• In response to the U.S. House of Representatives’ passage of the Omnibus Budget Deal for 2014 and 2015, Congresswoman Lois Capps (D-Santa Barbara) released a statement that said while the funding package isn’t perfect, it’s a compromise that represents both sides coming together and working in a bipartisan fashion to keep the government functioning. The House voted 359-67 to pass the budget deal on Jan. 16. Less than a day later, the U.S. Senate voted 72-26 to pass the same budget package. President Barack Obama was expected to sign the deal before stopgap funding expired on Jan. 18 at midnight. The temporary funding measure passed in December 2013 ended October’s partial government shutdown, but included automatic budget cuts. The recently passed budget deal helps restore funding to programs that were affected by those cuts. The budget deal allocates a little more than $1 trillion both for 2014 and for 2015. In the statement released by her office, Capps said the bill is an important step forward for the Central Coast community. “Of particular note, the compromise begins to undo some of the harmful consequences of sequestration that we have seen here,” she said in the release. “I am pleased this bill restores funding to Head Start and the Early Head Start Child Care Partnerships, so that more kids may have access to these vital services.” Capps also listed off Vandenberg Air Force Base and local housing assistance programs as some Central Coast agencies that will benefit from restored funding. “Working together to pass this Omnibus budget helps to get our nation back on track and I’m hopeful that this strong bipartisan effort is a harbinger of things to come in 2014,” Capps said in the release.
• Santa Barbara County 2nd District Supervisor Janet Wolf announced Jan. 13 she is running for reelection. Wolf has served for eight years on the county Board of Supervisors. She is running against Roger Aceves, who was elected to the Goleta City Council in 2006 and recently served a term as the city’s mayor. The election will take place on June 3, 2014. Want to learn more about the candidates? Visit their websites: rogeraceves.nationbuilder.com and janetwolf2014.com.
• State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) has been named chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee by Senate Pro-Tem Darrell Steinberg. In a press release, Darrell said Jackson is a hard-working and diligent member of the Senate who will bring great focus to this important task. “I’m extremely honored to be named to chair this important committee,” Jackson said in the press release. “One of my priorities is going to be ensuring that all Californians have access to justice in the wake of budget cuts that have decimated our court system. An effective and efficient judicial branch is absolutely critical to a functioning democracy.” The Senate Judiciary Committee’s focus includes legislation related to courts, consumer protection, privacy, equality, and family law. Jackson practiced law for 22 years before being elected to the state Senate in 2012.