Resolution in Support of Assembly Bill 1119 (Wicks), Anti-Discrimination for Family Responsibilities

Posted on by

DPCCC membership approved the following resolution at the May 20, 2021 regular meeting.

WHEREAS, Most employees will have family caregiving responsibilities at some point in their professional lives, with statistics showing that roughly 60 percent of two-parent households with children under age 18 have both parents working; more than 1 in 6 Americans working full-time or part-time report assisting with the care of an elderly or disabled family member, relative, or friend; and over 1 in 12 employed adults are caring for both children and elderly or disabled adults; and

WHEREAS, Family responsibilities discrimination occurs when an employer takes a negative employment action against an employee based on their responsibility to care for a family member. This type of discrimination affects employees of every income level, race, gender, and industry, with working mothers the most likely to experience family responsibilities discrimination and with women being twice as likely as men to say they left work for caregiving responsibilities due to childcare provider or school closures; and

WHEREAS, Assembly Bill 1119 would prohibit employers from discriminating against employees based on their family responsibilities by adding “family responsibilities” to the list of protected characteristics that are prohibited bases of discrimination and would provide employees with caregiving responsibilities with the right to reasonable accommodations to deal with unforeseen school or care closures;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County supports the passage of Assembly Bill 1119 (Wicks), Anti-Discrimination for Family Responsibilities, as amended on April 21, 2021, and urges the Democratic supermajority in the California State Legislature to pass the legislation and the Democratic Governor to sign the bill into law;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County shall communicate this resolution to Contra Costa County Democrats, the California Democratic Party, members of the State Senate and State Assembly representing any part of Contra Costa County, members of the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors, and the Governor of the State of California.

Submitted by: Craig Cheslog, Associate Member, District 2

Resolution in Support of AB 937 (Carrillo) – the VISION Act

Posted on by

DPCCC membership approved the following resolution at the May 20, 2021 regular meeting.

WHEREAS, when California’s jails and prisons voluntarily and unnecessarily transfer immigrant and refugee community members eligible for release from state or local custody to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for immigration detention and deportation purposes, they subject these community members to double punishment and perpetual trauma, re-incarcerating them for prolonged periods with no right to bail, often deporting and permanently banishing them from the country, from their families, their homes and their livelihoods; and

WHEREAS, state and local participation in federal immigration enforcement programs has raised constitutional concerns, including arrests and detentions that violate the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution, and that target immigrants on the basis of race or ethnicity in violation of the Equal Protection Clause, and further undercuts reforms to address California’s inhumane, costly and punitive carceral system, which victimizes immigrants and refugees and disproportionately harms Black, Latinx, Indigenous, and Asian and Pacific Islander American communities; and

WHEREAS, California Democrats believe that the American immigration system must ensure that the fundamental rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution are applied to every person within U.S. borders or held in U.S. custody; oppose law enforcement agencies that unfairly target immigrants and refugees and act as federal immigration law enforcement or cooperate with federal law enforcement absent a federal judicial warrant; and is consistent with America’s fundamental principles of inclusion, fairness, human dignity and respect for the rule of law;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County supports the passage of Assembly Bill 937 (Carrillo), the VISION Act, which would take urgent and necessary steps toward ensuring that local and state tax dollars are not used to funnel immigrants into harmful and inhumane conditions in immigration detention, violate Constitutional protections, and separate immigrant families and communities; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County shall submit its SUPPORT position to the California State Legislature for inclusion in the bill analysis as a supporting organization.

Submitted by:
Renee Zeimer, District 2 Representative
Marisol Rubio, AD-16 Delegate, DPCCC Rules Committee Co-Chair

Resolution in Support of AB 650 (Muratsuchi), Health Care Worker Recognition and Retention Act

Posted on by

DPCCC membership approved the following resolution at the May 20, 2021 regular meeting.

WHEREAS, health care workers have been on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic from the very beginning, showing up to care for patients despite insufficient protective equipment, staffing shortages, long hours, mental trauma, and the ever-present risk of infection; and

WHEREAS, health care companies have benefited from billions of dollars in federal support during the pandemic and enjoyed sharp increases in investment income due to the rising stock market, but those gains have not led to increased support for the health care workers who are putting their lives at risk; and

WHEREAS, as a toll of the pandemic, many healthcare workers are leaving the field; and, given the high cost of training health care workers and the harm to patient care from high worker turnover, we must take steps to ensure that California’s health care system is ready for future need and ready to face future crises;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County supports the passage of Assembly Bill 650 (Muratsuchi), the Health Care Worked Recognition and Retention Act, which provide substantial, tangible proof to health care workers that we recognize their sacrifice and value their work caring for our families and communities, during the COVID-19 pandemic and in the future. by requiring private sector health care companies to provide bonuses to their employees; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County shall communicate this resolution to the California Democratic Party and members of the State Senate and State Assembly representing any part of Contra Costa County and the Governor of the State of California, urging the Democratic supermajority in the California State Legislature to pass the legislation and the Democratic Governor to sign the bill into law.

Submitted by: Susan Hildreth, Elected Member, District 2
Cosponsored by: Doug Jones, SEIU United Healthcare Workers

Resolution in Support of Assembly Bill 557 (Muratsuchi and Chiu), Statewide Hate Crimes Hotline

Posted on by

DPCCC membership approved the following resolution at the May 20, 2021 regular meeting.

WHEREAS, According to recent data from the Southern Poverty Law Center, there are more than 72 hate groups currently operating in California. In 2018, hate crimes involving bias against someone who is Jewish increased by 21.2 percent and against someone who is Latino by 18.3 percent. Also in that year, hate crimes with an anti-black or African American bias accounted for 25.9 percent and with a sexual orientation bias accounted for 22.3 percent of hate crimes reported in 2018; and

WHEREAS, Anti-Asian rhetoric surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a dramatic spike in verbal and physical assaults against Asian Americans in the past year. According to Stop AAPI Hate, over 2,800 anti-Asian hate incidents have occurred nationwide since February 2020 with over 1,200 of those occurring in California; and

WHEREAS, Assembly Bill 557 would require the California Department of Justice to create and maintain an accessible toll-free hotline number and an online form so people can report hate crimes and hate incidents more easily and in a way that overcomes the possible hesitancy victims and witnesses may feel if they distrust or fear local law enforcement officials, and would help victims receive referrals to local agencies, resources, and support services;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County supports the passage of Assembly Bill 557 (Muratsuchi and Chiu), as amended on March 25, 2021, and urges the Democratic supermajority in the California State Legislature to pass the legislation and the Democratic Governor to sign the bill into law;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County shall communicate this resolution to Contra Costa County Democrats, the California Democratic Party, members of the State Senate and State Assembly representing any part of Contra Costa County, members of the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors, and the Governor of the State of California.

Submitted by: Craig Cheslog, Associate Member, District 2

Resolution in Support of Assembly Bill 525, (Chiu, Cunningham, Friedman) – Offshore Wind Generation

Posted on by

DPCCC membership approved the following resolution at the May 20, 2021 regular meeting.

WHEREAS, California has set ambitious goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Energy Commission, in coordination with specified agencies, found that California will need to build at least 34 gigawatts of new renewable energy and energy storage developments by 2030 and at least 140 gigawatts of new renewable energy and energy storage developments by 2045 to achieve the goals; and

WHEREAS, California has found that wind and solar power on land will not be able meet that strategic goal, but that offshore wind generation could provide many new jobs and at least 10 gigawatts installed off the California coast by 2040, with an interim target of 3,000 megawatts installed by 2030; and the Energy Commission, in consultation with relevant state and local agencies, would need to start developing a plan on or before June 1, 2022 to improve existing waterfront facilities, seaports, and workforce.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County supports the passage of Assembly Bill 525, Offshore Wind Generation to begin this planning, and urges the Democratic supermajority in the California State Legislature to pass the legislation and the Democratic Governor to sign the bill into law;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County shall communicate this resolution to members of the State Senate and State Assembly representing any part of Contra Costa County and the Governor of the State of California.

Submitted by Brodie Hilp, Elected Member, District 2

The DPCCC FUNraiser Auction is open for bidding!

Posted on by

Link – bit.ly/2021FUNraiser

Many of our members have donated items, ranging from treasured memorabilia to a chance to get back out in the world on a vacation or just enjoy a meal on a leisurely afternoon in a lovely backyard! And wine, so much wine…..

Our Democratic elected officeholders have created opportunities for those social outings we’ve all missed –

Sharing a coffee or a meal in a restaurant with a host guaranteed to provide interesting conversation,

A champagne brunch after a hike and a wine tasting at a top-notch winery!

Or, join a small group in an outdoor home setting to relax, watch a movie and learn a few things.

And much more – check out the website! Link – bit.ly/2021FUNraiser

The funds raised will help the DPCCC recruit, support and promote Democratic candidates as we head into the 2022 mid-terms. And right now, we’ll be joining the fight to Stop the Recall!

It’s not too late to donate items, contact Marilynn Schuyler at 703-675-8782 or Schuyler@SchuylerAAP.com to make arrangements for collection.

And it’s never too late to make a cash donation to the 2022 Campaign Unity Fund at this link. https://secure.actblue.com/donate/2022campaignunityfund

A final thought -The Auction Committee wants to emphasize how grateful we are for the many creative, thoughtful donations to this year’s fundraiser. Take note bidders – the best thank you is to bid high!

Valley Blue in 22

Posted on by

Update! Speaker Pelosi will be joining us!

Purchase your tickets today at bit.ly/valleyblue22. Join us on Thursday, May 27, 7:00 pm for a fun-filled evening hosted by comedian, writer, actress and podcaster Leighann Lord, and featuring

  • Rep. Katie Porter and Josh Harder
  • Senator Alex Padilla
  • CDP Vice-chair Betty Yee
  • Other House and Central Valley Democrats

Let’s provide the support, phone banks, and most importantly money to win in the Central Valley in 2022.  In CA21, TJ Cox flipped the seat with 862 votes in 2018, and lost the seat in 2020 by 1,522 votes. These are small margins, and your efforts make a difference.

Purchase a ticket or donate to the Valley Blue in 22 fundraiser on May 27, 7:00 pm.  Our work will register and engage voters to defend and retake House seats in the Central Valley … electing Democrats up and down the ballot.  Purchase your tickets today at bit.ly/valleyblue22.

May District 3 Report Out

Posted on by

From DPCCC’s District 3 Director Carolina Villaseca:

Congressman Jerry McNerney

Co-Sponsored the Elijah Cummings Lower Drug Cost Now Act

  • Puts a cap on excessive Medicare costs.
  • Puts a cap on Medicare D costs.
  • Sets Fair prices for generic drugs.

Co-sponsored HR 20730 which amends the Higher Education Act of 1955

  • Ensures higher education for all.

Hosted 2 Town Halls

  • Disparity in Latino Health Care
  • IRS Tax Updates/Help

Asking for help to put pressure on Senators Kirsten Sinema and Joe Manchin.

  • SB1 John Lewis Voting Rights Bills and DC Statehood which cannot go through budget reconciliation.
  • Infrastructure budget (which is in committee right now but should come out in a couple of weeks)
  • The filibuster

County

  • The Board of Health is hosting pop-up walk-in clinics in an effort to get more people vaccinated. 
    • One very successful pop clinic was held in conjunction with Hijas del Campo where over 100 campesinos received vaccines.
  • Seated the Measure X Commission and began having meetings about the disbursal of funds.
  • BoE looking at LCAP goals, going through budget updates and graduations in May/June.

Local

  • Brentwood City Council is setting up a districting commission in anticipation of the census data. 
  • This process is being driven by Council member Jovita Mendoza.
  • Brentwood Union School District and most other TK-8 as well as High School Districts are all looking at how they will find students who have fallen through the cracks and help all students catch up next year.
  • All are expecting to go back full time in person.
  • Antioch is continuing their police reform work.
    • And celebrating Antioch High School Grad Najee Harris on his first-round draft pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
  • Oakley is busy looking for a new city manager as Mr. Montgomery went to Indio (their city council is questioning how he got the job) and a new Superintendent for the school as Mr. Hetrick has announced his retirement. 
  • Oakley Residents are putting the pressure on City Council to not approve a 2nd drive thru for a McDonald’s across the street from Laurel Elementary School

Clubs

  • Marsh Creek Democratic Club is planning on: 
    • an education campaign for advertisers who support Mike Burkholder’s website and racist blog, so they understand what the effect the blog is having including generating death threats against city council members. This includes BPD and PPD.
    • Call to action phone campaign to put the pressure on Senators Joe Manchin and Kirsten Sinema to vote with Democrats on the John Lewis Voting Rights Bill and the Infrastructure Bill.

Organizations

I introduced Hijas del Campo to Congressman McNerney. He and his campaign were looking to help out campesinos in Stockton. Hijas have been looking to start a chapter in Stockton to expand the work of vaccinating, bringing food, water, masks, etc. to campesinos. Value proposition!

Our Revolution Contra Costa has merged with Our Revolution East Bay and the new will be Our Revolution East Bay.

They held a virtual meeting/event on May 2 featuring several of the candidates for AD 18 to replace new CA AG Rob Bonta’s vacated seat.

Greenbelt Alliance is looking for input from Oakley residents to put pressure on city council not to approve up zoning (increasing population density) neighborhoods in their general plan. All input should be sent to Paul Seger. 

Committee report from the CADEM Virtual Convention

Posted on by

The California Democratic Party (CDP, a.k.a. CADEM) held its spring 2021 convention virtually from April 29 to May 2. Here is a report of the recommended resolutions, legislative positions, and rules that came to the general delegate assembly from the Resolutions, Legislation, and Rules Committees.

Please note that although this report mostly reflects what CDP delegates ultimately approved at the conclusion of the convention, delegates did make a few changes. DPCCC will post the final decisions from the Convention when we are able to obtain them from CADEM.