PUC to Vote On Utility Shut-Off Protections Thursday
SAN FRANCISCO – The California Public Utilities Commission is scheduled to vote Thursday on a proposed decision that would give critical protections for Californians facing shut-off of their electricity and gas service. Last winter, The Greenlining Institute joined with a coalition of consumer advocates to push for such protections as Californians – battered by a weak economy and soaring unemployment – struggled to pay their utility bills and shut-offs spiked during the coldest, rainiest part of the year. The PUC held an emergency hearing on the crisis Dec. 16. -more-
ACTRESS TERRI J. VAUGHN'S TAKE WINGS FOUNDATION HOSTS STAR-STUDDED GALA TO BENEFIT AT-RISK TEEN GIRLS
Terri J. Vaughn
San Francisco, CA (BlackNews.com) -- Known as much for her community service as for her superbly entertaining acting, Terri J. Vaughn is founder of TAKE WINGS FOUNDATION, a non-profit organization that addresses social and life skills needs of at-risk teen girls. On Saturday, August 21, 2010, TAKE WINGS will host its seventh annual benefit black-tie affair with festivities commencing at 6:00 pm at San Francisco Marriott, 55 Fourth Street. Tickets ($150 per person) may be purchased online at www.TakeWings.org. Of course sponsors are invited and welcome. -more-
Marijuana's 'Debt Code Effect' Challenges the Real Foundation of the Criminal Justice System
By Millard Hampton
EXODUS Online - Most of us have often wondered, why does a sexual predator, the type who preys upon children for sexual pleasure receive a lighter prison sentence than a person who has been convicted of three non-violent felonies? Why does a person who sells or has in possession enough marijuana to be termed as sales according to California law be sentenced to 25 years in prison. Why does a man convicted of sexually assaulting a woman receives a sentence from probation to eight years in prison? -more-
CALIFORNIA ACCOUNTABILITY PROJECT LAUNCHES SPANISH-LANGUAGE FACEBOOK AD CAMPAIGN AGAINST MEG WHITMAN
LOS ANGELES – The Democratic Governors Association’s (DGA) California Accountability Project Independent Expenditure Committee today announced it has launched a new micro-targeting advertising initiative designed to utilize Facebook to connect Spanish-speaking California voters with the facts on Meg Whitman’s record on Latinos and cynical effort to save her candidacy through fear mongering and immigrant bashing. -more-
New Face of Foreclosure...
The Unemployed
New America Media, News Report/Audio, Aaron Glantz
OAKLAND, Calif -- Giselle Jiles could be the new face of foreclosure. The 52-year-old financial planner has owned her home in Oakland’s Laurel District for 12 years. She did not buy an expensive home that was beyond her means and she did not sign up for a predatory adjustable rate mortgage that was reset at an unsustainably expensive rate. -more-
Legislation Eliminating Barriers to Dissolve Marriages, Domestic Partnerships for Same-Sex Couples Passes Key Assembly Committee
SACRAMENTO – Assembly Bill 2700 (Ma)- Separation Equity Act - passed the Assembly Judiciary Committee today with a vote of 7-3. The bill will create a consolidated form and procedure to dissolve both a civil marriage and domestic partnership. -more-
Groundbreaking Kicks Off Expansion
of West San Jose Branch Library
SAN JOSE, Calif. – West San Jose residents joined city and library officials Saturday, April 10 to celebrate the groundbreaking for the construction of a new 10,420 sq. ft. library at 1230 Blaney Ave. The brief ceremony is the first step in replacing the original 5,880 sq. ft. library that served the Calabazas community since 1966. -more-
Bradford to Lead Assembly Utilities and Commerce Committee
SACRAMENTO - Assemblymember Steven C. Bradford (D-Gardena) today announced that he has been selected to lead the Assembly Committee on Utilities and Commerce. The appointment, made by Assembly Speaker John Pérez (D-Los Angeles), takes effect immediately. -more-
Asian Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus Endorses Speaker Emeritus Karen Bass’ Congressional Bid
SACRAMENTO – Today the Asian Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus announced their support of Speaker Emeritus Karen Bass in her bid for the 33rd Congressional District seat, currently held by the Honorable Diane Watson. Watson announced her retirement last month and subsequently endorsed Bass. -more-
San Francisco Public Library Re-launches sfpl.org
The new site is intended to be more user friendly and inclusive; it provides a variety of formats to locate online information from SFPL. For example, the online catalog of materials, with a query box located in the upper right hand corner of the Web site, enables patrons to search for materials using either the classic catalog or the new Explore catalog which leverages Web 2.0 technology to offer more items related to a search. -more-
California Community Banker Says Regulatory Environment Must Promote Small-Business Lending, Economic Recovery
Washington, D.C. (February 26, 2010)—Stephen G. Andrews, president and CEO of Bank of Alameda, Alameda, Calif., today told the House Financial Services and Small Business committees, on behalf of the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA), that our country needs to return to a more balanced regulatory environment that promotes small-business lending and economic growth. ICBA also provided a host of policy recommendations that would help community banks continue to lend. -more-
CAP Announces Araceli Ruano, SVP and New Director of California Office
The Center for American Progress is thrilled to announce that Ms. Araceli Ruano has joined the CAP team as a Senior Vice President and Director for the California office. In this role, Ruano will broaden American Progress’s policy development by drawing on ideas from California, a state often at the leading edge of progressive policy. Ruano will also take advantage of California's role as gateway to the Pacific and Latin America to develop international partnerships and practice areas. Ruano will continue to engage in her work related to the environment, education, Latin America, health, and the arts. -more-
National Publicity and Endorsements for Tobin for CA Rolling In
San Francisco (Feb. 22, 2010) – Electionline, a daily news collector run by the prestigious Pew Center, on February 22 included the story from Independent Political Report about Christina Tobin announcing her candidacy for California Secretary of State. -more-
Congressman Garamendi Original Co-Sponsor of Bill that Would Stop Health Insurance Collusion
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman John Garamendi (D-Walnut Creek), California’s first elected State Insurance Commissioner, today is proud to announce that he is an original co-sponsor of a bill that he helped author to require the health insurance industry to follow the same anti-trust laws that almost every other industry in America is expected to follow. -more-
THEY WILL RE-DRAW THE LINES…
Over the next week, ordinary California voters have an unprecedented opportunity to affect political elections in the state for the next 10 years. But as the days tick away, California’s African American community is in danger of having our voices shut out.
February 16th is the last day for applications to California’s new Citizens Redistricting Commission—a body that will have sweeping powers over the way state legislative and Board of Equalization district lines are drawn for the next 10 years. -more-
Academy Award nominee Taraji P. Henson to host luncheon at Beverly Hills Hotel
Los Angeles, CA--Thursday, February 11, 2010--Academy Award nominee Taraji P. Henson will host the Ford Freedom's Sisters luncheon on Thursday, February 25th at the Beverly Hills Hotel. The luncheon, which will honor 20 exceptional African American women who have made a difference in Southern California, will be held from 12-2p.m. As the host and sponsor of the Southern California Freedom's Sisters Luncheon, Ford Motor Company continues to honor African American women who fought for the equality and freedom for all. -more-
California Diversity Council Appoints First Board of Directors
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The California Diversity Council (CADC), California's preeminent thought leader in diversity and inclusion, recently appointed seven executives from across California to seed its first Board of Directors. -more-
Congressman Garamendi Offers Condolences to the People of Haiti
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman John Garamendi (D-Walnut Creek) today offered his deepest condolences to the people of Haiti who have lost an untold number of people in that nation’s worst earthquake in more than 200 years. -more-
Supreme Court Blocks Broadcasting of Proposition 8 Trial
EXODUS Staff - In a 5 to 4 vote United States Supreme Court blocked the broadcasting of the Gay Marriage trial in California. This is a victory for Proposition 8 sponsors Charles J. Cooper of Cooper and Kirk. -more-
Los Angeles Futbol Club Evolves Into Nonprofit LAFC Foundation
PASADENA, Calif., Jan. 11 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Signaling its expanding mission to help children and teens worldwide, the Los Angeles Futbol Club has changed its structure. The nationally renowned soccer club will now operate as part of the LAFC Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. LAFC has long provided soccer scholarships and other support for talented yet economically disadvantaged young players in the U.S. But in recent months it has increasingly used the sport as a conduit for underserved youth worldwide to access social, educational and healthcare resources. -more-
California Unemployment Rate Tops 12 percent
EXODUS Online - A new record has been set in California due to it's high unemployment rate. The Employment Development Department (EDD) estimates the number of people out of work increased by 49,000 in the month of August. The total number unemployed is now estimated at over 2 million. -more-
Torlakson Measure to Modernize and Strengthen Antioch and Dumbarton Bridges Sent to the Governor’s Desk
A two-year evaluation conducted by Bay Area Toll Authority and Caltrans shows
both bridges need significant strengthening to protect public safety
SACRAMENTO, CA— Legislation authored by Assemblymember Tom Torlakson (D-Antioch), AB 1175 passed out of the Assembly last week on a vote of 58 to 0. The bill would add the Antioch and Dumbarton bridges to the State Toll Bridge Seismic Retrofit Program, making them eligible to receive any unused contingency funds after completion of the eastern span of the Oakland-San Francisco Bay Bridge. -more-
Assemblywoman Fiona Ma Addresses Water Rally at
Conclusion of Historic March
Ma joins Governor Schwarzenegger, legislators, farmers,
and farm workers in call for action
Los Banos, CA – A coalition of farmworkers, growers, community members and elected officials concluded a four-day March for Water with a rally at the San Luis Reservoir dam today. -more-
Bass, Caballero Highlight New Federal Funds for
California Water Infrastructure
SACRAMENTO - In this Democratic weekly address, Assembly Speaker Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles) and Assemblymember Anna Caballero (D-Salinas), highlight the recent visit of Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar to California and his announcement of $260 million in federal economic stimulus funds that will “boost California’s water supply while protecting fish habitat, improve dams and other infrastructure as well as mitigate the impacts of drought.” -more-