February 12, 2009

AVCA hosts politicians

By Lorraine Gabbert
Staff Writer

The state budget and reducing use of plastic and paper grocery bags were the issues at the Almaden Valley Community Association meeting Monday.

Assembly member Ira Ruskin discussed proposed budget cuts while District 10 City Councilmember Nancy Pyle hoped to sway residents into using cloth or canvas totes for groceries.

“We really have to solve this [budget] issue,” says Ruskin. “I agree with the governor that the solution has to be a combination of an increase in revenue and cuts.”

The budget, or rather lack of one, has been an ongoing challenge since late summer. Assembly members and senators have been unable to agree, but when they finally presented one late last year, Gov. Schwarzenegger vetoed it. Negotiations continue with overnight sessions.

For example, the governor’s current budget calls for a $7.7 billion cut in education.

“Without revenue, this would be more like $12 or $14 billion,” Ruskin says.” The Democrats propose a five percent cut, and the Republicans 10 percent over 18 months.”

Ruskin thinks negotiations are near a conclusion, but “that last mile may be very important,”

Like most of the state’s Democrats, Ruskin takes issue with an aspect of California’s constitution requiring a two-thirds majority to pass a bill. “This is no way to run a government,” he says.

He believes that the political parties are further apart in their values than in the past. “The Republicans have stood steadfast saying they would not support any tax increases,” he says. “It becomes difficult when two parties so far apart are required to reach a consensus.”

Ruskin says he has voted for taxes and cuts he wouldn’t have under normal circumstances. “Trying to look people in the eye and say we didn’t destroy the public infrastructure…gets harder every day,” he says.

“Some of us feel that we have to hold out, but there comes a point where you have to stop. I can reach consensus quickly in the legislature or I can fight for the things you elected me to fight for. I can’t do both. But,” he says, “the question has to be asked…how long do you fight for the issues?”

The final budget will be negotiated between Schwarzenegger, Speaker Karen Bass, Republican Leader Mike Villines, Senate Republican Leader Dave Cogdill and Senate Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg.

“I’m hopeful we’ll reach an agreement this week,” says Ruskin. “Whatever it will be, hardly anyone will like it, but we have to reach an agreement.”

Pyle endorses bag fee
“Plastic bags have an enormous environmental cost,” Pyle told AVCA members, noting they pose hazards to sea-life and take up limited landfill space.

To curb plastic and paper bag use, San Jose is considering a 25-cent fee per bag. “It’s going to be a hard sell,” says Pyle. She believes once people understand the need, they’ll choose canvas or cloth, even though the idea isn’t too popular.

Emy Mendoza, with San Jose’s Environmental Services Department, acknowledged the proposition would be effective.

She explained that paper grocery bags claim 14 million trees a year, while plastic bags require natural gases, litter our streets and end up in landfills, creeks and oceans. “If you see a plastic bag in the street,” she said, “please pick it up before it goes in the creek.”

Less than five percent of plastic bags are recycled in California, and those that are clog the machinery and must be removed by hand.

Many countries and a number of California cities already have banned plastic bags.

Pyle wants cities throughout Santa Clara County to also embrace this plan. “I’m concerned if we do it, and others don’t,” she says, “people will go to other cities to buy things, and we already have sales tax leakage as it is.”

The City Council will vote on the proposal in a few months. Before the vote, city staff will conduct public outreach about the negative environmental impact of paper and plastic bags.

For further information online, see the California Budget Project, including “Uncharted Waters,” at: www.cbp.org.