adjust his agenda.”
Scott said almost half the massive California budget is dedicated
to education and that it “mirrors policy directives” of the state
legislature.
In the 2005-06 fiscal year, the state dedicated $50 billion in
kindergarten-throughcommunity college education, he said.
Still, he fired a shot at Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
“The Governor did not return money he had taken from before.
Still, we were able to reach a compromise,” on the budget, Scott
said. “We did not increase taxes and we did not include borrowing and
that reflected the vitality of our state’s economy.”
The legislature paid back the lost part of the vehicle license
fees to counties and cities two years ahead of schedule, Scott said.
And local governments will have more control and funding for
transportation since the Legislature fully funded Proposition 42.
Scott, who was president of Pasadena City College, was proud of
two bills that were signed by the governor.
Senate Bill 352 will grant school $14 million to educate
administrators on how to run districts with more business acumen.
“Because of my background in education, it disturbs me to see
school districts go bankrupt,” Scott said. “They should focus on
getting students to college but if the finances aren’t handled well
then the education fails, too.”
Senate Bill 70 will help fund alliances between high schools,
community college and businesses to enhance or create
vocational-technical education programs.
He said high schools are busy getting students ready to go on to
college but many manually skilled students might not get the training
they need to stay interested in school and get a job after
graduation.
“I think this could help the dropout rate,” Scott said.
Scott urged those on the local level to vote in November’s special
election, which features several important propositions.
Scott said he and his staff members will participate in several
public events, “So we can listen to our constituents so I can more
effectively represent the city of Burbank.”
Councilman Dave Golonski said state law often hinders the city in
providing more affordable housing.
Vander Borght thanked Scott for his address.
“We think of Sacramento as full of people who are out of touch.
That certainly is not you,” Vander Borght said.
QUESTION
What issues do you think state Sen. Jack Scott should tackle in
the next legislative session? E-mail your responses to
o7burbankleader @latimes.comf7; mail them to the Burbank Leader,
111 W. Wilson Ave., Glendale, CA 91203. Please spell your name and
include your address and phone number for verification purposes only.
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