A bogus initiative with a deceptive name (“Stop Special
Interest Money Now” Act) is designed to tip the balance of political power in
favor of big corporations.

Backers of this initiative say it is comprehensive campaign finance reform, but
don’t be fooled.

It virtually eliminates the use of workers’ contributions while creating a
giant loophole for big corporations.

http://members.csea.com/memberhome/Issues/Election2012/CorporateDeceptionAct/tabid/1340/Default.aspx

Our allies in labor are putting on workshops
around the state to train interested parties from surrounding regions on how to
educate the voters in their local areas on the Stop the Special Exemptions
Act, (previously referred to as the Corporate Power Grab) – a great
training to attend so you are ready to go when the November election cycle
begins!

To ensure that we have sufficient space, please RSVP
at:  http://www.cadem.org/page?id=0050
to attend one of the following sessions:

Sacramento – Monday, May 21, 6:00pm - 8:30pm

              CUHW Office
              1484 Natomas Park Drive
              Sacramento, CA  95833

  Oakland – Tuesday, May 22, 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm

     
SEIU 1021         
100 Oak Street             
Oakland, CA 94607

Los Angeles – Tuesday, May 22, 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm

United Teaches of Los Angeles

3303 Wilshire Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA  90010

Fresno – Thursday, May 24, 6:00pm -8:30pm

             C.S.E.A.,Fresno Field Office
              2501 West Shaw, #107
              Fresno, CA  93711

San Diego – Wednesday, July 11, 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm

San Diego Democratic Party Headquarters

8340 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., #105

San Diego, CA  92111

Don't forget to RSVP at: http://www.cadem.org/page?id=0050

Hello
Congressman John Garamendi, who is running for the newly drawn 3rd Congressional District, representing the eastern part of Lake County needs help from Lake County Democrats.

Use this interactive map to find out which congressional district in Lake County is yours:
http://www.sacbee.com/2011/07/29/3804492/see-your-senate-assembly-or-congress.html

However, whether you live in the new Congressional District, or not, Congressman Garamendi's election is vital to all of us.
We need  two strong Democratic Congressman  in Washington to support Lake County.

We can volunteer to do remote phone banking from our homes by signing up at Congressman Garamendi's campaign website
http://www.garamendi.org/crmapi/volunteer
Check 'remote phone banking' and the campaign will send you everything you need via emaili

Please consider giving a few hours of your time between now and election day, June 5 to get out the vote.

Thanks again for everything you do
 

Evans Launches Regional Task Force on Autism

Appoints Local Advocate Chair

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

SACRAMENTO– Senator Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa) today announced the formation of the North Coast Area Regional Task Force (NCART) for the Senate Select Committee on Autism and Related Disorders. Senator Evans is a member of the fifteen-member Select Committee and recently co-authored legislation resulting from the group's efforts to provide insurance coverage to children with autism.

NCART will provide a public policy and legislative forum for research, analysis, deliberations, and outreach on the most pressing issues and concerns facing families who are living with autism spectrum disorders. They will focus mainly on addressing four factors related to the disorder:

To see that children are evaluated, identified and treated at the earliest possible age;

To assure private health plans do their fair share to provide medically necessary services;

Work to provide access to adequate employment opportunities; and,

Develop and expand appropriate and affordable housing.

Senate Creates New Local, Sustainable Food Select Committee

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Support for Local Foods Concept Grows inCalifornia

SACRAMENTO– Senator Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa) today announced the creation of the Senate Select Committee on California Food: Local, Organic and Sustainable Systems.  Evans will serve as chair with Senators DeSaulnier (D-Concord), Hancock (D-Berkeley), Pavley (D-Agoura Hills) and Wolk (D-Davis) as members.  The committee has two vacancies.

The committee will study sustainable food production inCaliforniaincluding the cottage food industry, artisan/heirloom foods, small and local producers, organic and sustainable practice producers.

“Californiais one of the top food producers in the world and leads the nation in organic food production,” said Evans.  “But people today want to know where their food is coming from, how it’s being grown and how it supports their local community.  This committee will shed some light on the challenges local, organic and sustainable food systems face daily to provide communities access to healthy foods from farms that are environmentally conscientious.”

Senator Noreen Evans has long been one of theNorthCoast’s leading advocates for Slow Food – the concept that we should be more conscious of what we eat and that our food should be environmentally sustainable and produced close to home.  In 2008, she was the first elected official ever to serve as a delegate to Terra Madre, the world’s most important food conference.  She has also been a vocal advocate for natural resource protection and the preservation of our agricultural heritage.   In 2012, she established the Senate Select Committee on California Food to bring focus on all these ideas and to do the necessary research to determine how to moveCaliforniacloser to the Slow Food ideal while maintainingCaliforniaagriculture’s important place in our economy.

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Budget Cuts Reveal Diminished Access to Justice in California

Monday, April 16, 2012

Budget Cuts Reveal Diminished Access to Justice inCalifornia

Fundamental Liberties and Democracy at Risk

SACRAMENTO--Advocates of justice from across the nation today gathered on the steps of the State Capitol to decry the impending crisis inCalifornia’s judicial branch spurned by years of budget cuts.  The group came together to identify the impacts budget cuts have had on the public’s access to justice prior to a joint informational hearing by the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee, Subcommittee No. 5 on Corrections, Public Safety and the Judiciary.

“The civil justice system is the bedrock and foundation of our democratic freedoms,” said Senator Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee.  “It serves as a beacon for disadvantaged communities, a pillar for businesses, a shield for domestic violence survivors, and a safety net for children, veterans and seniors.”

Through Senator Evans’ web site, the public are invited to share their stories on how access to justice has been impacted by these budget cuts.  The link to submit stories, live feed of the hearing, background papers and a chart on superior court service reductions to date by county are available here.

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Speaker John A. Pérez , Senator Noreen Evans, and Academy Award-Winning Actor Geena Davis Announce Funding for theCaliforniaCommission on the Status of Women

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

SACRAMENTO– Academy Award-Winning Actor and Chair of California’s Commission on the Status of Women Geena Davis joined Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez (D-Los Angeles) and commissioners Assemblymember Bonnie Lowenthal (D-LongBeach) and Senator Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa) announcing plans to re-establish funding and modernize the California Commission on the Status of Women (CCSW).  More than a dozen members of the legislative women’s caucus, along with CCSW commissioners joined the group in support of the announcement.

“I couldn’t be more thrilled to be a part of a game-changing announcement that will re-establish funding for the Commission,” said CCSW Chair Geena Davis.  “There is still much to be done to sustain a public dialogue and create real change for women and for our society as a whole, and the Commission will get back to work, doing just that.”

“We’ve all rallied around the Commission, because we know how important it is as a voice for women of all ages and from all backgrounds,” said Senator Evans. “Today’s announcement gives us a chance to continue working on vital issues impacting all of us.”

Evans’ Bills to Reopen, Strengthen State Parks Clear Senate Resources Committee

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

  Evans’ Bills to Reopen, Strengthen State Parks Clear Senate Resources Committee

Panel Also Approves Oiled Wildlife, Invasive Species Bills

SACRAMENTO – Two bills authored by Senator Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa) intended to bolster the California State Park system in the wake of pending park closures and budget cuts, were approved today by the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee. The bills, SB 974 and SB 1078 address the 70 California State Parks slated for closure July 1, 2012—20 of those parks are in her Second Senatorial District along the North Coast of California.

“State Parks are an integral part ofCalifornia’s environmental and historic legacy,” said Senator Evans. “These bills provide assurance that despite todays’ budget cuts, our parks will be made whole and economically sustainable.”

SB 974 (State Parks Closures) would require the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) to annually and formally review state park closures and revise the closure list if closures are unwarranted, unnecessary or counter to deed restrictions.  Economic impacts on local communities would have to be considered and there would be opportunity for public input.  Importantly, the bill requires DPR to develop a plan to reopen each park closed that takes into account the involvement of the local community and the potential for the reduction of environmental and economic costs. The bill passed with a 7-2 vote and will next be heard in Senate Appropriations.

SB 1078 (Parks Revenue Generation) would sharpen the DPRs’ focus on expanding revenue opportunities.  The bill establishes within DPR a system-wide Innovation Team charged with evaluating and implementing new revenue generation programs for parks.  The team will examine many proposals including new marketing programs for park passes, which could include selling passes at retail outlets and cooperative agreements with FasTrak.  SB 1078 also localizes revenue generation with the creation of local Innovation Working Groups who, working with community advisory boards, would develop five-year business plans for individual parks or park districts. The bill passed with a unanimous vote (8-0) and will next be heard in Senate Appropriations.

The Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee also approved two other Evans’ bills intended to improve the state’s response to oil spills and invasive species.

SB 1192 (Oiled Wildlife Care Network ) would give the state’s renowned volunteer-driven Oiled Wildlife Care Network (OWCN) more flexible funding by allowing the state’s existing Oil Spill and Administration Fund to cover volunteer training and preparedness. This bill will help ensure that the OWCN would continue to be ready to respond quickly and effectively in the event of an oil spill.  The bill passed with a 6-2 vote and will next be heard in Senate Appropriations.

SB 1251 (Invasive Species) would convene a statewide Aquatic Invasive Species Task Working Group of Stakeholders  to develop recommendations to the legislature and the Department of Fish and Game to set invasive species control priorities, develop a reliable revenue stream, and  improve coordination among agencies, The invasion of quagga mussels, the ludwigia plant  and many other exotic organisms clog the state’s drinking water delivery pipelines and threaten Lake Tahoe, Clear Lake, the Russian River  and other natural waterways.   The bill passed with a 7-2 vote and will next be heard in Senate Appropriations.

“Our natural resources inCaliforniaare of critical importance to protect,” continued Evans.  “Without plans in place that address our vulnerabilities,Californiacould endure disasters in our ecosystems that would take many lifetimes to remedy.”