Tag: California

The man behind ChatGPT is about to have his moment on Capitol Hill | CNN Business

New York
CNN
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For a few months in 2017, there were rumors that Sam Altman was planning to run for governor of California. Instead, he kept his day job as one of Silicon Valley’s most influential investors and entrepreneurs.

But now, Altman is about to make a different kind of political debut.

Altman, the CEO and co-founder of OpenAI, the artificial intelligence company behind viral chatbot ChatGPT and image generator Dall-E, is set to testify before Congress on Tuesday. His appearance is part of a Senate subcommittee hearing on the risks artificial intelligence poses for society, and what safeguards are needed for the technology.

House lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are also expected to hold a dinner with Altman on Monday night, according to multiple reports. Dozens of lawmakers are said to be planning to attend, with one Republican lawmaker describing it as part of the process for Congress to assess “the extraordinary potential and unprecedented threat that artificial intelligence presents to humanity.”

Earlier this month, Altman was one of several tech CEOs to meet with Vice President Kamala Harris and, briefly, President Joe Biden as part of the White House’s efforts to emphasize the importance of ethical and responsible AI development.

The hearing and meetings come as ChatGPT has sparked a new arms race over AI. A growing list of tech companies have deployed new AI tools in recent months, with the potential to change how we work, shop and interact with each other. But these same tools have also drawn criticism from some of tech’s biggest names for their potential to disrupt millions of jobs, spread misinformation and perpetuate biases.

As the CEO of OpenAI, Altman, perhaps more than any other single figure, has come to serve as a face for a new crop of AI products that can generate images and texts in response to user prompts. This week’s hearing may only cement his stature as a central player in AI’s rapid growth – and also add to scrutiny of him and his company.

Those who know Altman have described him as a brilliant thinker, someone who makes prescient bets and has even been called “a startup Yoda.” In interviews this year, Altman has presented himself as someone who is mindful of the risks posed by AI and even “a little bit scared” of the technology. He and his company have pledged to move forward responsibly.

“If anyone knows where this is going, it’s Sam,” Brian Chesky, the CEO of Airbnb, wrote in a post about Altman for the latter’s inclusion this year on Time’s list of the 100 most influential people. “But Sam also knows that he doesn’t have all the answers. He often says, ‘What do you think? Maybe I’m wrong?’ Thank God someone with so much power has so much humility.”

Others want Altman and OpenAI to move more cautiously. Elon Musk, who helped found OpenAI before breaking from the group, joined dozens of tech leaders, professors and researchers in signing a letter calling for artificial intelligence labs like OpenAI to stop the training of the most powerful AI systems for at least six months, citing “profound risks to society and humanity.”

Altman has said he agreed with parts of the letter. “I think moving with caution and an increasing rigor for safety issues is really important,” Altman said at an event last month. “The letter I don’t think was the optimal way to address it.”

OpenAI declined to make anyone available for an interview for this story.

The success of ChatGPT may have brought Altman greater public attention, but he has been a well-known figure in Silicon Valley for years.

Prior to cofounding OpenAI with Musk in 2015, Altman, a Missouri native, studied computer science at Stanford University, only to drop out to launch Loopt, an app that helped users share their locations with friends and get coupons for nearby businesses.

In 2005, Loopt was part of the first batch of companies at Y Combinator, a prestigious tech accelerator. Paul Graham, who co-founded Y Combinator, later described Altman as “a very unusual guy.”

“Within about three minutes of meeting him, I remember thinking ‘Ah, so this is what Bill Gates must have been like when he was 19,’” Graham wrote in a post in 2006.

Loopt was acquired in 2012 for about $43 million. Two years later, Altman took over from Graham as president of Y Combinator. The position allowed Altman to connect him with numerous powerful figures in the tech industry. He remained at the helm of the accelerator until 2019.

Margaret O’Mara, a tech historian and professor at the University of Washington, told CNN that Altman “has long been admired as a thoughtful, significant guy and in the remarkably small number of powerful people who are kind of at the top of tech and have a lot of sway.”

During the Trump administration, Altman gained new attention as a vocal critic of the president. It was against that backdrop that he was rumored to be considering a run for California governor.

Rather than running, however, Altman instead looked to back candidates who aligned with his values, which include lower cost of living, clean energy and taking 10% off the defense budget to give to research and development of future technology.

Altman continues to push for some of these goals through his work in the private sector. He invested in Helion, a fusion research company that inked a deal with Microsoft last week to sell clean energy to the tech giant by 2028.

Altman has also been a proponent of the idea of a universal basic income and has suggested that AI could one day help fulfill that goal by generating so much wealth it could be redistributed back to the public.

As Graham told The New Yorker about Altman in 2016, “I think his goal is to make the whole future.”

When launching OpenAI, Musk and Altman’s original mission was to get ahead of the fear that AI could harm people and society.

“We discussed what is the best thing we can do to ensure the future is good?” Musk told the New York Times about a conversation with Altman and others before launching the company. “We could sit on the sidelines or we can encourage regulatory oversight, or we could participate with the right structure with people who care deeply about developing A.I. in a way that is safe and is beneficial to humanity.”

In an interview at the launch of OpenAI, Altman explained the company as his way of trying to steer the path of AI technology. “I sleep better knowing I can have some influence now,” he said.

If there’s one thing AI enthusiasts and critics can agree on right now, it may be that Altman clearly has succeeded in having some influence over the rapidly evolving technology.

Less than six months after the release of ChatGPT, it has become a household name, almost synonymous with AI itself. CEOs are using it to draft emails. Realtors are using it to write iistings and draft legal documents. The tool has passed exams from law and business schools – and been used to help some students cheat. And OpenAI recently released a more powerful version of the technology underpinning ChatGPT.

Tech giants like Google and Facebook are now racing to catch up. Similar generative AI technology is quickly finding its way into productivity and search tools used by billions of people.

A future that once seemed very far off now feels right around the corner, whether society is ready for it or not. Altman himself has professed not to be sure about how it will turn out.

O’Mara said she believes Altman fits into “the techno-optimist school of thought that has been dominant in the Valley for a very long time,” which she describes as “the idea that we can devise technology that can indeed make the world a better place.”

While Altman’s cautious remarks about AI may sound at odds with that way of thinking, O’Mara argues it may be an “extension” of it. In essence, she said, it’s related to “the idea that technology is transformative and can be transformative in a positive way but also has so much capacity to do so much that it actually could be dangerous.”

And if AI should somehow help bring about the end of society as we know it, Altman may be more prepared than most to adapt.

“I prep for survival,” he said in a 2016 profile of him in the New Yorker, noting several possible disaster scenarios, including “A.I. that attacks us.”

“I try not to think about it too much,” Altman said. “But I have guns, gold, potassium iodide, antibiotics, batteries, water, gas masks from the Israeli Defense Force, and a big patch of land in Big Sur I can fly to.”

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April 12, 2021
Silicon Valley escalates the battle over returning to the office | CNN Business

CNN
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Three years after Silicon Valley companies led the charge for embracing remote work in the early days of the pandemic, the tech industry is now escalating the fight to bring employees back into the office -— and igniting tensions with staff in the process.

Google, which has long been a bellwether for workplace policies in the tech industry and beyond, frustrated some employees this week by announcing plans to begin more strictly enforcing its policy that requires workers in-office at least three days a week. The updated policy includes tracking office badge attendance and possibly factoring it into performance reviews, according to CNBC, citing internal memos.

“Overnight, workers’ professionalism has been disregarded in favor of ambiguous attendance tracking practices tied to our performance evaluations,” Chris Schmidt, a software engineer at Google and member of the grassroots Alphabet Workers Union, told CNN in a statement. “The practical application of this new policy will be needless confusion amongst workers and a disregard for our various life circumstances.”

In a statement, Ryan Lamont, a Google spokesperson, told CNN that its policy of working in the office three days a week is “going well, and we want to see Googlers connecting and collaborating in-person, so we’re limiting remote work to exception only.”

Lamont said that company leaders can see reports showing how their teams are adopting the hybrid work model, including “aggregated data” on badge swipes. He added that now that the company is more than a year into its hybrid model, “we’re formally integrating this approach into all of our workplace policies.”

Google isn’t alone in facing pushback from employees. Other tech companies are also grappling with how best to compel workers to come into the office after they’ve grown accustomed to greater flexibility. The tug-of-war is compounded by the fact that tech companies have laid off tens of thousands of employees over the past year, leveling a major blow to employee morale.

At Amazon, tensions boiled over last week as hundreds of office workers staged a walkout to call attention to their grievances, including the three-day return-to-office mandate that was implemented in May.

A current Amazon worker who spoke at the walkout said that she started an internal Slack channel called “remote advocacy” because she wanted a space where workers could discuss how the new return-to-office policy would impact their lives.

“Before I realized what was happening, that channel had 33,000 people in it,” the worker, who identified only as Pamela, said to the crowd at the event. Pamela called the Slack channel advocating for remote work “the largest concrete expression of employee dissatisfaction in our entire company history.”

But the employee criticism isn’t stopping tech companies, who have spent billions on sprawling campuses over the years and often preach the value of serendipitous workplace interactions, from moving forward with their return to office policies.

In response to the walkout, Amazon previously told CNN it may “take time” for some workers to adjust to being in the office more days. But the company also said it’s “happy with how the first month of having more people back in the office has been” and touted the extra “energy, collaboration, and connections happening” in the office.

Facebook-parent Meta similarly doubled down last week on its push to get workers in the office, warning that employees currently assigned to an office must return to in-person work three days a week starting this September. (A Meta spokesperson told CNN the updated policy was not set in stone, and employees designated as remote workers will be allowed to keep their remote status).

At least one tech company is taking a gentler approach.

Salesforce is trying to lure staff into offices by offering to donate $10 to a local charity for each day an employee comes in from June 12 to June 23, according to an internal Slack message reported on by Fortune.

A Salesforce spokesperson told CNN: “Giving back is deeply embedded in everything we do, and we’re proud to introduce Connect for Good to encourage employees to help us raise $1 Million+ for local nonprofits.”

But it might take more than temporary charitable contributions to convince some workers it’s worthwhile to return. Schmidt, the software engineer at Google, said that even if you go into the office, there’s no guarantee you’ll have people on your team to work with or even a desk to sit at.

“Many teams are distributed, and for some of us there may not be anyone to collaborate with in our physical office locations,” Schmidt said. “Currently, New York City workers do not even have enough desks and conference rooms for workers to use comfortably.”

“A one size fits all policy does not address these circumstances,” he added. “We deserve a voice in shaping the policies that impact our lives to establish clear, transparent and fair working conditions for all of us.”

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April 12, 2021
Key Senate Democrats remain non-committal on Biden’s labor secretary pick ahead of confirmation hearing | CNN Politics

CNN
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President Joe Biden’s pick to be the next labor secretary, Julie Su, has yet to secure the support of key Democrats ahead of her nomination hearing on Thursday, suggesting she faces an uphill battle to confirmation by the Senate.

The tepid reception among some members of the president’s own party is part of a broader issue that’s emerged in recent months for the Biden administration. Despite a narrow majority in the Senate, Democrats have with more recent frequency failed to sign off on high-profile Biden appointees – torpedoing Phil Washington’s nomination to lead the Federal Aviation Administration as well as Gigi Sohn’s nomination to the Federal Communications Commission. If Su does not secure enough support from the Senate, she would be the highest-ranking Biden nominee so far to fail to be confirmed.

In the 51-49 Democratic-controlled Senate, more than two liberal defections could tank the nomination. And if California Sen. Dianne Feinstein, who has been away from Congress while recovering from shingles for the past two months, or another Democratic senator is absent, the path would narrow ever more.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has called on the chamber to confirm Biden’s labor nominee, and on Tuesday afternoon, Su was on Capitol Hill meeting with Democratic Majority Whip Dick Durbin. But two Democratic senators up for reelection in red states, Montana Sen. Jon Tester and West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin, are not ready to throw their support behind her yet. It’s also not clear how Arizona independent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, who left the Democratic Party last year but kept her committee assignments with the majority, will vote.

Tester, who says he plans to meet with Su following Thursday’s hearing, told reporters on Tuesday that he remains “very ambivalent,” adding, “I voted for her before. I don’t have a problem with her right now.”

“I have no comment,” Manchin told CNN three times when asked about Su.

Hannah Hurley, a spokesperson for Sinema’s office, told CNN that the senator “does not preview her votes.”

Su was narrowly confirmed to be the deputy secretary of labor in 2021, receiving unanimous support at the time from Senate Democrats and no support from Republicans. In March, when then-Labor Secretary Marty Walsh departed the administration, Su was appointed acting secretary of the agency.

Sen. Bill Cassidy, the ranking member on the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, which will oversee Su’s confirmation hearing, has suggested that Su lacks the bona fides to handle labor negotiations.

“Setting his politics aside, no one could say Marty Walsh didn’t have significant experience in negotiations and managing organizations,” Cassidy, a Louisiana Republican, said in a statement Monday. “With 150 labor contracts expiring this year, the potential of replacing him with someone who has no direct experience handling labor disputes should be concerning.”

Prior to joining the Biden administration, Su was the secretary for the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency and the state’s labor commissioner. Su has gained critics over her time in leadership in California as well as her support for A.B. 5, a California law that aims to reclassify certain gig workers as regular employees.

She faced scrutiny for California’s handling of unemployment benefits during the Covid-19 pandemic, particularly her oversight of the state’s Employment Development Department. During the pandemic, the department delayed approving unemployment benefits and paid out billions on fraudulent claims. Su has said EDD’s systems were not prepared for the number of unemployment claims made.

Su will emphasize the importance of American small businesses during the hearing Thursday, according to an excerpt of her prepared opening remarks provided to CNN by a source familiar with the nomination process, telling committee members that she has “seen first-hand the strength and creativity of American workers and business owners.”

“While I was growing up, my family also saw opportunity and their shot at the middle class in the form of small businesses. They owned a dry cleaning and laundromat business, and then a franchise pizza restaurant,” Su is expected to say. “For years, my dad would work his day job and then head right to the pizza shop, returning home after 10 pm, often with leftover pizza for our school lunches the next day. I know small business owners are the engines of our economy, because I watched it every day.”

The high-stakes nomination has pushed outside groups to lodge broad public efforts to lobby for and against Su’s leadership.

One outside group called “Stand Against Su” has launched a public ad campaign lobbying against the nominee, calling her a “fiery critic of capitalism” and citing her past actions in California. Provisions she has supported, they argue, have made it more difficult for independent contractors and franchisees to operate in California.

The AFL-CIO, the nation’s largest labor federation, is leading a new campaign in support of Su, Director of Public Affairs Ray Zaccaro confirmed to CNN. The campaign, led by AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler, will include a six-figure digital ad buy targeting Arizona and other states, as well as Washington, DC. The federation is also committing resources and mobilizing the 60 affiliate unions nationally as part of the effort. Punchbowl News first reported on the federation’s campaign launch.

The White House continues to stand by Su, pointing to Senate Democrats’ past unanimous support during her last confirmation proceedings.

A White House official told CNN Su was part of the efforts to avert a rail shutdown last year, and that she has met with senators from both sides of the aisle during the nomination process. They further pointed out that she’s offered to meet with every member of the Senate HELP Committee.

“We’re looking forward to the hearing coming up on Thursday and feel confident … about Julie’s confirmation process. … She has a proven track record she can stand on proudly,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters on Tuesday. “The president is proud to have nominated her.”

This story has been updated with additional developments.

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April 12, 2021
Ashby & Graff® Real Estate Releases ‘Holding Hands, Holding Dreams’ Video to Support Pride Month and LGBTQ Community

Press Release
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updated: Jun 4, 2019

LOS ANGELES, June 4, 2019 (Newswire.com)
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To support LGBTQ Pride Month, Ashby & Graff® Real Estate is raising awareness around diversity and inclusion with the release of its “Holding Hands, Holding Dreams” video that highlights the familiar feelings of thrill that come with first holding hands and first seeing the perfect home for sale. (Watch the video: https://bit.ly/2XkWa7a)

The video promotes Ashby & Graff’s belief that its strength comes from a diversity of people, thoughts and ideas. Emphasizing and connecting the joy of holding hands with the joy of finding that perfect home delivers a message that relates to all people.

However, despite the similar emotions experienced during hand holding, the effects of doing so publicly as an LGBTQ person are anything but similar to members of the majority. Hand holding by LGBTQ people can cause ridicule and in over 1/2 the states in the country, denial of housing or jobs because of failure to include LGBTQ people in anti-discrimination statutes. A recent study found same-sex couples are denied mortgages 73 percent more frequently than opposite-sex couples of similar financial worthiness. A separate study by Freddie Mac and the National Association of Gay & Lesbian Real Estate Professionals found 46 percent of LGBT renters fear discrimination in the home buying process.

John Graff, CEO of Ashby & Graff Real Estate, stated, “In 2019 – 50 years after the uprising at Stonewall – the LGBTQ community has taken incredible strides toward true equality but there is still progress to be made. We celebrate the gains but recommit to fighting for a better and more equal future on behalf of our employees, clients and their families.”

Graff continued, “At Ashby & Graff, we embrace and value our differences because it is diversity of thought that strengthens us. Diversity and inclusion aren’t just a corporate policy, they are the fibers that weave the durable fabric of our organization. We are proud to celebrate diversity and the contributions of the LGBTQ community during Pride Month and throughout the entire year.”

About Ashby & Graff® Real Estate:

Ashby & Graff Real Estate is among the fastest-growing independent real estate brokerages in the United States. With agents across Southern California, Ashby & Graff services clients of all budgets, lifestyles and backgrounds. Ashby & Graff is part of the Graff Real Estate Inc. brand collection.

www.ashbygraff.com

www.graffre.com

For more information, contact:

John Graff, CEO
Ashby & Graff Real Estate
info@ashbygraff.com
310-856-9153 ext. 502

Source: Ashby & Graff® Real Estate

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June 4, 2019
Out at the Fair® Expands to Five Fairs, Starts 2019 Tour Campaign

Press Release
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updated: Dec 3, 2018

SAN DIEGO, December 3, 2018 (Newswire.com)
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Out at the Fair®, the Fair industry’s official LGBTQ+ festival, expanded to five Fairs in two states during 2018 and has initiated plans for its 2019 season. In addition to the San Diego County Fair – where it was originally launched – the festival is also now held at the California State Fair (Sacramento), Marin County Fair (San Rafael), and Santa Clara County Fair (San Jose) in California, plus the New Mexico State Fair (Albuquerque) in New Mexico.

In October, the San Diego Human Dignity Foundation became Out at the Fair’s fiscal sponsor, granting the festival non-profit status. The Foundation is one of the largest LGBTQ+ foundations in the country, and the sole community foundation in San Diego dedicated to the benefit of LGBTQ+ people. Companies and organizations interested in reaching the LGBTQ+ community in a family-friendly setting are invited and encouraged to show support of Out at the Fair® through a tax-deductible sponsorship or donation.

During their 2018 convention in Reno, Nevada, the Western Fairs Association, a leading trade organization serving the Fair industry in the western United States and Canada, presented Out at the Fair® – with its prestigious Barham Award, which recognizes innovation, quality, and leadership in the field of service.

According to “Out at the Fair” by Albert H. Fulcher of Gay San Diego, Out at the Fair “…has now turned into the largest “Out” gathering in Southern California region.”

“Out at the Fair has definitely become one of the highlights of summer in San Diego” – Sen. Toni Atkins President pro Tempore of the California State Senate

About Out at the Fair®

In 2013, the “Unofficial Gay Day at the Fair” was held at the San Diego County Fair as a family-friendly celebration of the LGBTQ+ community; the festival was a success and quickly embraced by fairgoers and the community. One year later, it became an official Fair festival and renamed “Out at the Fair®” (“OATF”). During the following four years, the festival grew considerably in scope and breadth, garnering praise from community leaders and awards from trade associations, as well as expanding to two other fairs. What started as an outing by a group of friends in 2011 – as a simple Facebook check-in – is now the only official LGBTQ+ event in the Fair industry.

Through the years, OATF has gained the support of local LGBTQ+ community organizations, as well as local elected officials and businesses, at the various Fairs where the festival is held.

OATF includes a full day of entertainment featuring local LGBTQ+ performers, non-profit organizations exhibiting, the Newly Married Game, Diva Drop, Dunk a Hunk, Family Fun Hour, Eat a Gay Bug, flags representing the various LGBTQ+ sub-groups, and all-gender restrooms, and national talent, such as American Idol finalists David Hernandez and Keith London, RuPaul’s Drag Race winner Chad Michaels, pop singers Pepper MaShay and Ricky Rebel.

In July 2017, after five years of increased success, OATF made the jump to the California State Fair in partnership with the Sacramento LGBT Center – as part of an expansion plan that intends to spread a message of diversity and inclusiveness to Fairs nationwide and abroad. In September 2017, OATF crossed state borders and welcomed fairgoers from Albuquerque and surrounding areas to the New Mexico State Fair, in partnership with Albuquerque Pride. In July 2018, the Marin County Fair in San Rafael was added to the roster. In August, the Santa Clara County Fair located in San Jose was added; in both cases, partnering with local Pride and LGBTQ+ organizations.

For more information about Out at the Fair®, visit www.outatthefair.com. Follow OATF on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Vimeo.

Press Contact:
Name: William Zakrajshek
Email: will@outat.org
Phone: 1+(619) 867-2594

Source: Out at the Fair

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December 3, 2018
Bipartisan and Nonpartisan Support Embraces Dr. Norman Quintero

Candidate for Perris Elementary School Board has broken all the rules in his quest to salvage local schools

Press Release
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updated: Nov 1, 2018

PERRIS, Calif., November 1, 2018 (Newswire.com)
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Too few political campaigns at any level, for any office, offer the unique combination of credentials that can be found in the small community of the Perris Elementary School District in southern California. Unlike the majority of those who will be seeking political offices next week, occasionally there is one whose qualifications are tailor-made to fit the job description. Even more rarely do the education, experience and lifelong commitment reflect the values and circumstance of his constituency. Almost never does a candidate subordinate rhetoric to a specific plan for identifying the root causes of specific problems and offer step-by-step milestones on a Road Map to specific solutions.

In a tiny, tight-knit, educational system of something less than 6,000 students, Dr. Norman Quintero has addressed fundamental issues behind, and real solutions to, an underperforming PESD. Previously, he has addressed the fundamentals of accountability, resource allocation, absenteeism, increased revenues and after-school programs with a focus on tutorials, recreational activities and social development. Dr. Quintero believes that a school board should support its dedicated teachers and involve its kids’ parents in order to motivate and educate its students.

“Almost 20 years ago, ‘No child left behind’ was a federal program that sounded good but accomplished little. I am committed to reviving those ideals on a local level. Now that I have received the endorsements from the general public of both major political parties, I will reach out to parents and teachers as well. I am confident that together we can provide individual attention and individual opportunity to every one of our individual students. That is our challenge and our obligation” Dr. Norman Quintero

Dr. Norman Quintero, Candidate for Perris Elementary School Board, District 5

Dr. Quintero shares a common culture and background with local families. With a student body to whom English is a second language and whose nutrition is almost entirely subsidized by governmental agencies, he understands and appreciates the value of a responsive public education system in creating students’ successes.

As a professional educator, counselor and mental health expert, he has devoted his life and career to improving lives. As a social advocate and successful businessman, he has achieved a proven talent for the management, and maximizing the efficiency of, limited budgets.

As the father of eight children, he fully understands that every child is born with individual challenges, talents and potential – their success in life requires a coordinated effort, on a daily basis, among teachers, parents, administrators and the students themselves. “Every child” certainly includes those who are entitled to a systemic accommodation for “special education” and “special needs.”

In publishing his fifth of six Road Map landmarks, the candidate has stated, “Almost 20 years ago, ‘No child left behind’ was a federal program that sounded good, but accomplished little. I am committed to reviving those ideals on a local level. Now that I have received the endorsements from the general public of both major political parties, I will reach out to parents and teachers as well. I am confident that together we can provide individual attention and individual opportunity to every one of our individual students. That is our challenge and our obligation.”

Source: Dr. Norman Quintero

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November 1, 2018
CRPA Information Bulletin: Real IDs, Non-Real IDs, and AB 60 Type Licenses for Purchasing a Firearm

Press Release
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updated: Oct 30, 2018

FULLERTON, Calif., October 30, 2018 (Newswire.com)
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Over the past several months, many questions have been raised regarding whether a non-REAL ID can be used to purchase a firearm in California. To better help our members understand California’s identification requirements when purchasing a firearm, CRPA has published an informative bulletin that provides detailed information on the subject for gun owners, firearm dealers, and members of the public in general.

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE INFORMATION BULLETIN

This information, as well as other important changes to California’s gun laws, will be included in the upcoming 6th Edition of the California Gun Law Book available in November. Visit www.calgunlawsbook.com to reserve your copy today.

For more information, please email CRPA at contact@crpa.org.

Source: California Rifle & Pistol Association

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October 30, 2018
Asurint Announces Instant Background Check Clears for California
Asurint now provides instant clear results in counties representing more than 92% of California’s population.

Press Release
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updated: Oct 18, 2018
CLEVELAND, October 18, 2018 (Newswire.com)
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Asurint today announced that their proprietary background screening technology now has the capability to evaluate and provide an instant clear on individuals from counties representing approximately 92% of the population of California, allowing hiring managers to extend offers to candidates in hours, not the days that are standard in the industry. A “clear” happens when a background check performed on an individual does not return any criminal history results in the specified jurisdiction of the search. By the end of 2018, Asurint expects the ability to deliver an instant clear in California covering at least 95% of the population.

“Asurint strives to provide HR professionals with fast, accurate and compliant background check results by leveraging technology for a consistent high-quality experience,” said Co-Founder & CEO Gregg Gay. “Providing instant clears for the majority of California is a major win for Asurint’s clients who want to dramatically reduce their time to hire.”

Providing instant clears for the majority of California is a major win for Asurint’s clients who want to dramatically reduce their time to hire.

Gregg Gay, Chief Executive Officer

California is the most populous state in the United States with nearly 40 million residents spanning 58 counties. Historically, turnaround time for background checks was slow in California due to the manual-intensive labor of retrieving court files and dramatically reduced court budgets.

“Many courts in California were not using an electronic case management system,” said Gay. “Asurint proactively consulted with many of these courts and provided assistance into the structure of the court’s data, paving the way to the impressive turnaround time we’re seeing now.”

Counties in California, such as San Diego, Santa Clara and Sutter would normally take upwards of 3 days to return results on a single search. With the help of Asurint, clear results are now available instantly. To learn more, visit https://choose.asurint.com/california-3/.

Asurint provides instant clears on background screens for many other states such as Washington, Oregon, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Massachusetts and more. Asurint constantly works with courts around the U.S. and currently, on average, adds a county every 30 hours. Counties in California that currently provide instant clears though Asurint include the following:
- Los Angeles County
- San Diego County
- Orange County
- Riverside County
- San Bernardino County
- Santa Clara County
- Alameda County
- Contra Costa County
- Fresno County
- Kern County
- Ventura County
- San Mateo County
- San Joaquin County
- Stanislaus County
- Tulare County
- Santa Barbara County
- Solano County
- Monterey County
- Santa Cruz County
- Merced County
- Butte County
- Kings County
- Napa County
- Nevada County
- Sutter County
- Yuba County
- Calaveras County
- Siskiyou County
- Sacramento County
- Sonoma County
- Yolo County
- Amador County
About Asurint

Asurint provides technology-enabled, customizable background check solutions for HR recruitment teams that result in faster turnaround times and more records than traditional single county searches – eliminating the manual-intensive labor of background screens. Our approach also seamlessly integrates with existing applicant tracking system software to give an end-to-end view of the hiring cycle and create a more efficient workflow. With Asurint, the HR industry can shorten their hiring cycle and onboard the best talent for their organization.

Join Asurint and start hiring with confidence today.

Source: Asurint
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October 18, 2018
ConceiveAbilities Continues Surrogacy and Egg Donor Growth With Southern and Northern California Locations

Press Release
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updated: Jan 23, 2018

CHICAGO, January 23, 2018 (Newswire.com)
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ConceiveAbilities, the global leader in contemporary family creation via surrogacy and egg donation for over two decades, continues its agency expansion with new offices in Irvine and San Jose, California. The new locations offer ConceiveAbilities’ clients multidisciplinary signature surrogacy and egg donor services. The firm will work with intended parents and the best southern and northern area fertility clinics, as well as gestational carriers and egg donors who are committed to helping ConceiveAbilities’ clients realize the dream of growing their families.

“From our surrogates to our match managers and intended parents, everyone who works with ConceiveAbilities is united in a common goal: To overcome any barrier necessary to complete parenthood. We’re thrilled to bring ConceiveAbilities to Irvine and San Jose, California and service our growing client base in California,” said Nazca Fontes, CEO of ConceiveAbilities. “We’ve always wanted to serve more families in California, and now felt like the best time to make it a reality.”

Wherever we work, our mission remains the same: To create a world in which everyone who wants to become a parent, can. We power family creation with knowledge, expertise and compassion.

Nazca Fontes, CEO, ConceiveAbilities

The new Irvine ConceiveAbilities’ location is placed right next to the Irvine Spectrum Center, one of the most popular shopping centers in Southern California. It can be easily reached from Temecula, Chino, Ontario, Corona, Riverside, San Bernardino, Anaheim, Escondido and is within close proximity to the San Diego, Santa Ana, and Laguna freeways. It’s in a convenient area for our surrogate community in the rest of Southern California, including Los Angeles, San Diego and San Bernardino.

The new San Jose location is located in the heart of downtown San Jose near San Jose University and the San Jose Museum of Art. It can be easily reached from San Francisco, Palo Alto, East Bay, Oakland and Mountain View and is conveniently located near the Joseph P. Sinclair Freeway or the Guadalupe Freeway. It’s in an easily accessible area for our surrogate community in the rest of Northern California, including the areas surrounding Sacramento, Modesto, Fresno, Santa Rosa and Redding.

“Wherever we work, our mission remains the same,” Nazca Fontes continues, “To create a world in which everyone who wants to become a parent, can. We power family creation with knowledge, expertise and compassion.”

For more information, contact the Irvine office at (949) 955-2501 or visit: https://www.conceiveabilities.com/Irvine. For the San Jose office please call (669) 342-3566 or visit: https://www.conceiveabilities.com/SanJose.

About ConceiveAbilities

For over 20 years, ConceiveAbilities has been the leading global contemporary family creation egg donor and surrogacy agency. Headquartered in Chicago, ConceiveAbilities has locations in Dallas, Denver, Houston, San Jose, Irvine and New York. Serving a highly selective network of egg donors and surrogates with uncompromising ethical and professional standards, ConceiveAbilities is one of the most regarded agencies in the world, having earned the respect of leading fertility experts. For more information, please visit www.ConceiveAbilities.com.

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Source: ConceiveAbilities

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January 23, 2018
CSBA Calls on Legislature to Fund Public Schools at the Average of the Top 10 States

California districts to adopt CSBA resolution to fund public schools at national average by 2020 and average of top 10 states by 2025

Press Release
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updated: Jan 8, 2018

SACRAMENTO, Calif., January 8, 2018 (Newswire.com)
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As part of its ongoing work to ensure that all students benefit from the resources needed for a high-quality education, the California School Boards Association is calling on the Legislature to raise school funding to the national average by 2020 and to the average of the top 10 states by 2025.

“There was an era when California’s public education system was the envy of the nation and our schools were as well-funded as any in the country, but for decades now, California schools have been asked to do more with less,” said California School Boards Association President Mike Walsh. “It’s time we reverse the trend of shortchanging public schools and provide full and fair funding for all students, so they have the resources needed for success in college, career and civic life.”

California can’t expect to maintain its leadership position when it’s failing to invest in its future and languishing near the bottom nationally in school funding. Now is the time to reclaim California’s place as a beacon of opportunity and commit to full and fair funding for all public school students.

Vernon M. Billy, CSBA CEO & Executive Director

“Our members are charged with providing a 21st-century education that prepares a diverse student population for an increasingly competitive, global and technological society. Yet, the funding from the state is inadequate for this task and just a fraction of that offered by some peer states,” explained CSBA CEO & Executive Director Vernon M. Billy. “California can’t expect to maintain its leadership position when it’s failing to invest in its future and languishing near the bottom nationally in school funding. Now is the time to reclaim California’s place as a beacon of opportunity and commit to full and fair funding for all public school students.”

Despite boasting the sixth-largest economy in the world and the highest gross domestic product of any state, California ranks at or near the bottom nationally in nearly every measure of school funding and staffing. Under the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF), revenue for K-12 schools has only recently returned to 2007 levels, meaning funding has not substantially increased, on an inflation-adjusted basis, for more than a decade.

In order to meet the growing needs of California’s 6.2 million public school students and address the financial challenges faced by rising costs, CSBA has developed a Full and Fair Funding Resolution for adoption by its nearly 1,000 member school districts and county offices of education. The resolution highlights the threat that underinvestment in schools poses to our communities and calls on the State to meet its responsibilities to today’s students and to California’s future.

In the 1970s, California ranked in the top five nationally in school funding; currently, California is 41st and trails the average of the top 10 states by almost $7,000 in per-pupil funding, depriving students of critical opportunities for academic, social and emotional development and essential preparation for a rapidly changing economy.

CSBA is a nonprofit association representing nearly 1,000 K-12 school districts and county offices of education throughout California.

Contact: Troy Flint / Senior Director Communications / (916) 669-3246 / tflint@csba.org

Source: California School Boards Association

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January 8, 2018
On April 8, 2017 Unite America USA Will Hold Its First March in Los Angeles

The Unite America USA March aims to show the Trump Administration and the world the power of the people’s collective voice.

Press Release
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updated: Mar 10, 2017

Los Angeles, CA, March 10, 2017 (Newswire.com)
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Unite America USA holds its first event on April 8, 2017. Starting at 8:00 a.m. PST, people will gather at Exposition Park in Los Angeles. There, marchers will walk in solidarity around Exposition Park, where the Unite America USA March talks take place. The event draws on voices of invited speakers from the nations President Trump banned, pioneers in media, radio, television and film and members of the entertainment industry who don’t support the Trump Administration.

The Unite America USA March stems from the current political environment of unrest taking place and aims to build off these movements in response to the Trump Administration.

UA’ USA March asks participants to take a firm look in the mirror to decide what action to take beyond the discourse. The March aims to send a resounding message to the Trump Administration that “His Power, Is Actually Our Power.”

“Instead of trying to suppress the press, we’ll uplift their constitutional rights of free speech and an uncensored press. Instead of building walls or imposing bans on individuals who make up the diverse fabric of America, we’ll strengthen communication” says Denise Darrell Media Coordinator at Unite America USA.

Unite America USA will host fundraisers, rallies, and concerts throughout the country to support organizations fostering immigration, civil liberties, and American ideals as well as offer legal referrals to those in need. It will raise $100,000,000 and open 100 Unite America USA Chapters within the year. Those needing legal assistance for immigration or civil liberties violations, should email help@uausa.org.

To register for the March or make a donation in support of the organization, visit UAUSA.org. United America USA wants individuals to open a chapter in their city and ask that they join them April 8, 2017 to further this cause. If interested, email info@uausa.org to receive logos.

About Unite America USA

With 30 years combined experience organizing events to support special causes, Unite America USA is well-positioned to offer assistance and referral support to victims of many civil liberties violations.

Media Contact

Denise Darrell
Special Events, Media & Marketing Coordinator
1-800-906-7157 Ext 1380
Outside US Call 1+202-277-9290. Ext 1380

Source: Unite America USA

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March 10, 2017
Arash Hashemi to Speak at Mesereau Free Legal Clinic

Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney, Arash Hashemi, to Discuss Drug Laws on February 18, 2017

Press Release
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updated: Jan 16, 2017

Los Angeles, California, January 16, 2017 (Newswire.com)
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The Mesereau Free Legal Clinic announced that Los Angeles Attorney, Arash Hashemi, will be speaking about “Drug Crimes” on Saturday, February 18, 2017. The talk will go over the different types of charges, defenses, and penalties surrounding Drug Crimes in California. The lecture will also discuss the new California Laws regarding recreational marijuana.

“Since 2002, I have taken on numerous cases involving drug crimes,” said Arash Hashemi. “Anyone interested in Drug Laws is encouraged to attend this free lecture. A number of questions will be answered regarding Drug Crimes and what to do to move your case forward.”

The Mesereau Free Legal Clinic will host Arash Hashemi February 18, 2017 at 11:00AM.

Arash Hashemi is the author of Drug Crimes & Penalties in California, a book filled with crucial information and tips for individuals facing criminal charges in the State of California. He has handled a wide variety of cases, ranging from simple misdemeanors to complicated felonies, as well as high profile cases.

About the Mesereau Free Legal Clinic

The Mesereau Free Legal Clinic has been meeting the needs of the community through free access and education for many years. The Free Legal Clinic is co-founded by Attorney Thomas A. Mesereau, Jr., who is well known for his representation of musical legend Michael Jackson, actor Robert Blake, Boxer Michael Tyson and many more celebrities.

Source: Law Offices of Arash Hashemi

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January 16, 2017
Urban Futurist Jack Uldrich to Discuss the Future of Cities in California

Jack Uldrich, Founder of the School of Unlearning, will deliver a keynote on the future of cities in Glendora, CA.

Press Release
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Oct 12, 2016

Los Angeles, CA, October 12, 2016 (Newswire.com)
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Autonomous vehicles, the sharing economy, MOOCs, Urban farming, and the Internet of Things –these are just a few of the trends that will impact the future of cities and metropolitan regions, according to Urban Futurist Jack Uldrich.

It is becoming increasingly apparent that Futurists, like Uldrich, who focus specifically on urban trends can be exceptionally helpful resources; helping city officials and planners spot highly innovative, but not necessarily well-known advances in technology.

More cities and economic development agencies are starting to hire futurists, and it makes good sense. City planners are often so bogged down with what is happening right now that they don’t always have the time to take a deep dive into the technological advances that will impact the future.

Jack Uldrich , Urban Futurist

As a futurist and trend expert, that is Uldrich’s sole purpose. The days he isn’t speaking, he spends researching and writing on game-changing technology, as well as reviewing history and philosophy. His keynotes are often peppered with quotes from Lao Tzu and stories from bygone eras while also keeping his audiences apprised of the latest breakthroughs.

Uldrich says, “More cities and economic development agencies are starting to hire futurists, and it makes good sense. City planners are often so bogged down with what is happening right now they don’t always have the time to take a deep dive into the technological advances that will impact the future.”

When it comes to city planning, he says, “The recent upswing in the sharing economy alone is changing the shape of city economies everywhere,” says Uldrich. “Think: Uber and Airbnb. What will the next big trend in collaborative consumption be? Will urban farming impact local grocers? My prediction is it will. Just as MOOCs, (Massive Open On-line Courses) will affect higher education, and the cities where universities, colleges, and community colleges are situated.”

Today, at 6 pm in Glendora, California, Jack Uldrich will deliver his latest keynote, “A Look into the Future: It’s Closer than You Think,” at Glendora High School Event Center, 1600 E. Foothill Blvd, Glendora, California 91741. The event is free and open to the public.

Uldrich’s client list includes the Savannah Economic Development Agency, the Downtown Council of Minneapolis, the Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce and the Miami Downtown Development Agency, and the Urban Land Institute. He also speaks around the world on unlearning, change management, and technological advances in energy and utilities, manufacturing, education, healthcare, retail and finance.

Following his engagement in California, he will travel to Lansing, MI to address the Michigan Health and Hospital Association on October 18.

_{Parties interested in more information on Jack, his upcoming engagements and writing may view his website here.}

Source: Jack Uldrich & The School of Unlearning

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October 12, 2016