-COCRA’s LEGISLATIVE BOOTCAMP AND LOBBY DAY WITH LIBERTY (LIBBY) SANCHEZ OF BROAD & GUSMAN

Thanks to COCRA Lobbyist Libby Sanchez of Broad & Gusman, COCRA’s official court reporters and DRA’s freelance court reporters are ready to face the challenges Sacramento presents to our profession and to our Court Reporters Board.

The budget crisis looms while Californians brace for more bad news about our financial situation.  Governor Schwarzenegger’s staff proposed the elimination of our Court Reporters Board [CRB], and, yet again, the Legislative Analyst’s Office proposed the elimination of official court reporter positions in our California courtrooms.

COCRA is not resting on its laurels.  COCRA’s Preserving Access to Justice Task Force compiled data relevant to our specific reporting issues and hosted training sessions in various courtrooms to prepare official reporters for the difficulties we, as Californians, may face.

The best preparation occurred yesterday, February 3rd, 2009, as members of COCRA and DRA enjoyed a morning of legislative bootcamp training from Libby Sanchez, then met with various senate and assembly members’ staff, with Assembly Member Noreen Evans and with Assembly Member Michael Feuer, Chair of Assembly Judiciary Committee.

It is important to note that all staff, Assm. Evans, and Assm. Feuer are incredibly busy right now.  We, as official court reporters, are very grateful they took the time to hear our concerns, offer advice, and view our realtime demonstrations provided by our own Abby Fields of Stockton.

Thanks to all official and freelance reporters who participated.  Because of Libby and your efforts, official court reporters can rest assured that their interests are being protected during this difficult time.

-COCRA’s CONFERENCE IN SAN FRANCISCO

CELEBRATE SPRING WITH COCRA!!  Join COCRA in San Francisco for our Annual Conference.  This year we’re excited to announce that we’ve invited Stenograph, ProCat, Eclipse, and Stenovations to showcase the latest features their software has to offer.  Attendees will also get the chance to view and try stenowriters such as the Mira, Passport, Stylus, and Lightspeed.

COCRA has all this and more planned for April 4th, 2009, so be sure to mark your calendars! Keep an eye out for updates emailed to you on COCRA’s Official Briefs newsletter, and also posted at www.cocra.org, where you can register for the seminars online. (The COCRA 2009 Annual Conference brochure will be sent out via U.S. mail approximately six weeks prior to the Conference.)

-NVCRA’s CONFERENCE IN RENO

Nevada Court Reporters Convention – March 27-29, 2009.  Get away, enjoy, relax, and get your CEUs in beautiful Reno, Nevada, at the newly renovated Atlantis Casino Resort Spa ~ You Deserve It!

Near spectalular Lake Tahoe!

For more information, go to http://www.nvcra.org and download your registration for TODAY or e-mail Cecilia Vohl at mailto:cvohl@source.net to receive your registration form.

As Californians braced for more bad news on the economic front, rumors began spreading throughout our California courthouses that, as of February 6th, 2009, court employees would have a two-day-a-month unpaid work furlough to face.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger received permission from the Superior Court of California to shut down much of state government two Fridays a month.  Roughly 240,000 workers, most of whom belong to a union, are affected by this decision.

“There are certain things that the state needs to do more of during bad times,” says SEIU Local 1000 spokesman Jim Zamora.  “You can’t cut the workforce without making decisions about what it is that you are not going to do anymore.”

Evan Halper, reporter for the LA Times says, “Labor leaders argue that California already has one of the most efficient workforces, with a lower ratio of state employees to the population than most other states.”

The Legislative Analyst’s Office reports,  “The governor’s estimate of savings from the furloughs is probably too optimistic. State hospitals, prisons and other 24-hour facilities may wind up paying significant overtime to keep their operations staffed properly.”

While it is a relief to some that court employees aren’t faced with this imminent furlough, it’s important we support those state employees and all those facing difficult economic times.

Donate used clothing, canned food, and money to your local charities as you can.  We are all in this together!

Thanks for your time.

-THE COCRA TEAM