They Said It! August 30th Flashback

Obama Wasn't Kidding When He Said One Year Ago That He'd Talk About An Economic Plan “In The Days And Weeks To Come”

President Obama: "And that's why my administration remains focused every single day on pushing this economy forward, repairing the damage that's been done to the middle class over the past decade and promoting the growth we need to get our people back to work. So, as Congress prepares to return to session, my economic team is hard at work in identifying additional measures that could make a difference in both promoting growth and hiring in the short term and increasing our economy's competitiveness in the long term; steps like extending the tax cuts for the middle class, that are set to expire this year, redoubling our investment in clean energy and R&D, rebuilding more of our infrastructure for the future, further tax cuts to encourage businesses to put their capital to work creating jobs here in the United States. And I'll be addressing these proposals in further detail in the days and weeks to come." (President Barack Obama, Remarks About Having A Plan, Washington, D.C., 8/30/10)

Source: California Republican Party

Governor Brown Issues Legislative Update

SACRAMENTO – Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced today that he has signed the following bill:

• AB 110 by Assemblymember Robert Blumenfield (D-Van Nuys) – Courts.

For full text of the bill, visit: http://leginfo.ca.gov/bilinfo.html.

Governor Brown to Speak at National Clean Energy Summit in Las Vegas

SACRAMENTO – Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. will join Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval and Washington Governor Christine Gregoire at the Clean Energy Summit 4.0 in Las Vegas, Nev., for a panel discussion on how the West’s leadership in clean energy is influencing economic development, new technologies and national and international policymaking.

Clean Energy Summit 4.0 “Western Clean Energy Efforts” Panel

Participants:

Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr.

Governor Brian Sandoval

Governor Christine Gregoire

John Podesta, Center for American Progress, moderator

When: Tuesday, August 30, 2011. Panel begins at approximately 2 p.m.

Where: Aria Resort and Casino at CityCenter, Convention Center, 3730 Las Vegas Boulevard South Las Vegas, NV 89159

***NOTE: The conference is open to credentialed media. Please contact Kate Turner Whiteley at 702.737.3100 x117 for credentialing information.

The National Clean Energy Summit 4.0 is co-sponsored by the Center for American Progress, the Clean Energy Project, MGM Resorts International, Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) and UNLV. This year’s Summit will convene veteran business executives, energy policy innovators, entrepreneurs, investors and senior public officials from both parties, along with citizens and students, to discuss the future of our nation’s energy in an effort to adopt more advanced energy policies, create jobs and make our nation more competitive in the global clean energy economy.

Other notable speakers at this year’s summit include Vice President Joe Biden, U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu and U.S. Navy Secretary Ray Mabus.

CRP Fall Convention

Dear Fellow Republican,

On behalf of the California Republican Party, I would like to invite you to join us in reshaping the political landscape at our upcoming Fall Convention, held at L.A. Live at the JW Marriott, September 16-18. It's a new day in California politics, and you can be a part of it.

We're ushering in a new era, broadening our communications strategy and reaching out to previously ignored voters in order to spread our message and inspiring a new generation of Republicans. We're leaving our comfort zones and moving forward to success.

As part of this exciting new initiative, the CRP will feature a number of workshops and events the Fall Convention tailored toward building our party for a stronger future. One event I'm especially looking forward to is our partnership with Univision, the world’s largest Spanish-language network, to host a Spanish-language version of our "California Speaks Out" town hall meetings at the convention.

Come to L.A. this September and be part of the excitement. You can access all the important deadlines, sign up forms and hotel registration information here, and bear in mind that all convention related materials will be accessible online only.

This convention is also an excellent opportunity to help identify the leaders of the future. You will be able to network with like-minded individuals, attend workshops designed to hone your political skills, and say goodbye to “politics as usual.” Thank you for helping us to welcome the future of the Republican Party in California – we look forward to seeing you in Los Angeles.

Sincerely,

Tom Del Beccaro

Chairman

California Republican Party

Source: CA Republican Party

Statement of California Democratic Party Women's Caucus Chair Christine Pelosi on Women's Equality Day

Today on Women's Equality Day as America celebrates the 91st birthday of the 19th Amendment, California Democratic Women celebrate having our voices heard at the ballot box and our seats at the leadership table. We are proud that California led the way by passing women's voting rights laws 100 years ago -- nine years before the 19th Amendment. Over 8.8 million women in California are able to cast our votes today because legions of women -- and men -- fought, marched, even suffered for the right to vote. The suffragettes of yesteryear, the activists of today, and the rising stars of tomorrow are connected in our commitment to the principle that women and men are equal.

Today over 4 million California Democratic women voters are making history. We are choosing presidents, transforming society, and electing outstanding national leaders including the first woman Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and United States Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein.

Inspired by the suffragette spirit, we will continue to promote the vote and fight to protect the vote. We encourage all citizens 18 and over to register and vote. We oppose ill-conceived attempts to drown out our voices with corporate cash or voter suppression that would stop women from participating in America's civic sacrament.

We believe that best way to honor the 19th Amendment is to lift the voices of all voters, ensure that every voter who can vote does vote, and that every ballot is counted as cast. We will never take our votes for granted.

CRP Statement in Response to Governor Jerry Brown's "Jobs Plan"

SACRAMENTO, CA – CRP Chairman Tom Del Beccaro issued the following statement regarding Governor Jerry Brown’s "job’s plan":

"In violation of his pledge of 'no new taxes without voter approval,' Jerry Brown is proposing tax increases at the same time that he is proposing tax breaks. With one hand he proposes to hit businesses with a stick for doing business in this state and with the other hand offers a carrot.  If tax and regulatory decreases work for some they will work for all. Instead of leading the national recovery, we're holding it back and the clock is ticking. Two million Californians remain out of work but Democrats keep fiddling with mixed messages and tax increases while California burns."

Governor Brown Proposes California Jobs First Package to Spur Local Job Creation

SACRAMENTO – Taking action to put Californians to work, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today proposed a three-part California Jobs First plan that offers over $1 billion a year in tax relief for businesses that create jobs in the state.

“Boosting job growth in California is a top priority, and this proposal is a critical step in making sure the state does everything it can to support local job creation,” said Brown. “Our state has added 116,000 jobs since January, but we must do more to build economic momentum. This legislation would expand a currently existing job credit to make it more effective while adding new tax incentives for growth in the manufacturing sector.”

The first part of the California Jobs First plan reforms and expands an underutilized tax credit for small businesses worth hundreds of millions of dollars. To date, much of this funding has been left on the table because too many small businesses were excluded from the credit. The Governor’s plan expands eligibility to small businesses with up to 50 employees (up from 20) and the credit for each new hire will jump from $3,000 to $4,000. These changes will encourage small businesses to hire immediately, as the credit will expire at the end of 2013.

The second part of the California Jobs First plan will give California’s economy an immediate shot in the arm by providing over $1 billion in tax relief to businesses that purchase new manufacturing equipment. The plan exempts start-ups in their first three years from the state portion of sales tax (3.9375 percent)—and provides an exemption of 3 percent for all other firms— on manufacturing equipment purchases. The exemptions will drive innovation, investment and growth by targeting many of California’s most dynamic industries, including manufacturing, biopharmaceuticals, clean energy and software.

The backbone of the California Jobs First plan is the application of the Mandatory Single Sales Factor (SSF) to all businesses in California. This change levels the playing field by eliminating what Governor Brown called “an outrageous and perverse tax incentive that encourages multi-state businesses to create jobs outside of the state.” This places California-based businesses at a competitive disadvantage and is a disincentive for out-of-state businesses to locate jobs here.

The revenues produced by closing this loophole will fund the expansion of the small business tax credits for new hires and the sales tax exemption for manufacturing equipment.

“Job creation is essential to our economic recovery and future budget stability,” said Senate Pro-Tem Darrell Steinberg. “Our tax laws should reflect that reality, rather than provide incentives for companies to increase their profits within California by investing and creating jobs outside of California.”

“Democrats in the Legislature fought hard all Spring and Summer to enact the Governor’s budget proposals to close the Single Sales Factor loophole and to generate in-state jobs – but the efforts fell short when no Republicans would step forward to support a compromise that would help California businesses,” said Speaker John A. Pérez. “It’s time to enact this common-sense plan that puts California’s economy and our jobs ahead of out-of-state tax loopholes.”

Governor Brown’s proposal drew immediate praise from California job creators.

“As a company with several major manufacturing sites in this state, Boeing applauds the governor’s initiative to support manufacturing in California,” said Jeff Sweet, Director of California Government Relations for the Boeing Company. “He understands the need for consistency and certainty to spur investment and job growth, and is seeking solutions that will help accomplish that goal.”

"The package proposed by the Governor will make California more competitive with other states and provide a foundation upon which we can rebuild California's job base,” said Joe Panetta, President and CEO, BIOCOM, “Governor Brown is to be commended for putting the strength of his office into these efforts.”

In addition to the California Jobs First plan, the Governor has taken other actions to help put Californians to work. He spent the first seven months of the year working hard to deliver an honest, on-time balanced budget that stabilized the state’s finances and provided certainty to business leaders. Rating agencies shifted California’s status from “negative” to “stable” as a result. Last week, the Governor appointed Michael E. Rossi as the Senior Advisor for Jobs and Business Development in his office. This follows the plan the Governor introduced last year to create hundreds of thousands of jobs by 2020.

Governor Brown Takes Action to Drive Job Growth in California

SACRAMENTO – Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. will join legislative, business and labor leaders tomorrow to announce a proposal to drive job growth in California.

When: Tomorrow, Thursday, August 25, 2011 at 11:00 a.m.

Where: Governor's Press Conference Room, Room 1190, California State Capitol, Sacramento, CA 95814

**NOTE: This event is open to credentialed media only and will be webcast on the Governor’s website: www.gov.ca.gov.

Governor Brown Creates California Interagency Council on Veterans

SACRAMENTO – Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today issued an Executive Order establishing the California Interagency Council on Veterans to improve how veterans’ services are coordinated across local, state and federal government.

“The California Interagency Council on Veterans gives everyone a seat at the table and ensures we’re working collaboratively to address the needs of the 30,000 servicemen and women who return to California each year,” Brown said. “We owe our veterans the best and when they come home, we must serve them the same way they so bravely served us.”

Governor Brown’s Executive Order directs the Secretary of the California Department of Veterans Affairs to establish the Council, which will be tasked with identifying and prioritizing the needs of California's veterans and coordinating the activities at all levels of government in addressing those needs.

“With so many combat veterans returning to California every year it is imperative that state agencies and departments coordinate our efforts to ensure these young men and women are connected to the services and benefits they need to successfully transition home,” said California Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Peter J. Gravett.

This order is based on AB 557, authored by Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez with Assemblymembers Paul Cook, Richard Pan, and Henry T. Perea.

“I'm very pleased the Governor has created the Interagency Council on Veterans Affairs because one of our most important duties is to keep faith with the men and women who have served the United States in uniform,” said Speaker Pérez. “I introduced legislation to create the Council early this session because we need to do more with less, and by creating this Council, we will bring new focus and new efficiency to provide needed services to California's veterans. I'm very pleased the Governor has taken the proactive step of creating this Council by Executive Order so that it can begin its vital work immediately."

Under the order, Speaker Pérez and Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg are each expected to appoint a member to the Council from their respective houses. These appointees will join Secretaries and department heads of the Labor and Workforce Development Agency, California Volunteers, Business Transportation and Housing Agency, Health and Human Services Agency, Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Military Department, Employment Development Department, Department of Consumer Affairs, Department of Rehabilitation and Department of Housing and Community Development.

Additionally, the Governor’s order requests that the Chief Justice of California, President of the University of California, Chancellor of California State University and Chancellor of California Community Colleges each appoint a member to the Council. The Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs will also coordinate with Federal partners and external stakeholders to ensure both groups are active participants on the Council.

California’s veterans face many challenges as they transition back to civilian life, including:

• The unemployment rate for Gulf War II veterans is 42 percent higher than it is for non-veterans.

• Approximately 25 percent of Gulf War II veterans have a disability that is connected to their military service, compared with approximately 13 percent of all veterans.

• Recent tests of returning troops show that 20 percent of infantry and 10 percent of other troops suffer from at least mild brain injury.

• Over 35 percent of veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, who have sought healthcare through the Veterans Administration, have been diagnosed with mental disorders.

• California has the largest number of homeless veterans in the nation and 62 percent of all homeless veterans have been diagnosed with both substance abuse issues and serious mental health problems.

The text of the Executive Order can be read here.

They Said It! Democrat Senate President Proclaims Ownership of California's Unemployment Crisis!

As California’s double-digit unemployment continues, Democrat Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg told capitol reporters during a press briefing last Monday that Democrats will focus on job creation on their own, without input from Republicans:

"We intend on our own, as the majority party, to do all that we can, to put people back to work." [AUDIO]

But as quickly as Steinberg announced Democrats are now assuming full responsibility for job creation in California, he also made it clear not to expect much in the way of results:

"I don’t want to oversell though in the sense that um, you see how the national government is struggling to figure out to impact the unemployment numbers. California on its own, and certainly not in three and a half weeks, and certainly not with, you know, a series of bills, is going to turn that around overnight, but we have to do our part." [AUDIO]

More than two million Californians have lost their jobs in the past three years. Steinberg says that after six months of failed efforts to raise taxes, Democrats will now generously devote the remaining three weeks of the legislative session to job creation.

"These are three and a half very important weeks, and they’re weeks where our focus must be on doing everything we can to help the economy and put people back to work." [AUDIO]

A mere seven weeks after Democrat lawmakers passed their state budget plan, signed into law by Democrat Governor Jerry Brown, it’s collapsing under the weight of its rosy economic assumptions. According to State Controller John Chiang, the state took in about $4.7 billion in tax revenues in July, $538.8 million below 2011 budget projections.

Yet Steinberg still claims his flawed plan will be the key to California’s economic recovery:

"While balancing the budget is probably the most important thing we can do to maintain, you know, to instill confidence, that we also have a lot of legislative tools here to put people back to work." [AUDIO]

While Democrats were busy trying to raise taxes, Republicans were working to create jobs. But our common sense Republican-authored job creation bills for curbing frivolous lawsuits, increasing worker flexibility, analyzing regulatory impacts, and more were routinely killed in Democrat-dominated committees.

"How do we, in a responsible way, provide an economic impact analysis, that is standard, that is standardized across state agencies, whenever a new regulation is put forward?" [AUDIO]

And, even while Steinberg says Democrats will be focusing on job creation, at the same time they’ll be considering 13 more pieces of Democrat-authored legislation the California Chamber of Commerce has declared to be Job Killer bills. Cal Chamber’s 2011 Job Killers List.

Link to the full video of Monday’s press briefing: on.cagop.org/pYsNNg

Statement of California Democratic Party Chairman John Burton on S.B. 161

Tomorrow the Assembly Appropriations Committee will take up S.B. 161, a bill that would institutionalize inadequate school healthcare for our public school students who are already bearing the burden of our state's financial woes.

This bill takes a good idea - keeping kids safe - and turns it into a potentially dangerous nightmare.

S.B. 161 allows teachers, gym coaches, school bus drivers and others to administer a drug called Diastat to kids at school who are having seizures. Sounds good on paper - until you know the facts and realize that California law currently only allows specially trained firefighters and paramedics to administer this drug.

S.B. 161 would strip away existing protections and ask math teachers, gym coaches and bus drivers among others to take on the responsibility of applying this treatment to students. Without proper medical training, kids' lives could be put in jeopardy.

This bill places school children at risk and puts both the school and staff in a very precarious position.

We urge members of the Assembly Appropriations Committee to vote down S.B. 161.

CRP Statement on California's July Unemployment Report

SACRAMENTO, CA – California Republican Party Chairman Tom Del Beccaro issued the following statement in regards to California's unemployment rate climbing by two-tenths of a percentage to 12 percent:

"The dismal unemployment numbers announced today are a stark reminder that the policies of the Democrat majority are failing California. We don’t need unrealistic green job programs or toothless legislative reform. Instead of piling on more job-crushing bills, the Democrats should vacate Sacramento and give California business owners a chance to turn things around."

Tahoe Summit 2011: Governor Brown and Governor Sandoval Announce Renewed Commitment to Lake Tahoe

LAKE TAHOE – In an historic joint appearance at the 2011 Tahoe Summit, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. and Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval announced a renewed commitment to updating the Regional Plan for Lake Tahoe and enhancing the role of the two states in cooperating with the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA).

“Lake Tahoe is a world treasure, and it is our duty to ensure that its natural splendor is protected for future generations of Californians and Nevadans,” said Brown. “The best way to do that is by working cooperatively with the State of Nevada to promote policies that ensure both the environment and the economy of Lake Tahoe are protected in perpetuity.”

“Governor Brown and I agreed that while much has changed at Lake Tahoe since the Bi-State Compact was created in 1969, our two states’ dedication to the resource remain unwavering,” Sandoval said. “I look forward to working with Governor Brown on updating the Regional Plan.”

TRPA was created as a regional agency because the Lake Tahoe watershed crosses a number of state and local political boundaries. The Governing Board contains seven members from California, seven from Nevada and one non-voting Presidential appointee.

The 20-year Regional Plan that the Board is charged with supporting has not been updated since 1987 and is now four years overdue.

By personally attending the Tahoe Summit and bringing top officials from both states to the same table, Gov. Brown and Gov. Sandoval are making Lake Tahoe a top priority and seeking a new area of cooperation on issues affecting the lake.

Governor Brown to Visit Fresno on Wednesday

FRESNO – Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. will travel to Fresno tomorrow for a day of meetings with elected leaders, law enforcement and members of the agricultural community.

All events are on Wednesday, August 17, 2011.

11 a.m.

Meeting with Mayor Ashley Swearengin, followed by a meeting with members of the Fresno City Council and Assemblyman Henry Perea.

City Hall, 2600 Fresno Street, 2nd Floor, Fresno, CA 93721

**NOTE: These meetings are closed to media.

11:45 a.m.

Attending the Maddy Institute luncheon.

The Downtown Club, 2120 Kern Street, Fresno, CA 93721

**NOTE: Governor Brown will give remarks at approximately 12:30 p.m. This event is open to credentialed media. For more information contact Ian Wieland at 559-681-8676.

1:30 p.m.

Meeting with Fresno County Probation Chief Linda Penner, Sheriff Margaret Mims and Police Chief Jerry Dyer to discuss realignment.

The Downtown Club, 2120 Kern Street, Fresno, CA 93721

**NOTE: This meeting is closed to media.

3:00 p.m.

Meeting with Fresno Bee Editorial Board.

Fresno Bee, 1626 E Street, Fresno, CA 93706

4:00 p.m.

Meeting with Assemblyman Henry Perea and Latino leaders.

Assemblyman Perea’s District Office, 2550 Mariposa Mall, Room 5031, Fresno, CA 93721

**NOTE: This meeting is closed to media.

4:45 p.m.

Meeting with Congressman Jim Costa and various members of the agricultural community.

Fresno Art Museum, 2233 North First Street, Fresno, CA 93703

**NOTE: This meeting is closed to media.

6 p.m.

Event with Congressman Jim Costa

Fresno Art Museum, 2233 North First Street, Fresno, CA 93703

** NOTE: For more information contact Alfreda Sebasto at 559-291-0184.

CRP Supports Referendum Effort on Redistricting Commission's Senate Maps

SACRAMENTO, CA – California Republican Party Chairman Tom Del Beccaro issued the following statement in response to the Citizens Redistricting Commission's final approval of the redrawn Senate maps:

"A referendum will be filed with respect to the Senate lines and possibly the Congressional lines. The California Republican Party will wholehartedly support those efforts when they come about. I have been saying for months that the CRC's actions have been unfair if not unconstitutional, and that remains the case. The CRP will do whatever it can to give voters the chance to correct what the Commission failed to do."

Governor Brown Announces Appointments

SACRAMENTO – Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced the following appointments.

Cliff Allenby, 74, of Elk Grove, has been appointed chair of the Managed Risk Medical Insurance Board. Allenby is currently interim director of the Department of Mental Health. He was interim director of the Department of Social Services from 2006 to 2007 and director of the Department of Developmental Services from 1997 to 2006. Allenby served as chief legislative representative for the County of Los Angeles from 1996 to 1997 and senior vice president of the California Building Industry Association from 1991 to 1996. He was secretary of the California Health and Welfare Agency from 1987 to 1991. This position requires Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Allenby is registered decline-to-state.

Norman Andrews, 64, of Lancaster, has been appointed administrator of the William J. "Pete" Knight Veterans Home of California-Lancaster. He has been a consultant at Andrews and Associates since 2010. Andrews was the administrator and chief executive officer at Kindred Hospital Westminster from 2007 to 2010 and also at Kindred Hospital San Gabriel Valley from 2005 to 2007. He served in multiple positions at Antelope Valley Medical Center from 1999 to 2005, including hospital supervisor and senior vice president of operations. Andrews was chief executive officer of Oak Valley District Hospital from 1998 to 1999, chief executive officer for Econo Health Group from 1997 to 1998, and the administrator of Priority Health Services from 1994 to 1997. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $91,392. Andrews is a Republican.

CRP Chairman Questions Redistricting Commission's Actions, Motives

SACRAMENTO, CA – California Republican Party Chairman Tom Del Beccaro issued the following statement in response to today’s CalWatchdog.com's article, "Mike Ward: Redistricting Panel Broke Law":

"In Sunday's Sacramento Bee, I stated that the Citizens Redistricting Commission 'failed to consistently apply the criteria mandated by law when drawing the Assembly, Senate, congressional, and Board of Equalization maps.' Today, Dr. Michael Ward not only confirmed that assessment but established motive. At this point, every California citizen should want the Commission to vote down the maps."

Governor and First Lady Honor Four California Servicemen

SACRAMENTO – On behalf of all Californians, Governor Brown and First Lady Anne Gust Brown honor four California servicemen who bravely gave their lives in service to our state and nation. The Governor and First Lady extend their deepest condolences to their family and friends at this difficult time.

In memorial, Governor Brown ordered that flags be flown at half-staff over the State Capitol today. The families of the servicemen will receive a letter of condolence from the Governor.

The following California servicemen died August 6 in Wardak province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when their CH-47 Chinook helicopter crashed. They were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

• Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL) Darrik C. Benson, 28, of Angwin, CA

• Staff Sgt. Andrew W. Harvell, 26, of Long Beach, CA

• Special Warfare Operator Master Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Louis J. Langlais, 44, of Santa Barbara, CA

• Special Warfare Operator Petty Officer 1st Class (SEAL) Jesse D. Pittman, 27, of Ukiah, CA

Redistricting Panel Didn't Follow Law on Senate Lines

By Thomas Del Beccaro, CRP Chairman (as seen in SacBee.com)

Tom Del Beccaro, chairman of the California Republican Party, is responding to the Aug. 7 editorial, "State GOP should stop blaming redistricting reform for its challenges," which stated:

"Any losses (of seats by the GOP) will have nothing to do with the commission and everything to do with demographics and voter registration."

Perhaps our most cherished right as citizens is our right to vote. Free and fair elections are not just an ideal but also the hallmark of our republic.

When California voters created the California Redistricting Commission, they wanted just that – a free and fair process. Unfortunately, the manner in which the Senate lines were drawn was more partisan than fair, and simply failed to comply with the law. Voters have no choice but to rectify this problem by referendum.

Insider Democrats have concluded that the new lines put them within reach of a supermajority in the California Senate. If they achieve that, they could vote for higher taxes and fees without a single Republican vote.

As the Republican Party chair of California, that is not an outcome I would want – but it is the manner in which the outcome was achieved that is of the most concern.

The commission, which in practice was dominated by Democrats, failed to consistently apply the criteria mandated by law when drawing the Assembly, Senate, congressional and Board of Equalization maps.

There is but one set of criteria they were given in determining each district map. Anyone who watched the commission, however, knows that the commission completely abandoned constitutional guidelines when it came to the Senate...

Click HERE to read the full Sacramento Bee article.

CRP Chairman Calls for Redistricting Commission to Release Important Documents

SACRAMENTO, CA – California Republican Party Chairman Tom Del Beccaro today sent a letter to the California Citizens Redistricting Commission calling for the immediate release of the proposed resolution or document it plans to use to "certify final maps" pursuant to the California Constitution. According to the CRP's letter, the Commission's failure to act violates the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act.

"This is the latest in a series of systematic failures to abide by the guidelines under which the Redistricting Commission was supposed to operate transparently and produce fair lines," said CRP Chairman Tom Del Beccaro.

The Government Codes listed in the CRP's letter mandate that the Commission comply with the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act requiring meeting records to be posted in a manner that ensures immediate and widespread public access, and that writings that are public records and are distributed to members of the Commission are to be made available to the public prior to or during a meeting at which they are discussed.

To view a PDF version of CRP Chairman Tom Del Beccaro's letter to the Redistricting Commission, click HERE.

Sign Up For Oct 8 Libertarian Leadership Seminar

By LPCA Office

Come to the Libertarian Leadership Seminar and learn what you can do to help further the growing liberty movement in California.

As each year goes by, the current crop of elected representatives in California find fewer and fewer ways to kick the can down the road. They continually apply old “solutions” that continually make things worse. Libertarian solutions must surface soon.

Every Libertarian in California must take action now!

The Libertarian Party of California is 100% percent committed to you and to the success of the Liberty movement. We’re presenting a Leadership Seminar with nine incredible speakers who will help you to learn how to accelerate the growth of the Libertarian Party in your community.

At the Leadership Seminar you will learn:

■Power of persuasion on how to convince anyone to become a Libertarian

■The confidence to approach anyone and start a conversation

■How to talk about Libertarianism in a non-threatening way

■How to motivate current Libertarians to actively spread the message of Liberty

■How to attract more people to your meetings and bring them back every week

■How to resolve conflicts and repair relationships

■How to become an influential member of your community

Plus much more…

You want to join us at the Libertarian Leadership Seminar on Oct 8th 2011 in Sacramento because you are committed to the Libertarian Party and the Liberty movement. Your efforts will make a huge difference in improving and growing the Libertarian Party. With Proposition 14′s Top Two Balloting in effect in California, we all agree that something unprecedented is necessary to create positive change. If we continue to do only what we have always done, we will continue to receive the same results.

So make a commitment to improve California and go to www.LibertarianLeadership.org to register for the Libertarian Leadership Seminar. Early Bird Discount admission is $149 for single admission, or $199 for two. The discount ends Friday, September 30th, so reserve your admission now! Lunch and dinner are included with your seminar registration.

Source: LPCA news release

Statement of California Democratic Party Chairman John Burton on Passing of Richard Floyd

Last night, California lost one of the most colorful and memorable legislators in our state's history, Dick Floyd. Dick was a blue-collar Democrat -- and a fiercely partisan one at that. He always let you know where he stood and often did so with flair.

Dick is responsible for passing our state's motorcycle helmet law, and he did so over fierce, and at times fearsome, opposition.

As a member of the State Assembly, he represented the constituents of his south Los Angeles district well.

Our sympathies go out to his daughters, Lorene and Rikki.

Rep. Michele Bachmann to Address CRP Fall Convention

SACRAMENTO — Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann has accepted an invitation to address California Republican Party delegates at their Friday evening banquet at the upcoming state GOP Convention. Rep. Bachmann has drawn enthusiastic responses from Republican audiences around the country, and will offer her perspective on national issues as the keynote speaker for the opening night of the CRP's fall gathering in Los Angeles.

"We're very excited to have Congresswoman Bachmann joining us for the convention Friday night.  I know her pure energy, vibrancy and leadership will be a hit with our delegates," said California Republican Party Chairman Tom Del Beccaro. "This is a great opportunity for us to hear directly from one of the Republican Party's leading presidential candidates."

The California Republican Party's Fall Convention will be held at the JW Marriott at L.A. Live in Los Angeles, September 16-18, 2011. For more information, please visit the CRP's convention page HERE.

New “Declaration of Independents” Premium!

By the LPCA Office

The Libertarian Party of California is pleased to add an exciting new book, The Declaration of Independents, to its list of thank-you premiums. It’s an awesome volume, sure to guide you to a more libertarian future.

Reason.tv editor Nick Gillespie and Reason magazine editor Matt Welch offer exciting evidence that U.S. voters are primed to demand libertarian choices in politics. Already, we in the U.S. enjoy custom-designed, personalized, and highly adapted services and devices that help us do all that we do, and this culture of individual personal choice now challenges our longstanding 18th-century political duopoly that’s strangling liberty and progress.

The Declaration of Independents is an entertaining manifesto about government that’s better suited to our future. Notably, the authors show that we today are living in “the libertarian moment.” Gillespie and Welch profile libertarian innovators, identify the villains propping up the ancient regime, and target those do-something-anything government policies that hurt those they claim to protect. Their vision will resonate with a wide swath of frustrated citizens and young voters, born after the Cold War, to whom lingering, outdated cultural prejudices and hang-ups about everything — from hearing a foreign language on the street to gay marriage to drug use — don’t make sense.

Nick Gillespie writes often for the Wall Street Journal and New York Times, and is a regular guest on Fox News. Matt Welch, author of McCain: The Myth of a Maverick, is a frequent contributor to the Los Angeles Times (where he used to work), the New York Post, Bloggingheads.tv, and talk radio around the country.”

We’ll mail a copy of this sparkling new book as our thank-you when you donate $50 to the Libertarian Party of California ($75 if you want to include annual membership) by clicking here.

Sourse: LPCA news release

Statement of California Democratic Party Chairman John Burton on Loss of 74,000 Jobs As Result of Republican-driven FAA Partial Shutdown

Seventy-four thousand Americans, including seventy thousand private sector employees such as construction workers and four thousand federal employees, are out of work as a result of the Congressional Republicans' refusal to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration extension bill.

Here in California, airport construction projects in San Jose, Oakland and Palm Springs are on hold because of the GOP's radical actions and unyielding philosophy that borders on the mentally unstable. Hundreds of Californians have now been furloughed and told there won't be work for them until the Republicans reauthorize FAA funding.


The GOP owes thousands of Americans, and hundreds of Californians, an apology and explanation because their rigid philosophy has literally cost Californians their jobs and may even compromise air safety.