WIVES OF DISABLED VETERANS SUPPORT DAVE ROBERTS FOR THIRD DISTRICT SUPERVISOR

From the Roberts Campaign:

WIVES OF DISABLED VETERANS SUPPORT DAVE ROBERTS FOR THIRD DISTRICT SUPERVISOR

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ducheny endorsed by the California Teamster's Council

From the Ducheny campaign:

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

One Week Later, Saldaña Still Fails to Explain Luxury Junkets

From the Peters campaign:

One Week Later, Saldaña Still Fails to Explain Luxury Junkets

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

From the Saldaña campaign:

 

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

“It’s time to come clean, gentlemen”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Fire Fighters and Progressives Support Scott Peters for Congress!

From the Peters campaign:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

From the Peters campaign:

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

From the Voorakkara campaign:

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

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

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

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

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

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

####

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

Pala Band of Mission Indians Endorse Dave Roberts for Supervisor

From the Roberts Campaign:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cal Labor Fed Endorsements

From Cal Labor Fed:

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

United States Senator
Dianne Feinstein (D)

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

Newsom endorses C.A.S.E.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thank you,
Gavin Newsom and Jennifer Siebel Newsom

San Diego Firefighters Endorse Mat Kostrinsky for City Council District 7

From the Kostrinsky campaign:

San Diego Firefighters Endorse Mat Kostrinsky for
City Council District 7

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

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

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

The firefighters union represents some 800 San Diego firefighters.

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

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

An Open Letter To Wal-Mart

From the Labor Council:

An Open Letter to Wal-Mart

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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

Good morning

From the internet today:

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

From the Voorakkara campaign:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

####

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

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

From the Saldaña campaign:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

From the Peters campaign:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

All quotes from the SDUT

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

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


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


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


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

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

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

Justice delayed is justice denied:

SDUT Editorial: Crisis in the Courts

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

From the Saldaña campaign:

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

“What are they hiding?”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein Endorses Mat Kostrinsky for City Council District 7

U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein Endorses Mat Kostrinsky for City Council District 7

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Kimber Tabak (619) 500-3580

San Diego, CA – March 5, 2012 – U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein, one of California’s most respected elected officials, endorsed Mat Kostrinsky for City Council District 7.

"I have known Mat Kostrinsky for more than a decade, and relied on his counsel on matters in San Diego. He’s strong and independent,” said Senator Dianne Feinstein. “I’m confident Mat will make sure city government is working for you, and all the people of District 7,” added Feinstein.

"It is an honor to be endorsed by Senator Feinstein. She has an incredible record of bringing together people with diverse opinions to solve problems and get results," said Mat Kostrinsky. “I look forward to working with her to ensure we support our veterans, strengthen our economy, and keep San Diego safe.”

In addition to being supported by Senator Feinstein, Kostrinsky has also been endorsed by former San Diego Councilmember Donna Frye and current Councilmembers Todd Gloria, David Alvarez and Marti Emerald.

Kostrinsky grew up in the San Diego communities of San Carlos and Del Cerro. He attended Pershing Middle School, Patrick Henry High School and graduated from San Diego State University. Mat and his wife, Jen, a family practice physician, are raising their two children in the same neighborhood where Mat grew up. For more information, please go to his website at www.Mat4CityCouncil.com

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