WEBLOG: Action Alerts
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Get Out The Vote!
November 05, 2006
Election Day is just hours away now, but that is still plenty of time to get out and talk to more voters, reminding them to go to the polls or turn in their absentee ballots on Nov. 7.
Throughout the state, the Democratic Party and the California Labor Federation are organizing volunteers to support progressive candidates and get the word out about the good, the bad and the ugly on statewide propositions.
>> Click here to find a labor office near you!
>> Click here for a list of Democratic Party field offices!
Remember, it is now too late to mail absentee ballots. If you still have one in your possession, you'll have to drop it off sometime before Tuesday to your county registrar, or to any polling place on Tuesday.
>> Click here to look up your county elections office, and to find your polling place!
Voting is your chance to have a say in who represents you and what laws govern you. Don't let this opportunity to participate in your democracy pass you by!
Posted by Dan Ancona - Comments (1)
Let's Housebreak Big Corporations
August 13, 2006
Last week, Speak Out California launched its newsletter as our way to thank you for your interest and commitment to ensuring our state pursues its progressive agenda and that we succeed in bringing our vision to the people of California. If you haven't seen it yet, it's here, and you can go straight to the action alert as well. We hope you'll sign up to receive each edition and urge your like-minded friends and colleagues to do so as well.
The battle lines in the political world have never been more clearly drawn than they are today. With the tragic success of the neoconservative, big corporate take-over in many parts of the country, we in California know that now is the time for progressives to take action and re-assert our vision of democracy, fairness and justice for the rest of the country to see and emulate. With the legislature in its last month of session, there are many key progressive bills that give us the opportunity to lead yet again, in bringing forth meaningful and powerful change for our state and nation.
In our newsletter we call it the Housebreaking of Big Corporations. We've identified half a dozen important measures that we believe will help clean up the messes big corporations have made in their pursuit of nothing other than profit---creating greenhouse gases (energy companies and manufacturers) to death and destruction (firearm manufacturers and dealers) to healthcare reform and protecting the integrity of elections themselves. (For the explanations of these six bills, check out the action alert for a brief summary of each).
MORE »
Posted by Hannah-Beth Jackson - Comments (0)
Sign the Progressive Pledge
June 01, 2006
Make a statement about the future of California by joining the hundreds of Californians who have already signed Speak Out California's Progressive Values Pledge.
After gathering thousands of signatures from around the state, we will deliver this petition to Gov. Schwarzenegger and our other elected leaders in Sacramento to demand they focus on and commit to a broad and positive vision for California by crafting and implementing solutions to the real problems we face: poverty, the economic squeeze on the middle class, a crumbling health care system and struggling public schools and universities.
This is a positive way to channel your frustration with Governor Schwarzenegger, President Bush and their right-wing agenda. Sign the Progressive Pledge now, and please forward the link to everyone you know in California who shares this vision for our state.
SIGN THE PROGRESSIVE PLEDGE NOW »
Posted by Jenifer Fernandez Ancona - Comments (10)
Temporary Setback for AB 2097
May 21, 2006
AB 2097 was put on Suspense by the Assembly Appropriations Committee. The bill will have a second hearing on Wednesday May 24th where its fate will be determined by the Chair of the committee, Assemblymember Judy Chu. Send a letter to the Appropriations Committee now!
This crucial piece of legislation will require that all technical details, including the computer source code (written by software programmers) of computerized vote tabulating systems by publicly disclosed by June 30, 2007. Read more about AB 2097.
Posted by Dan Ancona - Comments (0)
One Step Closer to Restoring Voter Confidence in California’s Voting System!
April 20, 2006
With a vote of 5-0, Open Source Software for Elections, AB 2097 by Assemblymember Jackie Goldberg passed out of the Assembly Elections and Redistricting Committee, on Tuesday April, 18. This crucial piece of legislation will require that all technical details, including computer source code (written by software programmers), of computerized vote tabulating systems be publicly disclosed by June 30, 2007.
Why the need for AB 2097? There has been very little testing of current electronic elections systems. Independent testers even with limit access have found serious flaws in the current systems. AB 2097 will allow the public more access to scrutinize elections software and machines. If passed, it will ensure California won’t find itself in legal battles over elections fraud as seen in Ohio and Florida in past elections. This vital piece of legislation will save California from lengthy and expensive legal battles if the results of an election ever challenged.
Please remember to thank these five members that supported AB 2097:
Assemblymember Betty Karnette:
Assemblymember.Karnette@assembly.ca.gov
Assembleymember Johan Klehs:
Assemblymember.Klehs@assembly.ca.gov
Assemblymember Mark Leno:
Assemblymember.Leno@assembly.ca.gov
Assemblymember Lloyd Levine:
Assemblymember.Levine@assembly.ca.gov
Assemblymember Tom Umberg:
Assemblymember.Umberg@assembly.ca.gov
In a surprising change of heart the two Republican members, Assemblymember Mark Wyland and Assemblymember Michael Villines, abstained which indicates growing for support for the measure. Please contact them and urge their support for this important voter protection legislation.
AB 2097 is an important step in securing the validity of California Elections, and allowing the public more access and input of current and continuously evolving voting systems. AB 2097 is now on its way to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. Now is the time for people to SPEAKOUT. We will provide you with an action alert as the measure gets closer to a vote in the Assembly Appropriations Committee so that you can let the members of that committee know Californians want a reliable, verifiable, trustworthy, and affordable voting system.
Stay tuned for more to come!
Posted by Guy Strahl - Comments (1)
Help fix the Gov.'s bond proposal
March 01, 2006
California's elected leaders are currently considering multi-billion-dollar bond proposals to invest in our state's infrastructure.
A growing coalition of more than 43 environmental, social justice and public-health groups, led by the Planning and Conservation League, is urging Gov. Schwarzenegger and members of the Legislature to adopt a set of principles that will guide decision-making so that the right kind of bond package is passed.
As constituents, you can help by making it clear to the Governor and your legislative leaders that you agree with this approach and urge them to sign on to the 10-Point Program that has been put forth by this environmental coalition. Send a letter to your elected leaders today!
Posted by Jenifer Fernandez Ancona - Comments (0)
It's going to be close...and you can help!
November 02, 2005
Today is Election Day! There are two main things you, as a progressive, can do to make sure none of the six destructive and right-wing initiatives on the ballot (Props 73-78) pass in California.
1) VOTE!
If you have not mailed your absentee ballot yet, you can bring it to any polling place today. To find your polling place, look up your county here.
2) HELP OUT!
The Alliance for a Better California, which is working on Props 74 through 80, has field offices throughout the state that will be hosting volunteers to help get our voters out to the polls.
Look up the one nearest you by region here:
Northern California
Southern California
Los Angeles County
The Campaign for Teen Safety, working against Prop 73, also has field offices around the state. For a list of contacts, click here!
MORE »
Posted by Jenifer Fernandez Ancona - Comments (0)
Governor: Support equal rights for all
September 08, 2005
Update, Sept. 29: Gov. Schwarzenegger has vetoed this bill, which marked the first time a state Legislature granted same-sex couples the legal right to marry. See this post on the weblog for more details.
Less than 24 hours after the California Legislature passed groundbreaking legislation giving same-sex couples the legal right to marry, Gov. Schwarzenegger has said he will veto the measure.
We must do everything we can to pursuade him against a veto that would only pander to a minority right-wing constituency, while furthering blatant discrimination in our state.
As progressives, our values of tolerance and understanding call on us to judge people on the quality of their character and not superficial names and labels. Send a letter to the Governor now, calling on him to demonstrate true leadership and strength by signing the Civil Marriage and Religious Freedom Act.
Posted by Jenifer Fernandez Ancona - Comments (0)
Three bills for a better California
September 02, 2005
Update, Sept. 29: The Governor vetoed AB 48, which would have required a $1 minimum wage increase for California workers currently making $6.75 an hour. You can read his shallow and hypocritical veto message here.
Update, Sept. 9: Thank you for all of your letters in support of three bills for a better California. The Legislature has passed AB 48, but we must keep the heat on Gov. Schwarzenegger, who has hinted that he will veto the measure. Speak Out California will continue to follow AB 172 and SB 840 in the next legislative year.
The legislative session is winding down, but it is not too late to take action now in support of three bills that together send a strong message to our legislators and the Governor about our values and priorities:
- AB 48: Minimum wage increase
- AB 172: Universal preschool
- SB 840: Health care for all
These bills go to the heart of our progressive agenda of equal access to quality education, economic fairness and the basic human right of health care coverage. All of these legislative proposals reflect some aspect of our core values, and would help in the long process of getting our state back on track.
While Speak Out California will be part of the effort to defeat Gov. Schwarzenegger's ideas at the ballot box this November, we also refuse to let his $50 million distraction deter us from advocating for what really matters: improving the lives of working families in this state.
Posted by Jenifer Fernandez Ancona - Comments (0)
Stop the foxes from guarding the henhouse
August 30, 2005
UPDATE, Sept. 1: Cindy Tuck, the oil and chemical industry lobbyist that Gov. Schwarzenegger tried to put in charge of the state's clean air program was soundly rejected by the Senate, a victory for environmental advocates and all state residents who care about the quality of the air we breathe.
Speak Out California played a role in that victory by sending more than 3,000 petition letters to decision-makers on the Senate Rules Committee and 37 Senators from throughout California. Sen. Debra Bowen's office said the grass-roots activism made a difference in the outcome. We thank all of you for taking the time to be a part of this important fight, and for continuing to be active members of the California progressive community.
The Senate Rules Committee is set to vote Wednesday on whether to confirm Cindy Tuck, Gov. Schwarzenegger's choice for California Air Resources Board chair. Tuck is a longtime oil and chemical industry lobbyist who has spent her entire career fighting against the kinds of air quality protections that it would be her new responsibilty to oversee.
Take action now and tell the members of the Senate Rules Committee that when it comes to top environmental positions, Californians demand leaders whose interests are in protecting public health, not corporate wealth.
Posted by Jenifer Fernandez Ancona - Comments (0)
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