Monday, April 30, 2012
The California Assembly Public Safety Committee votes to approve AB1682.
A bill introduced by a local lawmaker to give law enforcement officials a longer period of time to analyze rape kits passed through a key committee vote last week. California Assemblyman Anthony Portantino, who represents Altadena, was able to move a step forward AB1682 when the Assembly Public Safety Committee approved the bill last week. The bill would allow law enforcement officials to have five years instead of two years to look at rape kits. In explaining why he introduced the bill, Portantino cited a study by The Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network, which notes that one in six women and one in 33 men will be sexually assaulted sometime in their lifetimes, but only six percent of rapists will ever spend a day in jail. “I have …
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Do you know a woman who has made your community stronger?
State Senator Carol Liu (D-La Cañada Flintridge) and Assemblyman Anthony Portantino (D-La Cañada Flintridge) are looking for women who excel in the workplace to be recognized at the 13th Annual Women in Business Legislative Update and Awards Luncheon. Nominations are being accepted in a variety of categories for women who have contributed to the economic vitality and quality of life in the three legislative districts. The deadline for submitting nominations is Friday, May 13, 2012. The event will be held August 17 at the Pasadena Hilton. Women in Business celebrates women who have contributed to the greater good of the region by advancing business and creating new jobs and serving the community. These women are role models for their …
Friday, April 20, 2012
If passed, the latest legislation by Altadena's assemblyman would enhance a previous bill and make it illegal to carry unloaded rifles and shotguns.
A bill introduced by Altadena's representative in the state Assembly that would make it a crime to openly carry an unloaded rifle or shotgun in any public place or street was approved Wednesday in Assembly Appropriations. The measure, introduced by Assemblyman Anthony Portantino, will head to the Assembly floor for a vote later this spring. If passed, AB 1527 will expand Portantino’s previous bill, AB 144, which bans unloaded handguns from being openly displayed in public. “After the successful adoption of AB 144, “open carry” advocates shifted from carrying and displaying handguns in public to the use of rifles and shotguns, even showing up at police events,” said Portantino, in an emailed statement. "It wastes law enforcement time and …
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
A bill cosponsored by Altadena's two representatives in the State Legislature to regulate boot camps passed through a committee hearing on Tuesday.
A bill in the state legislature that would result in regulations for military-style boot camps would initially apply to only two organizations, both of which are in the Altadena/Pasadena area, according to the bill's sponsors. SB 1089 was introduced by Altadena's representative in the state Senate, Carol Liu and its represnative in the Assembly, Anthony Portantino. The bill passed through a Senate Human Resources Committee hearing on Tuesday and will next be heard on the state Senate floor. The legislation was introduced after the Pasadena Star-News posted video of a boot camp session that took place in the area showing kids doing hard physical exercise while instructors yelled at them. The videos show one student being forced to drink …
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
The bill would require all utilities to update their emergency response plan every two years.
A state bill that would require all utilities to update their emergency response plan every two years has passed through a committee hearing with a unanimous vote. The bill, AB 1650, was introduced by Assemblyman Anthony Portantino as a response to the November wind storms that resulted in hundreds of thousands losing power, some for as much as a week. The 12 members of the Assembly Utilities and Commerce Committee all voted in favor of moving the bill to the full Assembly, according to a press release issued by Portantino's office. A recent report released by an independent consultant hired by Southern California Edison highlighted the utility's lack of preparedness for a storm event of the magnitude of the November windstorms, and said …
Monday, March 26, 2012
Barbara Bigby, a local business owner, educator, and volunteer, has been named legislator Anthony Portantino's "Woman of the Year."
Barbara Bigby, two-time president of the Altadena NAACP and the owner and operator of a local day-care center, was honored at a special session of the State Assembly on Monday morning. Bigby was named "Woman of the Year" in the local 44th State Assembly District by Altadena's representative, Anthony Portantino. Bigby runs the Bright Eyed Day Care Center, and besides volunteering at the Altadena NAACP, she has also served as a youth counselor at her church and has volunteered at "YWCA, DeVeal Family Services Foundation, Sybil Brand Commission and numerous advisory councils and committees," according to a press release issued by Portantino's office. Portantino choose just one person from his entire district, which besides Altadena includes …
Friday, March 16, 2012
The local San Gabriel Valley lawmaker was named "Legislator of the Year" by the state police chiefs association.
Anthony Portantino, D-La Canada Flintridge, was honored this week in Sacramento by a police chiefs association on account of sponsoring legislation banning the open carry of unloaded guns in public. open Portantino was named "Legislator of the Year" in a ceremony held by the California Police Chiefs Association (CPCA), according to a press release sent by his office. Last year, Portantino's legislation banning the visible, open carry of unloaded hand guns in public was passed by the California Legislature and signed in to law by Governor Jerry Brown. The legislation was backed by the CPCA and other law enforcement groups. This year, Portantino sponsored new legislation that would ban the carry of longer guns such as rifles and shotguns. …
Monday, March 12, 2012
In honor of the Girl Scouts' 100th anniversary Monday, the California Assembly passed a resolution to celebrate the organization and Assembly member Anthony Portantino (D-La Cañada Flintridge) reminded colleagues of the Girl Scout law.
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Monday, March 12
As the Girl Scouts of America mark their 100th anniversary Monday, state legislators celebrated the organization by passing a resolution noting "the Girl Scouts’ century-long commitment to building girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place," according to Cal Watchdog. To see more about Girl Scout history and how to celebrate the Girl Scouts locally, click here. Among the legislators that reflected on their experiences and thoughts of the Girl Scouts, Assemblyman Anthony Portantino (D-La Cañada Flintridge), who represents San Gabriel Valley cities including La Cañada, Altadena, Arcadia, South Pasadena and parts of San Marino, urged his fellow lawmakers to "do your best" to practice the tenants of the Girl …
Lawmakers say the amount of taxpayer money they receive from the speaker depends on political activity, including how they vote on legislation.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Currently, prosecutors cannot file felony rape charges once 10 years have passed from the crime. Portantino's bill would change that.
Local lawmaker Anthony Portantino, D- La Canada Flintridge, introduced a bill which would eliminate the statute of limitations on rape charges. Currently, prosecutors cannot file charges once 10 years has passed since the crime occurred. Physical evidence that could catch rapists sometimes takes a significant amount of time to process: in 2008, for example, the Los Angeles Police Department admitted that it had a backlog of 6,000 unprocessed rape kits, some of which dated back more than 10 years. Portantino, who also represents Altadena, introduced legislation last year mandating that rape kits get processed in a timely fashion, but it was vetoed. In a press release, Portantino called the current statute of limitation "arbitrary" and …
John Wilburn
10:35 am on Monday, April 23, 2012
Steve, I believe in open carry too and do so almost every day. Believe me, I don't think California or any other state has any business regulating carry open or concealed. We have more in common on this than difference, from the sound of it. The social club may be legal, I don't know, but it doesn't sound like the best of company to aspire to be in. Regardless, folks like us need to work together… more ›