Legislative Wrap-Up: Concussions, Medical Marijuana, Small Businesses

Rep. George Miller (D-Concord) helped unveil new concussion safety guidelines at a ceremony Friday morning at Northgate High to recognize the Walnut Creek school on its efforts in this area.

The guidelines are designed to help school officials reduce serious injuries to student athletes.

Northgate was awarded a Safe Sports School Award by the National Athletic Trainers Association for developing a comprehensive plan to provide a safe environment for its student athletes.

"We need to make sure that all students around the nation get the same care as Northgate students, which is why I’m glad to see more and more momentum to pass legislation introduced in Congress this week to help improve concussion safety for student athletes across the country," said Miller.

Miller was also joined by two other East Bay congressional representatives this week in sending a letter to the U.S. Attorney in Northern California, urging that office to stop the "ongoing hostility" against medical marijuana dispensaries.

Miller signed the letter along with Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) and Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Dublin).

The letter states, in part:

"It is our view that the intent of the Justice Department is to not enforce its anti-marijuana laws in conflict with the laws of states that have  chosen to decriminalize marijuana for medical and recreational uses. California understands the urgency toward putting together a statewide regulatory system, and we can all be helpful in that regard, but some municipalities, including Oakland, have already done an extraordinary job regulating medical marijuana.  California is moving in the correct direction in a measured manner, and should be given the opportunity to do so."

Lee was also recognized this week by the Black Women's Health Imperative.

The East Bay congressional representative was given one of the organization's "Women Who Dare" awards.

"As an organization dedicated to advocating for health equity policies and improving health care outcomes for black women, the Imperative has been a long time friend and ally," said Lee. "I applaud them on the tremendous progress that they have worked so diligently to achieve."

Rep. Mike Thompson (D-Napa) helped introduce legislation that's intended to ease the burden of small businesses as they pay their taxes.

The Small Business Efficiency Act of 2013 would provide clear rules for professional employee organizations that collect and pay federal employee taxes for their business clients.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and they shouldn’t be held back because of Washington regulations and piles of government paperwork,” said Thompson. “By passing this bill and removing bureaucratic burdens, we can let small businesses focus on what they do best – growing their business, producing quality products and creating good-paying jobs.”

Thompson will also hold a town hall meeting next week.

The forum is from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Creekside Church, 444 Fig Tree Lane in Martinez.

The event is being held in conjunction with the Martinez Chamber of Commerce.

Rep. Mike Honda (D-San Jose) is also holding a town hall meeting next week on Social Security and Medicare.

The forum is from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Fremont Main Library, 2400 Stevenson Blvd.

Honda will discuss his efforts in Congress to expand Social Security and strengthen Medicare.

Honda also helped introduce legislation that would provide more input from private business to government agencies.

The Entrepreneur-in-Residence Act would create 30 structured, non-paying positions within government agencies for business owners to provide expertise on best practices for government interaction with the business community.

"Firsthand experience from executives and tech innovators will allow our federal agencies to adapt and improve," said Honda.

State Assemblywoman Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) participated in an event this week to promote small batch distilleries that produce distilled spirits and brandy.

The event, "Taste The Spirit of the Holidays," was co-sponsored by the California Artisanal Distillers Guild, which represents 30 distilleries across California.

It was designed to publicize new legislation that allows the distilleries to provide tasting on terms similar to breweries and wineries, beginning Jan. 1.