LA05.06

GOVERNOR CAVING INTO SPECIAL INTERESTS

WHEREAS: Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger:

Promised in the November 2003 recall election to oppose special interests and not take special interest money;
Has not only broken his campaign pledge not to accept special interest money, but has, in fact, taken more than $14 million in special interest contributions including real estate developers, insurance companies, medical and financial institutions;
Has appointed special interest industry representatives to regulatory and top advisory positions (including a timber industry executive as Environmental Protection Agency undersecretary, an HMO executive as Chief of Staff, and former representative of big agricultural interests to oversee agricultural safety and environmental standards as Food and Agriculture Secretary), putting public safety at risk;

· In a plan inspired by House Republican Tom Delay, has proposed bypassing our lawfully elected legislators in order to place an initiative on the ballot to gerrymander California by redrawing districts prior to the 2010 census in order to minimize Democratic representation in congress and in the state legislature;

Appointed a Republican Secretary of State to oversee California elections, ignoring the will of the people, who had elected a Democrat;
Has failed to live up to his promises to balance California’s budget or to attract new businesses to the state to generate revenues;
Has received an “F” from the League of Conservation Voters for failing to protect our environment;
Has sought to roll back safety rules that assure adequate nursing staffing in hospitals and has vetoed bills to stop hospital closures and expand health care coverage, jeopardizing patients’ safety;
Has proposed a budget that threatens devastating cuts to education and health care, and that harms working families while protecting millionaires and special interests;
Has broken his promise to adequately fund public schools, has proposed fee increases and deep cuts for our state colleges and universities; and has reneged on promises to protect teachers' pensions;
Has vetoed an increase in the minimum wage and a bill to help Californians acquire affordable
prescription drugs from Canada;
Has imposed secrecy in government by locking citizens out of the Performance Review Task Force, while powerful special interests were given seats at the table; and

WHEREAS: The Governor has proven that he cannot be trusted to protect California’s citizens and environment over the demands of corporate special interests

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the California Democratic Party deplores Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s caving in to special interests and calls upon all Californians to reject his special interest policies.

Submitted by: 45^th and 77^th Assembly District Committees

* * *

Adopted by the California Democratic Party

At Its Executive Board Meeting

Radisson Hotel, Sacramento

July 31, 2005

LA05.13 b

OPPOSITION TO THE REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR'S ATTACKS ON PENSION FUNDS

WHEREAS: The governor has proposed a cut in the state's budget that will increase what state workers and public school teachers pay into their pension funds and eliminate the state's obligation to contribute to public pension funds; and

WHEREAS: The Republican governor has proposed to require local school districts to pay more into the pension fund, and to use local Prop. 98 funds to cover the state's failure to support their employees and thereby reduce the available funds for classrooms, instructional materials and other vital school programs; and

WHEREAS: This proposal by the Republican governor goes against the long standing support of the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) and the California State Teachers Retirement System (CalSTRS) that has served poorly paid state workers and underpaid public school teachers for years, with some of the new proposals designed to turn the system into private accounts similar to the President's risky plan to privatize social security

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the California Democratic Party opposes changing the Public Pension fund systems of CalPERS and CalSTRS as proposed by the Republican governor that shifts the financial burden to public schools and thus harming local educational programs for California's students and families

THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That the attack on state workers and public school teachers is part of the Republicans' plan to dismantle programs for middle class and working families while increasing profit margins for big business and wealthy Americans and Republican special interest groups.

Submitted by: 45th Assembly District Committee;

Sacramento County Central Committee

* * *

Adopted by the California Democratic Party

At Its Executive Board Meeting

Radisson Hotel, Sacramento

July 31, 2005

LA05.14

AMEND VOTING AGE IN CALIFORNIA TO 17 YEARS

WHEREAS: The current California voting age is 18 and state law requires first graders be 6 by the December 2 cut-off date, and this does not allow the many young people to vote who are 17 and who serve our country in the military and have recently graduated from high school completing civics and government classes that give them more than enough information to make mature decisions in elections; and

WHEREAS: As a result of that action, many young people are not inclined to ever register to vote because they may have lost interest in the process; and

WHEREAS: In 13 other states (Arizona, Maryland, Virginia, etc.) that have lowered the voting age to 17, the youth voter turnout has greatly increased

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the California Democratic Party declares that it supports lowering the voting age to 17

THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That the California Democratic Party urges the California Assembly and Senate to immediately amend the Constitution to lower the voting age to 17 in California, and to encourage full youth participation in conventions, caucuses, committees and other meetings and events in our Party.

Submitted by: Natasha and Alexandar Hull-Richter

68th Assembly District Committee; West Orange County Demo Club

* * *

Adopted by the California Democratic Party

At Its Executive Board Meeting

Radisson Hotel, Sacramento

July 31, 2005

LA05.17

REPUBLICAN “BIRTH TAXES”

WHEREAS: Republican administrations in Sacramento and Washington DC have once again produced the largest state and national deficits in history; and

WHEREAS: Any American family knows that a runaway credit card debt ultimately ends up in higher costs due to interest rates and the long term disastrous impact of deficit spending, ultimately requiring repayment at higher costs; and

WHEREAS: The Republican deficit spending is akin to a “back door tax” requiring both Americans today and future generations to pay the bill, thus making this a “birth tax,” rather than providing leadership and responsible budget planning that resulted balanced budgets as produced by the Clinton administration

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the California Democratic Party exposes Republican lawmakers’ run-away deficit policies, including the blank check given to the president for his war in Iraq by educating the public on the impact of these irresponsible policies on health care; social security; public education; national security; veterans’ benefits and the environment

THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That all Democrats reach out to working families across the state and nation to build an understanding of the impact of deficit spending and the need to build budgets based on programs for people that are based on economic development and a tax base that addresses the nation’s needs.

Submitted by: the Northeast Democratic Club

* * *

Adopted by the California Democratic Party

At Its Executive Board Meeting

Radisson Hotel, Sacramento

July 31, 2005

LA05.18

IMPROVE PUBLIC EDUCATION FOR ALL CALIFORNIANS

WHEREAS: Governor Schwarzenegger proposes to cut spending on public education by $2.2 billion in the coming budget year at the expense of California’s six million school children and other students; and

WHEREAS: He has refused to honor his solemn promise given last year to protect schools from such cuts and to pay back $2 billion dollars in school reductions in 2004 to help balance the current year budget; and

WHEREAS: Millions of California voters approved Proposition 98 to protect our schools from budget fluctuations, yet he now proposes to suspend Proposition 98 and resolve the state's latest fiscal troubles on the backs of teachers, community college students, parents and schoolchildren

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the California Democratic Party urges the Governor, Board of Education and state legislators to take every step possible to meet the requirements of Proposition 98 and develop a solution to the budget crisis that protects funding for California schools, increases revenues and does not eliminate teaching jobs, reduce classroom teacher salaries or eliminate school books.

Submitted by: the San Mateo County Central Committee

* * *

Adopted by the California Democratic Party

At Its Executive Board Meeting

Radisson Hotel, Sacramento

July 31, 2005

LA05.20 b

ACCURATE, HONEST, AND VERIFIABLE ELECTIONS

WHEREAS:

1. The right to vote is fundamental to our democracy;

2. The Democratic Party has a long history of fighting for everyone to have an opportunity to vote;

3. Accurate, honest, and verifiable elections are the only way that all franchised citizens can be sure that their vote has been counted

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That a top priority of all elected officials should be to insure our right to vote and have that vote counted by insuring that all machines used to collect and count votes shall have a verifiable paper trail. Also, that all franchised voters have an equal opportunity to vote by insuring that adequate voting places will be available to everyone.

Submitted by: 74^th Assembly District Committee;

Rio Vista Democratic Club; Northern Solano Democratic

* * *

Adopted by the California Democratic Party

At Its Executive Board Meeting

Radisson Hotel, Sacramento

July 31, 2005

LA05.21

URGING THE STATE DEMOCRATIC PARTY, STATE, COUNTY AND LOCAL OFFICIALS TO WORK TO DRAFT A BETTER BUDGET

WHEREAS: We find it morally reprehensible in the wealthiest state in the wealthiest nation in the world to bridge the state budget deficit on the backs of the working poor, children, seniors and the disabled; and the governor’s proposed budget cuts 2.8 billion from the state’s K-12 education funding while California has already fallen to 48th in per pupil spending nationwide; $650 million from the CalWORKS program; $136 million in property tax assistance for senior citizens; eliminates $259 million in COLAs from the SSI/SSP programs; reduces IHSS provider payments to the state minimum wage; and increases student fees at both CSUs and UCs; and

WHEREAS: The budget continues to cut transportation funding, taking an additional $1.3 billion from Prop. 42 money on top of the previous $2.1 billion already borrowed, and transfers an additional $216 million in sales tax from the Public Transportation Account to the general fund at a time when the condition of state highways and public transportation pose a risk to public safety, and greatly reduces the quality of life for most Californians

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the California Democratic Party and all public officials work to draft a budget that better serves the social and economic well-being of the state and better reflects the values and principals of the people of California.

Submitted by: Marin Demo Club; Sonoma County Central Committee

* * *

Adopted by the California Democratic Party

At Its Executive Board Meeting

Radisson Hotel, Sacramento

July 31, 2005

LA05.22

SAVE OUR PUBLIC LIBRARIES

WHEREAS: The City of Salinas will have to close all of its public libraries, making it the largest city in the nation being forced to do so; and

WHEREAS: Libraries are the cornerstone of an informed citizenry and as such a vital component of a democracy; and

WHEREAS: The increased transfer of property tax revenues from cities, counties, and local districts to State funds has eroded local governments ability to fund their public libraries

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the California Democratic Party works towards a State budget that reverses the property tax shift to allow cities, counties, and special districts to restore funding to vital services, including their libraries

THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That this resolution be transmitted to all members of the California Legislature and the Governor.

Submitted by: 27^th Assembly District Committee; 28^th Assembly District Committee; Monterey County Central Committee; Salinas Valley Democratic Club

* * *

Adopted by the California Democratic Party

At Its Executive Board Meeting

Radisson Hotel, Sacramento

July 31, 2005

LA05.24

QUALITY PRESCHOOL

WHEREAS: By partnering with parents, quality preschool programs prepare children to do their best by nurturing their social, cognitive, linguistic and physical development; enhancing their self confidence; and paving the way for a lifetime of learning; and during their K-12 years and beyond, children who attend preschool perform better on achievement tests in reading and math; exhibit more positive behaviors in the classroom; are more likely to graduate from high school, continue their education and be more prosperous as adults; and

WHEREAS: Ensuring access to preschool for all 4-year-olds whose parents choose to send them has proven to be one of the soundest educational and financial investments the public can make, providing demonstrated, significant, long-term savings on the costs of special education, grade retention, welfare and crime; and

WHEREAS: Preschool programs should be funded adequately in order to assure

adherence to established standards of quality, and to attract and keep professionals; be inclusive of children with special needs; be offered in culturally, ethnically and linguistically appropriate settings; be clearly articulated with the K-12 system and programs serving younger children; and be linked to full-day, affordable early care and education programs to meet the needs of working families

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the California State Democratic Party urges the State of California to invest in voluntary, quality preschool for all 4-year-olds

THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That the California State Democratic Party will work with a broad spectrum of community members and state policy-makers to increase voluntary access to quality preschool for all 4-year-olds through both public and private providers in a variety of settings, including schools, child care centers, Head Start programs and family child care homes.

Submitted by: 14th AD Steering Committee; 16^th Assembly District Committee;

City of Alameda Democratic Club

* * *

Adopted by the California Democratic Party

At Its Executive Board Meeting

Radisson Hotel, Sacramento

July 31, 2005

LA05.25

SUPPORT FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN

WHEREAS: In the mid-1980's, then-Speaker of the Assembly Willie Brown assured passage of legislation calling for state and local interagency agreements between county mental health and local school districts in an effort to coordinate services for school age students with serious mental illness and emotional disturbances that impact the education for these students and their families; and

WHEREAS: The result of this legislation has allowed thousands of students with emotional disturbances and their families to receive outpatient mental health counseling; day treatment services coordinating therapy with the educational program and residential treatment programs for our most involved students, with funding for the therapies paid for with state and county mental health funds with schools remaining responsible for the cost of the educational programs; and

WHEREAS: The Governor is in support of defunding the mental health program, repealing the interagency collaboration mandate in law and dumping the full responsibility on local school districts including the cost of and responsibility for the psychotherapy, medication management, residential treatment contracts and services and all other aspects currently funded and provided by county mental health systems, the experts in this area

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the California Democratic Party goes on record in opposition to the proposed changes to the current mental health system and interagency agreements with local school district that take local Proposition 98 dollars to implement a mental health system within the schools without regard for the students and families that depend on these services and the crisis that will occur if the contracts and money stop

THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That we call upon the legislature to forward fund the current system in support of the students and families who depend on these services; and maintain the mental health professionals within the mental health system as the lead agency for contracting and oversight of these services.

Submitted by: 45th Assembly District Committee

* * *

Adopted by the California Democratic Party

At Its Executive Board Meeting

Radisson Hotel, Sacramento

July 31, 2005

LA05.27

GREEN TEAM

WHEREAS: Over the last century concrete evidence has been recorded of global warming, with the current scientific consensus being that most of the warming observed over the last 50 years is attributable to human activities; and

WHEREAS: The nations of the world in concert in December 1997 drafted the Kyoto Protocol to deal with the largest sources of pollution among developed nations, with the United States being the largest contributor by far to that pollution; and

WHEREAS: The United States has refused to ratify the Kyoto Protocol which went into effect in February 2005, even though 141 other nations have done so

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the members of the California Democratic Party and as concerned citizens of the planet, strongly recommend that all communities, cities, counties and the state adopt the intent of the accords.

Submitted by:

WHEREAS: We strive toward a more perfect union where we clearly communicate our democratic will through free, fair, transparent, secure, accurate and accountable elections; and

WHEREAS: Substantive debate and doubt continue to call into question the integrity and accountability of Voting Systems and Procedures in California and other of our United States; and

WHEREAS: We believe that quality of Voting Systems and Procedures should rise above reasonable doubt, and California voters should lead the world with confidence in their Voting Systems and Procedures

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the California Democratic Party does hereby call for creation of a Voter Bill of Rights, which calls upon maximizing accuracy of vote countings, including the use of accessible voter verified paper ballots, defined as the ballot of record; requiring the use of open source software; increasing voter participation; transparent, independent, non-partisan oversight; notification of voters’ options to request a paper ballot; maximized voter access and enfranchisement; procedures to count every vote; and Election Day as a National Holiday

THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That a copy of this Resolution be provided to members of the California Democratic Congressional Delegation and Democratic Caucus of the California Legislature.

Submitted by: 6^th Assembly District Committee; 14^th Assembly District Committee.; 14^th Assembly District Steering Cmte.; 16^th Assembly District Committee.; Humboldt County Central Committee; City of Alameda Democratic Club; Asian-Pacific Caucus of the Democratic Party of Alameda County; John George Democratic Club; Dean Democratic Club of Silicon Valley; Rio Vista Democratic Club; Wellstone Democratic Renewal Club

WHEREAS: The number of uninsured Californians has grown even during times of strong economic growth, and the burden of rising health care costs falls disproportionately on working families -- a trend bound to continue without systemic changes in health care funding; and

WHEREAS: California's present health care system creates insecurity for everyone, even Californians with health insurance, who suffer unpredictable coverage, cancellations, little choice of providers, decreased benefits and increased premiums, co-pays, and deductibles; and

WHEREAS: A universal, single-payer health insurance system, with consolidated financing and with an accountable public structure, has been predicted in numerous American studies and demonstrated in other countries to result in greater efficiency, lower costs to businesses, individuals, and government

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the California State Democratic Party supports universal access to health care through a single-payer health insurance system

THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That a copy of this Resolution be provided to members of the Democratic Caucus of the California Legislature.

Submitted by: Assembly District Committees – 5^th, 6^th, 14^th, 27^th, 28^th, 33^rd, 35^th, 53^rd, 54^th, 55^th; Asian-Pacific Caucus of the Democratic Party of Alameda County; City of Alameda Democratic Club; County Central Committees – Los Angeles, Monterey, San Benito, San Francisco, San Luis Obispo, Santa Cruz, Sonoma; Wellstone Democratic Renewal Club

DEMANDING THAT PRESIDENT BUSH FILE A BUDGET CONTAINING THE COSTS OF THE IRAQ WAR AND THE PROJECTED COSTS TO REVAMP SOCIAL SECURITY

WHEREAS: The United States is amassing record deficits requiring concerted bipartisan efforts to balance the budget and return our great country to the path of fiscal responsibility; and

WHEREAS: The Democratic Party stands for fiscal responsibility, socially responsible values, and prudent and honest budgeting practices that require a complete and realistic estimate of all expenses; and

WHEREAS: President George Bush’s $2.5 trillion budget fails to include the costs of the Iraq war or the President’s estimated costs to revamp social security

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the California Democratic Party calls on President Bush to submit an amended budget that sets forth the complete, forthright, and realistic estimate of all expenses for the government, including the expenses to carry on the Iraq war and the projected costs of President Bush’s proposals to revamp Social Security.

Submitted by: 14^th Assembly District Committee; 70th Assembly District Committee; Madera County Central Committee

1. A national railroad system is energy efficient and environmentally friendly and is an important means of transportation for the nation and as such, the subsidy of Amtrak should be continued;

2. A national railroad system is an important part of homeland security by providing alternative means of moving people and goods and would attract travelers as an alternative to cross-country plane travel;

3. A high-speed rail system would eliminate much of the cross-country truck traffic on our highways which causes a large amount of the wear and tear on the roads and would be much safer than cross-country truck traffic which represents an out-of-proportion number of traffic fatalities

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the California Democratic Party recommends that Congress continue the federal subsidy of Amtrak

THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That a high-speed rail system should be built in the United States going east and west, and north and south with hubs for local truck pick up and connections with local trains.

1. The technology exists to produce vehicles with increased fuel efficiency which will reduce our dependence on foreign oil;

2. Increased fuel efficiency will eliminate the need to destroy places of beauty and habitats for other creatures and will lead to better air quality and less environmental pollution

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the fuel efficiency requirements for all vehicles shall be increased; this will include minimum standards for trucks, buses, and passenger vehicles.

1. The United States military is using bunker busting and armor piercing weapons that are using depleted uranium;

2. Depleted uranium is widely spread, remains in the soil, and does serious harm to the health of all living creatures;

3. Persistent exposure to depleted uranium in the environment, especially by our troops in the field, can cause disease, mutation, and death

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: The United States government will stop using depleted uranium in weapons and will clean up the contamination that remains in the countries where these weapons have been used.

WHEREAS: Over 1.2 million very low-income individuals (over three percent of the State’s population) in California rely on CalWORKs to pay for all or part of their family income; and

WHEREAS: Two-thirds of these individuals are children whose parent or parents must work in order for them to receive this payment, but still grow up in a family whose typical total family incomes is less than $15,600 per year for a single parent caring for two children; and

WHEREAS: The Republican Governor of California has proposed both reducing the CalWORKs grant levels and permanently eliminating inflation adjustments, which could reduce the grant by as much as 11 percent on July 1, 2005 and then permanently freezing the grant at that level

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the California Democratic Party opposes reducing grants for CalWORKs families

THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That the California Democratic Party opposes permanently suspending cost-of-living inflation adjustments for CalWORKs grants.

LAL05.03

SUPPORT THE APPOINTMENT OF A SPECIAL PROSECUTOR
TO INVESTIGATE ELECTION FRAUD

WHEREAS: There have been numerous complaints of election fraud in the past general election; and

WHEREAS: The best way to determine the questions that have arisen as a result of this past general election is to conduct a nationwide, thorough, and non-partisan investigation; and

WHEREAS: The new computer-based election machines with their new technologies must be secure from unauthorized penetration, there is a need to learn from each act of penetration, or attempted penetration of these machines, so that we can make them secure from future attempts to change the vote count

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: The California Democratic Party takes a stand with the National Democratic Party to demand that the appropriate legislation be passed authorizing the appointment of a Special Prosecutor to investigate and prosecute any acts of wrongdoing found to have occurred during the 2004 presidential election.

WHEREAS: Biomonitoring ("biological monitoring") is the actual measurement of chemicals in the human body, and existing studies, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Reports on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals, have scientifically demonstrated widespread and ongoing human exposure at the national level to many toxic chemicals in the environment; and

WHEREAS: Biomonitoring data helps determine trends in chemical exposure, identify populations with high exposures, and inform decision-making for legislative and regulatory solutions to chemicals management; and

WHEREAS: Californians are exposed daily to multiple chemicals in consumer goods, cleaning products, cosmetics, personal care products, pesticides, and fuels, many of which are persistent in the environment, build up in human tissue, have known toxic effects on people, and may be linked to chronic health outcomes affecting thousands of Californians

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the California Democratic Party supports the need for comprehensive information about environmental chemical exposure to Californians as a high priority for the promotion of public health

THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That the California Democratic Party supports the establishment of a community-based biomonitoring program in California that will produce California-specific data measuring the levels of chemicals of concern in members of California's diverse communities and populations, and urges all Democratic officials to so support.

WHEREAS: Transgender people are continually denied coverage by insurance companies and experience discrimination by insurance companies and health care service plans despite the existence of anti-discrimination laws; this unlawful discrimination has forced people who otherwise would purchase private insurance to use county health clinics at taxpayers’ expense; and

WHEREAS: Transgender people are denied coverage for medically necessary procedures under contracts they are able to secure, like gynecological exams or prostrate exams, simply because they are transgender, these patients are forced either to defer care or to pay “out of pocket” for care that already should be covered by their monthly premiums; this discrimination leads to many severe, negative consequences; and

WHEREAS: Transgender people need but are unable to get culturally sensitive and culturally appropriate treatment from health care providers

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the California Democratic Party supports efforts to prohibit such denials of coverage when they are based solely on a person’s transgender status

THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That the California Democratic Party supports ensuring that insurance companies and health care service plans understand their legal obligation to refrain from discriminating against transgender people in the creation and maintenance of contracts and the provision of services and benefits, and goes on record against discrimination by insurance companies and health care service plans based on gender identity.

WHEREAS: Gallo Wine has refused to re-negotiate a fair agreement with the United Farm Workers, AFL-CIO at its Gallo of Sonoma Vineyards since November 2003, over 17 months; and

WHEREAS: Gallo was found guilty in December 2003 by an Administrative Law Judge of illegally trying to decertify the UFW and their ruling was upheld by the California Agricultural Labor Relations board on November 5, 2004; and

WHEREAS: The California Democratic Party, joining hundreds of organizations and over 30,000 people who contacted Gallo, was rejected in their request that the farm workers be treated with respect and dignity

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the California Democratic Party will contact Joseph Gallo, President of Gallo Wine and demand that he settle the dispute with the UFW

THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That the California Democratic Party will publicly condemn Gallo and support the UFW’s campaign to win a fair contract for the vineyard workers at Gallo of Sonoma.

WHEREAS: Electric service and telecommunications service regulated in the public interest, including protections for consumers as well as support for capital investment, have formed essential parts of the infrastructure of the California economy, permitting California’s robust economic development and job growth; and

WHEREAS: Deregulation of electric service led to an economic and fiscal disaster for California and for the energy industry, including degradation of service and blackouts, high rates and consumer rip-offs, job losses, economic destabilization, industry financial destabilization and consolidation through deceptive financial and accounting practices such as those exhibited by Enron; and

WHEREAS: The deregulation of telecommunications service, including cellular telephone service, can lead to a similar array of problems, including degradation of service quality; consumer rip-offs from misleading and fraudulent practices; job losses as work is eliminated, consolidated in other states, or outsourced to other countries; accounting fraud such as exhibited by Global Crossing, Worldcom and Adelphia; while weakening the ability of elected policy-makers to ensure the advancement of communications services, including wireless and broadband

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the California Democratic Party opposes any further deregulation of electric service and telecommunications service in California

THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That the California Democratic Party communicates this position to the California Public Utilities Commission, State Senate President pro Tempore Don Perata and Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez.

WHEREAS: Governor Schwarzenegger’s “California Performance Review Commission” has proposed raising over $300 million annually from a new tax on motor vehicle mileage (miles driven); and

WHEREAS: Under the Governor’s proposed mileage tax, owners of fuel-efficient vehicles would be penalized for choosing transportation options that reduce our nation’s dependence on foreign sources of energy; and

WHEREAS: The Governor’s proposed mileage tax would be monitored by installing tracking devices such as a Global Position System on every vehicle, providing a further governmental assault on citizens’ privacy

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the California Democratic Party strongly opposes consideration of such a regressive mileage tax to finance our transportation infrastructure

THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That the California Democratic Party condemns Governor Schwarzenegger for hypocrisy by eliminating the car tax (vehicle license fee) and thereby favoring gas-guzzling vehicles, only to now propose a mileage tax that penalizes Californians who choose vehicles with lower fuel consumption.

WHEREAS: Our increasingly global economy depends upon fossil fuels, which are known to be finite resources with all-time world peak oil production estimated to have already occurred, resulting in an unsustainable situation that is well documented; and

WHEREAS: Local communities, such as Willits in Mendocino County, California, have begun to plan for a post-petroleum (a.k.a. "post-carbon") economy, so as to be prepared for the drastic changes that the coming decline of oil supplies will bring about, with the goal of greater self sufficiency by providing for local needs with small-scale decentralized cooperative methods, including increased use of renewable energy, local food production, the avoidance of unnecessary transportation and reduced consumption of resources; and

WHEREAS: Rewarding such efforts would help to implement California's energy policy of 20 percent renewables by the year 2010 and other policies to the benefit of many, while furthering the overall goal of reducing dependence upon fossil fuels because of accelerated global warming and climate change now occurring, national security issues, environmental issues, health impacts and other reasons

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the California Democratic Party encourages Democratic elected representatives and policy-makers to assist and support local communities engaged in efforts to plan for sustainability and post-petroleum self reliance through policies, legislation, incentives, rewards and all available means.

LA05.06

LA05.22

LAL05.03

SUPPORT THE APPOINTMENT OF A SPECIAL PROSECUTOR TO INVESTIGATE ELECTION FRAUD

SUPPORT THE APPOINTMENT OF A SPECIAL PROSECUTOR
TO INVESTIGATE ELECTION FRAUD