Thousand Oaks, CA – Statement by Marie Panec, Democratic candidate for Congress in district 24:

“I applaud the courage and tenacity of the U.S. Congress for bringing the decades-long health care debate to a vote and passing historic health reform legislation and lifting up the common good of all Americans.

Major provisions of the bill would:
- Strengthen coverage by reining in the worst insurance company abuses.
- Help small businesses to provide coverage with new tax credits
- Reduce premiums for many who buy their own coverage by an average of nearly 60 percent –while getting better coverage than what they have today.
- Substantially reduce prescription drug prices for Medicare recipients if they fall into that gap in coverage known as the ‘donut hole.’
- Provide the largest middle class tax cut for health care in history to help folks buy coverage.
- No longer determine eligibility by health status or pre-existing conditions – insurance companies will be required to offer coverage and they cannot boost rates or drop you from your coverage when you get sick.

As parents of college age children, my husband and I can keep our children on our insurance plan until the age of 27, if necessary. Cost estimates by the Congressional Budget Office show that the bill would reduce federal budget deficits by $143 billion in the next 10 years. This represents significant savings over our current system and is especially appealing to me.

It is the right thing to do. It confirms the best hopes for our country.

How did Elton Gallegly vote on this? ‘No.’ That is totally unacceptable. He has been holding our country back for too long. It is time for the good and decent people of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties to rise up and say, ‘We demand better than this!’”

Join us on Saturday, 27 February at 4:00 as we come together to organize Marie Panec’s campaign for the 24th Congressional District Democratic Primary Election.

Meet with Marie, members of her grassroots leadership team and new campaign staff. Share your concerns for the district, bring your ideas and help plan a course of action for the campaign and let’s win this election together!

Marie invites you to get engaged in her campaign. Enjoy some good food. Find out how you can be part of something great, take meaningful action, and make a difference in your own community.

4:00 pm – Saturday, 27 Feb. 2010
14886 Marquette St. Moorpark, CA 93021
R.S.V.P: panec4congress@gmail.com

Hosted by: Min Gu & John Baker
Sponsored by Friends of Marie Panec for Congress
www.panec4congress.com

While conservatives sought to portray victories in gubernatorial races in Virginia and New Jersey on Tuesday as a referendum on President Obama’s administration and a harbinger of voter attitudes for the 2010 midterm elections, Democrats picked up the only two congressional seats up for election.

In a special election to fill the Congressional seat vacated by Rep. Ellen Tauscher, D-Walnut Creek, California Lt Governor John Garamendi defeated Republican David Harmer in the 10th District by a wide margin.  Lawyer and retired Air Force Capt. Bill Owens won the special election Tuesday in northern New York’s 23rd CD in which the Republican candidate withdrew over the weekend under pressure from Sarah Palin, Glenn Beck, the party’s right wing and GOP heavyweights who endorsed the Conservative Party nominee. The win by Owens turns a red district blue.

While conservatives sought to portray victories in gubernatorial races in Virginia and New Jersey on Tuesday as a referendum on President Obama’s administration and a harbinger of voter attitudes for the 2010 midterm elections, Democrats picked up the only two congressional seats up for election.

In a special election to fill the Congressional seat vacated by Rep. Ellen Tauscher, D-Walnut Creek, California Lt Governor John Garamendi defeated Republican David Harmer in the 10th District by a wide margin.  Lawyer and retired Air Force Capt. Bill Owens won the special election Tuesday in northern New York’s 23rd CD in which the Republican candidate withdrew over the weekend under pressure from Sarah Palin, Glenn Beck, the party’s right wing and GOP heavyweights who endorsed the Conservative Party nominee. The win by Owens turns a red district blue.

By Lois Capps

The weather may be cooling off in Washington, but health reform is still the hottest topic! We’ve made tremendous progress since the last time I updated you and we’re on track to send the President a bill by the end of the year. The House and Senate are working on combining their respective committees’ versions now that all five committees of jurisdiction have passed health insurance reform legislation. It’s no secret that the process has been long and strenuous, but legislation this important deserves the careful attention we have given it.

I have been working in the House to ensure that the final bill we send to the President’s desk will achieve our shared goal: access to quality, affordable health care for all Americans. As the final version is prepared for a vote on the Floor, I am continuing to advocate for including a robust public option, retaining protections for Medicare beneficiaries, and investing in our next generation of health professionals. Inclusion of these vital provisions will mean better access to affordable, quality health care for all of us on the Central and South Coasts.

I’m especially encouraged by the improvements in women’s health that are contained in our proposed legislation. As you may know, many health insurance companies engage in a practice known as “gender rating,” where they charge women much higher premiums simply for being women. This gender discrimination would finally come to an end with enactment of H.R. 3200. Furthermore, women can expect improvements such as automatic coverage of maternity care; no more copayments for mammograms in Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance; and guaranteed access to care because insurers will no longer be able to deny coverage due to pre-existing conditions such as having had a Caesarian section. I am proud of the steps we have taken on this important issue.

I have also appreciated the opportunity to discuss health reform with my constituents. During September and October, I continued getting input of my constituents by holding three health care information sessions and two telephone town halls, and convening a panel with local doctors to review the legislation pending in Congress.

I’ve truly appreciated your feedback. I know that we may not agree on everything, but most of us agree that the current situation is unsustainable. I look forward to continuing our ongoing conversations and hope to report back soon with news of further progress on health insurance reform.

Please click through the links to the right to find more information about health reform, and feel free to forward this to your family and friends.

Sincerely,

LOIS CAPPS
Member of Congress

You are invited to a Campaign Kick-Off Fundraiser for Tim Allison, candidate for the CA 24th Congressional District, 2010.

Meet the Candidate with the experience to win in 2010.

Join host Melissa DeMarco on Friday, October 2nd from 7 to 9 pm, 5396 Calarosa Ranch Road, Camarillo, CA.

Melissa and her family have opened their spectacular Camarillo Estates home so we may enjoy gourmet hors d’ oeurves, a full bar, great conversation, networking, and a speech from the candidate in fabulous surroundings.

Tim Allison will tell us his positions on the issues we are faced with locally, and nationally. Talk directly with the candidate about the political issues affecting all of us.

Others who will join us at this event:
Sue Broidy, Director, Region 10 of the California Democratic Party
Jill Martinez, Chair, Ventura County Democratic Party
Brian Leshon, First Vice Chair, Ventura County Democratic Party

Co-chair, Co-host & Sponsorship opportunities are available:
Co-Chair: $2,400 Co-Sponsor: $1,000 Co-Host: $500 Friend: $250 Guest: $50

Please RSVP by visiting ActBlue.com/page/AllisonFRCamarillo

For information call 805-482-7115 or email missydemarco@aol.com.

Paid for by the Friends of Tim Allison
David Thompson, Treasurer, FEC# C00464347

The Ventura County Democratic Central Committee Bylaws
do not allow the endorsement of any candidate until after the 2010 primary on June 8.

THOUSAND OAKS, CA – A Children’s Literacy Fair will be held on Saturday, October 10, 2009 to promote children’s literacy and increase the number of books available to children in local schools. This is the first time the event is being held. It is co-sponsored by Borders and Westlake Learning, and will run from 10am to 2pm at the Borders Thousand Oaks store, 125 W. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks, CA 91360.

Four local children’s book authors will be on hand doing book readings and signings. There will also be reading-related activities for children and free give-aways. Local schools in Simi Valley, Moorpark, and the Conejo Valley have been invited to provide a list of books they need for their libraries. During the event, Borders will offer the books for sale, coordinating the effort so duplicate book purchases are avoided and all schools receive an equal benefit from the event.

“This is an excellent opportunity for the community to come together to support our local schools by purchasing books to be donated,” said Stephen Fofanoff, one of the coordinators of the event. “It’s important for us to not only say that we should support our children’s education, but that we actually take the steps necessary to make it a reality. The more people who come out to support an event like this, the better it is for students in all of our schools. The kids will benefit for years to come because school libraries will have more resources to offer them.”

The authors who will be at the event are: Barbara Jean Hicks, Mary Ann Fraser, Carol Heyer, and Chris Warnock.

After the event, Westlake Learning will hand deliver the books that have been purchased to the local schools who participated in the event. Also, present at the event will be local community leaders, including Marta Jorgensen, congressional candidate from the 24th district.

“Education has to be our local community’s priority,” Jorgensen said. “We can’t wait for government or someone else to fix our schools, we have to be proactive at the local level because we don’t have time. Children are in school now. With the latest round of budget cuts, our schools are really suffering, and generally educational resources are the first thing to go. We can make up the difference when we come together as a community to support our schools when they need help the most.”

THOUSAND OAKS, CA – A Children’s Literacy Fair will be held on Saturday, October 10, 2009 to promote children’s literacy and increase the number of books available to children in local schools. This is the first time the event is being held. It is co-sponsored by Borders and Westlake Learning, and will run from 10am to 2pm at the Borders Thousand Oaks store, 125 W. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks, CA 91360.

Four local children’s book authors will be on hand doing book readings and signings. There will also be reading-related activities for children and free give-aways. Local schools in Simi Valley, Moorpark, and the Conejo Valley have been invited to provide a list of books they need for their libraries. During the event, Borders will offer the books for sale, coordinating the effort so duplicate book purchases are avoided and all schools receive an equal benefit from the event.

“This is an excellent opportunity for the community to come together to support our local schools by purchasing books to be donated,” said Stephen Fofanoff, one of the coordinators of the event. “It’s important for us to not only say that we should support our children’s education, but that we actually take the steps necessary to make it a reality. The more people who come out to support an event like this, the better it is for students in all of our schools. The kids will benefit for years to come because school libraries will have more resources to offer them.”

The authors who will be at the event are: Barbara Jean Hicks, Mary Ann Fraser, Carol Heyer, and Chris Warnock.

After the event, Westlake Learning will hand deliver the books that have been purchased to the local schools who participated in the event. Also, present at the event will be local community leaders, including Marta Jorgensen, congressional candidate from the 24th district.

“Education has to be our local community’s priority,” Jorgensen said. “We can’t wait for government or someone else to fix our schools, we have to be proactive at the local level because we don’t have time. Children are in school now. With the latest round of budget cuts, our schools are really suffering, and generally educational resources are the first thing to go. We can make up the difference when we come together as a community to support our schools when they need help the most.”

Marta Jorgensen, Democratic Candidate for Congress in the California 24th District, is launching an outreach program to listen to citizens throughout the district. She will be visiting voters in Simi Valley and Thousand Oaks during the Fall and Winter, starting in September, 2009.

Jorgensen will be at the Jumbo Mixer & Green Living Expo, sponsored by the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce on September 24, 2009, at 4:00 PM at the Simi Valley Town Center Mall. The event showcases “green” businesses and easy environmentally-friendly practices. The event is free and open to the public.

“I’m especially hoping to meet average citizens and small business owners to hear from them first hand not only how I can help them as their representative in Congress, but how I can help them today,” Jorgensen said. She sees this event as an opportunity to help small businesses in the area, especially during these challenging economic times.

Later on in the day, Marta will spend time at the Fall Business Expo and Trade Show, sponsored by the Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce, at 6:00 PM at the Hyatt Westake Plaza Hotel, in Westlake Village. Both of these events reflect Jorgensen’s firm belief that our district’s congressional representative has an obligation to work closely with local chambers of commerce to ensure that Ventura County small businesses have every advantage to grow and prosper.

Jorgensen is planning future events in the area to highlight her commitment to education, our local environment, small businesses, new job creation, and other ways. Learning from her 2008 campaign, she is actively soliciting input from average citizens concerning their day to day lives, asking the question of how the 24th district’s congressional representative can best serve the needs of every citizen who wants their voice heard in Washington.

Information and updates are available on her campaign website: http://www.jorgensenforcongress.com

PRESS RELEASE 7/13/09 — Tim Allison announced today the successful conclusion of his exploratory committee and the beginning of his campaign for Congress in California’s Congressional District 24.

Although Allison will not formally announce his candidacy until September, he has formed a committee with the Federal Election Commission and is raising money and actively seeking endorsements.

“Over the past several months, I have had the privilege to conduct a listening tour in all parts of the 24th Congressional District.” said Tim Allison, “I have spoken to teachers and small businesspeople, doctors and retail clerks, farmers and students. Everywhere I went there was both optimism and uncertainty. People want change. They want to leave a better country for their children. They want to know that their job is secure and their pension will be there for them when they retire. They want a strong educational system and affordable healthcare. They also want a representative in Congress who shares their values and will listen to their concerns.” “The people of the 24th Congressional deserve someone who represents them and not special interests in Washington, DC,” declared Allison, “and my campaign will be about the people in cities and neighborhoods across Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. The Barack Obama campaign, which I was privileged to have been a part of, has shown the difference we can make block by block and street by street. With the help of an incredible campaign team, we will bring change to CD-24 and begin the important work of improving education, reforming healthcare, jumpstarting our economy, providing green jobs and alternative energy and supporting public safety.”

The Tim Allison for Congress Campaign would like to thank his committee.

Co-Chairs of the Tim Allison for Congress Exploratory Committee:

Leo Valenzuela-Ventura County Labor Leader
Jill Martinez-Former Congressional Candidate & Chair, Ventura County Central Committee
Daraka Larimore Hall- Chair, Santa Barbara County Central Committee*
Sue Broidy-Regional Director of the Democratic Party* (Region 10)

Members of the Tim Allison for Congress Exploratory Committee:
David Atkins-President, Ventura County Young Dems*
KK Holland- Vice-President of Administration, Ventura County Young Dems*
Joyce Howerton-former Mayor of Lompoc
Mike Getto- Obama Precinct Specialist
Sherry Holland-Obama Phone Bank Organizer
Cheryl Hermann- President of the Santa Ynez Democratic Club*
Ron Suckle-President of the Stonewall Dems of Ventura County*
Sandra Kinsler-President of the Ventura Democrats
Brian Leshon-Communications Committee Chair, VCDCC
Steve Cummings, Treasurer of the Working Blue Democratic Club*
Debra Dent-CD 24 regional coordinator for the Obama Campaign*
Jay Kapitz- Obama Delegate to the Denver Convention
Sandy Emberland of the Democratic Club of the Conejo Valley* and Obama Delegate
Bill Gallaher, Supervisor Zaragosa’s office* and fmr Chair, Ventura Cty Dem Party*
Sharon Hillbrant, Fmr Chair Ventura County Dem Party*

* all titles for identification purposes only and are not used to suggest organizational endorsements.