Weekly Roundup
Congressman Gary G. Miller, California 42nd District

December 2, 2011

This Week in Congress:

Protecting Worker Freedom: On Wednesday, the House passed H.R. 3094, the Workforce Democracy and Fairness Act, by a vote of 235-188. The bill would prevent the NLRB from imposing new union election procedures that will harm employers and employees alone. Just this week, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) adopted changes to union election procedures that will limit the time employers have to properly prepare for pre-election hearings. The rule also will severely limit the time employees will have to decide whether they wish to join a union. H.R. 3094 would give employers at least two weeks to prepare their case to present before NLRB election officials. The bill also prohibits union elections from taking place within 35 days of the completion of the pre-election hearing, giving employees sufficient time to consider their options.

Regulatory Relief for Small Businesses: On Thursday, the House passed H.R. 527, the Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act by a vote of 263-159. As the creator of seven out of ten new jobs, small businesses are the driving force behind job growth in the United States. The costs of excessive government regulations, however, are placing a tremendous burden on small companies. According to the Small Business Administration (SBA), the average small business with fewer than twenty employees faces a cost each year directly attributed to federal regulations of over $10,000 per worker they employ. To address the impact regulations have on employers, the House on Thursday passed the Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act. The bill closes loopholes in current law to ensure that federal agencies account for the effects of proposed regulations on small businesses. The measure also enhances the SBA’s ability to help shape major federal rules to ensure that the law is implemented uniformly among all federal government agencies.

Ending Public Financing of Presidential Campaigns: Also on Thursday, the House passed H.R. 3463, by a vote of 235-190, to terminate public financing of presidential campaigns. Many presidential campaigns now routinely opt out of the public finance system. The program’s popularity has also declined among taxpayers. In 2010, only 7.3% of taxpayers participated, down from nearly 29% in 1980. The bill would also disband the Election Assistance Commission (EAC), which was originally scheduled to sunset in 2005, but has since doubled in size despite a decreasing workload. The EAC has allocated all of its election grants and has requested no additional funding for the grants in their last three budget submissions. The EAC has however continued to spend millions of taxpayer dollars on administrative costs. In fact, these costs now consume over 50% of the Commission’s budget. This common-sense legislation will save $480 million over five years and bring two underused and outdated programs to an end.

Reigning in Federal Regulations: Today, the House passed H.R. 3010, the Regulatory Accountability Act by a vote of 253-167. The current rate of economic growth is too slow to help the millions of Americans currently struggling to find work. One of the major impediments to job creation is overregulation. Each year, federal agencies issue 3,000 to 4,000 final rules, imposing new requirements and compliance costs on employers. On Friday, the House passed H.R. 3010 to require federal agencies to consider the cost of new mandates they intend to impose on job creators, and increase transparency and accountability requirements in the rule-making process. The bill also requires agencies to consider and assess the costs and benefits of regulatory alternatives and to adopt the least-costly alternative.

Of Note:

Congressman Miller’s December Column: Congressman Miller has published his column for the month of December, entitled “America Can’t Wait for Job Creation”. To read the column, go to http://garymiller.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=271002

Talking Points on Jobs and Reigning in Federal Regulations

• On December 2nd, the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that the economy added 120,000 jobs in the month of November, and the unemployment rate has fallen to 8.6%.
• While this is a positive development, the modest job growth in November is still far from where we need to be to get our economy back on track and put more Americans back to work.
• The fall in the unemployment rate can be partly attributed to the exit of hundreds of thousands of individuals from the workforce.
• The fact is, the Obama Administration promised that if we passed the “stimulus” package, unemployment would not rise above 8 percent. After 30 months unemployment at or near 9 percent, it is clear the stimulus failed.
• Instead of spending billions of taxpayer dollars on projects that expand government, Congress and the White House must focus on pro-growth policies that will relieve the uncertainty hanging over our nation’s employers.
• One of the major impediments to job creation is government overregulation.
• One study found that each $1 million increase in the federal regulatory budget costs 420 jobs in the private sector.
• The cost of excessive government regulations are particularly burdensome on our nation’s small businesses which are the driver of job creation in our country, creating seven out of ten net new jobs.
• According to the Small Business Administration (SBA), regulations cost the American economy $1.75 trillion each year.
• The SBA also notes that the average small business with fewer than twenty employees faces a cost each year directly attributed to federal regulations of over $10,000 per worker they employ.
• House Republicans are considering multiple bills to help rein in out-of-control federal regulations
• H.R. 3010, the Regulatory Accountability Act requires agencies to do a better job in determining whether new regulations are needed. When regulations are necessary, it requires federal agencies to find the lowest-cost alternative to achieve these goals.
• H.R. 3010 will not stop federal agencies from issuing needed regulations, but it will prevent them from imposing unjustified regulatory costs on job creators.
• Meanwhile, H.R. 527, the Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act, will provide urgently needed help to small businesses facing an onslaught of federal regulations.
• H.R. 527 closes loopholes in current law that allows small businesses to be exploited by the regulations process. This measure ensures that all small businesses have a voice in the regulatory process, not just those from certain industries.
• Job creation is the key to economic recovery and small businesses are America’s main job creators. Over-regulation kills jobs and is especially burdensome for small businesses.
• Both of these bills passed by the House this week recognize that economic growth ultimately depends on job creators, not government regulators.

Talking Points on the Workforce Democracy and Fairness Act

• This week, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) adopted new rules that will significantly change procedures governing union organizing elections.
• The new rules represent a dramatic shift in union election procedures that have been in place for decades.
• The new rules will provide employers with just seven days to find legal counsel and prepare their case to be presented at a pre-election hearing convened by an NLRB official. The bill also gives employees as few as ten days to consider the consequences of joining a union before they have to vote in the election.
• These new policies will severely limit employers’ ability to raise additional issues or concerns throughout the hearing process and limits the amount of time employees have to consider whether or not to join a union.
• It is clear that the NLRB is committed to a culture of union favoritism that is hurting workers and employers.
• This week, the House passed the Workforce Democracy and Fairness Act to stop the NLRB from imposing these sweeping changes to our nation’s workplaces.
• The bill will give employers at least 14 days to prepare their case, and gives them the opportunity to raise concerns throughout the NLRB pre-election hearing, ensuring that employers are able to participate in a fair election process.
• The legislation also guarantees workers will have the ability to make a fully informed decision on whether to join a union by prohibiting union elections from being conducted for 35 days after the conclusion of a pre-election hearing.
• This will ensure that workers will have the opportunity to hear both sides of the debate.
• The Workforce Democracy and Fairness Act will rein in the activist NLRB and reaffirm protections workers and employers alike have received for decades.

ACT! for America
Mission Viejo Chapter, General Meeting

Bring a friend. Recruit, recruit, recruit for ACT! for America. Come early to network on Mon., Dec. 12. Doors open at 6:45 p.m. The meeting starts promptly at 7:30 p.m. and ends at 9:30 p.m.

Inside Iran's Nuke Program

A former Muslim blogger warns about the Islamic Republic's threat to the world
Presentation by Mano Bakh, former officer in the Shah's Imperial Iranian Navy

Iran wants the bomb. They're making good progress. The Obama administration is looking the other way. But Mano Bakh has closely watched the Islamic Republic. Now he will reveal the inside story of the Iranian nuclear program. Their goal is to shift the balance of power in the Middle East and the world. This Iranian-born American patriot is warning us about the dangers of Iran's Radical Islamic regime, before it's too late.

What you will learn:

• The dangers of insidious growth of Islamic jihadism in America.
• History, progress and goals of the Iranian nuclear program, an insider's look
• How Obama's soft approach empowers Iran's radical rulers.
• Will the Arab Spring lead to Democracy or an Islamist winter?
• The strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz.
• Iranian youth, the hope for peace in the region.

Mano Bakh understands the threats of Radical Islam better than most Americans. He experienced firsthand the lies, deceit and horror this totalitarian ideology imposed on his homeland. When he grew up, Iran and America were close allies. But the Islamists change everything. Mano's new book, "From Terror to Freedom: A Warning about America's Affair with Islam," is a gripping first-person memoir of Iran, before, during and after the Revolution.

When the religious fundamentalists took over, he was forced to flee from Khomeini's henchmen to save his life. His story is a metaphor for the free world's challenges in dealing with the Radical Islamic movement and the oil money that supports it.

Mano runs the blog www.concernedAmericanCitizens.org , a community and educational non-profit organization dedicated to separating Islamic law (Shariah) from spiritual Islam. He is also a director of Former Muslims United (FMU). Mano will speak for about 50 minutes. Then we'll have about 10 minutes for questions and answers. A $5 donation is appreciated to help cover our costs. The meeting location is the Norman P. Murray Community Center, Sycamore B room, 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo.

Bruce Mayall, Chapter Leader

Non-government Events

Following is a sampling of events and activities that are not funded by taxpayers or promoted by the Nanny State. Please support private enterprise and non-profit groups.

Dance Performance, The Soka Creative Movement Dancers, Thurs., Dec. 8, 7:30 p.m., Soka University, Black Box Theatre, 1 University Drive, Aliso Viejo, (949) 480-4000, http://www.soka.edu

Kaleidoscope’s Holiday Concerts: Fri., Dec. 9, 7 p.m. -- Niguel Hills Middle School; Fri. Dec. 16, 7 p.m. -- Newhart Middle School. Kaleidoscope’s Iceless Ice Skating Rink’s schedule can be found at http://gokaleidoscope.com/f/events.html . 27741 Crown Valley Parkway, Mission Viejo, http://gokaleidoscope.com

Drive-through Nativity, Fri.-Sat., Dec. 9-10, 6:00-10:00 p.m. A donation of canned foods is optional. Mount of Olives Church, 24772 Chrisanta Drive, Mission Viejo, (949) 837-7467, http://moochurch.org

Sawdust Art Festival Winter Fantasy, more than 170 exhibitors, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. rain or shine, Dec. 9-11, Sawdust Art Festival grounds, 935 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, (949) 494-3030, http://www.sawdustartfestival.org

Compass KIDS of Compass Bible Church present “The Great Christmas Giveaway,” Sat., Dec. 10 at 3:00 and 5:00 p.m., and Sun. Dec. 11 at 9:00 and 11:00 a.m., 150 Columbia, Aliso Viejo, (949) 540-0699, http://compasschurch.org

Laguna Hills Mall Christmas Fest, “Old Fashioned Christmas Village” includes an art and craft fair, Sat., Dec. 10, 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m., http://events.pe.com/laguna-hills-ca/events/show/206611025-old-fashioned-christmas-village-christmas-fest

“A Child’s Christmas in Wales,” the Lyceum Theater, through Dec. 11, information about performance times and tickets at http://www.vanguardtickets.com , Vanguard University, Dept. of Theatre Arts, 55 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, (714) 668-6145, http://www.theatre.vanguard.edu

“This Wonderful Life,” through Dec. 24, Laguna Playhouse, Moulton Theatre, 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, (800) 946-5556, http://www.lagunaplayhouse.com

“The Science of Gingerbread,” through Jan. 1, kitchen science, decorating demos and award-winning gingerbread houses, Discovery Science Center, 2500 North Main Street, Santa Ana, (714) 542-2823, http://www.discoverycube.org

Movies, Edwards Kaleidoscope Stadium 10 in Mission Viejo, 27741 Crown Valley Pkwy, (949) 582-4020, get show times, watch movie trailers, see what's coming soon at
http://www.moviefone.com/theater/edwards-kaleidoscope-stadium-10/32/showtimes

Roger’s Gardens, “The Artisans of Christmas,” Christmas 2011, now open and ongoing. Roger’s Gardens, 2301 San Juan Hills Road, Corona del Mar, (949) 640-5800, http://www.rogersgardens.com

Political and Government Events Calendar

South Orange County Community College District Board of Trustees will meet Mon., Dec. 5. Meeting times unless otherwise posted: open session convenes at 5 p.m.., followed by adjournment to closed session, open session reconvenes at 6:00 p.m. or 6:30 p.m., adjournment by 9:00 p.m. Ronald Reagan Board of Trustees Room, Room 145, Health Sciences/District Offices Building, Saddleback College, 28000 Marguerite Parkway, Mission Viejo, (949) 582-4999, http://www.socccd.edu

Orange County Board of Supervisors, Tues., Dec. 6, 9:30 a.m., Board Hearing Room, First Floor, 333 W. Santa Ana Blvd., Santa Ana, (714) 834-3100. http://www.ocgov.com/ocgov/Government/Board%20of%20Supervisors

Moulton Niguel Water District meetings: Community Relations, Wed., Dec. 7, 9:00 a.m., Engineering and Operations on Mon., Dec. 12, 9:00 a.m., Finance and I.T. on Wed., Dec. 14, 9:00 a.m., Board of Directors on Thurs., Dec. 15, 5:30 p.m., 27500 La Paz Road, Laguna Niguel, (949) 831-2500, http://www.mnwd.com/board-of-directors/agenda.aspx

Santa Margarita Water District meetings: Engineering Committee Meeting on Dec. 9, 7:30 a.m., Finance Committee Meeting on Dec. 16, 7:30 a.m., and Board of Directors will meet on Dec. 28, 7:00 p.m., 26111 Antonio Parkway, Rancho Santa Margarita, (949) 459-6420, http://www.smwd.com/about-us/meeting-agendas.html

Rush Limbaugh Club OC Holiday Brunch, Sat., Dec. 10, 8:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m., featuring conservative comedian Eric Golub. RSVP to Joe Snyder by Dec. 7, (949) 487-5288 or email limbaughcluboc@aol.com. Casta Del Sol Golf Club, 27601 Casta Del Sol Road, Mission Viejo, http://www.rushlimbaughcluboc.com

ACT for America, Mon., Dec. 12, guest speaker Mano Bakh, former officer in the Shah’s Imperial Iranian Navy. The meeting will be held at the Norman Murray Community Center, 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo, doors open at 7:00 p.m. and the meeting begins at 7:30 p.m.

Capistrano Unified School District Board of Trustees, regular meeting Mon., Dec. 12, 7:00 p.m., 33122 Valle Road, San Juan Capistrano, agenda and supporting documentation are published on the website 72 hours prior to a meeting, (949) 234-9200, http://capousd.ca.schoolloop.com

Saddleback Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees annual organizational meeting, Tues., Dec. 13, 6:15 p.m., 25631 Peter Hartman Way, Mission Viejo, (949) 586-1234, http://www.svusd.k12.ca.us

Patrick/Green/Orozco Annual Family Christmas Concert, Sun., Dec. 18, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum. Free concerts are held Sundays, except when otherwise noted, and are open to the public. Doors open at 1:15 p.m., and concerts begin at 2:00 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Concert schedule is subject to change, 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda, (714) 364-1120, http://events.nixonfoundation.org/concerts

El Toro Water District meetings: Engineering, Finance, Insurance Committee on Tues., Dec. 20, 7:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.; Board of Directors on Thurs., Dec. 22, 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. The office will be closed on alternate Fridays (Dec. 2, 16 and 30). ETWD, 24251 Los Alisos Blvd., Lake Forest, (949) 837-0660, http://www.etwd.com

The 2011 Holiday Festival of Trains at the Nixon Library, through Jan. 2, 2012, Richard Nixon Library, 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda, (714) 464-1161, http://events.nixonfoundation.org

Saddleback Republican Assembly does not meet in December. SRA’s next meeting will be Jan. 19, 2012. For information call (949) 360-1717.

The Buzz

Capistrano school district update on Brown Act violations: So, did CUSD lie to the public, the District Attorney and the courts throughout the last year and then engage in a yearlong cover-up? Given newly discovered internal emails, incompatible statements are evident regarding the district’s claim that no discussion took place about the furlough restoration on Dec. 13, 2010. This material is now in conflict with CUSD’s internal emails. The documents include the signed Opposition to Demurrer to Second Amended Complaint (here) and Request for Judicial Notice (without attached exhibits) in Support of Opposition to Demurrer to Second Amended Complaint (here).

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Several readers responded to mention on this blog of trees throughout Mission Viejo that need maintenance or removal. This blog could make a list of trees on major streets that are ready to fall over with the next “wind event.” On the subject of tree maintenance, a reader emailed: “Palm trees near the pillars on Crown Valley haven’t been maintained since they were planted several years ago. They’re shaggy with dead fronds, just like the ones directly across the street from the drive to city hall. More and more trees are added with no concern about taking care of them.”

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Traffic has been backing up – even worse than usual – on the northbound side of Marguerite between Saddleback College and Oso. Drivers’ ire mounts when they reach the area where “workers” have parked their trucks but no one is working.

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On the Dec. 5 council agenda, City Attorney Bill Curley will bring Keith Rattay’s contract out of the closet. For months, the council has discussed the weird proposal to give Rattay – an employee who reports to the city manager – a contract. Someone needs to explain: 1) why an employee who doesn’t report to the council should have a contract, 2) why this matter has been discussed secretly in closed session, and 3) why Rattay wants a clause whereby he can’t be fired for misconduct. By the way, what misconduct does Rattay have in mind?

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Also on the Dec. 5 council agenda is the check register for two weeks, $327,240.15, dated 11-11-11, and $2,515,800.52, dated 11-18-11.

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John and Ken railed (on Talk Radio AM 640) last week about the costs of Occupy LA. The LA council voted 12-0 to allow the protest to continue when they could have shut it down after one day. City workers, including 1,400 policemen, dismantled the illegal campout, with costs rising to millions of dollars for protestors’ 60-day takeover of a city park. City workers, including some in hazmat gear, removed 60,000 pounds of trash.

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Following numerous Mission Viejo Tea Parties, volunteers went around to all four corners of La Paz and Marguerite, looking for any debris that might have been left by up to 700 attendees. They couldn’t find any trash – not even a gum wrapper.

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At this writing, the latest presidential polls were reported prior to Cain’s Dec. 3 decision to suspend his campaign. Results of Rasmussen’s sample of 1,000 likely voters, in percentages: Gingrich 38, Romney, 17, Cain 8, Paul 8, Perry 4, Bachmann 4, Santorum 4, Huntsman 3. For a summary of presidential polls, go to http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2012/president/us/republican_presidential_nomination-1452.html