Volunteers needed for two 'deconsolidated' California Democratic Party standing committees
From our friends at the California Democratic Party comes this:
After a unanimous recommendation from the State Party Rules Committee regarding the Legislative Action and Equal Opportunity Committee, Chairman John Burton is deconsolidating the joint committee back into the original Legislation Committee and Affirmative Action Committee. While the joint committee has served its purpose in the past, it has been recommended that the State Party would be stronger with these committees each focusing on their own separate functions.
Chairman Burton is now soliciting for appointments to these two committees. Members of the State Central Committee are eligible to apply, and current Legislative Action and Equal Opportunity Committee members should reapply as well.
The Committees each meet during our Executive Board meetings and are responsible for doing much work between meetings. You will need to be able to attend these meetings and participate in the work of these Committees. If you wish to seek an appointment, you'll find the application at www.cadem.org/standingcommitteeapplication.
Precinct walk for Democratic candidates Perea and Rubio scheduled Feb. 6
Want to lend your support to two Democratic candidates? Join the Central Labor Council (CLC) this Saturday, Feb. 6, during a precinct walk for candidates Henry T. Perea, running for California Assembly District 31, and Michael Rubio, running for the California State Senate.
Volunteer walkers will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 6, at 537 E. Harvard Ave. in Fresno (close to Clinton and Van Ness). A BBQ lunch will be provided for all walkers by the Fresno Fire Fighters.
President Obama affirms priorities in State of the Union address
President Obama delivered his first State of the Union address yesterday, Jan. 27. Here, from our friends at Whitehouse.gov, is a recap of the address:
In his address, the President laid out an agenda attempting to attack one problem from every conceivable angle: the terrible squeeze felt by America’s middle class. Fundamentally, that means prying government away from special interests and dedicating it to measures that put Americans to work and lay the foundation for a stronger economy for our country – lowering health care and tuition costs, spurring creation of the next generation of clean energy jobs. It also means putting a cop on the beat on Wall Street, so major banks can no longer take advantage of families and taxpayers.
This was the vision that shaped the President's address, but this is not just a matter of rhetoric. The President made clear that there is tremendously busy agenda ahead for his second year – the policies and proposals below are just examples of the plans the President laid out in his address to put government to work for the middle class.
Miss it? The address in its entirely below. (If the viewscreen is not visible, the video is available at the Whitehouse.gov website.
Show your support for equality at Fresno's Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebrations Jan. 18
The Fresno County Democratic Central Committee invites you to show your support for equality by participating in this year's Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration, scheduled Monday, Jan. 18, in downtown Fresno.
The day's events will begin at 10 a.m. with a march from St. John's Cathedral, 2814 Mariposa Ave. to the Veteran's Memorial Auditorium. A commemorative program honoring Dr. King's legacy will follow immediately at 10:45 a.m. inside Veteran's Memorial Auditorium.
With a large number of participants expected, carpooling or taking mass transit to downtown is indeed recommended. We hope to see you there!
Volunteers needed for voter canvassing on January 16
Interesting in helping the Fresno County Democratic Central Committee turn Fresno County 'blue'? With the numbers gap between registered Democrats and Republicans in the county down to a few hundred, it's time to kick it in on the home stretch, to see if we can turn the county before February.
Toward that goal, the FCDCC needs volunteers to help with voter-registration canvassing this month. To help, consider volunteering for our next canvassing event, scheduled 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 16. Volunteers will meet at the CalVoter office, 1304 E. Olive Ave. in the Tower District and can stay for the entire event or for just a couple of hours. During the event, we'll be verifying the list of registered voters, with the intent of meeting people who wish to register and declare.
Want to participate? Contact James Williams via e-mail at jamesdean19662000@yahoo.com. We hope to see you there!
From the AP Wire: 'Health care bill clears key Senate test'
As reported this evening, moments after the U.S. Senate's late-night vote:
WASHINGTON – Landmark health care legislation backed by President Barack Obama passed its sternest Senate test in the pre-dawn hours early Monday, overcoming Republican delaying tactics on a 60-40 vote that all but assures its passage by Christmas.
"Let's make history," said Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, shortly before the bill's supporters demonstrated their command of the Senate floor in an extraordinary holiday season showdown. The bill would extend coverage to more than 30 million Americans who now lack it, while banning insurance company practices such as denial of benefits on the basis of pre-existing medical conditions.
The atmosphere was intensely partisan, but the outcome pre-ordained as senators cast their votes from their desks, a practice reserved for issues of particular importance. Administration officials who have worked intensely on the issue watched from the visitor's gallery despite the hour.
So, too, Vicki Kennedy, the widow of Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., who championed health care across a Senate career that spanned more than 40 years.
