Teen pop sensation will be filming a new video in Simi Valley this Friday!

The filming started out as a secret to control potential crowds but the story is that she will be filming a video titled "It's April!" at a local school on Friday. If you are lucky enough to attend wear orange if you want to be in the video.

Where will you sit? In the front or the back?

The Los Angeles Times has released an internal document of the items being negotiated between Republicans and Democrats in Sacramento.

Here is the section on education:

Which Republicans locally are in negotiations?

State Assembly Member Jeff Gorell has been deployed to war and State Senator Tony Strickland has clearly stated he isn't interested in any negotiations that put the tax extensions on the ballot. I received a robocall asking me to contact State Assembly Member Cameron Smyth recently.

This is an impressive list of reforms. I don't accept the argument that some Republicans, like George Runner, are promoting that their party shouldn't be open to negotiations. The reform to teacher tenure alone would be huge.

I'm not the most partisan blogger. I want Republicans to negotiate for some of the items on the list including limiting pension spiking and reforming education. What good ideas did you find in the document?

We need more great reporting like this and much less of this, this, and this.

We don't need more consolidation of media power by a few corporations.

Ventura County Democrats have been emailing this video to me that demands for Republicans to put the tax extensions on the ballot.

State Senator Tony Strickland has been very consistent that he isn't interested in any negotiations that include tax extensions or tax increases. It doesn't matter what Governor Jerry Brown offers to include in a deal in exchange for the tax extensions being put on the ballot.

I am not sure if his inflexibility helps his conservative views make progress. If he was willing to make a deal he could include some of his priorities.

Critics argue my posting that he isn't open to negotiation on this topic is an insult towards him. But his defenders should instead be arguing that he is a man of his promises and he is only doing what he told people he would do when he was campaigning for this position.

Do you want the tax extensions put on the ballot?

Brad Sherman represents much of the San Fernando Valley in the House of Representatives. As a part of his duties he often holds scheduled, free, and open to the public town hall events. He also releases his schedule when he is in his district.

Elton Gallegly does not hold free and open to the public events nor does he release his schedule.

Why is this important to me? Maybe I am naive but I think Members of Congress should answer questions in public and on the record. I also think they can be convinced to support policies pushed by their constituents.

Elton Gallegly did advertise a recent fundraiser as an opportunity to ask him questions. That by itself isn't wrong if he was holding free town hall events. But voters shouldn't have to pay to ask a politician a question in public. It is also a bad idea because people that are willing to pay him money aren't representative of the whole district.

This isn't a partisan issue. Republican Buck McKeon, Jeff Gorell, and Tony Strickland all hold scheduled and free events. It is only Elton Gallegly that doesn't feel the pressure to do it or doesn't understand the value of these type of events.

Should I move on from mentioning this topic? Vote in this poll:

Click on continue reading for Rep. Brad Sherman's upcoming schedule.

If this entry gets 10 comments without any negative attacks on the other people posting comments I will post about the time Rep. Brad Sherman told me to tape Babylon 5 for his campaign.

I am trying to get better at Scrabble. Find me on the smartphone App for Scrabble and challenge me. If you beat me I will announce your victory on the front page of my blog.

Don't worry. I am not great at the game. Former Democratic Party Chair Hank Lacayo's wife Leah Lacayo dominated me in multiple games. My win ratio is currently less than 50%.

To make it worth your time I'll also post a link to a candidate, cause, or blog of your choice if you win.

I don't think I should challenge frequent commenter NostraDemus. If you have read their posts you know why.

Here is the press release:

*** Local media event, this Tuesday, March 15, 6:00pm****

Hundreds will be rallying for workers' rights and supporting the people of Wisconsin this Tuesday the 15th. This visually striking event will have speakers (one a retried college professor from Wisconsin) signs, music, and vivacious spirits!

Who: Concerned citizens of Ventura County and members of MoveOn.org

Location: Ventura County Government Center
800 South Victoria Ave
Ventura, CA 93009
(the corner where Telephone and Victoria intersect)

When: Tuesday, March 15th, 6:00pm

Contact/Host: Lyndsey Schroeder
Email: lyns003@roadrunner.com

I'll post pictures and videos that are submitted to me after the event.

State Assembly Member Jeff Gorell is scheduled to depart for active duty in Afghanistan this week. As I have written in the past I will not be critical of his service while being a lawmaker.

I know many people think an elected official is too important to go off to war but that argument doesn't move me. Many of our armed forces leave behind their closest family members not knowing if they will hug them again.

Being a State Assembly Member is important but so is duty to family. Just because he is a public figure doesn't make his role here more important to the people that depend on him than the countless parents, business owners, employees, siblings, and children we have been sending to the war.

Jeff, before you go check in with Gov. Jerry Brown again and to determine if there are any compromises to be made that will benefit our state. Maybe a colleague will switch their vote to what you would have wanted in honor of your service.

Stay safe and I am hoping for your safe return.

The Sunlight Foundation has a website up titled Party Time that seeks to add transparency to the fundraising process in Washington DC. Readers can submit invitations and then a searchable database is created.

As an example you can see recent fundraisers that readers submitted like this Fiesta with Rep. Elton Gallegly. Rep. Gallegly raised a large amount of money in his last campaign but not too many of his events are listed. If you have some old invites around go to the website to submit them. I'm not sure why they labeled a particular fundraiser of his a fiesta. Maybe the chips and dip picture? That could be pita and hummus.

Maybe now that the election is over Rep. Elton Gallegly can hold a townhall event like every other local area of Congress.

Rep. Lois Capps also has her events listed there too.

Both of these Members of Congress are seen as very safe. Democrat Tim Allison ran an energetic campaign but he wasn't able to make the race competitive. Republicans weren't able to find a strong enough candidate to go against Rep. Lois Capps. Maybe redistricting will alter the competitiveness of these districts.

Adding transparency to government is a worthy goal and helps us to have more trust in the process. Sometimes though the amount and sources of money can make us more cynical. Go through the database and tell me what you think. You don't need to register to comment.

The Los Angeles Times has a tax calculator that allows you to estimate how much money the tax extensions will cost you.

Local educators have started to inform the public what cutting taxes will do to schools. Ventura Educators held a rally and the Simi Valley Unified School District Board approved a resolution supporting putting the question to the voters.

Reduction in Force (RIF) notices are expected to be passed out within two weeks. I am not sure how districts will absorb more cuts after having their budgets cut over the last few years. I am concerned that public education will enter a cycle where affluent parents increasingly leave public schools because of the increased class sizes and program cuts which could cause yet more budget cuts.

If the tax extensions are put on the ballot both sides will be able to argue what the impacts of not passing them will do to schools. As an educator it is difficult to plan course offerings for next year with the knowledge we likely won't know which staff members will return until June at the earliest.

Public education is a powerful force for good. I support many reforms but so far they aren't on the ballot. I would like to see my local Republican legislators bargain to include reforms on the ballot in exchange for their support of putting the tax extensions on the ballot.

Thank you to the taxpayers of California for funding a system that gives opportunities to young people. It is an honor to teach so many inspiring young people. Please think carefully over the costs and benefits of the tax extensions.

UPDATE: We have a few people that have committed to the discussion group including an elected official and a business leader. Send me an email if you are interested in joining us. Basically you will have a few weeks to watch a film at home and then we will discuss it online.

The education documentary Waiting for Superman is out on Netflix and now I understand why it has created such a strong reaction. I teach in a public school and I am a member of my union. I know that our current system isn't sufficient and the changes that need to be made should be done quickly. I don't always support my union but I do support public education. It is a powerful force for good and too important to give up on.

I want to discuss the ideas it presents by creating an online film discussion group here on my blog.

We will start with this film and then move to other education films. After a few months I'll switch topics and invite new people to join. If you would like to join the few people in this online discussion group send me an email.

Here are the basic parameters:

1. You will have a month to watch each film.
2. You don't need to post under your real name but you do have to post your interest in the subject ( Example: teacher, parent, elected official. )
3. The discussion will be moderated by me. People outside the discussion group can comment when we are done but not during our discussion.
4. I will post a question after we have all watched the film. Then you will have a few days to answer it. I will also be sharing my opinion.
5. After we have discussed the main points the group will vote on the next documentary to watch.

I would like a wide variety of opinions from across our community. Send me an email if you are interested. I expect to have union leaders, teachers, activists, and regular blog readers involved.

UPDATE: In the comments section City Council Member Barbra Williamson says it is not going to be a debate. The email sent to me from the Landfill Taskforce, a group of citizens not affiliated with the city, stated it was going to be a debate. But your input is valuable as a current member of the negotiating team and the city council. Thanks!

The Simi Valley Landfill Landfill Expansion Taskforce, a group unaffiliated with the city government of Simi Valley, is calling on people to help them to limit the plans for growth of the landfill in the area outside of Simi Valley.

The City Council is united in trying to mitigate the negative potential impacts to the surrounding communities but as The Acorn reported the council is divided on how and what to negotiate for.

The landfill will have negative and beneficial impacts on our communities. Simi Valley does not have a direct vote but if our city council was united or opposed to a deal that would be a powerful recommendation to the County Board of Supervisors. Don't believe a local politician that says they are powerless.

So, what could make you support expanding the local landfill?

Here is a recent release from the landfill expansion taskforce. I am intrigued by the announcement of a debate. If this was previously posted I must have been too busy lately to notice.

SAY "NO" TO LOS ANGELES GARBAGE IN SIMI VALLEY

Your help is urgently needed to help Simi Valley stop the Landfill from becoming one of the largest landfills in the Nation in its quest to be the repository for Los Angeles garbage.

With your help, we can win this battle.

Two meetings will be held later this month and your attendance at each of them will make a difference.

Meeting 1: a televised debate between Waste Management and the Simi Valley Landfill Expansion Task Force to be held on March 23, Wed., at 6:30 PM at City Hall. Please attend so you can send a message to Waste Management that we are united in our battle to keep Los Angeles garbage out of Simi Valley.

Meeting 2: The Ventura County Planning Commission will hold its Public Hearing in Simi Valley for the first time. The meeting will be at 1:00 PM on March 24, Thursday, at City Hall. Please attend and be prepared to speak. Your testimony can be very short.
"I urge you to recommend the "No Project Option" since expansion of the landfill is not needed to meet the needs of Ventura County."

Lastly, we need letters-to-the-editor NOW. Send them to the Ventura County Star and the Simi Valley Acorn. They can be either short or long, but keep the message simple. Our County Supervisor's need to deny the expansion of the landfill because it is not necessary for the needs of Ventura County and it will harm the air quality in Simi Valley and Moorpark to a level that can not be mitigated.

Side Note: I miss Mike Chandler's blog posts and the comments on his entries. Mike, don't give up. We don't always agree but I appreciate your perspective.