Senator Ben Hueso Hosts Statewide Officials for Salton Sea Leadership Tour

State Senator Ben Hueso hosted a tour of Imperial Valley's Salton Sea. The objective was for participants to see the Salton Sea first-hand and deepen their understanding of the opportunities to protect public health, enhance the ecology, secure water management and strengthen the regional economy.
During the tour, Senator Hueso expressed, "It is an honor to have California Natural Resources Agency Secretary John Laird, Chair of the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee, Senator Bob Hertzberg, and my colleagues visit my district to tour the Salton Sea. It is my goal for all of those involved to gain an understanding on what we need to do to restore the Salton Sea and learn more about our renewable sources of energy."
Senator Ben Hueso introduced Senate Bill 615, known as the John J. Benoit Salton Sea Restoration Act, to require the Natural Resources Agency to develop a 10-year plan by January 1, 2018. He also introduced Senate Bill 701, which will advance a state general obligation bond for the 2018 primary or general election ballot to fulfill the state's resources settlement obligations in a variety of conflicted areas throughout the state, including Salton Sea restoration and implementation.
Senator Hueso added, "Addressing the challenges affecting the Salton Sea requires creative solutions and a collaborative effort. This visit by my legislative colleagues proves that this issue is not just a local issue, but statewide. The restoration of the Salton Sea has been a top priority for my office, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to secure funding to protect this natural habitat."
Strong leadership and vision will be required to command the resources and planning necessary to solve the Salton Sea's problems. Beginning next year, significantly less water will flow into the Sea, compounding a public health and environmental catastrophe if bold action is not taken.
Senator Hueso attends SDG&E Mobile Home Park Utility Upgrade Program Celebration

State Senator Ben Hueso joined SDG&E at their commemorative event which celebrated 1000 residents with new utility installations at Helena Mobile Park located in San Diego. This was the ninth park that has been upgraded under SDG&E's new Mobile Home Park (MHP) Utility Upgrade Program for the benefit of the local residents.
Senator Hueso expressed, "Upgrading our mobile home parks will ensure our residents have a safer and more reliable energy source. It is my hope that this worthy program is expanded to all mobile home parks in the community, so that every consumer can benefit from the modernization of this vital utility infrastructure."
SDG&E's MHP program is a three-year voluntary statewide pilot approved by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), aimed at replacing aging MHP-owned natural gas and electric distribution systems with stronger, more advanced utility-owned systems. The goal of this program is to enhance the energy reliability, safety and customer service in mobile home parks. SDG&E has been approved to convert approximately 3,300 or 10 percent of the eligible mobile home park spaces to direct utility services, by December 31, 2017.
State Senator Ben Hueso Celebrates Read Across America at THRIVE Charter School

Senator Ben Hueso celebrated Read Across America Day and the birthday of one of the world's most beloved authors of children's books, Dr. Seuss (1904-1991) by visiting THRIVE Charter School and reading to its students.
During his visit, Senator Hueso stated, "Read Across America is a day to celebrate reading and literacy. I strongly believe that if you enjoy reading, you have the power to create positive change and become an effective leader in the future. I am thrilled to support children's education and raise awareness on the importance of reading."
This year marked the 20th anniversary of Read Across America Day, an initiative launched by the National Education Association as a way to focus national attention on the importance and joys of reading. |