Are there Deomcrats in Gold Country?

I have heard people say "I didn't know there were any Democrats in El Dorado or Amador County."

Yes there are:

• El Dorado County -- 93,890 voters --> 40,529 voted for Democrats
• Amador County -- 18,374 voters --> 7,813 voted for Democrats
• Placer County -- 59,779 voters --> 20,719 voted for Democrats.

Democrats make up about 45 percent of the voters in Gold County.  We can make a difference, but we have to vote!

McClintock's voting record

Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act – vote Passed (247-161, 25 not voting)

In Aug., the House passed this bill to provide $16.1 billion t extend increased Medicaid assistance to states and $10 billion in funding for states to create or retain teacher's jobs. 

Rep. Tom McClintock voted NO

The Senate added an amendment to the H.R. 1586 a bill to modernize the air traffic control and safety system and the House had to agree to the changed bill – Vote Passed (229-173, 30 not voting)

Rep. Tom McClintock voted NO

The Offshore Oil and Gas Worker Whistleblower Protection Act of 2010 – Vote Passed (315-93, 25 not voting)

Rep. Tom McClintock voted NO

Economy is REALLY headed in the right direction

In spite of the stimulus bill, in spite of TARP, in spite of the GM/AIG/Wall Street bailouts, the first Obama budget (2010) has closed the deficit by 13%, according to Bloomberg.

The excess of spending over revenue totaled $90.5 billion last month, smaller than the median forecast of economists surveyed by Bloomberg News and down 13 percent from $103.6 billion in August 2009, according to a Treasury Department report issued today in Washington. The gap for the fiscal year that started in October was $1.26 trillion compared with $1.37 trillion last year at the same time.

The Bloomberg article

A graph showing how Obama's nominations are going...

The Senate Republicans threatens a filibuster.  When they are called on it, then the Senate Republican Leaders demand a complete 30-hour debate on each and every one of these appointees.

Finally some of Obama's nominations are getting through

The Senate has allowed some of his nominations to come up for a vote: (About time)

Judge Barbara Milano Keenan's nomination for the Fourth Circuit was filibustered for months was confirmed by a 99-0 vote.  Even the clown that filibustered didn't vote against her.

Judge Denny Chin was filibustered for months and he was confirmed by a 98-0 vote.  Again the clown that filibustered didn't vote against him.

Today Attorney Jane Stranch who was nominated for the United States Court of Appeals more than 400 days ago was confirmed by 71-19.

 

El Dorado County Sheriff contest

The run off election for county sheriff includes:
John D'Agostini....... He has received $43,536 in contributions in his campaign.
Craig Therkildsen..... He has received $112,705 in contributions to his campaign.
Larry Hennick....... (I appoligize.  I didn't collect the information for him.  Will get back soon)

I would welcome any information someone might have about these candidates.  The election is in 7 weeks, and our sheriff is important to our county.

Ballot Watch: Ban on state using local government funds

Story in the Sacramento Bee
Written by Dan Smith

Last Modified: Saturday, Sep. 11, 2010 - 12:37 am

Proposition 22: Should the state be banned from taking or borrowing funds from local government and redevelopment agencies?
For nearly two decades, the state at various times has turned to cities, counties, special districts and redevelopment agencies for money to help bridge state budget gaps. Largely, the effort has involved "shifting" property tax funds from local governments to school districts, thereby reducing the state's obligation to use state funds to meet the minimum school funding level under Proposition 98. State officials also have taken aim at transportation funds, using gasoline tax money to pay for state transportation bonds, for instance, instead of sending the money to local agencies.
These practices have been the subject of lawsuits, and the state's approach has been altered at various times by ballot measures pushed by local government interests.
In 2004, voters required the Legislature to repay property tax money taken from local government, within three years. In 2006, gasoline taxes were restricted.
The debate comes down to public money and who should spend it � local governments or state government?
WHAT IT DOES
• Eliminates the state's ability to use gasoline tax revenue to repay transportation bonds that have been sold and restricts its ability to use the money for future bonds.
• Bans the state from using gasoline tax revenue to help balance the state budget or bridge a cash-flow crisis, and makes it more difficult for the Legislature to change the distribution of funds for state and local transportation needs.
• Bans the state from shifting property tax funds from local redevelopment agencies to schools.
• Bans state from shifting property taxes from local governments to schools to temporarily solve a state fiscal crisis.
• Forbids the Legislature to take any action that conflicts with the measure until Election Day.
WHAT IT COSTS
• According to the Legislative Analyst's Office, the state would have about $1 billion less in the current fiscal year to help close the budget deficit.
• Because the gasoline tax money could not be used to repay transportation bonds, over the next 20 years the state would have about $1 billion less each year to make those payments.
• The inability to take or borrow redevelopment funds means that the state would have up to several billion less each year to help balance the budget.
• With the state restricted from borrowing or taking their money, local governments would have more money to spend on services.
MONEY WATCH
• Supporters have raised about $3.2 million, most of it from the League of California Cities. The league collects public funds from cities for its lobbying activities, but the campaign cash, under law, comes from the association's private enterprises, such as magazine advertising sales.
• Other large contributors include the California Transit Association and the California Alliance for Jobs.
• Opponents, led by public employee unions that stand to lose if more state budget cuts result from Proposition 22's passage, have created a campaign committee but have yet to file a report.
SUPPORTERS
• League of California Cities
• California Transit Association
• California Alliance for Jobs, a coalition of infrastructure construction companies and related labor unions
WHAT THEY SAY
• State officials' frequent raids on local government coffers to balance the state budget are hurting local services such as police and fire protection and road repairs.
• Gasoline taxes should be used for transportation purposes, not to help balance the state budget.
• Lawmakers exploit loopholes in current law to take local funds to spend as they please.
OPPONENTS
• California Teachers Association
• California Nurses Association
• California Professional Firefighters
WHAT THEY SAY
• The measure would remove money from the state budget, forcing cuts in schools and statewide emergency services and health care.
• The measure locks in funding for redevelopment agencies, which use property tax funds to make deals with developers and take property through eminent domain.
• The measure represents more "ballot-box budgeting," further restricting the choices officials have to balance the state's books.
ON THE WEB
http://www.savelocalservices.com
http://votenoprop22.com
Sources: Secretary of state, Legislative Analyst's Office, attorney general's office

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