--Public Banks Can Revive Them
At his confirmation hearing in January 2017, Treasury Secretary Stephen Mnuchin said, "regulation is killing community banks." If the process is not reversed, he warned, we could "end up in a world where we have four big banks in this country." That would be bad for both jobs and the economy. "I think that we all appreciate the engine of growth is with small and medium-sized businesses," said Mnuchin. "We're losing the ability for small and medium-sized banks to make good loans to small and medium-sized busin…
Present: Sandra Nichols, Shawn Orgel-Olson, Nancy Krusoe, Gail Jack, Kendon Smith, Nancy Abbey
Decisions:
- November Meeting: It was confirmed that Santa Cruz City Police Chief Andy Mills would be the lead speaker at the November General meeting from 6:40-7:10. The half hour will include his presentation and Q&A. Shawn will act as a time-keeper to limit audience questions to the timeframe. A representative from Working America will speak from 7:10-7:40 giving us a demonstration of their canvassing strategy. Final details of the agenda will be developed by email as usual.
- Franco Picarella was appointed to replace Erik Eriksen as the PDC representative to …
6:30 Wednesday Nov. 15
Democratic Headquarters*
Main attractions!
Conversation with Santa Cruz City Police Chief Andy Mills
Learn about Working America's campaign to "flip the House"
Committee reports and announcements
*740 Front Street, groundfloor of the Galleria
behind the Riverfront Theatre
Why? 
- Because it's a home for political progressives.
- Because you'll have an opportunity to work with like-minded people on issues you care about: immigration rights, affordable housing, campaign finance reform, ranked choice voting, and others.
- Because you'll have a vote on endorsements for campaigns and candidates.
- Because we support unions on the picket line.
- Because your dues will support campaigns for progressive candidates and issues.
- Because you'll help move the Democratic Party to the left.
Join online, or by check to PDC, Box 2374, Santa Cruz 95063
Low income - $10- $20; Regular membership - $25-$50
Here's an idea!
Pay
your dues the painless way - have Act Blue charge $5 per month to your
credit card! Or make that $10. …
Why?
- Because it's a home for political progressives.
- Because you'll have an opportunity to work with like-minded people on issues you care about: immigration rights, affordable housing, campaign finance reform, ranked choice voting, and others.
- Because you'll have a vote on endorsements for campaigns and candidates.
- Because we support unions on the picket line.
- Because your dues will support campaigns for progressive candidates and issues.
- Because you'll help move the Democratic Party to the left.
Join online, or by check to PDC, Box 2374, Santa Cruz 95063
Low income - $10- $20; Regular membership - $25-$50
Here's an idea!
Pay
your dues the painless way - have Act Blue charge $5 per month to your
credit card! Or make that $10.&nbs…
We're off to
a good start! We got seven, enthusiastic new members at the meeting, and
as you can see from the notes below, accomplished quite a lot.
Members volunteered for the following committees and tasks:
- An assessment committee - Lynda Francis, Dick Vittitow, Erica Stanojevic and Nancy Abbey will interview decision makers, bank officials, opinion setters, locally knowledgeable folks, etc. to evaluate where our support and opposition will be to the establishment of either a local, regional, or state bank. The first committee meeting is at 10am Wednesday the 8th venue to be determined. Let Nancy (nabbey@cruzio.com) know if you want to attend.
- A research committee to educate ou…
A California bill that would require more disclosure about donors in campaign ads is nearing passage, after seven years of attempts by proponents.
The "California Disclose Act" requires most campaign ads to display their top three funders, even if those contributions were funneled through other generically-named committees.
The author of this year's bill's, Democratic Assemblyman Kevin Mullin, said at a rally that the measure has the votes to pass.
"For the first time it appears we have a deal within the Legislature to move a real reform bill to the governor," Mullin said. "Let me tell you that the moment is indeed at hand."
An amendment inserted Wednesday could allow certain contributors, including labor unions and business groups, to avoid revealing their top fund…
After seven long years of citizen activism ...
with no dark money and faced by corporate lobbies, the California Disclose Act is finally a reality.
California Clean Money Campaign, October 7th, 2017
Today, Governor
Jerry Brown signed into law the landmark California DISCLOSE Act (AB
249), the nation's most comprehensive election disclosure law.
"No more
fine print,"
said the bill's author, Speaker pro Tem Kevin Mullin. "California
voters will now be able to make informed decisions, based on honest information
about who the true funders are of campaign ads. This transparency is critical
to our democracy and I am proud that California has taken this historic first
step to shine the light on 'dark money'. Hopefully this will encourage others
to follow suit."
Assembly Bill…
Promotes Majority Support
Too often, candidates can and do win election to offices like Mayor and Governor despite being opposed by most voters. With ranked choice voting, if no candidate has more than half the vote in first-choices, candidates finishing last are eliminated round-by-round in an instant runoff until two candidates are left. The winning candidate will be the one with majority support when matched against the other. In a multi-winner election, ranked choice voting promotes majority rule because the majority of voters will always be able to elect a majority of seats, without fear that an entrenched minority has used gerrymandered districts to ensure they stay in office.Discourages Negative Campaigning
In non-ranked choice voting elections, candidates benefit from "m…
June 5, 2018, Statewide Ballot Measures
- ACA 5 (Resolution Chapter 30, statutes of 2017), Frazier. Motor vehicle fees and taxes: restriction on expenditures: appropriations limit.(PDF) - codifies the use of the new gas tax.
- ACA 1 (Resolution Chapter 105, statutes of 2017), Mayes. Greenhouse Gas Reduction Reserve Fund. (PDF) Creates a Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund Reserve
November 6, 2018, Statewide Ballot Measures
As of this date, 24 a…
The U visa is a non-immigrant visa
that is reserved for victims of crime who assist law enforcement. It is meant
to protect, and arguably reward, non-citizens who have suffered significant
mental or physical abuse from a qualifying criminal activity.
U visa holders have legal status in the United States, receive employment authorization (work permit), and even a possible path to citizenship.
Background
Congress created the U visa through the passage of the Victims of Trafficking
and Violence Protection Act in October 2000. The goal of the legislation is to
encourage non-citizen victims to cooperate with police and prosecutors without
the fear of deportation.
Qualifying for a U Visa
There are four statutory eligibility requirements. The individual must:
- The individual must have …
November 15, 2017
Number attending 30
1. Conversation with Santa Cruz Police Chief Andy Mills
- Chief Mills said that he believes in policing from the community prospective; wants to work with the community to solve our problems.
- He is working with homeless advocates to find a day shelter where the homeless can store their belongings and receive medical and social services.
- He does not intend to co-operate with ICE or have any one from the Feds embedded in the police department.
- The Police Department is instituting U-Visas, which protect crime victims who come forward to testify about a crime from deportation. [www.pdclub.org/blog:pdclub/article/id/3910031]
- Chief Mills stated that the Department will use Bearcat only for protection of …