San Joaquin Valley Democratic Club: News

A message from state Senator Loni Hancock

July 12-

From State Senator Loni Hancock (D-Berkeley, 9th district)

Dear Friend,

Last week, as California's budget collapsed, the state Controller began issuing IOUs. This week, California's largest banks say they will soon stop accepting them. We have been brought to this place by the reckless and unnecessary choices made by Governor Schwarzenegger.

In June, Democrats passed a $23 billion budget reduction package - the Governor vetoed it. The package had more than $11 billion in heartbreaking cuts which no Democrat wanted to make. However, we refused to shred the safety net for millions of human beings, as the Governor demanded. We recognized the crisis and made more than a good-faith attempt to address hard economic times and meet the Governor halfway.

After the veto, Democrats attempted a second compromise. We proposed a $23 billion package, this time without taxes just as he demanded. It included cuts to almost every health and welfare program but still protected the safety net for millions of Californians, although at a very minimal level. We were able to do this without new revenue by re-allocating $1 billion of redevelopment funds and using $1 billion of reserve funds. A rainy day fund of $3 billion remained. Once again, the Governor refused to meet us half-way.

Then, as June came to a close, the Governor rejected the Legislature' s attempt at a short-term solution that would have taken us through the summer and avoided the need to resort to IOUs. With that irresponsible act the Governor dug the state into an even deeper hole, adding at least $3 billion to the deficit. That means that more money will need to be cut from schools, cities, parks and health care.

Now the Governor is demanding long-term policy changes that have been repeatedly turned down by voters through the initiative process and that he cannot get approved through legislation. The Governor is insisting on his way or the highway, and refusing to compromise.

As a result millions of Californians will suffer, and I'm learning that it takes a lot of human suffering to reach even $1 billion in cuts. It didn't have to come to this. California has reasonable and legitimate options to raise revenues: An oil extraction tax (California is the only oil producing state without one) and a tobacco tax, for example, are two such options.

Additionally, we have the largest cash reserve the state has had in 20 years. If reserves are meant to be used on a rainy day, now is certainly the time to use them. But, the Governor says no.

Rather than move toward compromise, the Governor's position seems to have hardened in recent days, veering away from working together to find a reasonable solution. As a result, we will pay millions more in interest payments and families and small business people throughout the state will face hardship and an uncertain future.

If you would like to see more detailed information about the inaccuracy of the Governor's statements regarding the state's safety net programs, I recommend an analysis prepared by the California State Association of Counties. The document can be viewed at: https://www. csac.counties. org/images/ users/1/Myths% 20and%20Facts- %20Final. pdf.

Additionally, Assemblywoman Noreen Evans, Chair of the Assembly Budget Committee, has provided a comprehensive analysis of what's wrong with the Governor's so-called "reform" proposals. It can be viewed at: http://democrats. assembly. ca.gov/members/ a07/Pressroom/ Press/20090708AD 07PR01.aspx

I hope that you will continue to make your views known to the Governor on this crucial matter. As always, I look forward to hearing your comments and suggestions.

Sincerely,
Senator Hancock

OFA Canvass for Health Care

July 6-

Are you interested in changing health care in this country? Then join us this weekend as local Democrats from Fresno County join up with Organizing for America (OFA) to canvass neighborhoods and change the health care debate in this country. President Obama has made changing health care one of the center pieces of his domestic agenda, lets help him by being the change.

We will have two canvasses going on this weekend: the first will be on July 11 at 9:00am and the second will be July 12 at 9:00am

You can sign up here for one or both by clicking the links below.

Saturday July 11 canvass RSVP

Sunday July 12 canvass RSVP

Hope to see you all there and lets be the change that we voted for.

Al Franken is declared the winner

June 30-

Congratulations Senator Franken

The Minnesota courts have ruled that Al Franken is the winner of the long drawn out contest for the junior Senator seat. Norm Coleman has finally conceded after almost 8 months of a lost cause. Here is the courts decision.

Once again Congratulations Senator Franken

Secretary of the Interior visits Fresno

June 27-

Come and join Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar at a 90 minute

Town Hall meeting on Sunday June 28.

Secretary Salazar will be at the Satellite Student Union on the campus of CSU Fresno.

Time is 2:30 - 4pm and water should be the topic of the day, it is not just a solvent anymore.

Get there early so you are abel to get a seat at this event.

CDC Training

June 9-

Next CDC Training Date: June 28, 2009!

Hosted by: CDC and San Luis Obispo County Democratic Party

When: Sunday, June 28, 2009, 8:00am-7:00pm
Where: Grover Beach Community Center, 1230 Trouville Ave., Grover Beach, CA 93433

Cost: Free - Lunch and refreshments will be provided. (Requested donation of $10.00 to help cover food and materials)

Current Sponsors(>=$50):

Help sponsor our training to keep it going! Please donate

This intense training consists of a variety of workshops for club/party leaders and political activists who want to advance their leadership roles in the Democratic Party or are just getting started!

To register, please click here: http://www.cdc-ca.org/Training/

The California Democratic Party Structure
If you want to get involved with the party and rise through the ranks, you need to know the structure and the roles of the various arms of the party. Learn about the state officers, committees, caucus’, clubs, county DCCs, regions, etc., as well as how the State DCC is pulled together.

How to Run a Meeting:
Robert's Rules of Order Whether you are a club president, member, activist or a candidate, you should know the basics of parliamentary procedures. Most organizations, profit and non-profit, political or non-political, abide by these rules whether it’s a local club, state party, or a city council meeting.

Club Finances: How to Stay Out of Jail
Learn the does & don’ts of political finances. Club leaders, treasurers, members, candidates should all have a fundamental idea of political finances. Hands-on explanation of filling out reports included.

Fundraising Fundamentals and Guidelines
“Money is the milk of Politics”, right? If that’s the case then our clubs need a lot of milk! Learn the ins/outs of fundraising techniques and ideas.

Fundraising Ideas & Projects
This workshop will provide you with ideas and projects for raising money – the right way!

Increasing and Keeping Your Membership
Now that you have your club or organization put together, how to go about finding members & volunteers, and more importantly, how do you motivate and hang on to them?

Recruiting Candidates for Local Office
Democrats need to field candidates that will be representative of Democratic values for all elected offices. This training session is geared towards helping Democrats recruit the future leaders for all levels of elected office.

Technology and Clubs
Learn about the many free technology tools such as websites, faxing, online applications, etc., that can be used by your club/organization. Additional topics: social networking, email etiquette, listserves

The Progressive Challenge
Learn about the top issues facing Democrats. Whether you are an activist or candidate, you need to be aware of what progressives expect of you and what we expect of our candidates. Talking points and concise messaging.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sponsorships available for $50!

NOTE: Please DO NOT RSVP unless you can stay the entire day! Our speakers have committed their time for this workshop and travel from around the state. We know this is a long day of intense training, but to ensure future training, we would like you to respect our speaker’s time investment! Thank you.

Seating is limited, so please RSVP by June 25, 2009

Les Marsden for Congress kickoff

June 7-

Join us for one of the kickoff events for Les Marsden as he runs for Congress in the 19 district.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10

9:00 AM: Mariposa County - Courthouse Park - 5076 Bullion Street, Mariposa

12:00 Noon: Stanislaus County - California State University, Stanislaus (Turlock) - Quad area South of Bizzini Hall

Campus Map: To Campus:

3:00 PM: Tuolumne County - Sonora: the small park at 40 North Washington Street (between Yaney and East Jackson Streets)

THURSDAY, JUNE 11

10:00 AM: Fresno County - My Alma Mater: California State University, Fresno - Free Speech Area (between the Student Union and the University Center)

1:00 PM: Madera County* - Denis Prosperi's Ranch - 11409 Road 26½ (Look for "Perfect Pac" sign), Madera, 93637

Please consider attending one (or more) of these events to show your support. Remember: I'm not running for Congress by myself - we're all in this campaign together. I know you care about our region as deeply as do I - so please show your dedication by being a presence in our campaign. If you'd like to attend the Madera County press event at *Denis Prosperi's Ranch, please RSVP (for that location only) by replying to this e-mail. Mr. Prosperi's ranch is a private home and we'd like to know how many attendees to expect.

Please feel free to forward this e-mail. Tell your friends and family about the Marsden Congressional Campaign. After 14 years of ineffectuality and damage, it's time to restore a strong voice in Washington for our 19th District. Yes we can - and yes we MUST.

Thank you -

Les Marsden

Marsden for Congress 2010, California's 19th District

http://www.MarsdenForCongress.com

Candidate Training Seminar For Democratic Women

May 27-

California List In partnership with:
Emily’s List
California Assembly Speaker Karen Bass
Emerge California

Presents: Candidate Training Seminar For Democratic Women Interested in Running for Political Office.
When: Saturday, June 20, 2009, 8am – 5pm
Where: California State University, Fresno, University Student Union, Rooms 312-314
Directions: (Go East On Shaw Ave. to Barton Ave. And Turn Left; Free Parking in Lots D And E)
For Map of Campus go to http://www.csufresno.edu/univrelations/map/
Cost: Free

To Register and for more information:
Email: Train@Californialist.Org

The program, designed to help prepare future women political leaders, will be led by political director of Emily’s list, Susan Markham.

Topics To Be Covered Include:
· Developing A Campaign Plan
· Building Your Team
· Getting Endorsements
· Raising The Money Needed To Run And Win

CALIFORNIA LIST is a grassroots political fundraising network modeled after EMILY’s List. Our mission is to help Democratic women candidates running for California State government.

For further information visit our website: www.californialist.org

212 26th Street, Suite 150
Santa Monica, CA 90402
Tel: 310-458-9355
Fax: 310-315-9500
info@californialist.org

Meet in the Middle is here

May 24-

The day is finially here, regardless of the courts decision on Tuesday, we will have the Meet In The Middle rally in Fresno on Saturday May 30.

The list of speakers is long and very distinguished.

Join us for a day of civil rights, anti-discrimination and a counter to the right wings lies and fear.

Join us at Meet in the Middle

Election results

May 19-

So how did the ballot measures do? Here is a link to the Secretary of State site that will give you all the updates, it is refreshed every few minutes.

Voting guide

May 16-

Here is an online voting guide from our friends at the Courage Campaign.

I like it because it has a side by side comparison of different groups and their recomendations for

the upcoming election.

Give it a look and see who you line up with on this election.

If you have trouble with the above link, just cut and paste this into your browser

http://courage.3cdn.net/00330cca20314b5e20_x5m6bepoq.pdf

Take our poll in this website and see how you compare with other visitors.

Mostly, VOTE!! Tuesday May 19.

Go to page 1 2 3 4 [5] 6 7 8 9