Lake County Democratic Party : News

Congressman Thompson’s August Legislative Update

jb624@nospam.com (lakedems) — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 14:47:25 -0400

Jobs

Although Congress is in recess until mid-September, on August 10th the U.S. House of Representatives passed two important bills which will strengthen our economy and improve our border security. Congressman Thompson returned from California to DC in order to vote for both bills during a special session of Congress. The Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act will save and create almost 320,000 jobs nationwide, including 160,000 teaching jobs. California will receive over $1.2 billion in funding for education, which will help prevent 16,500 teacher layoffs.

August Work Period

During the August work period Congressman Thompson has held seven town hall meetings throughout his district. The town hall meetings were an opportunity for Congressman Thompson to hear from folks about their concerns and give them an opportunity to ask questions about what’s going on in Congress.

Sign up for the Congressman's email list:

News From Senator Wiggins - August 2010

jb624@nospam.com (lakedems) — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 11:42:25 -0400

Sign up for updates from Senator Wiggins here

Budget Update: Senate Democrats Release Restructuring Plan

As the Legislature's Budget Conference Committee continued to negotiate the state budget this month, Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg and Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee Chair, Senator Denise Moreno Ducheny, introduced a detailed outline of the Senate Democratic Restructuring Budget Proposal.

The plan is part of a Democratic effort to bring about long-term solutions to the state's ongoing structural budget deficit.

"The challenge has always been to find a way to save essential investments in education,
health, public safety and infrastructure – investments necessary to create jobs and expand the state's economy," Steinberg said. The proposal shrinks state government, increases government efficiency, and reduces the size of the state's structural deficit. It also improves accountability by clarifying areas of responsibility for state and local governments, giving more local control over the funding and management of state services enjoyed by Californians.

Under the proposal, the state would begin to transfer to counties three-to-four billion dollars worth of public safety, human services, and health funding without increasing existing taxes for California families.

"The Governor's budget proposal sets our economic recovery back by taking billions of dollars of federal money out of our economy and putting hundreds of thousands of families out of work," Senator Ducheny said. "We have an obligation to develop alternatives that improve public safety and make our safety net programs sustainable by delivering them in the most cost-effective and accountable way possible."
Six Unions Agree to Pension Modifications

November 2010 Ballot Propositions

jb624@nospam.com (lakedems) — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 08:36:48 -0400

At the July Executive Board meeting, the California Democratic Party adopted the following positions:

Proposition 19: Neutral
Changes California Law to Legalize Marijuana and Allow It to Be Regulated and Taxed.
Proposition 20: No
Redistricting of Congressional Districts.
Proposition 21: Yes
Establishes $18 Annual Vehicle License Surcharge to Help Fund State Parks and Wildlife Programs and Grants Free Admission to all State Parks to Surcharged Vehicles.
Proposition 22: No
Prohibits the State from Taking Funds Used for Transportation or Local Government Projects and Services.
Proposition 23: No
Suspends Air Pollution Control Laws Requiring Major Polluters to Report and Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions That Cause Global Warming Until Unemployment Drops Below Specified Level for Full Year.
Proposition 24: Yes
Repeals Recent Legislation That Would Allow Businesses to Carry Back Losses, Share Tax Credits, and Use a Sales-Based Income Calculation.
Proposition 25: Yes
Changes Legislative Vote Requirement to Pass a Budget from Two-Thirds to a Simple Majority. Retains Two-Thirds Vote Requirement for Taxes.
Proposition 26: No
Increases Legislative Vote Requirement to Two-Thirds for State Levies and Charges. Imposes Additional Requirement for Voters to Approve Local Levies and Charges with Limited Exceptions.
Proposition 27: Yes
Eliminates State Commission on Redistricting. Consolidates Authority for Redistricting with Elected Representatives.

More information at Ballotpedia

Senator Pat Wiggins - July 2010 Report

jb624@nospam.com (lakedems) — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 06:41:25 -0400

July 1, 2010
Submitted by alternate Joyce Overton, Clearlake City Councilwoman

The Assembly Utilities and Commerce Committee voted 10-0 today to approve SB 730, legislation by North Coast Senator Patricia Wiggins (D – Santa Rosa). The bill is designed to maximize Sonoma County’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve energy
efficiency.

Invasive Mussels – The "Quaggamire" That Threatens California’s Waters
A year ago, when Senator Wiggins first introduced the idea of controlling quagga and zebra mussels, most people had never heard of them. One year later many, many people’s lives have been directly affected by this latest exotic pest that threatens California’s waters.
Today, quagga mussels are known to occur in 18 southern California lakes, the Colorado River and its conveyance system, Lakes Havasu and Mead. The zebra mussel has become established in Lake Justo in San Benito County. The infested southern counties include Imperial, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Orange.
Within the Second District, staff has been very involved with local programs aimed at mussel prevention. Both Ruth Lake and County of Lake have taken aggressive steps to avert disaster by initiating local boat screening and inspection programs in an attempt to stop vessels from inadvertently introducing mussel adults or their larvae. But more needs to be done.

Smart Meter Concerns
For the past few months, Senator Wiggen’s offices have received numerous calls from constituents expressing their concerns over PG&E’s mandatory "SmartMeter" installation program.
Concerns have ranged from the accuracy of the meters to their health and environmental ramifications, not to mention, and perhaps most important of all, cost: Customers in many PG&E areas have told their legislative representatives that their utility bills have increased since the so-called "smart meters" have been installed at their homes.
Several of my constituents reported feeling ill following installation of their "smart meters" and were adamant in their desire to have the devices removed.

Implementing the Affordable Care Act

jb624@nospam.com (lakedems) — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 19:11:16 -0400

Three months ago this week, President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act. As a result of that law, families and small businesses across the country will be able to save money by purchasing health care more affordably; our national long-term structural deficit will be reduced; millions of uninsured Americans will finally be able to get the coverage and the care they need; and all Americans can count on more stability and greater control of their health care decisions as a result of new consumer protections. While the law will not be fully implemented for a few years, many of the benefits of reform are already coming to Americans. For example:o Last month, four million small business owners across the country were notified about their potential eligibility this year for a health care tax cut worth tens of thousands of dollars that could help them to cover the cost of insurance for their employees.

Re-elect Senator Barbara Boxer

jb624@nospam.com (lakedems) — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 13:29:13 -0400

Join Senator Boxer's Re-election campaign here

Voter Registration Drives

jb624@nospam.com (lakedems) — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 19:27:48 -0400

As we move toward the November 2, general election Democrats will be busy around the county registering voters.
We will be working at the Farmer's Markets throughout the county.

Here are the times and locations:
Saturday Morning Farmers' Market
May through October
8:30 until noon,
Steele Wines
Highway 29 & Thomas Road
Finley, California

Wednesday Evening Farmers' Market
4:30pm – 7:00pm
Library Park, Lakeport

Friday Night Farmers' Market
Redbud Park
14655 Lakeshore Dr
ClearlakeJune - Sept
June - Aug 5-8pm
Sept 4-7pm

If you'd like to work the Lakeport locations contact Wanda Harris at harriswc1@att.net Clearlake contact Shirley Howland at showland2@mchsi.com

Assemblyman Wes Chesbro - June Report

jb624@nospam.com (lakedems) — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 08:17:50 -0400

Assemblyman Chesbro's statement on the governor's May budget revisions

Assemblymember Wesley Chesbro (D-North Coast) released the following statement on the governor’s May budget revisions:

“California continues to face critical budget decisions. There will be extremely difficult and painful choices made in the weeks ahead.

But my priorities have not changed. I will stand up for the First Assembly District and fight to protect our way of life. I will fight for our public schools to have enough teachers, to sufficiently fund public safety and to keep critical access hospitals and state parks open.

Every proposed cut must be carefully evaluated to determine whether the short-term savings is worth the long-term impact. Laying off teachers, police officers, firefighters, sheriff’s deputies and health-care workers is no way to rebuild our economy.”

Six Chesbro bills move forward after votes this week

SACRAMENTO – Six bills by authored Assemblymember Wesley Chesbro (D-North Coast) moved forward this week. Four were approved by the full Assembly and are now headed to the Senate. Two were approved by the Assembly Appropriations Committee and are headed to the floor for a full vote of the Assembly.

The full Assembly approved the following bills authored by Assemblymember Chesbro:

Congressman Thompson's June Report

jb624@nospam.com (lakedems) — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 08:12:53 -0400

Veterans
Congressman Mike Thompson is encouraging local veterans and volunteers to participate in the Veterans History Project (VHP) by recording the stories of the First District’s veterans. “It’s important that veterans’ experiences are passed on to future generations,” said Congressman Thompson. “We must learn from the heroes and heroines of our past, and make sure their stories aren’t lost. Our nation loses approximately 1,000
World War II veterans daily, along with a growing number of veterans from the Korean War and Vietnam War. I’ve contributed my own story to the VHP, and I strongly encourage others to participate in this important program as well.” To learn more about the Library of Congress Veterans History Project, visit www.loc.gov/vets, call 1-888- 371-5848 or e-mail vohp@loc.gov.