May 14, 2012 (El Cajon) –How can you help “take back the media” and help get messages on campaigns or other issues out to the public?  Two experienced media insiders, who are also political activists, will share their techniques at the East County Democratic Club on Wednesday, May 17.

 Mike Thaller is a former television and film director specializing in commercials and educational Films. He is currently director of media relations for the San Diego Democratic Party

 John Mattes is an attorney and investigative reporter.  Known as “The Investigative Guy”, he has worked as an investigator for Fox TV news as well as an investigative counsel  for U.S. Senator John Kerry, as well as holidng public office as a Supervisor in Wisconsin.

May 8, 2012 (San Diego)—The League of Conservation Voters San Diego has endorsed Congressman Bob Filner in the San Diego Mayoral election. 

May 9, 2012 (San Diego) – It’s not often that labor groups and the conservative San Diego Taxpayers Association's former president agree on much of anything.  But both are opposed to Proposition A on the June ballot for San Diego residents. 

Now the State’s top financial officer, Controller John Chiang, has sent a letter to San Diego voters warning that if voters ban Project Labor Agreements by passing Prop A, San Diego will automatically lose massive state funding.

“Last year alone, San Diego received $158 million in construction projects, but this funding would be completely eliminated under Prop A,” Chiang warned.

By Miriam Raftery

The tobacco industry has thus far spent $38 million in its efforts to snuff out Proposition 29.  But supporters, including leading medical professionals and major newspapers statewide, say big tobacco is using a "smokescreen" of false statements and urge voters not to be deceived.

A quick fact check (see links below) prove the tobaco industry is continuing its long track record of making provably untrue statements to the detriment of public health.

He is running for the third District Supervisorial seat currently held by 20-year incumbent Pam Slater-Price. Slater-Price decided not to seek reelection for what would have been a fifth term, thus breaking up a board of five members who have served together for 17 years.Roberts’ main opponent is Congressman Brian Bilbray’s Chief of Staff Steve Danon.

May 8, 2012 (San Diego) – It’s hard to imagine that in the 21st Century , a woman could be fired from her job for addressing the needs of her pregnancy.  Yet a woman was fired for simply drinking water to stay hydrated—and the firing was legal under current the law.

Today, Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-San Diego) and Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), the lead sponsor of the bill, and Reps. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), and Jackie Speier (D-CA) introduced the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act to protect expectant mothers from discrimination.

By Miriam Raftery

May 7, 2012 (San Diego) – In the hotly contested 52^nd Congressional district race, Democrat Lori Saldaña has recently circulated a video  in which her rival, Democrat Scott Peters,  tells a KUSI reporter that he would support cuts to entitlements such as Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.

Today,  in an interview with ECM, Peters sought to set the record straight.   He now says by “cuts” he meant cuts to reduce cost of services to seniors-- not cuts in benefits. 

Both Peters and Saldaña have pledged to strengthen these programs--in sharp contrast to incumbent Congressman Brian Bilbray, who has voted to slash funds and benefits and move toward privatization.

Ducheny Chastises Vargas for "Special Interest" Favors

May 5, 2012 (San Diego) -- Congressional Candidate Denise Moreno Ducheny took issue with Senator Juan Vargas's recent voting record and called on the Senator to back a strong set of foreclosure protection bills being discussed in the Senate this week. "The recent voting record of my opponent is a disservice to the residents of San Diego and Imperial Counties," Ducheny said in a statement. "He should be spending more time focusing on the needs of his constituents, not just those special interest groups who write his campaign checks."

May 2, 2012 (San Diego) – In the hotly contested 52nd Congressional district, incumbent Brian Bilbray is weathering attacks from opponents on both sides of the political aisle for his votes on women’s issues.  With the Supreme Court just one vote away from overturning Roe vs. Wade (the decision legalizing abortion) and numerous bills assailing women's access to birth control and equal pay in Congress, women are expected to play a key role at the polls lin June.

Today, Democrat Lori Saldaña received endorsement from the National Organization for Women (NOW)--and assailed Bilbray's record.

 
Looks Forward to Working with Leadership Team in Sacramento

May 2, 2012 (Sacramento)--Assemblyman Brian Jones, R-Santee, today announced that Assembly Republican Leader Connie Conway, R-Tulare, appointed him as Assistant Republican Leader on the Assembly Republican Leadership Team.

“I am eager to continue working with Republican Leader Conway to get Californians back to work. The most important issues facing our state are jobs and the economy – we have to remove the regulatory and tax burdens from California’s middle class and release our creative energy and entrepreneurial spirit. California can be the Golden State again.”

By Miriam Raftery

May 2, 2012 (San Diego) – The newly drawn 52^nd Congressional district seat (formerly the 50th) currently held by Republican Brian Bilbray has attracted 10 candidates.  Among those is Tea Party stalwart John Stahl, who is challenging Rep. Bilbray’s ethics and conservative credentials. 

Host of the conservative talk show “Solutions for America” on KCBQ radio, Stahl has poured $300,000 of his own money into the race. A businessman with an MBA and a former Naval aviator, he pledges to offer “common sense solutions.” In an exclusive interview with ECM, Stahl shares his perspectives on a wide range of issues.

His views are not cookie-cutter political talking points—and some of his stances may surprise you.

May 2, 2012 (Sacramento)--A measure by Senator Joel Anderson (R-Alpine) to establish a landmark pay cap on the annual salary of state employees was defeated last week the Senate Government Organization Committee. Current law places no limit on state employee salaries; SB 1368 would have set the limit at no more than the Governor makes ($173, 987) annually.

By Miriam Raftery

May 2, 2012 (San Diego)—Lori Saldaña and Scott Peters, two Democrats vying for Republican Brian Bilbray’s seat in Congress, picked up some key endorsements this week.

“Today, we are proud to endorse Lori Saldaña for Congress,” Stephanie Taylor and Adam Green, founders of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee stated, calling Saldaña a “bold progressive fighter” who will “stand up for middle class families."

Registrar Is Asking for Public’s Help

May 1, 2012 (San Diego) -- Poll workers are still in demand for the June 5 Presidential Primary Election; especially those who are bilingual in Chinese, Filipino, Spanish and Vietnamese. The need is especially great in the neighborhoods listed below:    

April 28, 2012 (La Mesa) – Labor Council Leader, Lorena Gonzalez, will be speaking at the La Mesa Foothills Democratic Club's May 2 General Meeting on labor's increasingly important role in the 2012 election. The program will be held at the La Mesa Community Center at 4975 Memorial Drive, La Mesa, from 7 to 8:30 pm.

She will discuss how Citizen's United has pushed labor into an ever more important role in many races across the country. The Citizen's United ruling opened the floodgates for unfettered and unaccountable corporate campaign-giving. As a result, labor and working people have been required to raise funds to counter the influence of the enormous funds corporations raise.

April 28, 2012 (San Diego) – Run Women Run is offering a Running for School Board workshop on May 15 from  6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Hera Hub Workspace for Women, 9710 Scranton Road, Suite 160, San Diego.  Many women begin political careers by running for a school board.  The workshop panelists will provide behind the scenes information about what it takes to run and win, the different types of school boards, the responsibilities and time commitment and the lessons they’ve learned.