California Democratic Party Chairman John Burton released the following statement today urging the Governor to sign the budget package: 

"I urge Governor Schwarzenegger to sign the budget plan passed by both houses of the Legislature.

 

"The bill is a balanced compromise that can prevent California from going over a financial cliff. It gives lawmakers and the governor time to work toward long-term budget solutions. 

 

"The governor often talks about the need for post partisanship. Now he has a chance to practice it. In that spirit, I urge the governor to sign these budget measures now and leave the fireworks to the Fourth of July celebrations."

CDP Communications Coordinator Kate Folmar sent this FYI note to political reporters today, helping to put today's budget votes in context.  

As you write your stories for tomorrow, you may be interested to know that the California Republican Party and current GOP members of the Senate and Assembly have accepted more than $2.7 million dollars from oil companies this decade.

 

Small wonder then, that Republicans were unwilling to vote for a meaningful oil extraction tax like the one charged in every other oil-producing state.

 

Here are the contributions Republicans have received from oil companies since 2000, according to state campaign finance documents.

   

 Name / Amount  

 Assemblyman Jim Nielsen $5,750   

 Assemblyman Dan Logue $500   

 Assemblyman Ted Gaines $2,000   

 Assemblyman Roger Niello $24,600   

 Assemblyman Tom Berryhill $17,900   

 Assemblyman Bill Berryhill $8,800   

 Assemblyman Mike Villines $46,250   

 Assemblyman Danny Gilmore $15,100   

 Assemblyman Jean Fuller $21,550   

 Assemblyman Sam Blakeslee $55,700   

 Assemblywoman Connie Conway $1,250   

 Assemblyman Steve Knight $2,500   

 Assemblywoman Audra Strickland  $26,900   

 Assemblyman Cameron Smyth $14,500   

 Assemblyman Anthony Adams $8,000   

 Assemblyman Bill Emmerson $8,850   

 Assemblyman Brian Nestande $3,000   

 Assemblyman Paul Cook $4,000   

 Assemblyman Jim Jeffries $7,750   

 Assemblyman Jim Silva $5,750   

 Assemblyman Van Tran $7,500   

 Assemblyman Chuck DeVore  $24,750   

 Assemblyman Jeff Miller  $3,500   

 Assemblyman Mike Duvall $9,800   

 Assemblywoman Diane Harkey $6,000   

 Assemblyman Martin Garrick $8,500   

 Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher  $11,100   

 Assemblyman Joel Anderson $11,000   

 Senator Dave Cox $53,499   

 Senator Sam Aanestad $13,250   

 Senator Jeff Denham $52,750   

 Senator Dave Cogdill $42,950   

 Senator Abel Maldonado $6,750   

 Senator George Runner $30,750   

 Senator Roy Ashburn $13,500   

 Senator Tony Strickland $45,850   

 Senator Bob Huff $11,300   

 Senator Bob Dutton $4,500   

 Senator Mimi Walters $53,350   

 Senator Tom Harman $29,800   

 Senator Dennis Hollingsworth $7,500   

 Senator John Benoit  $15,250   

 Senator Mark Wyland  $22,500   

 California Republican Party $2,028,250   

    

 Total  $2,794,549  

June 27 was Organizing for America's National Health Care Day of Service.  Thousands of events were held by volunteers to highlight the urgent need for health care reform this year. 

In recent weeks, OFA has engaged American's across the country to continue the conversation about President Obama's three principles for health care reform; reducing costs, ensuring choice and providing quality affordable health care for all Americans.  

Click here for more information on OFA's health care reform activities.  

This video was produced by UCLA students as part of the Save Cal Grants Coalition, which includes the California College Democrats (CCD). 

You can join the coalition by clicking here.  


Thanks to Ian McGruder, President of the California College Democrats, for sending us the video.

You can also become a "fan" of CCD here.


On June 24, lawmakers cast their first votes on a Democratic budget plan that would minimize the severe cuts proposed by the governor. Unfortunately, Republicans refused to support the compromise plan and again showed their willingness to drive the state of California off a cliff to protect Big Oil and Big Tobacco.

Budget votes will continue over the coming days and Republicans must hear that the cuts they support will hurt real Californians in real ways. 

Please take a minute right now to write, or submit a YouTube video telling legislators, how the budget cuts will directly hurt your family. 

Let’s make sure lawmakers hear that we want a balanced budget solution that includes new revenues.

On Wednesday, Senate Republicans refused to vote for a bill that contained billions of dollars in cuts to all areas of state government as part of a budget revision proposal presented by the Joint Conference Committee on the Budget. The bill required a 2/3 vote in order for the cuts to take effect immediately. 

Click here to watch Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg introduce the budget on the floor and speak with press after the vote.

California Democratic Party Chairman John Burton released the following statement today about Republicans’ refusal to vote for a budget plan that includes a mix of program cuts and modest tax increases:

“Today, not a single Republican was willing to vote for a budget package that includes both cuts and new revenue. Instead, Republicans again showed their willingness to drive the state of California off a cliff to protect Big Oil and Big Tobacco.  They should be embarrassed of themselves.”

# # # 

Join Organizing for America this summer in the fight for much-needed health care reform in 2009. Community service is a critical piece of our health care campaign and our National Health Care Day of Service on June 27, 2009, will highlight its importance. 

"The campaign to pass real health care reform in 2009 is the biggest test of our movement since the election. Once again, victory is far from certain. Our opposition will be fierce, and they have been down this road before. To prevail, we must once more build a coast-to-coast operation ready to knock on doors, deploy volunteers, get out the facts, and show the world how real change happens in America." 

    -- President Barack Obama, in an email to supporters (6/16/09)  

Click here to join the grassroots movement bringing people together around the nation, across California, and right in your own neighborhood. 

 

Find an event or host an event by clicking here.

 

Statement from California Democratic Party Chairman John Burton on Legislative Democrats’ Budget Plan

“I thank Senator President Pro Tem Steinberg, Speaker Bass and the members of the Conference Committee for pushing back against the governor’s plans to eviscerate state programs that protect the poor, the elderly, people with disabilities and students. 

 

“I also applaud legislative Democrats’ efforts to share the sacrifice by having corporations, oil companies and tobacco users play a part in closing California’s staggering deficit. 

 

“As difficult as it was to make additional cuts to social programs after several years of the same, I congratulate the Speaker and the Pro Tem for drawing a line in the sand against future cuts to the safety net. 

 

“I would hope legislative Republicans would pass, and Governor Schwarzenegger would sign, this proposal, which at least preserves the safety net in these tough fiscal times.  

 

“A cornerstone of the Democratic Party – and the hallmark of a decent society – is protection of the most vulnerable of people.”

# # # 

President Obama has called for health care reform in 2009 that upholds three core principles:

• Reduce costs - Rising health care costs are crushing the budgets of governments, businesses, individuals, and families, and they must be brought under control 
• Guarantee choice - Every American must have the freedom to choose their plan and doctor - including the choice of a public insurance option
• Ensure quality care for all - All Americans must have quality and affordable health care

In a recent address President Obama talked about how health care reform is an important part of addressing our national debt. The President states that the status quo is unacceptable to families, business and government. Americans should never have to forgo health care nor should our businesses be hurt because of rising health care costs. Watch the President's address to learn more about how his administration will help pay for health care reform and the benefits it will provide, and then click here to take action.