Week In Review

POLITICS

GOP package targets illegal immigrants, their services

Republican Assemblymen unveiled a wide-ranging plan to deal with California’s illegal immigration problem in Sacramento on Tuesday, packaging 22 GOP bills their sponsors say will help solve the state’s budget crisis.

Local Democrats said the approach is misguided and will do more to hurt state revenues than help it.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said it would be a big mistake to blame illegal immigrants for the state’s fiscal woes.

“Both Republicans and Democrats are getting pressure on the budget issue, and there are a lot of programs that have to be cut,” said Assemblyman Jim Silva, who organized the plan and news conference. “What we’re trying to do here is take out the loopholes in the budget process where we’re losing money and make sure it goes to the citizens of California.”

Assemblymen Chuck DeVore and Van Tran had legislation included in the plan.

A full list of the proposed bills are available at: http://republican.assembly.ca.gov/members/a67/Index.aspx?page=PR&pr=4516

McCain visits Newport, does not discuss ticket

Republican presidential hopeful John McCain made a campaign stop Tuesday in Newport Beach, speaking at a fundraising luncheon at the Island Hotel by Fashion Island.

McCain, the presumed GOP nominee, also addressed a gathering of Latino business owners at a print shop in Santa Ana that morning.

McCain declined to give any definite comment on whether he’d pick former Newport Beach Rep. Christopher Cox as a potential running mate.

“Chris Cox is a very fine man, but we’re certainly not going to talk about our list of potential running mates,” McCain said.

The luncheon at the Island Hotel netted about $800,000, according to Assemblyman Van Tran, who attended the private event.

COSTA MESA

OCTA pushes meetings back to hear more resident voices

The Orange County Transportation Authority rescheduled two open houses to address residents’ concerns about the 55 Freeway project this week.

The meetings, rescheduled for later in the evening, are intended to further accommodate the work schedules of citizens who may be interested in attending, spokesman Ted Nguyen said.

One event will be 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. March 31 at the Victoria Room in the Costa Mesa Neighborhood Center at 1845 Park Ave. Another will be 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. April 2 at the council chambers in City Hall.

EDUCATION