Lt. Governor John Garamendi’s Issues Statement Commemorating Kwanzaa

                                                                            
"Today, December 26, 2008, millions of Africans around the world will begin their celebration of Kwanzaa.  This seven-day celebration reinforces the Nguzo Saba, or Seven Principles which affirm family, community and culture.  The principles at the heart of the Kwanzaa celebration are unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith.  These principles serve as vital tools in building hope and opportunity in our communities across the world.

"Today, we have a re-invigorated sense of hope and promise in America.  A hope rooted in the belief that our great diversity can unite, not divide, our country and our world.  Throughout this joyful and energetic celebration of Kwanzaa, let us all reflect on and appreciate these values which are integral to African culture and to mankind as a whole. Let us take this opportunity to renew our commitments to enhancing our communities, and pursue social justice and let us continue in our collaborative work to make good and peace more prevalent in the world. 
"Happy Kwanzaa!"

Lt. Governor John Garamendi’s Statement Wishing Californians a Happy Chanukah

SACRAMENTO – Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi issued the following statement on the first day of Chanukah, the Jewish holiday that started at sun down on Sunday night and will end at sun down on December 29.

"In these tough economic times, Chanukah is a time to be with family and friends. It is a time to think about the Jewish value and practice of tzedakah which means righteousness and giving. There are so many Californians without work or a home who need food, clothing and other donations,” Lieutenant John Garamendi said. “I agree with Jewish leaders around the state of California encouraging families to limit their gift giving during the Festival of Lights and create new ways to make the eight nights special.”

Critics say Poizner changes could boost rates

By STEVE LAWRENCE Associated Press Writer
Article Launched: 12/18/2008 03:17:49 PM PST

SACRAMENTO—State Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner is under fire from his predecessor and a consumer group for proposing regulation changes that they say would increase rates for automobile, homeowner and most other kinds of coverage by millions of dollars.
The proposed rules would alter how insurers calculate the rates they can charge, allow them to cut rates without facing a full review from the Department of Insurance and allow the commissioner to phase in big rate changes.

Opponents say the rules would allow companies to "cook their books" to justify rate hikes, make smaller rate cuts than they should and keep excessive rates in place longer than justified.

"Insurance rates will go through the roof at a time when we can hardly afford to deregulate another industry in the financial sector," said Harvey Rosenfield, founder of the Consumer Watchdog group and the author of Proposition 103, a rate-regulation initiative approved by voters in 1988.

Lt. Gov. John Garamendi, Poizner's predecessor as commissioner, said Poizner's actions "threaten to gut the consumer agency we worked so hard to rebuild after the Quackenbush scandal," a reference to former Commissioner Chuck Quackenbush, a Republican who was forced from office in 2000 amid corruption allegations.

Lt. Governor John Garamendi’s Statement on the Adoption of Plan to Cut Green House Gas Emissions in California

SACRAMENTO – Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi today issued the following statement on the California Air Resources Board adoption of the nation’s most comprehensive plan to fight global warming:.

“This is a milestone moment in California’s big picture plan to take on global warming,” Lieutenant John Garamendi said. “The state is well positioned with world class universities, abundant talent and entrepreneurial green technology to become a hub for innovation in creating jobs in the new green economy. As we make the transition to sustainable technologies we must address the challenge of developing and training a highly skilled workforce. Just like Silicon Valley powered our economy for the past twenty years, the low carbon technologies being invented and manufactured in California will power it for the next fifty years.”