Speaker Atkins Calls on San Diegans to Say Yes to Propositions B & C to Protect Community Planning

May 16, 2014, LA JOLLA – Today, a coalition of leaders including the Speaker of the Assembly and chairman of the local community planning group gathered in La Jolla, announcing their support of propositions B and C on the June 5 ballot, all warning that the democratic and community process could be threatened if propositions B and C fail.

Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins and La Jolla Community Planning Group Chair Joe LaCava were joined by Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez and City Council President Pro Tem Sherri Lightner calling on San Diegans to preserve community planning process and support propositions B and C. Although not in attendance, Senator Marty Block sent his support of the propositions as well.

Speaker Atkins warned that if the shipyard industry gets their way, the results would have city and state-wide implications, setting a dangerous precedent and usurping future community planning efforts.

"I urge voters to say Yes to B and C," said Speaker Atkins. "Say yes to safe and healthy neighborhoods.  Say yes to the democratic process."

At the state level, California relies on the General Plan processes to advance sustainable development goals throughout the state. The existing laws encourage collaborative and comprehensive land-use planning with goals of protecting the environment, maintaining a healthy economy, and ensuring equitable treatment of all people, including the children of San Diego.

"My kids, like all kids in San Diego, deserve to live and play in a neighborhood with clean air. After years and years of planning, Propositions B and C will help keep kids in my community healthy by preventing polluting industries from operating inside our residential neighborhoods,” said Assemblywoman Gonzalez. “It's time San Diego stands up for the health of our children by passing Propositions B and C."

From the state level to here in San Diego, community planning processes are an integral component to achieving the sustainable development goals of the state.

The community planning process is open, inclusive and works to balance the varied needs within a community. To negate the worth of this process through a referendum threatens the state's goals.

Residents and business owners in Barrio Logan, La Jolla and everywhere in between, all depend on the integrity of community participation in dictating how neighborhoods grow.

“I urge all San Diegans to vote ‘yes’ on Propositions B and C this June to support community planning for the health and well being of our families and businesses,” said Council President Pro Tem Lightner.  “By supporting B and C, you are standing with all neighborhoods in San Diego to respect and protect the public planning process in our City.”

Council President Pro Tem Lightner led many community groups and planning efforts before begin elected to the City Council.

LaCava, along with chairing his local community planning group in La Jolla, leads the citywide Community Planners Committee and is a business owner. He knows first-hand, the importance of neighborhood participation in community development.

“We believe that the residents and business owners are best suited to create the right plan to preserve their community and guide its growth,” said LaCava. “This referendum is not about the Barrio Logan Plan it is about the integrity of the community planning process.”

LaCava further explained the implications of the propositions, saying that even though the propositions support the Barrio Logan community, La Jolla could be affected as well.

The location of the press event, at the Cuvier Club, is on the edge of La Jolla’s venerable Cultural Zone. This area was zoned to protect and preserve the churches, museums and other cultural facilities that are in prime locations on the coastline.

Preservation is often at odds with those who’d like to build on the coast, but the community has prevailed in preserving La Jolla's character.

Barrio Logan residents and businesses have decided the priorities for their neighborhood in the same manner that La Jolla residents have.

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YES ON B & C: The San Diego City Council passed a community supported development plan for Barrio Logan that improves the health of neighborhoods and protects San Diego businesses.  Voting “Yes” on B & C will uphold the community’s plan to keep toxics, pollutants, carcinogens, and flammable chemicals, a safe distance away from schools, playgrounds and homes and increases jobs in our city. Protect our children’s health and vote “Yes” on B & C!

For more information, visit www.YesonBandC.com

An Open Email to City Councilmember Lorie Zapf

May 16, 2014 at 9:48am
Ms. Zapf,

Based on the volume of campaign paraphernalia I've received in my mailbox over the last week, I take it that the race for City Council District 2 is now in full swing.  I'm a Clairemont homeowner and a 5-year resident of what is today a part of District 2 (formerly District 6).  I write to express concerns with material I received from your campaign yesterday.

Sarah Boot is a stranger to me, but I couldn't resist feeling sorry for her with the way one of your flyers literally demonized her, using pitchforks instead of bullet points in its characterization of her record.  I also sensed some troubling (and discouragingly ironic) gender undertones with campaign material of yours that seeks to disparage Ms. Boot for being young and ambitious in a way that I can't imagine being done to a male candidate.  But what compelled me to write this email was not the "devilishness" or the implicit gender stereotyping of your flyers.

You see, Ms. Zapf, in addition to being a Clairemont resident, I'm also a proud attorney.  And the way your campaign materials repeatedly refer to "lawyer Sarah Boot," as if the word lawyer is a pejorative or as if Ms. Boot should be ashamed of her career as an Assistant U.S. Attorney (a position I am also fortunate and very proud to have once held) not only reflects your apparent inability to refrain from laying ugly personal attacks on your political opponent, but it denigrates all of us who are members of this noble profession.

I sincerely hope that this will stop, and that your campaign will elect to forego the ad hominem and instead focus on what you believe to be the merits of your candidacy going forward.  In the meantime, I wanted to let you know that your hateful, anti-lawyer campaigning has drawn me into an election as to which I was previously disengaged.  To that effect, I also want to put you (and Ms. Boot's campaign) on notice of the following: for every piece of campaign material of yours that I receive going forward that uses the word "lawyer" as a slur, or that disparages Ms. Boot for her mere status as an attorney, I will be donating $100 to Ms. Boot's campaign (up to any and all applicable limits on donations).


Thank you, and take care,

Doug Brown
[Address Redacted]

Weber Commemorates 60th Anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education

Poverty and rollback of desegregation policies have resulted in separate and unequal education

SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Shirley Weber (D-San Diego) was joined by her legislative colleagues today in commemorating the 60th Anniversary of the Brown v. Board of Education decision on May 17th with Assembly Concurrent Resolution (ACR) 140.

On May 17th, 1954 the United States Supreme Court overturned the “separate but equal” doctrine of the 1896 Plessy v. Ferguson decision. The Court concluded that in the field of public education, the doctrine of separate but equal has no place and that separate educational facilities are inherently unequal. Weber also noted that, despite two decades of positive effects on student outcomes from policies emanating from Brown, there have been efforts to rollback desegregation, leaving California students more segregated than ever.

“This was a landmark decision about how we see ourselves as a nation,” Weber said. “Sixty years later, we are again struggling with issues of equality and opportunity.

“My hope is that we don’t let this anniversary deceive us into thinking we’ve completely fulfilled the hopes of Brown,” Weber said. “A UCLA study released yesterday shows that Black and Latino students in California are once again segregated by race and by poverty.”

Weber has been outspoken on the necessity of  mitigating the effects of poverty - malnutrition, inadequate healthcare, and a stressful and chaotic home life that have significant detrimental effects on learning and long-term academic outcomes.

“The 60th Anniversary of Brown is not just about commemoration, but also about commitment,” Weber said. “We need to take this milestone as a reminder to both recommit to integration and inclusion of minorities in our educational institutions and to refocus our efforts on programs that support families and children in their efforts to escape poverty.”

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Symposium on Climate Change Finds Common Ground

Tuesday, May 14, 2014 -- Various community and industry leaders found common ground on the conflictive issue of climate change, at a University of San Diego symposium Tuesday, agreeing that it is important that we act now to avoid the worst affects of global warming.

Speaking at the day long event, sponsored by the San Diego World Affairs Council, local scientists, politicians and industry leaders agreed that the economic costs of not dealing with climate change will only increase over time.

Warning about extreme weather events, fires exacerbated by climate-related drought and rising sea levels around the world caused by global warming, keynote speaker Dr. Ralph Keeling, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, said the world must reduce the burning of fossil fuels by 57 percent in order to stabilize carbon dioxide levels at 450 parts per million.  He noted that we are already at dangerous levels with April readings of 401 ppm that will bring severe climate changes to the world.

U.S. Congressman Scott Peters told the group they cannot wait for gridlocked politicians in Washington D.C. to address climate change, explaining that state and local laws give San Diegans the power to mitigate expected damages from global warming.  Noting the Sustainable Communities and Climate Protection Act of 2008 and the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, he urged symposium attendees to press state and local officials for compliance with those laws.

"The polarization in Congress over climate change has stopped any kind of legislation.  It has become too politicized and committees that are supposed to work on this issue are stacked with shrill climate deniers who claim it is all a hoax," he explained.

Although renewables were the focus in various panel discussions at the symposium, Chief Nuclear Scientist Robert Schleicher, General Atomics, explained  that new technologies have made nuclear energy much safer.  He noted recent advances by his company, as well as the new Bill Gates funded TerraPower reactor, that can make its own fuel inside the reactor core.  He said the new technologies basically allow spent fuel to be converted into energy.

What is key to dealing with mitigating the worst impacts of climate change is getting other countries on board, according to former Ambassador Reno Harnish, Director of the Center for Environment and National Security, Scripps Institution of Oceanography University of San Diego.  He noted the only way forward is to forge a diplomatic solution, first with China and secondly with India.

"Our biggest concern is political destabilization with flooding of low lying areas and other impacts brought by climate change.  It increases the chance of conflict in many regions of the world," Harnish said. "Extreme events will convince the American people to act now to mitigate damage from climate change."

Closing keynote speaker, Rear Admiral Leendert “Len” Hering Sr. (U.S. Navy, retired), Executive Director of the California Center for Sustainable Energy, noted that San Diego is in the 12th year of a drought and faces a constant threat of fires because of dry conditions. Since it takes three years to recover from each year of drought, he added, it will be three decades before we recover.  Hering is the founder of the largest sustainability business partnership in San Diego County, the San Diego Regional Sustainability Partnership, a consortium of business, government, academic and community organizations promoting practices that support a sustainable future for the region.

The San Diego World Affairs Council is a non-profit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to educating and engaging San Diegans in global issues, international relations, and cultural understanding.

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HHS Budget Committee Chair Weber Responds to Governor’s Revised Budget Proposal

SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Shirley N. Weber (D-San Diego), Chair of the Assembly Subcommittee on Health and Human Services, issued the following statement in response to the Governor’s May Budget Revision:

“We commend the Governor for his commitment to restore the California Dream and to help working families ensure a better future for their children,” Weber said. “However, we’ve identified a number of issues in recent months that still aren’t addressed in his May Revision. Fortunately, the Governor has left room for discussion and we look forward to working with him over the next few weeks as we move toward a budget that balances fiscal restraint with the need to address the effects of poverty.”

The Governor customarily releases a revised budget proposal in mid-May reflecting the state’s tax receipts. The Legislature and Governor will have until June 15th to negotiate a finalized budget for the 2014-2015 fiscal year.

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San Diegans Call on Governor Brown to Ban Fracking

Groups Ask for Support of Senate Bill to Temporarily Halt Risky Oil/Gas Extraction Method

Tuesday, May 13, 2014 – Members of various San Diego community groups gathered at the San Diego Administrative Building downtown to urge Governor Brown to ban fracking, a fossil fuels mining technology that may present substantial risks to Californians, and support Senate Bill 1132.  Governor Brown was in town to unveil his revised budget plan, as part of a tri-city tour, and although he acknowledged the groups and offered them support for fracking legislation, he was short on specifics.  In a state-wide coordinated effort, he was also confronted in Sacramento and Los Angeles by groups concerned about fracking.

Many reports on fracking in other states suggest it does far more harm to our health, environment, and economy than reported, far outweighing its economic benefits.  Numerous groups are seeking public support of SB1132, that calls for a moratorium on fracking until thorough studies can be conducted to assess the risks. 

Some of our knowledge about the risks comes from people visiting our city, explained SanDiego350’s Nicole Peill-Moelter.  “At the April Balboa Earth Day fair I had a woman from Oklahoma City approach me at our SanDiego350 booth.  She said she was very aware of fracking because they started having earthquakes of magnitude 4.8 and higher once fracking operations started there.  They didn’t have earthquakes before that.  I would think that, of all people, Californians would want to understand the risks of earthquakes induced by fracking before we allow it.  But it’s already happening.  We are at risk now,” she said.

      Emily Wier, who also volunteers for SanDiego350, said that people are starting to realize how precious California’s water supply is.  “It’s vital to our multi-billion dollar agricultural industry, our health and well-being. Why would we want to allow fracking which irreversibly contaminates this very water supply – with toxins, carcinogens, and hydrofluoric acid?”

      Others confronting the governor said he sometimes seems to be for the fossil fuels industry until he speaks to an environmental group, when he seems to modify his view.  “Governor Brown comes to town today during yet another week of abnormally high temperatures and severe drought and fire warnings.  Our county is like a tinder box and we could have a terrible fire any day.  These conditions are exacerbated by human caused climate change driven by our continued fossil fuel dependency.  Governor Brown must realize he can’t be both a climate leader and a Big Oil champion.  We call upon our Governor to stand up, be a true leader and ban fracking to save our water and climate,”  said Peg Mitchell of San Marcos, a member of Citizen’s Climate Lobby.

SanDiego350 has reported there are serious potential risks to Californians that include:

1)     Earthquakes.  Seismic activity has increased 1100% since 2005 in states such as Ohio, Texas, Pennsylvania and Oklahoma correlated to fracking operations;

2   Water contamination.  Nationwide, fracking operations have used at least 250 billion gallons of water that, unlike other industries, is irreversibly contaminated.  There are countless examples of where fracking operations have contaminated ground water for drinking and farming.  Kern County farmer, Tom Frantz lost his entire almond farm due to fracking contamination of ground water.

3   Air pollution.  Communities near fracking operations, including Culver City, CA, have suffered from ailments such as nose bleeds, nausea, dizziness, and severe headaches.  Pollution is also generated from truck traffic that transports water, sand, chemicals, waste water and oil product – on the order of 2,000 truck trips per well.

4   Property values.   Fracking operations have lowered nearby property values.  Exxon CEO Rex Tillerson joined a lawsuit to stop construction of a water tower used in fracking operations near his Texas home because of his concern about devaluation of his property.

5   Climate change.  Monterey shale oil is as dirty as Alberta tar sands in terms of carbon content that, according to climate scientists, cannot be burned if we are to stay below a 2°C global average temperature increase. 

SanDiego350.org, an all-volunteer organization, is concerned about climate change and its very real effects on our livelihoods, well-being, and the future for our children. We work to increase awareness of climate change and advocate for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. We are loosely affiliated with 350.org, the international climate organization, whose work inspires us.  General media contact Jeffrey Meyer, 858-217-6833.

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NOW Endorses Scott Peters for Congress

Peters is only candidate in CA-52 Backed by Three National Women's Advocacy Groups

San Diego – As the country marks National Women's Health Week, Scott Peters is proud to announce the endorsement of the National Organization for Women Political Action Committee. With more than 500,000 members, NOW is the nation's largest organization advocating for women's health, equality, and economic opportunity.


"We can't have a truly inclusive American Dream without full economic opportunity, protections, and equality for all women. That means equal pay for equal work, freedom from gender discrimination and domestic abuse, and freedom from the government interfering with women’s private health decisions,” Peters said.


“NOW is among the world’s leading advocates for women, and this endorsement shows I’m the candidate in this race who women can trust to stand up for them,” he added. “I'm proud to stand against Tea Party attacks on their basic rights and honored to have their support.”


Peters has been an outspoken supporter of women's rights and equality his entire career. In Congress, he cosponsored the Paycheck Fairness Act to help ensure women receive the same pay as men, was a leader in reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act, and has fought for full racial, gender, and LGBT equality.


Peters was also recently endorsed by the Planned Parenthood Action Fund and NARAL Pro-Choice America after receiving 100% ratings on their Congressional scorecards, making him the clear choice of advocates for women's equality and the only candidate in the race who can be counted on to defend and advance women's equality issues.

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Carl DeMaio’s Pattern of Deception

 

THE TRUTH ABOUT DEMAIO AND PETERS ON PENSIONS

San Diego – Last week Carl DeMaio took to the airwaves to attack Rep. Scott Peters for taking a $20,000 per year pension he earned during his eight years on the San Diego City Council.

The truth – Peters DONATES the pension he earned during that time – plus an additional $5,000 per year – right back to the City to support public libraries.

“What's more outrageous – this attack comes from a guy who made his millions off of federal contracts, over $300,000 of which were non-competitive. This is classic Carl DeMaio; He’ll say or do anything for his own political purposes and as part of a campaign for his next publicly funded paycheck,” said Peters’ Deputy Campaign Manager Kate Lyon.

“Mr. DeMaio is well aware that Scott does not keep a penny of his city pension but rather donates it – and then some – right back to the city to fund the public library system,” said Lyon. “Yet in his most recent attack, he failed to reveal this in a shameful attempt to hoodwink the press and deceive the voters.”

In addition to donating his City pension, Peters declined the Congressional pension and healthcare when he was elected to Congress, and helped pass the ‘No Budget No Pay’ law soon after he took office, said Lyon. Peters also donated his pay during the government shutdown ($7,500) to local charities, and ‘sequestered’ his pay when other federal agencies were facing these same cuts.

A recent editorial from a San Diego newspaper had this to say about DeMaio’s unbridled ambition:

“DeMaio is just the most hideous kind of political opportunist. Sure, most politicians do it to an extent, but DeMaio is opportunism and crazed ambition on steroid-boosted steroids. It's been quite a show to watch him transform his narrative right before our eyes to this "new generation" Republican…”
(San Diego CityBeat, May 7, 2014)

The highly regarded National Journal also called out DeMaio for his deceitful practices today, saying that DeMaio appears to have plagiarized a report he claimed his office researched and compiled.

Their headline said this:

“California Republican Appears to Plagiarize to Make Case Against Opponent: Carl DeMaio claims he has done investigative work, but his database looks just like National Journal's, right down to the color scheme."

(National Journal, May 12, 2014)

“I’m sure the national press are dumbfounded by Mr. DeMaio’s complete disregard for ethical practices, but sadly, here in San Diego, no one is too surprised,” Lyon said. “Our campaign will be based on facts, reminding voters about Mr. DeMaio’s record of Tea Party extremism and of the fact that he just can’t be trusted,” she added.

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Thank you

 

Dear Friend --


Thank you for the honor of serving as Speaker of the Assembly for the past four years.  California is on the right track again because of the work we did together — keeping our budget in balance and reinvesting in education and the social programs that are core to our Democratic values.

At 1:00 pm today we will officially swear in Assembly Majority Leader Toni Atkins as our new Speaker.  I look forward to working with all of you under her leadership as we continue California’s economic recovery with a fourth on-time and balanced budget.

Thank you again for four productive, memorable, and fun years as your Speaker.


Speaker John A. Pérez

San Diego Symposium on Energy and Climate Change

Energy and climate change have become conflictive and political issues in the San Diego community, with groups becoming too polarized to effectively deal with solutions. This is a first effort at bringing everyone to the table, to work out our differences and brainstorm ideas that will both provide our energy needs and safeguard us from global warming.

In collaboration with the University of San Diego and the San Diego World Affairs Council, this symposium will feature panel discussions and speakers from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, California Center for Sustainable Energy, California Independent System Operator, California Air Resources Board, General Atomics, Sempra Energy, San Diego Gas and Electric, Climate Action Reserve, and University of San Diego Center for Sustainability.

Community partners for this event include the American Nuclear Society, San Diego Gas and Electric, Pacifica Institute, the Global Network Energy Institute, America's Power Plan, UNA-USA, San Diego Diplomacy Council, San Diego Indian America Society, St. James by the Sea Episcopal Church, Congressman Scott Peters, SanDiego350, Citizens Climate Lobby and Sempra Energy.

This symposium is also an opportunity for area students to hear about new employment opportunities in energy and climate mitigation. Presenting at the symposium about these opportunities will be representatives from Qualcomm, KYOCERA Solar, General Atomics, Akamai and other area corporations.

     What:    Symposium on energy and climate change.
     When:   Wednesday, May 14, 7:30 am - 5 pm
     Where:  Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice
     University of San Diego, 5998 Alcala Park, San Diego
     Cost:       Registration fee information can be found at www.sdwac.org/climatechange

The San Diego World Affairs Council is a non-profit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to educating and engaging San Diegans in global politics, international relations, and cultural diversity. 

Assemblymember Weber Applauds Court Decision Restoring Voting Rights to Thousands of Californians

SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Shirley N. Weber (D-San Diego) said she applauds a ruling Wednesday that restores the voting rights of thousands of Californians.

“We have seen attempts to disenfranchise voters in other states, but never expected it in California,” Weber said. “I am gratified that the court supports our position and restored the voting rights of nearly 42,000 citizens.”

An Alameda County Superior Court Judge decision affirmed that thousands of California citizens were illegally stripped of their voting rights by California’s Secretary of State Debra Bowen two years ago.

In response to Bowen’s action, Assemblymember Weber introduced legislation, AB 938, that would have clarified the voting rights’ status of former offenders who were placed in the Post Release Community Supervision (PRCS) and mandatory supervision programs under California’s Criminal Justice Realignment Act. The bill passed the Assembly, but stalled in the State Senate after aggressive lobbying by the Secretary of State’s office

With the passage of Proposition 10 in 1974, California voters affirmed that former offenders who have served the time of their sentences and completed the terms of their parole are allowed to have their voting rights restored. Wednesday’s ruling determined that offenders who were placed in PRCS and mandatory supervision programs fall into that category.

“No eligible voter should be kept from fulfilling their responsibility and civic duty due to an unjustified misinterpretation of the law.” Weber further said, “I will be working to resurrect AB 938 to make sure that point is absolutely clear in statute.”

Weber has introduced two related measures, AB 149 and AB 2243, that would ensure eligible ex-offenders are given accurate information about their voting rights. AB 149 was signed into law last year; AB 2243 has been passed by the Assembly and will be considered in the Senate later this year.

Block to Rialto school district: Holocaust absolute historical fact

SACRAMENTO – Senator Marty Block (SD-39) today issued the following statement after learning that the Rialto Unified School District assigned eighth grade students an essay debating the reality of the Holocaust:

“Recently eighth grade students in the Rialto Unified School District were asked to assess whether the Holocaust ‘was an actual event in history, or merely a political scheme created to influence public emotion and gain wealth.’

“As chair of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus, it is abhorrent to me that students would be asked to question whether the Holocaust occurred. The assignment trivializes a painful and despicable episode in human history that is well-documented.  There are many issues open to robust debate that can test students’ critical thinking skills. The reality of the Holocaust is not one of them. It is absolute historical fact. Holocaust denial is the province of white supremacists, virulent anti-Semites and neo-Nazis, not responsible historians.

“I was pleased to learn that the Rialto school district has canceled the assignment, but it is my hope that students, faculty and administrators seize this opportunity to study the Holocaust and ponder its tremendous cost. As important is the lesson that we must all fight the intolerance and hate that led to the depraved crimes that constituted the Holocaust.

“The Legislative Jewish Caucus thanks Senator Norma Torres (SD-32) and Assemblymember Cheryl Brown (AD-47) who represent the Rialto school district for their immediate condemnation of this outrageous assignment.”

Peters for Congress Launches New Website Design

New layout launched as mail voters seek candidate information

San Diego – The Scott Peters for Congress campaign unveiled a refreshed, newly designed website today. It is launched just as voters across the 52nd congressional district begin receiving mail ballots this week for the 2014 primary election on June 3.

“As I continue my work in Congress to create middle class jobs, protect our environment, serve our veterans, and guarantee civil rights for all Americans, this new, more robust website will help voters get the information they need to understand the dramatic contrasts between me and the challengers in this race,” Peters said.

The new format is simpler to navigate and makes it easier for voters to read breaking news, learn about new endorsements and upcoming events, as well as how to get involved and find their polling place.

A recently updated issues section reflects Peters' experience serving the 52nd District in Congress, as well as his record while on the City Council and as a San Diego Port Commissioner.

Scott Peters was elected to Congress in 2012 and serves on the House Armed Services and Science Space and Technology Committees. He has a track record of bipartisan leadership and is recognized across as San Diego and in Washington D.C. as an effective, pragmatic, problem-solver who gets things done.

ScottPeters.com

FWD.us Launches FWD California Campaign

CA Representatives, DREAMers, Tech Entrepreneurs, CA Growers Urge Full California House Delegation to Support Immigration Reform Legislation This Year

(San Francisco, CA) — FWD.us today launched the FWD California campaign, calling on every member of the California U.S. House of Representatives delegation to support bringing immigration reform legislation to a vote this year. Representative Scott Peters (CA-52), FWD.us Executive Director Todd Schulte, tech entrepreneur Alex Torrenegra, DREAMer Sarahi Salamanca, and California grape grower and fourth-generation family farmer Ryan Zaninovich discussed why passing immigration reform legislation is critical to maintaining California’s economic competitiveness, and called on California’s congressional delegation to advocate aggressively for bringing reform legislation to a vote this year.

“Reforming our broken immigration system is a top priority for business, labor, faith, and agricultural communities across the country,” Representative Scott Peters said. “It will grow the San Diego, California, and national economies and help keep our country globally competitive. If we want the next big company to get started or scientific discovery to be made here in America, this has to get done. I firmly believe that reform deserves a vote in the House of Representatives and will continue pushing for that until it happens.”

“I was brought to this country when I was four years old. I have been here for 20 years, and I have worked hard to contribute in my community to make it a better place,” said DREAMer Sarahi Salamanca. “This is the only place I know as my home because my parents decided to bring us where we could have a better life and a brighter future. I pray that members of Congress understand one day that our parents brought us here for the same reason their ancestors left their native countries many years ago: a better life.”

Joe Green, President & Founder, FWD.us, said, “We expect every member of California’s House delegation to stand strong and actively demand that Republican leadership bring legislation to a vote in 2014. The stakes are too high in my home state of California- and across the country - if Congress fails to fix the broken immigration system. The time is now for House Republicans to act on reform.”

“By closing our doors to immigrant entrepreneurs, we are allowing other nations to welcome them with open arms, and we are losing potential U.S. jobs and revenue,” added Alex Torrenegra, Founder and CEO of Bunny Inc. and Torrenegra Labs. “Today, what we are seeing is a country that is turning away hard-working immigrants who want to contribute to the U.S. economy - even though more than 200 Fortune 500 companies that were founded by immigrants. Imagine the repercussions on the U.S. economy if these companies were turned off by the U.S. attitude toward immigrants and chose to build elsewhere. That's why I'm joining tech entrepreneurs throughout California to call on all of our elected congressional representatives to help bring reform legislation to a vote this year.”

Ryan Zaninovich of V.B. Zaninovich and Sons, a California grape grower and fourth-generation family farmer, added, “The importance of immigration reform for domestic food production across the country, as well as to California’s economy - where this state’s farm gate value alone totals approximately $45 billion annually - cannot be overstated. We have kicked this can down the road for far too long, and California's entire House delegation must act now to push for a vote on immigration reform legislation.”

As the fifth-largest economy in the world, arguably no other state in the country has as much to gain as California from fixing the country’s fundamentally broken immigration system. The state of California would see enormous economic benefits from immigration reform across all sectors of its economy, particularly in agriculture and tech, industries that are critically important to the state.

Additionally, an estimated 2 million of the U.S.’ population of 11 million undocumented immigrants lives in California. Immigration reform would bring the undocumented out of the shadows and keep families together, allowing the vast majority of these aspiring Americans who are already contributing to California’s economy and communities to do so fully.

The FWD California campaign will include ramping up FWD.us’ significant advocacy efforts already underway in the state, with activities such as digital advocacy campaigns; highlighting stories of immigrant entrepreneurs and immigrants' incredible contributions to California's past, present, and future; hosting events in key districts with stakeholders of the broad, diverse coalition of organizations supporting reform, such as the faith community, agriculture, tech and business leaders, advocates and community members, all with the goal of sending a clear message to California's full delegation to the House of Representatives: with so much at stake for Californians, every single member should be pushing for House Republicans to bring immigration reform legislation to a vote this year.

Weber’s Education Bills Pass First Test

SACRAMENTO – Two kindergarten bills jointly authored by Assemblymembers Shirley N. Weber (D-San Diego) and Assembly Education Chair Joan Buchanan (D-Alamo) were passed by the Assembly Committee on Education Wednesday.

Assembly Bill (AB) 1719 would require all school districts offering kindergarten implement a full-day kindergarten program.

“Students are being held to more rigorous academic standards under the K-12 Common Core curriculum,” Weber said.  “A full-day kindergarten program would provide students - in particular those children unable to attend preschool - an opportunity to strengthen the foundational skills necessary to succeed in school.”

Assembly Bill 1444 would require kindergarten for all of the state’s schoolchildren before entering the first grade. Weber, a former San Diego City School Board trustee and president noted that the voluntary status of kindergarten allows parents to delay their child’s entrance into school, leaving students unprepared for the educational environment when they enroll in first grade.

“We are making a significant investment in the state’s K-12 system,” she said. It’s time we made kindergarten mandatory to ensure that our investment in student success is maximized,”

The Committee also passed AB 2380, a measure authored by Weber aimed at increasing parental participation in spending decisions under the new local control funding formula.  This bill was passed with bipartisan support.

Weber has been successful in moving a large number of measures from her bill package in recent weeks, including. AB 2591, that would establish a mechanism for providing basic material needs to homeless children; AB 2566 extending Cal Grant eligibility for one year; AB 2278 which would help small businesses compete for large state contracts; AB 2617 exempting civil rights laws from forced arbitration agreements; and AB 2243, which helps former offenders fully reintegrate into society by exercising their voting rights.

SPEAKER-ELECT ATKINS HONORS SURVIVOR LOU DUNST ON HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE DAY

(Sacramento)  Assembly Speaker-Elect Toni Atkins today honored San Diegan Lou Dunst, a survivor of several Nazi concentration camps, as part of the Assembly’s Holocaust Remembrance Day ceremonies in the State Capitol.

“Holocaust Remembrance Day is an opportunity for us to recognize the suffering and the bravery of victims of the Holocaust while we also remind ourselves to guard against genocide in our own times,” says Atkins.  “As a teenager, Loud Dunst faced death and inhumanity numerous times, but today he spreads a message of love and healing.  We all have much to learn from Mr. Dunst.”

Dunst was living in the Ukrainian village of Jasnia when the Nazis took control. First, he and his siblings were barred from attending public schools.  Then, his father was conscripted into serving as a human minesweeper.  And finally, in 1944, his whole family was rounded up, along with the other members of the Jewish community from his village, and Lou began a terrifying odyssey to four different concentration camps via rail car.   This journey didn’t end until he was finally liberated from the Ebensee labor camp in Austria in 1945 by a company of General George Patton’s Third Army.

Lou lost his parents to the Holocaust, but, miraculously, his brother Irving and his sister Risi both survived.  Incredibly, he and his brother Irving managed to stay together during their imprisonment in concentration camps in Hungary, Poland, and Austria.  Twice the two brothers were herded into death chambers, but twice random circumstance saved their lives.  And, in the end, it was Irving who saved Lou’s life.

It was just before liberation that the typhus-ridden, emaciated, and broken 19 year old Lou Dunst lay himself on top of a pile of corpses, expecting to die.  He made a bargain with God: “Let me live so I can tell this story.” Twenty-one year old Staff Sergeant Bob Persinger was among the liberators.  Irving grabbed his sleeve and, pointing to his brother’s body on top of the corpses, he said, “Please save him!” And Lou was plucked from death’s arms.

The post war period found Lou sick, hungry, homeless and stateless, but with the help of surviving family members and the nuns at a Catholic hospital he finally recovered enough to begin putting his life back together.  His path took him to Rome, Canada, New York, Los Angeles and, finally, to San Diego.  Along the way, Lou built a thirty year career in business.

He also kept his bargain with God. He now spends much of his time telling his story as an inspirational writer and speaker.  His message is one of love and peace.

More information is available about Mr. Dunst at his website http://www.loudunst.com/index.html.

Speaker-Elect Toni Atkins recently met with Holocaust Survivor Lou Dunst in her San Diego office as part of Holocaust Remembrance activities.  Left to right: Estelle Dunst (Lou’s wife), Alberto Hamui (family friend), Speaker-Elect Atkins, Lou Dunst, Assemblymember Brian Jones.

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NARAL Pro-Choice America Endorses Scott Peters for Congress

Leading women's health advocacy group says Peters is the leader women can count on

San Diego – Scott Peters received the endorsement of NARAL Pro-Choice America today, one of the nation's most prominent advocates for women's health care.

"We are proud to endorse Representative Scott Peters in his campaign for re-election in California's 52nd Congressional District. In the midst of the most aggressive anti-choice Congress in decades, women need outspoken advocates for their basic right to make their own health care decisions. It's not the government's business, and it's certainly not your boss's decision, and Scott Peters has stood up for those core civil rights his entire career,” said Ilyse Hogue, President of NARAL. “This is not a moment in history that allows allies of women's health to remain silent, and Scott Peters has proven his willingness to stand up for what's right. NARAL is ready to make sure voters know that Scott Peters is the only candidate that can be counted on to protect the right to choose."

Peters received a 100% score from NARAL on their most recent Congressional scorecard. Throughout his career, he has been an outspoken, staunch supporter of women's right to choice and freedom to make personal healthcare decisions without interference from politicians.

"It's amazing in this day and age that we're still arguing over the basic right of women to make their own health care choices. It's clear that women should be free to make their own choices for their own health, and I remain committed to standing with groups like NARAL and women across the country to protect these basic rights,” Rep. Peters said. “It's equally clear that Congress has better things to do, and I remain adamant that Congress ought to be focused on providing more jobs and better opportunities for the very women who are instead being forced to defend their basic rights from constant attack."

Peters was also recently endorsed by the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, the national advocacy and political arm of Planned Parenthood Federation of America.

Scott Peters for Congress
4719 Viewridge Ave, Suite 130
858-571-7424

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Democratic House Candidate’s Campaign Is Perfect Model On How To Embrace Obamacare

From Politicsusa.com / By: Justin Baragona / Thursday, April, 24th, 2014, 12:24 pm

Over the past few months, I have featured James Kimber in a number of articles for this site. Kimber is the Democratic candidate for the US House of Representatives in California’s 50th Congressional district. He is running against Republican incumbent Duncan Hunter. Initially, I wrote off any chance that Kimber would have at winning this seat, as the demographics and Hunter’s name recognition (thanks largely to his father) seemed to create too much of a deficit to overcome.

Anyway, there has been a concerted effort to get Hunter included in Bill Maher’s ‘Flip A District’ bracket. Hunter himself appeared on Maher’s show recently and reinforced the notion that he is nothing more than a Republican hack with no actual ideas. Meanwhile, Kimber has pounded the pavement, speaking personally to many of the district’s residents, whether they are Republican, Democrat or independent.

Throughout his campaign, Kimber has made sure to not shy away from the Affordable Care Act. In fact, he’s fully embraced the law and engaged people directly in conversation about the law’s benefits. Kimber provided me with some details about how he has been able to discuss the ACA in a positive manner to everyday citizens and make them see past their partisan objections to the law. By embracing the law, Kimber has been able to get others to embrace it as well.
Below is a story from Kimber regarding a young patient he saw, as well as the patient’s father. Kimber currently works as a healthcare provider and the patient’s father seemed disdainful of the health care law. 
 

As a healthcare provider with 30 years experience, I am in a unique position to talk about healthcare and I never miss an opportunity to do so. All of my patients come from the district (CA-50) which spans 6,000 square miles and crosses two counties. Because most people in the district are Republicans, they all feel the need to express their opinion for ‘Obamacare’ but I’m equally comfortable answering their questions and dispelling the misinformation. Recently one of my patients was in for a follow-up and his father asked what I thought. The patient, a 17 year old had fallen from his skateboard with no helmet and suffered a broken skull with some bleeding on the brain. It sounds worse than it was; the boy actually only spent a couple of days in the hospital before going home.

He was now in for his first follow-up and doing fine. His father asked me “what do you think of ‘Obamacare’ (in sort of a snide tone). I knew what the father meant, so I told him: “I think I know what you think of ‘Obamacare’ so let me tell you what I think. I think your son will never get insurance”. That really got the dad’s attention. I then told him… “You son suffered a traumatic brain injury. It doesn’t get much worse than that. You took him to the hospital so it’s well documented and that will follow him around forever so he’ll never get insurance. Or, if he could get insurance it will be so expensive he won’t be able to afford it; or if he could afford it, it won’t provide him with all the coverage he would need. BUT, because of the Affordable Care Act, pre-existing conditions are a thing of the past and your son can get insurance.” The father was quiet for a minute or two and then looked at me and said “I never thought of it that way”.


Kimber also provided another example of changing a leery person’s mind. This person was actually antagonistic towards Kimber to start off, and Kimber was able to not only change his point of view, but actually assisted him with getting an affordable health plan.

I was at a Meet & Greet in Ramona (city within the 50th District). I was talking when a man who saw the crowd pulled his car over to see what was going on. He made his way up when he heard there was a “Democrat” speaking and he came directly up to me and exclaimed “I’m a Republican”. I told him that was great but he didn’t seem convinced so with a finger in my chest, he said again “NO, I’m really Republican!” And I replied back “okay, I really need your vote!”. And with that, I asked him what he wanted to discuss and he replied “healthcare”. I thought, great. This is perfect. The subject I enjoy talking about the most. So I asked him what kind of insurance he had and he told me he was uninsured. I couldn’t have asked for a better setup! He was mid 50′s, self-employed with a family and home. He takes care of his family, able to pay his bills but just can’t afford insurance for himself. We had a tablet with us and we were able to bring up the Covered CA website and in just a few steps we were able to show him how much it would cost him for a policy with good coverage. He was shocked when he found how little it would cost. The only thing he was upset about was that he couldn’t sign up right away – this was back in August and he was upset that he had to wait until October when the enrollment season opened up (he has since signed up for coverage and is still very happy).

As far as Hunter is concerned, Kimber didn’t let him off the hook. He pointed out that Hunter’s idea to repal the ACA and do nothing else is pretty similar to some people who didn’t know when to stop fighting a war that was long over.

I literally talk about healthcare to the voters every day while Mr. Hunter continues to tell people “repeal and defund ‘Obamacare’. Mr. Hunter is like one of those WWII Japanese soldiers who kept fighting after the surrender because they thought the war was still going on. One Japanese soldier didn’t surrender until 1974! I think someone needs to tell Mr. Hunter the war on ‘Obamacare’ is over. I meet people daily who have listened to all the misinformation regarding the Affordable Care Act and have been misled. But I’m able to explain to them why this is working and how it benefits them. As a healthcare provider, I’ve seen the direct effects; in the first two months of 2014 I had more new patients than all of 2013 and these are all people who had been newly insured and had been without insurance for years.

Kimber is showing us how Democrats across the country can speak positively about the Affordable Care Act and not run scared from it. It is a powerful weapon for Democrats to use against their GOP opponents. Considering the positive impact it is having for millions of Americans, the ACA should be used as a campaigning tool and a major platform for Dems to run on. Kimber realized that a while ago and his campaign is a wonderful example of how to embrace Obamacare.

Block measure allowing community colleges to offer four year degrees clears Senate Education Committee

SB 850 has 10 Democratic and Republican co-authors

A bill aimed at closing California’s job skills gap by allowing community colleges to offer four-year degrees where a local workforce need can be documented was approved today in the Senate Education Committee on an 8-0 bipartisan vote.

Senator Marty Block (SD-39), who authored the legislation – SB 850 – described his measure as a jobs bill. “California has a workforce skills gap,” Block said. “By 2025 our state will need one million more adults with four-year degrees. We need to use all of California’s resources – including our community colleges – to close that gap.” He added that more than 20 states since 1970 already allow community colleges to offer baccalaureate degrees.

Block’s proposal is a pilot program that would allow 15 campuses from 15 different districts to offer one baccalaureate degree each starting Jan.1, 2015 and ending in July 1, 2023. Programs would begin no later than the 2017-18 academic year.

Baccalaureate degrees offered at the chosen campuses could not be duplicative of degrees offered by the University of California (UC) or California State University (CSU) campuses. “It will be value added, not duplicative,” Block said. The state’s community college Board of Governors and Chancellor in consultation with the UC and CSU systems would select the participating districts and campuses.

Participating districts would also be required to submit a report to the Chancellor that examines the program’s success including:
    •    Percentage of students completing the baccalaureate degree,
    •    Fiscal self-sustainability of the pilot program,
    •    Difficulty in finding and paying instructors for the program,
    •    Decline in enrollments at the campuses in the regions served by the district as a result of the pilot program, and
    •    Number of students who received jobs in the field of study of their baccalaureate degree.

Block introduced SB 850 in January, and it is the third time he has introduced similar legislation.

Previous attempts included:
    •    AB 661 in 2011 which would have allowed Grossmont-Cuyamaca and the San Mateo Community College Districts to offer one baccalaureate pilot degree per campus. It was held on the inactive file on the Assembly Floor.

    •    AB 2400 in 2010 which would have authorized the San Diego, Grossmont-Cuyamaca and San Mateo districts to establish baccalaureate degree pilot programs. It was held in the Assembly Higher Education Committee.

“We’re in a different time now,” Block said to explain why he believes his third attempt will succeed. “California is in a better position now to invest in closing our skills gap. We are in a fast-paced race that we can’t afford to lose. Community colleges can help us meet the challenge. It’s wishful thinking to believe we can meet the challenge of producing another 60,000 bachelor degrees a year without using community colleges, and the longer we delay in using them, the further behind we will fall.”

Block observed that earlier in the week, another report underscored California’s lagging baccalaureate completion rate. He cited Tuesday’s release by the Lumina Foundation which stated that nearly 22.5 percent of the state’s adults have attended college and earned credits but have not earned a degree. That places California at 23rd among all states in college attainment.

SB 850 is supported by veterans and business organizations as well as numerous community college districts. Supporters include AMVETS, American Legion, the California State Commanders Veterans Council, the California Association of County Veterans Service Officers and at least 13 community college districts including those in San Diego, Los Angeles, Napa, and Imperial Counties. Business supporters include the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and the San Jose Silicon Valley and Oceanside Chambers of Commerce.

Block is chair of the Senate Budget Subcommittee #1 which deals with education financing and is a member of the Senate Education Committee. Prior to Block’s election to the Legislature, he served as president of the San Diego Community College District and as an administrator at San Diego State University.

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Planned Parenthood Action Fund Endorses Congressman Scott Peters

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Planned Parenthood Action Fund announced its endorsement of Congressman Scott Peters (CA-52) in his re-election bid to represent California’s 52nd Congressional District. Planned Parenthood Action Fund is the national advocacy and political arm of Planned Parenthood Federation of America.

“Planned Parenthood Action Fund is proud to endorse Congressman Scott Peters, a true advocate for women’s rights,” said Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood Action Fund. “Congressman Peters continues to defend women’s access to contraception, cancer screenings and other quality health care needs.  We need more leaders like him who will stand up for women’s health care and speak out against extreme efforts to restrict women’s rights. We’re facing one of the most hostile environments for women our nation has seen, and we must elect leaders who will protect a woman’s right to make her own health care decisions.”

In February, Planned Parenthood Action Fund announced the Women are Watching (WAW) campaign to educate voters about candidates’ positions on women’s health. Planned Parenthood advocacy and political organizations have become a powerful and effective force by educating voters about where their candidates stand on women’s health issues. The majority of Americans believe that a woman and her doctor, not politicians, should be making health care decisions.

Polling from the 2012 election shows that access to safe and legal abortion, affordable birth control, and basic health care are motivating voting issues for women, who view them as core economic issues for their families.  An overwhelming majority of women voters trust Planned Parenthood political and advocacy organizations when they speak out about issues affecting the health of women.

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Planned Parenthood Action Fund is an independent, nonpartisan, not-for-profit membership organization formed as the advocacy and political arm of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. The Action Fund engages in educational and electoral activity, including voter education, grassroots organizing, and legislative advocacy.