There is no doubt that Morgan Hill was one of the many victims
of political games that defined the last night of session at the
State Capitol. It was an embarrassing display of partisanship that
has unfortunately become the status quo in Sacramento.
Dear Editor,
There is no doubt that Morgan Hill was one of the many victims of political games that defined the last night of session at the State Capitol. It was an embarrassing display of partisanship that has unfortunately become the status quo in Sacramento.
Anyone who follows Sacramento politics knows that I rarely follow party lines and will vote my district, not what a caucus advocates. Unfortunately, the recent article in the Morgan Hill Times (“Cleanup bill’s failure could cost MH RDA $2M,” Sept. 17) infers that my abstention of this bill was political. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Despite rules that prohibit such activities, bills are often “gutted and amended” in the waning hours of a legislative year. Bills that dealt with one issue are deleted entirely and new language is inserted. This is what happened with AB 182. This was important legislation that would have saved the city of Morgan Hill $ 2 million in redevelopment funds.
When this bill first came to me for a vote Sept. 11, the last day of session, I originally abstained from voting. At the time, leaders from both sides of the aisle were negotiating for some fundamental reforms that, while promised, had been ignored for the year. In order to give leaders the opportunity to continue negotiations, I abstained on voting for several pieces of legislation. My caucus had assured me that all of the bills would be brought up again at which time I was intending on voting for these bills.
However, after hours of negotiations, it became clear that Republicans were not going to get all of our “asks.” But we were going to get almost everything. And for me, that was good enough. Others preferred to let the bills die because we didn’t get everything we wanted.
As an open-minded, reasonable and pragmatic legislator, I am often asked to help negotiate on important pieces of legislation. I know that negotiation doesn’t mean you bring your list of demands and then shut down government if you don’t get everything you want. Negotiation means you do your best to achieve a principled compromise, not a compromise on your principles.
Ironically, instead of getting most of our reforms, we Republicans got nothing for our time and efforts. Sadly, the taxpayers got even less. All they got was to see petulance in its truest form. We were, in essence, giving away a whole forest for a tree.
I was extremely frustrated when I was told that the rest of my caucus would not be voting for any votes that required a 2/3 vote. Undeterred, I went back to the Senate Floor and did my job – I governed. Unfortunately, not a single other Republican joined me and every 2/3 bill was defeated by just one vote. AB 182 was not even brought up for a re-vote because the bill’s manager knew it would be defeated.
Thankfully, this bill can be re-introduced in Special Session. I am currently working with both sides of the aisle on re-introducing this and other measures that were defeated the last night of session. Morgan Hill and all taxpayers deserve better.
Sen. Abel Maldonado represents the 15th District, which includes the City of Morgan Hill.
New canine influenza virus is a deadly, preventable disease
Dear Editor,
In a recent article in the Morgan Hill Times, a headline suggested that human beings are at risk for infection with the new Canine Influenza Virus. This is incorrect. While humans can carry the virus from one dog to another, there is no evidence of human infection anywhere and it is considered unlikely to ever become a problem.
This virus kills up to 5 percent of dogs that get it and can make up to 85 percent of exposed dogs sick if they are not vaccinated. Up to 20 percent may show no symptoms. It can look like kennel cough and is transmitted in a similar fashion – easily.
The virus can sweep through boarding kennels, dog parks, doggy day care facilities, dog shows and competitions – in other words, any dogs that gather with groups of other dogs anywhere are at risk.
This virus has gone from two locations on the East Coast in 2004 to being found in more than 30 states by 2009, including California. With the way dogs travel these days it is only a matter of time before it comes to Morgan Hill – probably sooner rather than later.
While the author, Dr. Pete Keesling, only recommended keeping up with other vaccines, the Centers for Disease Control recommends all dogs that participate in activities like those listed above be vaccinated with this vaccine. If your dog never leaves home except to visit the veterinarian, the risk is extremely low.
This means if you take your dog to the dog park, boarding, grooming, doggy day care, dog shows or participate in other competitions with your dogs, then they should be vaccinated against this disease. The vaccine may not prevent all symptoms, but it is likely to prevent most deaths associated with the infection.
This early in the history of the disease there will be many who are simply unaware and uninformed, so you need to be an active consumer.
This virus could appear in Morgan Hill tomorrow, or it could be months to a year or two away; but the pattern already established throughout the country says it is coming. Your job as the steward of your pets’ health is to take this knowledge and take action to protect your pet. The Centers for Disease Control, and I, recommend vaccination sooner rather than later.
John N. Quick DVM, Morgan Hill
