Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society Legislative Fund  
         Honor U.S. Rep. Gallegly for Animal Welfare Leadership in 2009

       WASHINGTON (March 3, 2010) — On behalf of its almost 30,000 supporters in California’s 24th district, The Humane Society of the United States, together with its affiliate, the Humane Society Legislative Fund, will present an award to U.S. Rep. Elton Gallegly, R-Calif., for his leadership on animal protection legislation in 2009.                                                                                            
       Rep. Gallegly will receive a Legislative Leader award for his leadership on the Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act (to require that pork, eggs, and veal purchased for federal programs come from producers who use crate-free and cage-free systems that allow animals enough room to stand up, lie down, turn around, and stretch their limbs); funding to improve oversight of humane handling at slaughter plants; and legislation to establish a federal database for animal cruelty crimes.                      
       We commend Representative Gallegly for taking the lead in seeking to strengthen federal animal welfare policies, said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The HSUS. ―We’re lucky to have his powerful voice on behalf of the animals and the many citizens who care about their protection.     
       Every year, the Humane Society Legislative Fund compiles a federal Humane Scorecard to provide a snapshot of animal protection issues considered by the U.S. Congress and give animal advocates a tool to assess the performance of their Senators and Representatives. The scorecard tracks key votes as well as co-sponsorship of important pro-animal bills and signing an annual letter seeking funds needed to enforce key animal welfare laws.                                                                  
       In total, 131 legislators – one-third of the Senate and nearly one-quarter of the House (representing 36 states and two U. S. territories) – will receive awards for their work in 2009. To see the complete list of 2009 awardees, please click here.                                                                   
       We’re grateful to the many Members of Congress who are helping to forge a path to a more humane future through their demonstrated leadership on animal protection legislation,‖ said HSLF President Michael Markarian. ―Our animal welfare laws are a reflection of our basic values and attitudes shared by people across the country.                                                                            
       Pacelle and Markarian will present the award at a reception on Wednesday, March 3 from 6:00 to 8:30 pm in Room HC-6 of the U.S. Capitol.

     The Fillmore Fire Department would like to remind residents during the winter season to be prepared for flash flooding and land slides in areas with a high propensity for such events. Because these events allow for very little advanced notification, it is imperative that residents be prepared for such situations.                                                                              
 

 Before the Storm Hits

  1. Develop an Emergency Disaster Plan with your family. Information on creating a disaster plan is available at www.fillmorefire.com
  2. Stay informed of current and future weather conditions via your local news channel, or local radio stations. Your level of preparedness may be dramatically improved with a few days notice.
  3. Identify potential home hazards and know how to secure or protect them before a flood strikes. Be prepared to turn off electrical power when there is standing water, fallen power lines, or before your evacuation. Turn off gas and water supplies before you evacuate.
  4. Sandbag areas historically known for flooding and/or unpredictable water flow. A limited supply of emergency sandbags are available at the City of Fillmore Public Works Yard (711 Sespe Place, Fillmore.) These sandbags are for emergencies only. Sandbags may be purchased at most any hardware store or home improvement center.
 

 During the Storm
  

1. Monitor the radio and/or local news station for updates on the storm, traffic conditions, and evacuation orders.
  2. Prepare to evacuate to a shelter or to a neighbor's home if your home is damaged, or if you are instructed to do so by emergency personnel. If you are in an area historically known for flooding, evacuate before circumstances prevent an unsafe evacuation.
  3. Keep in mind that rises in water levels during flash floods and debris flows may occur much more rapidly, and may be significantly larger, than those produced when the watershed is not burned.
  4. Pay extra close attention to driving conditions while operating your vehicle. With torrential rainfall overwhelming available drainage systems, unpredictable debris and water flow across streets and highways is possible at any given time.
  5. Report any hazardous conditions you observe to local authorities.

                             Emergency Contact Numbers
                     Life Threatening Emergencies Dial 911
             Ventura County Sheriffs Department: 805-524-2233
        City of Fillmore Fire Department: 805-524-0586 or 805-384-1500
                   City of Fillmore Public Works: 805-524-6717
                    Southern California Edison: 1-800-611-1911
              Southern California Gas Company: 1-800-427-2200
            Caltrans Highway Information: 1-800-427-ROAD (7623)
 

     The Fillmore Fire Department would like to remind residents during the winter season to be prepared for flash flooding and land slides in areas with a high propensity for such events. Because these events allow for very little advanced notification, it is imperative that residents be prepared for such situations.                                                                              
 

 Before the Storm Hits

  1. Develop an Emergency Disaster Plan with your family. Information on creating a disaster plan is available at www.fillmorefire.com
  2. Stay informed of current and future weather conditions via your local news channel, or local radio stations. Your level of preparedness may be dramatically improved with a few days notice.
  3. Identify potential home hazards and know how to secure or protect them before a flood strikes. Be prepared to turn off electrical power when there is standing water, fallen power lines, or before your evacuation. Turn off gas and water supplies before you evacuate.
  4. Sandbag areas historically known for flooding and/or unpredictable water flow. A limited supply of emergency sandbags are available at the City of Fillmore Public Works Yard (711 Sespe Place, Fillmore.) These sandbags are for emergencies only. Sandbags may be purchased at most any hardware store or home improvement center.
 

 During the Storm
  

1. Monitor the radio and/or local news station for updates on the storm, traffic conditions, and evacuation orders.
  2. Prepare to evacuate to a shelter or to a neighbor's home if your home is damaged, or if you are instructed to do so by emergency personnel. If you are in an area historically known for flooding, evacuate before circumstances prevent an unsafe evacuation.
  3. Keep in mind that rises in water levels during flash floods and debris flows may occur much more rapidly, and may be significantly larger, than those produced when the watershed is not burned.
  4. Pay extra close attention to driving conditions while operating your vehicle. With torrential rainfall overwhelming available drainage systems, unpredictable debris and water flow across streets and highways is possible at any given time.
  5. Report any hazardous conditions you observe to local authorities.

                             Emergency Contact Numbers
                     Life Threatening Emergencies Dial 911
             Ventura County Sheriffs Department: 805-524-2233
        City of Fillmore Fire Department: 805-524-0586 or 805-384-1500
                   City of Fillmore Public Works: 805-524-6717
                    Southern California Edison: 1-800-611-1911
              Southern California Gas Company: 1-800-427-2200
            Caltrans Highway Information: 1-800-427-ROAD (7623)
 

     The Fillmore Fire Department would like to remind residents during the winter season to be prepared for flash flooding and land slides in areas with a high propensity for such events. Because these events allow for very little advanced notification, it is imperative that residents be prepared for such situations.                                                                              
 

 Before the Storm Hits

  1. Develop an Emergency Disaster Plan with your family. Information on creating a disaster plan is available at www.fillmorefire.com
  2. Stay informed of current and future weather conditions via your local news channel, or local radio stations. Your level of preparedness may be dramatically improved with a few days notice.
  3. Identify potential home hazards and know how to secure or protect them before a flood strikes. Be prepared to turn off electrical power when there is standing water, fallen power lines, or before your evacuation. Turn off gas and water supplies before you evacuate.
  4. Sandbag areas historically known for flooding and/or unpredictable water flow. A limited supply of emergency sandbags are available at the City of Fillmore Public Works Yard (711 Sespe Place, Fillmore.) These sandbags are for emergencies only. Sandbags may be purchased at most any hardware store or home improvement center.
 

 During the Storm
  

1. Monitor the radio and/or local news station for updates on the storm, traffic conditions, and evacuation orders.
  2. Prepare to evacuate to a shelter or to a neighbor's home if your home is damaged, or if you are instructed to do so by emergency personnel. If you are in an area historically known for flooding, evacuate before circumstances prevent an unsafe evacuation.
  3. Keep in mind that rises in water levels during flash floods and debris flows may occur much more rapidly, and may be significantly larger, than those produced when the watershed is not burned.
  4. Pay extra close attention to driving conditions while operating your vehicle. With torrential rainfall overwhelming available drainage systems, unpredictable debris and water flow across streets and highways is possible at any given time.
  5. Report any hazardous conditions you observe to local authorities.

                             Emergency Contact Numbers
                     Life Threatening Emergencies Dial 911
             Ventura County Sheriffs Department: 805-524-2233
        City of Fillmore Fire Department: 805-524-0586 or 805-384-1500
                   City of Fillmore Public Works: 805-524-6717
                    Southern California Edison: 1-800-611-1911
              Southern California Gas Company: 1-800-427-2200
            Caltrans Highway Information: 1-800-427-ROAD (7623)
 

Rep. Gallegly votes against largest debt limit increase in history

WASHINGTON, DC—U.S. Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-CA) today voted against raising the public debt limit to $14.3 trillion – or $121,982 owed by every American household.

“We cannot borrow, spend and tax our way back to a growing economy,” Gallegly said. “We cannot borrow, spend and tax our way to job growth. Americans are hurting and this just puts an additional stress on the American economy, as well as placing Americans deeper in debt.”

Raising the national debt limit another $1.9 trillion – the largest increase in history – passed on a 217-212 vote. The vote against increasing the limit was bipartisan, with 37 Democrats joining all Republicans in voting no. The Senate voted to increase the debt limit earlier this week.

Beginning in 2013 and for every year thereafter, the debt subject to the limit actually exceeds the value of every good and service produced in the United States. Additionally, under the president’s budget it is estimated Congress would need to increase the debt limit again before Oct. 1, 2011. 

Such levels of debt are unsustainable and invite potentially dire economic consequences. Foreign investors, who hold more than half of the U.S. debt held by the public, may demand sharply higher interest rates if they begin to question U.S. commitment to a sustainable budget path. 

Higher interest rates could worsen an already precarious fiscal situation. On Wednesday, Moody’s Investor Service Inc. said the U.S. government’s bond rating will come under pressure unless additional measures are taken to reduce the budget deficits projected for the next decade.

The debt limit increase comes on the heels of President Obama unveiling his fiscal year 2011 budget proposal that drives spending to a record $3.8 trillion, pushes the deficit to a record $1.6 trillion, and raises taxes by more than $2 trillion.

Under the President’s budget, the national debt will soar from $10 trillion at the beginning of 2009 when President Obama took office to more than $25.8 trillion in 2020 – an increase of 147 percent.

Over the next 10 years, annual deficits average $917 billion under the President’s budget.

Gallegly supports adopting strict budget caps that limit federal spending on an annual basis and are enforceable by the president. These caps were a critical plank in the budget the minority party proposed last year, led by Budget Committee Ranking Member Paul Ryan, and they were notably absent from the president’s budget. Without these caps, the federal budget deficit will continue to spiral out of control.

SEX OFFENDERS: RUNNER LEGISLATION WILL REMOVE YOU FROM SOCIAL WEBSITES                                                                                                        
       Sen. George Runner (R-Antelope Valley) today introduced legislation that will stop convicted sexual predators on parole from opening accounts with social websites like Facebook, Twitter, Myspace and any other site that qualifies as social networking.  “I am a big fan of social network sites just like the next person, but unfortunately they create a virtual shopping mall for sex offenders on the prowl,” said Runner, who also authored California’s Jessica’s Law and Amber Alert.  “With this bill, we’re going to shut the door on these malicious, dangerous people who prey on innocent and unsuspecting children.” Senate Bill 1204 also requires sex offenders who have completed parole to register their email addresses with the California Department of Justice. “Sex offenders are already required to register their street addresses with local police per Megan’s Law,” Runner said. “In the past decade it’s become obvious that Internet technology is a convenient means for sexual predators to stalk potential victims. It only makes sense to require sex offenders to share their email addresses with law enforcement.” If the bill passes, California would be the second state to enact such a law – New York became the first when it passed a similar bill last year – known as “e-Stop – which was sponsored by New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo. In a December press release, Cuomo said more than 3,500 registered New York sex offenders have been purged from Facebook and Myspace since e-Stop was enacted, including a man convicted of assaulting a 14-year-old boy and another man who raped a 2-year-old girl.  John Walsh, co-founder of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and host of “America’s Most Wanted, supports New York’s e-Stop saying last year in a press release that “New York sets the gold standard for other states to follow.”  Runner’s SB 1204 will be heard in the Senate Public Safety Committee and Senate Appropriations before it receives a full vote on the Senate floor. 

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LIBERAL CALIFORNIA SENATORS PASS UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE LEGISLATION

Senator Runner calls plan ‘to the Left and radical’ of ObamaCare

SACRAMENTO – Sen. George Runner (R-Antelope Valley) today issued the following statements and video in response to the passage of legislation that would create a single-payer, government-controlled health care plan for Californians. Known as Senate Bill 810 (Leno), the measure passed on a 22-14 vote.

“This plan is to the Left and radical of what couldn’t get out of Washington.

“Does anybody believe a state that has year-after-year deficits can control the costs of health care?”