DPCCC membership approved this endorsement at the September 15, 2022 regular meeting.
DPCCC endorses Measure Q, Brentwood Voter-Protected Open Space Overlay Ballot Measure
DPCCC membership approved this endorsement at the September 15, 2022 regular meeting.
https://www.brentwoodca.gov/government/city-manager/measure-q
Proclamation In Honor Of Veterans Day, November 11th, 2022
DPCCC membership approved the following resolution at the September 15, 2022 regular meeting.
WHEREAS, from the founding of our nation to the present day, we have had need from time to time to call upon our people to take up arms to defend the Constitution from all enemies, foreign and domestic; and
WHEREAS there have always been those among our neighbors, friends and families who have answered this call, and risen as a free people to defend liberty and democracy; leaving their homes and families to face the nation’s foes, and all too often returning home with wounds seen and unseen, and
WHEREAS we recognize and accept as a sacred duty the need to honor this service, and care for those who have suffered in defense of the nation, and for the families of those who have fallen or have returned in pain that the rest of us may live in freedom and happiness; and
WHEREAS November the 11th has been designated by act of Congress as Veteran’s Day, and dedicated to the memory and celebration of all who have served in the defense of the nation, and for the families and friend who have loved and supported them; and
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County calls upon our fellow citizens to take time on this special day to recognize the valor, courage, and sacrifice of our veterans through appropriate ceremonies and personal appreciation. We call upon all representatives of government, civic organizations, schools, and private industries to fully support the celebration of this holiday, and to honor those among us who have served their nation and communities so faithfully and well.
Submitted by Peter Ericson, Associate Member, District 2
Approved by the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County, September 15, 2022
Proclamation in Celebration of American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month, November 1 – 30, 2022; California Native American Day, September 23, 2022; National Day of Recognition of Native American Heritage, November 25, 2022
DPCCC membership approved the following resolution at the September 15, 2022 regular meeting.
WHEREAS California comprises the following federally recognized Native American tribes: The Western Region has 27 federally recognized tribes, the Southern Region has 30 federally recognized tribes, the Northern Region has 19 federally recognized tribes and the Eastern Region has 28 federally recognized tribes and these federally recognized tribes are hosts of the lands in California that have more federally recognized tribes than any other state in the US; and
WHEREAS Native American history spans thousands of years throughout our continent, pre-dating the establishment of the United State of America, and the contributions of the Indigenous tribes to our way of living are vast, from food, spiritual practices, healing practices, government and political contributions, protectors of the land and other natural resources, writers, athletes, thespians, political pioneers, veterans, artists, scientists, knowledge keepers of the Native Universe past and present and developers and contributors of the National Museum of the American Indian; and
WHEREAS the diversity that exists within the tribes of California Native Americans are committed to contributing to new and improved educational resources and curriculum that is provided by the State’s History-Social Studies frameworks for K-12 public schools to include updated and broad information on the history and culture of the original inhabitants of California; and
WHEREAS we can never undo the wrongs that were inflicted on the people who lived on these lands known as the state of California, but we can work together to build fair, respectful and balanced coalitions that speak the truth about California’s past to begin to heal the deep trauma, loss and grief, and
WHEREAS Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order apologizing for the violence, mistreatment and neglect inflicted upon California Native Americans throughout the State’s history, establishing a Truth and Healing Council to correct the historical records of California Native Americans; and
WHEREAS California designated the fourth Friday of every September as California Native American Day; and
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County recognizes and fully supports the California Native American Day on the fourth Friday of September, National Day of Recognition of Native American heritage and American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month, in the month of November and participate in local efforts to right the wrongs of the past.
Respectfully submitted by:
Debra Vinson, Choctaw, CADEM, Finance Committee Member, AD11, DPCCC, District III Elected Representative, ECCDC Founder and Chair in 2021
Reviewed by Renee Zeimer, 2022
Approved by the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County, September 15, 2022
Resolution Committing to Free Fair Elections
DPCCC membership approved the following resolution at the September 15, 2022 regular meeting.
WHEREAS the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County recognizes and supports the fundamental right of voters to decide the outcome of our elections and expects the subsequent peaceful transfer of power as not merely a venerable tradition but paramount to the survival of democracy and the Republic, and
WHEREAS the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County places a high value on elections that are free and fair, accessible and safe, secure and transparent, and is proud of Contra Costa County’s long history of administering elections that are reliable and trustworthy, and
WHEREAS the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County is aware of advisories issued by the California Secretary of State indicating that rumors and misinformation concerning election procedures, whether intentional or otherwise, continue to cast doubt on the integrity of elections and, according to a major network news poll, “threats to democracy” has become voters’ top issue facing the country,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County will continue to support and defend elections that are safe, free and fair and will not tolerate attempts by any elected officials, candidates, special interest groups, or other actors who undermine the election process, threaten election workers or voters, or disregard the collective will of the voters.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County solemnly commits to recognize the legitimacy of democratically elected officials of this jurisdiction, the State of California and the United States, regardless of personal preference, and will use its platform to fiercely defend the Constitution and our democracy from such unlawful threats to our freedoms and fundamental voting rights.
Submitted by Renee Zeimer, Elected Member, District 2
Approved by the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County, September 15, 2022
DPCCC endorses 67 local candidates for November 8th Election
The Democratic Party of Contra Costa County has just endorsed sixty-seven local candidates for the upcoming election on November 8th. To help you select candidates on your ballot, which will be mailed to you around October 10th, please CLICK HERE TO VIEW this list of our endorsees.
Agenda for special Membership meeting to decide 2022 endorsements
DPCCC is holding a special Membership meeting this Thursday, September 1 at 6pm to decide our 2022 general election endorsements. Although it has already been noticed to members by email as usual with our meeting agendas, the agenda is also being posted here on the public website in compliance with our Bylaws:
Any DPCCC meeting where official endorsements will be voted on must have this item properly placed on the agenda, and the agenda must be postmarked or sent by e-mail to all DPCCC members at least seven (7) days before the meeting is held and posted on the DPCCC public website.
If you are a registered Democrat, wish to attend, and do not already have the Zoom link for the meeting, please email the Secretary to receive it.
Please note that while any registered Democrat may attend, only the Regular Members of DPCCC and/or their Alternates will be able to vote.
Special membership agenda
2022 general election endorsements
Thursday, September 1, 2022, 6pm
Agenda
- Call to order and welcome
- Review Zoom meeting procedures
- Establish a quorum (31 out of 60 Regular Members)
- Approve agenda
- Action items and reports
- 1st Vice-Chair – Susana Williams
- Endorsements Committee – Irene Tait and Tamela Hawley
- General election 2022 endorsements consent calendar (additional documents: Endorsements voting process, candidate questionnaires)
- Endorsements Committee – Irene Tait and Tamela Hawley
- 1st Vice-Chair – Susana Williams
- Adjourn
August 2022 DPCCC Newsletter
 AUGUST 2022 NEWSLETTER |
| CHAIR’S MESSAGE At our August 18 General Membership meeting, DPCCC members heard an important message from Planned Parenthood Northern California (PPNC) President and CEO Gilda Gonzales and Director of Public Affairs Margaret Martinez Franks. I appreciated their update and the call to action they shared with us. You can read more about their presentation in the August Meeting Report. Our Endorsements Committee has been hard at work in all five districts preparing to make recommendations for the candidates we should support in the November elections. We will have a lot of work to do to counteract the statewide and national efforts of Republicans and their allies. CalMatters reported on what is happening in school board elections throughout California. I am glad the reporter pointed out what we have been doing to support our school board members in Contra Costa. Please let me know if you want to learn more about our endorsement and overall election efforts. You can email me at chair@contracostadems.com. I also hope you are enjoying this edition of our DPCCC newsletter. Please let our Communications Committee know what you think by emailing its Chair, Jan Bell, at commsdir@contracostadems.com. Best wishes, Katie Ricklefs Chair, Democratic Party of Contra Costa County AUGUST MEETING REPORT The DPCCC’s August 18 Membership Meeting featured a presentation by Planned Parenthood Northern California (PPNC) President and CEO Gilda Gonzales and Director of Public Affairs Margaret Martinez Franks. Gonzales and Martinez Franks discussed Reproductive Freedom: Meeting the Moment at the Ballot Box. This issue has become even more of a priority for DPCCC members in the wake of the Supreme Court’s recent decision to end the federal right to abortion. Martinez Franks explained that California is a Reproductive Freedom State and outlined how California Planned Parenthood Affiliates are the key to fulfilling this commitment. She introduced DPCCC members to PPNC’s operations that cover 20 California counties from Contra Costa north to the Oregon border. There are six health care centers in Contra Costa County. Overall, PPNC serves over 70,000 patients. Preventative care makes up most of the services provided by PPNC, including sexually transmitted disease screening and treatment, pregnancy testing, contraception services, and cancer screening. Gonzales then discussed what we could expect in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. “The situation will get worse before it gets better,” she said. “The only way it will get better is through positive electoral outcomes—and California needs to lead the way.” Gonzales shared that PPNC, like abortion providers around the country, is dealing with the legal ramifications in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision and the efforts of abortion-hostile states to criminalize efforts to help people who can become pregnant receive these vital health care services. DPCCC members can help with this fight right now have three significant ways. First, Gonzales encouraged Democrats to be “all-in on Proposition 1—it is vital for California to send a message.” Proposition 1 will enshrine abortion and birth control access in the California Constitution. Visit YesOn1CA.com to learn more. Second, support abortion funds like Access Reproductive Justice (ARJ). There is a need not just in hostile-to-abortion states, but also here in California. As ARJ explains, “Reproductive rights are meaningless when you don’t know where to get birth control, no abortion provider accepts your insurance, you are afraid to seek prenatal care because of your immigration status, or the closest clinic is hours from your home.” Third, she said that we all needed to elevate abortion stories to minimize abortion stigma. “There should be no shame. And this is everybody’s issue,” Gonzales emphasized. The DPCCC, through its Issues Committee, has made abortion a focus of the legislation we have supported this year. The DPCCC voted to support several federal bills that attempt to address what the Supreme Court ruled in its Dobbs decision and a concurring opinion by Justice Clarence Thomas. You can review these on the DPCCC’s Legislative Tracker. The DPCCC also adopted the updated California Democratic Party Code of Conduct. The DPCC will share it with candidates seeking the DPCCC’s endorsement. The DPCCC will also ask its chartered clubs to review the Code of Conduct and consider adopting it. The Elections Committee is preparing to support the candidates the DPCCC endorses at its Special Membership Meeting on September 1 at 6 p.m. via Zoom. Elections Committee Chair Chuck Carpenter noted that our school board and city council members are under attack by coordinated Republican efforts. Would you like to learn more? Under DPCCC’s file access policy, access to all non-confidential DPCCC files is available to any DPCCC member (including Associates) upon request by emailing the Secretary. You can pay your dues by clicking here! SPECIAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING FOR ENDORSEMENTS The Democratic Party of Contra Costa County will hold a special membership meeting on Thursday, September 1, at 6 p.m. via Zoom to consider endorsements for the November General Election. If you are not a DPCCC member and wish to attend, please RSVP to the DPCCC Secretary at secretary@contracostadems.com. If you are a DPCCC member, you should receive an email with details for the meeting about seven days in advance. If you do not, please email the DPCCC Secretary at secretary@contracostadems.com. IN THE NEWS The Democratic Party of Contra Costa County’s efforts to support our local school board members during some of the more contentious meetings about public health measures and teaching accurate history over the past year were featured in a Cal Matters story about how California Republicans are betting big on local school board races in 2022. After hearing from some Contra Costa school board members asking for help, the DPCCC adopted two resolutions to support our School Board members. In addition to sharing the resolutions with our members and posting them on our website, DPCCC members and leadership, including Chair Katie Ricklefs, attended school board meetings to share the resolutions. The Republican efforts to take over school boards are happening in Contra Costa County. That’s why supporting the DPCCC’s endorsed school board candidates in the November elections will be one of our top priorities. TAKE ACTION JOIN US IN THE CENTRAL VALLEY TO TALK TO VOTERS, ONE CONVERSATION AT A TIME! There are less than three months left to reach voters and the path to the next House majority goes through California. Canvassing is the most effective way to introduce voters to Rudy Salas, help support Democrats, and get your steps in! Lodging and carpool options are available. Knock doors every Saturday in Hanford, Kings County, through election day! https://www.mobilize.us/cadems/event/445111 Knock doors on Fridays through Sundays, beginning on September 30 in Bakersfield, Kern County, through election day! https://www.mobilize.us/cadems/event/494449 Don’t worry if you’ve never done this before—when you arrive at the staging location you will be trained and given all the supplies you need. And once you get going, you’ll find that talking to voters is fun and rewarding! For more information on volunteering, contact Cecilia at volunteer@contracostadems.com or call 510-693-4259. GET YOUR TICKETS NOW FOR THE DPCCC BBQ PARTY Save the date! The DPCCC’s annual BBQ will be on September 10 from noon to 5 p.m. at the Concord Community Park (3501 Cowell Rd, Concord, CA 94518). Early Bird Tickets are now available through August 31! We’ll enjoy music, a taco bar (our BBQ Chair will BBQ too), plenty of fun drinks, cornhole, giant Jenga, speeches, tabling from our candidates and clubs, and the opportunity to meet and speak with electeds and other activists and volunteers. Bring a friend or new member, bring your dog, wear your Democratic Party of Contra Costa County (DPCCC) shirts or hats, and come ready to have fun! Sponsorships are available and play a vital role in supporting the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County in recruiting and electing democrats both here and in critical or contentious races locally or across the state or country. Your sponsorship also helps support our County party infrastructure to be able to host more fun events, recognize members and support our members. Click here to purchase a ticket or sponsorship!  RESOLUTIONS AND LEGISLATION The DPCCC adopted the following resolutions at its August 18, 2022, meeting: Proclamation in Support of National Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15, 2022 – October 15, 2022 Proclamation Recognizing and Commemorating the 77th Anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, October 2022 The DPCCC voted at its August 18, 2022, meeting to take positions on the following bills currently under consideration in the United States Congress: SUPPORT H.R. 8296 (Authored by Representative Judy Chu), the Women’s Health Protection Act of 2022, which would create a federal right for patients to receive and providers to provide abortion care, ensuring every American—regardless of where they live—can make decisions about their own lives and bodies. Click here to read the Issues Committee Application. SUPPORT H.R. 8297 (Authored by Representative Lizzie Fletcher), the Ensuring Women’s Right to Reproductive Freedom Act, which would prohibit anyone acting under state law from interfering with a person’s ability to access out-of-state abortion services. Click here to read the Issues Committee Application. SUPPORT H.R. 8373 (Authored by Representative Kathy Manning), the Right to Contraception Act, which would provide statutory protections for an individual’s right to access and a health care provider’s right to provide contraception and related information. Click here to read the Issues Committee Application. SUPPORT H.R. 8404 (Authored by Representative Jerrold Nadler), the Respect for Marriage Act, which would provide statutory authority for same-sex and interracial marriages. Click here to read the Issues Committee Application.You can learn more about the Issues Committee’s process for reviewing legislation, resolutions, and proclamations by reading its submission guidelines and application for consideration. You can review an index of the Resolutions adopted by the DPCCC since 2022 and a Legislative Tracker of all the bills on which the DPCCC has taken a position during the 2021-22 session. DEMOCRATS AROUND CONTRA COSTA COUNTY The primary focus of our District Directors during the past month has been organizing and managing our candidate endorsement process for the November 2022 election. Check back next month for more details on what is happening around the county!BIDEN/HARRIS ACCOMPLISHMENTSTo counteract the Republican negative campaign against the Biden/Harris administration, we’ve generated one slide that summarizes their long list of accomplishments under three major goals they have achieved. You can use this information when you’re out canvassing, for talks with your friends and family members and—if you’re really brave—with moderate Republicans! In any event, don’t give in to the Republican negative messages—defend the Biden/Harris administration’s accomplishments! Click here to see the slide: https://contracostadems.com/biden-harris-accomplishments/. ANNOUNCEMENTS Farm workers are marching to win the right to vote for a union free from intimidation and threats. This march is to convince Gov. Gavin Newsom to sign AB 2183, the Agricultural Labor Relations Voting Choice Act (AB 2183-Stone). The bill would give more choices to farm workers so they can vote free from intimidation. Farm workers would be able to vote in secret whenever and wherever they feel safe. You are invited to join the Farm Workers as they complete the final mile of their march in Sacramento on Friday, August 26 at 9 a.m. Click here for more details! The Alameda County Democratic Party is hosting its 50th Anniversary Democratic Unity Dinner at the Oakland Airport Hilton on Saturday, September 24, at 6 p.m. Early bird tickets for $110 are available until Friday, September 2. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets. If you have an announcement you would like us to consider including in next month’s newsletter, please email commsdir@contracostadems.com. DPCCC EVENT CALENDAR This calendar is for DPCCC and other Democratic Party events to which all DPCCC members are invited. To request the addition of an item to the calendar, please email secretary@contracostadems.com. Please click on the image to get more details!LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINKDo you have any questions or feedback about this DPCCC Newsletter? We would love to hear from you! Please send your comments to commsdir@contracostadems.com. |
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Proclamation Recognizing and Commemorating the 77th Anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, October 2022
DPCCC membership approved the following resolution at the August 18, 2022 regular meeting.
WHEREAS under the Employment First Policy adopted in 2013, the State of California has committed to competitive integrated employment for youth and adults with disabilities as the highest priority for working-age individuals, a significant aspect of anyone’s life and identity, as a framework for Californians with disabilities to achieve financial stability, self-fulfillment, connection with their community, and a way to contribute their talents to build a more inclusive economy and society, when given the opportunity; and
WHEREAS despite the State of California’s best efforts, Californians with disabilities including those with developmental disabilities, continue to suffer disproportionately from high rates of unemployment, untenably low wages, and myriad barriers to screening, interviewing, and hiring as indicated by the 2018 American Community Survey where the employment rate of working-age people with disabilities was 37.5 percent compared to 77.8 percent of working-age people without disabilities as well as data from the Regional Center of the East Bay, serving individuals with developmental disabilities in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties, which reports that only 22% of its working-age adults are currently employed; and
WHEREAS, the pandemic, has worsened the employment environment for persons with disabilities despite the current shortage of workers, and sadly, inflationary pressures have only exacerbated the situation; and
WHEREAS the Disabilities Caucus of the California Democratic Party, Democratic County Central Committees and Democratic Clubs, which include contributing members with disabilities as well as service providers, advocates and allies of the disabled who use their voices to promote the welfare of the Disability community ensuring that issues affecting it, such as employment disparities, are included in the Democratic Party platform;
NOW THEREFORE, the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County recognizes and commemorates the 77th anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month and call upon employers, schools, and community organizations in Contra Costa County to observe October with appropriate programs and activities to advance its important message that people with disabilities add value and talent to our workplaces and communities; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County pledges to work with disability rights members and allies to collaborate with organizations which seek to increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities and take action to promote policies and practices that support the living-wage employment of people with disabilities in integrated settings, and use its platform to educate employers and the public regarding the contributions that people with disabilities, when given the opportunity, can bring to the workplace.
DPCCC endorses HR 8373, the Right to Contraception Act
DPCCC membership approved this endorsement at the August 18, 2022 regular meeting.
https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/8373