State Sen. Loni Hancock Introduces Herself to Pinole

In her first appearance as the new representative of Pinole and Hercules, state Sen. Loni Hancock said that the new Senate district make sense by bringing the two cities into an urban corridor that includes cities like Oakland, Berkeley and Alameda.

Speaking at Pinole City Hall Friday, Hancock emphasized that her new constituents have common interests, such as promoting "green" businesses, education and jobs.

"I was very pleased when redistricting gave me your cities," she said. "Redistricting is quite logical now. We're all one urban community."

A state commission created new state legislative district boundaries as a result of the 2010 Census. Formerly, the state legislature reconfigured district lines every 10 years. Before the creation of new districts last year, State Sen. Mark DeSaulnier represented Pinole and Hercules.

Hancock said the new alignment affords a chance to exploit an established "green corridor" from San Leandro to Richmond that she said has led to promoting stable "green" industries in the I-80 region.

"Now we are in a position where we can work on these issues together, " she said.

The senator said that attending a recent Hercules City Council meeting inspired her to work on new legislation that would give cities more flexibility in raising revenue through property transfer taxes. Those taxes can be levied when properties change ownership. Hancock said the tax allows a new source of revenue that doesn't impose new tax burdens on the general population.

Hancock said her primary issues in the legislature are the environment, education and the economy. She also discussed reform of the state initiative process and streamlining state government bureaucracy.

Hancock took questions ranging from charter schools to illegal immigration enforcement and the death penalty.

Video of her appearance is available on Pinole TV.

What do you think about your new state senator?