Democratic Party of Del Norte: News

California State & Del Norte Democratic Party Endorsements

Yes...Mike Thompson U.S. Congress http://mikethompson.house.gov/

Yes...Wes Chesbro State Assembly

No...Proposition 98

Yes...Proposition 99

http://www.californiaprogressreport.com/

Del Norte Democratic Party Office Open and Ready For...

Our Office at 260 "I" St., Crescent City (next to Del Norte Office Supply)

The Del Norte County Democratic Party Office is open and ready for business! The Grand Opening was a smashing success. Over 50 members of the community turned out to meet Wes Chesbro, other local officials and friends. The weather was beautiful and there were lots of smiles while local candidates and community leaders shared their visions and listened to voiced concerns.
The Party Office will by used for organizing the upcoming elections. Serving as a communications center and clearinghouse for campaign material, the office affords us a convenient location to have meetings and hold events. It is being totally funded by contributions.

Former State Senator and future Assemblyman Wes Chesbro (shown at the recent DNCDP office Grand Opening) is endorsed by the California Democratic Party and the Del Norte County Democratic Central Committee

Congressman Mike Thompson (pictured with Debra Broner) is also endorsed by the California Democratic Party and the Del Norte County Democratic Central Committee.

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RALLY FOR EDUCATION MAY 14th!

Join the Rally for Education on Wednesday, May 14th from 4:30 - 5:30 at the Del Norte County Fairgrounds Parking Lot
Show our state leadership that we are serious about maintaining funding for schools in California!

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Terminator's Budget Cuts Will Hurt

The California Budget Project (www.cbp.org) has provided a breakdown of how the Governor's budget will affect us here in Del Norte County.

The Governor has proposed substantial reductions to virtually all state-supported services to close the state’s budget gap. The Legislature will consider these proposed reductions and other options during upcoming budget hearings. Who in Del Norte County would be affected by the Governor’s proposals?

• 3,630 students served by Del Norte County’s public schools. Cuts to five of the largest funding allocations for public schools in the county would equal $632 per student.
• 300 low-income children dropped from the CalWORKs Program.
• 2,130 low-income seniors and persons with disabilities who would lose the state cost-ofliving adjustment for Supplemental Security Income/State Supplementary Payment cash assistance grants.
• 320 low-income seniors and persons with disabilities who would receive fewer hours of services through the In-Home Supportive Services Program.
• 20 fewer children enrolled in child care and preschool due to funding cuts to child development programs.
• 110 low-income children in 2008-09 – and a total of 210 children by 2009-10 – who would lose Medi-Cal coverage due to increased paperwork requirements.
• 7,700 low-income Medi-Cal recipients who may have reduced access to health care services because of payment cuts to health care providers.
• 530 children enrolled in the Healthy Families Program, which provides low-cost health coverage for children in low-income working families. The Governor proposes to increase family premium contributions and copayments and reduce dental services.
• Visitors to Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park, which the Governor proposes to close.

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Democrats Welcome Tall-Masted Ships

The Lady Washington at berth

The Del Norte Democratic Party was very busy with a booth at the recent Tall-Masted Ships Celebration in the Crescent City harbor. Campaign items were distributed and voters were registered during the festival which featured the Lady Washington and the Hawaiian Chieftain which arrived late due to repairs.

Thanks to all the volunteers who who worked at the festival!

Volunteer Keyt Fischer registering voter

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A Message From Patty Berg

Hello,
I want to thank those of you who wrote or called me about my last newsletter message on the budget.
It's great to know so many people are interested in their state government and concerned about schools and parks and all the resources and services that others take for granted. I always say the residents of the 1st Assembly District are some of the most engaged, best informed people in the state - and once again you're proving me right.
As many of you so rightly point out, the budget is issue #1 this year. A $16 billion deficit is not only a huge problem, but it comes when all of the easier fixes have been exhausted. We pared it back to $8 billion through an extraordinary set of mid-year spending reductions, but we still face a problem that might grow to $10 billion by the time summer arrives.
We're now at the point where we need to apply a balanced approach, raising our revenues while making even more cuts to our spending. That's a sticking point for Republicans, who recently rejected efforts to close a loophole that allows yacht owners to avoid sales tax simply by virtue of having more money than the rest of us.
Those of us who want a balanced approach believe the Republican stance on the yacht loophole bodes very poorly for the negotiations ahead. But a bright spot has now emerged as the Governor has tentatively joined our call for a reasoned response. He has asked us to "get creative" in finding ways to raise revenue. Whether he can sway members of his party to join that creative process remains to be seen.
There are literally billions of dollars of old tax loopholes that could be eliminated. This would raise money for schools and police and health services, and it could all be done without touching our sales tax rates or our income tax rates.
I imagine some of you have ideas about what's important - whether it's school funding or state parks or transportation projects - and that you also probably have ideas to help close the budget deficit. As always, I'd love to hear them. Until next time,
Patty Berg

Bills on the Move
I have posted all my new bills on my website to make it easier for you to follow my efforts. They are there for your inspection whenever it's convenient for you. In the meantime, I plan on mentioning a couple of the bills in each newsletter. AB 2149 and AB 2150 are sort of a "boxed-set" of bills that deal with the proliferation of sales tactics designed to curry favor with seniors in order to bilk them out of their assets. Too often, sales agents purport to be "experts" in "senior issues" even though they have no particular claim to those titles. My bills will create a process for California to regulate any designation that claims special senior expertise, and to require state-approved training before such designations can be used. Please watch my web video on my website about these two bills.
New Cell Phone Rules this Summer It's still a few months away, but as of July 1, a new law takes effect that prohibits motorists from the use of hand-held cell phones while driving. As of that date, you will only be able to use a cell phone while driving if you have a hands-free device. A first-time offense could bring a $20 ticket, and any subsequent violations could set you back $50 each. Exceptions to the law include allowing drivers to make emergency calls, such as 911 or law enforcement, as well as permitting drivers of emergency response vehicles to use cell phones without a hand-held device. Drivers of commercial vehicles will not be subject to the law until July 1, 2011. Also going into effect on July 1st is a complete ban on the use of cell phones and other electronic devices by teenage drivers (those through nineteen years old). The penalties are the same.
Quagga Mussels Lake County officials are trying their best to keep quagga mussels from getting a foothold in Clear Lake. Quagga mussels are an invasive species, a tiny little mussel that has plagued the Great Lakes for years. Officials here want to avoid an expensive battle with these small invaders by keeping them out of the lake in the first place. Because once they're in, they crowd out native species, can cause serious damages to boats, colonize all underwater surfaces such as boat ramps and docks requiring constant cleaning. Even more seriously, the spread of quagga can result in millions of dollars in damage to water transport facilities. The Department of Fish and Game along with Lake County is urging the public to wash their boats thoroughly and to watch for quagga mussels. Please visit the Department of Fish and Game website for more prevention tips. Del Norte and Humboldt Student Artwork Displayed in Sacramento I am pleased to announce that artwork from students in Humboldt and Del Norte Counties has been on display at the State Capitol. Students from six schools have participated and are displaying artwork: South Fortuna Elementary School; EXCEL After School Program (Humboldt); Joe Hamilton Elementary, Kids 1st Program (Del Norte); Blue Lake School, Kids Corner After School Program (Humboldt); Peninsula Union Elementary School (Humboldt); Norman G. Ambrosini Elementary School; EXCEL After School Program (Humboldt); and Pine Hill & South Bay Schools, After School Program (Humboldt).
Green Entrepreneur Award For the Sixth Annual Green Entrepreneur Award, I am pleased to announce that Cypress Grove Chevre of Arcata received this year's recognition. The award recognizes small businesses in Northern California that use green business practices. Cypress Grove Chevre is well-known for using sustainable farming techniques to make their world-famous artisan cheeses. For some information on the company, go to: http://www.cypressgrovechevre.com/.
Eye Care America The American Academy of Opthalmology unveiled a new website as an educational tool to educate Americans about eye diseases. I urge you to check the website http://www.eyecareamerica.org/ to find information and learn of free programs this foundation offers.
Are you considering volunteer work?
Becoming a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) is a powerful way to change the world. Each day in California, 70 children who have been abused or neglected join the state's population of nearly 80,000 children in foster care. As dependents of the court, these children pass through a court system which can leave them frightened, confused and alone. CASA volunteers change that. Appointed by judges, CASA volunteers typically handle just one case at a time - and commit to staying on that case until the child is placed in a safe, permanent home. While others may come and go, CASA volunteers provide that one constant that children need in order to thrive. Are you ready to stand up for a child who needs you? Inquire about the power you have to change a child's life at http://www.californiacasa.org/

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California Democrats Set New Voter Registration Records

“The Democratic voter registration train in California continues to accelerate, while the Republican train has jumped off the tracks,” Senator Art Torres (Ret.), Chairman of the California Democratic Party, said today regarding recently reported voter registration numbers.
According to the California Secretary of State’s latest report of voter registration, between January 22, 2008 and April 4, 2008 California Democrats added 170,918 voters to the rolls, Decline to State voters increased by 26,532, and Republicans lost 8,759 registrants.
“183,189 voters registered during those 73 days, and 93.3% of them are Democrats. This is a number not seen since the days of Watergate in the mid-1970s,” said Torres.
There are now 6,920,324 Democrats registered to vote in California, 43.5% of the total number of registered voters. 5,220,666 voters are registered Republicans, 32.8% of the total. Thus Democrats outnumber Republicans in California by 1,699,658 voters.
As of April 4, 2008 Democrats have 469,700 voters more than they had at the same time in 2004, while Republicans are 109,870 below their 2004 numbers. In November of 2004, Democrats outnumbered Republicans by 1,374,907.
Reflecting on these numbers, Torres stated “John Kerry went on to win California in November 2004 by a margin by 1,235,659 votes.”
“I credit our local Democratic organizations all over California for many of these registrations and the political climate where the vast majority of Californians do not want a Bush third term with John McCain.”
# # #
For details on voter registration go to the Secretary of State website (www.sos.ca.gov).

The California Democratic Party allowed Decline to States (known as “Independents”) to vote in its presidential primary (February 5th) and hundreds of thousands did -- 5.12 million Democratic ballots were cast.

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Volunteers Welcomed!

A Grand Crowd at a Grand Opening

The Democratic Party has made a statement of commitment to Del Norte County with the opening of our office in downtown Crescent City. This is made possible by a commitment of individual Democrats who are volunteering their time as a personal contribution to the Democatic Party in Del Norte County. The most valuable "contributors" to the Democratic Party are the volunteers. We may not have the money the other party does but our volunteers more than make up for that.

Ours is the Party of the People which means that each of us can and do make a difference. A great way to meet fellow Democrats and just get out in our beautiful town is to volunteer a couple of hours. This can be done at home, at our office or in the community. We need help registering voters at special events like the Tall-Masted Ships Celebration and we need help staffing our office. We need help during the elections getting out the vote. In short, we need your help.

For the sake of Democratic Party and for the sake of Del Norte County, please contact us by e-mail or phone us at 707-487-5120. You will meet some great people.

Together we ARE making a difference!

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Give Real Support to Our Troops

Whether you are for the war or against it, it is our duty to support our troops, who are willing to sacrifice their lives to defend our liberties, with more than just lip service and monuments. The soldiers face real challenges when they return home and we are obligated to provide them and their families with real help they need in returning to civilian life.

To this end, we ask that you help us in urging John McCain to join us in supporting the GI Bill for the 21st Century. It is a bipartisan effort to give REAL support to our troops. please sign the GI Bill petition,

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Condi Must Go!

AMERICA. For most, that word means, freedom, tolerance and respect for human rights. Lately, however, our reputation around the world has been tarnished by actions taken by the Bush administration. One example is the use of torture while interrogating prisoners taken in war or just suspected of terrorist activities. We are better than that and should demand that our leaders adhere to the principles upon which our nation was founded.
Our Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, has misled the American public and has been a key player in the use of torture. Please take a moment and view the video http://bravenewfilms.org/watch/21358082/35714?utm_source=rgemail , provided by ABC News and Brave New Films, and then sign the petition, calling for her immediate resignation or dismissal.

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State Democratic Convention

For three days, March 28-30, the pulse of the Democratic Party was loud and clear in San Jose, California. The California State Democratic Convention brought together Democrats from Crescent City to Dan Diego. In this very important presidential election year, 2118 delegates met to set the official California Democratic Party Platform which can be viewed at www.cadem.org/2008Platform.

Delegates also endorsed Democratic candidates for local, state and federal election and set agendas and strategies in caucuses concerned with the issues we face today.Delegates were treated to headlining appearances by Former President Bill Clinton, Nancy Pelosi and Phil Donohue as well as rubbing elbows with the likes of Willie Brown, Jerry Brown, Debra Bowen, Gavin Newsome and many other notable Democrats who serve our party well.

Del Norte County was well represented at the convention. The Chairperson of the Del Norte County Democratic Central Committee, Debra Broner, led our delegation consisting of Debra, Keyt Fischer, Don Johnson and Kurt Gripenstraw. Debra also was presented with an award for Volunteer of the Year in Region 2 in front of the entire assembly. The Region consists of the northern California coast from the Golden Gate Bridge to the Oregon border. This was the third time Debra has received this recognition and each time was in a different Region! Debra’s hard work and commitment to the Democratic Party is recognized around the state. We are lucky to have her!

As at all conventions, much excitement filled the air over candidates and issues. Some of the debates were heated but most delegates stayed until the last gavel and, in the end, left the convention center united and eager to work for victories in June and again in November.Other highlights and video from the convention can be found at http://www.cadem.org/site/c.jrLZK2PyHmF/b.3904469/.

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	Next meeting: Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at 5:30 p.m., 260 I Street, Crescent City, CA. Call Debra (707) 487-5120 for more info •