This week, in place of our Thursday lunch meeting, the Lafayette Rotary Club joined the Lamorinda Sunrise Rotary Club and the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce for the 30^th annual Community Thanksgiving Breakfast at the Veterans Memorial Building.  Music was performed by Pamela Freund Striplen on viola and Grace Fishel on violin.

John Fazel, President of the Lamorinda Sunrise Rotary Club, opened the meeting, provided some introductory remarks and led the pledge of allegiance.   Sandi Mitchell, President of the Lafayette Rotary Club, announced some of the guests and dignitaries in attendance, including District 14 Assembly Member - Nancy Skinner; Contra Costa County Supervisor for District 2 – Gayle Uilkema; County Assessor – Gus Kramer; Lafayette Mayor – Don Tatzin; Lafayette Vice Mayor - Brandt Andersson; Lafayette City Council Member, Carol Federighi; Lafayette Police Chief – Mike Hubbard.  Community Partners:  representing sponsor PG&E – Tom Guarino; representing Veterans Memorial Building – Ed Stevenson; representing the Veterans Memorial Board of Directors – Alan Cruz; one of the original founders of the community breakfast – Scotty Loucks; and Randy Bupp, representing his mom, Barbara Bupp.

Pastor Dan Senter of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church provided an invocation.  Tony Eichers, Chairman of the Board for the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce, welcomed all who came.  George Chaffey inducted a new member into the Sunrise club, Robbie Kunkel, sponsored by Rotarian Walt Nelson.

Buddy Burke introduced the speaker, John Chiang, California State Controller.

In discussing the fiscal condition of the state of California, Chiang suggested we look at three things: 1) the macro-economic impact (of the recession and higher unemployment rate), 2) the state budget, and 3) the state’s cash position.

The state’s top three sources of revenue are: 1) individual income tax, 2) sales tax, and 3) corporate tax.  All are down due to the current economic situation, which was impacted by the downturn in the real estate cycle along with increased household leverage, higher commodity prices, and a credit crunch.  Over 40 percent of state tax revenue comes from the top three percent of earners, whose earnings can be variable.  The current unemployment rate for California is 12.2%.  With over a million jobs lost, there are less people earning money to pay income tax or sales tax.

The top three areas of spending for California are: 1) education, 2) social and health services, and 3) prisons. Therefore, any budget solution needs to address these top areas of spending.  Chiang also noted that 75% of the state budget goes back to local areas.

Chiang read the names of several in attendance that were on the list for unclaimed property in California.  He set up a web site where you can search for unclaimed property at http://scoweb.sco.ca.gov/UCP/

Past Governor for Rotary District 5160, Candy Pierce, talked about the LN-4 prosthetic hand which is given in the name of our guest speakers.  John Fazel announced that there would be a classic car show on June 20, 2010, in the parking lot by Postino’s.  Reverend Peter Whitlock from Lafayette Orinda Presbyterina Church concluded the meeting with a benediction.