Rima Shah and Josh Kleinbaum
State Sen. Jack Scott has been honored by two higher-education
groups, a student association and an administrative organization.
The Los Angeles Community College District named Scott the
"Co-Legislator of the Year." The district comprises nine community
colleges. The California State Student Assn. represents more than
400,000 students in 23 state campuses.
"It is very nice to be recognized for the work one does, and I am
honored to be recognized by both college administrators and
students," Scott, a Democrat who represents Glendale, said in a
statement.
Scott's education legislation includes a bill that requires all
University of California campuses to have uniform undergraduate
transfer requirements. The goal of the legislation is to make it
easier for a community college student to transfer to a University of
California without wasting time and money in extra classes. The bill
is similar to one he successfully introduced last year that called
for uniform transfer requirements from California State Universities.
Groups issue support for upcoming elections
Endorsements, endorsements everywhere.
With the city's April 5 municipal election less than six weeks
away, community organizations are beginning to issue endorsements.
Glendale Democracy for America interviewed eight of the 19 City
Council candidates this month before backing Pauline Field, Glynda
Gomez and Richard Seeley. The group, inspired by Howard Dean's
grass-roots presidential bid, officially formed in September 2004.
The Armenian National Committee of America's Glendale chapter
issued its endorsements for all offices except City Council.
The committee endorsed Ardashes Kassakhian for city clerk, Greg
Krikorian, Nayiri Nahabedian and Chuck Sambar for school board,
Armine Hacopian, Victor King and Anita Gabrielian for Glendale
Community College board of trustees and Ronald Borucki for city
treasurer. The committee expects to announce its City Council
endorsements within two weeks.
Schiff wants stronger penalties for gang violence
Rep. Adam Schiff introduced legislation last week to reduce
violence by adding stronger penalties for gangs that target children.
"It's one of the most significant problems in California," said
Schiff, a Democrat who represents Glendale.
The legislation is a bipartisan effort with Rep. Mary Bono.
Similar legislation is being introduced in the Senate by Dianne
Feinstein.
The Gang Prevention and Effective Deterrence Act of 2005 will
authorize $762.5 billion over the next five years to local, state and
federal law enforcement individuals.
The legislation would provide for witness protection, intervention
and prevention programs for at-risk youth. It would also provide
greater support for federal prosecutors and FBI agents involved in
coordinated efforts against violent gangs.
Existing gang and violent-crime penalties would be beefed up, and
the bill proposes limited reform of the juvenile justice system to
prosecute violent gang members.
