ATKINS BILL HELPS SENIORS STAY OUT OF NURSING HOMES

Sacramento - Seniors with chronic illnesses who are eligible for Medi-Cal or Medicaid will be offered enrollment in the Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) under legislation by Assemblymember Toni Atkins that was sent to the Governor today. 

PACE programs are managed care options that provide integrated care – including medical and home care, transportation, and daycare services – to seniors eligible for nursing home placement, most of whom are also beneficiaries of both Medi-Cal and Medicare.  AB 2206 would ensure that seniors are informed about their choices by requiring that information about PACE be presented whenever other enrollment options are presented.

“My bill will ensure that frail seniors are aware of this managed care program that could make the difference between living at home with their families and hospitalization,” says Atkins.  “In addition to preserving the independence and dignity of seniors, the PACE program is also a more cost effective alternative to nursing home care.”

Currently, five PACE programs operate in seven counties in California, including San Diego.

Scott Peters Tops 'Win Back the House Challenge’

Extra State Party Help Earned with Best Grassroots Support!

San Diego – The results are in: the Scott Peters campaign won the California Democratic Party’s ‘Win Back the House Challenge,’ a week-long contest held to determine which endorsed Democratic Congressional challenger in the state has the most online grassroots support! As the winner, Peters earned extra support from the state party in the form of on-line outreach and a fundraising email blast to the Party's statewide activist list.

The state party announced Peters as the winner in an email earlier today from Chairman John Burton. 

“(Scott Peters) is a great candidate who will be an outstanding representative for San Diego and our whole state,” Burton said in the email to California Democrats. “He's already got a track record of creating jobs as San Diego's first city council president, and he's completely committed to protecting Medicare and Social Security from Republican attacks,” he added. “He’s in a great position to win this race.”

The email also asked readers to support and contribute to Peters’ campaign.  

“This win shows that our supporters are as enthusiastic and energized as any other campaign in the state, and I’m very grateful to them for helping us win this,” Peters said.  “We galvanized our voters for this contest with on-line outreach and social media; we’ll do the same, and more, for Nov. 6 and look forward to another winning result,” he said.

For more information, check out Scott’s website at www.scottpeters.com. Follow him on Twitter @ScottPetersSD and @ScottPetersCA52.

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HERNANDEZ WELCOMES FORMER CHALLENGER’S INPUT ON LAND USE

SAN DIEGO – August 28, 2012 – 77th Assembly Distrcit candidate Ruben “RJ” Hernandez has invited Dustin Steiner to join his team as a Land Use Advisor following the November general elections.

“I have formally invited my former opponent Dustin Steiner to join our team, upon election to the Assembly, as Land Use Advisor to help represent San Diego's interests in that capacity in Sacramento,” Hernandez said. “I found him to be a man of professionalism and a hard worker, and I'd welcome the opportunity to work with him toward the betterment of our quality of life and the protection of our communities' interests.”

A graduate of the California public university system and business owner, Hernandez wants to bring practical solutions to the State’s management of public funds for land use.  Steiner is Chairman of the Miramar Ranch North Planning Committee and an alternate on the County Republican Party. He spent five years in Washington D.C. in the U.S. House of Representatives as staff for three members of Congress. He currently serves as the new Chief of Staff to San Diego County Board of Supervisors Chairman Bill Horn.  He is the
2010 recipient of the Wendell Cutting Award for Legislative Staff Member of the Year and holds a Master's degree in Public Policy from American University in Washington, DC.

Hernandez thinks Steiner’s local experience and expertise are strong complements to his own personal background and campaign platform.  He looks forward to the opportunity of working with him for the betterment of the district and state. He feels that together, they can achieve great things.

Hernande is running in a district comprised of Poway, Rancho Bernardo, 4S Ranch Rancho Penasquitos, Rancho Santa Fe, Carmel Valley, Mira Mesa, Scripps Ranch, Tierrasanta, Kearny Mesa, and North and East Clairemont. Find out more about District 77 and RJ Hernandez at http://www.rjhernandez.org.

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Door-to-door transit service for Encinitas and Solana Beach begins

Encinitas, CA — A new economical, on-demand, door-to-door transportation service,     that connects riders in shared vehicles to shopping districts, medical appointments, or any other destination in Encinitas and part of Solana Beach, was officially launched at a ribbon-cutting ceremony held in Encinitas.

Solana Beach Deputy Mayor Dave Roberts, a Executive Committee member of the North County Transit District Board of Directors, spoke at the ceremony highlighting the new transportation service for area residents. Treggon Owens, President of the Mainstreet 101 Association in Encinitas, also spoke at the kickoff event.

“By being creative and thinking outside the box, we established this innovative, on-demand transit service at a great price,” Roberts said. “For only $5, passengers can travel anywhere in Encinitas and any part of Solana Beach west of Interstate 5,” he said. The Flex 374 route is a groundbreaking new service to meet the local needs of residents who need public transportation, but don’t live near a bus or train station.

“Not only is this service easily accessible and economical for the rider, but participants are doing the environment a favor by carpooling to their destination. Many of us may not take the bus because the nearest bus stop is too far to walk to. But now, with door-to-door service, we are bringing the ride to you,” Roberts added.

The FLEX Route 374 is an on-call, convenient, and inexpensive way for riders to get to shopping and other destinations in Encinitas and the western portion of Solana Beach. The service operates 4:50 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. weekdays.  For $5, passengers can travel anywhere in the route’s zone (see attached flyer for zone map).  COASTER monthly pass holders are able to use the service at no additional charge; and it is half-price for seniors or customers with Medicare and disabilities.

FLEX 374 passengers must make a reservation at least 30 minutes in advance by calling (855) 844-1454   More information is available online at http://www.gonctd.com/flex374.

STATE ASSEMBLY URGES POSTAL SERVICE TO HONOR HARVEY MILK WITH POSTAGE STAMP

Sacramento - The California State Assembly has adopted a resolution carried by Assemblymember Toni Atkins requesting that the United States Postal Service honor slain civil rights leader Harvey Milk with a postage stamp.   HR 41 recognizes Milk’s many accomplishments as a leader of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community and will be added to letters from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other leaders in urging the postal service to create a Milk stamp.

“A postage stamp draws attention to important people who may not be familiar to all Americans,” says Atkins.  “Harvey Milk, who gave his life because he led the way for equality, is an ideal choice for this honor.”

Harvey Milk was the first openly gay elected official from a major city in the United States when he was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisor in 1977.  Before he was assassinated in 1978, Milk encouraged LGBT people to live their lives openly as the only way to change society and achieve social equality.  In 2009, Milk was inducted into the California Hall of Fame and was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.  His birthday, May 22, is recognized annually in California.  Milk was also named one of Time Magazine’s one hundred persons of the century.  Recently, a street in San Diego was renamed for Milk and the California State Senate adopted a resolution urging the Secretary of Defense to name a Navy ship after Milk.

The campaign to honor Harvey Milk with a postage stamp has been led by several community groups, including the Harvey Milk Foundation, The International Court Council, and the GLBT Historic Task Force of San Diego.

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Extreme, Tea Party-Based GOP Platform Includes Ryan/Brian Plan to Essentially End Medicare, Raise Health Care Costs for Seniors

San Diego – Today, the Scott Peters for Congress campaign urged seniors in the newly drawn 52nd Congressional District to take a hard look at the Republican Party’s extremist, Tea Party-driven national platform. Congressman Brian Bilbray is in Tampa to support the Republican National Convention proceedings, which today included formal adoption of a platform that makes the kind of overhaul in the Ryan/Brian plan to end Medicare as we know it an official tenet of the Republican Party.

“The Ryan/Brian plan will essentially end Medicare,” said Peters Communications Director MaryAnne Pintar. “It steals away from seniors the guaranteed benefit of Medicare they’ve earned over a lifetime of hard work, by turning it into a voucher system that raises health care costs for seniors by more than $6,000 per year,” she said.

“We must strengthen Medicare in order to preserve it for tomorrow’s seniors,” said Peters. “We can and must protect and preserve the Medicare guarantee and still reduce costs by making administration and overhead more efficient; that will be my focus,” he said. He added that, as a nation, we must work toward a health care system that emphasizes wellness and incentivizes prevention, and away from one that focuses on sick care and expensive procedures.

The GOP platform adopted today also rejects a woman’s right to choose, and officially adopts Rep. Todd Akin's no-choice-with-no-exceptions position on abortion, even in the case of rape or incest. Over the past five years, Bilbray has voted with Akin over 90% of the time.

This year’s platform is viewed by many as one the most extreme in recent history. In fact, in a recent editorial published in the Washington Times, Phyllis Schafly the national chairperson of the ultra-conservative Eagle Forum, praised it as the party’s “best yet.” Bilbray was a featured speaker at the local chapter of the Eagle Forum last year.

In sharp contrast, “Scott Peters is 100 percent committed to protecting and preserving Medicare for our seniors because he knows they’ve earned it and are counting on it,” said Pintar. “Scott knows, for many of our seniors, their Medicare benefit means the difference between making ends meet and poverty,” she added.

Peters is endorsed by Planned Parenthood. The organization gave him a 100% rating for his unwavering commitment to standing up for women’s rights.

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

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ATKINS BILL ENSURES BEST USE OF HOUSING FUNDS

Sacramento - Legislation authored by Assemblymember Toni Atkins, which re-directs under-utilized housing funds to multi-family projects that provide homes for low income residents and reduce homelessness, was passed by the state legislature today and sent to the Governor for his signature.

AB 1951 shifts $30 million from unused funds within the Housing and Emergency Shelter Trust Fund to the Multifamily Housing Program, a popular and successful program to build and rehabilitate rental housing that has exhausted its available funding.  The Housing and Emergency Shelter Trust Fund was created by Prop 1C, passed by California voters in 2006.

“The foreclosure crisis, job loss, and our state’s rise in homelessness have made the need for affordable housing more critical than ever,” says Atkins.  “Californians made housing a priority when they passed Prop 1C and my bill re-directs funds that are sitting idle to where they can do the most good, increasing available resources at no additional expense to taxpayers.”

The Multifamily Housing Program, which provides low interest loans for the development of affordable rental housing, is one of the most highly utilized programs created by Prop C and there are currently no funds available in its account.  The shift in funding would allow the many affordable multifamily projects currently in development to compete for the funds and increase the availability of homes for Californians.  Affordable housing funds have been negatively impacted by the recent elimination of Redevelopment programs, which by law set aside 20% of new tax revenues generated in redevelopment areas for affordable housing.

AB 1951 is supported by the California Housing Consortium, Corporation for Supportive Housing, Housing California and Habitat for Humanity.  It has no opposition.  Governor Brown has until September 30 to sign or veto the legislation.

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DeMaio's Failed Environmental Record Highlighted

Environmental Leader Condemns Candidate's Attempt to Sidestep Extreme Record of Supporting Developers and Polluters

SAN DIEGO – (Friday, August 24, 2012) – In response to Carl DeMaio’s attempt to rebrand his mayoral campaign by releasing an environmental plan yesterday, the president of the San Diego region’s leading politically active environmental organization called out Councilman DeMaio for his dismal performance at City Hall on environmental issues.

DeMaio the candidate may have a reason to appear friendly to environmental issues in order to appear moderate to voters, but his record as a city councilmember reveals he demonstrates the opposite.

Livia Borak, President of the League of Conservation Voters San Diego, made the following statement in response to DeMaio’s press release.

"While the policy goals outlined by Carl DeMaio are welcome, they unfortunately still fail to reflect any serious engagement with the environmental challenges facing San Diego. Carl DeMaio's claims of environmental leadership would be insulting if they weren't so obviously laughable against his terrible record on environmental issues.

“During his tenure on the council, DeMaio received F’s on the Environmental Quality Report Card in 2009 and 2011 and he mustered a D+ in 2010. By a significant margin, his cumulative score was the worst of any councilmember during that time, and has managed to be a reliable opponent of responsible environmental policy across the board."

“While Mr. DeMaio's pledge to meet with the environmental community is welcome, it notably did not come in time for him to participate in an environmental mayoral forum held by LCV San Diego to field questions from several leading environmental organizations.

“Similarly, it's encouraging to hear DeMaio discussing the importance of open space. However, DeMaio hasn't appeared in the minutes of a single meeting of the San Dieguito River Valley Regional Open Space Joint Powers Authority since January 2011 -- despite being one of the two San Diego City Councilmembers appointed as a representative to the board.”


The Environmental Quality Report Card is researched and published annually by the League of Conservation Voters San Diego and has received input from other leading environmental advocacy organizations. Report cards referenced in Borak’s statement can be found here:
-- 2011: 58.8% F:  http://lcvsd.org/PdfsDocs/2011_EQRC.pdf
--  2010: 68.8% D+:  http://www.lcvsd.org/pdfsdocs/2010_EQRC_FINAL.PDF
-- 2009: 58.8% F: http://www.lcvsd.net/PdfsDocs/2009_EQRC_02262010.pdf

For more information, contact San Diegans for Bob Filner for Mayor 2012 committee spokesman Evan McLaughlin at (619) 850-2790 or sandiegansforbobfilner@gmail.com.

San Diegans for Bob Filner for Mayor 2012 is a committee primarily formed to support Congressman Filner in the City of San Diego’s mayor race and does not coordinate with any candidate or candidate-controlled committee. ID # 1348840

Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer in San Diego TODAY

2nd Most Powerful Democrat in Congress Campaigning for Scott Peters

When:  
TODAY, Friday, August 24, 2012, 9:45 a.m.

Where: 
Offices of Rudman Gellar, Robbins & Dowd, LLP
655 Broadway, Suite 1900
Downtown San Diego.

IMPORTANT: 
This is a secure floor. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU ARE ATTENDING BY REPLYING TO THIS EMAIL TO ENSURE THE SECURITY GUARD IN THE LOBBY HAS YOUR NAME FOR ADMITTANCE.

What:    
Democratic Whip Hoyer is the featured guest at a fundraiser for Scott Peters for Congress tomorrow morning. Following the event, members of the media are invited to hear from Congressman Hoyer about the race for the 52nd Congressional District and why it is one of the most closely watched House races in the nation. Both national parties have focused a high level of attention and resources to it and two recent polls published by national media outlets show Peters and Bilbray in a dead heat, not a strong showing for a 12-year incumbent.

Stu Rothenberg of the National Journal recently included Peters in an article titled “On a Run of Strong Congressional Candidates,” calling him the kind of politician who prefers results to posturing, something Washington, D.C. needs.”  Rothenberg has also ranked this race a “Pure Toss Up.”

Contact: 
MaryAnne Pintar, Communications Director, 619-252-9923, or MaryAnne@ ScottPeters.com.

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REPORT: Under Ryan Budget, Congressman Bilbray Gets Better Health Care Than California Seniors

According to a new Bloomberg News report today, Congressman Brian Bilbray’s (CA-52) Medicare-ending Ryan budget would increase health care costs for seniors while protecting health care for Members of Congress like himself. The Ryan-Bilbray budget is a “plan to revamp the health-care program for the elderly [that] wouldn’t have the safeguards against rising costs included in the coverage that lawmakers and other federal workers receive.”

“Congressman Brian Bilbray will do anything to protect himself and his perks like taxpayer-funded health care, even while ending Medicare for California seniors,” said Jesse Ferguson of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “Congressman Bilbray would sell out seniors by ending Medicare and raising their health care costs but at the same time protect his own taxpayer-funded health care. For months voters have learned about Congressman Bilbray’s agenda to protect millionaires instead of protecting Medicare, but now it’s clear he’s really just trying to protect himself too.”

Congressman Bilbray is more committed to the Ryan budget than ever before now that the Republican plan to end Medicare is going to be his party platform. A Pew Research Center poll released Tuesday shows that informed adults oppose the Ryan-Bilbray budget by a 15-point margin (49 percent to 34 percent that expands to a 31-point margin (55 percent to 24 percent) among seniors age 65-and-older.

Background

Bloomberg: Ryan Budget Doesn’t Safeguard Seniors From Rising Health Care Costs But Would Protect Members of Congress. 
 “Republican vice presidential candidate Ryan’s plan to revamp the health-care program for the elderly wouldn’t have the safeguards against rising costs included in the coverage that lawmakers and other federal workers receive. [Bloomberg, 8/23/12]

House Republicans Voted for Ryan Budget That Ends Medicare.
House Republicans voted for two budgets authored by Congressman Paul Ryan. Together, these budgets that would end Medicare’s guaranteed benefit, protect $40 billion in tax breaks for big oil, and provide people earning more than $1 million a year with an average tax cut of $265,000. Additionally, the Congressional Budget Office estimated it will increase health care costs by an extra $6,359 by 2022 for future Medicare beneficiaries, while the Center for American progress has claimed that it is likely that that a middle-class family with two kids making about $70,000 a year would pay about $1,150 more in income tax. [H Con. Res. 34, Vote #277, 4/15/11; H Con Res 112, Vote #151, 3/29/12; Center for American Progress, 3/20/12; Center for American Progress, 3/20/12; Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, 3/27/12; Tax Policy Center, Table T12-0078 and T10-0132; Citizens for Tax Justice, 3/22/12; CBO, 4/5/11; CNN, 3/23/12]

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Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer in San Diego Tomorrow

2nd Most Powerful Democrat in Congress Campaigning for Scott Peters

When: 
Tomorrow, Friday, August 24, 2012, 9:45 a.m.

Where:  
Offices of Rudman Gellar, Robbins & Dowd, LLP,
 655 Broadway, Suite 1900
Downtown San Diego.

IMPORTANT: This is a secure floor. Please see the security guard in the lobby for access. The campaign will leave a list of invited media at the guard booth.

What:    
Democratic Whip Hoyer is the featured guest at a fundraiser for Scott Peters for Congress tomorrow morning. Following the event, members of the media are invited to hear from Congressman Hoyer about the race for the 52nd Congressional District and why it is one of the most closely watched House races in the nation. Both national parties have focused a high level of attention and resources to it and two recent polls published by national media outlets show Peters and Bilbray in a dead heat, not a strong showing for a 12-year incumbent.

Stu Rothenberg of the National Journal recently included Peters in an article titled “On a Run of Strong Congressional Candidates,” calling him the kind of politician who prefers results to posturing, something Washington, D.C. needs.”  Rothenberg has also ranked this race a “Pure Toss Up.”

Contact:
MaryAnne Pintar, Communications Director, 619-252-9923, or MaryAnne@ ScottPeters.com.

Rep. Susan Davis joins Organizing for America to Celebrate the Opening of the Latest Office in San Diego

Rep. Susan Davis joins Community leaders and volunteers for the Grand Opening of a new Organizing for America office in San Diego

SAN DIEGO – THURSDAY, Rep. Susan Davis will join San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council CEO Lorena Gonzalez and Co-Chair of San Diego LGBT Pride Will Rodriguez-Kennedy as Obama supporters gather to celebrate Organizing for America’s newest campaign office in San Diego and discuss the contrast between President Obama and Mitt Romney.


WHAT:         
San Diego Organizing for America Office Opening

WHO:            
Rep. Susan Davis, 53rd Congressional District
Lorena Gonzalez, Secretary-Treasurer and CEO for the San Diego and Imperial
Counties Labor Council
Will Rodriguez-Kennedy, Co-Chair of San Diego LGBT Pride
Organizing for America supporters and volunteers

WHEN:         
THURSDAY, August 23, 2012, 2:30pm

WHERE:      
4660 El Cajon Blvd., Suite 206
San Diego, CA 92115


Local volunteers understand that President Obama is creating an economy that preserves the middle class and ensures that we are building an economy that out-innovates, out-educates and out-builds the rest of the world. Yet as President Obama fights to protect the middle class, Mitt Romney’s tax plan would not only create 800,000 jobs overseas but would also give tax breaks to the wealthiest at the expense of middle class families.

San Diego volunteers are engaging with their local community to ensure that President Obama continues to lead our nation on the road to recovery. We need an economy that creates the jobs of the future and makes things the rest of the world buys—not one built on outsourcing, loopholes and risky financial deals that jeopardize everyone – and San Diego volunteers are standing by President Obama to secure our middle class.

Press should direct all inquiries to Linda Serrato, lserrato@barackobama.com, (310)733-6267.

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A Better San Diego Coalition presents a No on Proposition 32 Community Discussion Forum

EVENT:         
A Better San Diego Breakfast Forum – No on Prop 32. Dubbed the Special Exemptions Act, Proposition 32 aims to give corporate interests exclusive access to big-money influence in politics and its proponents are relying on deception to sneak it past voters. Speakers, representing a wide range of organizations, will explain the truth behind Proposition 32, explore what's at stake, and discuss why it's important for our economy, environmental advocacy, and the push for good government to stop Proposition 32 in November 2012.

WHO:            
Willie Pelote, Assistant Director, Political Action Department, AFSCME International;
Diane Takvorian, Executive Director, Environmental Health Coalition;
Simon Mayeski, Board Member, Common Cause.
All will be available to speak with media.

WHEN:          
Friday, August 17, 2012
8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.

WHERE:        
UFCW Local 135, 2001 Camino del Rio South, San Diego, CA 92108

HIGHLIGHTS:         
San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council Secretary-Treasurer/CEO and event moderator Lorena Gonzalez, AFSCME International’s Willie Pelote, Environmental Health Coalition’s Diane Takvorian, and Common Cause’s Simon Mayeski will be available for interviews

Breakfast will be provided to attendees of this first-of-its kind public discussion for a recommended donation of $5

Opportunities for community reaction to California’s Proposition 32 Ballot Measure

Large crowd expected to attend this highly anticipated event  

CONTACT:    
Patrick Pierce
619-807-0850 Cell
ppierce@unionyes.org

# # #

A Better San Diego
A coalition of labor, community, faith, environmental and civil rights organizations have joined together to imagine a better San Diego and start working to achieving it.
www.abettersandiego.org

DeMaio's Landlord Endorsement Demonstrates His Opposition to Affordable Housing

Affordable Housing Advocates Say Apartment Association and DeMaio Both Worked Against San Diego's Middle Class

SAN DIEGO – (Wednesday, August 15, 2012) –  Carl DeMaio today announced the endorsement of the San Diego County Apartment Association, attempting to spin the landlord group’s endorsement to appeal to moderate voters. However, the record says otherwise -- mayoral candidate Carl DeMaio and the Apartment Association are wrong on affordable housing issues.

Carl DeMaio understandably hopes to whitewash his record of standing with developers and those profiting from the great recession at the expense of struggling San Diegans, but his new-found need to court moderate voters doesn't change the truth. While local families look for better opportunities to stay in San Diego and grow the middle class, Carl DeMaio stands with the developers and landlords who continue to push for more of the same policies that got us into an emergency housing crisis.

Affordable housing has reached a crisis level in San Diego. Rents have become increasingly unaffordable as home ownership has declined, and the landlord group has regularly resisted efforts like the Affordable Housing Linkage Fee program, Renters Rights rules that protect families from unfair renting policies, and lead paint protections that would promote safe and affordable housing.

DeMaio and the landlords have both opposed policies that help San Diego families afford housing at every turn, according to affordable housing advocates:

Betsy Morris, former CEO of the San Diego Housing Commission and currently an affordable housing advisor:
 "Carl DeMaio is not an advocate for more affordable housing,” explained Morris. “In high priced areas like San Diego, the gap between the cost of rent and wages for working families is too great to be bridged by phantom 'regulatory relief.' A prudent leader would recognize that the public has a stake in guiding investment to expand infrastructure in support of new housing and community benefits. Instead, Carl DeMaio has supported spending public funds to add low wage jobs that are insufficient to afford apartment rents. He also voted against raising funds for more affordable housing.”

Dr. Murtaza Baxamusa, Director of Planning and Development for the San Diego Building Trades Family Housing Corporation:
 "Why do San Diegan workers continue to struggle to make ends meet? The answer lies in the gap between what a job pays and what it costs to live in San Diego," said Baxamusa. "But all we see from the likes of Carl DeMaio is the same failed economic experiment that puts landlords, big business and developers above the interests of middle class San Diegans."
 
Dr. Nico Calavita, Professor Emeritus at San Diego State University's School of Public Affairs:
"Supporting affordable housing means ensuring that if you work in San Diego, you can afford to live in San Diego," Calavita said. "Mr. DeMaio has undermined policies and programs in support of that goal. Saying he is a supporter of affordable housing is preposterous."


For more information, contact San Diegans for Bob Filner for Mayor 2012 committee spokesman Evan McLaughlin at (619) 850-2790 or sandiegansforbobfilner@gmail.com.

San Diegans for Bob Filner for Mayor 2012 is a committee primarily formed to support Congressman Filner in the City of San Diego’s mayor race and does not coordinate with any candidate or candidate-controlled committee. ID # 1348840

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Planned Parenthood Action Fund Endorses Scott Peters for Congress

San Diego – August 14, 2012 – The Planned Parenthood Action Fund of the Pacific Southwest, the non-partisan legislative and electoral arm of Planned Parenthood, has endorsed Scott Peters’ campaign for California’s newly drawn 52nd Congressional District.

“Based on his 100 percent commitment to Planned Parenthood and to access to women's reproductive health services, our board is honored to endorse Scott Peters for Congress,” said Planned Parenthood Action Fund board chair Julie Bornstein. “When long-standing reproductive rights are in peril - even access to birth control - we are grateful for a candidate who is committed to protecting the health, safety and privacy of women and their families.”

Peters’ opponent, incumbent Congressman Brian Bilbray, by contrast, has been a reliable soldier in the extremists’ War on Women, voting to limit access to women’s preventive healthcare, contraception and reproductive health services.

In 2011, Bilbray voted to strip funding for Planned Parenthood, a safety net provider of reproductive and preventive healthcare for millions of women. He also supported extremists’ efforts to shut down the federal government over opposition to the program. This year, Bilbray voted to eliminate funding for clinics that provide reproductive and preventive health services to low-income women, including breast and cervical cancer screenings.

Bilbray’s dismal record on reproductive rights and women’s health has earned him a 9% rating from Planned Parenthood.

“Over the last two years, the extremists in Congress, including Brian Bilbray, have conducted an all-out assault on women’s healthcare and reproductive choice, including access to contraception.” Peters said.

“My wife and I both are extremely committed to Planned Parenthood,” said Peters, whose wife served on the local Planned Parenthood board of directors for years.  “I will always stand firmly in defense of the rights of all women to have access to affordable birth control and reproductive healthcare and will oppose any efforts to roll back these rights.”

For more information about Scott Peters’ campaign to bring common-sense change to Congress, go to www.scottpeters.com.

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Statement from the Peters Campaign Re: Mitt Romney's Choice of Rep. Paul Ryan for VP

"Mr. Romney's choice of Rep. Ryan is bad news for America, but will help make the choice for voters in CD 52 crystal clear," said Peters spokesperson MaryAnne Pintar.

"The Ryan/Brian scheme to end Medicare as we know it, risk Social Security in the stock market and further burden the middle class so millionaires and profitable corporations can get bigger tax breaks will be scrutinized at every level, and Mr. Bilbray pushed for it every step of the way," she said. "It's disappointing that Mr. Romney bought into the Ryan-Brian-Tea Party agenda; it's totally out of step with this district. The voters now have a clear choice between Peters, a leader and consensus builder who wants to balance the budget right way, and Bilbray, another soldier in the extremist army."

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Ocean Champions Endorses Scott Peters for CA-52

Civic Leader Has Created Jobs While Protecting the San Diego Coast

Washington, D.C. – August 9, 2012 – Ocean Champions, which works to build political power for the oceans by helping to elect pro-ocean candidates to the U.S. Congress, proudly endorses Scott Peters for California’s 52nd District in the House of Representatives.

“Scott Peters has a long and distinguished record of leading initiatives that improve coastal water quality while increasing jobs and raising quality of life in San Diego,” said David Wilmot, Ph.D., Ocean Champions’ President and Co-Founder. “This stands in stark contrast to incumbent Congressman Brian Bilbray, who has supported numerous bills that attack our oceans.”

As a City Councilman, Scott Peters chaired the San Diego Foundation Climate Initiative that deepened community awareness about climate change’s local impacts and inspired reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.  He believes our energy policy should emphasize development of sustainable, clean technologies to lower environmental impacts while creating American jobs and enabling energy independence.  His opponent, Congressman Bilbray has jumped on the “drill, baby drill” bandwagon, voting to lower offshore drilling safety standards to levels that led to the BP Gulf oil spill and failing to vote against a bill that expanded offshore oil drilling to new coastal areas, including Southern California. Bilbray has also voted to continue granting billions in subsidies to Big Oil while cutting funds to important initiatives like the National Ocean Policy. 

As Co-chair of San Diego’s Clean Water Task Force, Peters led the rehabilitation of an aging sewer system, reducing spills and their resulting beach closures by 80%.  He also implemented measures to reduce coastal pollution by controlling runoff.  As a City Councilman, he received consistently high grades on work to promote water quality.  More recently, as San Diego Port Chairman, he brought leading scientists from Scripps, San Diego State and Sea World together in an effort to restore sea life and habitat on the harbor floor.  Congressman Bilbray, on the other hand, supported one amendment to block funding on initiatives to limit runoff pollution in the Chesapeake Bay, and another to block the EPA from implementing new water quality standards to prevent toxic green slime from polluting Florida’s lakes and rivers.  Bilbray has also supported numerous attempts to gut Clean Air Act standards that protect San Diegans and their coastal water.

“For San Diegans, the ocean defines our quality of life," said Peters. "It's a precious natural resource and also critical to our economy. That’s why we reject the notion that we must choose between a clean water and a strong economy; we must have both," he said, adding, “the new 52nd has some of the most spectacular coastline in the country.”

As a civic leader who has consistently created jobs and helped San Diego’s economy grow while improving coastal environmental quality (and quality of life), we believe Scott Peters is a true ocean champion, and the best choice to represent California’s 52nd District.

 

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SOLANA BEACH BEGINS SAN DIEGO COUNTY’S FIRST PLASTIC SHOPPING BAG BAN ON THURSDAY

 

Deputy Mayor Roberts hands out reusable shopping bags to promote City’s efforts to conserve resources and protect the environment

SOLANA BEACH — Solana Beach becomes the first city in San Diego County to ban the use of plastic shopping bags in grocery stores and pharmacies when a new city law takes effect starting on Thursday.

The city has instituted this ban specifically targetting single-use carry-out plastic bags in an effort to conserve non-renewable resources, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, waste, beach liter and marine pollution.

“Plastic bags harm marine ecosystems and clog landfills with materials known to take more than a century to decompose,” said Solana Beach Deputy Mayor Dave Roberts. “Solana Beach is leading the way by encouraging  ecologically green and clean practices which help protect our beaches, local wildlife, and the environment,” said Roberts.

San Francisco passed the first law banning the use of plastic bags in 2007 and 44 other cities in California and over two-dozen others around the country have followed suit.

This ordinance effects grocery stores and pharmacies. For all other retailers, the ordinance goes into effect on November 9. Single-use plastic carry-out bags are often derived from petroleum and are given at point of sale purchases to carry goods such as marchandise or food. This ordinance does not include include bags provided to transport products such as produce, meat, poultry, dry cleaning or laundry items.

The new city law also requires stores to charge a ten cent fee for each paper bag they use in an effort to push consumers toward using more reusable shopping bags. All revenues from this fee are to be kept by the individual stores.

WHO:
Solana Beach Deputy Mayor Dave Roberts and community volunteers
                               
WHAT:San Diego’s first plastic bag ban begins; Solana Beach city leaders hand out reusable canvas shopping bags to kick-off the new program

WHEN:Thursday, August 9, 2012 
11:00 am – 12:00 pm

WHERE:Sprouts Farmers Market, 659 Lomas Santa Fe Drive at I-5, Solana Beach, CA

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Network launches new website and announces free legal assistance

San Diego -  In response to the new program that provides relief for undocumented immigrant students, known as the Deferred Action for Child Immigrants (DACA), the San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium (SDIRC) has formed the Dreamer Assistance Network (which consists of legal, faith and community based groups from throughout San Diego County) to inform, prepare and assist eligible youth to take advantage of this program.

Today, the Dreamer Assistance Network publicly launches its website: www.dreamerassistance.org.

The Network will assist undocumented youth by holding free informational forums, eligibility assessment events, and application assistance workshops in various locations throughout the county.   At all the events, immigration attorneys from the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) will be present to provide information and answer questions

At the free application assistance workshops, AILA attorneys will also work with Network partners to assist eligible applicants in completing an application for DACA. In order to get assistance at the workshops, applicants MUST attend one of the eligibility assessment events on September 8th. 

  Upcoming events:

Friday, Aug 17 at 6-8 PM:  Information Forums on new DACA applicationThe Dreamer Assistance Network will host several community forums at which immigration attorneys will provide the most up-to-date information about the DACA application set to be released by USCIS two days earlier on August 15th.
    •    Everyone is invited but space may be limited, so come early to get your seat.
    •    Spanish interpretation will be provided.
    •    3 locations: Oceanside, San Diego, and National City
 
Saturday, Sep 8 at 9AM - 12PM:  Eligibility Assessment Events (required for workshops)
The Dreamer Assistance Network will host several events to assess the eligibility of potential DACA applicants, register the clearly eligible individuals for free application assistance workshops later in the month, and refer out others to qualified immigration attorneys for individual consultations.

Please note that those seeking application assistance at the workshops, MUST attend one of the eligibility assessment events. Eligible applicants will be registered for the workshop on a first come, first serve basis. Workshop registration is limited to 250 at each of the September workshops.
    •    Spanish interpretation will be provided.
    •    3 locations: Oceanside, San Diego, and National City

Saturday, Sep 15th at 9 AM - 3 PM:  Application Assistance Workshop in National City  
The Dreamer Assistance Network will host a free application assistance workshop at Sweetwater High School in National City for an estimated 250 people. Volunteers will assist applicants to complete the DACA application form, attach the required evidence, and prepare the application package for mailing. All applications will be reviewed by our legal team of AILA attorneys.
    •    The workshop is limited to applicants who registered at one of the September 8th Eligibility Assessment Events.
    •    In addition to being registered on the 8th, applicants will have to bring all of the required documents necessary to complete the application.
 
Saturday, Sep 22 at 9 AM - 3 PM:  Application Assistance Workshop in Oceanside  
The Dreamer Assistance Network will host a free application assistance workshop at
MiraCosta College Community Learning Center (CLC) for an estimated 250 people. Volunteers will assist applicants to complete the DACA application form, attach the required evidence, and prepare the application package for mailing. All applications will be reviewed by our legal team.
    •    The workshop is limited to applicants who registered at one of the September 8th Eligibility Assessment Events.
    •    In addition to being registered on the 8th, applicants will have to bring all of the required documents necessary to complete the application.

The Dreamer Assistance Network and San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium are powered by the Equality Alliance of San Diego County (soon to be called Alliance San Diego). For a full list of Dreamer Assistance Network partners, for more information on DACA, and to stay updated on our events, please visit www.dreamerassistance.org.

Contact: Ricardo Favela, (760) 659-3620

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Assembymember Atkins named new Majority Leader

Speaker John A. Pérez Announces New Assembly Leadership Positions and Committee Chairs

SACRAMENTO– Today Speaker John A. Pérez (D-Los Angeles) announced changes to his Assembly leadership team, and appointed new committee chairs to serve out the 2011-12 Regular Session.

 “I’m pleased to announce the members of our talented new leadership team and new committee chair assignments,” said Speaker Pérez.  This group represents a diverse cross-section of California and offers an incredible amount of knowledge and expertise on the important issues impacting our state.”

The following Leadership changes will take effect on September 1^st:

Speaker pro Tempore                          Hon. Nora Campos (D-San Jose)***

Assistant Speaker pro Tempore          Hon. Fiona Ma (D-San Francisco)

Majority Floor Leader                     Hon. Toni Atkins (D-San Diego)

Assistant Majority Floor Leader         Hon. Michael Allen (D-Santa Rosa)

Majority Whip                                     Hon. Roger Hernández (D-West Covina)

Asst. Majority Whip                           Hon. Chuck Calderon (D-Whittier)

(*** From August 10 – September 1, Assemblymember Nora Campos will serve as Assistant Speaker pro Tempore.)

The following members will retain their current Leadership positions:

Majority Policy Leader                       Hon. Mike Feuer (D-Los Angeles)

Asst. Majority Policy Leader              Hon. Wilmer Amina Carter (D-Rialto)

Democratic Caucus Chair                   Hon. Jerry Hill (D-San Mateo)

Rules Committee Chair                       Hon. Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley)

The following committee chair appointments will take effect on August 10th:

Assemblymember Marty Block (D-San Diego) will Chair the Assembly Accountability and Administrative Review Committee.

Assemblymember Mike Gatto (D-Los Angeles) will Chair the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

Assemblymember Mike Davis (D-Los Angeles) will Chair the Assembly Arts, Entertainment, Sports, Tourism and Internet Media Committee.

Assemblymember Roger Dickinson (D-Sacramento) will Chair the Assembly Banking and Finance Committee.

Assemblymember Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) will Chair the Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 3 on Resources and Transportation.

Assemblymember Bill Monning (D-Carmel) will Chair the Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 4 on State Administration.

Assemblymember Rich Gordon (D-Redwood City) will Chair the Assembly Business, Professions and Consumer Protection Committee.

Assemblymember Joan Buchanan (D-Alamo) will Chair the Assembly Education Committee.

Assemblymember Luis Alejo (D-Salinas) will Chair the Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee.

Assemblymember Richard Pan (D-Sacramento) will Chair the Assembly Health Committee.

Assemblymember Das Williams (D-Santa Barbara) will Chair the Assembly Higher Education Committee.

Assemblymember Tony Mendoza (D-Artesia) will be Vice Chair of the Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee.

Assemblymember Henry Perea (D-Fresno) will Chair the Assembly Insurance Committee.

Assemblymember Bob Wieckowski (D-Fremont) will Chair the Assembly Judiciary Committee.

Assemblymember Nora Campos (D-San Jose) will be Vice Chair of the Assembly Local Government Committee.

Assemblymember Michael Allen (D-Santa Rosa) will Chair the Assembly Public Employees, Retirement and Social Security Committee.

Assemblymember Felipe Fuentes (D-Sylmar) will Chair the Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee.

Assemblymember Ben Hueso (D-San Diego) will Chair the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee.

Assemblymember Jose Solorio (D-Anaheim) will be Co-Chair of the Assembly Legislative Ethics Committee.

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California Democratic Party and Federation of Labor Support “YES on 34” to Replace Death Penalty with Life in Prison With No Possibility of Parole

Drumbeat Builds for Ballot Initiative to Replace Broken Death Penalty with Justice That Works

SAN FRANCISCO – Two powerful California institutions have endorsed the “Yes on 34” SAFE California ballot initiative over the course of the last few days.

The California Democratic Party endorsed the measure to replace the death penalty with a sentence of life in prison without parole on Sunday. Prop 34 will also require convicted killers to work in prison and pay into the victims’ compensation fund and directs $100 million of the significant budget savings to investigate unsolved rape and murder cases. The endorsement comes days after the Legislative Analyst Office issued its official analysis finding that Prop 34 will save California taxpayers $130 million per year.

“We are enormously pleased that the California Democratic Party unanimously endorsed “Yes on 34.” The only way to be sure that we will never execute an innocent person in this state is to replace the death penalty with a punishment of life in prison with no chance of parole,” said Jeanne Woodford the official proponent of Proposition 34. As former warden of San Quentin State Prison, Ms. Woodford oversaw four executions.

The California Labor Federation endorsed the “Yes on 34” campaign on Thursday, July 26.
“Many people think that the death penalty is cheaper than life in prison without the possibility of parole. The California Labor Federation knows that is simply not true,” added Woodford. “People work hard and make tough economic choices across California every day. We must redirect the millions of tax dollars now wasted on the death penalty to solve more rapes and murders and to help our kids’ schools.”

A full list of campaign endorsements is here. The “Yes on 34” campaign has been endorsed by the League of Women Voters, the California Catholic Conference of Bishops, and the California State NAACP, as well as hundreds of law enforcement professionals and victims.

Ms. Woodford expressed confidence in the upcoming November vote, explaining that it would be the first of its kind in the state.

“This is the first time voters will be able to vote for swift and severe punishment in the form of life in prison with absolutely no chance of parole. Voters have never been presented with an alternative that will save our very limited state funds, improve public safety and completely eliminate the risk of executing an innocent man or woman.”

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When news isn't

 

The DeMaio campaign thought it had a nice news piece to kick off the week with their announcement of former SDCDP Chair Art Castañares coming on board as a campaign consultant. This news was somewhat buried by the leaked poll results showing Filner over DeMaio and Filner's offer to Fletcher. Nevertheless, it should be addressed for what it is.

Castañares has been inactive in local Democratic circles for at least a decade. He has been fined by the San Diego City Ethics Commission and has been doing pick up work for Republicans in South Bay. To claim his going over to DeMaio is a quality catch is to miss the point.

If he didn't have the title of "Former San Diego County Democratic Party Chairman" this would not have been story. And this is only a story in the evolving DeMaio fantasy of being a non-partisan candidate.

Castañares can best be seen as a tarnished showpiece rather than anything of relevance to the unfolding campaign. Filner has a solid hold on voters south of Interstate 8 and to think that a single hire that Democrats won't touch can make a difference is lunacy.

Happily, it's DeMaio's money being wasted on this investment which appears to be one that a politician would make rather than a businessman.

US Senator Barbara Boxer, California Labor Federation, State Senator Mark Leno Agree: Vote Yes on Prop 37!

Sacramento -  The California Right to Know Act – known as the Yes on 37 Right to Know Campaign – garnered three major endorsements yesterday, including the 2.1 million member strong California Labor Federation, as well as two high ranking leaders in their respective legislative bodies: Senator Barbara Boxer and State Senator Mark Leno.

If approved by voters in November, Proposition 37 would require labeling of genetically engineered foods, which are plant or animal products that have had their DNA artificially altered by genes from other plants, animals, viruses, or bacteria in ways that cannot occur in nature.

“California consumers have the right to know if their food has been genetically engineered,” Senator Boxer said. “This basic information should be available for consumers on the label the way it is in nearly 50 other countries around the world.”

"Working people deserve the right to know what is in the food we are feeding our families," said Steve Smith, Communications Director for the California Labor Federation. "Prop 37 is a commonsense measure that ensures our families are able to make educated choices about the food we purchase. We’re proud to join with millions of Californians in supporting the right to know what’s in our food.”

”The people of California want to know what's in their food,” said State Senator Mark Leno. “More than half the people in the world live in countries that already require labeling of genetically engineered foods. Californians deserve to have this information too.”

To date, over 1,000 community leaders have endorsed the Yes on 37 Right to Know initiative including a broad range of consumer, farm, environmental, and health advocates, including: the Consumer Federation of America, the United Farm Workers, California Certified Organic Farmers, Public Citizen, Organic
Consumers Association, the California League of Conservation Voters, the Union of Concerned Scientists, the Center for Food Safety, and the Sierra Club.

Polls show overwhelming bipartisan support for labeling genetically engineered foods: 89% of Republicans and 90% of Democrats want genetically altered foods to be labeled, according to recent polls.

The Right to Know campaign tapped into a deep grassroots passion for knowing what’s in their food when they relied on a statewide network of thousands of volunteers to help generate over a million signatures in just 10 weeks, easily qualifying for the November ballot.

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Ethics Troubles Plague New DeMaio Campaign Advisor

Mayoral candidate Carl DeMaio today announced that he was “thrilled” to welcome Art Castañares -- a former San Diego County Democratic Party chair -- to his campaign team. The current Democratic chair, Jess Durfee, issued the following statement in response:  

“Art Castañares hasn’t been involved with the County Democratic Party for more than a decade, and the last high-profile candidate he worked for as a consultant is a Republican, so I’m not surprised that he signed on to work for a well-financed Republican campaign.

“However, I am surprised that Carl DeMaio is promoting his connection to a downtown lobbyist with an ethically dubious track record. From Art’s ethics breaches to his legal entanglements, he doesn’t exactly embody the ‘reform’ that the DeMaio campaign has been promising. If this is the kind of advisor Carl wants in the mayoral race or potentially in City Hall, I think voters have cause for concern.”

The lobbyist’s name has been in the headlines several times in recent years -- for reasons that might make another candidate pause before retaining him:

• Castañares was fined by the San Diego Ethics Commission in 2007 for failing to file complete and timely disclosures of his lobbying activities as required by law. The Ethics Commission fined him again in 2009 for similar violations.

• Castañares use of his political networks to land consulting contracts with public agencies was highlighted after he signed a $60,000 contract with the San Diego Airport Authority in 2004 to help develop “message points.” He was previously an aide to former state Senator Steve Peace, who wrote the legislation creating the authority.

• A business owned by Castañares is currently suing the cash-strapped San Ysidro School District for alleged "damages" of $17 million.

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The Hill: DCCC reserves $1.65M against Bilbray, attacks 23 House Republicans on tax cuts

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has reserved $1.65 million in airtime against Rep. Brian Bilbray (R-Calif.). 

It's a sign the DCCC thinks Bilbray is vulnerable this fall. The Republican has been a top Democratic target this year. His San Diego district went from one that leaned Republican before redistricting to one that leans Democratic now, and he's facing a tough challenger in San Diego Ports Commissioner Scott Peters (D), a self-funding moderate.


Read the story here.

DAVE ROBERTS’ OPEN GOVERNMENT RESOLUTION PASSES 5-0 IN SOLANA BEACH

Solana Beach, CA – Solana Beach Deputy Mayor Dave Roberts worked with his colleagues on the Solana Beach City Council in a special session to unanimously pass a resolution to reaffirm the city’s commitment to the Brown Act.

 “I was disappointed when I learned that the state budget would no longer contain funding to implement certain components of the Brown Act,” Roberts said. “Our resolution not only reaffirms our commitment to following the Brown Act, but firmly states that the public has remedies to ensure the actions of our city government are open and transparent.”

The Brown Act was enacted by the state legislature back in the 1950′s to allow the public right of knowledge and participation in municipal government meetings. When the city of Solana Beach incorporated in 1986, following the Brown Act was incorporated into the local general code.

Roberts went on to say that “open and transparent government is a hallmark that all agencies should follow. I am pleased that my council colleagues worked together with me to reaffirm that our community would continue following the Brown Act as is prescribed in the general code.”

 “As a local elected official for the past eight years, I have seen firsthand why it is critical that all government business is done in an open and transparent manner. It will always be a core value of mine that all government agencies here in San Diego County operate according to the goals and ideals of the Brown Act. An open and transparent government is good for everyone.”

There is currently legislation pending that recommends placing a simple constitutional requirement on the next statewide ballot that would mandate that “Each public body shall provide public notice of its meetings and shall publicly disclose any action take.” If approved by the voters, it becomes the law and cannot be suspended again without a vote of the public.

“I support this constitutional amendment to solve this problem once and for all,” concluded Roberts.

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Poll: Bob Filner Leads San Diego’s Mayor’s Race

Independent survey of likely November voters shows Filner leads by 8 points

SAN DIEGO – (Monday, July 30, 2012) – A poll of San Diego voters shows Bob Filner with a significant 8-point lead in the race for San Diego Mayor.

In a survey of 400 likely November voters in the City of San Diego, 40 percent of respondents support or lean toward Filner in the Mayor’s race. Thirty-two percent of respondents said they support San Diego City Councilman Carl DeMaio and 29 percent were undecided.

“Despite being outspent and out-advertised by his general election opponent in the run-up to the June 5 primary, Filner’s longstanding record of service in San Diego and his closer alignment to the values held by voters who will cast ballots in the November 6 presidential election provide him a significant advantage in the runoff,” said Evan McLaughlin, a spokesman for the San Diegans for Bob Filner for Mayor 2012 committee.

The poll was conducted by Fairbanks, Maslin, Maullin Metz & Associates of Santa Monica, Calif. between June 28 and July 2. Respondents were registered to vote in the San Diego Unified School District, which is wholly encompassed in the City of San Diego, and were registered with political parties at a rate that mirrors the expected party registration for November: 42 percent Democratic, 29 percent Republican, and 29 percent declining to state or preferring another party.

From the FM3 poll:

POLL QUESTION:
As you may know, San Diego mayor Jerry Sanders is term-limited and therefore cannot run for reelection.

If the general election for Mayor of San Diego were held today, for whom would you vote if the candidates were: (RANDOMIZE) (IF UNDECIDED, ASK:) "Toward whom do you lean?"

[ ] Bob Filner, United States Congressman;
[ ] Carl DeMaio, San Diego City Council member?

                            Bob Filner------------------------------------------- 37%       --->  40%
                            (LEAN FILNER)----------------------------------- 3%

                            Carl DeMaio----------------------------------------- 29%       --->  32%
                            (LEAN DEMAIO) --------------------------------- 3%

                            (DON’T READ) Other----------------------------- 0
                            (DON’T READ) DK/NA-------------------------- 29%

San Diegans for Bob Filner for Mayor 2012 is a committee primarily formed to support Congressman Filner in the City of San Diego’s mayor race and does not coordinate with any candidate or candidate-controlled committee. ID # 1348840

California Democratic Party 2012 ballot endorsements

Yes on Proposition 30
Protects funding for schools and local public safety

No on Proposition 31
Locks California into permanent underfunding of education, health, and other vital services 

No on Proposition 32
Creates special exemptions for billionaires and Super PACs allowing them to buy elections 

No on Proposition 33
Auto insurance rate hike 

Yes on Proposition 34
Repeals death penalty and replaces with life without parole

Yes on Proposition 35
Increases penalties for human trafficking

Yes on Proposition 36
Reforms “Three Strikes” law

Yes on Proposition 37
Labeling of genetically engineered foods

No on Proposition 38
Munger initiative

Neutral on Proposition 39
Adjusts taxes for multi-state corporations to fund clean energy programs

Yes on Proposition 40
Referendum on State Senate district boundaries

DeMaio’s Ceiling

 

Polling has been happening in San Diego about propositions and other general election issues. The mayoral race is the elephant in the room and a number of these polls have inserted a question about the Filner-DeMaio match-up.

What is interesting is the consistency of the results.

Filner, without raising a finger, is running in the low 40s to high 30s as a percentage of the vote. This currently puts him over DeMaio who is registering high 20s and low 30s. From the polling this blogger has seen, Carl hasn’t broken 32%.

The latest poll has the race at:
40% - Filner
32% - DeMaio
29% - Undecided

As an average, these polling results closely mirror party registration in San Diego:
42% - Democrats
29% - Republicans
25% - DTS
4% - Other

So?

This early, voters are sticking to their party lines and they know what these party lines are.

This is the best DeMaio can do despite running for mayor for the last four years. His campaign has not let up since the primary in working downtown for support and trying to raise his profile among professional organizations but his numbers aren’t moving.

With all the effort, money, and time DeMaio has spent laying the ground for his mayoral campaign, he can’t get beyond the party base. This is extremely telling. He may be entering Meg Whitman territory; no matter how much money you spend, voters just aren’t that into you.

All the noise around DeMaio has succeeded in educating base voters about him and the results are not positive.

Filner is not out of the woods but he has a stronger natural base to run from. He has risen beyond his margin in the primary and looks like he can capture a majority of the vote. The same can’t be said for DeMaio.

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.