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Mayor Dennis Donohue 2010 Re-Election Campaign Kick Off(Event)(7 days)
MCDCC Special Candidate Endorsement Meeting(Event)(11 days)
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Voter Guide for the Election of June 8 and Special Election of June 22

Monterey County Democrats have compiled our endorsements for the June 2010 election on this page. Click here to download a PDF version of this page.

Candidate Endorsements

Governor
Jerry Brown

Lieutenant Governor
No Endorsement

Secretary of State
Debra Bowen *

Controller
John Chiang *

Treasurer
Bill Lockyer *

Attorney General
No Endorsement

Insurance Commissioner
Dave Jones

Board of Equalization-District 1
Betty T. Yee *

Board of Equalization-District 2
Chris Parker

Board of Equalization-District 4
Jerome E. Horton *

U.S. Senate
Barbara Boxer *

U.S. Representative
CD17 Sam Farr*

State Assembly
AD27 Bill Monning*
AD28 Luis Alejo

State Senate
SD12 Anna Caballero
SD15 John Laird (Special Election on June 22)

Board of Supervisors
District 2 - Ed Mitchell (MCDCC Endorsement)

* denotes incumbent

Ballot Proposition Recommendations 2010

Prop 13 – Seismic Retrofits YES

The state legislature placed this proposal on the ballot to speed up seismic retrofitting by exempting property owners that do retrofit their buildings from increased property taxes.

Prop 14 – Top-Two Primary NO

Placed on the ballot through a backroom deal by Republican Abel Maldonado, this changes the way primary elections work, by sending the top two vote getters at the primary onto the general election regardless of party. It is intended to limit voter choices at the general election and increase special interest spending on primary battles. More information is at Protect Voter Choice (http://www.stoptoptwo.org/).

Prop 15 – Fair Elections YES

Corporate money has been dominating our elections for far too long. This proposition offers the chance to bring it to an end. This proposition repeals the prohibition on public financing of state elections and creates a public financing system for elections beginning in 2014. The system would be funded by an increase in the fees lobbyists pay when they register with the state. More information is at California Fair Elections Act (http://www.yesfairelections.org/).

Prop 16 – PG&E Power Grab NO

PG&E has spent nearly $30 million on this initiative, which limits the ability of local governments to create public power systems and to purchase blocks of renewable power by requiring a 2/3 vote to approve such systems, instead of a simple majority. Designed to protect PG&E’s monopoly from competition that might drive down rates. More information is at Stop the PG&E Power Grab (http://www.powergrab.info/).

Prop 17 – Auto insurance surcharge NO

Mercury Auto Insurance has spent millions of dollars to get this on the ballot, which would undermine consumer protections and allow insurance companies to charge significantly higher premiums to customers who are even a few hours late with their payments. More information is at Stop Prop 17 (http://www.stopprop17.org/).

How to Cast Your Vote by Mail

Whether it's in-person early voting at the Monterey County Elections or filling out an absentee ballot at your kitchen table, voting early has advantages. Here are the ways to vote:

If you are already registered to vote by mail, you can expect your ballot in the mail this week. Use our Voter Guide to help you complete it and mail it back right away.
You can still register to vote by mail at the Monterey County Election Department. You can also download an application to vote by mail and send it in right away.
Early Voting is now available at Monterey County Elections, 1370 B South Main Street, Salinas (in the Nob Hill Shopping Center), Monday through Saturday, 8-5.
Overseas Voters can find more information here.

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John Laird Volunteer Appreciation Event July 7, 2010

Senator Barbara Boxer at the Monterey Center for Change

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News from Our Electeds

Farr Perfect on Conservation Votes

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The League of Conservations Voters this week awarded Congressman Sam Farr (D-Carmel) a perfect 100 percent rating on its annual National Environmental Scorecard.

The scorecard is used by the group as a yardstick to rate members of Congress on environmental, public health and energy issues.

“Even as Congress continues to work on creating jobs and jumpstarting our economy, we have to keep an eye on the bigger picture,” Rep. Farr said. “Making sure we protect the environment, preserve green space and address climate change all have long-term ramifications we can’t ignore.”

The 2009 Scorecard included 13 House votes, ranging from clean energy and climate change to public lands and wildlife conservation.

“The successes of the first session of the 111th Congress, including passage of comprehensive clean energy and climate legislation in the U.S. House, clearly demonstrated a down payment on the change that voters sought in 2008,” said League of Conservations Voters President Gene Karpinski.

The full 2009 National Environmental Scorecard can be found at www.lcv.org/scorecard.

Carmel Fisherman Appointed to Regional Fishery Council

WASHINGTON, D.C. – David Crabbe, a longtime fisherman from Carmel, has been appointed to the Pacific Fishery Management Council.
The Pacific Council is one of eight regional bodies that manage offshore fisheries. The Pacific Council is responsible for fisheries off the coasts of California, Oregon and Washington.
“David is a perfect fit for this position, with the heart of a fisherman and the brain of a scientist,” said Congressman Sam Farr (D-Carmel), who wrote a letter supporting Crabbe’s appointment.
In his letter, Rep. Farr wrote: “David continues to be an important leader on the conservation issues facing today's fisheries, especially the urgent need for achieving sustainability so that our nation's fishing heritage and coastal economic vitality can be perpetuated.”
The councils, established by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, create comprehensive plans for marine fish stocks in their regions. Among their goals is to fulfill the act’s charge to end overfishing of 41 stocks by 2010. NOAA’s Fisheries Service works closely with the councils during plan development and also reviews, approves and implements the management plans developed by the councils.
“We welcome the new and returning appointees to these important councils. They play a critical role in ensuring sustainable marine fisheries, which are in turn vitally important to coastal communities and coastal economies,” said NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco. “This is an exciting and challenging time for fishery management, and the councils’ efforts ensure that the public is well represented in this process. These are the experts -- fishermen and scientists, leaders in their regions -- who will help us achieve sustainable fisheries and maintain vibrant fishing communities.”
Council members represent a variety of interests, from commercial and recreational fisheries to environmental concerns to academia. A total of 72 members are appointed by the Secretary of Commerce. Crabbe was part of a group of 30 who were named or reappointed for the next term, which begins August 11.

Elkhorn Slough Foundation Receives $3.9 Million Grant

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Elkhorn Slough Foundation has been awarded a $3,940,734 grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The coastal restoration funds were included in the Recovery Act, which was signed into law in February.
“Funds from the Recovery Act continue to flow into communities throughout the nation, injecting needed capital into economies and creating jobs for local residents,” said Congressman Sam Farr (D-Carmel). “As with all the other projects that we’ve seen locally, this project will save local jobs and pump more money into our ailing economy.”
The Elkhorn Slough grant will provide long-term protection and erosion control for seven acres of tidal wetlands and protect critical coastal infrastructure. The selection of projects was a highly competitive process and evaluated a variety of biological and economic criteria.
California will see nine NOAA projects funded for a total of more than $31 million. These projects are expected to create 190 jobs statewide. Nationwide, 50 coastal restoration grants were awarded for a total of $167 million
"These Recovery Act projects will put Americans to work while restoring our coasts and combating climate change,” said Commerce Secretary Gary Locke. “They reflect our investment in sound science and commitment to help strengthen local economies.”
NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco added: “NOAA is investing in green jobs for Americans to restore habitat for valuable fish and wildlife and strengthen coastal communities, making them more resilient to storms, sea-level rise and other effects of climate change. In addition to the immediate jobs created by the projects, stronger and healthier coastal communities will boost our nation’s long-term economic health.”