Olsen Introduces Measures to Reform Government...

Olsen Introduces Measures to Reform Government,
Improve Jobs Climate and Give Local Government Flexibility

SACRAMENTO – Today, Assemblymember Kristin Olsen, R-Modesto, finalized her 2011 legislative package by introducing measures to reform government, help create and retain jobs and provide more control and flexibility for local governments. Today, is the deadline for members to introduce bills in the 2011 session.

“Next to resolving our budget deficit, working to create jobs and reform government should be the top priority of the Legislature this year,” said Olsen. “I have introduced bills that I believe will help businesses thrive and grow our jobs market, and two measures that would bring important reform to the way government operates. I also worked with local governments in my district to identify legislation that would give them more control or flexibility in this difficult economy.”

Olsen’s 2011 legislative package includes the following bills:

Government Reforms Measures

Ø  Two-Year Budget Planning: Assembly Constitutional Amendment 8 would provide better long-term budget planning and would prohibit the Legislature from adopting a budget plan that leaves a deficit in the succeeding year without a specified plan for eliminating the deficit.

Ø  Oversight of State Agencies: Assembly Bill 917 is intended to establish a schedule for the Legislature to conduct in-depth reviews of state agencies and departments to ensure they are operating efficiently and effectively and continuing to meet their intended purpose.

Jobs Measures

Ø  Flexible Work Week: Assembly Bill 830 would allow employers and employees the flexibility of choosing to work 4, 10-hour days or the traditional 8-hour work days. This would give non-exempt employees the availability to choose a working schedule that is professionally and personally beneficial. Choosing a flexible work schedule of 4, 10-hour days could give employees 50 additional non-working days per year.

Ø  One-Stop-Shop for Permits: Assembly Bill 991 would use a current web portal to provide a one-stop-shop for state-level permitting and licensing information.  This measure streamlines important state resources for individuals and business owners and provides information to support applicants through the permitting and licensing process.

Ø  Manufacturer Sales Tax Exemption: AB 1057 would provide a sales tax exemption, beginning in 2014, for businesses who purchase manufacturing equipment or new equipment purchased for the purpose of air mitigation. 
Local Government Control & Flexibility

Ø  Streamlining Process for Roadway Improvements: Assembly Bill 890 streamlines the process for cities and counties to improve road safety by creating a statutory exemption from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for minor roadway improvements within existing road right-of-way.

Ø  Housing Cycle Flexibility: Assembly Bill 602 would allow cities and counties to skip one State Housing Element report starting in 2012 and ending in 2017, allowing them to save hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Ø  J-59 Transfer: Assembly Bill 464 would transfer J-59 from a county maintained roadway to a state maintained roadway. Transferring the maintenance to Caltrans while the road is in excellent condition will insure that there is not a financial burden to the state.

For more information on these measures, contact Olsen’s office at (916) 319-2025 or visit http://arc.asm.ca.gov/member/25/?p=myLeg.

Assemblymember Kristin Olsen, R-Modesto, represents the 25th Assembly District in the California Legislature, which includes the communities of Angels Camp, Chowchilla, Hughson, Mammoth Lakes, Mariposa, Modesto, Oakdale, Oakhurst, Riverbank, Sonora, and Waterford.