Assembly Majority Leader addresses local LGBT business owners, highlights legislative sessions

By Morgan M. Hurley | SDUN Assistant Editor

The Greater San Diego Business Association’s (GSDBA) professional lunch series featured Assembly Majority Leader Toni Atkins, who presented “A view from the State Capitol.” The luncheon, which was Oct. 8 from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m., was hosted by Wang’s North Park, located at 3029 University Ave.

The series meets on the second Tuesday of every month and offers LGBT professionals and their allies the opportunity to network during a sit-down lunch and listen to speakers discussing pertinent issues. Both GSDBA members and non-members are welcome, and the October event drew a crowd of approximately 25 people.

GSDBA Board Chair Eric Brown first addressed the group before lunch began and later introduced Atkins. The Majority Leader represents the 78th Assembly District, which includes coastal areas from the border with Mexico through Solana Beach, Calif. as well as the neighborhoods of Hillcrest, North Park, University Heights and Normal Heights, among others.

Atkins gave an overview of state politics, offering budget information – which she called “especially appropriate” in light of the recent government shut down – as well as ongoing and approved legislation that would be of interest from a small-business perspective and other legislation focusing on LGBT issues.

She thanked voters for assisting the state legislature in signing a budget “on time by our constitutional deadline,” she said, and for voting in the seven-year buffer allowed by Proposition 30 that will give the economy the time it needs to improve.

“I will tell you, being able to pass a budget on time and having the revenue … has upped California’s credit rating significantly, which this fiscal year saved us $480 million in interest payments,” Atkins said. “So that’s what happens when you can get back on track.”

She identified four key areas she and her colleagues were focused on: maintaining fiscal responsibility owed to voters, increasing prosperity and opportunity, delivering efficient and effective services, and investing in California’s future.

Atkins then outlined ways the legislature has worked to attain these focal points, including paying down the debt to the tune of $4.2 billion, redirecting $2.2 billion of redevelopment money for back payments owed the schools, reducing the wait time for new business licenses from 60 days to five, increasing the minimum wage to $10 by 2016, and improving hiring credits for employers, with added incentives for hiring long-term unemployed and veterans.

Bills pertinent to LGBT issues Atkins mentioned included Assemblymember Tom Ammiano’s AB 1266, called “Equality for Transgender Students,” which was recently passed and signed by the Governor. Atkins said she expects the bill to see trouble next session from the opposition, calling the potential fight “unfortunate.”

Another bill of interest is AB 1121, which at the time was on the Governor’s desk for his signature. The bill will make it easier for members of the transgender community to change their birth certificates “to reflect who they are,” Atkins said. A section of the bill that dealt with death certificates was more difficult to get the support it required, but she said she expects to work on getting that passed next session. Gov. Jerry Brown signed AB 1121 into law on Oct. 8, following Atkins’ luncheon talk.

An infertility bill, AB 460, seeks to decrease discrimination against lesbian couples and single women, and another bill in the works is SB 323, which will put pressure on the Boy Scouts of America to choose discrimination over tax breaks, Atkins said.

“We have a super majority in the Assembly and in the Senate, and we will retake a super majority in the Assembly after the first of the year,” she said. After some movement to fill vacancies, Atkins said she anticipates a Democratic State Assembly and Senate, complimenting Gov. Brown, who is also a Democrat.

“Our challenge is going to be – when you are the governing party – how do you do that responsibly, how do you protect the fiscal stability that we need to move forward on, and govern responsibly” she said. “I think we’ve shown that we can do that.”

After a short question and answer session, Atkins turned the conversation to local issues.

“In terms of our city, I will say this: on a bad day we live in San Diego and on a good day we live in San Diego,” she said. “We’ll get through this, we’ll get through it quite well, and I know it’s because we have a great city, great industries and a great economy. … I think Todd [Gloria as interim mayor] is doing a great job. I think he is absolutely focused. I sort of wished he had decided to run [for mayor in the Nov. 19 special election] but I think the world of him for deciding not to and helping the city.”

After the session, Atkins said she was throwing her support behind David Alvarez for mayor.

“I think it will be an interesting race. You have three individuals who people are really going to have to think about, and since it is a special election it’s really about them turning out voters for themselves,” she said.

The GSDBA is part of the national Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, which gives members access to programs that offer financial support, advocacy and contract opportunities. To learn more about the organization, to gain membership or to view upcoming events, visit gsdba.org or call 619-296-4543.