Schwarzenegger

05/22/2009 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today released the following statement after the California Employment Development Department released its most recent unemployment data:

“While it is encouraging to see California’s unemployment rate level off this month, we’re still experiencing job loss and have a long way to go on the road to economic recovery.    » read more »

05/21/2009 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger issued the following statement on the passage of the Waxman-Markey American Clean Energy and Security Act out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee:

“I applaud today’s bipartisan vote in Congress to move forward the Waxman-Markey American Clean Energy and Security Act. While the Act still has a long road ahead of it and I will work with the California delegation to improve it further, this Act represents the kind of comprehensive federal strategy to use energy more efficiently, produce more clean energy here at home, and courageously address the urgent threat of global warming that leading states such as California have urged for years.    » read more »

05/21/2009 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger issued the following statement today on the approval of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) money that will allow the state to allocate more than $440 million in funding to create jobs, protect water quality and improve drinking water around California:    » read more »

California Partners with U.S. Small Business Administration on First-In-The-Nation Initiative

05/21/2009 -- In an effort to increase contracting opportunities for California’s small businesses, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has partnered with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to help California small businesses bid on construction projects.

The first such partnership in the nation and one of the top ten recommendations from participants at Governor’s Conference on Small Business & Entrepreneurship, the joint Bonding Assistance Initiative helps qualified small businesses access bond guarantees - which are required on Caltrans construction contracts and are currently difficult for small businesses to attain.    » read more »

05/20/2009 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today issued the following statement in support of the California Citizens Compensation Commission vote to impose an 18 percent pay cut for state elected officials:

“The California Citizens Compensation Commission took the right action today in voting to reduce the salaries of the state’s elected officials by 18 percent. The people of California have spoken loud and clear: they want the state to live within its means and do not want any more government waste or pay raises for California’s elected officials.    » read more »

05/20/2009 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger issued the following statement after he and Attorney General Jerry Brown asked the U.S. Supreme Court to review a lower court decision that struck down the California law banning the sale of violent video games to children:

“I signed this important measure to ensure parents are involved in determining which video games are appropriate for their children. By prohibiting the sale of violent video games to children under the age of 18 and requiring these games to be clearly labeled, this law would allow parents to make better informed decisions for their kids. I will continue to vigorously defend this law and protect the well-being of California’s kids.”    » read more »

05/18/2009 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today released the following statement regarding national vehicle greenhouse emissions standards:

“California’s relentless push for greenhouse gas reductions from automobiles is paying off not just for our state, but for all Americans, for our environment, for automakers and our economy. This historic agreement to reduce greenhouse gases will mean cleaner air for our children and grandchildren, greater economic security as we rely less on foreign oil, and a chance at renewal for our auto industry. Today, we’re seeing what happens when California leads on energy and the environment and doesn’t waiver, doesn’t get bogged down, doesn’t let obstacles get in the way.

California’s Road to Reducting Vehicle Emissions    » read more »

05/18/2009 -- After California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger urged the United States Department of Energy to change American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) guidelines to ensure balanced investment of Smart Grid funding, the U.S. Department of Energy today released changed guidelines reflecting many of the Governor’s suggestions. Cynthia Bryant, head of the California Recovery Task Force, issued the following statement:    » read more »

05/15/2009 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today issued a statement on the first fines to be issued by his Department of Public Health under new laws enacted last year to protect private medical information:

“Californians should never have to worry that their private medical information will be improperly shared. Medical privacy is a cornerstone of quality health care. That’s why California has put in place strong patient privacy laws to ensure that hospitals, health facilities and individuals are held accountable for protecting confidential information. This fine should be a reminder that there are consequences for violations of medical privacy.”

The Governor sponsored and signed the following legislation last year related to patient privacy:    » read more »

05/13/2009 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger issued the following statement today on the announcement by Pacific Gas & Electric and Brightsource that it has expanded a series of solar-power contracts for a total of 1,310 megawatts of electricity - enough to power 530,000 California homes during peak hours:

“Every megawatt of renewable energy added in California moves us farther down the path toward meeting our aggressive long-term energy and climate change goals.

"By committing to increase the amount of solar power, this announcement serves as more evidence that reliable, renewable and pollution-free technology is here to stay and sunshine will eventually power hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses across our golden state.”

Source: California Governor

05/11/2009 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger issued the following statement after President Barack Obama met with health care reform stakeholders to discuss reform and cost containment issues:

“Californians and all Americans are rightly concerned about the cost of their health care - whether they can afford to purchase it, afford to keep it, or afford to get sick. Our health care system remains broken, and especially during this difficult economic time, we have a responsibility to reform the system in a way that controls skyrocketing costs.    » read more »

05/11/2009 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today issued the following statement after the passage of AB 23 by Assemblymember Dave Jones (D-Sacramento), a bill allowing workers laid off from small businesses to receive federal aid for health insurance from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act).

“We are working around the clock to ensure Recovery Act funding is pumped into our economy quickly and effectively to help California’s unemployed. I look forward to signing this bill and by doing so, we’ll offer Californians laid off during this national economic downturn an affordable opportunity to keep their health care coverage.”    » read more »

Over $1 Billion Project To Create 18,000 Jobs, Ease Traffic Congestion on I-405

05/08/2009 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced the construction groundbreaking of the largest highway project in the nation using American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) funds known to date.

On hold since 2001, the over $1 billion I-405 Sepulveda Pass Widening Project in Los Angeles is proceeding due to the state’s quick and effective implementation of the Recovery Act. The project will utilize $190 million in state expedited Recovery Act funding and is anticipated to create an estimated 18,000 jobs.    » read more »

05/07/2009 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger participated in a moderated Q&A at eBay in San Jose today as part of SolarTech, an initiative by the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, and the California Solar Energy Industries Association’s (CALSEIA) inaugural Solar Summit.

The Q&A was moderated by Silicon Valley Leadership Group President and CEO Carl Guardino and focused on California’s leadership in the solar industry, the role solar plays in driving California’s economy, and the impact public-private partnerships such as SolarTech and CALSEIA have on the deployment of solar energy in California.    » read more »

05/06/2009 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today proclaimed a state of emergency in Santa Barbara County as a result of the Jesusita Wildfire which has burned over 400 acres, destroyed homes and caused the evacuation of over 8,000 people.

Earlier this week, the Governor signed an executive order which mobilizes the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) and other state agencies to secure and deploy the additional resources and personnel that are necessary to save lives and protect homes statewide from wildfires.

The text of the proclamation is below:

A PROCLAMATION OF A STATE OF EMERGENCY

WHEREAS on May 5, 2009, a wildfire started in Santa Barbara County, which is exacerbated by high winds and continues to burn; and    » read more »