In the News

Editorial: The fight against blight may get a new weapon

May 07, 2012

Source: The Ventura County Star

Sunday, May 6, 2012

Vacant, abandoned and boarded-up homes present a troubling sign for a community.

To understand the scope of the problem, one needs to realize it only takes a single abandoned house to erase years of neighborhood progress. Weeds soon overtake the yard. Trash and other debris quickly pile up. It's an open invitation for vandalism and petty crime.

This blight can become contagious, reducing property values and even discouraging potential homebuyers from moving into a neighborhood.

State Senate Approves Sen. Pavley’s Blight Prevention Bill

May 04, 2012

Source: Agoura Hills Patch

The California State Senate unanimously approved Senate Bill 1472, authored by Sen. Fran Pavley (D-Agoura Hills) on Thursday. SB 1472 is a bill that will provide local governments additional tools to fight blight caused by foreclosed properties primarily owned by banks and financial institutions.

“Bank and financial institution’s foreclosed homes can create a nuisance for neighboring residents,." said Pavley. "Properties not being cared for lowers the value of surrounding homes, and abandoned properties attract gangs, drug users, and squatters.

Senate passes bill to reduce neighborhood blight

May 04, 2012

Source:  The Associated Press

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -- The state Senate has approved a bill that would penalize home buyers, investors and developers if they fail to clean up dilapidated homes quickly.

The legislation is designed to reduce neighborhood blight caused by a high level of foreclosures.

SB1472 by Sen. Fran Pavley, D-Los Angeles, gives buyers 60 days to make repairs before local governments can begin assessing fines.

Community Comes Together to Celebrate Malibu Library Opening

April 26, 2012

BY SUZANNE GULDIMANN
Source: Malibu Surfside News
Thursday, April 26, 2012

Musicians, authors, librarians, actors, performersgovernment dignitaries, city officials, and a large audience comprised of young and old, Malibu residents and visitors, gathered to celebrate the grand reopening of the Malibu Library on Sunday.

"Thank you for the gift of this most beautiful library," Malibu resident Pierce Brosnan said during the ceremony preceding the ribbon-cutting.

"This is a great day," Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev  Yaroslavsky told the audience.

Sen. Pavley Tours Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park

April 23, 2012

She also visited the museum operated by the Chatsworth Historical Society.

by Saul Daniels, Northridge - Chatsworth Patch

State Sen. Fran Pavley was recenty in Chatsworth.

She reports, "I had the opportunity to tour both the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park in Chatsworth and the community's Historical Society. As you may know, the park was slated to be closed last year in response to our state's economic hardships.

Sen. Pavley Honors Women of the 23 District

April 19, 2012

Source: Topanga Messeneger
April 19, 2012 - 

State Sen. Fran Pavley hosted a luncheon at Duke's of Malibu that brought together some of the most dynamic women of the 23rd Senate District and adjacent communities.

The event took the place of the annual Woman of the Year luncheon and honored all the female elected officials, as well as past Women of the Year honorees.

“Women now make up less than 30 percent of the policy-making bodies in California,” said Pavley.

Brownfield Properties Redevelopment Bill Approved by Senate Committee

April 17, 2012

Source: Encino - Tarzana Patch

[The following information was taken from a press release provided by Senator Pavley's office].

A proposal bill authored by Senator Fran Pavley to help local government cleanup and sell brownfield development sites was approved by the Senate Environmental Quality Committee Monday.

Due to the elimination of redevelopment agencies (RDAs), local government must dispose of properties owned by those former agencies.

PHOTO GALLERY: Calabasas Celebrates Earth Day

April 16, 2012

The city's celebration included an oak tree giveaway and tips on how to be more green.

By Reza Gostar, April 15, 2012
Calabasas Patch

The Calabasas Earth Day Celebration drew a crowd of more than 1,500 people to Las Virgenes Creek on Saturday.

Free Living coastal oak trees were handed out to attendees, as well as reusable grocery bags and samples of various earth-friendly products

“I think it was big success,” said Alex Farassati, the city's environmental services manager.

Calif. bill would end use of 'mentally retarded'

April 12, 2012

Source: The Associated Press

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—Lawmakers want California to join the federal government and 42 other states in ending use of the term "mentally retarded."

The state Senate on Thursday unanimously passed a bill to drop the term from legal references and refer instead to "intellectual disability." The bill now moves to the Assembly.

Democratic Sen.

Bill Pressing Pension Plans to Prioritize Investments Advances on Unanimous, Bipartisan Vote

April 11, 2012

Bill Pressing Pension Plans to Prioritize Investments Advances on Unanimous, Bipartisan Vote
State Senator Fran Pavley weighs in on the vote.

Source: Studio City Patch

April 10, 2012

Senate Bill 955, a bill allowing public pension funds to prioritize investments in California infrastructure projects over out-of-state projects, passed on a unanimous, bipartisan vote in the Senate’s Public Employment and Retirement Committee today.

Senator Fran Pavley (D-Agoura Hills) said, “California has 10.9% unemployment and critical unmet infrastructu