Saturday, November 26, 2011

Hahn Happenings


Noting that 28,000 veterans live in the district, Rep. Hahn voted for legislation that gives businesses incentives to hire veterans. The legislation is part of President Obama’s jobs bill and was signed into law this month. Hahn’s press release. White House fact sheet.

With economics and national security at play, “Hahn asks for review of Customs and Border Protection staffing issues.” LAX officials have urged the federal government to increase staffing and this month Hahn called on Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Alan Bersin to  review the personnel situation.

Voting with Dollars to Support Small Businesses

Rep. Hahn marks nationwide Small Business Saturday with shopping tour of local communities

Hahn makes a point of signaling her support for small business.
Newsradio interview at Village Garden in Redondo Beach, as the owner toils in the background at left.
Fringe Home Furnishings and Boutique in Redondo Beach.
Hahn votes with her consumer dollars at Grand Emporium in San Pedro. 

The second annual Small Business Saturday was held on Nov. 26. Created by American Express, the day encourages shoppers to patronize local small businesses in their communities.

In endorsing the effort, President Obama called small business the “backbone of our economy and the cornerstones of our nation’s promise.” For their part, the president and his daughters shopped at an independent bookstore in Washington.

With two TV cameras rolling, Rep. Hahn shopped at several stores in San Pedro and Redondo Beach.

“These are the businesses that are hiring people. These are the businesses that are really helping our economy,” Hahn told Channel 7.

Shopping small and local is “friendlier and more convenient and it helps the local community,” Hahn said.

Between buying gifts for her grandchildren and browsing jewelry collections, Hahn talked shop with the business owners to get a sense of how they’ve weathered the current economic climate. By and large, the shopkeepers reported steady business from a local customer base.

After browsing and buying in the Riviera Village area of Redondo Beach, Hahn bought Christmas decorations from the Grand Emporium in downtown San Pedro.

As member of the House Small Business Committee, Hahn is pushing to streamline the loan process and otherwise increase small business’ access to capital.

Easterly Snapshot


Only in Washington might you find the Capitol all buttered up on the banquet table.

Saturday, November 12, 2011

In Brief

Not much to report about Congresswoman Janice Hahn this issue.

Hahn and Oregon Rep. Earl Blumenauer introduced a bill to allow fans to own sports teams, but it wouldn’t become law in time for public ownership of the Dodgers. Hahn’s press release. Daily Breeze.

The House Ethics Committee is investigating Rep. Laura Richardson (D-Long Beach), who is running against Hahn next year in the newly redrawn 44th Congressional District. Richardson faces charges of requiring aides to work on her 2010 re-election campaign. Daily Breeze.

Harbor Area residents were among the “Japanese-American World War II veterans awarded Congressional Gold Medal” at the Capitol on Nov. 2.

Needless to say, Rep. Hahn and San Pedro News readers had some voting to do this past week. Following Tuesday’s primary election for the LA City Council seat Hahn vacated, state Assemblyman Warren Furutani and police officer Joe Buscaino are headed for a January runoff.

Easterly Snapshot


You know it’s a company town when … Politico newspaper held a half-day conference on Nov. 1 approximately a year before the 2012 election. Or, precisely 371 days, 8 hours, 49 minutes and 23 seconds before the last polling place will close on Nov. 6, 2012. The ticker counted down at center stage through four panels of politicians, journalists, consultants, academics and other analysts. Background information and reports, minus the hypnotic ticker, can be found in Politico’s One-Year Countdown section.