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| Att: CA Activists -- URGE CALIFORNIA STATE ASSEMBLY TO ESTABLISH A CALIFORNIA-ARMENIA TRADE OFFICE |
| Send an ANCA-WR Webfax and E-mail Key Committee Members TODAY Urging them to Vote YES on SB 1657! |
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Current
Status |
The legislation proposing the establishment of a California Trade Office in Armenia is expected to encounter serious opposition in the State Assembly Committee on Tuesday, June 25, 2002.
Committee Chairwoman and influential Assemblywoman Sarah Reyes informed the ANC earlier this week that she plans to object to the adoption of the bill by the Committee she chairs, because she believes the office should not get state funding and the accountability standards in the legislation are not strict enough.
Last year, the Assemblywoman blocked the approval of a similar bill regarding opening a trade office in Armenia.
Unlike other current trade offices, Senator Jack Scott's SB 1657 not only requires a comprehensive evaluation of the success of the regional trade office but it calls for new authorization by the State Government for the operation of the office beyond January 1, 2006.
The study of the office's economic impact on trade, investment and tourism in California and the Trans-Caucasus region would be a model for other current and future trade offices.
Although the legislation provides that the office can only be opened if funds are available, it allows funding to come from sources other than the state government.
SB 1657 would have the trade office serve Armenia and surrounding Eastern European and Western Asian independent neighbors. The aim of the proposal is for California to promote trade relations in developing areas of the world that show emerging market potential.
California State Assembly Committee on Jobs, Economic Development and the Economy will consider SB 1657, the California-Armenia Trade Office bill on June 25, 2002.
Current Status:
After passing through two committee votes and a full vote on the Senate floor, SB 1657 "The California-Armenia Trade Office" Bill, which was introduced by Senator Jack Scott (D-Pasadena) is now up for consideration by the California State Assembly Committee on Jobs, Economic Development and the Economy. Despite the support that the bill has received in the State Senate, the Assemblywoman is threatening to not pass SB 1657 ending hopes of establishing a California-Armenia Trade Office.
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Last Updated: 6/25/02 |
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What
You Can Do |
| 1) Click here to send a free ANCA-WR Webfax to Committee Chairwoman Reyes urging her to vote "Yes" on SB 1657
2) Call your State Assembly Member and Members of the Committee on Jobs, Economic Development and the Economy and urge them to vote "yes" on SB 1657, which would establish a California Regional Trade Office. Fax and e-mail your Assembly member and committee members on the issue and express to them the importance of this bill to the economy of California and the hundreds of thousands of Armenian-Americans living in California who do business and pay taxes to the State.
For a list of all the Assembly Committee members log on to:
www.assembly.ca.gov/acs/newcomframeset.asp?committee=131
Sample Letter:
June 19, 2002
Assemblymember Sarah Reyes
Chair, Assembly Committee on Jobs, Economic Development and the Economy State Capitol
Sacramento, CA 95814
RE: SUPPORT FOR SB 1657 (SCOTT) - REGIONAL TRADE OFFICE IN ARMENIA
Dear Assemblymember Reyes and Committee Members:
I support SB 1657 to establish a regional trade office in Armenia to serve Eastern Europe and Western Asia. I urge your committee to pass this bill when it is heard on June 25. This pilot, contractual trade office will foster trade relations in developing areas of the world that show emerging market potential and will benefit both California and Armenia and the surrounding areas.
SB 1657 builds on the Memorandum of Understanding that California Technology, Trade and Commerce Agency and the Republic of Armenia signed in November 2001 to develop deeper social, economic, educational, and political ties. The agreement confirms each party's commitment to foster and promote technology, develop and support educational exchanges, and encourage mutual business development and investment opportunities. Key areas that California and Armenia can benefit from increased trade and investment include technology, agriculture, retrofitting, and many others. I understand that the state is facing a large budget deficit this year and, consequently, SB 1657 authorizes the use of private and other non-state investment to establish the trade office. The trade office can be implemented if investment is made available from any source, including private donations and federal funding.
SB 1657 also builds in accountability by requiring a comprehensive evaluation of the success of the office by March 1, 2005 and sunsets on January 1, 2006.
I hope you will support SB 1657when it comes before you for a vote on June 25, 2002.
Sincerely,
For more information regarding this issue, contact the ANCA Western Region office at (818) 500-1918. |
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