Bill Would Gut Telecom Regulation, May Cost Local Governments $70 million

Contact: Bruce Mirken, Greenlining Institute Media Relations Coordinator, 510-926-4022; 415-846-7758 (cell)

SACRAMENTO – As the Senate Appropriations Committee prepares to consider SB 1161, legislation to deregulate Internet-based phone services, The Greenlining Institute urged senators to take a close, hard look at the measure’s fiscal impact.

A recent California Public Utilities Commission staff analysis found that the bill, by exempting Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone services from the Utility Users Tax, could cost local governments roughly $70 million.

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Contact: Bruce Mirken, Greenlining Institute Media Relations Coordinator, 415-846-7758 (cell)

FRESNO, CALIFORNIA – At its public meeting today in Fresno, the California Public Utilities Commission postponed voting on whether to oppose SB 1161, legislation that threatens the CPUC’s ability to protect millions of telephone customers.

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MEDIA ADVISORY
May 8, 2012

Contact:
Bruce Mirken, Greenlining Institute Media Relations Coordinator, 510-926-4022; 415-846-7758 (cell)
Mindy Spatt, Communications Director, The Utility Reform Network (TURN) , 415-929-8876, ext. 306

FRESNO, CALIFORNIA – At a rare public meeting in Fresno on May 10, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) will consider whether to take a position on telecommunications industry-sponsored legislation that threatens vital protections for telephone consumers. Consumer advocates from around the state will join local leaders in opposing the bill, and will hold a press conference immediately after the meeting.

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Greenlining Institute to Help Implement Settlement Providing EV Car-Sharing Programs, Workforce Training in Low-Income Communities

Contact: Bruce Mirken, Greenlining Institute Media Relations Coordinator, 415-846-7758 (cell)

SAN FRANCISCO – A landmark settlement announced today between the California Public Utilities Commission and NRG Energy Inc. will take significant steps toward making electric vehicles and charging infrastructure available in low-income communities. The agreement, which settles a decade-long dispute over alleged overcharging for power, requires NRG to make considerable investment in electric vehicle infrastructure, with several provisions specifically geared to low-income communities:
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Bruce Mirken, Greenlining Institute Media Relations Coordinator, 415-846-7758 (cell)
Michelle Romero, Greenlining Institute Our Democracy Program Manager, (408) 550-3121 (cell)

SACRAMENTO – A broad coalition of organizations has come together in support of new legislation to broaden participation in California’s ballot initiative process. Senate Bill 1233, authored by Senator Alex Padilla (D-San Fernando Valley), passed the Senate Standing Committee on Elections and Constitutional Amendments Apr. 19 and will next be heard in the Senate Committee on Appropriations sometime in May.

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Apple Pays Lower Tax Rate than Households Making $42,500; Tech Giants Stash $430 Billion Offshore as Profits Soar & Taxes Plunge

Contact: Bruce Mirken, Greenlining Institute Media Relations Coordinator, 510-926-4022; 415-846-7758 (cell)

BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA – Tax avoidance by wealthy high-tech firms is on the rise, a new report from The Greenlining Institute finds. TECH UNTAXED: Tax Avoidance in Silicon Valley and How America’s Richest Company Pays a Lower Tax Rate than You Do, which focuses on 30 top tech firms in the Fortune 500, is set for release April 17, the day federal income taxes are due. Journalists can preview the report here.

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Government, Community and Business Leaders Gather to Address Restoring Access to Homeownership for Communities of Color; Media Pre-Registration Required

Contact: Bruce Mirken, Greenlining Institute Media Relations Coordinator, 510-926-4022; 415-846-7758 (cell)

LOS ANGELES – The foreclosure crisis has shattered the dream of homeownership for millions of American families, with communities of color being the hardest hit. On Thursday, April 19, The Greenlining Institute will co-host a special convening entitled Reviving Homeownership: Restoring Access to the American Dream for Communities of Color at the Los Angeles office of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco. The event will bring together leaders from government, banking, nonprofit and community groups to address ways to restore this crucial part of the American dream.

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Government, Community and Business Leaders Gather to Address Restoring Access to Homeownership for Communities of Color

Contact: Bruce Mirken, Greenlining Institute Media Relations Coordinator, 510-926-4022; 415-846-7758 (cell)

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Unique Gathering of Business, Political and Grassroots Leaders to Focus on “Communities Creating Change”

Contact: Bruce Mirken, Greenlining Institute Media Relations Coordinator, 415-846-7758 (cell)

LOS ANGELES – A high-powered group of elected officials, business and grassroots leaders will headline The Greenlining Institute’s 19th annual Economic Summit, exploring how new alliances between the private sector, government and communities are creating sustainable change. Set for Friday, April 20, speakers will include Raj V. Date, deputy director of the recently-created Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Mercury Insurance founder and Chairman George Joseph, California State Controller John Chiang, Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones, Youth Uprising CEO Olis Simmons, Facebook Director of External Affairs Susan Gonzalez and California Endowment President and CEO Robert Ross.

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Unique Convening of “Youth Creating Change” to Focus on Leadership Development at Greenlining’s Annual Economic Summit

Contact: J.C. De Vera, Greenlining Institute Communications Fellow, (510) 898-2065; (408) 661-5356 (cell)

LOS ANGELES – At a time when elected officials seem increasingly paralyzed by the divisive politics of “no,” The Greenlining Institute’s 19th Annual Economic Summit will seek to shift the conversation back toward “yes.” A unique part of the Summit is the Youth Creating Change leadership symposium, where young leaders will gather to explore how they’re taking matters into their own hands, developing community-based solutions, and creating successful models across fields for holistic change. This minds-on, hands-on program will explore topics like art and activism, power mapping, online organizing, non-traditional fundraising, power and privilege in organizing settings, and coalition building.
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