California Labor Federation Announces Endorsements for General Election

Defeating Prop 32 Identified as a Top Priority This Fall

San Francisco -- The California Labor Federation, representing 2.1 million union workers, today announced endorsements for all statewide ballot measures as well as State Assembly, Senate and congressional races for the November general election at its 2012 Biennial Convention.

Defeating Prop 32 was identified by delegates as a top priority this election year. Prop 32 is an unbalanced measure that would prevent workers from having a collective voice in politics while exempting wealthy individuals and many corporations from its provisions. The measure has been widely condemned as an effort to disguise an attack on unions under a phony veneer of reform.

“Prop 32 isn’t at all what it seems. It’s nothing more than a deceptive attack on workers funded by corporate special interests and billionaires,” said California Labor Federation Executive Secretary-Treasurer Art Pulaski. “This measure won’t solve Sacramento’s problems. By rigging the system to benefit the very wealthy and corporate CEOs, Prop 32 would actually weaken our democracy and threaten middle class priorities. Once voters learn the truth, they’ll reject this cynical attempt to give more power to the already powerful.”

In addition to opposing Prop 32, delegates also expressed strong support for Prop 30, the governor’s initiative to protect schools and public safety from additional budget cuts.

“Budget cuts are shredding the California Dream,” Pulaski said. “Funding our schools and public safety is essential to rebuilding California and creating a healthier economy for the future. Prop 30 is vital to getting California back on track.”

Other proposition endorsements were as follows:

Prop 30 - Yes

Prop 31 - No

Prop 32 - No

Prop 33 – No

Prop 34 – Yes

Prop 35 – Yes

Prop 36 – Yes

Prop 37 – Yes

Prop 38 – No

Prop 39 – Referred to the Labor Federation Executive Council for final action

Prop 40 – Yes 



The California Labor Federation unveiled its grassroots election plan at the convention. The campaign relies heavily on union volunteers to communicate with millions of voters across the state about the stakes in this election. The Labor Federation and affiliate unions will mobilize an army of more than 40,000 volunteers this summer and fall, which will contact voters at worksites, on the phone, at the door and online.

Endorsements are determined through a democratic process by which delegates to the California Labor Federation representing both public- and private-sector unions vote to support candidates and ballot measures.

For a full list of endorsements on candidate races, click here.

On Tuesday, delegates elected top leaders to the Labor Federation. Executive Secretary-Treasurer Art Pulaski was re-elected to a four-year term. Pulaski has headed the Federation since 1996. Connie Leyva was re-elected as President. Delegates also elected the 46 members of the California Labor Federation Executive Council.

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DAVE ROBERTS CHALLENGES STEVE DANON TO A SERIES OF DEBATES IN COUNTY SUPERVISOR RACE

Escondido, CA – Solana Beach Deputy Mayor Dave Roberts, candidate for the San Diego County Board of Supervisors in the Third District, today challenged congressional aide Steve Danon, his opponent in the November 6th election, to a series of community debates throughout the District.

“I believe it’s important to the voters and healthy for our democracy, to provide public forums and face-to-face community debates where the public can hear from both candidates for Third District County Supervisor in the November 6th election.  By participating in joint debates, we will provide voters an opportunity to make an informed choice, compare our records, examine our views on reforming county government, and hear our vision for the future of San Diego County,” Roberts said.

This is a historic election.  For the first time in 18 years, voters will elect a new member to the San Diego County Board of Supervisors.  Supervisor Pam Slater-Price is not running for re-election which provides voters an opportunity to elect a new County Supervisor.  As County residents consider the differences between Dave Roberts and Steve Danon’s candidacies and look at the key issues that are important to them, they will be able to decide at these debates which candidate best represents their values and vision for the future.

"I challenge Steve Danon to a series of community debates throughout the District where we can talk about real reform of county government.  Reforms, such as pensions, open space, and protecting our neighborhoods from power plants and over-development,” Roberts said.

The voters in the Third District have a clear choice in this upcoming election between Danon, a government employee and partisan political aide, and Dave Roberts who has both extensive Fortune 500 and small business experience, and a proven track record of successful public service.

I have asked for a series of debates on these key issues,” said Roberts.  “I invite Steve Danon to join me in a series of community debates before recognized groups such as the Chambers of Commerce, League of Women Voters, Sierra Club, Democratic and Republican party organizations, Planned Parenthood, and the local press to discuss both real County reforms and how we can best improve our quality of life.”

Supervisor Pam Slater-Price has endorsed Dave Roberts for supervisor, calling Roberts “an independent, bi-partisan leader with a solid record of reforming pensions and providing environmental leadership.” Slater-Price said, “Dave Roberts is honest, caring, and someone we can trust.”

Roberts has worked on issues that improve the quality of life for the residents of the Northern San Diego County region and his home town of Solana Beach where he has served for the past eight years as a councilman, Deputy Mayor, Mayor, and county-wide leader.

During the primary campaign, Roberts and Danon were the top two finishers, of five candidates.  Both will now compete head-to-head for the supervisorial position on November 6.

Roberts’ campaign manager Gary Gartner said that dates, venues and moderators should be discussed and mutually agreed upon by both campaigns.

Please see attached letter dated July 23, 2012, from Roberts challenging Danon to a series of debates throughout the Third District.

For more information regarding Dave Roberts for County Supervisor, please visit his website at www.DaveRobertsforSupervisor.com.

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United Taxi Workers joins San Diego Labor Council

 

United Taxi Workers is Labor Council's first non-union affiliate

 

SAN DIEGO - The San Diego Labor Council is excited to announce the affiliation of United Taxi Workers of San Diego as the council's first non-union affiliate.

Under current California law, taxi drivers are termed “independent contractors,” which means they are technically not employees and don’t have the right to collectively bargain. As a result, drivers do not benefit from labor laws protecting mandatory lunch periods, breaks, minimum wage and limited shifts. They often face 12 hour shifts and uncapped lease fees, lack health insurance, and face retaliation in their efforts to improve safety conditions.

But today, for the first time in San Diego, taxi workers have formed a Worker Center and successfully affiliated with the AFL-CIO and San Diego Labor Council. It provides taxi workers with needed support as they work with elected officials on policies that support drivers and helps continue to shine a light on the many industry and owner-specific abuses afflicting the San Diego taxi industry.

"As the economy evolves, labor will continue to adapt to meet the needs of all workers," said Lorena Gonzalez, Secretary-Treasurer of the San Diego Labor Council. "We're excited to welcome taxi workers as the Labor Council’s first non-union workers and the latest advocates for more jobs, better jobs, and better lives for all workers, both union and non-union."

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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

Donna Frye Endorses Scott Peters for Congress

 

San Diego – The Scott Peters for Congress campaign today announced that former San Diego City Councilmember Donna Frye has endorsed Peters in his bid for the new 52nd Congressional District. Peters is running to unseat 12-year- incumbent Rep. Brian Bilbray in the November General Election.

“Compare Scott Peters’ record to Brian Bilbray’s and there is no question Scott is by far the better candidate to send to Washington,” Frye said. “Scott will fight for equality, to protect our environment, and will work across party lines to get things done for us. That’s his record, and it is clearly not Brian’s,” she added.

Frye and Peters served together on the City Council from 2000-2008 where they worked together on many shared priorities, including reducing sewer spills on San Diego’s beaches, forming the City’s first Ethics Commission, and water recycling to help ensure a more reliable water supply.

"I first started working with Scott in the late ‘90s. We were working to get clean water legislation passed statewide, while Brian was in Congress voting against almost every piece of environmental legislation we supported,” said Frye. “Plus, you get to know a person pretty well working together on the 10ththfloor at City Hall, which is why I am endorsing him. I consider Scott a friend and I’m glad he’s willing to take on this tough fight ”

Peters said he is pleased and proud to have Frye’s support, and that her endorsement will mean a lot in this campaign.

“The voters know Donna is fiercely independent, will always speak her mind and give it to them straight,” he said. “The voters trust her so her endorsement is a tremendous help.”

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June 5th election certified

 

Secretary of State Debra Bowen has announced certifying results from the June 5 primary.


She reports 5,328,296 registered voters, or 31.1% of those eligible, cast ballots. That turnout came close to the 28.2% record low for a statewide election set in June of 2008. Ballots cast by mail, however, set a record high at 65% of the total vote.

The previous vote-by-mail highwater mark of 62% came in the special election of May 2009. Sierra, Alpine and Amador Counties had the highest voter turnouts with 59.2%, 58.6% and 57.1% respectively. Bowen notes that Sierra and Alpine are the only counties in the state conducting elections entirely by mail.

The lowest turnout counties were Los Angeles (21.8%), San Bernardino (23.7%) and Orange (26.5%).

Bowen says more county-by-county data and the entire collection of certified results may be found on her website here.

San Diego Labor Council asks Comic-Con attendees to “Thank a Superhero Worker”

 

SAN DIEGO - As San Diego welcomes more than 100,000 people to Comic-Con 2012, the Labor Council is asking attendees to remember to thank the superhero workers that are making sure that everything runs smoothly and everyone has a great time in San Diego.

Too often it's easy to overlook all the hard work that goes on to put on an event this large. That's why representatives will be out distributing ‘Thank a Superhero Worker’ stickers, sharing photos and reactions, and making sure that the small army that makes Comic-Con go isn't overlooked during all the celebration.

That includes the San Diego Convention Center decorators, electricians, stagehands, banquet servers, hotel workers, janitors, parking lot attendants and more who keep the show running.

It also means all the workers outside the Convention Center, like the restaurant workers, taxi cab drivers, pedicab operators, and valets that make sure the fun and the benefits of Comic-Con spread throughout San Diego. They're all ambassadors for our city, and they do an amazing job year after year making Comic-Con a wonderful experience for everyone.

"We're always excited to welcome the tens of thousands of Comic-Con attendees to San Diego," said Lorena Gonzalez, Secretary-Treasurer of the San Diego Labor Council. "This year, we also want to highlight all the workers that do so much to bring everyone such a great event. Work connects us all, and these workers deserve thanks for all their hard work to make Comic-Con possible."

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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

“Betting On California” tour comes to San Diego, Focuses on Young Voters

 

California State Senator Christine Kehoe, California 52nd District U.S. Congressional candidate Scott Peters, San Diego Labor Council Secretary-Treasurer/CEO Lorena Gonzalez, and youth leader Cpl. Will Rodriguez-Kennedy gather for a press conference on youth and LGBT issues and the economy.

SAN DIEGO – TOMORROW, labor leader Lorena Gonzalez, youth leader Cpl. Will Rodriguez-Kennedy, state senator Christine Kehoe, and congressional candidate Scott Peters will speak at a press conference that will focus on issues that are relevant to young Americans and middle out economics.
  
WHO:   
Scott Peters, US Congressional Candidate, Port of San Diego Commissioner
Lorena Gonzalez, San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council
Cpl. Will Rodriguez-Kennedy, Local Youth Leader
Christine Kehoe, California State Senator – 39th District                                     

WHEN:           
TOMORROW, Wednesday, July 11, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. PDT            

WHAT:           
Youth Issues and Middle Out Economics Press Conference       

WHERE:         
LGBT Weekly - Conference Room
1850 Fifth AvenueSan Diego, CA 92101

Last week, President Obama visited key states on his “Betting on America” tour and highlighted his vision of an economy that will grow from the middle class and out. Now California’s Obama for America team, along with mayors, city council members, and state legislators will host a two week “Betting on California” press tour throughout the state to illustrate how the administration’s policies are creating an American economy that is built to last and helping everyday Californians.

Speakers will highlight President Obama’s commitment to the next generation of voters. The President is committed to ensuring that young adults have a fair shot at the opportunities their parents had - good jobs, good benefits and the chance to own a home. He also understands that to create the jobs of the future, we need to out-innovate and out-build our global competitors in cutting-edge industries like clean energy and technology.  And that starts with out-educating the world by ensuring that every American has access to good schools and an affordable college education.  

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Statement from Scott Peters Regarding Lori Saldaña’s endorsement

 

San Diego - This afternoon, candidate Scott Peters, who is running against Rep. Brian Bilbray in the new 52nd Congressional District, issued the following statement regarding the endorsement of his Democratic opponent in the primary election:

“I thank Ms. Saldaña for the endorsement and well wishes she issued on Friday. Her support is very much appreciated and needed as we take on the bigger fight ahead against entrenched incumbent Brian Bilbray.

"Mr. Bilbray has spent 17 years working within the Beltway – so long he’s forgotten that the people who need government to work the most are the working families, seniors and veterans who make up the middle class, not the high-powered corporate special interests whose priorities he’s put ahead of theirs.

"I again congratulate Ms. Saldaña on running a tough campaign, and I look forward to working on the priorities we share.”

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National Human Rights Campaign Backs Peters for Congress

 

San Diego –The Scott Peters for Congress campaign proudly announces today that the national Human Rights Campaign (HRC) has endorsed Peters in the race for the 52nd Congressional District against long-time House member Brian Bilbray.

 “Scott Peters has spent his career fighting for equality,” said HRC Vice President of Programs David Smith.  “Scott is a proven leader and will be an amazing advocate for all families in the Halls of Congress.”

The Washington, D.C.-based Human Rights Campaign (HRC) is the largest organization in America dedicated to fighting for equality for people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered.

“Scott Peters has been a vocal ally of the LGBT community, including leading the San Diego City Council in its support of marriage equality,” said Joel Trambley, co-chair, Human Rights Campaign San Diego.

“HRC’s local leaders are excited to help him defeat an incumbent who has a proven anti-LGBT record with a string of zero percent ratings on HRC’s Congressional Scorecard for six years. Scott Peters' victory will not only mean another Congressional ally but also will be a critical part of returning a fair-minded majority to the House of Representatives," said Trambley.

Founded in 1980, the HRC’s mission is to advocate for the LGBT community—working to end discrimination, elect fair-minded representatives, and fight for equal rights in the workplace.

Their endorsement is the latest impressive endorsement Peters has secured in this race, including the support of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which recently selected Peters’ campaign for the highly competitive ‘Red-to-Blue’ program.

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

Community Condemns Attempted Repeal of Living Wage Ordinance

 

Thursday, July 5

10:00 a.m.

Outside the San Diego Convention Center (South End)
One Park Boulevard at Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92101

After hoteliers orchestrate takeover at the San Diego Convention Center, troubling signs that city law and workers’ livelihoods may be threatened.

WHAT:           
A press conference where labor and economic leaders will explain concerns over discovery that the San Diego Convention and Visitors Bureau (ConVis) has explored the possibility of exempting Convention Center workers from San Diego's living wage ordinance. Thousands of San Diegans rely on the living wage and must know that the city's leaders remain 100% committed to upholding the rule.

EVENT:          
Speakers will condemn an attempt to create an exemption to San Diego's living wage ordinance through a new sales and marketing agreement between the San Diego Convention Center Corporation and San Diego Convention and Visitors Bureau. They will outline the absolute necessity of San Diego's living wage laws and call on our leaders to not only adhere to the law, but never treat the rule or the principle as negotiable. The topic sets a troubling tone as ConVis begins to take over Convention Center bookings on behalf of hoteliers who have already tested the limits of the law more than enough.

WHO:              
Lorena Gonzalez, Secretary-Treasurer/CEO, San Diego Labor Council
Clare Crawford, Executive Director, Center on Policy Initiatives
Dion Davila, Food Service Worker, San Diego Convention Center. 

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Statement from Scott Peters on the 48th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act

 

San Diego – Today, on the 48th Anniversary, of the Civil Rights Act, Scott Peters, candidate for the 52nd Congressional District, released the following statement:

“During this campaign, I’ve talked a lot about my dad, Harvey Peters. I’m thinking about him today as our nation celebrates the 48th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act, which outlawed discrimination on the basis of race and gender. It was an historic piece of legislation, but the work didn’t stop there; my dad helped continue the fight as a minister and civil rights leader who fought against housing desegregation in the Detroit suburbs in the late 1960s.

“From his work, he became friends with Martin Luther King, Sr., and they preached at each others' churches to encourage tolerance and unity.  He taught me and my sisters that civil rights and equality for all are paramount – there is no room for compromise. It is up to all of us to stand up for the rights of others. These are the values that drive my commitment to public service.

“Today, I honor all the men and women who fought, and even died, fighting for these protections for all.”

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Community and Labor Leaders Call for Fair Trade, Not Free Trade Agreement at San Diego TPP Negotiations

 

Amid continued closed-door discussions, labor, environmental, consumer, and social justice organizations rally to bring jobs back home to America

WHAT:          
Broad coalition of labor and community groups will join Congressman Bob Filner and Lorena Gonzalez to speak out against the ongoing, secretive trade agreement known as TPP (Trans-Pacific Partnership) negotiations taking place in San Diego on July 2-10, 2012. A press conference and community rally calling for fair trade kicks off the first day of TPP talks.

EVENT:         
Leaders will call on trade officials from the United States, Australia, Brunei, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam to share details of this trade agreement that has been held almost exclusively behind closed doors. This NAFTA-like deal will also include Mexico, Canada, Japan and, potentially, China, Russia and India among other Pacific Rim nations in the future, so we must ensure that America stops giveaways to big Wall Street banks, shipping jobs overseas, attacking worker rights, and eroding environmental protections, all in the name of “free trade.”

WHO:             
Congressman Bob Filner, California 51st District; Lorena Gonzalez, Secretary-Treasurer/CEO, San Diego Labor Council; Arthur Stamoulis, Citizens Trade Campaign; and speakers for: Machinists Union, UNITE HERE Local 11, Environmental Health Coalition, Union de Barrio, Canvass for a Cause, Electronic Frontier Foundation, Green Party, Occupy San Diego, Af3rm San Diego, Anakbayan, Women Occupy, Activist San Diego, Friends of the Earth.  Bob Filner, Lorena Gonzalez and Arthur Stamoulis will be available to speak with media.

WHEN:          
Monday, July 2, 2012
12:00 p.m.

WHERE:        
Outside the Hilton Bayfront Hotel, One Park Drive, San Diego, CA 92101

Protest Rally to welcome the Trans Pacific Partnership to San Diego

 

Hilton San Diego Bayfront
One Park Blvd.
San Diego, California 92101
Monday, July 2nd
Noon 

The Trans Pacific Trade Agreement is a massive trade agreement that will offshore American jobs, attack environmental protections and consumer safety policies, and deregulate Wall Street banks, hedge funds, and insurance companies. Representatives from corporations and other countries will be negotiating the TPP in San Diego.

Join Labor and Community groups for a kick-off press conference and protest rally Monday, July 2nd in the park adjacent to the Hilton Bayfront Hotel.

In the last decade, more than 50,000 manufacturing facilites have closed, 6 million manufacturing jobs have been lost and the U.S. trade deficit has grown. And we've seen outsourcing spread to other sectors, like call centers and financial services.

If we want to rebuild our economy, we need to stop sending good American jobs offshore.

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Statement from Scott Peters on SCOTUS Decision: Americans Will Benefit

 

San Diego, CA - Earlier today, the United States Supreme Court issued its decision upholding the majority of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.  In response to the Court's decision, Scott Peters, candidate for Congress in California's 52nd District, released the following statement:

"I know we all watched with anticipation as the Supreme Court issued its decision earlier today.  In affirming the President's health care insurance reform initiative, the Court reminded us that the powerful health services industry does not control the administration of health care.  That control rests firmly in the hands of doctors and patients.  The President's health care reform initiative is not perfect, but it's a good start.  We still have a lot of work to do to ensure that care is affordable for all consumers and small businesses.  But under the Affordable Care Act, and over time, Americans will benefit from critical patient protections, increased access to the care they need, lower costs, and greater accountability for the insurance and pharmaceutical industries.

"Now, it's time for Congress to stop focusing on politics, put partisanship aside, and work together to increase every American's access to quality and affordable health care.  If there are improvements we can make, let's make them.  If there are fixes we need, let's fix them.  Unfortunately, Brian Bilbray and the extremists in Washington have already indicated that they will spend the remainder of the current Congress' time focusing on repeal of the new law, without offering any real alternative, rather than looking for ways they can improve health care and revive our still struggling economy.

"Over the course of his 12 years in Congress, Brian Bilbray has accepted over $1,000,000 in campaign contributions from powerful interests in the health services industry, including pharmaceutical companies and insurance companies. Time and again, he has protected them, even as they block coverage for people who are sick and deny coverage to people with pre-existing conditions like asthma, heart disease, or cancer.  That's not what our government ought to be about.

"The fact is, this legislation increases access to quality care, lowers the cost of prescription drugs, extends the solvency of Medicare, and puts the administration of health care in the hands of doctors and patients.  Contrast that with the priorities of my opponent.  Brian Bilbray has publically stated his support for privatizing Social Security, and just this past spring, Bilbray voted for the Ryan Budget, which would have effectively ended Medicare as we know it.

"Brian Bilbray's priorities are clear: he is on the side of drug companies and insurance companies and not the American middle class.  We need common sense leadership in Congress to work with doctors and patients to make quality health care affordable and available to all."

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Statement of California Democratic Party Chairman John Burton on U.S. Supreme Court Ruling Upholding Affordable Care Act

 

The highest court in the land has upheld the historic Affordable Care Act passed by a Democratic Congress and signed into law by President Obama. Millions of Americans are already experiencing the benefits of the law and more stand to benefit still in the near future.

Meanwhile, Mitt Romney and Congressional Republicans continue to talk of repealing the law instead of focusing on strengthening our economic recovery and making sure Americans have good jobs here at home. The reaction from the Republican House leadership and their calls for a full repeal are another reminder that Democrats’ work is far from done and reforms won’t be fully protected until we win back the House and return the Speaker’s gavel to Nancy Pelosi.

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Official Statement by the San Diego Labor Council on the Supreme Court’s Affordable Care Act Ruling

SAN DIEGO - San Diego Labor Council Secretary-Treasurer/CEO Lorena Gonzalez made the following statement in response to today’s Supreme Court ruling on the Affordable Care Act:

“We can all join in applauding the Supreme Court for standing up for the Constitution and the well-being of millions of Americans whose access to health care was threatened. In the face of intense pressure from corporate special interests, we can now move forward with ensuring that every American has access to affordable health care, strengthening our families, our businesses, and our communities.

“This is a critical opportunity to provide local families more purchasing power and affirm that lack of access to health care will no longer be a barrier to success. It's now up to our state legislature to make sure that these programs are implemented in the best way possible.”

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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     

Koch Brothers Bring Shadowy Summit to San Diego

 

While an elite group of major conservative donors meets this weekend at an undisclosed San Diego-area location (story in Politco), members of the Democratic Party, organized labor, the Occupy movement, and other groups will protest the Koch brothers event with rallies Saturday night and Sunday morning downtown.

WHAT:  "Koch Hunt" Rally and March

WHEN:  Saturday, June 23, 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, June 24, 10:00 a.m.

WHERE: Children's Park, Downtown San Diego (1st & Island)

Republican financiers Charles and David Koch are reportedly on track to raise and spend at least $400 million this year on behalf of conservative political causes. Aided by the Citizens United Supreme Court ruling -- which opened new avenues for unregulated campaign spending -- their activism on behalf of the corporatist agenda shirks public scrutiny and subverts the laws and standards that have governed American elections for decades.

The latest in a series of highly secretive summits the Koch brothers and their related organizations have held to raise funds and plan their operations, the conference in San Diego this weekend also calls attention to connections of local Republican politicians with the Koch world. For example:

* Ten years ago, Republican mayoral candidate Carl DeMaio was the "director of government redesign" for the Reason Foundation, a right-wing think tank that received millions in funding from the Koch brothers and other conservative interests.

* Americans for Prosperity, a conservative group founded by David Koch, bestowed a glowing 95% approval rating on Congressman Brian Bilbray in 2010 in recognition of his support for corporate special interests, including the oil and tobacco industries.

* Already ideologically aligned with Congressman Darrell Issa in their staunch opposition to regulating or reforming Wall Street and the energy and healthcare industries, the Koch network has funneled more than $200,000 in recent years to members of the House Oversight Committee, which is led by Issa.

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Not What It Seems

ECPAC Foundation to Submit Plan to the City of El Cajon to Save the East County Performing Arts Center (ECPAC)

Plan will reopen the Theater before the El Cajon Centennial Celebration this Fall and charts a course including phased renovation of the venue

EL CAJON, CA (June 20, 2012) – After objecting to plans of the City of El Cajon to demolish the East County Performing Arts Center (ECPAC) and build a hotel on the site in March, the community came together and united around the goal of saving the theater, forming the “ECPAC Foundation.”

It will submit a proposal to the City of El Cajon on Thursday, June 21, 2012 to save the theater rather than tear it down.

The organization will hold a press conference at El Cajon City Hall, 200 Civic Center Way, at 3:00 p.m. to outline their proposal to the media, and then submit their extensive plan to operate the theater to the City Manager at 3:30 p.m.

Of most interest to the public is the fact that there is a reasonable way to save the ECPAC theater from demolition for perhaps 10% of the $4.3 million cost suggested by consultant Kurt Swanson in his March 2010 “Conceptual Business Plan.” The Foundation also proposes they they can run the theater without a required direct monetary subsidy from the City, unlike former managers.

“We really don't want to see the theater demolished or closed, especially during the November 2012 centennial celebration of the City of El Cajon,” said Ray Lutz, Founding Chair of the ECPAC Foundation. “We toured the theater in April to discover what it would take to open it up again, and we found the proposal by Swanson to be far from reality. Instead of $4.3 million, we figure it can be reopened for about $400,000 in repairs, maintenance, and renovations – only about 10% of his grandiose plan. Our plan is practical and feasible, and covers many items that his plan simply forgot.

“The developer Neal E. Arthur was able to get the city to agree to negotiate with him on an exclusive basis for six months to discuss how the theater can be torn down and replaced with a 'four star hotel.' We want the same chance to negotiate with the city on why it is best to simply repair and reopen the theater. Fair is fair.”

The main business points of the proposal state that the theater would be realigned from a pure “Performing Arts” venue to an “Arts and Entertainment” venue and pick up more mainstream acts that may not fit into a more ritzy venue. It will emphasize concessions, including beer, wine, and cocktails, and it includes a phased renovation plan to steadily improve the venue, signage, and other surrounding spaces. Although the Foundation does not propose getting a mandatory subsidy from the City, they do propose that the utilities be picked up by the city, as they have for all other theater managers, and that the City may wish to fund specific projects or rent the theater for events.

“The big difference in our proposal is that we're saving the City the $350,000 annual subsidy previously paid to Christian Community Theater,” said Paul Kruze, a Foundation Board member, professional trumpet player, and media personality. “We feel CCT offers great programs for children to learn to sing, dance, and act, but as the manager of the theater, they did not come through with the headliner schedule the community was hoping for. We can do better, and we can do it without a direct subsidy.”

The entire proposal is approximately 60 pages and can be found here:
http://www.copswiki.org/Common/M1269

Since the Foundation has had limited access to the theater and has not had a chance to fully investigate all issues, the Foundation board decided to include a disclaimer in the document to allow the Foundation to continue to investigate these details after the City has agreed to move forward with negotiations.

If the City agrees to negotiate with the Foundation, the plan will be improved to include the actual costs to fix the theater. The Foundation plans a Gala Fundraiser this summer to reach out to supporters, artists, and even theater management and production companies who may want to rent or help run the theater.

“This is the best organizational type for such a theater,” said Lutz. “This theater was originally funded and put into place by the tax-payer and by the blood, sweat and tears of performing arts supporters. It must stay in the public domain and must not be turned over to private developers.”

The ECPAC Foundation is an offspring of the SaveECPAC project of Citizens Oversight  Projects, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Until the Foundation secures its own nonprofit status, it can be sponsored by this parent organization and accept tax-deductible donations. Until the plan is approved by the City, the Foundation is accepting pledges for future donations that will be accepted at the Gala Fundraiser event planned for this summer.

Statement of California Democratic Party Chairman John Burton on President Obama’s Policy Announcement to Halt Deportation of DREAM Act Eligible Youth

 

President Obama took smart, decisive action by allowing talented young people who are making great contributions to our nation to remain here without the threat of deportation looming over them. Many of these young Americans were brought to this country as children by parents who sought a better life and greater opportunity for their children.

While this new policy is a temporary measure, in the absence of Republican action in Congress, it represents a fair, efficient, and just approach working from within an immigration system in desperate need of reform.

The President’s actions stand in stark contrast to Mitt Romney’s continued waffling on yet another signature issue as he has refused to say whether or not he would overturn this effort, should he to be elected President.

Republicans have spent years demagoguing on the issue of immigration and no doubt find it difficult to support any reform measures, no matter how just or sensible they may be.

This is just one more reason why it is imperative that we re-elect President Obama in November.
Peace and friendship,


John Burton

Chair

California Democratic Party

California RNs Kick off Healthcare Tour in San Diego Today, with Screenings and Town Hall

 

California RNs Kick off Healthcare Tour in San Diego 6/19, with Screenings and Town Hall

 

Local stats show great need for healthcare overhaul—22% of adults uninsured, 13% of adults unable to see a doctor due to cost

With the U.S. Supreme Court decision expected imminently on the fate of the 2010 healthcare law, nurses, physicians, and healthcare activists will begin a three-week tour of California cities Tuesday as a reminder that the healthcare crisis continues to worsen and genuine, comprehensive reform is still needed.

Beginning in San Diego on June 19 and ending on July 12 in Anaheim, the Medicare for All tour will crisscross the state with stops in nearly two dozen sites. It will feature basic health screenings and town hall meetings where community members will be invited to tell their healthcare stories.

The focus of the events is a call to step up the drive for guaranteed, universal, cost-effective health reform once and for all by expanding and updating Medicare to cover everyone regardless of age. The tour kicks off in San Diego on Tuesday June 19 and will run through July 12 in Anaheim.  The Medicare for All tour will crisscross the state with stops in nearly two dozen sites.

WHERE:    

St. Paul’s Cathedral, 2728 6th Ave, San Diego, CA 92103

WHEN:

Health Screenings        3:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.                   

Town Meeting               6:30p.m.-8:00 p.m.

Protest Rally to welcome the Trans Pacific Partnership to San Diego

 

Hilton San Diego Bayfront
One Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101
Monday, July 2, 2012
12:00pm

The Trans Pacific Trade Agreement is a massive trade agreement that will offshore American jobs, attack environmental protections and consumer safety policies, and deregulate Wall Street banks, hedge funds, and insurance companies. Representatives from corporations and other countries will be negotiating the TPP in San Diego.

Join Labor and Community groups for a kick-off press conference and protest rally Monday, July 2nd in the park adjacent to the Hilton Bayfront Hotel.

In the last decade, more than 50,000 manufacturing facilites have closed, 6 million manufacturing jobs have been lost and the U.S. trade deficit has grown. And we've seen outsourcing spread to other sectors, like call centers and financial services.

If we want to rebuild our economy, we need to stop sending good American jobs offshore.

Official Statement by the San Diego Labor Council on President Obama’s Announcement on Deferred Action for Immigrant Youth

 

SAN DIEGO - San Diego Labor Council Secretary-Treasurer/CEO Lorena Gonzalez made the following statement in response to President Obama’s announcement earlier today:

“Working families in San Diego applaud the Obama Administration’s announcement to provide relief from deportation to immigrant young adults brought to this country by their parents at an early age. These are some of San Diego's best and brightest, and the President’s actions allow them to finally live without fear of separation from their families and deportation to a country they barely remember. This talented group of young Americans was educated here and has been working to build a better community for all of us. Beginning today, they can come into the open to pursue their dreams right here, where they call home. San Diego will be stronger for their extraordinary contributions and I commend this administration for its courage and leadership in taking an important step towards a more just America.

“Today's announcement is an encouraging step in beginning to address our nation’s dire need for comprehensive immigration reform. We call on San Diego’s elected officials to work towards a common sense solution that will address the parents and families of these young people.”

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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         

Scott Peters Earns Spot in DCCC’s Competitive 'Red to Blue' Program

 

San Diego, CA – The Scott Peters for Congress campaign today announced that Peters has earned a spot on the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s (DCCC) highly competitive Red to Blue program. Peters is running in the new 52nd Congressional District to unseat entrenched Republican incumbent Brian Bilbray. He was selected for ‘Red-to-Blue’ because he has surpassed demanding fundraising, organizing, and infrastructure goals and successfully demonstrated to voters that he is a problem-solver who will protect the middle class when elected to Congress.

“As a former City Councilman and Port Commissioner, Scott Peters has built a solid reputation as a problem solver who gets things done. In Congress, Scott will stand up for California’s seniors and middle class, and San Diegans can trust him to fight for them rather than special interests and Big Oil companies,” said DCCC Chairman Steve Israel.

“I’m honored by the great support we’ve earned during our campaign from people who agree the 52nd needs a representative in Washington who will stand up for working families, protect Medicare and Social Security and reignite the American dream,” Peters said. “Being named to Red-to-Blue means we have the support, confidence, and momentum it takes to win in November.”

The DCCC’s Red to Blue program highlights top Democratic campaigns across the country, and offers them financial, communications, grassroots, and strategic support. The program will introduce Democratic supporters to new, competitive candidates in order to help expand the fundraising base for these campaigns.

The newly drawn 52nd Congressional District is a classic swing district - a third Republican, a third Democrat and a third other, or Decline to State.  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 has support from progressive Democrats, worker advocates, moderate Democrats and Republicans, business leaders, and independent San Diegans who care more about results than pure party politics. 

For more information, or to get involved, go to www.scottpeters.com.

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San Diego Janitors To Announce Ratification of Contract; Publicly Thank City Officials For Mediating on Their Behalf

San Diego, CA - San Diego janitors will be holding a press conference to thank the City and some of its elected leaders for their support and encouragement during contract negotiations.  After months of negotiations, marches, rallies, pickets, a city resolution and a hunger strike, San Diego area janitors fought back against San Diego’s most profitable commercial real estate and biotech companies – and won.

“For more than two months, the bargaining committee met with contractors who resisted wage increases and health care for our families,” said María Aldama, member of the bargaining committee and janitor for 5 years.  “We are proud of what we accomplished and will continue to do what we have to for our families.”

For over 20 years, janitors have fought hard to raise industry standards and improve wages and benefits so that their families can live a better life.  In 2012, 30,000 of USWW’s 40,000 members’ collective bargaining contracts expire, including the 1,800 office, tech and biotech janitors from San Diego and Inland Empires.

WHAT: 
Press conference to announce ratification of new contract, and thank city leaders for standing by the janitors.

WHEN: 


Tomorrow, Friday, June 15, 2012 at 11:45AM.

WHERE:
Civic Center Plaza

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Correction of Previous Statement on CD 52 Race

San Diego County Democratic Party Chair Jess Durfee has issued the following statement after his earlier remarks due to an incorrect media report on the 52nd Congressional District race:

"Based on an incorrect headline in the UT and erroneous information from other sources, earlier this evening I issued a statement that incorrectly said that Lori Saldaña had conceded the primary election in the 52nd Congressional District.

"I fully respect the decision made by the Saldaña campaign to allow the vote count to continue before making any announcement about the outcome of the election."

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Congressional Candidate Lori Saldaña made the following statement today:

“Many thanks to the thousands of people who supported my Congressional campaign by volunteering, contributing and casting votes for me on June 5.

“We worked hard and garnered praise and admiration from people in San Diego and around the nation. You all helped make it a battle for the record books that has been “too close to call” for the past week.

“As the final tallies are completed, I congratulate the winners in all the primary campaigns and look forward to supporting my fellow Progressives who will continue their efforts this fall.

“I ran because Congressman Brian Bilbray has assisted in the dismantling of the middle class and I still urge his defeat this fall. But I also encourage every candidate to reject shortsighted "reforms" that actually hurt working people and commit to the more challenging task of creating long-term, systemic change at every level of government.

“This is what is needed to help middle class people today and to ensure that more people will join their ranks in the future.

“Recent reports on the near-catastrophic loss of working families’ wealth and savings show clearly that we are not the reason this country is in tough economic times. We did not cause the financial markets to collapse, and we are, in fact, the canaries in the economic coal mine, showing what happens when elected leaders at every level fail to take bold action to turn the economy around.

“I thank my supporters for their dedication and commitment an effective, powerful and unabashedly Progressive grassroots effort. There is still much to be done- in and out of elective office- and I look forward to continuing to work with you in San Diego.”

Lori Saldaña

Peters Campaign Readies to Go Head to Head with Entrenched Republican Brian Bilbray

San Diego, CA – At 5 p.m. today the San Diego County Registrar of Voters announced that Scott Peters is now ahead of Lori Saldaña by 737 votes, with only 13,500 left to count, making it apparent that Peters will be the Democrat to take on entrenched Republican incumbent Brian Bilbray in the new 52nd Congressional District.  The Peters campaign is now readying for the bigger fight ahead.

“It’s no secret that Congress is broken,” Peters said. “But San Diegans have an unprecedented opportunity to help fix it by sending new representation to Washington.”

“This is a critical election and the voters now have a clear choice,” he said. “They can choose a Washington insider who votes to guarantee tax breaks for oil companies instead of guaranteeing Medicare for our seniors. Or, they can vote for a common-sense, problem solver who will protect Medicare and Social Security and has a track record of creating jobs and standing up for working families.”

“When government doesn’t work, it hurts the middle class -- the backbone of our economy, and the core strength of our country,” he added. “I am backed in this race by regional and national worker advocates because they know I share their values, and that I’ll fight for them, not the corporate special interests backing Bilbray.”

Peters added that while he is now focused on the Nov. 6 General Election, he is tremendously grateful to everyone who supported him in the primary.

“I am extremely proud of the campaign we ran, of my team, and of the army of volunteers who gave us their time and energy,” said Peters. “In the end, we knew this race would be decided by turnout, and our volunteers worked tirelessly walking, knocking and calling to turn out our voters. As we saw, every vote mattered.  I’m very, very grateful.”

Peters also congratulated his Democratic opponent in the primary for running a rigorous, energetic grassroots campaign.

“I congratulate and thank Lori Saldaña for running a tough, dynamic campaign,” said Peters. “It absolutely helped sharpen our focus for the bigger fight ahead.  We share a common goal of replacing Brian Bilbray, and together, we’ve proven with our combined votes, it’s doable,” he said.

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Stop Special Interest Money Now Act Web Video

 

The Alliance for a Better California 2012 has announced releasing a web video "setting the record straight about the so-called Stop Special Interest Money Now Act." The group says the initiative, which will appear on the November ballot, should be called the "Special Exemptions Act," citing columnist Dan Morain in Sunday's Sacramento Bee, who said, "the initiative would not curtail donations by insurance companies, among the largest donors to political campaigns, or to corporations that create limited liability coprorations, as major pharmaceutical companies and others have done."

Thank You Voters in the Third Supervisorial District

Just five short months ago, a small group of volunteers launched a grassroots campaign from the dining room table at the home of one of my supporters to elected our next San Diego County Third District Supervisor.  We knew this election was critical to our future because San Diego County is facing many significant challenges and this election will be the first time in twenty years that an incumbent will not appear on the ballot.

On Primary Election Day, the Third District voters (Republicans, Democrats and Independents) spoke loud and clear supporting me as one of two finalists to be their next Supervisor.  My family and I want to thank everyone who supported our grassroots efforts in the primary which resulted in such a strong victory.

We look forward to working with you in a positive and bipartisan fashion to win this seat on November 6th.

With my proven track record of being fiscally responsible, environmentally sound and business friendly, I pledge to protect your quality of life, protect the county's AAA bond rating and reform county pensions.  A vote for Dave Roberts in 2012 is a vote for your quality of life and for fulfilling our county's potential!

Dave Roberts
Candidate,
San Diego County Board of Supervisors, Third District

Support the real reform candidate with a proven track record of being fiscally responsible, environmentally sound and business friendly. A vote for Dave Roberts in 2012 is a vote for your quality of life and for fulfilling our county's potential!

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DeMaio v. Filner for San Diego Mayor

Okay, okay, we've know this for the past week that Carl DeMaio and Bob Filner are facing off in November.  But with the most recent Survey USA poll out giving Filner a 3 point lead over DeMaio, we are left to wonder what happens next.  As neither Filner nor DeMaio have to worry about bleeding support - core DeMaio backers aren't going to vote for Filner in November and vice versa - we are left wondering about the following groups:

Dumanis Backers: Thus far, the Survey USA poll indicates that Dumanis backers are supporting Filner by a 2:1 margin.  This makes sense given that Dumanis' support would come from women (who, thanks to various Republican platforms and policies, tend to back Democrats), and law enforcement types (who aren't thrilled with DeMaio's pension-cutting plans for the police).  In fact, Dumanis initally tried very hard to run like a Democrat by getting endorsements by Democratic officials until she was rebuffed by the local party (a move I highly approve of).  Anyway, with that being the case, most of her supporters will probably vote for Filner.

Fletcher Backers: Nathan Fletcher surprised a lot of people, myself included, by doing as well as he did in this campaign.  Initially, I thought Fletcher would be the Republican version of Bonnie Dumanis - the more moderate, more Downtown-oriented alternative to Carl DeMaio.  What I didn't realize was that Fletcher was an incredibly strong candidate, that his connections to the powers that be were rock solid, and that he would be willing to drop the Republican Party.  In so doing he ended up with 24% of the vote.  Given his background, its not surprising that Fletcher backers break evenly in the most recent poll.  That said, his backers aren't exactly sold on either Filner or DeMaio.  So, if Fletcher endorses anyone, its going to be a big deal. 

People Who Didn't Vote: By their very nature, primaries are less glamorous than general elections, and so, many voters simply stay home and wait for November.  Last Tuesday, less than half of all registered voters actually voted.  Come November, turnout will probably be around 60%.  So there is a huge chunk (12% of the Survey USA poll) of voters whose voice has not yet been heard.  So, where do these votes go?  Right now, DeMaio seems to have more of those voters, but general election voters lean heavily Democratic, and Filner could take the lion's share. 

Downtown: While both Filner and DeMaio have connections to traditional San Diego power brokers, Fletcher and Dumanis were, by and large, supported by "Downtown" - the group of real estate interests, power brokers, and developers who have dominated San Diego politics for generations.  With their preferred candidates out, where does their support (and their money) go?  Given past experiences, this group isn't going to sit out the election.  Nor are they particularly enamored with Carl DeMaio.  So, do they back Filner or do they try to make nice with DeMaio? 

All in all, there are a lot of unknowns going forward.  Both camps have to feel that their positions are relatively strong going into November.

Kris Kristofferson and Mariachi Divas Concert Benefit California Concert series celebrating the UFWS's 50th Anniversary.

June 15th, 2012
Spreckels Theatre,
121 Broadway, San Diego, CA.

Tickets are limited -- Purchase your tickets today!
For more information or to buy tickets go to www.spreckels.net or call 619-235-9500 or purchase in person at the Spreckles Theater.

ABOUT KRIS KRISTOFFERSON:
Kris Kristofferson is most notably known for his success as a country songwriter in the early 1970s. His numerous hit songs such as “Me and Bobby McGee,” “Help Me Make It Through The Night,” “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down,” and “For The Good Times” were all chart toppers. His personal and serious songwriting helped redefine country music, much the way Bob Dylan did in the mid 1960s. By the late 1980s it was estimated that nearly 450 artists had recorded Kristofferson’s work.

ABOUT MARIACHI DIVAS: 
Founded and directed by trumpet player Cindy Shea in 1999, Mariachi Divas are making big waves on the national music scene. Mariachi Divas are a unique, multi-cultural, all female ensemble, imbued with the true flavor of Los Angeles and have been represented by women of Mexican, Cuban, Samoan, Argentinean, Colombian, Panamanian, Puerto Rican, Swiss, Japanese, Honduran, Peruvian, Tongan and Anglo descents. Cindy Shea states, "Music is a way of uniting our cultural backgrounds". In 2009, Mariachi Divas won the Grammy Award for Best Regional Mexican Album of the year for their 2008 release, Canciones De Amor. This marks the first time in the history of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences that an all-female mariachi group has been a nominee, or of course, a winner.

From the Lori Saldana campaign

We probably won't know anything definitive for another few days. There are likely tens of thousands of ballots yet to be counted, and only 790 votes separate us from Scott Peters. That's less than 2 votes per precinct. It's pretty impressive for a campaign run on volunteers and small-dollar donors, especially when you consider that Scott Peters put $1.25 million of his own money in to his campaign and spent $75-$80 per vote.

Democrats Eye Big Opportunities the General Election

 

Many ballots from yesterday's election have yet to be counted, but the initial results position San Diego Democrats for rare pick-up opportunities in high-profile races this year.

"Our Democratic candidates were very competitive in this low-turnout primary, and the vast majority of them will continue to a runoff election in which turnout will be more than twice as high," said Jess Durfee, Chair of the County Democratic Party. "The more voters who participate, the more places we win, and that's what I'm looking forward to in November."

In several prominent examples, the Party's candidates have a clear path to win offices that have not been held by Democrats for a decade or more:


•    His mayoral opponents all outspent him, but a surge of support for Bob Filner carried the Democrat to within just a couple points of Republican Carl DeMaio. A costly deluge of overtures by Nathan Fletcher failed to convince enough Democratic voters to push the Republican-turned-independent into the runoff.


•    Republican Steve Danon and Democrat Dave Roberts virtually tied in the County Board of Supervisors contest in District 3. There has not been an open seat on the board -- let alone a Democratic Supervisor -- for nearly 20 years, and Dave Roberts has the support of the Republican currently serving in that seat.


•    In two unusual but little-remarked outcomes, one Republican County Board of Education member was forced into a competitive runoff with a Democrat while another may have lost outright yesterday to a Democrat, based on the returns so far. Incumbents John Witt (District 1) and Jerry Rindone (District 2) were challenged by Gregg Robinson and Lyn Neylon, respectively. A Democratic incumbent who was on the ballot, Mark Anderson (District 4), easily won re-election. 


 •    In one of the night's most closely followed contests -- and one still too close to call -- two Democratic candidates in the 52nd Congressional District showed their strength vying to compete against Republican Rep. Brian Bilbray. Combined, Scott Peters and Lori Saldaña won more votes than Bilbray in the newly redrawn district, which Barack Obama won by 13 points in 2008.


The County Democratic Party will continue to register, inform, and engage San Diego voters this summer in preparation for the presidential election.

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Turn In Ballots at Any Polling Place!

In this election, voter turnout is also about turn-in. A majority of San Diego voters were sent ballots in the mail, and many have not mailed them back.

Although ballots can no longer be mailed, they can be turned in at any polling place in the county between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 5.

You can look up your polling place here and view a map of all poll locations in the county here.

The success of our candidates on Tuesday will depend largely on getting those ballots in before the polls close. So please make sure the Democratic voters in your life -- neighbors, family, friends -- take part in this important election.

You can view and print the Democratic Voter Guide at www.sddemocrats.org/endorsements. And, of course, there's still time to volunteer! Sign up to help Monday or Tuesday at www.sddemocrats.org/gotv.

If you need any assistance or information related to voting, please contact the County Democratic Party at (858) 277-3367 or info@sddemocrats.org.

Thanks for helping us turn out voters, and turn in ballots, to elect Democrats!

Letter from Congressman Bob Filner

Dear Friends and Supporters:

In a matter of hours, voters from across San Diego will be going to the polls to elect our next Mayor – the person who will lead this great City for the next four years.

We have much to do in order to make San Diego live up to its billing as America's Finest City.  We need to elect a Mayor who will work every single day to create jobs and bring new businesses to our City by focusing on expanding our Port and making San Diego the clean energy capital and job creating hub of the country.  A Mayor who will invest in our neighborhoods and redirect City resources away from downtown and into all of the communities that make up the City we love.  And every day we need to keep in mind who we fight for -- middle class San Diegans and not the powerful downtown special interests.

Election day will also mark the point where the focus of this primary campaign shifts from the candidates to you. To all of the voters who came to our rallies, knocked on doors, called their neighbors to action, and contributed their hard-earned money, know that our work has just begun. To all those whose hopes and dreams for the future were our hopes and dreams -- our work goes on.

 If you put your trust in me by giving me your vote I will stand with all San Diegans, every day, doing what is right for all of San Diego.

Thank you, all!  It would be my honor to be your next Mayor.

Sincerely,

Bob

Marty Block delivers the Assembly Democrats' Weekly Address

 

Transcript below. Audio here.
Contact: Maria Lopez 916 319 2078.


Hi, this is Assembly Higher Education Committee Chair Marty Block.

This week one part - AB 1501 - of Assembly Speaker John Perez's Middle Class Scholarship Act passed with a two-thirds bipartisan vote in the California State Assembly.
This legislation seeks to make higher education accessible and affordable for every Californian by establishing the Middle Class Scholarship Program.

I am a proud coauthor of the Middle Class Scholarship Act.

The Middle Class Scholarship Act, has two parts: AB 1500 and AB 1501. The Act cuts college fees by 2/3 for students with family incomes less than $150,000 who do not already have fees covered by other financial aid.

The cost of the Middle Class Scholarship will be covered by closing a billion dollar tax loophole that only benefits out-of-state corporations.

Over the past decade, we have seen an enormous increase in the cost of higher education in California. Student fees at the UC have risen by 145 percent. Fees at the CSU have increased even more - by 191 percent.

Many middle income families turn to increased use of student loans to cover the thousands of dollars in fee hikes, resulting in a mountain of debt for graduates.

Even worse, some students give up on their dream and the state's promise of higher education altogether - about the most damaging thing possible for the long term health of our economy.
This situation is inconsistent with California's historic commitment to ensure that every student who is willing to work hard in high school would have the opportunity to attend a CSU or UC.
That commitment, made in the 1960's, has generated enormous prosperity and opportunity for Californians.

Enacting the Middle Class Scholarship will take a lot of work. But with enough support from students, parents, and all Californians who depend on an educated workforce, it can become a reality.

Under AB 1501, CSU students will save $4,000 per year or $16,000 over a four-year period.
UC students will save about $8,200 per year or nearly $33,000 over a four-year period. And Community College students will also see their costs reduced significantly.

We need the Middle Class Scholarship Act now more than ever, to help students with family incomes less than $150,000 cut their college fees.

The Middle Class Scholarship Act seeks to keep California's promise to our young people and restore the aspirations and opportunities for middle class families who have been hard hit by the recession.
So please, log onto MiddleClassScholarship.com.

Sign the petition. Share your story. Help make sure California keeps its promise of affordable higher education.

I'm Marty Block. Thank you for listening.

Vargas Campaign Uses Taxpayer Money to Send Mailers

 

"State Senator Juan Vargas is under fire again, this time in an article from The Press Enterprise, published [Wednesday]. The article catalogued the actions of Vargas and his Senate office, who stand accused of using taxpayer dollars to fund mail pieces aimed at helping his candidacy [in CD 51]. The article found that 96% of mail sent from Vargas' Senate office went to constituents who live in the 51st Congressional District and largely ignored his constituents in Riverside County. In total, Vargas has spent nearly $50,000 of taxpayer money sending out 159,397 mailers almost exclusively to voters in the 51st Congressional District, where he is campaigning.

When the citrus industry in Riverside County's Coachella Valley faced a serious threat from the Asian Citrus Psyllid, Senator Vargas sent out nearly 40,000 letters warning people about the pest. However, these mailers arrived in mailboxes in San Diego and Imperial counties, where he is running for Congress, not Riverside County where the problem was also rampant.

Rodolfo Pinon, a Riverside resident in the 40th Senate District, expressed his outrage at Vargas, saying his lack of presence in the county goes beyond mailers. 'I'm really upset. Since Denise Ducheny left office I feel like we have had no representation at the State Senate level. People here don't even know who Juan Vargas is. We don't need politicians like that.' Pinon believes Vargas' absence stems from the fact that Riverside County is outside of Vargas' desired district. 'There are a lot of angry people in Blythe and Coachella because they have never seen him. He is ignoring us to pursue his personal ambitions.'

 'When Denise represented us, she was here in the district often and could always be counted on to listen to her constituents," Pinon went on to say. 'You knew how to get a hold of her and knew she would listen.'" Ducheny, a Democrat, served six years in the Assembly beginning in 1994 and eight years in the Senate beginning in 2002.

Contact: Bill Wachob 619 823 4093.

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Dems to Meet at Stout Public House After Polls Close

Hundreds of volunteers throughout San Diego are continuing to make phone calls and knock on doors to turn out Democratic voters until the polls close Tuesday night. Afterward, the Democratic Election Night Party will be held at Stout Public House, a pub in Downtown San Diego just three blocks east of Golden Hall:

WHAT:  San Diego Democratic Election Night Reception

WHEN:  Tuesday, June 5, from 8 to 11 p.m.

WHERE: Stout, 1125 6th Ave. (between B and C Streets)

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Urgent Alert to Democrats: Beware of Republicans Telling You Which Democrat to Vote for!

Brian Bilbray Tips His Hand by Urging Democrats to Vote for Saldaña

San Diego – The Scott Peters for Congress campaign today issued an urgent message to Democratic voters in the 52nd Congressional District: Beware of Republicans telling you which Democrat to vote for on June 5! They will steer you away from the most formidable opponent and toward the Democrat they know they can easily trounce in a general election match up.

“This week Brian Bilbray left no room for doubt about which Democrat he most fears facing in a general election match up,” said Peters Campaign Communications Director MaryAnne Pintar. “He sent an anti-Scott Peters/Pro-Lori Saldaña mailer to Democratic households using the same rhetoric the Saldaña campaign has been using for weeks.”

The Saldaña campaign’s false attacks on Scott hit mailboxes first. And then a wave of similar attack pieces from the Bilbray campaign hit Democratic households in the following weeks. Mixed in, however, was messaging to prop up Saldaña’s candidacy. In fact, the misstatements and false accusations are so identical, a local attorney and pension expert sent a letter to both campaigns pointing out that their statements “could easily be deemed libelous.”

“One could almost perceive that the two campaigns are using the same political consultant,” Pintar added. “Or, at a minimum, it has the appearance that the two campaigns are coordinating their timing and their false, inaccurate messaging to stifle support for Scott. Clearly, the Bilbray campaign has the same polling we have which shows Scott is the tougher opponent to Brian in this newly drawn district.”

The Peters campaign has created two web sites to ensure voters have accurate information about San Diego’s pension history, and Scott’s record on the issues. They are http://truthaboutpensions.tumblr.com/ and http://truthcrewca52.tumblr.com/.

The new 52nd Congressional District is the result of recent redistricting, and is targeted by both national parties as a swing district. Peters has raised more money from individual donors and earned more endorsements than any other challenger in this race. Peters is also endorsed by every state and federal Democratic legislator who has served San Diego in the past 10 years, including those who served in the Assembly with Saldaña. Most recently, Peters earned the backing of 4 out of 5 media outlets who have endorsed him over Saldaña. They are the progressive San Diego CityBeat, U-T San Diego, Tierrasanta’s Tierra Times, and San Diego Jewish World.

For more information about Scott's record of accomplishments and the breadth and depth of his endorsements, go to www.scottpeters.com.

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Mexican American Business and Professional Association Backs Peters for Congress

 

San Diego – The Mexican American Business and Professional Association (MABPA) has endorsed Scott Peters over Lori Saldaña and Brian Bilbray in the race for the new 52nd Congressional District. The members of MABPA add their names to the impressive list of Latino leaders who are backing Peters in his bid to unseat Bilbray.

“Scott has been a great advocate for Latinos, for small businesses, and for underserved communities. That’s why he’s earned endorsements from so many local and regional leaders who advocate on behalf of working families,” said MABPA President Josie Calderon.”

“I thank MABPA President Josie Calderon and all the members who voted to back me in this race,” said Peters. “I have spent my career in public service championing job creation, small business growth and have worked to make San Diego a great place to live and work. I’m honored to have earned the trust of these business leaders.”

The mission of the MABPA, founded in 1978, is to promote and advocate for the economic and social prosperity of underserved communities. With a membership of more than 300 members, its mission is to increase Latino participation in all sectors of the business community in order to actively address issues affecting our region’s Latino population as well as affirmatively voice our views.

Other Latino leaders backing Peters include: San Diego City Councilman David Alvarez; Larry Baza, Commission for Arts and Culture;* Chula Vista Councilmember Steve Castaneda; labor leader Lorena Gonzalez; Assemblyman Ben Hueso; former Assemblymember Mary Salas;  and Congresswoman Linda Sanchez (CA-39). The Chicano Democratic Association of San Diego has also voted to endorse Peters over Saldaña.

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Councilmember Marti Emerald Questions Prop A Impact on City Parks, Public Safety

 

San Diego, CA – “San Diegans do love their parks, but our parks could be at risk if Prop A passes,” begins District 7 Councilmember Marti Emerald in a taped statement released today by the No on Proposition A campaign. Emerald cautions San Diego voters against voting for the measure, which State Controller John Chiang, State Treasurer Bill Lockyer, San Diego’s Independent Budget Analyst and Fitch Ratings Company have all stated will cost the City of San Diego hundreds of millions of dollars each year.

Emerald questions the impact of these lost state grant monies on both public safety and recreation projects around the city, as well as other vital services. Her comments come on the heels of a statement released earlier this week by Fitch Ratings that indicated Prop A’s approval would expose the City’s General Fund and “place downward pressure on the city's bond ratings,” hampering its ability to complete projects of all kinds.

“Protect our quality of life. Protect public safety. Vote no on Prop A,” Emerald concludes.

View Marti Emerald’s full video statement at www.StopPropA.org/Emerald.

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Why I’m supporting Lori by Donna Frye

 

Lori and Donna Frye at Mission Bay Park

I am writing so you know why I support Lori Saldaña for Congress and why I believe she deserves your support, too.

I first met Lori in 1994. We worked together on a variety of issues, but primarily focused on environmental, quality of life and open government issues. We got a lot done because we identified the problem, did our homework, engaged the public and then provided a workable solution to the problem.

Our work always focused on the belief that we had a responsibility to protect and preserve our quality of life and to make things better for the next generation. But we also knew that some issues would never get addressed in a meaningful way unless the elected officials cared about them as much as we did and were willing to take action.

In the early 2000s we both ran for office and were fortunate enough to be elected to serve the public.

During her six years in the state Assembly, Lori passed landmark legislation and stood up to powerful special interests who threatened the health, prosperity, and safety of her constituents. Lori earned 100% ratings from the Sierra Club, the Congress of California Seniors, Planned Parenthood, and Equality California.

She also rose to the post of Speaker Pro Tempore (the number two post in the Assembly) and used that post to support and pass legislation that benefited all San Diegans.

Today, Lori is running for Congress and I am endorsing her because I know that I can count on her to go to Washington and not forget the people who helped elect her. I do not have to worry that she will say one thing to get elected and then forget what she said when she goes to Congress.

Lori stands up for what she believes, even when it is not politically popular. She has strong core beliefs and values, and knows firsthand what it’s like to work on community issues as a grassroots activist. And she has never forgotten that.

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Progressive Caucus Chair Endorses Saldaña

 

WASHINGTON DC – Congressman Raul Grijalva, Co-Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, has endorsed Lori Saldaña for Congress.


“I've been following progressive congressional candidates throughout the country and Lori's race caught my attention,” Grijalva said. “She’s a genuine progressive with a proven commitment to improving the lives of her constituents.”


Grijalva praised Saldaña’s accomplishments as a public servant.


“Ms. Saldaña is a skilled policymaker who has demonstrated leadership translating progressive values into public policy, “Grijalva said. “And she is definitely not afraid to stand up to moneyed special interests.”


“This is why I've given Ms. Saldaña my endorsement and this is why I look forward to working with her in the Progressive Caucus."


The Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC), the largest caucus within the House Democratic Caucus, consists of one United States Senator, Bernie Sanders, and seventy five members of the United States House of Representatives.


Saldaña said she is honored by Chairman Grijalva’s endorsement and eager to get to work.


“The Progressive Caucus will be the engine for change in Congress,” Saldaña said. “I look forward to working with Chairman Grijalva, my former colleagues Karen Bass and Judy Chu, and the other caucus members on policies that will put Americans back to work and restore a healthy and expanding middle class.”



Saldaña’s growing list of progressive endorsements includes:
• The Progressive Change Campaign Committee

• Governor Howard Dean and Jim Dean

• Democracy for America
• MoveOn.org

• San Diego Chapter of Democracy for America
• Former City Councilmember Donna Frye

• City Councilmember Marti Emerald

• Progressive San Diego

• School Board Trustee Richard Barrera

• Former President of the San Diego Democratic Club Stephen Whitburn

• Former President of the San Diego Democratic Club Andrea Villa

• Former San Diego Democratic Party Chair Kennan  Kaeder

• School Board President John Lee Evans

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