Jeffries appointed to Transportation Committee

Assembly Speaker Karen Bass recently announced the committee chairs and vice-chairs for the 2009-2010 legislative session.

Assemblyman Kevin Jeffries (R-66th Dist.) has been appointed vice-chairman of the Transportation Committee.

The committee oversees CalTrans, California Highway Patrol, vehicles, aircraft and vessels; operation, licensing and registration; and driver’s licenses.

With transportation infrastructure being a major issue in his district, Assemblyman Jeffries believes he will be in a better position to help address local needs.

"California will continue to face major transportation challenges over the next couple of years," said Assemblyman Jeffries. "This appointment puts me in the right place to influence policies and issues that are critical to our region and the State of California.

"As vice-chair of the Transportation Committee, I plan to work aggressively to solve long overdue or delayed projects in Riverside as well as the Lake Elsinore and Temecula valleys and northern San Diego County.

"Serious reform is needed in the regulatory and review process so that we can stop shuffling papers and start laying pavement as quickly as possible."

In his first term in the Assembly, Jeffries successfully authored legislation to help widen I-15 and transfer portions of Highway 74 from state control to the cities of Lake Elsinore and Perris, to allow them to better maintain and improve those stretches of roadway.

Additionally, resolutions dealing with an official historical designation for Old Highway 395 and funding for goods movement impacts were successfully moved through the legislature by Assemblyman Jeffries.

Capital Fellowship opportunities announced

Senator John J. Benoit (R-Bermuda Dunes) has announced the availability of applications for Advertisement

[ Chatton and Associates ] 2009-2010 Capital Fellowship Programs.

College graduates interested in the opportunity to work as a full-time staff member in a legislative, executive or judicial branch office are encouraged to apply for a slot in one of these programs.

"Capital Fellowship Programs provide a challenging, professional work experience that serve as the foundation for successful careers in both the public and private sectors," said Benoit in a statement released by his office.

"Over the past two years, I have had the excellent assistance of very talented Fellows who gained hands-on experience in policymaking," he continued. "I want to encourage college seniors and recent graduates in Riverside County to apply for this special opportunity."

In addition to working on public policy issues in Sacramento, Fellows participate in a weekly academic seminar, earning 12 graduate credits from California State University, Sacramento.

Fellows are also paid a monthly stipend of $1,972, plus health, dental and vision benefits.

To be eligible, applicants must earn their undergraduate degree by September.

No specific major is preferred and recent Fellows have had various majors (agricultural science, communications, drama and political science, for example).

Individuals with advanced degrees and mid-career professionals are also encouraged to apply.

Final selection of the Capital Fellows is made in mid-May after an initial screening of applications and a subsequent panel interview of semifinalists.

The postmark deadline for submitting applications is Feb. 25.

Those wishing to learn more about Capital Fellowships should call Senator Benoit’s District Office at (951) 653-9502, view a program brochure or request an application online from the Center for California Studies at www.csus.edu/calst.