First Vice President’s Message by Sylvia Moore, November 2014

In September, California became the first state in the nation to pass a law banning single-use plastic bags. Gov. Jerry Brown has also signed into law bills requiring paid sick leave for California’s workers, expanding access to abortion and affordable birth control, and improving the rights of the LGBT community. Thanks to California Democrats, our state has also moved forward on gun violence prevention, passing legislation that will allow family members to obtain a temporary restraining order blocking a loved one from obtaining a firearm if he or she shows signs of mental instability. These are just a few examples of how California is at the forefront in enacting progressive legislation. Under the leadership of Gov. Brown and our Democratic state lawmakers, California is fiscally and socially on the mend after years of political bickering, partisan gridlock, budget woes and a devastating financial crash. But in 2010, having had enough of former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s and California Republicans’ slash and burn fiscal policies, voters brought back Jerry Brown to steer our state in a better, more progressive direction. In addition, voters approved cutting the requirement to pass a budget from a two-thirds to a simple majority, and passed the revenue-raising Prop. 30, paving the way toward better fiscal health. In 2012, Californians elected enough Democrats to give the party a two-thirds majority in the Legislature, rendering the state GOP nearly irrelevant. Without the GOP intransigence that has plagued other states and the Washington Beltway, California has been able to improve the lives of its residents.

However, we still have a ways to go. California’s unemployment rate is 7.3%, still higher than the U.S. average of 5.9%. And the official rate doesn’t count people who work part-time or have given up looking for work. Los Angeles County’s unemployment rate is now at 8%, but that’s better than the 9.7% of a year ago. The state and county are still among the most expensive places to live in the country. The recent increase in California’s minimum wage to $9 over the summer (due to rise again to $10 in 2016) will no doubt help many residents pay their bills and boost their spending power, creating more jobs in the future.

Once again, California blocks GOP surge

It was an awful election night for President Obama and congressional Democrats on Tuesday, as the GOP took over the majority in the U.S. Senate and made gains in the House of Representatives. For the first time since 2002, Congress will be completely controlled by the Republicans. President Obama, have your veto pen ready! But, as in 2010, the last GOP wave election, California bucked the national trend: Democrats were elected or re-elected to every statewide office. And voters also passed Prop. 47, a measure that is another step toward reforming a criminal justice system that had become so punitive that America's prison population surpasses that of many oppressive regimes. The Golden State is shining brightly. The Culver City Democratic Club congratulates Gov. Jerry Brown on winning a historic fourth term, as well as Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, Secretary of State-elect Alex Padilla, Controller-elect Betty Yee, Treasurer-elect John Chiang, Attorney General Kamala Harris, Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones, Superintendent  for Public Instruction Tom Torlakson and Board of Equalization Member Jerome Horton. The club also congratulates our local district lawmakers, U.S. Rep. Karen Bass, State Sen. Holly Mitchell and Assemblymember Sebastian Ridley-Thomas on their re-election victories. Congratulations also go out to Sheila Kuehl on her election to the L.A. County Board of Supervisors for the 3rd District. Supervisor-elect Kuehl was the club’s Holiday Party speaker last December. And finally, congratulations to CCDC member Scott Houston on his first place finish to win a seat on the West Basin Municipal Water Board of Directors, Division 4. Democrats Jeff Ebenstein and CCDC Correspondence Secretary Stephen Murray came in second and third respectively - good efforts by both. As of this writing, Democrat and West Hollywood Councilmember Jeffrey Prang has a slight lead over his opponent in the L.A. County's Assessor's race. Hopefully, Councilmember Prang will eventually prevail. Please join the CCDC at the next General Meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 12, for a panel discussion recapping the midterm elections, and how Culver City voted. The meeting will take place at 7pm at the Veterans Memorial Building, Rotunda Room 4117 Overland Ave., Culver City. — Sylvia Moore, CCDC First Vice President/acting President

Senator Holly J. Mitchell and Councilmember Jim B. Clarke Honored at Democrat of the Year Awards

The Culver City Democratic Club congratulates California state Senator Holly J. Mitchell and Culver City Councilmember Jim B. Clarke on their recognition as Democrats of the Year at the annual Franklin & Eleanor Democrat of the Year Awards. The awards, held by the Los Angeles County Democratic Party on Oct. 19 at the Sheraton Gateway Hotel, honors two Democrats within each L.A. County Assembly district for their grassroots activism and dedication to the values and success of the Democratic Party. Sen. Mitchell and Councilmember Clarke are this year's honorees from the 54th Assembly District. The dinner and gala featured speeches by, among others, LACDP Chairman Eric Bauman and newly sworn-in state Senate president Kevin de León. There was also a video presentation of all the honorees. — Sylvia Moore, CCDC First Vice President/Acting President

November 4th Club Endorsments

Endorsements require 60% of ballots submitted. Endorsements were voted on at the April 9 and September 10th General Meetings.

• Governor: Edmund G. "Jerry" Brown
• Lt. Governor: Gavin Newsom
• Sec. of State: Alex Padilla
• Controller: Betty T. Yee
• Treasurer: John Chiang
• Attorney General: Kamala D. Harris
• Insurance Comm.: Dave Jones
• State Bd. of Equalization.: Jerome Horton
• U.S. Rep. 37th Dist.: Karen Bass
• State Senate 30th Dist.: Holly Mitchell
• State Assembly 54th Dist.: Sebastian Ridley-Thomas
• Superior Court Off. No. 61: Jacqueline H. Lewis Off. No. 87: Andrew M. Stein
• Supt. of Public Instruction: Tom Torlakson
• County Assessor: Jeffrey Prang
• West Basin Municipal Water Board of Directors Div 4: No Endorsement
• Proposition 46: Neutral

• Proposition 1: YES
• Proposition 2: YES
• Proposition 45: YES
• Proposition 47: YES