Mixed Reviews On How to Solve Some Of The States Most Persistent Problems

By Simeon Gant, California Black Media 

Assembly Members Jim Cooper and Kevin McCarty on the Assembly Floor after Governor Jerry Browns unprecedented fourth inaugural address.
Assemblyman Jim Cooper said California needs to address drug addiction and did not support proposition 47, the ballot measure that releases low-level offenders into the community
Cooper Assembly District 9 is from Elk Grove, McCarty 7th District is from Sacramento.

For the first time in the state’s history California elected one person to the Governor’s office four times. The Honorable Edmund “Jerry” Brown was sworn in today in front of both houses of the legislature, California’s judges and a bevy of state officials. Brown combined the State of the State address with his inaugural speech to include his previous accomplishments and a wish list of upcoming issues addressing California.

Brown quickly spoke to the usual concerns of most Californians – education, crime and public safety, health, human services and overall fiscal stability. The most unique aspect of his speech however, was how little has changed.

Brown recalled his first time in the Assembly Chambers. It was1959 during his father, Governor Pat Brown’s inauguration, “That was 56 years ago, yet the issues that my father raised bear eerie resemblance to those we still grapple with today: discrimination, the quality of education and the challenge of recruiting and training teachers, the menace of air pollution, and its danger to our health; a realistic water program; economic development; consumer protection and overcrowded prisons.”

Members of the Legislative Black Caucus responded to the Governor’s speech with hope and optimism for concerns of education equity and a reduction in health disparities throughout the state.

“The Governor is a visionary and very committed to California,” said Assembly Member Shirley Weber, Ph.D., chair of the Assembly Budget Committee. Focusing on how education equity may play out this year, the San Diego representative lawmaker said, “Local Control Funding Formula is still a work in progress. What they do with the resources they get for those special populations is going to be a challenge because we have already run into some roadblocks in terms of accountability and transparency. I want to see outcomes.”

Governor Brown touted the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) as “a much fairer system of school funding.” He informed the audience LCFF’s shift toward giving local school districts more control, giving the state less power and delivering more money to schools “based on the number of students from foster care, low-income families and non-English –speaking parents.”

Freshman Assembly Member Tony Thurmond, a Democrat from Richmond was also pleased to hear the Governor include an increase in health insurance coverage under the Medi-Cal Program.

As chair of the budget subcommittee on health and human services, Assembly Member Thurmond relates to the relatively silent healthcare crises of hospital and clinic closures, “In my district we have a hospital that could close because of the low reimbursement rate in Medi-cal.” He continued, “We know that people of color and low income people are disproportionally impacted around healthcare disparities and we are going to need to make some expansions around Medi-Cal.”

Governor Brown’s speech covered many of the state’s social and economic bases, confidently including the passage of water projects, environmental protection, a $2.8 billion Rainy Day Fund, driver’s licenses for undocumented citizens, $59 billion investment in roads, highways and bridges, the elderly, pensions and criminal justice.

Freshmen Members of the Assembly Tony Thurmond, left and Jim Cooper right share a moment responding the Governor Jerry Brown’s record fourth inaugural address. Thurmond wants to see an expansion of Medi-Cal. Cooper wants to see an emphasis on drug rehabilitation and criminal sentencing. Thurmond is from Richmond, W. Contra Costa, Berkeley, Oakland and Alameda

Referring back to his father’s 1959 inaugural speech Brown reiterated, “He talked about identifying “’those prisoners who should never be released to prey again on an innocent public,’” but he also said, “’we should also determine whether some prisoners are now kept confined after punishment has served its purpose.’”

Newly minted Assemblyman Jim Cooper served most of his career working in law enforcement in Sacramento. He feels realignment—sending many low-level offenders from state prisons to the local jail systems — “is a good start.” However he proclaims the key is to reduce the number of people hooked on drugs and coming out of prison without a plan to get unhooked.  “One of the big issues is substance abuse,” Cooper said.

Since the recent passage of Proposition 47which released from prison low-level drug offenders throughout the state, Cooper says drug courts now don’t have the same teeth in the law to “hold over their head.”  He says prior to this new law the judges could “make them get clean” but no longer have that option.

Governor Brown doesn’t exactly agree with Cooper’s assessment about Proposition 47. His primary concern is overcrowding of prisons. “In the 1970’s we had12 prisons holding fewer than 30,000 prisoners…our system then grew to a peak of 34 prisons, with an inmate population of 173,000, eating up more than 10 percent of our budget dollars. He said the state dramatically lengthened sentences and added a host of new crimes and penalty enhancements to include more than 5,000 separate criminal provisions and over 400 penalty enhancements.

While it is common knowledge California’s prisons are disproportionally populated by men of color – a large number of African American and Latino heritage – the unemployment lines also see this struggling population as an ongoing challenge to California.

Governor Brown’s speech referred to a shrinking unemployment rate, currently sitting at approximately 7.2 percent in California, it’s still lower than the whopping 13.6 percent nationally for African Americans as reported by the US Department of Labor. None of these numbers include Blacks that have simply quit looking for jobs out of fatigue and futility. Governor Brown’s speech didn’t address a solution to the unemployment issue, but strategically included “California has seen more than 1.3 million new jobs created in just four years.”

Many of the new jobs on the horizon may very well come in what he deems three ambitious goals to be accomplished within the next 15 years.

He reminded the audience of the state’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gases and carbon pollution to 431 million tons by 2020. Looking forward to 2030 he said the state should, “Increase from one-third to 50 percent our electricity derived from renewable sources; Reduce today’s petroleum use in cars and trucks by up to 50 percent; and Double the efficiency of existing buildings and make heating fuels cleaner.”

These new efforts require a new and improved workforce, trained in the development of wind, water, solar and waste conversion into energy, specialist in alternative fuel vehicles and a renewed process of redeveloping California’s infrastructure.

The culmination of his speech addressed the potential for jobs by protecting our environment. He said, “We must build on rock, not sand, so that when the storms come, our house stands.”

Loma Linda University Health will announce a new partnership with Zipcar, one of the world’s leading car sharing networks, to offer a Zipcar car sharing program on campus.  The new program will be launched on Wednesday, January 7, noon, on campus in front of Magan Hall, where two of the new vehicles will be showcased.  The event will feature a large group of curious staff and students, brief remarks from officials, and computerized sign ups, in which the first 100 individuals will receive free one-year memberships.

The convenient transportation option will be available at an affordable rate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for students, faculty, and staff ages 18 and older, as well as members of the local community ages 21 and over.

Loma Linda University Health will initially offer two vehicles, a Toyota Prius and a Ford Focus. The Zipcars will have designated parking spots located in a campus lot near the southwest intersection of Anderson and Mound streets (lot P) for convenient pick-up and return.  Zipcars will be available on-demand and easily reserved and accessed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

This year, Loma Linda University Health students, faculty, and staff can join for $25, with rates for Zipcar vehicles on campus starting as low as $7.50 per hour and $69 per day.  After the first year, members will pay an annual membership fee of $35. Gas, insurance, and up to 180 miles of driving per day are included in Zipcar rates, and cars can be reserved for as little as an hour or for multiple days.  Loma Linda University students, faculty and staff can join Zipcar at www.zipcar.com/llu.

“Loma Linda is pleased to partner with Zipcar to help reduce the number of cars on campus by giving students, staff, patients, and community members mobility without the need for car ownership,” said Richard H. Hart, MD, DrPH, Loma Linda University Health President.  “Zipcar is becoming a popular option on campuses across the country.  We believe this resource will help us continue to make our campus a more pedestrian and bike friendly place; it fits well with our culture of wholeness.  Some students and others who don’t own cars will no longer need to buy a car when they move to Loma Linda. Enjoy the Zipcar convenience!”

Participating members with smartphones, including iPhones and Android devices, will be able to  download the Zipcar mobile application to make reservations, lock and unlock the vehicles, and honk the horn to help locate the vehicle.  They will also be able to make reservations over the phone or on Zipcar’s website.

“Together with Loma Linda University Health, we’re enabling this next generation of drivers to experience a new generation of cars and transportation in a way that is both convenient and cost-effective, not to mention fun,” said Katelyn Lopresti, general manager for Zipcar University.

Zipcar has established relationships with more than 400 universities across North America. For more information and to learn how to become a member of Zipcar at Loma Linda University Health, please visit www.zipcar.com/llu.  Additional information and promotions can also be found by following @ZipcarU on Twitter.

By Carmel Ferrer

Higher education and upward mobility are often touted as a ticket to better health. Yet a new study suggests that the positive health effects of a good education are felt less by blacks than by whites.

Consider this scenario: Four adults are sitting in a doctor’s office. Two are black and two are white. One black adult and one white adult have high school diplomas; the other two have college degrees.

You might reasonably expect that the two college graduates would be healthier than the ones who finished only high school, owing to the improved access to health insurance, fresh foods, and safe housing that higher education often brings. But the study shows that the health benefits of educational attainment for African Americans may in fact be offset by racial discrimination and other associated stresses.

Conducted over the course of 15 years, the data set—part of an ongoing longitudinal study—assessed subjects at age 30, and then again at age 45, for levels of inflammation in the body. Chronic inflammation has been shown to contribute to a greater incidence of diabetes and heart disease.

One of the study’s authors, Thomas Fuller-Rowell, PhD, puts it this way: “Among whites, the more educated you are, the better off you are in terms of inflammation across adulthood. Among African Americans, we found no health benefit to being more educated.”

Fuller-Rowell is a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health & Society Scholar whose research examines how differences in race and social class affect health. “In order to solve the larger health disparities issue, we need to understand what it is about educational attainment that is more stressful for African Americans,” he explains.

As the study points out, stress is a prime suspect when it comes to poor immune function, slow healing, and infections. Long-term stress can cause chronic inflammation, which in turn contributes to a greater incidence of diabetes and heart disease.

“Upward mobility and education are put forward as the best way to improve health disparities, but these findings suggest that eliminating educational disparities will not be enough,” says Fuller-Rowell. “We have to address the differential stresses of getting a higher education along with issues relating to white-dominated workplaces.”

One of the study’s recommendations is to increase programs that not only encourage upward mobility among underrepresented groups, but also “acknowledge and seek to mitigate the challenges of navigating educational and workplace contexts that are often racially and culturally insensitive. “

According to Fuller-Rowell, “We need institutional and governmental programs that are designed to remedy group disparities so that we can address the legacy of racial inequity in the United States.” The study, he notes, defines rather than explains the problem.

“We’re now working on research that gets to the explanation,” he says.

Jacob Whitesides

The Internet has helped make stories available of young girls who are struggling with thoughts of suicide and depression. One local Los Angeles teen has set out to spread awareness and hope to those in need. Delila Brown, 14, an eighth-grader at Flintridge Preparatory School, has organized a concert featuring singer/songwriter Jacob Whitesides to benefit Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services, which provides quality mental health care and substance use disorder services in communities where stigma or poverty limit access. The event takes place on January 10^that the school auditorium from 3p.m.-8p.m. There will be a “meet and greet” with Jacob for 200 people who purchase $100 VIP tickets. Location: Flintridge Preparatory School, 4345 Crown Avenue, La Canada Flintridge.

As to how Delila came to host the event and chose Didi Hirsh, she said, “I was thinking about what I should do for my 8^th grade community service project. I didn’t want to just put out a collection box like a lot of other people I know. So I came up with the idea of having a benefit concert. My teacher helped me find some good charities. She knew about Didi Hirsch and what they do with suicide prevention. That sounded good to me. So we did some research to make sure it was a good organization. Then we had to find someone to do the concert. My dad builds stages and has a friend who is a concert promoter. He told me I should find someone who is not too famous, but up and coming, otherwise it would be hard to get the person to come. I found Jacob Whitesides on YouTube a few years ago and have been following him ever since. My dad’s friend helped me reach out to him through his manager (who happens to be his mom). He wanted to make sure it was a legitimate event and did his own research on Didi Hirsch before he told his manager he wanted to do it. He says he knows a lot of his fans have gone through depression and have been suicidal and he wants to help them.”

Jacob is a 17-year old Internet phenomenon who has six million+ views on YouTube and over one million followers on Twitter.

For more information about Delila, click here.

ABOUT DIDI HIRSCH MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services provides mental health, substance use disorder and wellness services to more than 74,000 children and adults in 11 locations throughout Los Angeles and Orange Counties each year. Our Suicide Prevention Center’s Crisis Line has English- and Spanish-speaking counselors available 24/7, is one of five centers nationwide to operate the Disaster Distress Helpline, and offers online emotional support, community training and bereavement support groups for those who have lost loved ones to suicide. Learn more atwww.didihirsch.org.

Alejandre taking Administration of Oath led by Mr Mark Sumpter, President, S B County Board of Education
(Photo by John Coleman)

SAN BERNARDINO, CA-Ted Alejandre took the oath of office becoming San Bernardino County’s 34^th superintendent during a ceremony today at the National Orange Show. Alejandre pledged to form a team among educators, stakeholders, community members and education partners to further academic opportunities for the more than 411,000 students who attend public school in San Bernardino County.

“Together, we will transform lives through education in our county,” Alejandre said.

About 500 community members, family, staff and dignitaries attended the oath of office ceremony. Alejandre was sworn into office by Mark Sumpter, president of the County Board of Education. Starting his career with the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools office in 2008 as the assistant superintendent of Business Services, Alejandre brings more than 25 years of experience in public education to his new role as county superintendent. Alejandre is the first-ever Hispanic to serve in the position. Alejandre, who is a native of San Bernardino County, has worked in the Rialto, San Bernardino and Yucaipa-Calimesa school districts as a teacher, principal and administrator, prior to his stint with County Schools.

SPEAKERS

Michael & Regina Winans

Men ‘Only’ Session:
Facilitator:
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Eta Alpha Alpha Chapter

Women ‘Only’ Session:
Facilitator:
Nekisha-Michelle Kee, MSW
(Relationship Expert & Urban Matchmaker and TV Personality)

‘Work family balance and healthy conflict resolution for Married and Couples’:
Facilitator:
Letitia Clark, MPP

‘Depression among Divorced and Widowed’:
Facilitator:
Dr. La Grande Mason

‘Stigma around being Single’:
Facilitator:
Dr. Aesha Roberts

‘Minority Owned Business (e.g. funding, programs, etc.)’:
Facilitator:
Baron Kevyn Jerome Nelson

‘Debt Reduction Strategies’:
Facilitator:
Coach Chris

‘Community Awareness: State of Black America’:
Moderator:
Bert Wright

Panelists:
Dr. E. Lance McCarthy
Kareem Muhammad
Juanita Hamilton

Jewel Diamond Taylor, Jewel aka “The Self-esteem Dr.” is a multi faceted messenger shining her light into the lives of countless men and women.   Men and women are encouraged to grow beyond their obstacles, procrastination, past adversity, addictions and fears.   Jewel’s keynote and workshop presentations trains, transforms and teaches others how to be emotionally resilient — to excel, enjoy and endure life changes.

Taylor speaks to the relevant themes of life (e.g. leadership, time/stress management, parenting, strategies for goal setting success, resiliency, coping with change, spiritual strength) with a fresh voice and perspective blending spiritual principles, wisdom, wit, depth and compassion for our human struggle to achieve success and balanced living. Taylor’s message inspires her audience to learn how to cope, survive and thrive in this ever changing world. Jewel has facilitated countless women’s retreats across the nation.

Taylor received her education in Psychology from California State University Dominguez

This Washington D. C. native, born to a gemologist, is an author, and radio personality with a passion to inspire men and women to grow outside their life box of limitation, fear, socio- economic challenges and personal setbacks.

Taylor has been an invited speaker in 35 of the 50 United States, London, Brazil, Cancun, St. Kitts, Virgin Islands, Jamaica, St. Croix, the Bahamas, the U. S. Pentagon, U. S. Secret Service, NASA Research Center, Naval Research Lab, the EPA, the U. S. Mint, National Archives, CIA, USDA Graduate School, DEA, IRS, Coast Guard, U. S. Army Staff College, AARP, colleges, churches, workplace training and a very popular women’s ministry conference and retreat speaker. Jewel was a speaker for 12 years with the African American Women on Tour Conferences. Jewel’s articles have been published in Essence, JET, Black Enterprise Magazine, Upscale, countless newspaper and on her 15 year old web site www.DoNotGiveUp.net   As a Life Coach, Jewel has female clients across the country and she is a frequent guest taking calls and sharing advice to listeners on the Front Page show in the mornings on KJLH.

The titles of her books are:

1. Sisterfriends

2. Success Gems

3. You Are Too Blessed to Be Stressed

4. Shift Happens: The Main Thing is to Keep the Main Thing…the MAIN THING

5. I’m Tired But Still Inspired to Press On

6. I Am Resilient

7. Love Smart With Your Heart: Desperation is a Terrible Perfume to Wear

8. T.L.C. – Tender Loving Care for a Woman’s Heart and Soul

She will be speaking on Friday January 9th,  2015 at the Inland Empire Minority Led Resource Development Coalition from 10: 30 a.m. to 12 p.m. The address is 303 E. Vanderbilt Way, San Bernardino, CA 92415 , right behind T.G.I. Fridays.

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-CA) was officially sworn-in as U.S. Representative for California’s 35^th district.

“It is an honor and a privilege to serve in the United States Congress,” Torres stated.   “I am humbled by the opportunity to represent the residents of California’s 35^th district and am ready to get to work on their behalf.

The problems facing the Inland Empire are no different than those most Americans face: keeping a roof over their heads, putting their kids through college, affording quality healthcare, and finding a good-paying job,” Torres continued.  “I am committed to doing my part to break through the gridlock by working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to move our nation forward and do what is right for the voters who sent us here.”

Rep. Torres was elected to Congress on November 4, 2014 and succeeds former Rep. Gloria Negrete McLeod.