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SLOCDP Election News 2012
Citizens Redistricting Commission
California Supreme Court Unanimously Upholds CRC's State Senate Maps
Sacramento, CA (January 27, 2012) --
The California Supreme Court, in a unanimous 7-0 decision, has upheld the Citizens Redistricting Commission's State Senate maps for use in the upcoming elections.
"The Court's unanimous decision is a great victory for the people of California. We applaud the Justices of the California Supreme Court for their thoughtful deliberation in this important matter. The Commission has a 4-0 record defeating the partisan challenges filed with the State Supreme Court and the U.S. Department of Justice. We believe that the use of the Commission's maps for the upcoming elections is important for the stability of the electoral process in California," said Peter Yao, the current Chair of the California Citizens Redistricting Commission. "It is regrettable that these challenges, based on partisan self-interest, have cost precious taxpayer dollars to defend the work of the people's Commission."
Jim Brosnahan, one of the lawyers who argued for the Commission, said "These fourteen citizens have done a tremendous job in a selfless and objective way and have created a precedent that not only enriches the California political system but may be used in other states in the years ahead."
The California Supreme Court's decision stated, "...not only do the Commission-certified Senate districts appear to comply with all of the constitutionally mandated criteria set forth in California Constitution, article XXI, the Commission-certified Senate districts also are a product of what generally appears to have been an open, transparent and nonpartisan redistricting process as called for by the current provisions of article XXI."
The California Supreme Court, in a unanimous 7-0 decision, has upheld the Citizens Redistricting Commission's State Senate maps for use in the upcoming elections.
President Obama Wins Early Tribune Poll over Romney
The Tribune conducted an online poll on January 22 asking "If the 2012 Presidential nominees are Barack Obama and Mitt Romney, who would you vote for?". Before the poll was taken down early the next morning, Obama was leading Romney by a 39% to 36% margin. The remaining 25% voted "neither". Just under 2,000 votes were cast.
Rep. Capps Speaks on the Importance of Extending the Payroll Tax Cut As Soon As Possible 
Rep. Lois Capps speaks about the need to extend the payroll tax cut, unemployment insurance benefits, and the "doc fix" for physicians who treat Medicare beneficiaries as soon as possible. (1/24/2012)
Bill Monning for State Senate, District 17 
The El Moro Democratic Club will present the 3rd Margaret Mehring Forum on January 29 at the South Bay Community Center in Los Osos from 1:00 to 3:30 PM. The forum will feature state senate candidate Bill Monning and is open and free to the public.
Team Adam Hill for Supervisor 2012 
Adam's team gears up for the 2012 election. See the latest updates!
* The effort by the County Democratic Party website is not aimed at advocating you believe a certain way. We think you are capable of making valid judgments about issues before this nation, state and region--if you are provided with legitimate information. One of our missions is to help elect Democrats, and we believe the most effective way to accomplish that mission is to counter the misinformation at large with factual knowledge, which in itself will make the case for supporting Democrats. Such is the beneficial power of information. Jack McCurdy, Morro Bay
SLO County News
(Click on invitation to purchase tickets!)
San Luis Obispo- Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom will be the honored guest at the San Luis Obispo County Democratic Party's inaugural "Dining with the Stars" event. The party will be held on February 24, at 6:00 PM at The Fairways at Dairy Creek.
The Lieutenant Governor will join John Laird, California's Resources Secretary in celebrating local Democrat volunteers and organizations. A no-host cocktail hour will open the evening, followed by dinner and dancing.
"We are delighted to welcome the Lieutenant Governor to the Central Coast", said Pat Harris, Chair of the SLO County Democratic Party. "We have been working on the arrangements for months and we look forward to introducing him to the people of the county." Harris said the fundraiser event will help to fund expanded office space and increased visibility during the 2012 campaign season.
(Graphics by Ashala Lawler)
The Lieutenant Governor will also be the main attraction at a private reception to be held with event sponsors at Tolosa Vineyards. Sponsorships Available HERE Dinner Tickets Available HERE!
Ordinance to Ban Single-Use Plastic Bags Going Before Board Jan 11
Update: Ban on bags passes by an 8 to 5 vote - thanks to everyone who attended!
This Wednesday is the big day for the attempt to ban single-use plastic bags and curb the use of certain single-use paper bags in the County. The Integrative Waste Management Agency’s 13-member board will be voting on the ordinance at the Board of Supervisors Chambers on Monterey Street in San Luis Obispo at 2 p.m. Land and sea pollution (including the infamous Pacific Ocean Garden Patch), unnecessary use of declining resources and squandering of money are some of the many reasons to be in support. Most if not all of the supermarkets as well as the California Grocers Association are supportive their own costs will be reduced. So-called free bags are not free t o society and to the planet. Voluntary action and education by themselves not do it. This is a reasonable responsibility of our county government.
First Study of Seismic Studies' Impacts Set...by Jack McCurdy, Slo Coast Journal
The first official draft of an environmental impact report on PG&E's proposed deep-sea seismic studies related to faults near the Diablo Canyon nuclear plant is being planned for public release in January. It will help determine if local fishers are right in expecting severe impacts of the seismic studies on local fisheries.
Stop the Trigger Cuts Rally 12 Noon on Thursday, December 15
Join the rally in front of Senator Sam Blakeslee's office at 605 Santa Rosa in SLO.
A poll in the Sacramento Bee showed that 2/3 of Californians think the trigger cuts are a bad idea. Rallies will be held across the state to call attention to the harm these cuts will cause to our social safety net, while calling on legislators to balance the budget with revenue solutions rather than deep trigger cuts. Trigger cuts in the state budget were not inevitable: Republicans have blocked much-needed revenue solutions for our state, edging us into trigger cuts.
Buffett company investment in SLO county solar farm could boost industry ...L.A. Times
The agreement by investor Warren Buffett's MidAmerican Energy Holdings to buy a $2-billion photovoltaic farm in San Luis Obispo County could bring a ray of financial sunshine to the battered solar-energy industry.
STATE POLITICAL NEWS
Brown's Visionary Side Emerges...San Jose Mercury News
SACRAMENTO -- The two sides of Gov. Jerry Brown's political
persona have come into clear view this month. Two weeks ago, it was the austere
and pragmatic, as he released his slash-away state budget.
But on Wednesday during his state of the state in the Assembly chambers, he
gave a glimpse of his idealistic, visionary side, providing a full-throated
defense of the high-speed rail project despite the pummeling it's taken in
recent months.
State of the State 2012: "California On The Mend"....Gov. Jerry Brown
For my part, I am determined to press ahead both with substantial budget cuts and my tax initiative. The cuts are not ones I like but the situation demands them. As for the initiative, it is fair. It is temporary. It is half of what people were paying in 2010. And it will protect our schools and guarantee—in the constitution—funding for the public safety programs we transferred to local government. With enough time, we can and should devise more permanent tax reform but for now we should finish the job of bringing spending into balance with revenues.
Candidates Take Note: New Poll Shows Independent Voters are Environmentalists...CA League of Conservation Voters
Listen up, candidates for office in California: Independent voters care about the environment. A groundbreaking new statewide poll of California voters who decline-to-state (DTS) an affiliation with any political party reveals the strong environmental and other progressive values of this poorly-understood but growing bloc of voters.
Overturning of Prop 13 Sought in Lawsuit...by Bob Ejelko, S.F. Gate
If the suit succeeds, it would restore majority-vote legislative approval for state tax increases - while leaving Prop. 13's property tax reductions intact. It would also change the balance of power in Sacramento, where minority Republicans routinely unite to prevent any increased levies.
The Vote Heard Around the World Video
On December 6th, 2011, Los Angeles became the first major U.S. city to call for an amendment reserving Constitutional rights solely for living human beings.
Open Letter to the People of California from Gov. Jerry Brown
The stark truth is that without new tax revenues, we will have no other choice but to make deeper and more damaging cuts to schools, universities, public safety and our courts.
That is why I am filing today an initiative with the Attorney General’s office that would generate nearly $7 billion in dedicated funding to protect education and public safety. I am going directly to the voters because I don’t want to get bogged down in partisan gridlock as happened this year. The stakes are too high.
My proposal is straightforward and fair. It proposes a temporary tax increase on the wealthy, a modest and temporary increase in the sales tax, and guarantees that the new revenues be spent only on education.
National Political News
REPORT: What The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Has Done For You Already....by Travis Waldron, Think Progress
...despite GOP opposition, the CFPB has begun taking important steps toward fulfilling its mission. Based on Cordray's prepared remarks and other reports, ThinkProgress compiled a rundown of the programs the CFPB has already established to aid consumers and the steps it plans to take in the future:
Andrew Sullivan: How Obama's Long Game Will Outsmart His Critics
If I sound biased, that's because I am. Biased toward the actual record, not the spin; biased toward a president who has conducted himself with grace and calm under incredible pressure, who has had to manage crises not seen since the Second World War and the Depression, and who as yet has not had a single significant scandal to his name. "To see what is in front of one's nose needs a constant struggle," George Orwell once wrote. What I see in front of my nose is a president whose character, record, and promise remain as grotesquely underappreciated now as they were absurdly hyped in 2008. And I feel confident that sooner rather than later, the American people will come to see his first term from the same calm, sane perspective. And decide to finish what they started.
Organic Farmers and Seed Sellers Sue Monsanto to Protect Themselves from Patents on Genetically Modified Seed...Public Patent Foundation
Preemptive Action Seeks Ruling That Would Prohibit Monsanto From Suing Organic Farmers and Seed Growers If Contaminated By Roundup Ready Seed
The case, Organic Seed Growers & Trade Association, et al. v. Monsanto, was filed in federal district court in Manhattan and assigned to Judge Naomi Buchwald. Plaintiffs in the suit represent a broad array of family farmers, small businesses and organizations from within the organic agriculture community who are increasingly threatened by genetically modified seed contamination despite using their best efforts to avoid it. The plaintiff organizations have over 270,000 members, including thousands of certified organic family farmers.
Newt Gingrich Tells Gay Iowan To Vote For Obama...Faiz Shakir, Think Progress
"I asked him if he's elected, how does he plan to engage gay Americans. How are we to support him? And he told me to support Obama," said Arnold.
Speaker Cuts Off C-SPAN Cameras When Dems Attempt To Bring Vote On Payroll Tax Cut...Alex Seitz-Walk, Think Progress
C-SPAN tweeted afterwards: "C-SPAN has no control over the U.S. House TV cameras – the Speaker of the House does."
Corporate Titans Call OWS 'Imbeciles"...Pat Garofalo, Think Progress
HOME DEPOT CO-FOUNDER BERNIE MARCUS: "Who gives a crap about some imbecile? Are you kidding me?"
Obama on 'Trickle Down' Economics: 'It Doesn't Work, It Has Never Worked'...by Travis Waldron, Think Progress
In 1910, former President Theodore Roosevelt gave his rousing "New Nationalism" speech in Osawatomie, Kansas, where he called for new approaches to dealing with the problems the nation faced. President Obama visited Osawatomie today, and in his own speech — his first major economic speech since Occupy Wall Street protests began highlighting income inequality and corporate greed — Obama called for a new approach to addressing America's current economic challenges.
Overestimating Presidential Power...by Steve Benen, Washington Monthly
In our system of government, the president simply does not have the legal or institutional authority to approve sweeping economic legislation on his or her own. The number of voters who don't seem to fully understand this is disconcerting.
Norquist Tells GOP That Raising Taxes On The Middle Class Doesn't Count As A Tax Increase...by Travis Waldron, Think Progress
Anti-tax zealot Grover Norquist, the president of Americans For Tax Reform and author of the radical anti-tax pledge that has played a significant role in hamstringing budget and deficit-reduction negotiations, has said that it is unacceptable for those who have signed his pledge to vote in favor of any tax increase. But now that President Obama and congressional Democrats are backing a tax cut aimed at stimulating economic growth, Norquist has changed his tune.
Social Movements vs. "Social Movements": Comparing Occupy and the Tea Party...by Scott Borchert, Truthout
Occupy Elections, With a Simple Message...by George Lakoff, Truthout
Wall Street exerts its force through the money that buys elections and elected officials. But ultimately, the outcome of elections depends on people willing to take to the streets - registering voters, knocking on doors, distributing information, speaking in local venues. The way to change the nation is to occupy elections.
First Amendment Hijacked by Moneyed Interests...by Robert Reich, S.F.Gate
A funny thing happened to the First Amendment on its way to the public forum: It was hijacked. According to the Supreme Court, money is now speech, and corporations are now people. Yet when real people without money assemble to express their dissatisfaction with the political consequences of this, they're treated as public nuisances - clubbed, pepper-sprayed, thrown out of public parks and evicted from public spaces.
