Bill on way to Governor for Signature . . .

SACRAMENTO — A Bill authored by Assemblymember Das Williams (D-Santa Barbara) that provides policy guidelines regarding background screening requirements for Emergency Medical Responders, passed the Senate floor today.

Assembly Bill 1245 simply states that if the Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA) proposes to adopt or adapt a regulation for state approval of an Emergency Medical Responder (EMS) course, the completion of the course must also include criminal background checks for those who will be acting in the capacity of an EMR.

The State Health and Safety code already requires criminal background checks for all certified or licensed EMS personnel. The bill will ensure that the existing standards are in place for all persons delivering care in the EMS system.

“These folks are often asked to do many of the same things in the line work that their certified and licensed colleagues are, such as enter an individual’s home to render lifesaving care and collect vital medical information, the public deserves the protection of the same background checks,” Williams said.

Website for Assemblymember Das Williams: http://assembly.ca.gov/Williams

A group calling itself the “California Senior Advocates League PAC” has made its presence felt in the 35th Assembly District campaign, reporting over the weekend that it had spent $67,000 on two mailers attacking Democrat Das Williams , running in the coastal Ventura-Santa Barbara counties district against Republican Mike Stoker.

Never heard of them? Well, the group exists only at election time. Who are they? The money comes from three sources which combined to contribute $121,500 on Friday to the deceptively named group. Those sources are: The California Chamber of Commerce PAC ($50,000), the California Republican Party ($50,000) and the San Diego County Republican Party ($21,500.)  The leading contributors to the Chamber of Commerce PAC are oil and insurance companies. It is not at all clear what specific interest these big-spenders have in advocating for seniors.

Given the specific timing of the contributions and the first two mailings attacking Williams, it’s probably a good bet that there is at least one more on the way.  The state Democratic Party has contributed $39,000 directly to the Williams campaign. So, if you’re keeping score, the Republican big wheels in Sacramento have now spent more on this race than their Democratic counterparts.

The Sierra Club now joins the California League of Conservation Voters in supporting Das Williams’ Assembly Campaign

SANTA BARBARA, CA – Local Santa Barbara City Councilmember Das Williams’ record on environmental issues has received another big boost, announcing today that the Sierra Club has endorsed his campaign for the 35th Assembly District.

“Das Williams is somebody with immense experience fighting for the best interest of Santa Barbara’s and California’s environment,” said Selma Rubin, member of the Los Padres chapter of the Sierra Club. “I can say with absolute certainty that his election to the California Assembly representing the 35th district will bring with it a new era of environmental stewardship.”

Rubin then added, “As we enter a new decade we must embrace change and policies that will solve our community’s environmental challenges such as off-shore oil extraction, open space preservation and habitat restoration. Das Williams personifies our community’s cherished traditions while also embracing new directions, out-of-the-box thinking, energy and enthusiasm to meet some of our toughest challenges.”

The Sierra Club now joins its partner in the environmental movement, the California League of Conservation Voters, in its backing of Das Williams’ candidacy.

“I thank the Sierra Club for its confidence and vote of support for my campaign for State Assembly,” said Das Williams. “There’s a lot of work to be done to strengthen our environment and push California down the path to cleaner, more renewable energies, and I plan on working hard with state and local leaders to come up with smart, workable ideas for achieving sustainability in this state.”

“As 21st century environmentalists, we need to have the vision for solving regional transit issues and fighting global warming in ways that creates jobs,” added Williams. “I’m extremely proud of the strides we’ve made here in Santa Barbara during my tenure on the Council, and look forward to broadening our efforts to the rest of the state.”

During his 6 years on the City Council, Das Williams has championed the environment. He’s spearheaded a local initiative to double renewable energy use to 30% by 2011, dramatically increased funding for energy efficiency programs, and expanded the use of alternative energy for Santa Barbara city vehicles. Das helped lead the effort to restore Arroyo Burro, one of the largest wetlands restoration projects in the county, and worked to secure over $3 million to fix sewer overflows in Santa Barbara to reduce pollution in the ocean. Das Williams has also fought to fund five major fish passage projects for endangered steelhead, and has been a consistent advocate calling for an end to offshore oil drilling.

Watch the debate hosted by the Democratic Club of Ventura on February 25, 2010 and filmed by CAPS TV of Ventura. The debate is about an hour and packed with interesting and important information.

2010 AD35 Jordan vrs. Williams Debate

SANTA BARBARA, CA – The University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB) Campus Democrats today announced their endorsement of local Santa Barbara Councilmember Das Williams in his campaign for the 35th Assembly District.  The UCSB Campus Democrats voted unanimously to endorse Das Williams.

Leaders of the UCSB Campus Democrats cited Das Williams’ deep commitment to and understand of higher education issues and service to the campus community.

“After carefully considering both democratic candidates, we are pleased to endorse Santa Barbara City Councilmember Das Williams for the 35th State Assembly District,” said Amanda Wallner, President of the UCSB Campus Democrats.  “Das Williams has been a huge supporter of Campus Democrats for years. He knows students, he knows Isla Vista, and I am confident that he will continue to work for us and with us in the State Assembly.  Das cares about the students and his commitment to UCSB is unwavering.  The UCSB Campus Democrats are excited to have this opportunity to send a strong advocate for students to Sacramento.”

The UCSB Campus Democrats have hundreds of active members and are the largest Democratic club in the 35th State Assembly District.  The UCSB Campus Democrats are nationally recognized leaders in voter registration and were awarded Chapter of the Year Award in 2009 from the California College Democrats.

“I am proud to have the support of the UCSB Campus Democrats,” said Das Williams.  “I look forward to continue working closely with the Campus Democrats and the UCSB campus community to make affordable, quality higher education a priority in Sacramento.”

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

SANTA BARBARA, CA – Santa Barbara City Councilmember Das Williams reports today that Ventura City Councilmember Carl Morehouse has endorsed his campaign for 35th Assembly District in 2010.

“Ventura needs an Assemblymember who understands local government concerns and local issues,” said Ventura City Councilmember Carl Morehouse. “I have known Das for some time and know that he knows what it’s like to be a local elected official from serving on the Santa Barbara City Council.”

Morehouse added that “Das is energetic and passionate about the issues he pursues. As a result of my endorsement I will be holding him accountable to maintain strong working relationships with all of the cities in this district and being responsive to our concerns. With that commitment, I am proud to support Das Williams for the State Assembly and am confident he will be an outstanding champion for Ventura in Sacramento.”

Other Ventura leaders endorsing Das Williams’ candidacy include: Ventura County Supervisor Steve Bennett, former Ventura County Supervisor Susan Lacey, Ventura City Councilmember Brian Brennan, Ventura County School Board Member M.L. Peterson, Ventura Community College District Trustee Arturo Hernandez, Ventura Community College District Trustee Stephen Blum, Vice President of the Ventura Unified School District Debbie Golden, Ventura Unified School District Trustee Barbara J. Fitzgerald, Ventura Planning Commissioner Dan Long, and Richard Francis of Save Open-Space and Agricultural Resources (SOAR).

“Councilmember Morehouse has been a community leader in Ventura for years and I am honored by his support of my campaign,” said Das Williams. “Carl shares my principles and passion for promoting sustainable development, smart growth and land use policies, affordable housing, transparency in government, and fair and balanced budgets.”

“Californians are continuing to suffer from Sacramento’s bad decisions and I look forward to joining the State Assembly and continuing my work with Carl and other Ventura County leaders to advocate for what’s right for this district and state,” added Williams.

Councilmember Das Williams is running to succeed fellow Democrat and termed-out Assemblyman Pedro Nava.

Susan Jordan is running for the office Pedro Nava will vacate in 2010 and launched her campaign for the Democratic nomination in the 35th Assembly District a year ago. Jordan is director of the nonprofit environmental advocacy group, the California Coastal Protection Network, and was formerly associated with the organization Vote the Coast. She has been active in environmental issues for years, and was a leading opponent of the BHP Billiton LNG proposal off the Ventura County coast.
After earning her Master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania, Susan worked as a community health educator as the Director of Community Relations for the Women’s Medical Center in Washington, D.C. She served as the Chair of the Barrier Methods Committee and spearheaded a seven-year campaign to gain Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for a barrier method of birth control still in use today. Susan’s interest and commitment to public policy analysis and reform grew during the 14 years she spent as Senior Partner in the research arm of a large national strategic business development and consulting firm. She left her business career to devote herself to environmental protection issues and served as Chair and Member of the Santa Barbara County Planning Commission from 2002-2005. She is an award-winning environmental leader, business woman and health advocate with 15 years of experience working to protect California’s coastline as an economic, environmental and recreational resource. Susan brings a lifetime of experience meeting payroll, managing a business, and raising a child  (she is the wife of Assemblyman Pedro Nava ) while dedicating her life to the betterment of her community.

Das Williams has served 4 years as legislative aide, 5 years teaching, 6 years on the Santa Barbara City Council, and working in over 26 elections for progressive candidates and causes. He grew up locally, attended local schools in Ventura and Santa Barbara and attended Santa Barbara City College before transferring to U.C. Berkeley, where he earned his degree in Political Science. He holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Science & Management from UC Santa Barbara’s Bren School of Environmental Science, with a focus in water pollution, planning processes, and land-use law.
In addition to his service on the Santa Barbara City Council, Das has been active as a community organizer for CAUSE, a Ventura based non-profit, presently heading the group’s efforts to stop a proposed Wal-Mart development in Ventura. Currently he teaches at Antioch University in Santa Barbara, serves as a Trustee of Peabody Charter School and on the national board of the National Organization for Women (NOW).
On the Santa Barbara City Council, he spearheaded the successful effort to pass some of the toughest energy efficiency standards in the state that require that 30% of Santa Barbara’s energy comes from renewable sources by 2011. He has been a leader in the effort to stop off-shore oil drilling, protecting the coast and local water supplies by working to restore local creeks and wetlands, and fighting to preserve open space. He led the push to expand the city’s public transit system – reducing traffic and pollution. While the state’s school system has come under increasing stress, Das helped craft a plan to avoid layoffs at local schools and expand critical after-school programs. Recently, he helped balance the city budget without cutting vital city services.

Debate moderator:   Edward Castillo

Former State Superintendent of Public Instruction Delaine Eastin and the presidents of both the Oxnard and Ventura school boards have thrown their support behind Susan Jordan’s 35th District Assembly run.

Ventura Unified School District Board of Trustees President Mary Haffner and Oxnard School District Board of Trustees President Denis O’Leary join a growing group of local education leaders and others who are passionate about public education and are looking for someone who can best represent the interests of the students and teaching professionals in the state.

“I am supporting Susan because she will be a tireless advocate for our children and our students from preschool to graduate school,” said Eastin. “Too many candidates are fainthearted and weak in the knees. Susan will not be confused or deluded into going along to get along if the price is compromising education. Let us elect someone with a brass backbone. Let us elect Susan Jordan.”

“Susan Jordan courageously fights for what she believes in — starting with quality public education. The children of Ventura and Santa Barbara counties — and throughout California — will be served well when Susan is elected to the State Assembly,” said Ventura Board President Haffner.

“Susan Jordan is an advocate for the people — not a typical politician. She does her homework and makes decisions because they are the right thing to do, not to please the special interests,” Haffner added.

“Susan Jordan has been a strong advocate of a better education for our children and adults. I appreciate Susan’s work to improve our educational system and her knowledgeable advice,” said Oxnard Board President Denis O’Leary.

And Nancy Harter, former president of the Santa Barbara School Board had this to say, “In a time of dwindling resources for our K-12 students, nothing is more important than having legislators who understand the difficulties our schools face and can work to come up with the innovative solutions these challenging times demand. Susan is a listener and a problem solver and stands up for what is right. She has my support.”

As the parent of a college student, Jordan also understands the issues facing our higher education institutions. “At a time when more people than ever need re-training efforts to compete, class sections are being closed and popular programs have long waitlists. There is no greater investment in our future than higher education,” Jordan said.

She also has the support of Ventura County Community College District Trustees Cheryl Heitmann, Stephen Blum and Larry O. Miller.

“We need someone in Sacramento with Susan Jordan’s principled strength and determination to fight for our students. As a parent of a college student, she knows the great promise this generation holds. Cutting back on support to our students is like cutting off our future. Susan knows this and I support her,” Heitmann said.

In addition, Jordan has secured the endorsements of Arthur Joe Lopèz, Trustee, Oxnard School District; Dick Jaquez, Trustee, Oxnard Union High School District; Laura Malakoff, Former President, Santa Barbara School Board; and Marie Lakin, co-chair of Save Our Schools, and immediate past co-president of the Ventura Education Partnership.

Susan Jordan is an award-winning environmental leader, businesswoman, health advocate, mother and former chair of the Santa Barbara County Planning Commission.

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.

SANTA BARBARA, CA – Assembly candidate Das Williams is pleased to announce that he has received a new labor endorsement of his campaign for the 35th Assembly District:

International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 46

ILWU Local 46, which represents longshoreman and warehouse workers at Port of Hueneme, now joins a number of other unions which are already in support of Das Williams’ campaign, including the Santa Barbara Police Officer’s Association, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 952, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 413, International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 186, Ironworkers Local 433, Plumbers & Steamfitters Local 484, Sheet Metal Workers International Association Local 273, Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters, and UA Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 114.

“I am so grateful to have received such an overwhelming amount of support from local labor in this race,” said Das Williams. “I’ve worked hard on the Santa Barbara City Council to create jobs and opportunities for our working families, and I will continue to fight for them in the Assembly.”

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

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Das Williams grew up on the Central Coast and is a product of local public schools. In 2003, Das Williams became the youngest person ever to be elected to the Santa Barbara City Council, and was re-elected in 2007. Das has worked as a teacher, a policy aide for former Assemblywoman Hannah-Beth Jackson, and a community organizer working to stop the development of a Wal-Mart in Ventura and enact local living wage laws in Santa Barbara and Ventura. Das serves on the Peabody Charter School Board and is a national board member of the National Organization for Women (NOW). Das received his undergraduate degree from the University of California, Berkeley and holds a graduate degree in Environmental Science & Management from the University of California, Santa Barbara.