Hahn to Open S.P. Campaign Office Thursday

Rep. Janice Hahn is opening a campaign office in downtown San Pedro Thursday. The May 3 event takes place from 6 to 8 pm in conjunction with the monthly First Thursday artwalk and street festival. The office is located at 447 W. Sixth St. View the event details here.

Hahn and Rep. Laura Richardson (D-Long Beach) are competing for the new 44th Congressional District seat. The primary election is June 5.

Richardson’s campaign is headquartered in Carson and online at www.laurarichardson.us.

Candidates Interview for Newspaper Endorsement

Hahn and Richardson interviewed with the editorial board of the San Fernando Valley-based LA Daily News, the flagship newspaper in the chain that includes the Daily Breeze.

Each made her case for endorsement, and, by extension, election to the newly drawn 44th Congressional District.

The candidates’ arguments are summarized in “Rep. Janice Hahn is all about the ports” and “Rep. Laura Richardson: ‘I am this district.’”

The Daily News has not yet made its endorsement for the June 5 election.

UPDATE -- May 4 -- The Daily News endorses Hahn.

Happy Birthday, Janice Hahn

Friday, March 30 is Rep. Janice Hahn’s birthday. Sign our e-card to wish her a happy birthday by writing here in the comments.

As for gifts, when you have the privilege of public service in this glorious building, what more do you need?

Hahn Small Business Workshop Friday

Rep. Janice Hahn is hosting “Surviving and Thriving in the Economic Recovery: Accessing Capital for the Entrepreneur and Small Business Owner” Friday. The free workshop is taking place on Feb. 24 at the Torrance Cultural Arts Center, Toyota Meeting Room, 3330 Civic Center Dr., from 8:30 am to 12 pm.

The workshop will feature presenters from the Small Business Administration (SBA), local business lenders and business service providers.

Local participants include the Port of Los Angeles.  Port contract and purchasing officials will be on hand to share information about current and upcoming port procurement, construction and professional service contract opportunities.

Here is the workshop agenda. RSVPs are required to HahnRSVP@mail.house.gov or (310) 831-1799.

‘Congress on Your Corner’ Notes: SP Video, Live in Wilmington Saturday

Here’s a video of Hahn’s “Congress on Your Corner” event in San Pedro last month.

The congresswoman will visit the corner of Avalon Boulevard and East Opp Street in Wilmington Saturday for another such gathering. Constituents are invited to meet and talk with Hahn on Feb. 25 from 10 to 11:30 am.

Buscaino Community Swearing-in Saturday

Newly minted Harbor Area Councilman Joe Buscaino is holding a community swearing-in ceremony Saturday.

The Feb. 25 proceedings begin with a 10 am prayer service in Watts, followed by a 2 pm community ceremony at the Warner Grand Theatre in San Pedro.

Details and RSVP information are here.

White House Asks: What Makes Your Hometown a Great Place to Visit?

San Pedro civic boosters, take note.

The White House this morning asked Americans to brag about their hometowns. It’s part of President Obama’s new push to boost foreign tourism, unveiled this afternoon in a speech at Disney World. (WH blog post | Speech)

The specific question the White House posed is, “what makes your city or town a great place to visit?”

Here’s how to reply:

• Via the White House web form
• On Twitter using #visitUS
• Here at San Pedro News. Reply in the comments and email a photo for possible posting. (Submit to our email address at right).

Hahn to Hold ‘Congress on Your Corner’ Saturday

Rep. Janice Hahn will hold open-air office hours Saturday in coastal San Pedro.

The “Congress on Your Corner” session will take place on Jan. 21 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Ace Hardware at 25th Street and Western Avenue (2515 S. Western Ave.)

Constituents are encouraged to voice their concerns to the congresswoman and advise on matters of federal policy.

For more information, call (310) 831-1799 or email michael.aguilera@mail.house.gov.

Holidays, Unwrapped

After another showdown, Congress passed the payroll tax bill on Dec. 22 and adjourned until mid-January. Legislators returned to their districts and the president jetted to Hawaii.

Flipping through the holiday news files, we bring you these snapshots of DC:

Capitol Christmas Tree © Office of the Architect of the Capitol

Here is a photo gallery of DC all dressed up for the holidays.

President Obama goes shopping with the masses -- With his family already in Hawaii, the president and First Dog Bo went shopping at Best Buy, PetSmart and a suburban pizzeria. Photo gallery.  Story with raw, play-by-play video footage.

Hahn District Office Opening Thursday

Hahn is opening a district office at 140 W. Sixth St. in downtown San Pedro on Jan. 5. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place during the First Thursday event. View the announcement or call  (310) 831-1799 for more information and to RSVP.

For regular updates, subscribe to Hahn’s newsletter and follow the congresswoman on Facebook and Twitter.

Happy Holidays

We’ll return to political news next week. Right now, the most important government agency is NORAD, the North American Aerospace Defense Command, and its critical Santa-tracking mission. 

From the Washington Post:

According to the NORAD Tracks Santa Web site, radar gives NORAD the first indication that Santa has taken off from the North Pole. NORAD uses, in addition to Santa cams and a fighter jet escort, geosynchronous satellites equipped with infrared sensors that can zero in on — “Amazingly, Rudolph’s bright red nose gives off an infrared signature, which allows our satellites to detect Rudolph and Santa,” the site says.

Have yourself a merry little holiday!

Hahn Happenings

Upon return from the Thanksgiving recess, the House resumed debate over the payroll tax cut. In floor remarks on Nov. 30, Hahn said, “Americans need jobs and businesses need customers. A payroll tax cut helps accomplish both.”

House Republicans released a payroll tax cut proposal Friday and it is expected to be voted on this week.

From the Washington Post: “At a Capitol news conference, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) warned that congressional Democrats would reject the latest GOP offering as an effort to ‘hold hostage’ the payroll benefit for middle-class workers.”

Because the legislative package includes provisions related to a controversial oil pipeline project, Senate Democrats have pledged to vote down the Republican proposal.

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Joined by nine Congressional colleagues, Hahn continued to push for additional customs agents at LAX. In a letter to the administrator of the Customs and Border Protection agency, the lawmakers emphasized, “LAX simply does not have an adequate number of inspectors to accommodate current and future passenger traffic.” Daily Breeze. Hahn press release.

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With support from Hahn, the Grand Vision Foundation in downtown San Pedro received a $10,00 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. Daily Breeze. Hahn press release.

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Los Angeles Times sports columnist Chris Erskine speculated tongue-in-cheek about public ownership of the LA Dodgers, mentioning a bill Hahn co-authored to permit such arrangements.

San Pedro District Office Opening

Hahn is opening a district office at 140 W. Sixth St. in downtown San Pedro on Jan. 5. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place during the First Thursday event. View the announcement for details and to RSVP.

Talk to the White House

On Dec. 2, the White House is hosting a public conference call. This is not to say President Obama is coming on the line to chat, but it is a chance to dialog with the administration.

From the White House:

On Friday, December 2nd at 1:00 p.m. ET, please join us for a conference call with Mark Zuckerman, Deputy Director of the White House Domestic Policy Council, to discuss this week’s We Can’t Wait Executive Actions. These announcements build on our ongoing effort to take action and help middle class families. These steps aren’t a substitute for the bold action we need to create jobs and grow the economy, but they’ll make a difference.

WHAT: We Can’t Wait Update Call
WHEN: Friday, December 2nd
Start Time: 1:00 p.m. EST
Dial In:  (877) 941-6029
Passcode Title: White House Update Call

If it goes like a previous call did, the officials will speak semi-formally but casually and then there is time for callers’ questions.

The call is hosted by the White House Office of Public Engagement.

Here is the sign-up form for White House newsletters, including notices of other such conference calls.

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.

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.

Hahn Happenings

Second from left, Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.) cheers Rep. Hahn’s message. Standing to Hahn’s right are Reps. John Olver (D-Mass.), David Cicilline (D-R.I.) and Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.)

Rep. Janice Hahn defended Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security in light of recent proposals to cut the programs. Hahn joined fellow congressmembers and activists at an Oct. 26 press conference to denounce proposals coming out of the so-called Supercommittee. At the Capitol Hill press conference led by Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.), speakers urged the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction to protect medical and retirement benefits. “Let’s remember these aren’t giveaways,” said Hahn. “Social Security and Medicare benefits have been earned by people who have worked decades paying into the system.”

In partnership with Rep. Ted Poe (R-Tx.), Hahn formed the bipartisan Ports Opportunity, Renewal, Trade and Security (PORTS) Caucus to promote port-related economic and national security issues. Shortly after announcing the caucus’ formation, congressmembers from Washington state, Florida, Louisiana, Hawaii, Illinois and Missouri joined the caucus, according to Hahn.

Hahn criticized the Transportation Security Administration for its handling of the recent incident at LAX involving a loaded gun in checked luggage.  In a letter to the TSA administrator, Hahn wrote, “I was especially disturbed to hear the spokeswoman for the Transportation Security Administration tell the Los Angeles Times that it is not the TSA’s responsibility to screen checked baggage for guns.  As reported on October 23, TSA spokeswoman Laurie Dankers said, ‘It’s the airline and passenger’s responsibility to ensure that firearms are transported correctly.’” Claiming the TSA has “abdicated responsibility,” Hahn wrote, “I would like to know, if the TSA is not enforcing its own regulations about loaded firearms in luggage, who is?”

On matters of foreign policy, Hahn issued brief statements about the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq and the release of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.