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Police chief cheers new DNA law

By Bruce Campbell
Glendale News Press
August 21, 2010

Police Chief Ron DePompa, a member of the Glendale Noon Rotary Club, gave an inspirational, in-depth review of recent laws that have positively affected the safety of our community in his introduction of Rep. Adam Schiff at the club’s weekly meeting on Aug. 12.

DePompa said Schiff was a co-sponsor of a very useful new federal DNA law that permits the technical analysis of blood samples to identify individuals who may have been involved in crimes. Only two states — California and Colorado — are actively using the law.

The chief indicated that the recent arrest of the “Grim Sleeper” was the result of identifying him through the DNA analysis allowed by the law. The chief thinks that finding the “Grim Sleeper” by DNA will get other states to follow our lead.

DePompa indicated that the DNA law will give his department a new, effective tool to identify suspects and fight against rape and child abuse.

The chief thanked Schiff for sponsoring a law that has permitted the combined use of radio signals by different local police departments. He said that now all of the area police departments can quickly and simply call one another using the same radio station.

Schiff then spoke to the club about things he sees in the economy and in world affairs. He indicated that support of small businesses would be vital to turning the economy around. He supports legislation that will give small businesses access to various tax credits. In particular he is supporting laws to give tax credits to businesses for new hires and for the purchase of new manufacturing equipment.

Schiff said he has seen that small-business owners, no matter how high their FICO score is and how strong the financial statements are, cannot get loans from banks to build their business. He plans to work with the Small Business Administration to develop an effective business loan guaranty program that will open up business lending.

He plans to continue his support of local light rail service and in particular the use and expansion of the Gold Line.

http://www.glendalenewspress.com/entertainment/tn-gnp-clubs-20100821,0,57694,print.story

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City expands background checks

Glendale News Press | 08-14-2010

Scanning program will now check record in all of the U.S., not just California.

“We don’t want someone coming from another state who has committed an egregious act,” said Glendale City Clerk Ardy Kassakhian. “In the past, if you were to apply for a tobacco vendor or taxi cab or massage therapy permit, anything where you’d be interfacing with the public, you would undergo a background check. But it only referenced arrests or incidents that took place in California. It seemed logical to expand that and look at other states, as well.”

Last month, the House of Representatives passed legislation sponsored by Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) to extend a pilot program allowing youth athletic leagues and other organizations to gain access to criminal background checks on workers and volunteers.

The bill would make it easier for private groups to tap federal criminal records and ensure the service is provided at a reasonable cost. That legislation is awaiting action in the Senate.

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Small-business owners struggling

Glendale News Press | 08-12-2010

David Cain launched Buff Buddies Fitness in La Cañada six years ago, and even though business has grown, he is struggling. Banks have slashed his credit lines. Government loans are hard to get. Schools that might partner with his youth fitness programs don’t want to play ball.

Cain was one of hundreds at the Pasadena Convention Center on Wednesday seeking leads on jobs, loans or government contracting opportunities. He was also one of the many who caught the ear of Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank), sponsor of the event, which brought together more than three dozen chambers of commerce, business advisors and government agencies, including the Small Business Administration and Department of Commerce.

The size of the crowd, Schiff said, “is a sign of just how much need there is out there. Hopefully, we have a lot of good resources here.”

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Briefly: Business Assistance and Career Fair today

Glendale News Press | 08-11-2010

In an effort to help job seekers and entrepreneurs, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) is sponsoring a Small Business Assistance and Career Opportunity Fair today at the Pasadena Convention Center.

Representatives from seven local chambers of commerce, the Small Business Administration, the Verdugo Workforce Investment Board and dozens of other government or economic development agencies will be at the event.

Morning seminars will include “Business Loans 101,” “How Businesses Can Survive and Thrive in Tough Economic Times” and “How to Get a Job with the Federal Government.”

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Obama signs emergency bill to halt teacher layoffs

Pasadena Star News | 08-10-2010

More than $3 billion in federal aid is expected to head California’s way after House Democrats passed, and President Barack Obama signed, an emergency $26 billion bill Tuesday they say will save 320,000 jobs nationally.

Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Pasadena, estimates the funds will save about 200 teaching jobs in his congressional district.

“For a lot of parents of school-aged kids, it’s a last minute reprieve for teachers being laid off,” he said.

Already, officials at the Glendale Unified School District announced this week they would recall pink slips sent to 66 teachers thanks to the federal help, Schiff said.

“Hopefully other school districts will be able to do what they did,” he said.

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Lawmakers seek broad probe into Forest Service response to Station fire

Los Angeles Times | 08-06-2010

California’s two U.S. senators and several local House members ask the Government Accountability Office for the inquiry into the Forest Service’s tactics and decisions.

The late discovery of the recordings “casts a dark cloud over the findings of the review panel and immediately warrants an independent review of the Station fire response,” the lawmakers said in a letter to the GAO. “Our purpose for this review is to ensure that all actions in the response to the fire were taken swiftly, properly and competently.”

In addition to Democratic Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer, the signers include Reps. David Dreier (R-San Dimas), Howard P. “Buck” McKeon (R- Santa Clarita), Adam Schiff (D- Burbank), Judy Chu (D-El Monte) and Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks).

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$700,000 sought for improving roads destroyed by Station fire

Los Angeles Times | 08-05-2010

Officials are seeking roughly $700,000 from the federal government for improving the forest roads and trails that were destroyed last year during the Station fire.
Rep. Adam Schiff (D- Burbank) secured the earmark in the Interior Department appropriations bill for restoring 160,577 acres of scorched landscape.
“This funding will help repair the roads and trails that were damaged in the fire to restore safety and access for families to enjoy one of California’s greatest natural resources,” Schiff said in a statement.
Engineers for the Angeles National Forest have estimated that about 300 miles of roads and 225 miles of trails were damaged during the Station fire, according to Schiff’s office.

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Schiff supports inquiry of Station fire-related call

Glendale News Press | 08-04-2010

The recent discovery of the taped calls came days before Schiff is scheduled to convene an Aug. 10 panel to discuss the Station fire and the initial firefighting attack, which critics say was too tepid, allowing the fire to grow out of control.

Schiff’s office on Tuesday released a statement backing Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack’s request for a probe into why the recordings were made, and why they were only recently made public.

“I am concerned with the late discovery of these recorded conversations by the Forest Service, and the fact that these calls appear to have been recorded without the knowledge or consent of some or all of the parties to these calls,” Schiff said in a statement.

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Burbank Airport turns to Congress in noise restriction fight

Los Angeles Times | 08-01-2010

After years of painstaking studies, millions of dollars and one failed federal application for nighttime flight restrictions, Bob Hope Airport officials are turning to Congress.

Last month, Reps. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank), Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks) and Howard Berman (D-Valley Village) wrote to the chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, seeking to insert language in the next FAA authorization bill allowing for a curfew at the two airports.

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Schiff aims to help small businesses

Glendale News Press | 07-29-2010

With small business still the missing link in the slow-and-go economic recovery, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) is bringing together numerous government agencies and business groups for a daylong Small Business Assistance and Career Opportunity Fair on Aug. 11 at the Pasadena Convention Center.

“Far too many people throughout our community are still seeking access to business opportunities and employment, and I hope this business development and career fair will help them discover new resources to succeed,” Schiff said in a statement. “The career fair will provide an opportunity for people to network and find additional ways to gain employment or build their businesses, even in a challenging economy.”

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