Political Desk
The Political Desk provides information, news, and announcements obtained from governmental and communications offices.
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Articles by Political Desk
September 22, 2009
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles County Democratic Party (LACDP) today announced the filing of amicus curiae in support of litigation challenging Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger´s unconstitutional reductions in critical healthcare and other safety net programs (St. John´s Well Child and Fami...
October 31, 2008
Generous Support of EcoDriving USA Makes Exclusive Roll Call Politics Content Available to the Public.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – With days remaining until the election, Roll Call, Capitol Hill´s leading news source for coverage of the people, politics and process that shape the legislative ...
October 29, 2008
OKLAHOMA CITY — Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Andrew Rice has received endorsements from three newspapers in recent days.
The Muskogee Phoenix said Rice has an "even-handed and rational approach to the issues and problems we are experiencing."
The Oologah Lake-Leader described Rice as "...
October 29, 2008
Debate Performances, Cornyn Record Spurring Noriega Momentum.
Houston, TX – A new poll of the Texas Senate race between incumbent Senator and Bush rubber-stamp John Cornyn and Rep. Rick Noriega shows the race tightening to a six point margin. Further, these new numbers don't take into account t...
October 29, 2008
With just ten days to go until ballots are due, Jeff Merkley's campaign is issuing another Gordon Smith flip flop alert.
In the closing days of this race, Gordon Smith has flip flopped his position on Dave Brownlow, the Constitution Party nominee for U.S. Senate.
One week ago Gordon Smith we...
October 29, 2008
The nation's growing economic crisis has become all too real for families, small businesses and hardworking people across Maine. Here's what Tom Allen has said:
"I have listened to them around their kitchen tables, in country stores, at community suppers and on the streets of cities and towns fr...
October 29, 2008
BOISE, IDAHO – U.S. Senate candidate Larry LaRocco says he doesn´t buy opponent Jim´s Risch claim that he wanted to serve his country and tried to enlist in the military in 1968. He said Risch´s story is an affront to veterans, who deserve complete transparency about his record.
...
October 29, 2008
Amid calls yesterday for Sen. Ted Stevens of Alaska to resign after being convicted on seven felony corruption charges, Sen. Pat Roberts broke from party leadership, saying that it should be up to Alaskans to decide Stevens´ fate.
Jim Slattery, candidate for the U.S. Senate, yesterday call...
October 29, 2008
Portland -- The Tom Allen for Senate Campaign today announced the formation of "Sportsmen for Allen," a group of Maine's leading sportsmen who have endorsed Congressman Allen for the U.S. Senate.
The group's endorsement noted that Allen is a member of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus, a lif...
October 29, 2008
In Washington, Jeanne Shaheen will stand up to the special interests and John Sununu´s cronies to move America in a new direction. These groups, packed with Bush cronies and Sununu collaborators have spent over $3 million dollars attacking Jeanne Shaheen to date. Freedom´s Watch was fo...
October 29, 2008
Republican and Democratic leaders cite Landrieu's effectiveness.
GRETNA - Republican Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand and Jefferson Parish District Attorney Paul Connick has joined seven other elected officials from the parish to endorse U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu, D-La., who is seeking ...
October 29, 2008
Joins 27 Republican elected officials supporting Landrieu.
NEW ORLEANS - Former Louisiana Governor David Treen has endorsed U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu, D-La., for re-election. Gov. Treen was the first Republican elected Governor of Louisiana since Reconstruction. He also served in the U.S. Hous...
October 29, 2008
Sheriffs, Chiefs of Police and District Attorneys endorse Landrieu.
BATON ROUGE - Sheriffs, Chiefs of Police and District Attorneys from throughout Louisiana today joined United States Senator Mary Landrieu, D-La., to show their support for her re-election. Sen. Landrieu is a tenacious fighter ...
October 29, 2008
Wicker has more than $275,000 in illegal contributions that he cannot spend in his account.
Jackson, MS - Interim Senator Roger Wicker has violated another federal election law and the Musgrove campaign today filed a complaint with the Federal Elections Commission.
The FEC complaint is in re...
October 29, 2008
Hound Dogs Give McConnell a Taste of His Own Medicine; Clinton and Four Former Governors Urge Vote for Lunsford.
LOUISVILLE - Starting today, Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Bruce Lunsford begins airing a series of television advertisements that underscore the need for change after 24 years of M...
October 29, 2008
LOUISVILLE - Republican Party standard-bearers Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) and Gov. Sarah Palin (R-AK) today on Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK) to step down from the Senate after the longtime Alaska senator was convicted on seven felony counts. Despite both the Republican Presidential and Vice-Presidential cand...
October 29, 2008
McConnell Cannot Duck Decision on Allowing Convicted Felon to Serve.
LOUISVILLE - Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate Bruce Lunsford issued the following statement regarding the conviction of Sen. Ted Steven (R-AK):
"Ted Stevens has been convicted of a felony and could be serving jail ti...
October 29, 2008
Says Lunsford Will Bring Change to Washington and be a Strong Advocate for Veterans.
LOUISVILLE - Bob Kerrey, the distinguished Vietnam veteran and former Senator and Governor from Nebraska, threw his support behind Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate Bruce Lunsford on Saturday at a rally in Har...
October 29, 2008
Former President Makes Stops in Paducah and Bowling Green.
LOUISVILLE - President Bill Clinton travelled to Kentucky today to help Democrat Bruce Lunsford make the case for change at events in Paducah and Bowling Green.
Calling Lunsford a true change agent, President Clinton laid out the ch...
October 27, 2008
Washington, D.C. — Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement today after House Democratic leaders held a conference call with economic experts, many of whom met with the congressional leaders on October 13. The House passed an economic recovery and job creation package in September,...
October 22, 2008
Larson firm FLS-Connect may be playing role in slanderous, possibly illegal RNC robo-calls.
St. Paul — Several news outlets have reported on the massive robo-calling campaign that the McCain–Palin campaign and the Republican National Committee launching a possibly illegal, massive robo-ca...
October 22, 2008
In wake of Bachmann´s outrageous remarks Friday, DFLers Klobuchar, Oberstar, Peterson, McCollum, Ellison and Walz issue joint statement.
St. Paul - After Republican Representative Michele Bachmann (MN-06) on Friday called for an investigation into Members of Congress with whom she disagrees, ...
October 13, 2008
Today voting rights groups filed a suit against the Georgia Secretary of State charging that the voting rights of a Cherokee County citizen had been violated. This suit comes one day after serious concerns were lodged by the U.S. Department of Justice that Georgia´s attempts to verify voter id...
October 11, 2008
Washington, DC - The Democratic National Committee today updated the Count the Lies counter after two new fact checks debunked John McCain's false and misleading claims. After the Washington Post's Fact Checker blog gave Two Pinocchios to the McCain campaign's latest "guilt by association" video, P...
October 10, 2008
Anonymous Republican Senators Place Secret Holds on Whistleblower Protections.
Washington, D.C. – In both the House and Senate, the White House has been successful in convincing a handful of Republican lawmakers to block votes on a final Whistleblower Protection Act bill.
In the Sen...
October 08, 2008
According to the Wall Street Journal: "John McCain would pay for his health plan with major reductions to Medicare and Medicaid, a top aide said, in a move that independent analysts estimate could result in cuts of $1.3 trillion over 10 years to the government programs." [Wall Street Journal online,...
September 22, 2008
The Democratic National Committee today updated the Count the Lies counter after CNN called one of John McCain's most frequent false attacks on tax cuts "misleading.' As CNN notes, McCain's campaign continues to repeat a long-debunked lie about Senator Obama's voting record despite a clear record ...
September 22, 2008
Mrs. Obama Continues Series of Conversations Highlighting Barack Obama's and Joe Biden's Commitment to Economic Security for Women and Families.
Wausau, WI – Michelle Obama, wife of Democratic presidential nominee Senator Barack Obama, hosted a roundtable discussion with working women in ...
September 20, 2008
The Venezuela Information Office (VIO) has condemned a recent television advertisement released by the McCain-Palin campaign as a desperate attempt at fear-mongering through the demonization of Venezuela and its democratically elected President, Hugo Chávez.
According to VIO, the images and...
September 20, 2008
WASHINGTON, DC – Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton made the following statement on the administration´s proposal to restore stability to U.S. financial markets.
"When the American people, facing a foreclosure crisis and struggling economy, turned to this administration for help, the answer was...
September 08, 2008
Washington, DC - John McCain and Sarah Palin continue to show the voters that they won't let the facts get in their way of their misleading campaign rhetoric. Whether claiming Governor Palin fought the earmarks she so actively sought or arguing that John McCain put principles ahead of the party lin...
August 30, 2008
Washington, D.C. – The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence praised Senator Barack Obama for highlighting the need for common sense gun laws in his speech accepting the Democratic nomination, specifically addressing easy access to assault weapons:
"I was fortunate to be in Mile-High Stadium las...
June 10, 2008
CLEVELAND, OH - Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich's re-election website was shut down this morning by a series of suspicious and fast-moving events several hours after Kucinich introduced 35 Articles of Impeachment against President George W. Bush.
Until the site is up and running again, the full ...
June 09, 2008
Organization cites surging membership and closeness of previous elections in their promise to impact '08 elections.
HillaryGrassrootsCampaign.com, an organization with upwards of half-a-million supporters, announced it is committed to breaking ranks with the Democratic Party and supporting Se...
March 03, 2008
Governor Schwarzenegger encourages all Californians to participate in state´s voluntary tax check-off program.
SACRAMENTO, CA –– To remind Californians how simple it is to make a contribution to one or more of the eleven charitable funds participating in the state´s voluntary tax check-off prog...
November 02, 2007
Emmy Award Winning Producer Ricky Kirshner, Long-Time Party Strategist Mark Squier to Oversee Production of Convention Program.
DENVER - The Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC) announced that Emmy Award winning producer Ricky Kirshner and long-time Democratic Party strategist Mark S...
September 06, 2007
President Bush recently made it clear that there will be no comprehensive federal program to aid the millions of Americans that are facing foreclosure or have lost their homes. Stewart A. Alexander, a presidential hopeful with Peace and Freedom Party and Social Party USA, says Congress and the pres...
May 30, 2007
Mountain View, California – Today, Senator John Edwards sent a letter to the Federal Communications Commission urging it to use the upcoming auction of the 700 megahertz slice of the broadband spectrum to make the Internet more affordable and more accessible to all Americans, regardless of where the...
May 14, 2007
KANSAS CITY, MO – At a community kickoff event in Kansas City Saturday, Democratic candidate for president Barack Obama urged Missourans to contact their representatives in Washington, DC and tell them to support a bipartisan plan to bring American troops home from Iraq. Last week, President Bush v...
May 14, 2007
Teterboro, NJ - Barack Obama joined Mayor Cory Booker of Newark and Mayor Jerramiah Healy of Jersey City today to call for the creation of an Affordable Housing Trust Fund that would build up to 14,000 new affordable units each year in mixed income neighborhoods and provide a needed economic stimulu...
May 01, 2007
The Social Security Administration was established in 1937 under the administration of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, it was an important part of Roosevelt’s New Deal to America; now 70 years since the system was introduced, Stewart Alexander, Candidate for President, wants to give more to an agin...
April 26, 2007
Washington, DC - In the last of three speeches meant to "retool" his campaign, John McCain will rely on the double talk that has become an all-too-familiar piece of his do-anything-to-win campaign. In his latest attempt to distract voters from the sharp contrast between what he says and what he does...
April 26, 2007
Washington, DC - Rudy Giuliani tried to portray himself as a shrewd fiscal manager to a group of business leaders in Nashua on Tuesday. However, his record tells a very different story about Rudy's lack of fiscal restraint during his tenure as mayor of New York City.
Earlier this month in Alabama...
April 25, 2007
While campaigning in New Hampshire last night, Rudy Giuliani resorted to hurling desperate attacks about Democrats while trying to tout his national security credentials. Despite the fact that he failed to prepare New York City for the second attack on the World Trade Center and he has not acknowled...
April 25, 2007
After several false, sputtering starts, including his original "announcement" on the Late Show earlier this year, John McCain is again re-launching his struggling presidential campaign today to try to turn things around. The latest "announcement" also follows dismal results in McCain's first quarter...
April 25, 2007
Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean issued the following statement applauding the introduction of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), which would prohibit employment discrimination based on an employees' sexual orientation or gender identity:
"Today, Democratic leaders i...
April 25, 2007
Today, the RNC issued a press release indicating that they would not comply with requests made by the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform for materials relating to the possibly illegal use of RNC emails by White House staff members. RNC Chairman Mike Duncan argued that turning over th...
April 16, 2007
They and Edwards Refuse to Oppose a Bush-Cheney Attack on Iran.
NEW YORK CITY - Congressman and Democratic presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich is challenging his fellow candidates' votes to authorize and fund the war in Iraq, and their positions on Iran.
"Clinton, Edwards, and Obama...
April 04, 2007
Washington, DC – On the same day the Democratic National Committee issued a report chronicling the Bush Administration’s consistent pattern of putting partisanship ahead of good government, President Bush did it again. Today, the President put his political party ahead of the American people by usin...
March 23, 2007
Pew research study shows trends in political values and core attitudes from 1987 to 2007:
Increased public support for the social safety net, signs of growing public concern about income inequality, and a diminished appetite for assertive national security policies have improved the political la...
March 14, 2007
Announces campaign will be carbon neutral.
Chapel Hill, North Carolina – As part of his efforts to combat global warming, Senator John Edwards announced today that he will make his campaign “carbon neutral.” Edwards believes global warming is one of the great challenges facing America and the ...
December 14, 2006
Former Iowa Democratic Party Executive Director Jean Hessburg will serve as Campaign Director.
National Communications Team includes Presidential campaign veterans Jamal Simmons, Roger Salazar and Bill Buck.
(Las Vegas, NV) – Tom Collins, Chairman of the Nevada Democratic Party has a...
October 25, 2006
Washington, DC - Today, the Bush Administration’s "Fear and Smear" tour headed to Cincinnati where Vice President Dick Cheney addressed the USA Regional Chamber. Vice President Cheney continued the Administration's fear and smear rhetoric in a desperate attempt to distract voters from its failed eco...
March 18, 2006
Washington, DC – Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean yesterday issued the following statement on the U.S. Department of Justice’s approval of the plan for New Orleans' first elections since Hurricane Katrina:
“The Department of Justice’s decision to pre-clear a problematic plan for ...
January 23, 2006
Hauppauge, NY- On Monday, Congressman Steve Israel (D-NY 02) and Congressman David Obey (D-WI 7th), the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, joined local leaders and affected family members to blast the House Republican Leadership for slashing $1.5 billion in funds to go after dead be...
January 18, 2006
Governor Edward G. Rendell today directed Pennsylvania to join a majority of states in filing two separate amicus briefs, commonly called "friend of the court" briefs, in important Clean Water Act cases under consideration by the U.S. Supreme Court.
The first case, S.D. Warren v. Maine Board of En...
October 22, 2005
WASHINGTON -- President Bush made the following statements about Mexican illegal immigrants in his weekly radio address today:
"Now, most of the 900,000 illegal immigrants from Mexico who are caught each year are immediately escorted back across the border. The problem is that these illegal immigr...
October 06, 2005
Senator Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.) made the following remarks at a press conference today regarding Republican reaction to the nomination of Harriett Miers to the U.S. Supreme Court:
"First of all, I don't know how I will vote on Ms. Miers until the hearings and the vetting process has completed...
October 06, 2005
Reports: Administration May Have Paid Columnist Armstrong Williams for Services Not Performed
WASHINGTON, DC – The scandal over the use of covert propaganda by the Bush Administration widened today, as four United States Senators urged Attorney General Alberto Gonzales to launch an immediate crim...
October 03, 2005
Washington, DC (US Newswire) - This weekend's Columbus Dispatch poll shows that approval ratings for Ohio Republican Governor Bob Taft have plummeted to just 15 percent, one of the lowest ratings ever recorded for an American governor. (Toledo Blade, 10/3/05) With the Taft-Johnson Administration emb...
October 03, 2005
President Bush has nominated his long-time friend, adviser and current White House counsel Harriet Miers to replace Justice O’Connor as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. We look forward to the Senate Judiciary Committee hearings to learn more about Ms. Miers, her qualifications, her ability...
October 03, 2005
Front Page Washington Times Story Shows Widespread Mismanagement at CIS
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Tom Tancredo (R-CO) noted the front page Washington Times article this morning, which alleges widespread mismanagement at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service including CIS officials who...
October 03, 2005
Details of $236 million contract with Carnival called into question
Today, Representative Marilyn Musgrave (R-CO) was joined by two of her House colleagues in petitioning congressional leadership to hold an investigation of a contract negotiated between Carnival Cruise Lines and the government a...
September 29, 2005
Hart also Announces Pennsylvania Funding to Help Put an End to Domestic Violence
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Representative Melissa Hart, a national advocate for victims of violent crime, applauded the passage of the Violence Against Women Act and announced today that both the Pennsylvania Coalition ...
September 28, 2005
Today, a Texas grand jury returned a criminal indictment against House GOP Leader Tom DeLay on a charge of conspiracy. Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean issued the following statement, saying DeLay's indictment is symptomatic of the Republicans' culture of corruption in Washington, ...
September 21, 2005
Our Founders proclaimed the bedrock principle that we are all created equal. But everyone knows that when we started, the reality was far different. For more than two centuries, we have struggled, sometimes spilling precious blood, to fulfill that unique American promise. The goals, the principles, ...
September 20, 2005
KENNEDY AND COLLEAGUES HOLD DIALOGUE WITH LEADING AFRICAN AMERICAN MINISTERS DISCUSS EXPANDING OPPORTUNITY IN THE GULF COAST, VOTING RIGHTS AND THE SUPREME COURT
Washington, DC -- Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy met with leading African American ministers in the Capitol to discuss the most ch...
September 16, 2005
Washington, DC -- Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, along with colleagues from the United States Senate, traveled to the Gulf Region today to assess Hurricane Katrina’s damage and recovery efforts. The Senator met with local officials, relief workers, and convened a meeting with African American lea...
September 16, 2005
President’s Davis-Bacon Suspension May Have Been Illegal, Says Congressional Research Service
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Congressional Research Service reported late yesterday that President Bush’s suspension of wage standards for workers in the Gulf Coast may have been illegal. Rep. George Miller (D...
September 09, 2005
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Representative Tom Allen today called for the establishment of a bipartisan panel of outside experts, modeled after the successful 9/11 Commission, to investigate the precautions and preparations leading up to Hurricane Katrina and the problems that plagued the emergency resp...
September 08, 2005
Seniors, disabled will have more health-care coverage options under SB 375
SACRAMENTO - It will now be easier for seniors and the disabled to get supplemental health-care coverage called "medigap" that only a half million Californians are enrolled in today. Senator Jackie Speier applauded the gov...
September 07, 2005
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson today announced she strongly supports legislation that would restore the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as a free-standing agency under the Executive Branch.
H.R. 3659, co-sponsored by Congresswoman Johnson, would re-establish FEMA a...
September 06, 2005
AB 875 Could Bring in Millions in State Tax Revenue
(Sacramento) – Assemblyman Paul Koretz (D-West Hollywood) today urged the Governor to sign his Assembly Bill 875, a measure which would combat the underground economy and level the playing field for law-abiding California employers. Assembly Bi...
September 06, 2005
Senator Feinstein Joins Senator Barbara Boxer and House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi as Co-Chair of Angelides 2006 Campaign
SACRAMENTO, CA – California State Treasurer Phil Angelides today announced that U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein has endorsed his candidacy and has pledged her full support ...
September 01, 2005
Congressman Brad Sherman on Thursday commended the outpouring of support for victims of Hurricane Katrina and thanked constituents who contacted his offices here and in Washington looking for ways to help.
"People who lived through the Northridge earthquake have a special sympathy for victi...
August 29, 2005
Letter Signed by Prominent Environmental Leaders Cites Angelides’ Experience, Vision as Keys to California’s Economic and Environmental Future
SACRAMENTO, CA - In a letter sent to thousands of business, environmental and civic leaders, over 70 prominent California environmental leaders today end...
Gov. Schwarzenegger Signs Financial Elder Abuse Reporting Act; Protects Seniors from Financial Abuse
August 29, 2005
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today signed the Financial Elder Abuse Reporting Act, SB 1018 by Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), to help protect California's elderly and dependent adults from financial abuse.
"I am committed to ensuring the safety and security of California's growing population ...
August 29, 2005
A bill by Senator Debra Bowen (D-Redondo Beach) designed to catch electronic voting machine tabulation errors and ensure the integrity of California’s electoral system cleared the full Senator today on a bipartisan 36-0 vote and now goes to the Governor.
“Using the electronic machines to do ...
August 26, 2005
Massachusetts’s senior elected leaders were baffled by the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission’s vote to close Otis Air National Guard Base on Cape Cod. The decision by the independent commission will result in the relocation of the 102nd Fighter Wing to Barnes Municipal Airport Air Guard...
August 25, 2005
A bill by Senator Debra Bowen (D-Redondo Beach) designed to catch electronic voting machine tabulation errors and ensure the integrity of California’s electoral system cleared the full Assembly today on a 57-19 vote.
“Using the electronic machines to do the 1% manual tally to verify the accu...
August 25, 2005
Sacramento - State Senator Jeff Denham (R-Merced) and Assemblyman Joe Nation (D-San Rafael) today announced they are amending AB 1672 which challenges the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DCR) through an independent analysis, to examine the costs to expand death row at San Quentin State...
August 25, 2005
A commission evaluating Pentagon plans to close and consolidate military bases voted Thursday to shift thousands of jobs from Naval Base Ventura County to the Naval Air Weapons Station at China Lake.
"This is an enormous disappointment," said Congressman Brad Sherman. "The unfortunate con...
August 25, 2005
Assemblyman Paul Koretz (D-West Hollywood) today urged the Governor to sign his Assembly Bill 1339, an important measure to provide statewide policymakers with empirical information about the offshoring of jobs from California which passed the Legislature today.
"Offshoring is a growing prob...
August 24, 2005
President Bush's job approval ratings are at their lowest point of his presidency as only 40 percent of U.S. adults have a favorable opinion of his job performance, while 58 percent have a negative opinion. This is a decline from just two months ago in June when the president's ratings were 45 perce...
August 23, 2005
Los Angeles – In light of a new threat to California’s landmark embryonic stem cell research initiative, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, joined with patients, advocates and scientists, today to call for ...
Secretary of State Bruce McPherson Makes Key Appointments - Communications and Legislative Directors
August 23, 2005
Secretary of State Bruce McPherson today announced the key appointments of Ashley Snee Giovannettone as Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs, Communications Director and Theresa Carroll as Assistant Secretary of State for Legislative and Constituent Affairs.
“I am proud to have Ash...
August 22, 2005
As oil hovers at record prices, Congressman John B. Larson called on Congress Monday to hold hearings to investigate whether oil companies are taking unfair advantage of Americans at the pump and to hammer out an action plan to provide relief from spiking costs.
Based on these hearings, Lar...
August 22, 2005
Congresswoman Mary Bono (CA-45) was honored on Saturday, August 20, 2005 by the National Association of People with AIDS (NAPWA-US) with their "Positive Ally Award." The event took place in the Grand Ballroom at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel in Hollywood, CA. Congresswoman Bono was honored for he...
August 22, 2005
Legislation would protect and preserve stretch of Cache Creek in Yolo and Lake Counties
Legislation by Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis) to designate 31 miles of Cache Creek in Yolo and Lake Counties as a State Wild, Scenic and Recreational River passed out of the State Senate today on a 25-14 b...
August 22, 2005
Nurses Protest Sticky Fingers for Corporate Cash
There was "No Sympathy" for Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger Sunday night as he sought to turn a Rolling Stones concert in Boston into a fundraiser only to be picketed by registered nurses from California, Illinois and Massachusetts outside the stadium a...
August 22, 2005
New York – Screen Actors Guild (SAG) today announced that it is advising its members to no longer purchase or carry police costumes in the New York City area – even to jobs that require the use of such costumes. The new guidance comes as the result of an apparent shift in City policy that puts profe...
August 22, 2005
U.S. Sen. Trent Lott of Mississippi is coming out of the political shadows and taking shots at fellow Republicans in a new book being published this week.
In "Herding Cats: A Life in Politics," to be released Tuesday, Lott recalls his anger at handing over the Senate majority leadership to Bill F...
August 19, 2005
Over 500 acupuncturists, acupuncture school teachers and students, and patients will gather at the California State Capitol on Monday, August 22, 2005, in support of legislation authored by Assembly Speaker pro Tem Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/Daly City) designed to strengthen the profession of acupu...
August 19, 2005
U.S. Supreme court nominee John Roberts advised President Reagan against supporting the Equal Rights Amendment, newly released documents show.
Roberts was selected by President Bush to replaced Sandra Day O'Connor, who announced her resignation July 1. Since the nomination, a detailed search of R...
August 16, 2005
Today, Senator George Runner (R-Antelope Valley) and Assemblywoman Sharon Runner (R-Antelope Valley) joined Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in a press conference to announce their landmark child safety legislation, The Sexual Predator Punishment and Control Act: Jessica’s Law.
“Protecting p...
August 16, 2005
Congressman John B. Larson Tuesday called for an immediate Congressional investigation into the Pentagon’s procurement system that has led to more than a year’s delay in supplying improved body armor to soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. As part of that investigation, Larson (CT-1) said that Pentagon...
August 16, 2005
Over the past decade 75% of Californian’s post secondary Career Technical Education programs (a.k.a.: Vocational Education or Industrial Arts) have been eliminated. As a result, the state currently lacks the skilled workforce it once enjoyed. Furthermore, statistics show that only 30% of high sc...
August 16, 2005
"Sexual Predators are the dregs of society and should never be let out."
- Calif. State Senator Jeff Denham
State Senator Jeff Denham (R-Merced) was joined by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and other legislators at the Capitol today to discuss landmark legislation regarding sexual predat...
August 16, 2005
Bill will help recover cost of replacing broken or lost instructional materials
(Sacramento) Legislation to help community colleges recoup the cost of broken or lost classroom items, such as beakers and test tubes, is headed for a vote on the Senate Floor this week. The vote could come as early a...
August 15, 2005
Proposed Initiative Enters Circulation
Public Preschool Education. Tax Increase on Incomes Over $400,000 for Individuals; $800,000 for Couples. Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute.
SACRAMENTO, CA --- Secretary of State Bruce McPherson announced today that the proponents of a new in...
August 15, 2005
Sacramento - Secretary of State Bruce McPherson today announced a three-point reform plan to prevent irregularities in the initiative process, particularly the circulation for signature of different versions of an initiative petition. Secretary McPherson’s three-point solution includes a legislativ...
August 15, 2005
Bill to prevent elder financial abuse passes Senate with bipartisan vote
Legislation to require banks to report suspected financial abuse now moves to Governor.
Legislation coauthored by Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis) to require banks and credit unions to report cases of elder and dependent...
August 15, 2005
9-11 TAPES REVEAL COMMUNICATION CHAOS, STUPAK STRESSES NEED FOR FIRST RESPONDER INTEROPERABILITY
WASHINGTON - Friday, a court ordered release of the New York City Fire Department radio communications from the events of September 11, 2001 revealed 15 hours of horrific chaos, confusion and frustra...
August 14, 2005
U.S. Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham, R-Calif., is asking contributors to let him use campaign donations for his legal defense, the Washington Post reported.
Cunningham announced last month he will not run for re-election. A federal grand jury is investigating his dealings with defense contractor Mi...
August 12, 2005
CTA Forced to File Lawsuit Due to Governor's Failure to Fully Fund Prop. 98.
Assembly Speaker pro Tem Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/Daly City) has pledged his complete support of California teachers' effort to fully fund public schools through the voter approved Proposition 98. Today, the Calif...
August 12, 2005
Congresswoman Lois Capps, Senator Dianne Feinstein and Senator Barbara Boxer wrote to the California Coastal Commission this week urging it to support the Commission staff's recommendation regarding the proposed extension of 37 undeveloped federal oil and gas leases located off the coast of Santa Ba...
August 12, 2005
Sherman Proposal in Transportation Law Signed by Bush.
A transportation bill signed Wednesday by President Bush includes a provision by Congressman Brad Sherman that cleared the way for California to allow hybrid vehicles on High Occupancy Vehicle lanes.
"This gives California a way to ...
August 12, 2005
Cardoza Expresses Disappointment at U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Decision to Eliminate Merced County Exemption
Decision "Capricious"; Highlights the Need for Critical Habitat Reform, Says Cardoza.
Congressman Dennis Cardoza expressed his disappointment at today's ruling by the U.S. Fish...
August 12, 2005
NEWSOM ISSUES EXECUTIVE ORDERS SETTING AMBITIOUS GOALS FOR MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY POLICIES
New guidelines call for the purchase of more alternative energy vehicles and unprecedented green building and energy conservation standards in city government.
San Francisco, CA - Mayor Gavin News...
August 12, 2005
Kennedy, Romney, Kerry and Delahunt Say
New Calculations Show Defense Department Overstates Savings from Closing Otis ANGB by $500 Million Dollars
Senator Edward M. Kennedy and Governor Mitt Romney, Senator John F. Kerry, and Congressman William D. Delahunt said new calculations show that the De...
August 12, 2005
Current System must be Preserved and Strengthened for Future Generations of Americans
(Washington, DC) Congressman Robert Wexler (D-FL) joined millions of Americans across the nation in celebrating the 70th Anniversary of Social Security. On August 14, 1935, President Franklin Roosevelt signed i...
August 04, 2005
Mayor Newsom’s Homeless Outreach Effort Continues to Gain National Attention with Project Homeless Connect VI
Twenty-Eight representatives from cities across the country come to San Francisco to observe and participate in designated National Best Practice
Public/Private Partnerships continu...
August 04, 2005
Reps Lee and Thompson Cite Oakland Success in Port Security
Point to Ongoing Security Gaps and the Need for Comprehensive Homeland Security Plan
(Oakland, CA) - Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) and Ranking Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, Bennie Thompson (D-MS) toured...
August 03, 2005
Statement from Secretary of State Bruce McPherson’s Press Office Regarding the Cancellation of the Special Election
Two reports in today's newspapers stated that the Secretary of State has a legal opinion on the cancellation of the November 8 special statewide election.
This is not correct. T...
August 03, 2005
Manufacturers - for the first time - must assume full financial responsibility to meet state and federal laws.
Secretary of State Bruce McPherson today announced he will require makers of voting machines to meet the standards of the federal Help America Vote Act. McPherson will make vendors who ...
August 03, 2005
U.S. Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W.Va., launched a TV campaign to counteract critical commercials being run by the National Republican Senatorial Committee.
Byrd, 87, the longest-serving member of Congress and a harsh critic of the war in Iraq, said his TV effort launched last week answers the GOP group'...
August 02, 2005
House Democrats Hold 1,000th Social Security Event; Higgins Event on Thursday Helps Democrats Hit Their Goal
House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer announced today that Congressman Brian Higgins (D-NY) will hold House Democrats' 1,000th Social Security event th...
August 02, 2005
San Francisco Becomes First City in the Country to Adopt Green Building Standards
City wins $300,000 in grants from Green Communities™ to begin implementation of new standards to integrate green principles into design and construction of all new affordable housing developments.
Standing on th...
August 02, 2005
Proposed Initiative Enters Circulation
Political Contributions and Expenditures by Corporations. Shareholder Consent Requirements. Limits and Penalties. Initiative Statute.
Secretary of State Bruce McPherson announced today that the proponent of a new initiative may begin collecting petitio...
August 01, 2005
New Education Campaign Warns Parents of Dangers of Candy
U.S. Rep. Mike Honda (D-San José) has introduced the “Food Choking Prevention Act.” This is legislation that will create a federal education campaign to inform the public about food choking hazards to children.
Both Honda and his ...
July 29, 2005
STARK PUTS SENIORS ON ALERT: REPUBLICANS LOOK TO SCORE POLITICAL POINTS BY ‘SELLING’ MEDICARE DRUG PLANS
Pete Stark (D-CA, 13th) warned all Americans today to be on their toes as the Republican Party and health care industry lobbyists have announced a PR campaign to induce seniors to sign up fo...
July 29, 2005
A Congressional Valley Delegation Paves the Way for Highway 99 Interstate Designation
Cites Bipartisan Coordination as Road to Success.
Traffic-choked Highway 99 is getting some much needed relief thanks to six Central Valley congressmen who joined forces in a bipartisan effort.
Fede...
July 29, 2005
Funds Will Help Protect Native Grasslands and Wetlands Essential for Waterfowl.
Congressman Dennis Cardoza today secured $450,000 in funding for the San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge (SJRNWR), which is located along the San Joaquin River between the confluences of the Stanislaus and the ...
July 29, 2005
TRANSPORTATION BILL ENABLES HYBRID DRIVERS TO USE HOV LANES IN CALIFORNIA
The Transportation Authorization Conference Report includes a provision allowing California drivers in hybrid vehicles to use high-occupancy-vehicle lanes even if the driver is alone in the car, U.S. Senator Dianne Feinst...
July 29, 2005
Bill Would Fund Sex Education Programs That Are Proven to Work.
Citing the high percentage of American teenagers who are sexually active and more than 820,000 annual teen pregnancies, Congresswoman Jane Harman (D-CA) and Congressman Christopher Shays (R-CT) today introduced the “Responsible Fundi...
July 28, 2005
Congresswoman Millender-McDonald receives Highest Rating from Coalition of National Hispanic Organizations.
Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald today received the highest rating possible from the National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA). The NHLA compiled the legislative scorecard to infor...
July 28, 2005
NEWSOM APPOINTS HEIDI MACHEN AS NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE TAXICAB COMMISSION
San Francisco, CA – Mayor Gavin Newsom today announced the appointment of Heidi Machen as the Executive Director of the San Francisco Taxicab Commission. Since August 2001, Ms. Machen has served as Public Affairs Off...
July 28, 2005
Says GOP Measures Offer No Cure for Nation's Healthcare Ills
Congresswoman Barbara Lee criticized two Republican measures considered in the House this week, saying the bills fail to lower health care costs or do anything meaningful to provide access to health insurance to the more than 45 milli...
July 28, 2005
CONGRESSWOMAN ZOE LOFGREN ENDORSES PHIL ANGELIDES FOR GOVERNOR
California Democratic Congressional Delegation Chair Joins Campaign Co-Chairs Barbara Boxer and Nancy Pelosi, Majority of State's Congressional Democrats in Supporting Angelides.
California State Treasurer Phil Angelides to...
July 28, 2005
MAYOR NEWSOM NAMES YOMI AGUNBIADE AS NEW PERMANENT DIRECTOR FOR RECREATION AND PARKS DEPARTMENT
New team fulfills Mayor’s commitment to restructure the Recreation and Parks Department Announces formal land transfer creating city’s newest park in Hayes Valley
San Francisco, CA – Mayor Gavin Ne...
July 28, 2005
Later today the House is set to pass a bill that includes $375,000 for the City of Pasadena's Perchlorate Treatment Program. Working with the City of Pasadena, Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA) requested the funding for this project in the 2006 Interior and Environment Appropriations Bill.
T...
July 28, 2005
Senate Judiciary Committee Approves Talent-Feinstein Anti-Meth Bill
The Senate Judiciary Committee today unanimously approved legislation by Senators Jim Talent (R-MO) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) to limit access to cold medicines containing pseudoephedrine, the primary ingredient used to make m...
July 28, 2005
Senators Feinstein, Hatch, Kennedy, Specter, and Harkin Introduce Bill to Ban Human Reproductive Cloning
U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Edward Kennedy (D-MA), Arlen Specter (R-PA), and Tom Harkin (D-IA) today announced new legislation that makes it a federal crim...
July 27, 2005
Violent crimes decrease across the board; results attributed to district trend specific strategies
At a Northern Police Station press conference in the Western Addition, Mayor Newsom and Chief Fong today announced that violent crimes have significantly dropped city-wide compared to the same time ...
July 27, 2005
California Secretary of State Bruce McPherson Puts Contents of State Voter Guide on Public Display
20-Day Period for Public Examination of Materials Begins
Secretary of State Bruce McPherson put the contents of all materials that will appear in the state ballot pamphlet/voter information guide...
July 27, 2005
Unlike Democratic Alternative, Studies Show that Misguided GOP Legislation Could Increase the Number of Uninsured & Reduce Benefits
House Republicans today approved a healthcare bill for small businesses that will actually reduce healthcare benefits for as many as 8 million workers and could in...
July 27, 2005
ASSEMBLYMAN MAZE ANNOUNCES RELEASE OF WEST NILE VIRUS FUNDS FOR SOUTH VALLEY
Assemblyman Bill Maze (R-Visalia) announced the release of much needed West Nile Virus (WNV) funds to help control spread of the disease in the southern section of Tulare County. WNV first appeared in California in 20...
July 27, 2005
NEWSOM ANNOUNCES ESTABLISHMENT OF TWO NEW COMMUNITY BENEFIT DISTRICTS IN FISHERMAN’S WHARF AND THE MISSION DISTRICT
Mayor Gavin Newsom announced today the establishment of two new Community Benefit Districts (CBDs) at Fisherman’s Wharf and a portion of Mission Street. The announcement came aft...
July 27, 2005
ASSEMBLY MEMBER BERMÚDEZ HOLDS HEARING ON THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND REHABILITATION’S HIRING AND STAFFING PRACTICES
Corrections’ officials were asked to explain policies related to the hiring and staffing needs at the Department of Corrections. Assembly Member Bermudez asked...
July 23, 2005
Panel Discusses White House Case for War on 3rd Anniversary of Downing Street Meeting
Congresswoman Barbara Lee hosted a Town Hall meeting at the Grand Lake Theater in Oakland on Saturday to address the manipulation of pre-war intelligence, the unclassified minutes of the Downing Street meeting, ...
July 22, 2005
GOP votes for biggest cut in the history of federal student financial aid.
GOP voted against Democratic measures to make college more affordable at no new taxpayer expense.
Congressional Republicans on the House education committee voted today to approve the largest cut in federal studen...
July 22, 2005
Bogh Bill Allowing Asset Seizure for Identity Theft Becomes Law
Assembly Bill 988, authored by Assemblyman Russ Bogh (R-Beaumont), was signed by Governor Schwarzenegger and chaptered into law this week. AB 988 will allow the goods and profits gained through identity theft to be seized by law enf...
July 22, 2005
Secretary of State Bruce McPherson issued the following statement regarding the Court of Appeals action today to strike Proposition 80 from the Nov. 8 Special Statewide Election ballot.
“As was the case yesterday with the ruling on Proposition 77 from Sacramento Superior Court Judge Gail Ohanesia...
July 21, 2005
A California judge ruled Thursday Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's proposal for legislative redistricting cannot go on the state's ballot in November.
Sacramento Superior Court Judge Gail Ohanesian ruled in a legal challenge brought by California Attorney General Bill Lockyer that supporters of the...
July 21, 2005
Rep. John D. Dingell Condemns Remarks Attacking Islam by Rep. Tom Tancredo
Calls on Republican Leadership, President to Denounce Comments as Anti-Religion and Un-American
Congressman John D. Dingell (MI-15), the Dean of the House of Representatives, condemned the recent comments made by Repr...
July 21, 2005
Governor signs Wolk bill to solve problem in e-waste law
Legislation will streamline payment for proper disposal of electronic equipment
The Governor signed Assembly Bill 575 by Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis) to clarify California’s electronic recycling law Monday.
“I’m thankful the...
July 21, 2005
Lee Will Hold Town Hall Meeting Saturday on Bush Administration Case for War
Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee introduced a Resolution of Inquiry calling on the Bush administration to produce information to answer questions raised by a series of classified British memos that suggest that pre-wa...
July 21, 2005
Congressman Asks British to Stop Cleric who Espouses Terrorism
Congressman Brad Sherman today urged House colleagues to join him in calling on Great Britain to keep out of England a radical sheik who has advocated terrorism.
Sheik Yussuf al-Qaradawi, a Qatari-based cleric, has hailed thos...
July 21, 2005
BOARD OF EQUALIZATION CHAIR JOHN CHIANG OFFERS FREE HOMEOWNER AND RENTER ASSISTANCE CLAIM PREPARATION AT HIS DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES OFFICE
John Chiang, Chair of the State Board of Equalization (BOE) and Member of the Franchise Tax Board (FTB), announced that his office will once again be providing ...
July 21, 2005
Speaker pro Tem Yee Calls Legislative Hearing to Bring Sunshine to Video Game Industry
Yee's Efforts Move ESRB to Give "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas" Adults Only Rating
In light of the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB) re-rating of the popular video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andr...
July 20, 2005
CALIFORNIA TREASURER PHIL ANGELIDES LAUNCHES www.CloseTheLoophole.com TO PROTECT CALIFORNIA'S NATIONAL GUARD
California Treasurer Phil Angelides today launched a national online petition drive at www.CloseTheLoophole.com, calling on Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to honor the men and women of ...
July 20, 2005
Congressman Brad Sherman joined Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen on Wednesday in calling for justice for 52 Americans taken hostage in 1979 in Iran. Sherman is the ranking member of the House International Relations Subcommittee on International Terrorism and Nonproliferation.
"I have l...
July 20, 2005
Congressman Brad Sherman said Wednesday he will introduce legislation to allow Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan to stay on the job after his current term expires early next year.
During a Greenspan appearance before the House Financial Services Committee, Sherman said the law settin...
July 19, 2005
Three Proposed California Initiatives Enter Circulation
California Border Police. Immigration. Initiative Constitutional Amendment.
Fees/Charges. Taxes. Vote Requirement. Initiative Constitutional Amendment.
Vote Requirement. Taxes. Redefinition of Fees/Charges. Initiative Constitutiona...
July 19, 2005
GOP HIGHER ED BILL MAKES LARGEST-EVER CUT IN FEDERAL STUDENT AID PROGRAMS; DEMOCRATS INSTEAD OFFER REAL INCREASE IN PELL AND MAKE LOANS MORE AFFORDABLE – AT NO NEW COST TO TAXPAYERS
...
July 15, 2005
Senator to Co-Author Homeowner and Private Property Protection Act
Senator Sam Aanestad (R-Grass Valley) is putting his name and effort behind a Senate Constitutional Amendment that would prevent state and local government agencies from taking land through the process of eminent domain for the pu...
July 15, 2005
SENATOR ORTIZ SEEKS TO RESTORE FUNDING TO PROVIDE PROSTATE CANCER TREATMENT FOR LOW-INCOME MEN
Senator Deborah Ortiz (D-Sacramento) today said she will work with Gov. Schwarzenegger to ensure prostate cancer treatment for low-income Californians is fully funded and that the state continues to ...
July 15, 2005
Proposed Initiative Enters Circulation: State Payments to Parents of Public School Children.
Secretary of State Bruce McPherson announced today that the proponent of a new initiative may begin collecting petition signatures for her measure.
The Attorney General’s official title and summa...
July 15, 2005
Two Proposed Initiatives Enter Circulation
1. State Holidays. Statewide General Elections. Initiative Statute.
2. Definition of Fees, Charges, Taxes. Vote Requirements. Initiative Constitutional Amendment.
SACRAMENTO, CA --- Secretary of State Bruce McPherson announced today that the ...
July 14, 2005
Congressman Brad Sherman today urged a commission reviewing Pentagon plans for military base consolidation to stop an "impractical" shift of thousands of jobs from a Navy installation at Point Magu to China Lake.
"It does not make logistical or economic sense," Sherman said of the propose...
July 14, 2005
Speaker pro Tem Yee Urges Ratings Board, Game Maker to Come Clean in Senator Clinton's FTC Probe
US Senator Clinton Announces Mirroring Legislation to Speaker pro Tem Yee's AB 450
California Assembly Speaker pro Tem Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/Daly City), child psychologist and legislator wh...
July 14, 2005
Mayor Newsom Unveils Initiative to Transform San Francisco into the “Digital Hollywood”; Newly formed Digital Media Advisory Council is unprecedented partnership among leading digital media innovators
Standing just a stone’s throw from the new LucasFilm Letterman Digital Arts Center in the Presid...
July 14, 2005
Mayor Gavin Newsom announced today the appointment of the following individuals to city boards and commissions:
Fire Commission
Victor Markras is currently President of Markras Real Estate, a corporation that provides professional real estate services in San Francisco and the Bay Area. Mr. M...
July 13, 2005
President Bush should keep his word and fire top White House aide Karl Rove for leaking information about a Central Intelligence Agency undercover operative, Congressman Brad Sherman said Wednesday.
"The president said he would fire any White House staffer who leaked the identity of an und...
July 13, 2005
State Senator to Testify Before Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health
Senator Sam Aanestad (R-Grass Valley) will testify before the Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health, a subcommittee of the House Resources Committee, later this week in Washington D.C. The Senator will speak in oppo...
July 13, 2005
Allows installation and enforcement of bike signals in perpetuity, receives bipartisan support
The State Senate voted 27-11 yesterday to pass legislation by Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis) to permanently authorize the enforcement of bicycle signals similar to traffic lights.
Assembly Bil...
July 13, 2005
Senate Public Safety Approves Benoit’s Sex Offender Parole Reform Measure
Governor-Backed Bill Clears First Hurdle in Senate
Today, Assemblyman John J. Benoit’s (R-Palm Desert) legislation aimed at preventing the reoccurrence of many of the problems associated with the release of paroled conv...
July 13, 2005
BUSH ADMINISTRATION CONCEDES -- AGAIN -- MORE FUNDS NEEDED FOR VETERANS' HEALTH CARE
Less than two weeks after first telling Congress it could ride out the fiscal year with inadequate funding, then reversing and asking for $975 million in supplemental funds, the Bush Administration today admitt...
July 11, 2005
BUSH SIGNS MEASURE TO LEGALIZE JUNK FAXING AS BOWEN BILL BANNING THE PRACTICE IN CALIFONRIA NEARS GOVERNOR’S DESK
President Bush signed legislation over the weekend to gut the 14-year-old ban on junk faxing, leaving the pending SB 833 by Senator Debra Bowen (D-Redondo Beach) as the only protec...
July 08, 2005
Attorney General Bill Lockyer filed suit today seeking to remove Proposition 77, Governor Schwarzenegger’s initiative to change how redistricting is done in California, from the November ballot, arguing the signatures on the initiative petitions are invalid.
The Attorney General reached ...
July 08, 2005
Assembly GOP Leader McCarthy and Runners Host Town Hall
Assembly Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield) joined State Senator George Runner and Assemblywoman Sharon Runner, both Lancaster Republicans, in co-hosting a Town Hall Meeting on Identity Theft that drew a full house of concer...
July 08, 2005
Congressman Underscores Community Support for Workers
Congressman Brad Sherman and other community leaders showed support Friday for more than 700 striking janitors who clean offices at Boeing, Raytheon and Northrop Grumman facilities in Southern California.
Seeking better wages and healt...
July 07, 2005
ASSEMBLY MEMBER BERMÚDEZ HOLDS HEARING ON DIRECTIVE ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS URGING PAROLE AGENTS TO “PULL BACK” ON PLANNED SWEEPS OF PAROLEES AT LARGE “UNTIL AT LEAST AUGUST”
Corrections’ officials claim memorandum was “misinterpreted” by one individual; Assembly Member Bermúdez...
July 07, 2005
County and Cities in 31st District to receive millions in full VLF payback
Calling it a “workable” budget, Sen. Bob Dutton (R-Rancho Cucamonga) joined 33 other senators in approving the $117 billion 2005-06 state budget today.
The budget, passed seven days after the start of the fiscal year,...
July 07, 2005
Aanestad Withholds His Support for Budget on Senate Floor
Senator Sam Aanestad (R-Grass Valley) voted against the state budget agreement that passed on the Senate Floor earlier today by a 35-4 vote. While the Senator believes there are many good things about the new spending plan, his opposition ...
July 07, 2005
Budget Proposal Reverses Rural Crime Prevention Cut, Includes Pre-1977 School Bus Replacement Funding
The budget agreement reached this week between the Governor and legislative leaders funds two programs vital to Central California that Senator Chuck Poochigian (R-Fresno) has been strongly adv...
July 07, 2005
On Thursday, Assemblyman Van Tran (R-Costa Mesa) voted against the 2005-06 budget.
“This vote was a very difficult decision for me. There are many things in this budget that are great improvements over past budgets, but my concerns are far greater.
We can not spend the state out...
July 07, 2005
CONGRESSMAN COSTA ANNOUNCES GRANT RECEIVED IN THE 20TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
Today, Congressman Jim Costa (CA-20) announced that the United States Department of Labor has awarded Employer's Training Resource of Kern County $1,753,577 from a National Farmworker Jobs Program Grant.
"The ...
July 07, 2005
Assemblywoman Sally Lieber (D-San Jose) announced today, after meeting with representatives from the California Chamber of Commerce, that the Chamber has been relying on “unrefined” data which overstate the cost of a proposed minimum wage increase by as much as $4.5 billion.
“I appreciate that ...
July 07, 2005
REP. MILLER SAYS PBGC WITHHELD INFORMATION ON PENSION LEGISLATION PASSED BY HOUSE COMMITTEE LAST WEEK
Committee Republicans Approved Major Legislation Despite Having No Information on Its Practical Effects
The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation admitted last week – roughly one hour after...
July 06, 2005
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE KILLS MEASURE ESTABLISHING REVOLVING DOOR & CONFLICT OF INTEREST STANDARDS FOR PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION MEMBERS
A measure by Senator Debra Bowen (D-Redondo Beach) to establish rigorous revolving door and conflict of interest standards for members of the Public Utilities Co...
July 06, 2005
Speaker pro Tem Yee Blasts ESRB for Failing to Appropriately Rate Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Ultra-Violent Best Selling Video Game Found to have Hidden Graphic Sex Scenes
Assembly Speaker pro Tem Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/Daly City), child psychologist and legislator who has pushed for ...
July 06, 2005
Bills would ensure charter school accountability, authorize adoption of preschool learning standards
Two bills authored by Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis) and sponsored by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction (SSPI) Jack O’Connell were passed by the Senate Education Committee passed...
July 05, 2005
Senate votes unanimously to support legislation, which now moves to Governor.
Legislation by Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis) to solve a problem in E-waste law was passed by the Senate with a unanimous vote late last week.
“AB 575 makes California’s recently enacted electronic waste recycli...
July 05, 2005
Measure would have required registered sex offenders to renew their driver’s license on an annual basis.
Sen. Bob Dutton (R-Rancho Cucamonga) expressed his disappointment that Senate Bill 629, a bill that would have required registered sex offenders to renew their driver’s licenses on an annual...
July 05, 2005
ANOTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER MURDERED; ASSEMBLY MEMBER BERMÚDEZ ASKS “HOW LONG WILL INCOMPETENCE BE ALLOWED TO REIGN IN THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS?”
Assembly Member Rudy Bermúdez uncovered a California Department of Corrections’ directive urging parole agents to “back off” any planned swe...
July 02, 2005
Legislation would protect and preserve stretch of Cache Creek in Yolo and Lake Counties
The Woodland Chamber of Commerce voted overwhelmingly yesterday to reverse their position and support legislation by Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis) to designate 31-miles of Cache Creek a State Wild & Sce...
June 30, 2005
Shortfall in Veterans' Health Care a Direct Result of Republicans' Failed Budget Policies and Misplaced Priorities
House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi spoke on the House floor tonight in favor of spending $1.5 billion for veterans' health care to cover a shortfall in the Republican budget. She u...
June 30, 2005
Democrats Introduce Comprehensive Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act
Today, Rep. Zoe Lofgren and 111 of her Democratic colleagues introduced the VAWA 2005 Reauthorization Act, a bill that will reauthorize programs under the Violence Against Women Act and recommit America to endin...
June 30, 2005
Senate Committee Approves Yee's Bill to End Assault on Local Tax Revenue
AB 451 Guarantees Local Governments Receive Fair Share of Jet Fuel Sales Tax Dollars
Despite heavy lobbying by the airline industry and the city of Oakland against Assembly Bill (AB) 451, the State Senate Committee on Rev...
June 30, 2005
Assemblyman Bill Maze (R-Visalia) saw the passage of Assembly Bill 299 in both houses of the California State Legislature without a single "no" vote. AB 299 marks the first bill of Assemblyman Maze's 2005 legislative package to head to the Governor's desk.
Under the California Child Abuse and ...
June 30, 2005
Cogdill Bill Will Increase Safeguards to Prevent Loan Fraud, Clears Key Senate Committee
Assembly Bill 502 requires lenders to undergo criminal background check.
A measure by Assemblyman Dave Cogdill (R-Modesto) to increase consumer safeguards on the financial lending industry unanimously cl...
June 29, 2005
CALIFORNIANS FOR ROCKY REACHES $1 MILLION MARK IN UNDER 100 DAYS
Californians for Rocky, the campaign committee for Rocky Delgadillo's campaign for California Attorney General, announced today that it has surpassed the $1 million fundraising mark in under 100 days.
“This is just the ...
June 29, 2005
Congressman Brad Sherman today called on President Bush to fill a $1 billion funding gap in the budget for veterans' health care.
"Too many veterans already are waiting too long for the healthcare they were promised and deserve," Sherman said. "We must fix this problem and fix it now"
...
June 28, 2005
AB 797 would strengthen Delta Protection Commission, increase protection for region.
The Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee voted today to pass legislation by Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis) to strengthen the Delta Protection Commission.
“The Delta Protection Commission needs to li...
June 28, 2005
MAYOR GAVIN NEWSOM AND SUPERVISOR TOM AMMIANO INTRODUCE SWEATSHOP FREE ORDINANCE
Mayor Gavin Newsom and Supervisor Tom Ammiano introduced what would be considered to be the strongest anti-sweatshop legislation in the country in a press conference at San Francisco City Hall today. If passed by t...
June 28, 2005
SB 846 Faces Unexpected Test in Assembly Local Government Committee
SB 846 from Senator Sam Aanestad (R-Grass Valley) is moving forward in the legislative process after passing out of the Assembly Committee on Education last week. However, the measure that easily passed out of the Senate earl...
June 27, 2005
American Idol Judge Paula Abdul Testifies at Senate Committee Hearing in Support of Yee's Bill to Protect Manicure, Pedicure Consumers
Recent Infection Outbreaks Bring Rise to Legislation Establishing Safety Standards
From California to New York, there has been a recent rise in the number peop...
November 30, 1999
Washington, DC – President Bush once again defended his failed Iraq policies. When President Bush first announced his war escalation plan, his Republican allies in Congress were quick to embrace the President’s permanent commitment to a failed strategy, saying that Americans should give his plan a f...