THE POLITICAL LANDSCAPE:Chuck DeVore takes trip to Israel

Newport Beach Assemblyman Chuck DeVore planned to present resolutions supporting the parents of two kidnapped Israeli soldiers during an overseas trip, he said this week.

DeVore left Wednesday for a 10-day trip to Israel with other legislators, a couple of media types and members of the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles.

Politicians on the trip included Cathedral City Assemblywoman Bonnie Garcia and Bakersfield Assemblywoman Jean Fuller.

DeVore said the point of the trip is “to improve our understanding of Israel and the region, and the Israelis are interested in having us for the purpose of having us better understand their point of view.”

It’s DeVore’s fourth trip to the area, but the last time he went was more than 20 years ago. He said he’ll be presenting resolutions to the kidnapped soldiers’ families as a gesture of solidarity, because Americans also have been kidnapped and killed by militant groups.

“Israel, just like America, is engaged in a struggle with people who have a very different world view than we hold,” he said.

LOCALS INTRODUCE FIRST BILLS

DeVore and Costa Mesa Assemblyman Van Tran introduced their first bills of the 2007-08 legislative session this week after being sworn in on Monday. Both easily won reelection in November.

Tran’s bill would toughen the penalty for voter intimidation, making it a felony, according to a statement from his office. A conviction could carry between one and three years in prison.

The bill was Tran’s response to a letter some Latino voters in Orange County received in October that by some accounts was intended to discourage them from casting ballots in November.

DeVore again brought forward a bill to create a special license plate for National Guard members, and he clarified the language a little, he said in an e-mail. That bill passed the Assembly in 2005 but was held up in a state Senate committee.

MOORLACH SWORN IN

Former Orange County Treasurer John Moorlach tried to drag the county back to financial health after a 1994 bankruptcy, and in his new post as 2nd District supervisor he wants to take on how the county compensates employees.

Moorlach was sworn in as a county supervisor Tuesday, giving up the treasurer’s post he held for more than 11 years. Most swearing-in ceremonies are pretty much alike — hold up right hand, repeat oath of office — but Moorlach said he had a good turnout of supporters.

He said Wednesday that he might propose a system of merit pay when the county employees’ union contracts are up for negotiation in mid-2007. Now raises are negotiated and everyone gets the same amount.

“Why keep giving you a raise if the rest of the department thinks you’re a drag?” Moorlach said. “That’s really poor for morale.”

He’s already expressed concerns about paying for county pensions while the economy slows down.

A lot of work is ahead for Moorlach, but there are a few perks with his new job. He’s on the fifth floor now, so he gets a better view from his office, and they gave him a double-wide parking spot in a garage.

The outdoor parking behind the treasurer’s building wasn’t too bad, he said, but, “We called it the pit.”

HOLIDAY TOY DRIVES

With Christmas and Hanukkah coming right up, holiday toy and gift drives are being scheduled left and right. Here are a few.