Sonoma County Democratic Party

June 17, 2009

Sonoma County Democratic Party opposes proposal to close California state parks

Closures will devastate local economies dependent on park tourism

Santa Rosa, CA ­– The Sonoma County Democratic Party passed a resolution at their June meeting opposing Gov. Schwarzenegger’s proposal to close 220 California state parks at the end of the summer to help cut California’s budget deficit.

Under the governor’s proposal, 80 percent of California’s state parks would close ― including all of Sonoma County’s 11 state parks ― and only 59 parks statewide would remain open. Some 2,000 park rangers, biologists and other park employees would face layoffs, and local economies that depend on income from park tourism would be devastated.

"The Sonoma County Democratic Party values the California state park system as a vital cultural and economic resource," said Stephen Gale, Chair of the Sonoma County Democratic Party, "The local party is urging the governor and state legislators to pursue revenue increases as part of the budget proposal instead of cutting funding to state parks. Assemblywoman Noreen Evans' proposal for a modest increase in automobile registration fees to cover the cost of operating our state parks certainly appears reasonable to us."

The full text of the resolution passed on June 9 follows:

Sonoma County Democratic Party resolution opposing the closing of California state parks

Whereas, the governor has proposed cutting funding for 20 California state parks, resulting in the relatively small savings of $149 million from the state’s tax-based General Fund, which represents slightly more than one-tenth of one percent of the state’s total General Fund budget, and eliminating the Department of Parks and Recreation and closing all 279 state parks would fill less than one percent of the budget shortfall, and,
Whereas, state parks are a critical piece of California’s travel and tourism industry serving more than 75 million visitors every year, generating more than $6.5 billion (based on a 2002 study) in total output and new sales for private businesses from visitor spending, the tax revenue from that spending generates $2.34 in General Fund revenue for the state for every dollar of General Fund received by state parks to operate, will cost the General Fund more than $350 million in lost revenue, and have dire and devastating effects on local economies dependent on tourism around state parks, and,

Whereas, the governor then proposes to reopen the parks after three years, meaning that the state would have to hire and train new rangers, maintenance staff, environmental scientists, etc., and then carry the enormous costs associated with the repair of broken water lines, windows, holes in roofs, fallen trees, overgrown roads and trails, etc., and the costs become astronomical, and,

Therefore be it resolved that the Sonoma County Democratic Party opposes closing California state parks and strongly urges California legislators and the governor of California to pursue increasing revenues rather than cutting funding to the California state parks, and,

Be it further resolved that the Sonoma County Democratic Party will forward this resolution to Speaker Bass, Pro Tem Steinberg, all Democratic legislators on the Budget Committee and to our districts’ state representatives.

Contact: Stephen Gale, Chair
Sonoma County Democratic Party
(707) 537-9348
stephengale1@yahoo.com

June 15, 2009

Sonoma County Democratic Party releases statement on state budget

Local party supports state leadership in finding sensible budget solution

Santa Rosa, CA ­– The Sonoma County Democratic Party took a strong stand in opposition to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s proposed budget at their June 9 meeting in Santa Rosa and vowed to mobilize support for a budget that invests in the future of the state and protects all Californians.

Democrats are outraged that drastic spending cuts proposed by the governor to close the state’s $24.3 billion budget deficit will disproportionately affect children, seniors, people with disabilities and poor people.

“The severe cuts proposed by the governor will devastate middle class and low-income families in the state of California,” said Stephen Gale, chair of the Sonoma County Democratic Party, “We are committed to working with the state legislature to make sure that doesn’t happen.”

The local Democratic Party supports Assemblywoman Noreen Evans, chair of the Budget Conference Committee, and other members of the state legislature who recognize that the state budget crisis cannot be solved strictly through making cuts and eliminating programs, but must also include ways of raising revenue.

Full text of the statement follows. The Sonoma County Democratic Party adopted this statement on June 9, 2009 by unanimous vote of the local party’s Central Committee:

Statement Concerning the California State Budget

Californians deserve real solutions to the budget deficit. Responding to our economic crisis with an all-cuts budget will only make the state's problems worse. Deep cuts to vital programs undermine our economic recovery and President Obama’s investment in economic stimulus, disproportionately harm the most vulnerable Californians, and go against our core values.

More than 70 percent of voters sat out the May 19 special election because it is the Governor and Legislature’s job to fix the budget. Polls show the defeat of the initiatives was neither an endorsement of an all-cuts approach nor a rejection of raising revenues.

Under Governor Schwarzenegger, California has seen $12.5 billion in tax cuts. The Governor has vetoed every bill passed by the legislature to streamline programs, increase revenues and balance the budget in a fiscally responsible manner. Drastic spending cuts will irrevocably change the state we love. Californians support and deserve a state that provides for the common good and the needs of our residents, and we have the resources
to make that possible. Cuts are not the only option!

We support the courageous leadership of Assemblywoman Noreen Evans and the Democrats who stand against an all-cuts budget, speak out for fair ways of raising revenue, and work to deliver a budget that invests in our future and protects all the people of our state. True leaders get their strength from the people they represent. We pledge to be that strength, and mobilize to support a sensible budget solution.

Contact: Stephen Gale, Chair
Sonoma County Democratic Party
(707) 537-9348
stephengale1@yahoo.com

Cites concern for energy independence, climate protection and traffic management

Santa Rosa, CA – The Sonoma County Democratic Party has joined a diverse coalition of individuals and organizations and endorsed Measure Q, the SMART Passenger Train and Bicycle/Pedestrian Pathway measure, which will go before voters in November. In light of the debate over energy policy and dependence on fossil fuels at the national level, the Sonoma County Democratic Party was enthusiastic in lending its support to a measure projected to reduce the need for 1.5 million gallons of gasoline annually.

Frustrations with traffic congestion along the Highway 101 corridor were also a factor in the endorsement decision. The Party lauded the train and pathway’s potential to remove more than 1.4 million car trips from Highway 101 each year. Members of the Sonoma County Democratic Party viewed the SMART train as a convenient, environmentally friendly transportation option and were excited about the prospect of a bicycle and pedestrian pathway to further promote healthier transportation choices for Sonoma and Marin residents.

“It is rare to find such diverse groups as Sonoma County Conservation Action and the Sonoma County Alliance supporting the same measure in a hotly contested election year,” said Stephen Gale, Chair of the Sonoma County Democratic Party. “But with gas prices spiking around $5 per gallon and climate change moving toward the point-of-no-return, the common sense of creating an environmentally responsible, second corridor of travel in the North Bay is impossible to ignore. The Sonoma County Democratic Party has long supported the SMART Train Proposal because it is so important to the common good of both Sonoma and Marin. We are proud to add our voice to the expanding community of supporters.”

The Sonoma County Democratic Party is joined by at least 35 other organizations in their support for Measure Q. Endorsers include virtually all of the elected officials in Sonoma County and hundreds of businesses, organizations and individuals. “The campaign polling shows widespread support for Measure Q which predicts that this campaign is winnable,” said Steve Rabinowitsh, co-chair of the campaign’s Sonoma County Committee. The North Bay Transportation Alliance, a coalition of environmental, business, labor, transit advocates and citizens is leading the pro-Q effort. For more information about the campaign or to get involved, go to:

www.smarttrain2008.org

New rules could more than quadruple campaign limits just weeks before the November election

Santa Rosa, CA – The Sonoma County Democratic Party expressed their indignation at the Board of Supervisors’ Tuesday morning vote to significantly alter campaign rules for the Supervisor races this November. The ordinance would more than double the campaign contribution limit for Supervisor candidates, from $1,000 to at least $2,500, effective October 16th. In the case that an independent expenditure in excess of $10,000 is made to influence a race, the campaign contribution limit would be raised to $5,000, under the proposed ordinance.

As strong advocates for a fair and ethical elections system, the Sonoma County Democratic Party was outraged to learn of the Board of Supervisors’ transparent attempt to influence the outcome of the Supervisor races by changing the rules less than 20 days before the election. If approved, the ordinance would disproportionately benefit candidates such as Sharon Wright in the 3rd Supervisor District and Efren Carrillo in the 5th, who benefit from a larger pool of wealthy donors well-positioned to throw thousands of dollars into defending their interests on the Board of Supervisors.

“Development interests have had a stranglehold on Sonoma County for too long, and they are the clear winners if this ordinance is approved,” said Stephen Gale, Chair of the Sonoma County Democratic Party. “This eleventh-hour proposal would benefit entrenched interests at the expense of the candidates with more progressive, community support.”

The Party has vowed to fight the ordinance and will urge the Board of Supervisors to reject it when it goes to second reading next Tuesday, September 16th.