Category Archives: Endorsements

California Politics, Endorsements, June 5 primary election, Progressive Candidates

Vallejo Times-Herald: Benicia Progressive Democrats pick endorsements

Repost from the Vallejo Times-Herald
[PDB editor:  A similar article ran in the print edition of the Benicia Herald on May 17, 2018, but has not appeared online.  For more details and background information, see our Endorsements page.]

Candidates, measures for June 5 election

Times-Herald staff report, online 05/15/18, print 05/26/18

BENICIA >> The Progressive Democrats of Benicia have announced their endorsements for the June 5 primary. The organization presented its research on each issue and candidate to the steering committee and then the committee took a final vote on who or what to endorse.

P.D.B. supports the following candidates: U.S. Senate, Kevin de Leon; U.S. Congress District 5, Mike Thompson; Governor, Delaine Eastin; Lieutenant Governor, Eleni Kounalakis; State Assembly District 14, Tim Grayson; Attorney General, Dave Jones; Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tony Thurmond; State Controller, Betty Yee; Insurance Commissioner, Ricardo Lara; Secretary of State, Alex Padilla; State Treasurer, Fiona Ma; and Solano County Superior Court Judge, Steve Gizzi.

As for measures and propositions, here is where they stand:

Proposition 68 — Support

Parks, Environment, and Water Bond: Authorizes bonds for funding parks, natural resource protection, climate adaptation, water quality and supply, and flood protection.

“The committee finds this to be in alignment with the organization’s policies regarding the environment.”

Proposition 69 — Support

Transportation Taxes and Fees Lockbox and Appropriations Limit Exemption Amendment: Requires that certain revenues generated by a 2017 transportation funding law be used only for transportation purposes and generally prohibits legislature from diverting funds to other purposes.

“This measure protects any diversion of transportation revenues for other purposes. There’s an estimated $16.1 million per year for local street and road maintenance, and $6 million per year for the state.”

Proposition 70 — Oppose

Vote Requirement to Use Cap-And-Trade Revenue Amendment: Requires a legislative supermajority vote to approve the use of the cap-and-trade reserve fund. It is a legislative constitutional amendment.

“This proposition … would seriously jeopardize future progress on pollution reduction and climate change mitigation.”

Proposition 71 — Support

Effective Date of Ballot Measures Amendment: Sets up an effective date for ballot measures. Legislative constitutional amendment. Provides that a ballot measure approved by a majority of voters shall take effect five days after the Secretary of State certifies the results of the election.

Proposition 72 — Support

Rainwater Capture Systems Excluded from Property Tax Assessments Amendment: Rainwater capture systems would not be counted as new construction after Jan. 1, 2019.

“The potential for this proposition to encourage rainwater capture systems to reduce potable water consumption can ease some of the severe water consumption issues cities face.”

Regional Measure 3 — Oppose

Bay Area Traffic Relief Plan: Building major roadway and public transit improvements via an increase in bridge tolls on all Bay Area toll bridges except the Golden Gate. “Residents of Solano County would shoulder the burden of paying this toll without any future relief of a public transit solution. More benefits will go to larger urban areas, and not equal benefits to Solano County.”

Learn more about the Progressive Democrats of Benicia and their stands at progressivedemocratsofbenicia.com

Benicia CA, Endorsements, Natural resources, Parks, Proposition 68, Water

Yes on Prop 68 – clean water / safe parks – YOU are needed!

Vote YES on Proposition 68  – phone banking opportunity

By Ralph Dennis

During its April 10 meeting, Progressive Democrats of Benicia voted to endorse Proposition 68. We are posting the following information in support of Proposition 68 and to provide members with information to share with neighbors, friends, and fellow Benicians and Solano County residents.

We also want to invite you to attend a phone bank which will take place on May 22.  Help get out the vote in support of Proposition 68!  More info below…

Phone Bank for Prop 68! – Tuesday, May 22, 6-8pm 

What: Phone banking for Proposition 68 – The California Clean Water and Safe Parks Act
Where: Private residence in Benicia – for more information and to sign up, email Amy at [email protected]
When: Tuesday, May 22nd from 6-8pm. Snacks and refreshments provided.
More on Facebook: facebook.com/events/2536953163197388/

More information…
by Amy Hartman, Greenbelt Alliance, May 2, 2018

Greenbelt Alliance has endorsed Proposition 68—the California Clean Water and Safe Parks Act.

Prop. 68 is a general obligation bond that invests $4.1 billion in the coming years to address some of California’s most important water, park, and natural resource needs.

The state legislature passed the California Clean Water & Parks Act (SB5) that authorized this vote last year.  Now, every Californian voter will have the opportunity to support Prop. 68 on Election Day: June 5, 2018.  Here at Greenbelt Alliance, we urge you to VOTE YES on Prop. 68.

How Does Proposition 68 Help Solano County?
  • Each of the seven cities in Solano County—Vallejo, Benicia, Fairfield, Rio Vista, Suisun City, Dixon, and Vacaville—receives $200,000 to invest in water, park, and natural resource needs.
  • In Solano County Prop. 68 provides at least $400,000 for parks projects—guaranteed.
  • Solano County and each of the seven cities are eligible for over $1 billion in competitive grants for projects and organizations such as: urban greening and restoration projects, the Solano Land Trust, the Pacific Flyway Center, other nature centers in Solano County, a Solano County Regional Park and Open Space District, and safe parks for underserved communities.
  • Prop 68 will fuel economic development by creating an estimated 50,000 new labor jobs statewide for infrastructure projects.
Bob Berman, Benicia Resident and Supporter of Prop. 68:

“Of the $4.1 billion total, the bond provides $1.3 billion for parks and recreation projects, most of which would be used to build or improve local parks.  Among the many provisions of Proposition 68 each Solano County city will receive a minimum of $200,000, and Solano County is guaranteed at least $400,000 for parks projects. This money can be used for deferred maintenance and/or new parks and water projects.  Proposition 68 also designates $218 million to repair and improve State parks desperate for money to pay for deferred maintenance.”  – Bob Berman, Benicia

How to Get Involved in the Prop. 68 Campaign?

In the days leading up to Election Day – June 5, 2018 – there are several ways that you can support the campaign.

  • Attend or host a phone bank or postcard writing get-together. Email Amy Hartman at [email protected] for more information.
  • Collect endorsements from your local environmental or conservation group, a neighborhood or community group, your local elected officials, local labor unions, or any other group or community leader that supports investing in safe parks, clean water and funding for projects to address climate change in the Bay Region. Get the endorsement form here
  • Tell your friends, neighbors, and colleagues about Prop. 68 and encourage them to vote Yes on 68 on June 5th.
  • Write a letter to your local newspaper encouraging fellow residents to vote YES on 68. Email Amy for assistance.
  • Put up a Yes on 68 Yard Sign – email Amy for a yard sign.
  • Share the following links with your friends.
Endorsing Organizations and Individuals in Solano County:
  • Benicia Mayor Elizabeth Patterson
  • City of Benicia
  • Greenbelt Alliance
  • Mare Island Shoreline Heritage Preserve
  • Progressive Democrats of Benicia
  • Northern Solano Democratic Club
  • Solano County Sierra Club
  • Solano County Orderly Growth Committee
  • Vallejo Commission on the Future
California Politics, Endorsements

Club Issues First Round of Endorsements for June Primary

During the April 10 general meeting, the Club Endorsement Committee presented their recommendations on the various Statewide Propositions and Regional Measure 3. During the meeting, members were given an opportunity to vote whether or not to affirm the Committee’s recommendations.   The following table summarizes the results of the vote and the final decision of the Club regarding the various ballot measures. A vote of 50% + 1 of members present and voting was necessary to achieve the Club’s endorsement.

Committee Recommendation Members Affirming Members Opposing Final Club Endorsement
Proposition 68: Yes

     26

 0 Yes
Proposition 69: Yes

     24

 0

Yes
Proposition 70: No

     25

 1

No
Proposition 71: Yes

     24

 0

Yes
Proposition 72: Yes

     26

 0

Yes
Reg. Measure 3: No      24 2

No

The vote on Propositions 69 and 71 included two abstention votes for each proposition.

The results mean that the Progressive Democrats of Benicia officially endorses a YES vote on Propositions 68, 69, 71, and 72, and endorses a NO vote on Proposition 70 and Regional Measure 3.  

2018 Statewide Ballot Measures (CA Secretary of State)

Regional Measure 3 (Metropolitan Transportation Commission)

The April 10th vote was the first of two steps in the Club’s 2018 June Primary endorsement process.  For Step 2,  the Endorsement Committee is currently researching candidates for local and state offices.  Any recommendations for endorsement made by the Endorsement Committee will be presented to members for approval during the May 8th general meeting. Committee recommendations will be sent to members for review prior to the May meeting.

Thanks to all the members who participated in the vote. We look forward to further Club discussions on the endorsement of candidates for the upcoming June  Primary.

Club members are encouraged to share their views  about endorsements, races, and candidates with the endorsement committee, executive committee members or through the web site Contact Us link.