JUSTIN DART, JR.

WHEREAS: The California Democratic Party marks with sadness the recent passing of Justin Dart, Jr., outstanding human rights advocate and pioneer of the disability rights movement; and,

WHEREAS: Justin Dart's efforts over many years culminated with the passage and enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990 and, in 1998, he was awarded the Medal of Freedom, this country's highest civilian decoration by President Bill Clinton; and

WHEREAS: The life and work of Justin Dart, Jr. has inspired the work of the California Democratic Party Disability Caucus and thousands of disability advocates across the country

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the California Democratic Party honors the memory of Justin Dart, Jr. by reaffirming its dedication to the proposition that all Californians with disabilities shall enjoy full, fair and equitable access to employment, education health care without fear of discrimination on the basis of a disability.

Submitted by Francie Moeller/Disabilities Caucus Chair,  Adacompliance@wclynx.com

EQUITY OF COSTS OF MEDICAL CARE

WHEREAS: Kaiser Permanente has merged its Northern California and Southern California regions into a single statewide organization; and

WHEREAS: The stated purpose of the merger was to establish a more efficient, economical, coordinated program for attending the needs of seniors, and to provide them with more affordable quality healthcare; and

WHEREAS: The costs of benefits of the Senior Advantage Program in Northern California remains significantly higher than in Southern California, despite Kaiser's merger of the two regions

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the Sonoma County Democratic Central Committee urges Kaiser Permanente in Northern California to take action to establish equity of members' costs with the costs for Senior Advantage members in Southern California by reducing the current $80 monthly premium in Northern California to $57 per month, and increasing the annual cap on prescription drugs from the current $1,000 to $2,000

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That copies of this resolution be sent to the Federation of Retired Union Members (FORUM), the Senior Action Network, Congress of California Seniors, other senior organizations such as AARP, as well as to the State Assembly and State Senate members and the CEO of Kaiser, urging their support for equity of costs of medical care for all senior Kaiser members throughout California.

Submitted by the Sonoma County Democratic Central Committee (Contact: Anne Devereaux)

GLOBAL WARMING: REDUCING CARBON DIOXIDE EMISSIONS

WHEREAS: Global Warming, one of the most serious environmental problems facing our world today, could lead to a significant rise in the sea level, flooding coastal areas, changes in rainfall patterns that could adversely affect agricultural production, a reduction of California's water supplies, increased incidences of diseases caused by increases in air pollution, and more wildfires; and

WHEREAS: California, though home to only 0.5% of the world's population, creates nearly 7% of the global carbon dioxide emissions, and motor vehicles emits 57% of the carbon dioxide the State produces; and

WHEREAS: California, as the only state under federal law that can pass its own motor vehicle pollution standards, has long been the leader in air quality issues, setting standards that have cut smog-forming pollutants by 90%, pioneering the use of such critical air pollution control technologies as the three-way catalyst and unleaded gasoline, and pushing automobile manufacturers to offer zero-emissions vehicles to consumers

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the California Democratic Party, recognizing the failed leadership of the Bush Administration and the Republicans on the issue of global warming and the leadership role that California is playing in reducing national carbon dioxide emissions, gives its full support to the new California law, the Global Warming Act, signed by Governor Gray Davis on July 22, 2002.

Submitted by Bob Mulholland, DNC Member

CORPORATE SCANDALS - BUSH & CHENEY: RELEASE DETAILS OF DEALINGS

WHEREAS: The nation's economy has been rocked by the emergence of corporate scandal after corporate scandal, shaking the faith of the American people in our economic system with each tale of insider trading, inflation of earnings, accounting fraud, obstruction ofjustice, and outrageous and greedy behavior on the part of countless corporate executives; and

WHEREAS: Tens of thousands of hard-working Americans have watched their pension funds and retirement savings disappear overnight while their companies' executives have walked off with multi-millions; and

WHEREAS: The Bush Administration has failed to demonstrate leadership on the issue of corporate responsibility by disclosing the details of President Bush's dealings with "Harkengate" and Vice President Cheney's involvement in the accounting scandals of Halliburton

NOW THERE BE IT RESOLVED: That the California Democratic Party fully supports the continuing efforts of our national Democratic leaders to crack down on corporate fraud and to protect the American people from the greed of irresponsible corporate executives and corrupt accounting firms

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That the California Democratic Party calls upon the Bush Administration to release all of the details of the President's and the Vice President's dealings with Harken, Enron and Halliburton to the American people, including but not limited to the deliverance of documents and the reporting of related events both prior and since the inauguration of the President and the Vice President.

Submitted by Senator Art Torres (Ret.), Chair, California Democratic Party

OPPOSE CREATION OF NATIONAL ASSOCIATION HEALTH PLAN

WHEREAS: The creation of a national Association Health Plan (AHP) would leave many working families without access to important health care facilities and services, including emergency rooms, mental health care, dental care, substance abuse therapy, hospice care, chiropractic care, cancer screenings, and maternity care; and

WHEREAS: The creation of a national A HP would, according to the Congressional Budget
Office, result in higher premiums for 20 million Americans; and
(
WHEREAS: There are many well-publicized instances of fraud and financial insolvency associated with AHP-style plans, resulting in thousands of unpaid claims and members left uninsured

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the California Democratic Party joins the AFL-CIO, the Consumers Union, the American Nurses Association, the Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, the Service Employees International Union, the United Cerebral Palsy Association, the National Association for the Mentally Ill, the Consumer Federation of America, and many other organizations in opposing the creation of a National Association Health Plan

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That the California Democratic Party calls upon Congress to protect the right of working families to access vital health care services.

Submitted by Senator Art Torres (Ret.), CDP Chair

SUPPORT OF CALIFORNIA'S WILDERNESS HERITAGE

WHEREAS: Over the past 20 years, 675,000 acres of California's wild areas have been degraded, roughly equivalent to the size of Yosemite National Park, impacting both California's heritage and its economy, especially effecting travel and tourism, California's biggest industry , employing more than one million people; and

WHEREAS: The California Wild Heritage Wilderness Act of 2002 will protect 2.5 million acres of existing federal land by designating such areas as wilderness and giving wild and scenic status to free flowing portions of 22 rivers, protecting many animal and plant species from the threat of development and protect the drinking water of millions of Californians, and would additionally provide funding to establish a program to provide economic development grants to communities, and to promote tourism near the new wilderness areas; and,

WHEREAS: The act will protect areas which are already owned by the American people without impacting the property rights of private land owners within the wilderness or activities necessary to protect public health and safety, such as firefighting, and that uses by Native American Tribes for spiritual, cultural, or subsistence practices are permitted to continue; now, therefore,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the California Democratic Party strongly supports protection and establishment of wilderness areas consistent with the concepts of the California Wild Heritage Act of 2002 and commends California's great Senator Barbara Boxer for her continued championship of measures to protect and enhance the environment and to promote all Californians' rightful heritage.

Submitted by Steve Preminger, Chair, Santa Clara CCC & Luke Breit, Chair, Environmental Caucus

OPPOSING THE APPOINTMENT Of PRISCILLA OWEN TO THE U.S. COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT

WHEREAS: The American people have never endorsed George W. Bush's right-wing agenda and in view of the fact that his extreme right-wing lifetime appointments to the federal judiciary have the potential to deeply influence and change life in America far beyond Bush's stay in the White House; and

WHEREAS: Priscilla Owen, a right-wing activist, who is far out of the mainstream and who has used the Texas judiciary to try to Lochner or legislate her right-wing agenda, has been nominated to a lifetime appointment on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, a court to which other circuits occasionally look in areas of unsettled law, and, if approved, will be in a position to be appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court, where we will all be subjected to her extreme viewpoints, and

WHEREAS: Priscilla Owen has a history ofjudicial activism, dissents and opinions restricting women's reproductive freedom, the right of workers to sue for discrimination or for workers compensation benefits and the right of environmentalists to clean water

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the California Democratic Party strongly urges U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein to use all means necessary to oppose the nomination of Priscilla Owen to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

Submitted by Mark Hull-Richter, Natasha Hull-Richter, Alexander Hull-Richter, Demo Party of Orange County

STEELWORKER LEGACY LEGISLATION

WHEREAS: The steel industry and its workers have been a mainstay in the U.S. economy for decades; and

WHEREAS: There is a movement to reduce the protection for the retirements and medical benefit of the workers; and

WHEREAS: This is an urgency situation that may affect not only the security but also the good health and standing for over 600,000 United Steelworkers of America (USWA) retirees and their families

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the California Democratic Party strongly opposes any efforts that would deny any reduction in retirements and medical benefits for these 600,000 steelworkers and their families

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That a letter to the California U.S. Senators and the California Members of Congress urging them to fully support any legislation that would stop the diminution of the retirement and medical benefits of the retired steelworkers.

Submitted by Inola Henry and Bob "Big Red" Rankin

Ballot Propositions
Recommended Positions for November 5, 2002 General Election

On August 3, the Resolutions Committee made the following recommendations on the November 5,2002 General Election propositions (4 initiatives & 3 legislative measures):
 

• Proposition 46, (SB 1227- Burton, Senate Vote: Ayes 27, Noes 11, Assembly Vote: Ayes 54, Noes 21) Housing and Emergency Shelter Trust Fund Act. Legislative bond measure, sponsored by the California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation, Housing California, and the Western Center on Law and Poverty .The initiative would provide assistance for multifamily housing, emergency housing, farmworker housing and home ownership for low -and very low income households, and down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers. The initiative would enact the Housing and Emergency Shelter Trust Fund Act of 2002, which would authorize $2.1 billiQll in bonds.
Recommendation: Yes
 
• Proposition 47, (AB 16- Hertzberg, Senate Floor Vote: Ayes 27, Noes 11, Assembly Vote: Ayes 66, Noes 1) Education Facilities. Kindergarten-University Public Education Facilities Bond Act of 2002. Legislative bond measure, sponsored by Lieutenant Governor Cruz Bustamante, and supported by Superintendent of Public Instruction Delaine Eastin, California Teachers Association, and the California Building Industry Association. The bond act, $13.05 billion. for the November 2002 ballot (and a $12.3 billion bond, for a 2004 election) will provide aid for California public higher education facilities.
Recommendation: Yes
 
• Proposition 48, (ACA 15- Resolution Chapter 88,2002, Wayne, Senate Floor Vote: Ayes 38, Noes 0, Assembly Vote: Ayes 72, Noes 0) Court Consolidation. Legislative constitutional amendment, sponsored by the California LaW Revision Commission. By July 1, 200 1, all 58 counties had merged the superior and municipal courts. This initiative would delete obsolete references to municipal courts from the California Constitution.
Recommendation: Yes
 
• Proposition 49, After School Programs. State Grants. Initiative statute, sponsored by Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger. The initiative makes public elementary , middle and junior high schools, including charter schools, eligible for grants ranging from $50,000 to $75,000. Declares that funding for before and after school programs shall be above Proposition 98 base funding, and at least $85 million for first year increasing $550 million annually if state revenues grow.
Recommendation: Neutral
 
• Proposition 50, Water Quality, Supply and Safe Drinking Water Projects. Coastal Wetlands Purchase Projects. Coastal Wetlands Purchase and Protection Bonds.  Initiative statute, sponsored by the Planning and Conservation League. The initiative would authorize $3.4 billion in general obligation bonds to fund a variety of water projects including: specified CALFED Bay-Delta Program projects including urban and agricultural water use efficiency projects; grants and loans to reduce Colorado River water use; purchasing, protecting and restoring coastal wetlands near urban areas; competitive grants for water management and water quality improvement projects; development of river parkways; improved security for state, local and regional water systems; and grants for desalination and drinking water disinfecting projects.
Recommendation: Yes
 
• Proposition 51, Transportation. Allocation of Sales and Use Taxes Raised From Sale or Lease of Motor Vehicles. Initiative statute, sponsored by Planning and Conservation League. The initiative reallocates 30% of certain state revenues collected from motor vehicle sales or leases from the General Fund to the Traffic Congestion Relief and Safe School Bus Trust Fund. The measure allocates money to 45 specific projects and for remainder specifies distribution percentages, restricts fund uses, and provides accountability measures -about $460 million in 2002-03 and $950 million in 2003-04, increasing annually thereafter, for state and local transportation-related purposes by about $460 million in 2002-03 and $950 million in 2003-04, increasing annually thereafter.
Recommendation: Neutral

• Proposition 52, Election Day Voter Registration. Initiative statute, sponsored by Rob McKay (Taco Bell heir). The initiative would move our 15 day voter registration deadline back to 29 days, but allows for persons who are legally eligible to vote and have valid identification to register to vote at their polling place on election day. Increases criminal penalty for voter and voter registration fraud. The measure would result annually in about $6 million in state costs and no net costs to counties.
Recommendation: Yes