Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Peters Votes For No Budget, No Pay

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Congressman Scott Peters (CA-52) today voted in favor of legislation, HR 325, which adopts a version of ”No Budget, No Pay,” an initiative Peters declared his support for prior to being elected to Congress. HR 325 also raises the nation’s debt ceiling for three months, giving Congress more time to develop a more permanent solution.

In addition, Peters became a sponsor of HR 310, the No Budget No Pay Act which would stop Congressional pay if Congress fails to pass a budget on time. In fact, the No Budget, No Pay Act is the first bill that Peters co-sponsored in the House.

“By passing elements of ’No Budget, No Pay’ today, we took positive steps toward making government work and toward greater government accountability,” Peters said after HR 325 passed the House 285-144.

“While I’d prefer that ‘No Budget, No Pay’ require both the House and the Senate to pass the same budget, not just require each chamber to pass its own budget, this is a step in the right direction,” Peters added. “If Congress can’t do its job and produce a budget, we shouldn’t collect paychecks.”

On raising the debt ceiling for three months, Peters said: “Creating a responsible budget is imperative, but the debt ceiling is the wrong tool to use for leverage, as it creates a needless risk of default and another credit downgrade. This bill is by no means a solution to any of our serious challenges, but it gives us time to create one, and is the best option we have today.”

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Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Secretary of State Bowen Announces Results of Randomized Alphabet Drawing for Candidate Order on SD 32 and SD 40 Special Election Ballots

 SACRAMENTO – Secretary of State Debra Bowen’s office today held a randomized alphabet drawing to determine the order that candidates’ names will appear on the March 12 special primary election ballots and, if necessary, the May 14 special run-off election ballots in the 32nd Senate District and 40th Senate District.

The Senate District 32 special election is being held to fill the vacancy left by Gloria Negrete McLeod, who resigned after being elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. The Senate District 40 special election is being held to fill the vacancy left by Juan Vargas, who resigned after being elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.
The results of today’s drawing are as follows:

1. A   8. I      15. Y   22. V
2. M  9. J      16. X   23. H
3. R   10. C   17. Q   24. L
4. D   11. B   18. S   25. W
5. G   12. P   19. N   26. T
6. Z    13. F   20. U
7. E    14. K  21. O



 In accordance with Elections Code section 13111, the names of candidates on the ballot are arranged based on the randomized alphabet. This alphabet applies throughout the entire last name of the candidate. If the names of two or more candidates begin with the same letter, their ballot listing order is determined by applying the randomized alphabet to the next letter(s) of their names. If last names of multiple candidates are the same, the randomized alphabet also applies to first names.

Today’s randomized alphabet drawing was held in the Secretary of State’s office in compliance with Elections Code section 13112. Staff members pulled the letters in a lottery-style drawing, with witnesses from the public present.

Assemblyman Henry Perea, Leader of Assembly's Moderate Democrats, Endorses Lorena Gonzalez in AD 80

Pro-Jobs Democrat Recognized By Perea for Promoting Economic Growth Through Job Creation


SAN DIEGO – (Tuesday, January 22, 2013) – Lorena Gonzalez has been endorsed by Assemblyman Henry T. Perea, her campaign announced today.


Perea is chairman of the Assembly Committee on Insurance and the Assembly Moderate Caucus and a key leader in policy dealing with job creation in California. His endorsement is the latest significant benchmark of support for Lorena, who has racked up endorsements from several influential elected officials and organizations in the presumed special election in Assembly District 80 later this year.

Perea praised Lorena for her record of promoting job creation and economic growth.



"Lorena Gonzalez understands how to bridge the gap between business and labor to create jobs.  She did it in San Diego," Perea said. "We need Lorena Gonzalez in the State Capitol to help rebuild California's economy.  Good jobs make California a better state."

Lorena is a candidate to replace Assemblyman Ben Hueso. The 80th Assembly District includes the Chula Vista, National City and the City of San Diego neighborhoods of San Ysidro, City Heights, Barrio Logan, Sherman Heights, Otay Mesa, Paradise Hills and Golden Hill.

Learn more about Lorena’s campaign at www.VoteLorena.com or by e-mail VoteLorena@gmail.com.

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Sunday, January 20, 2013

MAJORITY LEADER TONI ATKINS RECOGNIZED AS CLEAN WATER CHAMPION





(Sacramento)  Assembly Majority Leader Toni Atkins has been honored as a Clean Water Champion by Clean Water Action California in recognition of her leadership on water and other environmental issues during the 2011-2012 legislative session.  Atkins was one of only thirteen legislators to receive an “A” on Clean Water Action’s scorecard, which tallied votes on 16 bills related to water, environmental justice, pollution prevention, the public’s right to know about environmental threats, and attempts to roll back the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA.)
                                                                              
“Majority Leader Atkins has shown leadership on issues our members care about,” says Miriam Gordon, Clean Water Action’s California Director.  “We commend our Clean Water Champions for recognizing that protecting the environment moves California not only toward a more sustainable environment, but also toward greater economic sustainability in the long run.”

“Protecting the water we drink and swim in, the air we breathe, and the health and diversity of our environment are critical to the outstanding way of life we enjoy here in California, especially in my coastal San Diego district,” says Majority Leader Atkins.  “I am very proud of having been recognized for my commitment to our environment with this award.”

To commemorate this award, Majority Leader Atkins was given a glass mug made from wine, beer, liquor and soda bottles recycled from San Diego restaurants, bars, homes and events by BottleHood, a San Diego area company.
Clean Water Action is a one million member organization to protect the environment, health, economic well-being and community quality of life.  Their goals include clean, safe and affordable water; prevention of health-threatening pollution; creation of environmentally safe jobs and businesses; and empowerment of people to make democracy work.


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Note: Photo attached.  Majority Leader Atkins is presented the Clean Water Champion Award by staff of Clean Water Action California.  Pictured, left to right, are Lori Chen, Legislative Coordinator; Andrew Grinberg, Program Coordinator; Assembly Majority Leader Toni Atkins; Andria Ventura, Environmental Health Organizer; Jennifer Clary, Program Associate