The Curious Case of Carl DeMaio

In reading today's article in the San Diego City Beat on Carl DeMaio (and its an excellent article by the way), I can't help but reminisce about the rise of this peculiar San Diego politician, and wonder about his next steps.

Now, I've been involved in San Diego politics in one way or another since 1998, when I graduated from college, and decided, "hey, I want to work in politics." So, from 1998 to 2000, I worked as an intern for a political consultant, then worked on various campaigns.  The most I ever made in the business was a $1000 per month stipend.  Seriously.  So, like a lot of my brethren, I left politics and went to law school.  But I still was involved in politics at the volunteer level, and have been since real life took over.

It was in this later period, around 2002 or 2003, that I first recall seeing Carl DeMaio.  And, in fact, that was probably around the time he first moved here.  DeMaio's business apparently brought him to the shores of America's Finest City, though that much isn't entirely clear.  What is clear is that DeMaio's business was of the think tank variety, and had deep D.C. ties.

Now, at the time that DeMaio showed up, San Diego was well on its way to becoming the Enron of the West.  Unbeknownst to anyone, the City of San Diego cut a deal with its pension board to simultaneously raid the pension fund, while at the same time increasing benefits to the current retirees.  Now, this was done mostly on Susan Golding's watch, and its not entirely clear who knew what, but Dick Murphy, then mayor, was completely and totally unprepared to handle the crisis.  So, when DeMaio showed up, he appeared to be one of those good-government types that San Diego seems to breed.  

I'm not going into details (read the San Diego City Beat article), but what was not known was the extent to which DeMaio would try to change San Diego politics, and specifically, the San Diego Republican Party.  Quickly, DeMaio used his connections with the national GOP, and his think tank status to advocate against unions, and attack the City Council on economic issues.  Despite his sexual orientation, he became the City Council Member for one of the most conservative districts in the City.     

DeMaio, it seems, is completely different.  His brand of conservatism is confrontational, uncompromising, and in many cases, downright rude.  This is in stark contrast to the typical San Diego Republican who tend to be socially liberal(ish), and consensus builders.  Now, there were Republicans like Duncan Hunter, Duke Cunningham, and Darrel Issa who were pretty confrontational, but most San Diego Republicans were guys like Jerry Sanders.  But not it seems that the rank and file of the San Diego Republican Party, want their candidates to be more confrontational.  

As a Democrat, I'm somewhat pleased by this. I'm tired of seeing Democrats get their asses kicked by the likes Tom Shepard (the political consultant for many Republican candidates of the nonconfrontational type).  After all, San Diego is becoming more and more Democratic every year.  The more in-your-face the Republican, the more likely San Diegans will vote for the other guy.

This change in the San Diego Republican Party is most visible in the defection of Nathan Fletcher (who had several businessmen follow suit).  Fletcher was, in many ways, the ideal San Diego Republican - conservative on economic issues but not an asshole about it, veteran of the Iraq War (as a Marine, no less), well-connected (wife worked for George W. Bush), and a deal-maker.  Heck, Fletcher is such a nice guy he got the endorsement of the Log Cabin Republicans (the Republican gay group) over DeMaio and Dumanis, and he's the ONLY STRAIGHT REPUBLICAN IN THE RACE.  He even got Pete Wilson's endorsement. 

But for some reason, this classic-San Diego-but-perhaps-more-conservative Republican was not endorsed by the San Diego Republican Party.  Carl DeMaio was. Overwhelmingly. With Fletcher now leaving the GOP - does the San Diego Republican Party change forever?  Or will it return to its roots?  Only time will tell.

Stop rate hikes at the ballot box

Sick and tired of rising health insurance and HMO rates?

Now you can do something about it.

Join me in supporting a ballot measure to rein in excessive health insurance rate hikes. We need your signature to get this ballot measure on the November ballot.

Click here to download and sign the petition.

Health insurers and HMOs are making record profits. Rates have gone up 153% on average since 2002. In May, four health insurers will raise rates yet again -- up to 20% for four million Californians. Just yesterday a couple called my office to complain that their rates will have gone up 65% since the fall of 2010, when their 20% rate increase takes effect on May 1st.

And I have no authority to stop it. None.

Unlike 35 other states, in California there is no authority to reject excessive health insurance and HMO rate increases. As rates have skyrocketed in California over the past few years, two million Californians have lost their coverage.

Health insurers and HMOs have used their influence to block state legislation I sponsored over the last six years to close this loophole, including most recently blocking Assembly Bill 52. Now the nonprofit group Consumer Watchdog has proposed this ballot measure to give the voters a chance to decide.

The ballot measure will require health insurers and HMOs to publicly justify their rates, and get permission before rate hikes take effect. It needs your signature to reach the November ballot.

Help us put this critical measure on the ballot, what some have called the "missing piece of federal health care reform." This is action we can take now, as we continue to work towards single payer universal health care.

Join me, Senator Dianne Feinstein, and over 500,000 of your fellow Californians who have already signed on to demand that health insurance companies justify their rates.

There are just three weeks to go, and we need another 295,000 signatures to be sure we reach the ballot in November. Can you help us finish the job?

Please click here to download and sign the petition and add your name to the list of Californians demanding health insurance rate reform.

Thank you,
Dave Jones
Insurance Commissioner

So You Want to Run for School Board

So You Want to Run for School Board

Run Women Run presents May 15 workshop

Many women start their political careers by running for school board because of the important role that schools play in the lives of their children. For example, Congresswoman Susan Davis and former State Senator Dede Alpert both served on their local school boards. An education system that prepares our children for the future is clearly an essential part of a democracy, and school boards are the closest government entity to their constituents. Significant budget cuts to K-12 education over the last few years have made the job of school board member even more challenging-and important.

At this program (open to both women and men), the panelists will go behind the scenes to explore the nuts and bolts of what it takes to run and win, the different types of school boards, the responsibilities and time commitment, and the lessons that they've learned. This workshop is being held on Tuesday, May 15, from 6-8 p.m. at HeraHub, 9710 Scranton Road, San Diego.

The panelists are:
Dede Alpert, former California State Senator and former member, Solana Beach School District Board of Education
Penny Rantfle, member, Poway Unified School District Board of Education
Carol Skiljan, member, Encinitas Union School District Board of Education

The fee to attend is $25 for Run Women Run members and $35 for others. For more information or to register, go to http://www.runwomenrun.org.

Run Women Run was founded in 2008 to inspire, mentor, train and support women in public office in state and local government. It is a nonpartisan membership organization that provides campaign training, technical assistance and hands-on volunteer help.

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Filner Calls on U.S. Navy to Honor Legacy of Lt. Harvey Milk

From the Filner campaign:

Filner Calls on U.S. Navy to Honor Legacy of Lt. Harvey Milk

San Diego, CA – U.S. Congressman and Mayoral candidate Bob Filner recently called on the Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus and Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta to name a U.S. Naval vessel after LGBT activist Harvey Milk. Below is Filner’s statement regarding the request:

          “Naming a ship after the late civil rights activist and Navy Officer Harvey Milk, would be a great tribute to Milk's support for equality and in keeping with effort to promote equality in our military after the recent repeal of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. While Harvey Milk is most widely known for fighting for equality, his career in public service began in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. That's why, this week, I urged the Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta and the Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus to name the next appropriate ship after Harvey Milk.
                “It is fitting that San Diego is helping to lead the efforts to recognize Milk's legacy. Harvey Milk was stationed in San Diego as a Naval Dive Instructor in 1954, and the city's LGBT population has played a significant role in advocating for equality. I will continue to work with the GLBT Historic Task Force of San Diego County to promote the legacy of our nation’s first openly gay elected official, Harvey Milk.
            “Throughout my career, I have been an advocate for advancing the rights of the LGBT community. In Congress, I was proud to support the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” In my campaign for Mayor, I am honored to have the support of Senator Christine Kehoe, San Diego’s first LGBT elected official, Assemblymember Toni Atkins, and the San Diego Democrats for Equality. To truly honor Harvey Milk, we must continue to push for equality for all Americans.”

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CALIFORNIA’S LORI SALDAÑA EARNS ENDORSEMENT FOR U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

From the Saldaña campaign:

CALIFORNIA’S LORI SALDAÑA EARNS ENDORSEMENT FOR U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES


Becomes First Candidate to Sign Statement Against Arming Dangerous People

Washington, D.C. - The Brady Campaign and its network of California Chapters today announced endorsement of Lori Saldaña for election to Congress in California’s 52nd Congressional District.  The primary will be held on June 5, 2012.

As a former California Assembly Member representing the San Diego Area, Ms. Saldaña repeatedly proved her commitment to strong gun laws and to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people by earning a 100% voting record with the Brady Campaign.

In 2010, she showed her leadership on public safety issues by authoring legislation to ban the carrying of openly displayed handguns in public.  “Lori Saldaña saw the threat to law enforcement officers and to communities across California from people openly carrying their handguns in coffee shops, restaurants and other public places,” said Dan Gross, President of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence.  “She stood up to the gun lobby and their dangerous vision of America.”

Ms. Saldaña also became the first California candidate to sign Brady’s Statement of Principle Against Arming Dangerous People.  The Statement was unveiled last week when 32 victims and survivors held a press conference on Capitol Hill urging Congress to take action to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people and to reject U.S. Senate bills that the Brady Campaign has dubbed the “George Zimmerman Armed Vigilante Acts”. 

The STATEMENT reads:

I believe that these people should not be able to buy, own or carry a gun anywhere in our nation:

∙         Convicted felons

∙         Convicted domestic abusers

∙         Terrorists

∙         People found to be dangerously mentally ill.


“We are thrilled to endorse Lori Saldaña and we think she’ll make a great Member of Congress,” said Dr. Dallas Stout, President of the California Brady Chapters.  “In the state legislature, she was a real champion on our issue. She stood up for our communities and for the victims and survivors of gun violence.”

Saldaña’s opponent, Rep. Brian Bilbray, repeatedly has voted in lock-step with the NRA and has earned an “A” rating from the group.  Last fall, over the strong objections of the California Police Chiefs Association, Rep. Bilbray co-sponsored and voted for HR 822, referred to by the Brady Campaign as the “George Zimmerman Armed Vigilante Act.”

If enacted, HR 822 would force states to let thousands of dangerous people like Trayvon Martin’s shooter, George Zimmerman, carry loaded, hidden handguns from Times Square to Topeka, from Maine to California. It would allow tens of thousands of concealed carry permit holders, including many with violent backgrounds similar to Zimmerman’s, to take their guns and their “shoot first, ask questions later” mentality just about anywhere they go.  Currently, California does not allow anyone from other states to carry loaded, hidden guns on California streets.

“Rep. Bilbray should be ashamed of himself for voting to nullify California’s strong gun laws and allow armed and dangerous people to carry guns in California communities,” said Gross.  “He should have listened to the police chiefs throughout his state.  Instead he chose to subscribe to the gun lobby’s dangerous and paranoid vision that you need to be armed to the teeth wherever you go.”

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The Brady Campaign is the nation’s largest citizen’s lobby to prevent gun violence. We represent the voice of the overwhelming majority of Americans who are tired of living with the constant tragedy of gun violence and are in favor of strong laws and policies that will save lives.  We are the light that exposes politicians who are putting the American people at risk, so the American people can hold them accountable for decisions and actions that undermine public safety.

We are driven by the focused vision of a nation where all Americans are safe at home, at work, at school, and in our communities.

Dan Gross is the President of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence and the Brady Center. A photo and more information about Dan Gross is available here.

For more insight on gun violence prevention, follow The Brady Blog, Facebook Page and Twitter Account.

Peters Calls for ‘Investing in America’ to Create Jobs, Boost the Economy

From the Peters campaign:

Watch video of Scott talking about jobs and the economy from this morning on KUSI here.

Peters Calls for ‘Investing in America’ to Create Jobs, Boost the Economy

San Diego, CA – Today, Scott Peters, candidate for the 52nd Congressional District, called for more national investment in infrastructure, education and scientific research as a way to create more jobs and boost the economy. He said his strategy for investing in America will be a top priority when he’s elected to Congress.

“What San Diegans, and all Americans, really care about is how they’re going to pay their own bills, and send their kids to college, and hopefully save enough for retirement,” he said. “Congress should be focused on keeping our economy moving in the right direction and creating the steady, good-paying jobs that support our middle class and enable working families to invest in their own futures.”

Peters said that in today’s faster, global, “brainpowered economy,” our economic future depends on making smart investments, and when he gets to Congress, they will be his priorities.


They include:

- Investing in our national infrastructure such as highways and bridges, making our power grid smarter and more efficient through broadband and wireless, and connecting our ports to the national highway and rail systems to increase trade;

- Investing in higher education grants and financial aid so every student that qualifies, and wants to go to college can afford it; and establishing our community colleges as job training and placement centers for those who choose a path  other than a four-year degree;

- Investing in scientific research by ensuring consistent and adequate funding for the National Institutes for Health, for example, which helps support much of work being done at the Salk, Scripps and the Burnham Institute and others here in San Diego.


Finally, Peters said that we must reform our tax code to help balance the nation’s budget so we can afford these important investments. For starters, he said, we should be incentivizing companies to build and expand here at home, rather than abroad. And we must stop subsidizing profitable oil companies.

“We have to end immediately subsidies to profitable corporations like the large oil companies who are making record profits,” Peters said. “That profitable oil companies are being subsidized by taxpayers, when middle class Americans are struggling, makes absolutely no sense” he said. “We do have to get on a road toward a balanced the budget, but we've got to do it the right way, and not on the backs of seniors and the middle-class.”

Peters is the only candidate in the race for the 52nd Congressional Distrct who has a proven track record as a bipartisan leader who can forge the consensus needed to get important job-creating, civic projects moving. He has credibility with the business community, labor leaders, and environmental advocates, who trust his consensus-building, problem-solving style. No other candidate in this race can make that claim.

As a member of the City Council, and as a Port Commissioner, Peters helped support and create tens of thousands of local jobs.  As a Councilmember and member of the Citizens Task Force, he helped create and implement the plan for Petco Park and the redevelopment of East Village which created 19,000 new jobs.  He jumpstarted the stalled construction of Highway 56 which created new construction jobs, revitalized the neighborhood of Bird Rock which sparked dozens of new businesses and hundreds of jobs, and more recently, fought to protect 3,500 manufacturing jobs at Solar Turbines.

Here is a link to Scott talking about these priorities on KUSI news this morning. For more information about Scott's campaign to get Congress working for us again, go to www.scottpeters.com.

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Mayor Sanders Needs to Release All Information Regarding the Sherman Heights Wal-Mart Project Permits and Campaign Contributions

From the Labor Council:

Mayor Sanders Needs to Release All Information Regarding the Sherman Heights Wal-Mart Project Permits and Campaign Contributions

SAN DIEGO - San Diego Labor Council Secretary-Treasurer Lorena Gonzalez and President Mickey Kasparian made the following joint statement in response to the Wal-Mart de Mexico permit scandal:

“In light of the Wal-Mart de Mexico permit scandal, we call today on the Mayor's office to release all documents, calendars, e-mails and staff directives related to approval of plans and permits for Wal-Mart's proposed store in Sherman Heights. Likewise, we call on Wal-Mart and the Mayor to release any and all communication, calendars, and phone logs related to Wal-Mart’s decision to donate to the Mayor’s pension reform ballot initiative.

“A review of public records finds that plans for the site's development were approved in August 2011 and made public August 26th, 2011.

“Campaign reports show that Wal-Mart made a $20,000 donation to the Comprehensive Pension Reform for San Diego campaign on August 19th, 2011. It is unclear what interest Wal-Mart has in public employee pension reform.

“Citizens of San Diego need to know what happened to prompt a major donation and plan approval so close together. Even the appearance of quid pro quo presents a major crisis of confidence for the city's and Wal-Mart’s leadership and must be addressed.”

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San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council
The San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council, AFL-CIO includes 134 affiliated labor groups in the region with a membership of more than 192,000 working families.  Founded in 1891, the Labor Council advocates for more jobs, better jobs and better lives for all of San Diego’s workers – union and non-union.
www.unionyes.org

SAN DIEGO CITY FIREFIGHTERS ENDORSE DAVE ROBERTS FOR THIRD DISTRICT COUNTY SUPERVISOR

From the Roberts Campaign:

SAN DIEGO CITY FIREFIGHTERS ENDORSE DAVE ROBERTS FOR THIRD DISTRICT COUNTY SUPERVISOR

(San Diego)  Seeking a candidate who is determined to strengthen the county's firefighting forces and compliment the city's forces, the San Diego City Firefighters today announced their endorsement of Dave Roberts for Third District County Supervisor.

The San Diego City Firefighters represent over 800 men and women who serve to protect the public from fire danger throughout the City of San Diego.

"Dave Roberts has made fire protection and the public's safety a top priority," said Frank De Clercq, President of the San Diego City Firefighters.  "We believe that Dave is the most qualified candidate in the race for Third District County Supervisor. He will be the best representative for the men and women who put their lives on the line every day."
 
"I will work hard to strengthen the county's firefighting capabilities," said Roberts.  "Firefighters are our first-responders and our first line of defense in the event of a wildfire. They need the manpower and the equipment to do their job.  I strongly support the men and women in firefighting who put their lives on the line every day to protect our local communities and our entire region."

Dave Roberts helped build a Fortune 500 company in San Diego, is a two-term councilmember and Deputy Mayor of the City of Solana Beach.  He has been a regional leader on the Del Mar/Encinitas/Rancho Santa Fe/Solana Beach Fire Consolidated Management Executive Committee, which has saved all four communities hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars and expanded service in all areas.

More than 110 bipartisan leaders and key organizations are supporting Roberts including, retiring incumbent Supervisor Pam Slater-Price, former Bush Administration Secretary of Veterans Affairs Lt. General Jim Peake (retired), former White House Physician Rear Admiral (retired) Connie Mariano, Wives of Disabled Veterans, the Pala Band of Mission Indians, the Sierra Club, the League of Conservation Voters and Friends of the San Dieguito River Valley, to name only a few.

For more information, visit his web site at www.DaveRobertsforSupervisor.com.

OB Rag: The Fletcher Flim Flam

Jim Miller at the OB Rag has the real story about Fletcher.

Click here for the OB Rag article.

Huseo delivers the Assembly Democrats' Weekly Address Honoring Earth Day

The English address is 1:52.
http://www.asmdc.org/audio/20120419RadioAddressHuesoEarthDayEnglish.MP3
The Spanish address is 2:40.
http://www.asmdc.org/audio/20120419RadioAddressHuesoEarthDaySpanish.MP3


Hello, this is Assemblyman Ben Hueso, member of the Assembly Committee on Water, Parks, and Wildlife.

This week our country and the rest of the world celebrates being environmentally conscious by honoring Earth Day.

The first Earth Day took place on April 22, 1970 when over 20 million Americans from all walks of life participated. It is widely credited with launching the modern environmental movement.

The first Earth Day led to the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of the landmark Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species Acts.

As a member of the State Assembly, quality of life issues such as neighborhood livability and protecting the environment are one of my top priorities. Before becoming an Assemblymember, I served on the California Coastal Commission, where I helped protect California's coastal resources and

I'm honored to represent communities along the coast of California and remain committed to strengthening cross-national relationships in order to protect our environment.
Pollution does not have borders. Our health depends on us facing this reality.
Long time anthropologist and conservationist Jane Goodall once said, "You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make."

In participating in Earth Day celebrations and spreading the knowledge of protecting our most precious natural resources, we take steps towards building a clean, healthy, diverse world for generations to come.

I encourage everyone to walk, bike and play outside to experience the beauty of California and the nature around us.

We must take this opportunity to celebrate Earth Day on April 22nd and recommit ourselves to the responsibility of being environmentally conscious for a better tomorrow for all people.

Again this is Assemblymember Ben Hueso.
Thank you for listening.

Chelsea’s Law: Saldana Supported the Concept, but Abstained because Fletcher Left Out the Funding

From the Saldaña campaign:

Chelsea’s Law: Saldana Supported the Concept, but Abstained because Fletcher Left Out the Funding

It’s wrong to give victims of sexual predators false hope

“I regret that Mr. Peters has decided to use such a painful issue for many families to score
political points” Saldaña said.

“While I have never lost a child, a member of my own family was a victim of sexual violence
and I have seen firsthand the long-term emotional and physical devastation brought by violent
sexual predators. My heart goes out to the family of Chelsea.”

“The animal who did this to Chelsea King will spend the rest of his life in jail - and rightfully
so,” Saldaña said

“As I said on the floor of the Assembly, I strongly supported the direction that Assemblyman
Fletcher was taking the bill. But, as I feared, the bill still has not been implemented because it
failed to identify a secure funding source. I wished it had been a better bill because I believe that
victims deserve the best, most effective policy-making."

“I didn’t vote against it because I strongly support the bill’s intent. But, in good conscience, I
couldn’t vote for it because I think it would have been wrong to give false hope to victims of
these violent sexual predators.”

Saldaña was joined by two of her female colleagues, Budget Chair Noreen Evans and Rules
Chair Nancy Skinner in abstaining from the bill.

http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/jan/15/a-renewed-call-to-action/

http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/jan/11/brent-kings-setback-in-governors-office/

More Bipartisan Leaders Endorse Dave Roberts for Supervisor

From the Roberts campaign:

More Bipartisan Leaders Endorse Dave Roberts for Supervisor

(San Diego, CA)  Two more North San Diego County Leaders, Escondido Councilwoman Olga Diaz and former Carlsbad Councilwoman Norine Sigafoose, today announced their endorsements of Dave Roberts for Third District County Supervisor.

Diaz and Sigafoose join a growing list of over 110 bipartisan leaders and key organizations that are supporting Dave Roberts for Supervisor.

"I have known Dave Roberts for some time and watched him work on local community issues to solve problems," said Councilwoman Diaz.  "Dave is a leader who pulls people together and seeks consensus solutions. I know that he is a family man and has the high moral ethics needed to serve on the San Diego County Board of Supervisors. Dave will be a friend to all residents of the City of Escondido when he is elected to the Third District seat."

"I am so happy to endorse you and really believe in you," said businesswoman and former Carlsbad Councilwoman Norine Sigafoose.  Sigafoose has served on North County Transit District Board of Directors and is the Past Chair of San Diego County's Consolidated Transportation Services Agency.

Roberts launched his campaign for Third District Supervisor on January 10, 2012, and the primary election is on June 5, 2012.

"When I launched my campaign for County Supervisor, I promised to work in a nonpartisan fashion for all parts of the Third District and the County to improve our region's quality of life," said Roberts upon announcing his next major endorsements. "Having the strong support of Councilwomen Diaz and Sigafoose is gratifying.  I have worked to support North San Diego County in bringing the Sprinter train to operation and through my community service work with Lions Clubs International.  And I work closely with former Councilwoman Sigafoose on public and private transportation alternatives for seniors, disabled, veterans and other residents."

For more information about Dave's campaign for the Board of Supervisors, visit his web site at www.DaveRobertsForSupervisor.com.

Peters Campaign Calls On Lori Saldaña to Explain Her Refusal to Support Stiffer Penalties for Violent Sexual Offenders

From the Peters campaign:

Peters Campaign Calls On Lori Saldaña to Explain Her Refusal to Support Stiffer Penalties for Violent Sexual Offenders

San Diego, CA – The Scott Peters for Congress campaign today called on candidate Lori Saldaña to explain to the voters why in 2010 she did not vote to protect our children from society’s worst predators: violent sexual offenders. Saldaña was the only San Diego legislator who twice failed to vote for Chelsea’s Law (AB 1844), which was introduced by Assemblymember Nathan Fletcher in 2010 following the brutal rapes and murders of San Diego teenagers Chelsea King and Amber Dubois. 

“Earlier this month, I had the chance to hear Brent King speak; he walked us through the day they lost Chelsea. As a dad, I can’t imagine the horror of losing a child this way,” Peters said. “Chelsea's Law puts the very worst offenders -- those who commit violent sex acts against children -- away for good. It's an incredibly important piece of legislation and it deserved everyone's support.” 

“How could someone not support a law to keep predators who commit violent sexual offenses against children off the streets?” asked Peters’ Campaign Manager Robert Dempsey. “This law was so needed, and so celebrated when it passed with overwhelming bipartisan support, that very few noticed that only one San Diego legislator, Lori Saldaña, didn’t see its value. The voters deserve to know why she turned her back on children, and on young women like Chelsea and Amber,” Dempsey said. 

Fletcher, who is running for Mayor, raised the issue at a speaking engagement last week before the Political Honors Society at Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU). While talking to students about the need for greater bipartisanship, Fletcher pointed to Chelsea’s Law, which was supported by Republicans and Democrats, but not Saldaña. By the time the bill reached its final reading, 55 Assemblymembers had signed on as co-authors including Democrats Marty Block and Mary Salas.

During his talk at PLNU, Fletcher said Chelsea’s Law was “an example of something where we had a problem that we had to solve. Not solving it was not an option, because young girls were dying.….But there are a lot of people in politics who….just want to play games…I’ll give you an example from here…The only San Diegan not to support our effort was Lori Saldaña.”

He went on to say that Saldaña, “didn’t have any constructive suggestions on how to make it better. She just said, well, I just want to be against it.” A video of his remarks can be viewed here.

Saldaña had the chance to support this important legislation twice, once in June 2010 during the Assembly passage of the measure, and again in August 2010. Both times she did not cast a vote.

“If Ms. Saldaña genuinely disagreed with the law, then she should have had the courage to cast a ‘no’ vote,” Dempsey said. “If she wanted to make it better, then she should have worked with Assemblymember Fletcher and Senator Leno and the other members who stood with the King family and worked around the clock to craft good legislation. But she didn’t; she took a walk, and turned her back on our kids. The voters need to hear why.”  

State Senator Mark Leno (D- San Francisco), who at the time chaired the State Senate Public Safety Committee, worked closely with Fletcher to craft the bi-partisan bill that was hailed as a “rare display of bipartisanship.”

Key elements of AB 1844 are:

• Increased prison sentences, including life without parole, for the worst offenders of violent, criminal acts against children, with terms varying depending upon the age of the victim.

• Increased parole terms for offenders who target children under the age of 14.

• Bans registered offenders from entering parks where children congregate without written permission from a parole officer, if the person is on parole, or from the chief administrative official of the park.

• Creates a system for assessing paroled sexual predators so those who pose the greatest risk of reoffending can be matched with the highest levels of supervision and surveillance.

For more information about Scott Peters for Congress, go to http://www.scottpeters.com.

BACKGROUND:

On June 3, 2010, when the measure came before the Assembly, Saldana did not vote on it. Later, in an interview with the San Diego Union Tribune, she claimed she did not vote on the measure so she could better influence the measure to help it overcome anticipated resistance in the Senate Public Safety Committee. Yet, no public record or transcript of Saldana testifying before the Public Safety Committee, or any other committee through which the bill traveled, can be located.

Then, on August 30, when the bill came back to the Assembly for a vote to concur with Senate amendments, Saldana claimed she did not vote for it back in June because she was concerned about the cost. On this day, she again failed to vote for the measure.

(The California Channel, “Assembly Floor Session 2/3,”08/30/2010, http://24.104.59.141/channel/viewvideo/1727)

(Unofficial Ballot, “AB 1844,” August 30, 2010, http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/09-10/bill/asm/ab_1801-1850/ab_1844_vote_20100830_0423PM_asm_floor.html)

Scott Peters’ tax stonewalling, water use shows Romney-esque disconnect

From the Saldaña campaign:

Scott Peters’ tax stonewalling, water use shows Romney-esque disconnect

SAN DIEGO - After weeks of scathing criticism over his failure to release his taxes to the public, Congressional Candidate Scott Peters is now facing renewed questions about his lack of understanding for plight of ordinary citizens and his dubious distinction as San Diego’s biggest water waster.

“Peters’ intransigence on releasing his taxes and his profligate use of scarce public resources indicates that Mr. Peters believes that the rules just don’t apply to him,” said Joe Kocurek, a spokesperson for Lori Saldaña, “And like Mitt Romney- he thinks he can just walk away from his own record.”

Peters used more than a million gallons of water in 2007 on his extensive landscaping in the midst of an 8-year drought, while simultaneously urging ordinary San Diegans to cut back on their water use.

Peters’ water-use was about eight times that of the average San Diegan, and is estimated to be the equivalent to taking a non-stop 7-month shower

“It’s outrageous to squander scarce public resources like water just because you can afford to, while calling on everybody else to sacrifice, ” the spokesperson said.

Peters, whose vast personal wealth is estimated in the hundreds of millions of dollars, has been dogged for months to release his tax returns to give the public a clear idea of what percentage of his income is paid in taxes. He has steadfastly refused to do so, leading to speculation that he – like Mitt Romney – pays a lower tax rate than most Americans.

“This fits a pattern of serial hypocrisy,” Kocurek said

“Apparently, Mr. Peters subscribes to the “Romney Doctrine”: Shared sacrifice for everyone - except the 1%."

Democratic candidate Lori Saldaña released her taxes on March 3, and challenged the other contenders for the 52nd Congressional District to do the same. So far, Saldaña is the only candidate to do so.

Lori Saldaña is the Democratic frontrunner in the race to unseat Republican Brian Bilbray in California's newly-drawn 52nd Congressional District, which includes the cities of San Diego, Poway and Coronado.

www.Lori4Congress.com

###

Debate set for 49th Congressional District

WIVES OF DISABLED VETERANS SUPPORT DAVE ROBERTS FOR THIRD DISTRICT SUPERVISOR

From the Roberts Campaign:

WIVES OF DISABLED VETERANS SUPPORT DAVE ROBERTS FOR THIRD DISTRICT SUPERVISOR

 
(San Diego) -Terry Cox, widow of Staff Sergeant Andrew A. Cox, U.S.A. retired and Edith Smith, widow of Lieutenant Colonel Vincent M. Smith, USMC retired, sent a unique testimonial letter to Dave Roberts, candidate for Third District County Supervisor.

In the letter, Cox and Smith tell the story of how Roberts as an aide over two decades ago had helped "plain ordinary citizens" weed through the government bureaucracy to get "real" help for their severely disabled veteran husbands who had lost medical benefits and needed assistance rectifying an inequity military families.

"Terry and I took our husbands' unjust situation direct to the U.S. Congress and met Dave," said Smith.  "He worked tirelessly with the Department of Defense and a bipartisan group of Members of Congress to obtain successful passage of legislation that helped thousands of military retirees.  Through the years we have remained friends and watched Dave continue to serve others in need."

The legislation Roberts worked on closed a loophole that forced 100 percent disabled military retirees under the age of 65 into the Medicare system - knocking them out of the military's earned healthcare benefit.  Roberts successfully helped pass legislation that allowed disabled retired military to keep their earned military medical benefits as a supplement to Medicare.

"Little things often make a difference in the lives of many," said Cox.  "We want the voters of San Diego to know that Dave's custom of listening to plain ordinary citizens and getting things accomplished in a nonpartisan way is good for all of us!"

Roberts has also been endorsed by former U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs under President George W. Bush, Lt. General James R. Peake (retired), U.S. Navy Surgeon General (retired) Harold Koenig, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs (retired) Edward D. Martin, and by incumbent Supervisor Pam Slater-Price who is retiring and crossed party lines to support Roberts.

Previously, Roberts served on the U.S. House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee staff and worked in the Pentagon.  Dave Roberts help build a Fortune 500 company in San Diego, is a two-term councilmember and Deputy Mayor of the City of Solana Beach.

For more information, visit his web site at www.DaveRobertsforSupervisor.com.

Ducheny endorsed by the California Teamster's Council

From the Ducheny campaign:

Former Sen. Denise Moreno Ducheny's campaign for CD 51 has announced an endorsement from the California Teamster's Council. Ducheny, a Democrat, served six years in the Assembly beginning in 1994 and eight years in the Senate beginning in 2002.

One Week Later, Saldaña Still Fails to Explain Luxury Junkets

From the Peters campaign:

One Week Later, Saldaña Still Fails to Explain Luxury Junkets

Details Still Lacking on $39K in Travel/Gifts from Special Interests

San Diego, CA – One week ago today, the Scott Peters for Congress campaign called on candidate Lori Saldaña to release her expense reports, receipts, itineraries, agendas, correspondence and all other information pertaining to the more than $39,000 in gifts and trips she received from well-funded special interests while serving as a member of the California State Legislature.

Her response last week was that despite staying in five-star accommodations and having her own personal wait staff, the trips were not at all luxurious because she spent one day visiting a swine farm.

“The only response Lori Saldaña provided last week was that she needed a luxury resort and personal butler funded by special interests in order to gain first-hand experience in the science of swine ‘methane recapture’,” said Peters Campaign Manager Robert Dempsey. “That answer hardly passes the smell test and Lori Saldaña needs to come clean about exactly how she spent her time – other than the swine farm – and why such opulent trappings were required on a fact-finding mission.”

Saldaña accepted the majority of the $39,000 in the form of lavish trips to exotic destinations. She traveled to places such as Vietnam, China and Chile where she stayed at posh hotels, enjoyed expensive meals and even had her own personal wait service during a stay in Argentina. These luxurious junkets were funded by oil, gas and utility companies such as Chevron, Pacific Gas and Electric, AT&T and Sempra Energy. All of these corporations wanted her support for legislation that affected their bottom lines. And, she voted in their favor, both before and after the opulent travel.

“Lori Saldaña should release all documentation related to these expenses and explain to the voters how this isn’t a blatant conflict of interest,” he added.

From 2005 through 2009, Saldaña reported receiving $22,058 in travel as gifts, including a 2006 trip to South America. During the trip she stayed at exclusive hotels such as the Copacabana Palace in Rio de Janeiro, and the five-star Ritz-Carlton in Santiago Chile. While staying at the spectacular Alvear Palace Hotel in Buenos Aires, she even had her own personal butler to attend to her.

The 2006 South America trip was paid for by an organization funded by Chevron, AT&T, Sempra Energy, Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), Comcast and Northern Star Natural Gas. She was joined on the trip by representatives from oil, gas and electricity companies and others.

####

Obama’s call for Romney to releases taxes echoes Saldaña’s challenge to Scott Peters, Brian Bilbray

From the Saldaña campaign:

 

Obama’s call for Romney to releases taxes echoes Saldaña’s challenge to Scott Peters, Brian Bilbray

“It’s time to come clean, gentlemen”

SAN DIEGO – Democratic frontrunner, Lori Saldaña’s said that President Obama’s call for Republican Mitt Romney to release his taxes echoes her own repeated challenge to Scott Peters and Brian Bilbray to make their tax public.

“I share with the President a respect for transparency when running for a public office,” Saldaña said. “And that transparency includes letting people know what percentage of our income we pay in taxes.”

“Elected office is a public trust,” she said. “The public deserves to know whether candidates – especially extremely wealthy ones - play by the same rules as everybody else.”

Saldaña challenged the contenders for the 52nd Congressional District to release their taxes on February 22nd. On March 3rd she released her own tax returns to the San Diego Union-Tribune for publication on their website.

Brian Bilbray has agreed to release his taxes, but has not yet to done so.

Scott Peters - whose vast personal wealth is speculated to match or even exceed Mitt Romney’s - has refused to make his taxes public.

But the April 17th deadline has made the issue especially salient in the minds of the voters.

“This is insulting to the public,” Saldaña said. “We are approaching two months since I challenged Bilbray and Peters to release their taxes,” she said. “It’s time to come clean, gentlemen, about what you make, how you make it, and what you pay in taxes.”

She noted that Peters, Bilbray and Romney know the public is outraged by special tax breaks enjoyed by the extremely wealthy, so she is not surprised that the candidates are playing elaborate games of evasion, hoping the public will forget about it.

“This year, the public is definitely not in the mood to forget about it,” she said.

"I shared my tax return weeks ago. Voters are asking me: When will my opponents do the same? What do they have to hide?"

"It's simple: I believe in transparency," Saldaña continued "When I talk with San Diegans and hear their stories, it's clear many are still struggling as the economy improves. By releasing my tax returns I want them to know: I get it. I hear you loud and clear. My family's a lot like your family."

###

Fire Fighters and Progressives Support Scott Peters for Congress!

From the Peters campaign:

San Diego, CA -- The momentum continues to build for the Scott Peters campaign. Late last week, Scott's campaign for the new 52nd Congressional District earned two more important endorsements: The San Diego City Fire Fighters and Progressive San Diego.

“We support Scott because of his steadfast commitment to public safety, and to the brave men and women who risk their lives to serve and protect -- he’s never let us down,” said Frank DeClercq, President, Local 145, International Association of Fire Fighters. “He has always been fair, tough and effective, and we know he’ll be an outstanding U.S. Representative.”

Peters was also endorsed last week by Progressive San Diego, a non-profit advocacy group that works “to create a more equitable and sustainable society in the San Diego region.” In an announcement of its endorsements, the organization said Scott earned their support because he is “guided by deeply held progressive values that will serve his constituency well on the issues he will have to confront on the federal level.”

“I am very grateful to the Fire Fighters and Progressive San Diego for their confidence in me,” said Peters.  “Support from organizations like these is what makes for great grassroots campaigning which is instrumental to our success. I thank both of these organizations; their support means a lot to me.”

Last week the campaign also earned the endorsement of the 60,000-member California Chapter of the Laborers’ International Union of North America (LiLUNA).

Go to this link to see a video about how Scott, as a City Councilman, worked with the community to repair Fire Station 13. And go to www.scottpeters.com for more information about Scott and his campaign to get Congress working again.

###

Nat’l New Democrat Coalition, CA Labor Federation Back Peters for Congress

From the Peters campaign:

Nat'l New Democrat Coalition, CA Labor Federation Back Peters for Congress

He’s the Only Candidate in CA52 With the Broad Support Needed to Beat Bilbray

San Diego, CA -- The national New Democrat Coalition, a group of 42 House members from across the United States, has endorsed Scott Peters in the race for the 52nd Congressional District, his campaign announced today. The coalition works to promote a “common-sense” Democratic agenda that focuses on job creation, education reform, and energizing the U.S. economy. Its California members are Susan Davis (CA-53), Karen Bass (CA-33), Laura Richardson (CA-37) and Loretta Sanchez (CA-47).

 “We are proud to endorse Scott in his bid for Congress,” said Rep. Joe Crowley, New Democrat Coalition Chair.  “Scott has a common-sense style of leadership and a proven record fostering economic growth and competitiveness. He is the perfect fit, and we look forward to welcoming him to Congress and the coalition in November."


Peters was also endorsed this week by the California Labor Federation which promotes and defends the interests of 2.1 million workers and their families. This statewide endorsement makes Peters the recommended candidate to the national AFL-CIO, and is based upon the recommendation of the San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council. Last week, Peters was also endorsed by Progressive San Diego, making Peters the only candidate in the race for the 52nd Congressional District with support from Democrats across the party spectrum, which is critical to winning this new swing district.

“Voters are tired of political extremists who make a lot of noise, but can’t build consensus and get things done,” said Peters. “That’s what they’d get by electing Brian Bilbray or the other Democrat in this race. Particularly during times of economic uncertainty, the voters are eager for reasonable, common-sense leaders who put jobs and people first and partisan politics last.”

The newly drawn 52nd Congressional District is a classic swing district - a third Republican, a third Democrat and a third other.  It supported candidate Obama by 12 percentage points in 2008, but also candidate Meg Whitman by eight points in 2010. It is impossible for any candidate to win this seat without broad-based support across party lines. Since he was the first Democrat elected to represent City Council District One, Peters has consistently drawn support from across the political spectrum. He is the only candidate in this race with meaningful support from progressives, moderates, labor, business and independent San Diegans who care more about results than pure party politics. 

For more information about Scott Peters for Congress, go to www.scottpeters.com.

####

San Diego City Firefighters IAFF Local 145 Endorses Sid Voorakkara for State Assembly

From the Voorakkara campaign:

San Diego, CA — Workforce program director Sid Voorakkara’s campaign for Assembly today rolled out an exclusive endorsement from the San Diego City Firefighters IAFF Local 145.

The San Diego City Firefighters IAFF Local 145 is the largest association of firefighters in Assembly District 79, representing over 800 city firefighters.

“Sid Voorakkara is the clear choice for State Assembly,” said Frank De Clercq, President, San Diego City Firefighters IAFF Local 145. “Sid understands the challenges our firefighters face everyday and is committed to the safety of our families and neighborhoods. He is an intelligent, common sense leader who has always put forth smart solutions and has a proven ability to bring people together to get results. Sid will be an outstanding member of the legislature and we are committed to supporting him in every way we can.”

Support from firefighters organizations is highly sought after. Winning an exclusive endorsement gives Voorakkara’s already surging campaign yet major jolt of momentum. In recent weeks, Voorakkara has enjoyed a series of major victories on the campaign trail. In late March, campaign finance reports, which are a key indicator of a campaign’s strength, showed Voorakkara in a commanding position over all opponents. Since then Voorakkara has announced major endorsements from the California Nurses Association, SEIU California State Council, and the California League of Conservation Voters. In addition, the campaign has marshaled an aggressive grassroots operation, having contacted over 7,000 voters in the district.

“I am honored to have earned the support of the San Diego City Firefighters,” said Sid Voorakkara. “The service they provide our community each and everyday is invaluable. In the State Assembly, I will fight tooth and nail to support these brave men and women and help them keep our families safe.”

Sid Voorakkara is running for the California State Assembly District 79.

####

Sid Voorakkara is a nonprofit director and workforce program manager with extensive experience in improving the quality of life for underserved individuals and communities by bringing people and organizations together to improve healthcare access, job training and employment opportunities. For almost seven years, Sid has worked for The California Endowment, a private, statewide health foundation that makes grants to organizations and institutions that directly benefit the health and well being of the people of California. Working closely with high schools within the 79th Assembly District, San Diego’s hospital and community clinic systems, and numerous immigrant and refugee organizations, Sid has improved healthcare access for San Diego’s most vulnerable citizens and provided opportunities for students to pursue high-growth, high- wage jobs. Sid created the San Diego Workforce Funders Collaborative, which leverages philanthropic resources with government and the private sector to get San Diegans the training they need for today’s job market.

Pala Band of Mission Indians Endorse Dave Roberts for Supervisor

From the Roberts Campaign:

(San Diego, CA)  Today, the Pala Band of Mission Indians has announced their endorsement of Third District County Supervisor candidate Dave Roberts.

"San Diego County needs elected officials like Dave Roberts who understand the importance of working with tribal communities in mutually beneficial ways," stated Tribal Chairman Robert Smith.  "We are pleased to offer him our endorsement as someone who will take the time and effort to listen to our issues and concerns."

The Pala Band of Mission Indians is located in northern San Diego County. The tribe is very active in charitable programs from the environment to education. Members live on a 12,273-acre reservation.

"I am very proud to receive the endorsement of the Pala Band of Mission Indians," said Dave Roberts.  "They are an extremely important part of our County's history, and I look forward to having the honor of working with them.

Roberts launched his campaign for Third District Supervisor on January 10, 2012, and the primary election is on June 5, 2012.

Dave Roberts is a two-term councilmember and Deputy Mayor of the City of Solana Beach. He is a past chairman of the San Dieguito River Valley Park Joint Powers Authority and helped lead the efforts to rebuild the park when over 60 percent was destroyed by the 2007 fires.  He has received the endorsement of the Sierra Club, the League of Conservation Voters and the Friends of the San Dieguito River Valley.

For more information about Dave's campaign for the Board of Supervisors, visit his web site at www.DaveRobertsForSupervisor.com.

Cal Labor Fed Endorsements

From Cal Labor Fed:

United States Representatives in Congress
49  Jerry Tetalman (D)
50  No Endorsement
51  Juan Vargas (D)
52  Scott Peters (D)
53  Susan Davis (D)

United States Senator
Dianne Feinstein (D)

California State Assembly  
73  No Endorsement
74  No Endorsement
75  No Endorsement
76  No Endorsement
77  Greg Laskaris (D)
78  Toni Atkins (D)
79 DUAL: Shirley Weber (D)/Sid Voorakarra (D)
80  Ben Hueso (D)

Newsom endorses C.A.S.E.

Earlier today, we announced our strong endorsement of the CASE Act -- because California needs to fight back against human trafficking and the sexual exploitation of women and children in our state.

Simply put, it’s time for California to do the right thing for our girls and women. It can be difficult to believe that slavery is going on right now in this state, but there is no denying that human trafficking is a reality. The CASE Act will help us protect our kids online, and give women who have survived being trafficked access to key services so they can have a second chance at life.

That’s why we are strongly endorsing the CASE Act -- it’s time to take a stand and say that we won’t tolerate the sexual exploitation of children by human traffickers. And you can play your part by adding your name to our efforts:

Please forward this email to five friends right now -- urge them to visit www.CASEAct.org so they can get involved and help us reach One Million Strong Against Human Trafficking!

In California, many vulnerable women and young girls are held against their will and forced to sell their bodies. The victims are often girls as young as 12 who are sexually exploited for the financial gain of human traffickers. They are afraid for their lives and abused – sexually, physically, and mentally.

We cannot allow women and children in California to be trafficked online or on our streets. The CASE Act will help prevent these horrific crimes by increasing penalties against human traffickers and online predators, and requiring convicted sex traffickers to register as sex offenders.

California must lead the nation in protecting women and children from the despicable criminal enterprise of human trafficking -- and by passing the CASE Act, we will.

Please help us spread the word about this vital initiative by forwarding this email to your friends today -- then share it on Facebook and Twitter!

Human trafficking is said to be one of the fastest growing criminal enterprises in the world -– and it is taking place right here in our own backyard. We can’t let this continue, which is why we strongly endorse the CASE Act and will be working for its passage this fall.

Thank you,
Gavin Newsom and Jennifer Siebel Newsom

San Diego Firefighters Endorse Mat Kostrinsky for City Council District 7

From the Kostrinsky campaign:

San Diego Firefighters Endorse Mat Kostrinsky for
City Council District 7

San Diego, CA – April 12, 2012 –Local firefighters have voted to endorse Mat Kostrinsky for San Diego’s 7th District City Council seat.

“We support Mat because he believes in making public safety a priority for the residents of the 7th District, a district that has been ravaged by two historic fires in the recent past,” said Frank De Clercq, president of San Diego City Firefighters Local 145, referring to the 2003 and 2007 wildfires that swept through the region.

The latest endorsement marks the third time in recent weeks that a public safety group has opted to back Kostrinsky in his bid to represent a redrawn district that includes Tierrasanta, Mission Valley, Linda Vista, Serra Mesa, Allied Gardens, Grantville, Del Cerro and San Carlos. San Diego police and lifeguards had earlier voted to endorse the candidate.

The firefighters union represents some 800 San Diego firefighters.

“Crime and public safety is a concern of everyone in every neighborhood, and I am committed to doing everything I can to ensure that San Diego has the best police and fire departments in the state,” Kostrinsky said.

Kostrinsky grew up in the San Diego communities of San Carlos and Del Cerro.  He attended Pershing Middle School, Patrick Henry High School and graduated from San Diego State University.  Mat and his wife, Jen, a family practice physician, are raising their two children in the same neighborhood where Mat grew up. For more information , visit www.Mat4CityCouncil.com.
The 7th District is currently represented by City Councilwoman Marti Emerald, who is running to represent the newly created 9th council district.

An Open Letter To Wal-Mart

From the Labor Council:

An Open Letter to Wal-Mart

Aaron Rios
Senior Manager for Public Affairs & Government Relations
Wal-Mart
aaron@walmartsandiego.com

To Wal-Mart:
Upon hearing of Wal-Mart’s plan to open a store in Logan Heights’ and Sherman Heights’ iconic Farmer’s Market building on Imperial Avenue between 21st and 22nd Streets, we as community; residents, non-profit organizations, faith, and labor leaders began the process of soliciting the community's input on the proposed store. As part of that process, we have compiled a list of priorities for prospective business partners.

On March 29th, we met with Wal-Mart and its consultant to deliver the community’s expectations. We specifically asked that these commitments be addressed in a legally binding community benefits agreement.

The community’s list of priorities includes local hire, affordable health benefits, traffic mitigation, safety improvements, and investment in community programs. All of the issues included are considered vital commitments to meeting the needs of local residents and important for any large retailer interested in being a partner in the success of our community. We believe that the only way to truly commit to those priorities is with a legally binding agreement with the community.

Wal-Mart has asked us to be given until April 12th to review this request and provide a response to community leaders. Wal-Mart’s history does not suggest it is willing to partner with communities in this fashion, but we remain steadfast in our belief that if Wal-Mart is serious about its promises to this community, there should be no problem with making those promises legally enforceable. We look forward to Wal-Mart’s response and to working together on an agreement that makes the community a full and equal partner in their new Sherman Heights store.

Wal-Mart’s ultimate decision this week will guide us going forward. This is a community that deserves real business partners and the respect that comes with a legally binding agreement. We'll help this community stand up for what we deserve. It's now up to Wal-Mart to choose to be that partner.

Signed,
Casa de Vecinos De Organizados
Center on Policy Initiatives (CPI)
Empower San Diego
Environmental Health Coalition (EHC)
Father Robert Fambrini, Pastor, Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Logan Heights
Historic Barrio District CDC
Ironworkers Union, Local 229
Justice Overcoming Boundaries (JOB)
Laborers Union, Local 89
Logan Heights Neighborhood Council
Occupyrcorner San Diego
Raza Rights Coalition
San Diego Labor Council
Save Our Barrios Committee
Sherman Heights Community Center
Sherman Heights Neighborhood Council
Unión del Barrio
United Domestic Workers
United Food and Commercial Workers, Local 135
United Service Workers West
UNITE-HERE, Local 30

###
San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council
The San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council, AFL-CIO represents more than 192,000 union workers in the region and advocates for an economy with more jobs, better jobs and better lives for all workers in the region - union and non-union.
www.unionyes.org

Good morning

From the internet today:

SEIU California State Council Endorses Sid Voorakkara for State Assembly District 79

From the Voorakkara campaign:

SEIU California State Council Endorses Sid Voorakkara for State Assembly District 79

Voorakkara’s campaign continues to build major momentum with yet another endorsement from a major statewide labor organization

San Diego, CA – Days after campaign finance reports showed Sid Voorakkara with a sizable cash-on-hand and fundraising advantage over his opponents, his campaign today announced winning an endorsement from the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) California State Council.

The SEIU California State Council represents over 700,000 social workers, nurses, classroom aides, state workers, security officers, home care workers, janitors, and other workers throughout California

The endorsement from SEIU California State Council adds to the growing momentum behind Voorakkara’s campaign.  In recent weeks he secured an exclusive endorsement from the California Nurses Association.  In addition, campaign finance reports filed with the Secretary of State last week showed Voorakkara with a strong cash-on-hand lead, a key indicator of the strength and viability of his campaign going into the final two months before the June primary election.

 “I am honored to have the support of such a distinguished organization,” said Sid Voorakkara. “SEIU has been a strong voice for workers in the face of serious political opposition. Protecting our workers health and retirements is vital to getting California back on the path to economic strength. I look forward to working closely with the SEIU to put worker’s needs back on the table in the State Legislature.”

SEIU California State Council now joins the California Nurses Association, the California API Legislative Caucus, State Board of Equalization Member Betty Yee, Assemblymember Bob Wieckowski, Assemblymember Mike Eng, Senate Majority Leader Ellen Corbett, Senator Jim Beall, Jr., and dozens of local elected leaders in backing Voorakkara’s campaign.

Sid Voorakkara is running for the California State Assembly District 79.  

####

Sid Voorakkara is a nonprofit director and workforce program manager with extensive experience in improving the quality of life for underserved individuals and communities by bringing people and organizations together to improve healthcare access, job training and employment opportunities. For almost seven years, Sid has worked for The California Endowment, a private, statewide health foundation that makes grants to organizations and institutions that directly benefit the health and well being of the people of California.  Working closely with high schools within the 79th Assembly District, San Diego’s hospital and community clinic systems, and numerous immigrant and refugee organizations, Sid has improved healthcare access for San Diego’s most vulnerable citizens and provided opportunities for students to pursue high-growth, high-wage jobs. Sid created the San Diego Workforce Funders Collaborative, which leverages philanthropic resources with government and the private sector to get San Diegans the training they need for today’s job market.

A desperate Scott Peters, trying to divert attention from his refusal to release his taxes, attacks Saldaña

From the Saldaña campaign:

Behind in the polls and struggling to jumpstart his floundering Congressional campaign, Scott Peters tried to divert attention from his refusal to release his taxes with an attack on former Speaker Pro Tem Lori Saldana.

The attack, based upon old newspaper articles, criticized Saldana's support for labor and consumer-backed legislation, claiming she supported "special interests."
“Everything cited in the Peters’ press release has been public for years. Yet Mr. Peters doesn’t believe in applying transparency to himself,” Joe Kocurek, a Saldaña spokesperson, said.

"This is a smear by a candidate who is losing the campaign and who is facing a growing chorus of public criticism for refusing to subject his tax returns to public scrutiny," he said. “Just this week, President Obama signed a bill to ban insider trading by members of Congress.

“The public has the right to know what Mr. Peters’ sources of income are; what tax breaks and loopholes he has utilized; and how much tax he pays,” he said.
Several weeks ago, Ms. Saldana made her tax returns public and asked the other candidates in the race to do the same.

“Congressman Bilbray has responded to former Speaker Pro Tem Saldana’s challenge to release his taxes," Kocurek stated. "Even Mr. Peters’ La Jolla neighbor, Mitt Romney, released his taxes.”

Peters attack on Saldana cited two trips she took. "No taxpayer dollars were ever used by Ms. Saldana on her trade missions," Kocurek said."Their purpose was to help expand and grow California’s economy. This is in stark contrast to the $660,000 in taxpayer money Mr. Peters spent on legal fees when he was found grossly negligent by the SEC for mismanaging the city of San Diego’s budget.”

On one mission, Ms. Saldana, a co-author of California's landmark Greehouse Gas Reduction Act, visited a rural swine farm in Brazil in order to examine the latest technology for creating methane gas as an alternative fuel.

The spokesman said that Ms. Saldana is proud of her 100% Sierra Club record and her support for consumer-backed bills, including the two cited by Mr. Peters.
One bill to expand public access to broadband internet to low-income familes, was supported by the California Labor Federation and the American Heart Association and passed the Assembly unanimously, 77-0.

 The second bill, to target green energy efforts on low income rental units, was supported by the Western Center for Law and Poverty, the consumer group TURN, and passed the Assembly.

"Mr. Peters’ press release is filled with factual inaccuracies and mischaracterizations." Kocurek stated.

“The candidate who is behind in the polls is always the first to attack,” he said.

###

Peters Campaign Calls on Saldaña to Explain $39,000 in Gifts/Trips from Special Interests

From the Peters campaign:

San Diego, CA – Today the Scott Peters for Congress campaign called on candidate Lori Saldaña to release her expense reports, receipts, itineraries, agendas, correspondence and all other information pertaining to the more than $39,000 in gifts and trips she received from well-funded special interests from 2005-2009 while serving as a member of the California State Legislature.

Saldaña accepted the majority of the $39,000 in the form of lavish trips to exotic destinations. She traveled to places such as Vietnam, China, Venezuela and Chile where she stayed at posh hotels, enjoyed expensive meals and even had her own personal wait service during a stay in Argentina.  These luxurious junkets were funded by oil, gas and utility companies such as Chevron, Pacific Gas and Electric, AT&T and Sempra Energy.  All of these corporations wanted her support for legislation that affected their bottom lines. And, she voted in their favor, both before and after the opulent travel.

“Lori Saldaña accepted luxurious junkets funded by big corporations who had legislation before her that affected their bottom line. She accepted the trips and the corporations received the support from her they were seeking,” said Peters’ Campaign Manager Robert Dempsey.

 “If Lori Saldaña is for transparency, as she claims, she should release all documentation related to these expenses and explain to the voters how this isn’t a blatant conflict of interest,” he added. “The taxpayers deserve to know where she went, who went with her, who paid her way and what they got in return for their generosity.”

From 2005 through 2009, Saldaña reported receiving $22,058 in travel as gifts, including a 2006 trip to South America. During the trip she stayed at exclusive hotels such as the Copacabana Palace in Rio de Janeiro, and the five-star Ritz-Carlton in Santiago Chile. While staying at the spectacular Alvear Palace Hotel in Buenos Aires, she even had her own personal butler to attend to her.

 The 2006 South America trip was paid for by an organization funded by Chevron, AT&T, Sempra Energy, Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), Comcast and Northern Star Natural Gas. She was joined on the trip by representatives from oil, gas and electricity companies and others.

“Why would any legitimate fact-finding trip require such luxurious accommodations and a private butler?” questioned Dempsey. “Compare Saldaña’s record on this to Scott Peters who was recently highlighted in a U-T San Diego article because he pays all his own travel and meal expenses at the Port. The voters want a representative who isn’t beholden to special interests bearing gifts.”

Saldaña’s fondness for expensive gifts from special interests caught the attention of the Fair Political Practices Commission in 2010 when it fined her for failing to report meals, as required by law. They included meals paid for by the California Manufacturers and Technology Association, the Pechanga Band of Indians, and a $110.00 lunch from Bank of America. There was no record that these expenses ever were reimbursed.

 
BACKGROUND:
In August 2006, Saldaña voted for AB 2987 which allowed telephone companies to compete and offer cable television services without signing cable franchise agreements for the cities or counties in which they operated.  News accounts reported that AT&T was in support of the bill. The City of San Diego registered its opposition to this bill. In a June 19, 2006 vote the San Diego City Council unanimously passed a resolution urging the state to amend the bill.


In June 2009, Saldaña voted for AB 413, which would have eliminated rate freezes for residential customers of electric utilities, a bill supported by PG&E, Sempra Energy and Southern California Edison.  The bill would have lifted some measures enacted in 2001 during the state’s energy crisis that capped and restricted the energy rates paid by customers.  The bill later died in the Senate Rules Committee.

###

Lightner supports Proposition B or the DeMaio/Dumanis/Fletcher “Comprehensive Pension Reform” (CPR) Measure

All quotes from the SDUT

A little more than a month ago, Lightner’s prime opponent in the race, Republican Ray Ellis, sent out a campaign mailer saying he was the only District 1 candidate in support of the measure, an assumption Lightner said was wrong.

Though the pension reform measure has been in the local political spotlight for six months, Lightner had yet to publicly state her position on it until talking to a reporter on Tuesday.


This sounds like a decision made on the fly. Lightner has had more than enough time to consider the issue and concluding that supporting the measure now would be a good thing for the campaign only serves to baffle the activist base and her supporters.


“I am in support of it, but the devil is in the details,” she said. “It means continuing to work with our employees closely.”


So she supports the idea but is not offering any solutions. The timing of her statement appears opportunistic. It looks like she’s grasping at the caboose of the Prop B train hoping to ride the rails through to the run off.

Unfortunately, joining the chorus of  “me too” this late in the game does not gain you supporters but it does attract derision.

Great editorial by Alex Kreit & Howard Wayne in today's Union-Tribune

Justice delayed is justice denied:

SDUT Editorial: Crisis in the Courts

Stonewalling on Taxes by Scott Peters and Brian Bilbray Feeds Public Suspicions, Saldaña says

From the Saldaña campaign:

Stonewalling on Taxes by Scott Peters and Brian Bilbray Feeds Public Suspicions, Saldaña says

“What are they hiding?”

SAN DIEGO – A month after she released her taxes to the public, Democratic frontrunner Lori Saldaña said that the stonewalling by the other candidates for the 52nd Congressional District is fueling public suspicions about what they are hiding.

“This year, people are angry and demand to know whether candidates have enjoyed tax breaks that are not available to the average middle-class voter,” Saldaña said. “The public rightfully believe that, if elected, they will perpetuate these tax policies at the expense of the middle class.”

“Do Mr. Bilbray and Mr. Peters pay a lower tax rate than a teacher, a machinist or a barista? Are they hiding funds tax free in the Cayman islands?”

“Voters need to know that the Buffet Rule applies to the people they elect to Congress,” Saldaña said.

Saldaña released her taxes to the San Diego Union Tribune on March 3rd and challenged the other candidates to do the same.

The leading Republican contender, Brian Bilbray, originally agreed to release his returns, but so far has not done so.

Scott Peters, - whose vast personal wealth is estimated in the hundreds of millions of dollars - has refused repeated calls to make his tax returns public.

Saldaña noted parallels between Peters’ intransigence and multimillionaire Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney who, when he finally released his taxes, was found to only pay l3.9 percent of his income in taxes, a lower tax rate than most middle-income Americans.

"It's simple: I believe in transparency," Saldaña stated. "When I talk with San Diegans and hear their stories, it's clear many are still struggling even as the economy improves. By releasing my tax returns I want them to know: I get it. I hear you loud and clear. My family's a lot like your family."

"If they have nothing to hide, Mr. Bilbray and Mr. Peters should release their taxes and put the public's suspicions to rest," she said.

Saldaña is leading the other challengers to unseat the long-term Republican Congressman Brian Bilbray in the new-drawn 52nd District, which includes La Jolla, Poway, Mira Mesa, Clairemont, Pacific Beach, Point Loma, Downtown San Diego and Coronado.

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