Headlines

• Filner Sponsors Bill Strengthening Collective Bargaining
• Congressman Filner Announces Black Contractors Association of San Diego to Receive $1 Million for BCA YouthBuild
• Congressman Filner Reintroduces the Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act
• Congressman Filner Announces Rancho Del Rey Post Office in Chula Vista Will Not Close

Filner Sponsors Bill Strengthening Collective Bargaining

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Ranking Democratic Member Bob Filner (D-CA), introduced H.R. 807, legislation that would strengthen the collective bargaining rights of VA health care providers.

"Employees of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs dedicate themselves to meeting the health care needs of America's veterans. They deserve fair and professional treatment and my bill is an important step in this direction. Protecting the employment rights of VA health care providers would not only do right by the hard-working men and women who care for our veterans, but it would also allow them to devote their attention and energy to providing veterans with the best care available."

Currently, certain employees in the VA health care system are unable to address issues relating to compensation during the collective bargaining process. H.R. 807 would remove this exception.

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Congressman Filner Announces Black Contractors Association of San Diego to Receive $1 Million for BCA YouthBuild

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Bob Filner announced today that the Black Contractors Association of San Diego, Inc. has been awarded a competitive grant totaling $1,099,968 for their BCA YouthBuild program by the U.S. Department of Labor.

"I'm proud to announce that the BCA YouthBuild program was selected for this million dollar competitive grant," said Congressman Filner. "This program not only gives their young participants training in construction trades, it also makes sure they are prepared for the workforce by teaching them essential computer programs, green building techniques and how to be successful in finding and keeping a job." The Department of Labor's YouthBuild program assists out-of-school youth in obtaining their diplomas or GEDs while providing occupational training in the construction industry. The Labor Department has administered YouthBuild since 2006, awarding its first grants in 2007. In that time, more than 13,000 young people have participated in programs in 44 states and the District of Columbia. YouthBuild participants include individuals who have been in the juvenile justice system, youth aging out of foster care, high school dropouts and others. In addition to receiving academic and occupational skills training, young people develop leadership skills and participate in community service opportunities.

According to the Black Contractors Association, BCA YouthBuild will provide participants with the opportunity to take part in traditional construction trades as well as training in either Solar Installation or Green Building Careers and will also offer the Home Builders Institute (HBI), and the Pre-Apprenticeship Certificate Training (PACT). BCA will utilize a Workforce Training Resource Lab which is outfitted with computers, internet, blue print reading software, CASAS, Plato, Aleks, WorkKeys, and a Learning Lab Specialist to assist students. All BCA YouthBuild staff are trained in a counseling method that assists participants to "talk themselves into change" and helps youth avoid negative behaviors.

The Black Contractors Association is located at 6125 Imperial Way in San Diego, which is in California's 51st Congressional District, represented by Congressman Filner.

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Congressman Filner Reintroduces the Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Bob Filner has reintroduced his bill, "The Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act" (H.R. 327). The purpose of this bill is simply to give law enforcement status to all federal law enforcement officers.

Many federal officials – for example, the Border Patrol – are classified as "law enforcement officers," for the purposes of determining salary and retirement benefits. But many other officers – such as Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officers, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Inspectors, Veterans' Affairs Police Officers, U.S. Mint Police Officers, Internal Revenue Officers, and police officers in approximately two dozen other agencies – do not have equal pay and benefits status.

"The simple fact is that these officers have dangerous jobs and deserve to be recognized as law enforcement officers, just like others with whom they serve, side by side, and who share the same level of risk," said Congressman Filner.

Congressman Filner's district encompasses the entire California-Mexico border and is home to two of the busiest border crossings in the entire world.

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Congressman Filner Announces Rancho Del Rey Post Office in Chula Vista Will Not Close

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Bob Filner announced today that the Rancho Del Rey Post Office in Chula Vista will remain open, ending a United States Post Office (USPS) effort to close the branch.

"The jobs and services provided by the Rancho Del Rey Post Office will remain in Chula Vista!" said Congressman Filner. "It shows what can be done when we work together with the community to keep resources in our neighborhoods. The message we sent to USPS was loud and clear, don't close this branch."

A plan to close the Rancho Del Rey Post Office, also known as the Oxford Street Post Office, was first brought to Congressman Filner's attention in July of 2009. Since that time, Congressman Filner made numerous appeals to USPS to keep the neighborhood post office open. The Rancho Del Rey Post Office is located at 340 Oxford Street in Chula Vista.

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Headlines

• Local Small Businesses Begin to Feel Effects of Small Business Jobs Act
• National Council of Farmer Cooperatives Honors Congressman Bob Filner!
• Congressman Filner votes to protect the jobs of teachers, firefighters, police officers and nurses
• Congressman Filner announces support for plan to save local jobs
• Congressman Bob Filner Introduces Legislation to Support Our Federal Wildland Firefighters!

Local Small Businesses Begin to Feel Effects of Small Business Jobs Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Just a little more than a week after the President signed the Small Business Jobs Act, close to 2,000 small businesses have been approved for SBA-backed loans. A total of nearly $1 billion will soon go to these small businesses.

"I’m glad the administration worked quickly to get money in the hands of the business owners that need it to expand and hire new employees," said Congressman Filner.

Locally, at least three business owners have already been approved since the new law went into effect. Apon Industries Corporation of San Diego, Hector Romero and Leonor Rom of Chula Vista and Timothy Lewis and Mary Jane also of Chula Vista will be receiving a combined total of more than $4 million in SBA-backed loans.

In August, Congressman Filner held a banking forum to bring together the big and small banks, small businesses, housing advocates and government agencies for an economic roundtable to address job creation, small business expansion and increased bank lending opportunities.

"The one thing I heard from every group at the Banking Forum I held earlier this year was that small businesses need more access to capital," said Congressman Filner. "With this legislation, we have already begun to meet that demand for capital."

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National Council of Farmer Cooperatives Honors Congressman Bob Filner!

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Recently, the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives (NCFC) honored Congressman Filner and other members of the Congressional Farmer Cooperative Caucus.

"Farmer cooperatives provide jobs and contribute significantly to the economic well-being of rural America," said Congressman Filner. "I am honored to receive this recognition and will continue to fight in Congress on behalf of farmer-owned co-ops."

In recognition that October is Cooperative Month, America’s farmer cooperatives and their farmer, rancher and grower members thanked Congressman Filner for his support and leadership to ensure that farmer-owned co-ops can continue to keep American agriculture fair and competitive. NCFC is dedicated to advancing the business and policy interests of America’s co-ops and other farmer-owned enterprises.

To learn more about NCFC, visit: www.ncfc.org.

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Congressman Filner votes to protect the jobs of teachers, firefighters, police officers and nurses

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressman Bob Filner voted to save and create almost 320,000 jobs – including saving the jobs of 160,000 teachers and preventing the layoffs of tens of thousands of police officers, firefighters, and nurses. The House reconvened this week to take up this emergency aid to help states keep teachers in our classrooms and first responders on duty. The Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act is not only completely paid for, it reduces the deficit by $1.4 billion over 10 years—in part by closing a loophole that actually encourages corporations to ship American jobs overseas.

"We need to keep our teachers in the classroom and our police officers on the street – not in the unemployment line," said Congressman Filner. "The bill we voted on today was a win-win – it is paid for by closing a tax loophole that encourages sending jobs overseas and helps keep our teachers and first responders on the job."

California’s 51st Congressional District, represented by Congressman Filner, is projected to receive $33.1 million which would save or create 464 education jobs. California will receive a total of $1.2 billion dollars, protecting 16,500 jobs in education across the state.

The legislation provides a total of $10 billion in funding to save teachers’ jobs. It also provides $16.1 billion in health assistance to the states that, by reducing shortfalls and stimulating the economy, will save and create 158,000 jobs, including preventing the layoffs of police officers and firefighters, as well as creating private-sector jobs throughout our economy.

The funding in the bill is supported by a majority of the nation’s Governors, including many Republican Governors, and by numerous organizations, including the bipartisan National Conference of State Legislatures, National Association of Counties and the Leadership Council of Aging Organizations.

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Congressman Filner announces support for plan to save local jobs

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressman Bob Filner announced his support of the Local Jobs for America Act, a bill that would create or save thousands of jobs in San Diego and Imperial counties and a million jobs nationwide. The bill would invest $100 billion over two years in communities facing the highest unemployment rates, providing crucial funds to local city, county, and state governments to save the jobs of teachers, police officers, and other first responders facing elimination.

"It will put people back to work and money back in their pockets," said Congressman Filner. "State and local governments have already had to make some difficult decisions, and those cuts have already had an impact on the economy and people’s lives. This bill will help keep people in their jobs, increase demand for local businesses, prevent state and local tax increases, and help our economy thrive."

The Local Jobs for America Act would help keep services in local communities by providing funds to local governments to restore eliminated positions and threatened services. For example, $23 billion would help states support 250,000 education jobs, and nearly $2 billion would put thousands of law enforcement officers and firefighters back on the beat protecting our communities. The bill would also provide $500 million through the Workforce Investment Act for approximately 50,000 additional on-the-job training positions to help small businesses – the engine of local job creation – grow and hire.

The funding will be allocated by the Department of Labor to communities most in need according to population, unemployment, and poverty rates. In the 51st District, 3,263 jobs will be created in the City of San Diego, 467 jobs will be created in Chula Vista, 163 jobs will be created in National City, 1,483 jobs will be created in San Diego County and 209 jobs will be created in El Centro. It is also expected to save 38,900 education jobs statewide.

"Putting people back to work and strengthening the economy in San Diego and Imperial counties are my top priorities, and this bill will do just that," said Congressman Filner.

The Local Jobs for America Act, H.R. 4812, has already received strong support in Congress and from many national organizations. The bill currently has over 100 supporters in the House, and has been endorsed by the United States Conference of Mayors, the National League of Cities, and the National Association of Counties, among other organizations.

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Congressman Bob Filner Introduces Legislation to Support Our Federal Wildland Firefighters!

Recently, Congressman Bob Filner introduced H.R. 4488, the National Wildfire Infrastructure Improvement & Cost Containment Act. This bill seeks to restore the strength of federal wildfire response as it was originally envisioned by the National Fire Plan adopted by Congress earlier this decade. H.R. 4488 will help improve the effectiveness and efficiencies of these programs.

"It is about time that we properly recognize our brave federal wildland firefighters and make sure they are on par with other federal firefighters," said Congressman Filner. "Congress must provide American citizens with the strongest, most cost-effective, and efficient federal wildfire response possible to meet the challenges and complexities of wildfires in the 21st Century."

This legislation will lead to reforms in fiscal management of the federal land management agency fire programs which will provide significant savings in wildfire suppression spending. H.R. 4488 is also a solution to an outdated personnel law that currently provides federal wildland firefighters with lower salaries and benefits than other firefighters facing similar risks and responsibilities.

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Headlines

• Congressman Bob Filner Urges Improvement in Labor Policy for Women Federal Contractors
• Congressman Bob Filner Supports the Save Our Industries Act
• Old Town State Park: the birthplace of California, not the burial site for union workers!
• Filner Reintroduces the Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act

Congressman Bob Filner Urges Improvement in Labor Policy for Women Federal Contractors

Congressman Bob Filner recently joined 25 House colleagues to urge U.S. Labor Secretary Hilda Solis to recalculate the minimum number of Federal contract work hours that must be completed by women, as set by the Office of Federal Contracting Compliance (OFCCP) in the regulations implementing Executive Order 11246.

As the economic downturn intensified over the last year, previous gains in women’s wages disappeared. From 2007 to 2008, real wages for full-time women workers fell by 2 percent – twice the rate of male workers’ wages.

"We must have a more aggressive strategy to close the wage gap to ensure that both men and women are able to earn a living and keep themselves and their children out of poverty," said Congressman Filner.

The OFCCP standard for women, which has remained at 6.9% of total work hours since 1980, was specifically designed to increase the participation of women in the construction industry. However, since the standard has not been expanded in almost 30 years, it is a woefully inadequate reflection of the current availability of qualified women to perform jobs in non-traditional occupations (NTOs).

Benefits for women in NTOs, such as construction and the trades, include higher wages and more established career ladders. Industry apprenticeships also offer opportunities to ‘earn while you learn,’ which represent an important path towards economic self-sufficiency for individuals who cannot afford to stop working in order to obtain further education.

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Congressman Bob Filner Supports the Save Our Industries Act

Congressman Bob Filner proudly announces his co-sponsorship of H.R. 3039, the Save Our Industries (SAVE) Act, a bill that would provide for duty-free treatment of apparel products generally not produced in the U.S., but links this benefit for the Philippines to require that they use American-produced yarn and fabric.

"The SAVE Act would bring much needed relief to the U.S. textile industry, the Philippine apparel manufacturing industry, and the workers in both countries," said Congressman Filner. "This bill creates a win-win situation for the United States and the Philippines during these difficult economic times, and continues to strengthen our international relationship."

The SAVE Act would create a program to provide U.S. textile manufacturers with a new market for U.S. yarns and fabrics in Asia for higher end fashion apparel, which is non-competitive with the already established basic apparel supply chain in the Western Hemisphere. Under this program, U.S. exports of fabrics could significantly increase, helping sustain and even create thousands of jobs in both the United States and the Philippines. The program would also provide Philippine apparel manufacturers with a chance to compete with China for the U.S. market.

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Old Town State Park: the birthplace of California, not the burial site for union workers!

Congressman Bob Filner was arrested at Old Town State Park with Hotel and Restaurant Employees Local 30 and Old Town workers while protesting the firing by restaurateur Chuck Ross of 130 former Old Town union employees. Rep. Filner encourages the public to boycott the Old Town Fiesta de Reyes concession owned by Ross until these workers who lost their jobs are made whole and Old Town workers are able to organize for benefits and living wages without fear of unfair treatment.

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Filner Reintroduces the Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act

Congressman Bob Filner has reintroduced the Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act, H.R. 673. The purpose of this bill is simply to give law enforcement status to all federal law enforcement officers.

Many federal officials – for example, the Border Patrol – are classified as "law enforcement officers," for the purposes of determining salary and retirement benefits. However, many other officers – such as Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officers, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Inspectors, Veterans’ Affairs Police Officers, U.S. Mint Police Officers, Internal Revenue Officers, and police officers in about two dozen other agencies – do not have equal pay and benefits status.

"These officers have dangerous jobs and deserve to be recognized as law enforcement officers like others with whom they serve and who share the same level of risk," stated Filner.

Congressman Filner’s district encompasses the entire California-Mexico border and is home to two of the busiest border crossings in the world. Congressman John McHugh of New York joins Congressman Filner as an original co-sponsor of this bill.

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Headlines

• Filner Supports Striking Coca Cola Employees
• Congress Approves Legislation To Extend Unemployment Benefits!
• Bob Filner Demands Closing the Wage Gap Between Women and Men
• Filner Backs Extended Unemployment Compensation as the Number of Out-of-Work Americans Climbs
• On Equal Pay Day, Filner Calls For Closing The Wage Gap Between Women And Men
• Filner Visits SEIU Local 221

Filner Supports Striking Coca Cola Employees

Congressman Bob Filner recently joined striking drivers and warehouse workers of Coca Cola Enterprises for a walkout and Press Conference announcing the boycott of Coca Cola products. Workers are protesting across San Diego County in support of Oceanside employees who are striking for equal wages with other Southern California locations.

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Congress Approves Legislation To Extend Unemployment Benefits!

WASHINGTON – Congressman Bob Filner recently joined a bipartisan majority in Congress to approve legislation that will aid workers who have lost their jobs as a result of an economy on the brink of recession. The Emergency Extended Unemployment Compensation Act will immediately provide up to 13 weeks of extended unemployment benefits to jobless workers in every state and was approved by a vote of 274 to 137.

"Hard-working Americans have lost their jobs and need help supporting their families and making ends meet," said Filner. "Today, Republicans and Democrats did the right thing and passed a bill that will give Americans who have lost their jobs some of the relief they need."

Americans across the country are facing rising costs of living—and we have just seen the largest monthly increase in unemployment in 20 years. For the fifth straight month, the economy lost jobs and unemployment rose from 5.0 percent in April to 5.5 percent in May. The economy has lost nearly 325,000 jobs this year and 8.5 million Americans are unemployed.

The legislation approved in the House today would benefit 3.8 million unemployed Americans -- providing up to 13 weeks of extended unemployment benefits in every state to workers exhausting the 26 weeks of regular unemployment benefits. In states with higher levels of unemployment (six percent or higher), an additional 13 weeks would be available, for a total of 26 weeks of extended benefits. The legislation will be paid for through the federal unemployment trust funds, which have more than enough reserves to cover the cost, will finance these benefits.

While extending unemployment benefits is one of the most cost-effective and fast-acting ways to stimulate the economy, the Bush Administration opposed the legislation considered in the House today.

"The White House should not stand between unemployed workers and the relief they need," added Congressman Filner. "After presiding over an economic collapse, President Bush and his Republican allies should work with us to turn the economy around."

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Bob Filner Demands Closing the Wage Gap Between Women and Men

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The 110th Congress Will Attempt to Complete Final Action and Send to the President's Desk the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act On Equal Pay Day, Congressman Bob Filner stated that ensuring truly equal pay for equal work must be a top priority for American families. Equal Pay Day is the day when the wages paid to American women "catch up" to the wages paid to men from the previous year. In other words, because the average woman earns less, she must work longer for the same amount of pay.

"Thirty-five years have passed since President John F. Kennedy signed the Equal Pay Act into law in 1963," pointed out Congressman Filner. "And yet, in many cases, there is still not equal pay for equal work in this country."

In 1963, when the Equal Pay Act was signed, women who worked full-time, year-round made 59 cents on average for every dollar earned by men. In 2006, women earned 77 cents for every dollar earned by men. That is progress - but it is slow progress. It means that the wage gap has narrowed by less than half a cent per year.

"Equal pay is not just a women's issue, it's a family issue," said Filner. "The wage gap hurts everyone - husbands, wives, children, and parents - because it lowers family incomes that pay for essentials: groceries, doctors' visits, and child care. When women earn more the entire family benefits, which is why closing the wage gap must be an integral part of strengthening America's families."

"This week, the New Direction Congress will mark Equal Pay Day by bringing the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act to vote on the Senate floor and sending it directly to the President's desk," said Filner. "The House passed the bill last July. The bill is critical to restoring a basic protection against pay discrimination for American workers. It rectifies a May 2007 Supreme Court decision that overturned longstanding precedent and made it much more difficult for workers to pursue pay discrimination claims."

In May 2007, in the 5-4 decision of Ledbetter v Goodyear, the Supreme Court ruled that a worker must file a charge of pay discrimination within 180 days of the employer's initial decision to pay someone less for discriminatory reasons. This opinion ignores the realities of the workplace - where workers may go for years without knowing that they are being paid less than comparable employees. This bill rectifies the Supreme Court decision by restoring the longstanding interpretation of civil rights laws, under which as long as a worker files within 180 days of a discriminatory paycheck, their charges are timely.

"I am also an original co-sponsor of the Paycheck Fairness Act," Filner added. "This bill would strengthen the Equal Pay Act of 1963 by providing more effective remedies to women who are not being paid equal wages for doing equal work. The bill would also require the Department of Labor to enhance outreach and training programs to work with employers to eliminate pay disparities and would create a new grant program to help strengthen the negotiation skills of women."

"Ensuring that women receive equal pay for equal work is a common-sense issue that affects all working women and their families," Congressman Filner concluded. "By eradicating unfair treatment in the labor market, we can help families gain the resources they need to ensure that their children have access to a better future."

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Filner Backs Extended Unemployment Compensation as the Number of Out-of-Work Americans Climbs

Help for Out-of-Work Families in a Tough Economy is Needed Now

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Bob Filner today announced his support for bipartisan legislation (H.R.5749, Emergency Extended Unemployment Compensation Act) to provide an immediate 13-week extension of unemployment benefits nationwide. This legislation would extend unemployment benefits for 3.2 million jobless Americans who are looking for work, according to the Congressional Budget Office.

"The Labor Department recently announced that the unemployment rate for California increased to 6.2 percent in March of 2008, up from 5.7 percent in February of 2008 and 3.7 percent in March of 2007. That is why I am supporting this legislation moving through Congress, which would provide much-needed relief to unemployed workers to assist them with rapidly rising gas and food costs, while they continue to struggle to find work in the slowing economy," stated Congressman Filner.

"The strain of the economic downturn on middle-class families demands a second growth and relief package now. Yesterday, President Bush announced his interest in ‘work[ing] with Congress on pieces of legislation that’ll actually help people.’ That announcement is a hopeful sign that the President will now agree to work in a bipartisan manner on a second package, which includes unemployment benefits for millions of out-of-work Americans. With projections that unemployment will continue to increase through the end of this year, economists agree that additional unemployment compensation will be the most cost-effective and immediate way to jumpstart the economy," continued Filner.

The Emergency Extended Unemployment Compensation Act will:

• Immediately provide up to 13 weeks of extended unemployment benefits to workers exhausting regular unemployment compensation in every state.
• Provide an additional 13 weeks (for a total of 26) in States with high unemployment (six percent or higher).
• Run through January 2009 and be financed by the federal unemployment trust funds, which now have more than enough reserves to cover the cost.

Over the last three months, the U.S. economy has lost 232,000 jobs and over the past year the number of unemployed has grown by over one million. The number of long-term unemployed workers is nearly twice as high as it was at the beginning of the last recession (March 2001).

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On Equal Pay Day, Filner Calls For Closing The Wage Gap Between Women And Men

This Week, The 110th Congress Will Attempt to Complete Final Action and Send to the President’s Desk the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act

On April 22, 2008, Equal Pay Day, Congressman Bob Filner stated that ensuring truly equal pay for equal work must be a top priority for American families. Equal Pay Day is the day when the wages paid to American women "catch up" to the wages paid to men from the previous year. In other words, because the average woman earns less, she must work longer for the same amount of pay.

"Thirty-five years have passed since President John F. Kennedy signed the Equal Pay Act into law in 1963," pointed out Congressman Filner. "And yet, in many cases, there is still not equal pay for equal work in this country."

In 1963, when the Equal Pay Act was signed, women who worked full-time, year-round made 59 cents on average for every dollar earned by men. In 2006, women earned 77 cents for every dollar earned by men. That is progress – but it is slow progress. It means that the wage gap has narrowed by less than half a cent per year.

"Equal pay is not just a women’s issue, it’s a family issue," said Filner. "The wage gap hurts everyone – husbands, wives, children, and parents – because it lowers family incomes that pay for essentials: groceries, doctors’ visits, and child care. When women earn more the entire family benefits, which is why closing the wage gap must be an integral part of strengthening America’s families."

"This week, the New Direction Congress will mark Equal Pay Day by bringing the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act to vote on the Senate floor and sending it directly to the President’s desk," said Filner. "The House passed the bill last July. The bill is critical to restoring a basic protection against pay discrimination for American workers. It rectifies a May 2007 Supreme Court decision that overturned longstanding precedent and made it much more difficult for workers to pursue pay discrimination claims."

In May 2007, in the 5-4 decision of Ledbetter v Goodyear, the Supreme Court ruled that a worker must file a charge of pay discrimination within 180 days of the employer’s initial decision to pay someone less for discriminatory reasons. This opinion ignores the realities of the workplace – where workers may go for years without knowing that they are being paid less than comparable employees. This bill rectifies the Supreme Court decision by restoring the longstanding interpretation of civil rights laws, under which as long as a worker files within 180 days of a discriminatory paycheck, their charges are timely.

"I am also an original co-sponsor of the Paycheck Fairness Act," Filner added. "This bill would strengthen the Equal Pay Act of 1963 by providing more effective remedies to women who are not being paid equal wages for doing equal work. The bill would also require the Department of Labor to enhance outreach and training programs to work with employers to eliminate pay disparities and would create a new grant program to help strengthen the negotiation skills of girls and women."

"Ensuring that women receive equal pay for equal work is a common-sense issue that affects all working women and their families," Congressman Filner concluded. "By eradicating unfair treatment in the labor market, we can help families gain the resources they need to ensure that their children have access to a better future."

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Filner Visits SEIU Local 221

Congressman Bob Filner recently visited the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 221 headquarters and met with local representatives. Pictured here with the Congressman are (from left): Solita Kampley, SEIU designated staff for Registered Nurses; Kathy Griffee, SEIU member and Public Health Nurse; and Carmen Duron, SEIU member and Public Health Nurse.

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Headlines

• Congressman Filner Backs Plan To Make Toys Safer, Protect Consumers
• Filner Supports Teamsters Suit to Stop Unsafe Trucks
• Filner Introduces Resolution Honoring National Aviation Maintenance Technicians

Congressman Filner Fights For San Diego-Hawaii Cruise Lines

Congressman Bob Filner recently protested a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) proposed rule change intended to stop cruise lines from operating Hawaiian cruise trips that depart from the West Coast.

The proposed rule change could drastically impact the city of San Diego's tourism industry and potentially delay improvements and renovations to the cruise terminals at the Port of San Diego.

"San Diego's cruise industry generates over $300 million a year in economic impact for our city. This proposed rule could change that and could drastically impact our city's tourism and economy. It is wholly unnecessary," said Congressman Filner.

Over the last decade, cruise operations have grown more than 300 percent in San Diego. The Port has one home-ported ship.

"This is a threat to our cruise business and to the economic impact it has on the San Diego region," Port Commission Chairwoman Sylvia Rios said. "Our region benefits tremendously from this thriving waterfront business. To decrease it in anyway would be a severe loss. The proposed rule change is an example of putting one state's interests over another."

San Diego's Hawaii-bound cruise ship business ranges from 22 to 26 calls per year. Each year, these cruises bring almost 70,000 passengers to San Diego. In addition to the money brought into the Port of San Diego, these passengers spend upwards of $14 million patronizing the city's airport, hotels, restaurants, transportation companies and attractions.

"The Port of San Diego's cruise business is an essential part of our city's tourism industry. Because of the damage this rule change will do to our city's economy, I call on CBP to withdraw this proposed rule!" said Congressman Filner.

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Filner Supports Teamsters Suit To Stop Unsafe Trucks

The Bush Administration has announced that it will implement a pilot program allowing Mexican trucks access to all U.S. roads on September 1, 2007. Congressman Bob Filner, who represents the entire California/Mexican border, issued the following statement:

"I do not believe that President Bush has any sense for the real impact of this policy in the border region. Mexico simply does not have appropriate background checks for drivers, licensing requirements, or safety inspections for trucks. I fully support the injunction filed by the Teamsters and other concerned citizens to stop this plan!"

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Filner Introduces Resolution Honoring National Aviation Maintenance Technicians

On May 24, Congressman Bob Filner introduced H.R. 444, a resolution that supports the goals and ideals of National Aviation Maintenance Technician Day. This legislation will honor the invaluable contributions of Charles Edward Taylor, widely regarded as the father of aviation maintenance, and recognize the essential role of aviation maintenance technicians in ensuring the safety and security of civil and military aircraft.

As you may know, Charles Edward Taylor, built and maintained the engine that was used to power the Wright brothers' first controlled flying machine and was born on May 24, 1868.

"Forty-five U.S. states have already declared May 24 to be Aviation Maintenance Technician Day within their jurisdictions. My resolution is intended to support these efforts and honor aviation maintenance technicians, including Charles Edward Taylor," Filner stated.

Congressman Bob Filner is a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Aviation.

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