Despite Republican opposition, state legislation that would give California one of the most ambitious renewable energy standards in the country is on its way to Gov. Jerry Brown’s desk. The bill requires all utilities to get at least 33 percent of their electricity from renewable sources by 2020.

The bill passed the Assembly Tuesday. It passed the Senate last month. Democratic Assemblyman Jared Huffman said the timing is right.  “We need only look at Japan and the Middle East today to see that there is a tremendous cost of not moving California down this path,” said Huffman.

Democratic Senator Joe Simitian wrote the bill. It’s the third time he’s tried to get the measure passed in California.  Some Republicans opposed the bill with the usual talking point “it will hurt businesses and the state’s economy.”

Ventura, CA – Elected delegates to the California Democratic Party cast their votes Saturday, March 20, 2010 at the Regional Pre-Endorsement Conference, held at the IBEW Hall in Ventura, CA, in support of Tim Allison, Congressional Candidate for House of Representatives in California District 24. In a staggering 89% favorable vote, Allison secured the California Democratic Party’s official recommendation for endorsement.  Allison’s democratic opponents, Marie Panec and Shawn Stern, received 6% and 0% of the vote respectively.

This official support from the California Democratic party casts Allison as lead contender in the Democratic primary election June 8th 2010, and a serious threat to 23 year incumbent Elton Gallegly in the November 2nd general election.

Ventura, CA – Elected delegates to the California Democratic Party cast their votes Saturday, March 20, 2010 at the Regional Pre-Endorsement Conference, held at the IBEW Hall in Ventura, CA, in support of Tim Allison, Congressional Candidate for House of Representatives in California District 24. In a staggering 89% favorable vote, Allison secured the Regional Pre-Endorsement Conference official recommendation for endorsement by the California Democratic Party .  Allison’s democratic opponents, Marie Panec and Shawn Stern, received 6% and 0% of the vote respectively.

This official support from the California Democratic party casts Allison as lead contender in the Democratic primary election June 8th 2010, and a serious threat to 23 year incumbent Elton Gallegly in the November 2nd general election.

“The Executive Board of the California Democratic Party elected Becca Doten and Laurence Zakson to fill vacancies on California’s delegation to the Democratic National Committee at its meeting in San Diego this past weekend. Doten, who currently works as the Communications Director for an elected official in Los Angeles, has been very active among the Young Democrats. She has previously served as the President of the Los Angeles County Young Democrats, as well as the Political Director of the California Young Democrats. With her victory, Doten becomes the only Young Democrat elected to represent California on the DNC.

Zakson, also from Los Angeles, is a union-side labor lawyer who currently serves as the Legislative

Counsel for the Los Angeles County Democratic Party. He has also served as a union president and is actively involved in promoting equality for the LGBT community.

The female vacancy was created by the unfortunate passing of Inola Henry, while the male vacancy was created by the resignation of Ed Espinoza.”

At our 11/13/09 – 11/15/09 California Democratic Party Executive Board meeting, members voted to support HR 2404, which will require the Secretary of Defense to define an exit strategy for Afghanistan, so we can start bringing our troops home.

For more than seven long years, brave men and women from the American armed forces have been fighting and dying in Afghanistan. The time has come for the people of Afghanistan to assume full control of their own country. It’s also time for American troops to come home – not only from Iraq, but from Afghanistan too. The first step is an exit strategy.

Please help bring our servicemen and servicewomen home by urging your member of Congress to support HR 2404.

Gavin Newsom, the controversial mayor of San Francisco, abandoned his bid for the Democratic nomination to run for California governor next year, succeeding term-limited Republican incumbent Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Newsom said he made the decision with “great regret” because he “found it impossible to commit the time required to complete this effort the way it needs to — and should be — done.”

The harsh political reality, however, is the real reason is his campaign was getting no statewide traction or much money, despite recent campaign help from ex-President Clinton. Ex-governor, ex-mayor, current Atty. Gen. Jerry Brown remains the invisible 800-pound donkey in the political room. Brown hasn’t even announced as a candidate and has raised in excess of $7 million, several times that accumulated by Newsom.    — excerpt from the LA Times, October 30, 2009

Gavin Newsom, the controversial mayor of San Francisco, abandoned his bid for the Democratic nomination to run for California governor next year, succeeding term-limited Republican incumbent Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Newsom said he made the decision with “great regret” because he “found it impossible to commit the time required to complete this effort the way it needs to — and should be — done.”

The harsh political reality, however, is the real reason is his campaign was getting no statewide traction or much money, despite recent campaign help from ex-President Clinton. Ex-governor, ex-mayor, current Atty. Gen. Jerry Brown remains the invisible 800-pound donkey in the political room. Brown hasn’t even announced as a candidate and has raised in excess of $7 million, several times that accumulated by Newsom.    — excerpt from the LA Times, October 30, 2009

SANTA BARBARA, CA – Santa Barbara Councilman Das Williams is proud to report today that Alexandra (Alex) Gallardo-Rooker, Vice Chair of the California Democratic Party, has endorsed his campaign for the 35th Assembly District.

“Nobody has been a bigger champion for the Santa Barbara and Ventura regions than Das Williams,” said Alex Gallardo-Rooker. “Of all the candidates in this race, Das is the one with a proven track record of advancing the core democratic principles of fairness, opportunity, and smart and responsible investments in the people. Das Williams has been a protector of the coast, a leader in creating new local jobs, and a staunch advocate for education and other critical public programs and services. As a leader in the California Democratic Party, I know that Das has the background, values, experience, and leadership to serve his district well come 2010.”

Alex Gallardo-Rooker is one of California’s top ranking democratic officials. As the Legislative Advocate for the California Communications Worker of America (CWA), Alex is also one of the state’s foremost labor leaders. She now joins the growing list of state leaders, organizations, and community advocates in support of Das Williams for Assembly.

“Alex Gallardo-Rooker has a long history of fighting for democratic causes that are at the very center of my campaign for state assembly,” said Das Williams. “I am grateful and deeply honored to have her support in this race.”

Das Williams is running to succeed fellow democrat and termed-out Assemblymember Pedro Nava in 2010.

I attended the California Democratic Convention this past weekend of April 24 through 26, in Sacramento. There was much electioneering on both sides of Proposition 1A as well as several groups with a focus on each of the propositions, especially 1 B, 1D, and 1 E. Labor unions in attendance were on both sides of 1 A, particularly SEIU against and the California Teachers Association in support. The arguments against 1 A were phrased as the “Republican tyranny” and “does not fix fundamental budget problems” and “removes flexibility from the budget process.” In favor of A simply as this “will save our state from going off the cliff economically” and “will save our public services,” “without 1A ‘s passage, there will be billions of cuts in public services.”

Unanimously all Democratic leaders vociferously urged a vote in support of 1 A. During the debate, there were passionate and angry speeches pro and con. The result is reflected in voting which showed that less than two thirds of the voting delegates favored Proposition 1A, with the endorsements set out below from the California Democratic Party website: at

http://www.cadem.org/site/c.jrLZK2PyHmF/b.947937/k.CC3A/Home.htm

NEUTRAL — Proposition 1A State Budget. Changes California Budget Process. Limits State Spending. Increases “Rainy Day” Budget Stabilization Fund. SUPPORT — Proposition 1B Education Funding. Payment Plan.

SUPPORT — Proposition 1C Lottery Modernization Act. Issues bonds to be paid by future lottery funds.

NEUTRAL — Proposition 1D Protects Children’s Services Funding. Helps Balance State Budget.

NEUTRAL — Proposition 1E Mental Health Services Funding. Temporary Reallocation. Helps Balance State Budget.

SUPPORT — Proposition 1F Elected Officials’ Salaries. Prevents Pay Increases During Budget Deficit Years.

As of today, I decided to support Proposition 1 A and the others, actually except Proposition 1 F. I think the propositions are confusing and have decided to put some trust in the legislators that I know and trust: Senator Fran Pavley, Assemblymembers Julia Brownley and Pedro Nava, our own local representatives.

Once it happens we have to be ready to react to protect our main constituents, working people, the disabled, seniors, students, immigrants because the results will be very difficult no matter what happens.

Carmen Ramirez

I attended the California Democratic Convention this past weekend of April 24 through 26, in Sacramento. There was much electioneering on both sides of Proposition 1A as well as several groups with a focus on each of the propositions, especially 1 B, 1D, and 1 E. Labor unions in attendance were on both sides of 1 A, particularly SEIU against and the California Teachers Association in support. The arguments against 1 A were phrased as the “Republican tyranny” and “does not fix fundamental budget problems” and “removes flexibility from the budget process.” In favor of A simply as this “will save our state from going off the cliff economically” and “will save our public services,” “without 1A ‘s passage, there will be billions of cuts in public services.”

Unanimously all Democratic leaders vociferously urged a vote in support of 1 A. During the debate, there were passionate and angry speeches pro and con. The result is reflected in voting which showed that less than two thirds of the voting delegates favored Proposition 1A, with the endorsements set out below from the California Democratic Party website: at

http://www.cadem.org/site/c.jrLZK2PyHmF/b.947937/k.CC3A/Home.htm

NEUTRAL — Proposition 1A State Budget. Changes California Budget Process. Limits State Spending. Increases “Rainy Day” Budget Stabilization Fund. SUPPORT — Proposition 1B Education Funding. Payment Plan.

SUPPORT — Proposition 1C Lottery Modernization Act. Issues bonds to be paid by future lottery funds.

NEUTRAL — Proposition 1D Protects Children’s Services Funding. Helps Balance State Budget.

NEUTRAL — Proposition 1E Mental Health Services Funding. Temporary Reallocation. Helps Balance State Budget.

SUPPORT — Proposition 1F Elected Officials’ Salaries. Prevents Pay Increases During Budget Deficit Years.

As of today, I decided to support Proposition 1 A and the others, actually except Proposition 1 F. I think the propositions are confusing and have decided to put some trust in the legislators that I know and trust: Senator Fran Pavley, Assemblymembers Julia Brownley and Pedro Nava, our own local representatives.

Once it happens we have to be ready to react to protect our main constituents, working people, the disabled, seniors, students, immigrants because the results will be very difficult no matter what happens.

Carmen Ramirez