october hhhdc newsletter
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October HHHDC NewsletterTRANSCRIPT
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Volume 10 Issue 10 October 2009
News ‘n ViewsOF, BY AND FOR MEMBERS OF THE HUBERT H. HUMPHREY DEMOCRATIC CLUB
HHHDC October 2009 MeetingMonday, October 19, 2009 * 7:00 to 9:00 PM
Coco’s Restaurant (click for map)
11510 South Street, Cerritos, CA (¼ mile east of the 605 freeway)Dinner (optional) at 6:00 p.m. - Meeting begins at 7:00 pm
Program: Local and State Election EndorsementsSpeakers: Hector De La Torre; Jeff Gabriel
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Announcements ………...…….....Page 3
Membership Renewal ……..……Page 3
Winetasting Fundraiser ….…..…Page 4
New Members ..………..………....Page 5
Fixing Sacramento ……..………….Page 6
Internet Pipeline ….………….……Page 7
Roll Call ……….………………...…….Page 7
Tony Mendoza Message ..…..…Page 8
Sánchez Report …….….……………Page 9
Advertisements ………..….……..Page 10
Membership Form ..….…….….Page 12
Our scheduled guest speakers for the monthly HHHDCmeeting October 19, 2009:
Jeff Gabriel, Southern California Regional Field Director,Organizing For America
Hector De La Torre, candidate for California InsuranceCommissioner
Mark Pulido, candidate for ABCUSD Board of Education Ana Valencia, candidate for La Mirada USD Board of
Education Jorge Hernandez, candidate for South Whittier School
District Board of Education Victor Manalo, Ph.D., candidate for Artesia City Council
Our tentatively scheduled guest speakers for the monthlyHHHDC meeting November 16, 2009:
Chris Garcia, Judicial Candidate for the June 2010 election Eric Altman, Executive Director of OCCORD Melahat Rafiei, Executive Director of the Democratic Party
of Orange County and recipient of the 2007 CaliforniaDemocratic Party’s John F. Kennedy, Jr. Award for PublicService
Our HHHDC Newsletter is available on your computer!Please send your email address to Mike Stabile at:
[email protected] also are prepared to accept advertisementsFor publication according to the following rates:
Monthly Rate1/8 page $6.001/4 page $9.001/2 page $12.00Full page $15.00
Six Month Rate Yearly Rate1/8 page $30.00 $50.001/4 page $45.00 $75.001/2 page $60 .00 $100.00Full page $75.00 $150.00
2009 HHHDC OFFICERSAND COMMITTEE CHAIRS
2008 Executive Board
President Nikki Noushkam 562-712-4072
Vice-President Gary Chomiak
Treasurer Chris Duvali
Rec. Secretary Maureen Allen 562-746-7569
Committees
Legislative Anal. Maureen Allen 562-746-7569
Newsletter Editor Mike Stabile 562-505-5807
Membership Beverly Porter
Historian Charlie Ara 562-865-4075
Parliamentarian Marisela Cervantes 213-445-1152
Got an Ad? We’ve got the space! Check out details on Page 2.And check out our new, reduced ad rates!
New advertisers are needed for the newsletter. If you are interested, or know of a person orbusiness who would like to advertise in our publication, please contact President Nikki Noushkam,for details and instructions. As a no-cost bonus, all ads will also appear on the club’s new website.
“It was once said that the moral test of Government is how that Government treats those who are inthe dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly; and those who are in
the shadows of life, the sick, the needy and the handicapped.”
Hubert H. Humphrey
October 2009 News ‘n’ Views Page 2
Protocol for Meetings1. Turn your cell phone off or place it on “vibrate”.2. During meeting please do not engage in side conversations.3. If ordering food, please do so before start of meeting.4. If you wish to speak, please raise your hand for recognition by the chair. Do not interrupt speakers.5. Please keep your remarks short and concise.6. Photographs should be taken only without interrupting the meeting.
Mail Payments to: HHDC | 11245 183rd St. #136 | Cerritos, CA 90703
October 2009 News ‘n’ Views Page 3
Announcements CARA will hold their annual conference October 20th and 21st at the Hacienda Hotel in El Segundo. The registration
cost is $100 per person.
Our guest speaker for October 19, 2009 will be Assemblymember and candidate for Insurance CommissionerHector De La Torre.
Newsletter submissions are due 10 days before the next scheduled club meeting. Please email them [email protected].
The Hubert H. Humphrey Democratic Club now has its calendar of events available online: Go to: http://hhhdemocrats.org/ At the top of the page click “Community Calendar” Once you are on the calendar page, go to the date of the event. Click the event and you will get a pop-up window with all the details, such as date, time, location and
description.
If you are interested in serving on the HHHDC Eboard then be sure to attend the next meeting and submit yourname for consideration.
The eboard is looking for guest speakers for future meetings. Please send your suggestions to the President.
You can view all recent HHHDC Newsletters at: http://issuu.com/hhhdc . Or, you can go to http://issuu.com/ and just type“HHHDC” in the search bar and you’ll see all the posted newsletters. Enjoy!
Announcements CARA will hold their annual conference October 20th and 21st at the Hacienda Hotel in El Segundo. The registration
cost is $100 per person.
Volunteers needed: The HHHDC is sponsoring a booth at the annual October 31st Halloween Event at CerritosRegional County Park, 19800 Bloomfield Ave., Cerritos. The hours are 4-10 p.m. Please contact Nikki Noushkamat 562-712-4072 if you would like to help out and have a lot of fun. We will be serving churros, cookies and hotand cold drinks.
Newsletter submissions are due 10 days before the next scheduled club meeting. Please email them [email protected].
The Hubert H. Humphrey Democratic Club now has its calendar of events available online: Go to: http://hhhdemocrats.org/ At the top of the page click “Community Calendar” Once you are on the calendar page, go to the date of the event. Click the event and you will get a pop-up window with all the details, such as date, time, location and
description.
If you are interested in serving on the HHHDC Eboard then be sure to attend the next meeting and submit yourname for consideration.
The eboard is looking for guest speakers for future meetings. Please send your suggestions to the President.
You can view all recent HHHDC Newsletters at: http://issuu.com/hhhdc . Or, you can go to http://issuu.com/ andjust type “HHHDC” in the search bar and you’ll see all the posted newsletters. Enjoy!
Time to Renew Your Annual Membership
HHHDC memberships that are renewed starting October 1, 2009 will be active through December 31, 2010. You canrenew at any of the next club meetings, or by mailing the form found on the back page of this newsletter.
For members who have let their membership lapse, if you renew now your membership will also be good throughDecember 31, 2010. Members with lapsed memberships that are not renewed by October 1, 2009 will be consideredas no longer interested in the HHHDC and will be removed from all newsletter and email lists (until such time as theyrejoin the club).
2010 promises to be an exciting year for the club. We plan to have many distinguished and interesting guest speakers,several fundraising events, provocative movies, and many candidates for public office who will be seeking the club’sendorsement. We look forward to your participation in our many events and activities.
More on November’s guest speaker Eric Altman:
Eric Altman is Executive Director of OCCORD, Orange County Communities Organized for ResponsibleDevelopment. OCCORD combines community organizing, strategic research, and advocacy to empower localresidents and workers who seek a voice in economic development policies that affect their lives. They buildcoalitions of unions, community organizations, faith-based groups, and policy advocates to address OrangeCounty's deepening crisis of working poverty.
October 2009 News ‘n’ Views Page 4
Members and friends of The Hubert H. Humphrey Democratic Club of enjoyed a relaxing evening onSeptember 21, 2009 with the kickoff of our first annual “Fall Wine Tasting Fundraiser” event. Morry’s ofNaples Restaurant in Long Beach provided an intimate setting for all those in attendance. The silent auctionwas a huge success and we raised approximately $450 en total for the event. Among our welcomed(distinguished) guests: Mayor Pro Tem Joseph Cho, Region 15 Director Joseph Legaspi, Artesia Mayor ProTem Victor Manalo, and Lillian Kawasaki of the Water Replenishment District. Kudos to the planningcommittee members Marisela Cervantes, Gary Chomiak, Chris Duvali and Beverly Porter for all their hardwork.
Respectfully submitted,Beverly F. Porter
Beverly Porter and Marisela Cervantes guard silent auction items.
The Allens admire Joey Legaspi’s new wristwatch.Silent auction winner
Enjoying the festivities
More Fundraiser photos:
October 2009 News ‘n’ Views Page 5
HHHDC Treasurer Chris Duvali
HHHDC Vice President Gary Chomiak
Marisela Cervantes and friend examine auction items
Congratulations to the following new and returning HHHDCmembers who obtained their 2010 memberships:
Norma T. AguirreMonika Broome
Dr. Versie G. BurnsPamela Crawley
Temi A. DotyLillian M. GonzalesSharon KuroyamaLillian Y. Kawasaki
Bill ParkerMichiko A. Oyama-Canada
Eunice Thompson
October 2009 News ‘n’ Views Page 6
Fixing Sacramento: Don’t hate the player, change the game
By Jasmyne Cannick
State budget problems, high taxes, prison overcrowding, and a never-ending education crisis has California votersfixated on their Legislature and its 120 members with a proposed initiative that would cut annual legislative sessions toa maximum of 95 days and slice lawmakers’ pay by at least 50 percent. While I like the idea of a part-time Legislature,why stop there? The problems in Sacramento are more serious than how much they are paid. It has more to do withwho is being paid in the first place. Something tells me that we’d dramatically cut down the amount of careerpoliticians seeking public office in California’s Legislature if they couldn’t enjoy the perks of living in the bestneighborhoods, sending their kids to private schools, and selectively seeing the world from behind the tint of their tax-payer funded vehicles.
There continues to be a disconnect on the behalf of some state representatives regarding the condition of their districtand the people in it. A disconnect that I believe is the reason why they fail as a group at getting anything accomplishedwhere California’s budget crisis is concerned. The tint on those Lincoln Town Cars and taxpayer-funded vehicles can beawfully dark and does an exceptionally good job of shielding what some officials just don’t want to see.
That needs to change.
What would happen if lawmakers’ who want to represent California voters were mandated to not only live in theirdistricts, but to live in the most economically depressed part of their district as identified in the most recent U.S.Census Report? For some elected officials in California it might not be that much of a difference. But for others likeState Senator Rod Wright, who represents the 25th Senate District of California, a district that includes Palos Verdes,Lawndale, Hawthorne, Gardena, Inglewood, Compton, and parts of South Los Angeles, it would mean moving out ofhis four-plex in Inglewood, which he listed as his residence when he registered to vote in 2007 or his single-familyhome near Baldwin Hills that is not in the 25th District, and moving to either Compton or South Los Angeles.
I don’t see anything wrong with mandating that lawmakers’ live in the poorest area of their districts. Why shouldn’tthey hear the same police sirens we hear at all hours of the day and night and be kept awake by the police helicopter’sbeaming light, which in some communities has managed to replace the moon? Shouldn’t they have to jump too at thesound of gunshots and screeching tires?
Maybe then they’d be more willing to come together in solving California’s problems if those problems were rightoutside their front door instead of down the road, at the bottom of the hill, outside of their gated neighborhood.
I get very disturbed when I read reports about lawmakers’ who don’t live in the district that they represent. It bothersme even more to find out where they choose to live after elected might not even be an issue under current state law.California voters deserve to be represented by people who truly live in the districts they represent, and are notresidents on paper only.
As an added bonus, since they can’t seem to fix California’s education crisis, why not tack on another mandate thatmembers of California’s Legislature be forced to enroll their children in the same public schools, community colleges,and state universities that our kids have to attend? That ought to get them working. After all, if it’s good for thegander, it’s even better for the goose.
Link to article
October 2009 News ‘n’ Views Page 7
Senate Votes
Feinstein(D)
Boxer(D)
Voted Voted
Agreed To Conference Report to Accompany H.R. 2918; Legislative BranchAppropriations Act, 2010 09/30/2009
Y Y
Passed Travel Promotion Act of 2009 09/09/2009 Y Y
Passed H.R. 3435; A bill making supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2009 forthe Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save Program. 08/06/2009
Y Y
Confirmed Confirmation of Sonia Sotomayor, of New York, to be an Associate Justice ofthe Supreme Court 08/06/2009
Y Y
Passed H.R. 2997 As Amended; Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and DrugAdministration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010 08/04/2009
Y Y
Rejected Thune Amendment on Concealed Firearms 07/22/2009 N N
Passed H.R. 1256 As Amended; Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act06/11/2009
Y Y
House VotesSanchez (D)
Voted
Passed Making appropriations for energy and water development and related agencies, FY 201010/01/2009
Y
Passed Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Watertrails Network Continuing Authorization Act09/10/2009
Y
Passed Corporate and Financial Institution Compensation Fairness Act 07/31/2009 Y
Passed Cash for Clunkers, Round Two 07/31/2009 Y
Passed Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009 07/30/2009 Y
Passed Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010 07/30/2009 Y
Passed American Clean Energy and Security Act 06/26/2009 Y
Passed Making appropriations for energy and water development and related agencies, FY 201010/01/2009
Y
INTERNET PIPELINEby Newsletter Editor Mike Stabile
This month’s link: LegistormLegiStorm launched in September 2006. The web site is dedicated to providing a variety of important information about the USCongress. Based on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, LegiStorm's first information product was a database of congressional staffsalaries but they have now added other valuable information, such as the most comprehensive database of all privately financedtrips taken by members of Congress and congressional staffers. The information is provided in a strictly factual, non-partisanfashion. They have no political affiliations and no political purpose except to make the workings of Congress as transparent aspossible. They expect this resource to be useful to journalists, researchers, lobbyists and current and would-be staffers - as well asregular citizens who simply want to know how their representatives spend public money.
October 2009 News ‘n’ Views Page 8
Message from the Office of Assemblyman Tony Mendoza
RREESSTTRRUUCCTTUURRIINNGG CCAALLIIFFOORRNNIIAA’’SS TTAAXX SSYYSSTTEEMM
The legislature is back in special session dealing with a number of pressing issues. As a State, we still have to deal withour deficit, federally mandated prison reform, water issues and an attempt by the Governor to revamp the state’s taxstructure on the backs of the middle class.
The Commission on the 21st Century Economy, a 14 member committee established by Executive Order, was chargedwith evaluating California’s tax system and proposing reforms. The idea was to craft a fair system that is more stableand reflective of today’s economy. The recommendations have been anything but equitable.
The Commission, chaired by Gerald Parsky, a longtime Republican political figure who served as chairman of PresidentGeorge W. Bush's campaigns in California in 2000 and 2004, has produced a report proudly endorsed bySchwarzenegger, even though only 9 of the 14 members of the commission will give their support. Allan Zaremberg ofthe California Chamber called it fatally flawed and Art Pulaski of the California Labor Federation said the report was aprofound disappointment.
Under the Parsky proposal, income tax rates would be changed from six different rates to just two - a 2.75% levy onincome up to $56,000 for a married couple, and 6.5% for taxable income exceeding that threshold. This works out, ineffect, as a giveaway to the rich, while taxes paid by the poorest 62 percent of Californian’s are reduced by $4 per year.
Furthermore, the Parsky Commission, to offset the reduction in collectable income tax, calls for the introduction of a“Net Receipts” program where current retail sales and corporate taxes would be eliminated and replaced by a broaderbusiness tax that would place a levy on every type of business such as service sector firms like lawyers and businessconsultants. The fear, while we are just coming out of a recession, is that the new tax would also encourage relocationof California jobs to foreign firms that would be beyond the reach of California's tax collectors.
One member of the Commission, economist Richard Pomp, even wrote a 21-page report blasting the Commission’srecommendations, saying of the report: “… the emperor has no clothes.” Even so, Governor Schwarzenegger said ifgiven the chance he would sign it immediately.
We should not give him that chance. While we all agree our current tax structure is flawed and subjects the state to aroller coaster of boom and bust cycles, our job as Democrats in the State Legislature is to protect the middle classwhen seeking to overhaul something as important as California’s tax system.
The Governor called a special session to force a rapid approval of his flawed tax reforms, but the promise ofgovernment is to protect, empower and enable success to all that it serves, not to sacrifice the many for the advantageof the few.
TONY MENDOZAAssemblymember, 56th DistrictSubmitted by Jay Day, Member of Tony Mendoza’s staff
October 2009 News ‘n’ Views Page 9
Rep. Linda Sánchez: WORKING TO IMPROVE HEALTHCARECongresswoman Sánchez believes our families deserve access to quality and affordable healthcare. Working families shouldnot have to choose between paying for their medical bills or affording other life necessities such as food.
Helping Americans Gain Access To Affordable Prescription Drugs - Congresswoman Sánchez continues to press forthe implementation of the “Pharmaceutical Market Access Act,” (H.R. 328) which would allow Americans to savemoney by purchasing prescription drugs from developed countries who sell the same drugs for less. Americans paytoo much for prescription drugs, while foreigners can buy the exact same drugs – often made in the U.S. – at muchlower prices.
Fighting For Government Negotiated Prescription Drug Prices - Congresswoman Sánchez is working to makechanges to the “Medicare Prescription Drug and Modernization Act,” (which became law on November 22, 2003).That’s why she is sponsoring the “Medicare’s Equitable Drugs for Seniors Act,” (H.R. 376) which would authorize theSecretary of Health and Human Services to negotiate fair prices for Medicare prescription drugs for Medicarebeneficiaries.
Preparing the Country for a Pandemic - Public health officials have raised serious concerns about the devastatingeffect that a major outbreak of avian flu could have on vulnerable populations, such as children and seniors. That iswhy Congresswoman Sánchez is sponsoring the “Pandemic Preparedness and Response Act,” (H.R. 4062) whichcreates a comprehensive national plan to protect the American public against this growing danger.
Requiring Accountability in the Healthcare System - Increasingly large, profitable companies are choosing not toprovide health care coverage to their employees. This forces more and more working people to rely on a public healthcare system that was designed to provide for the most needy. To expose how this is draining government coffers,Congresswoman Sánchez is sponsoring the “Health Care Accountability Act,” H.R. 3042.
Joseph Cho, Ph.D.
Tel: (562) 547-4434
P.O. Box 4115Cerritos, CA 90703
The Lucy and Joseph Cho FoundationFoundation
11306 E. 183rd Street, Cerritos, California 90703
Phone: (562) 926-4882Website: www.diananeedham.com
Diana Needham, RealtorExperience, Knowledge,Integrity & Dedication30 years of experience
(17 years as a Realtor & over 13 years inthe real estate-related field of Urban Planning)
Former three-term Cerritos Mayorand 12-year City Council Member.
Proud to be a Life MemberOf the Hubert Humphrey Democratic Club
October 2009 News ‘n’ Views Page 10
THIS PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK(other than this comment about it being left blank)
HHHDC V.P. Gary Chomiak
HHHDC V.P. Gary Chomiak
Marisela Cervantes (L) & HHHDC Pres. Nikki Noushkam (R)Mike & Denise Stabile (L & C) & Alon Barlevy (R)
Jerry Brown
Gavin Newsom
PLEASE JOIN US!Please fill out the information below and return it with your annual dues to:
HHHDC Membership * 11245 183rd Street #136 * Cerritos, CA 90703Make your check payable to: Hubert H. Humphrey Democratic Club (or HHHDC).
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