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reen voter guide 1 continued on page 4 continued on page 3 continued on page 5 Bay Area Measure AA: Yes, with reservations The S.F. Bay Clean Water, Pollution Prevention and Habitat Restoration Program For the first time, a parcel tax measure will be on the June ballot in all nine Bay Area counties. The San Francisco Bay Restoration Authority (SFBRA) (in their press release of 1/13/16) summarizes the purposes as “For nearly a decade, concerned environmentalists, business leaders, and local officials have been working to develop a regional funding measure that will allow us to carry out the wetlands restora- tion necessary to ensure that our children and grandchildren inherit a clean and healthy bay that enhances their quality of life. It is now clear we must accelerate efforts to restore the bay before sea level rise forecloses the opportunity. The Clean and Healthy Bay Ballot Measure will reduce pollu- tion of bay waters, expand wildlife habitat, increase bayside recreation opportunities, and protect shoreline communities from flooding.” The SFBRA is governed by a board of local elected officials, but like some other regional bodies (such as the Metropolitan Transportation Commission) they are not directly elected by the voters. “It was created by the California legislature in 2008 with the enactment of AB 2954.” This measure requires two-thirds approval by the voters of the nine-county Bay Area, and all counties would be affected regardless of the vote in each county. In the coming decades, global warming is expected to cause a rise in sea level which will threaten large areas Alameda County Superior Court It can be difficult to determine endorsements for judicial candidates, as relatively few of them run on a specific plat- form or take clear positions on specific issues, particularly in a large and diverse county like Alameda. In addition, attorneys who have judicial ambitions often try to tailor their experience to create a convention- ally “good” judicial background, often including a stint as a prosecutor, along with some form of public service. Finally, temperament is an important aspect of being a good judge (you want your judge to be open-minded), so the best advocates are not always the best judges. These factors, along with the relatively sanitized lan- guage of the candidates’ websites and candidate statements, makes it difficult for us to get a clear enough picture to make any strong recommendations. With those caveats, here goes: Alameda County Superior Court, Office #1: Barbara Thomas, with reservations For Alameda County Superior Court Office #1 there are three candidates: Scott Jackson, David Lim, and Barbara Thomas. None of these three is a white male, so any of them would add some diversity to the bench. Scott Jackson was a prosecutor with the Alameda District Attorney’s office for 13 years, and did civil litiga- tion with a law firm for just under four years. (It appears that at least some of this work was on the employer side of employment litigation.) He recently became a visiting law professor at Golden Gate University, and he has served on the boards of social service organizations. David Lim has been a prosecutor with the Alameda District Attorney’s office for 15 years, mostly specializing in real estate fraud (a good thing). He does not appear to have civil litigation experience. He has been a city council member and mayor of San Mateo. Both Jackson and Lim have relevant experience, and U.S. Senate Pamela Elizondo, with reservations, or John Thompson Parker, with reservations For a variety of reasons, we can’t fully endorse any of the almost three dozen candidates who are listed on the ballot for U.S. Senate. There are, however, two candidates whose primary platform positions are strongly aligned with Green Party values. Voting for either of them will help build solidarity for those positions, and for the third party move- ment. Pamela Elizondo is a Green Party candidate and John Thompson Parker is running on the Peace and Freedom Party ticket. Pamela Elizondo has run as a Green Party candidate in the northern counties of California several times, primarily for legislative offices including U.S. Congress and State Assembly. Her primary issue is marijuana. Her application for the Green Party’s endorsement is written in a rather dis- jointed and eccentric fashion; however, her understanding of the interrelationships of our country’s many destructive Darryl Cherney, William Kreml, Kent Mesplay, Sedinam Moyowasifsa-Curry, and Jill Stein are running in our Primary. The 2016 presidential primary races are shaping up to be quite different from those in recent memory -- viable populist candidates are challenging the Establishment in ways no one quite expected. Self-described Democratic Socialist Bernie Sanders was set to be yet another fake progressive working to corral voters toward Hillary Clin- ton’s inevitable nomination, but instead, with a laser focus on Wall Street corruption and a “political revolution,” has captured 80 percent support among millennials, won some states by nearly 4-to-1 margins, and has received a record number of individual contributions (as we go to press, over 2 million, averaging $27). Meanwhile, billionaire Donald Trump has quickly risen to the top of the crowded Republican field with non-stop corporate media coverage of his every move and remark, no matter how uninformed, extremist, racist or offensive—as the CBS chief executive stated at a San Francisco investors’ conference, “It may not be good for America, but it’s damn good for CBS.” For Greens, this election holds the important ques- tion of what Bernie’s growing army of young people will finally do when the nomination hits and the Establishment attempts to close ranks on them. Many Bernie supporters, an estimated 30 percent, are signing pledges not to vote continued on page 8 for Hillary in November, using #BernieOrBust, #BernieOr- Green2016, and others, in their social media posts. Green 2012 Presidential candidate Jill Stein, running again in 2016, has produced expert responses in news interviews asking what Greens will do, presenting carefully worded messages mixing praise and support for Bernie with the gentle remind- ers of his glaring limitations, primarily, his foreign policy positions and the fact that he is running as a Democrat. As Stein told Grist magazine recently, “You can’t really have a revolutionary campaign inside a counter-revolutionary party.” Interestingly, it is Hillary’s campaign that may be the biggest wild card of all—now the target of the criminal investigation by the FBI for setting up an insecure, un- auditable, private server in her home while Secretary of State, Clinton could be indicted before the primary season has even finished. She may face influence peddling charges (for the $172 million given to the Clinton Foundation by foreign investors receiving favorable decisions by her State Department), or espionage-related charges for attempting to evade federal record-keeping and reporting laws by de- leting tens of thousands of emails (had Nixon been able to delete the Watergate tapes, he might have continued on as president). Indeed, rather than being a “security review,” as Clinton insists, the criminal case is actually moving forward—a U.S. District Court judge has granted a motion U.S. President: Green Party primary Darryl Cherney, William Kreml, Kent Mesplay, Sedinam Moyowasifsa-Curry, Jill Stein Election Day: June 7, 2016 Index Federal Offices ................................................... 1, 3, 4 State Senate and Assembly .................................... 1, 5 State Propositions ...................................................... 9 Superior Court Judge ...............................................1, 6 County Offices............................................................ 6 Hayward City Council ................................................7 Local Measures........................................................1, 8 Special Articles............................................................9 Green Party County Council..................................... 10 Voter Card ..................................................... Back page State Senate, District 9 No Endorsement Four candidates are running to replace termed-out State Senator Loni Hancock in District 9: former Assembly mem- bers and political powerhouses Sandre Swanson (D) and Nancy Skinner (D), public education advocate Katherine Welch (D) and San Pablo Mayor Rich Kinney (R). Sandre Swanson represented Assembly District 16 (now District 18), Oakland south to San Leandro, for three terms. Prior to seeking elective office, he had 30 years of political experience, working for Congressman Ron Del- lums as District Director and Senior Policy Advisor for 25 years, and then five years as Chief of Staff for Congress- woman Barbara Lee. He is running to build on his work in the Assembly, emphasizing his commitment to growing the middle class and sustainable jobs, at-risk youth, the victims of human trafficking, worker rights and protections, and a “state budget that is not balanced on the backs of the most vulnerable and voiceless in our society.” He gave a detailed response to our questionnaire, citing legislation and work in the community to support labor and the environment. He supports tuition-free higher education starting with the community colleges. Swanson also offers as evidence of a principled pro- gressive voice his “no” votes on the bill that eliminated the “Healthy Families Program,” moving 740,000 poor children to Medical, and on measures that he views undermine col- lective bargaining rights. He also voted his “conscience… refusing to support a spending cap ‘rainy day fund’ during the recession” on the 2009 Schwarzenegger/Democratic leadership budget deal, a vote that cost him the chairman- ship of the Labor Committee. While Swanson was not able to convince other Democrats to follow his strong lead, in 2010 he spoke out forcefully against Prop 14’s Top Two Primary at hearings and rallies, and in meetings with local Greens and other independent parties. Swanson’s campaign contributions are from individu- als, a variety of businesses (including PG&E) and most notably, from organized labor. His endorsers include Loni Hancock, Barbara Lee, Berkeley City Councilmembers An- derson,Arreguin and Worthington, the Wellstone Renewal Democratic Club and LOTS of labor unions. He strongly ** GO PAPERLESS ** The PDF version of this Voter Guide is available at http://acgreens.wordpress.com/ voter-guides. Would you like to save some trees and printing/postage costs? PLEASE LET US KNOW at [email protected] that you prefer to receive email (with our Green Voter Card plus a link to the full Voter Guide online) instead of printed copies. Printed copies (for your use, and to distrib- ute) will always be available at our Green Party headquarters at 2022 Blake Street, Berkeley, CA 94704; (510) 644-2293. Donations of any amount are encouraged (but not required). Thanks everyone! continued on page 6

U.S. President: Green Party primary Bay Area Measure AA ... · for Hillary in November, using #BernieOrBust, #BernieOr-Green2016, and others, in their social media posts. Green 2012

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Page 1: U.S. President: Green Party primary Bay Area Measure AA ... · for Hillary in November, using #BernieOrBust, #BernieOr-Green2016, and others, in their social media posts. Green 2012

reen voter guide Election Day: June 7, 2016 1

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Bay Area Measure AA: Yes, with reservations

The S.F. Bay Clean Water, Pollution Prevention and

Habitat Restoration Program Forthefirsttime,aparceltaxmeasurewillbeontheJuneballotinallnineBayAreacounties.TheSanFranciscoBayRestorationAuthority(SFBRA)(intheirpressreleaseof1/13/16)summarizesthepurposesas“Fornearlyadecade,concerned environmentalists, business leaders, and localofficialshavebeenworkingtodeveloparegionalfundingmeasurethatwillallowustocarryoutthewetlandsrestora-tionnecessarytoensurethatourchildrenandgrandchildreninheritacleanandhealthybaythatenhancestheirqualityoflife.Itisnowclearwemustaccelerateeffortstorestorethebaybeforesealevelriseforeclosestheopportunity.TheCleanandHealthyBayBallotMeasurewillreducepollu-tionofbaywaters,expandwildlifehabitat,increasebaysiderecreationopportunities,andprotectshorelinecommunitiesfromflooding.”TheSFBRAisgovernedbyaboardoflocalelectedofficials,butlikesomeotherregionalbodies(suchastheMetropolitanTransportationCommission)theyarenotdirectlyelectedbythevoters.“ItwascreatedbytheCalifornia legislature in2008with theenactmentofAB2954.”Thismeasurerequirestwo-thirdsapprovalbythevotersofthenine-countyBayArea,andallcountieswouldbeaffectedregardlessofthevoteineachcounty. In the comingdecades, globalwarming is expectedtocauseariseinsealevelwhichwillthreatenlargeareas

Alameda County Superior Court

Itcanbedifficulttodetermineendorsementsforjudicialcandidates,asrelativelyfewofthemrunonaspecificplat-formortakeclearpositionsonspecificissues,particularlyinalargeanddiversecountylikeAlameda. In addition, attorneyswho have judicial ambitionsoftentrytotailortheirexperiencetocreateaconvention-ally“good”judicialbackground,oftenincludingastintasaprosecutor,alongwithsomeformofpublicservice. Finally,temperamentisanimportantaspectofbeingagoodjudge(youwantyourjudgetobeopen-minded),sothebestadvocatesarenotalwaysthebestjudges. Thesefactors,alongwiththerelativelysanitizedlan-guageofthecandidates’websitesandcandidatestatements,makesitdifficultforustogetaclearenoughpicturetomakeanystrongrecommendations. Withthosecaveats,heregoes:

Alameda County Superior Court, Office #1:

Barbara Thomas, with reservations

ForAlamedaCountySuperiorCourtOffice#1therearethreecandidates:ScottJackson,DavidLim,andBarbaraThomas.Noneofthesethreeisawhitemale,soanyofthemwouldaddsomediversitytothebench. Scott Jacksonwas a prosecutorwith theAlamedaDistrictAttorney’sofficefor13years,anddidcivillitiga-tionwithalawfirmforjustunderfouryears.(Itappearsthatatleastsomeofthisworkwasontheemployersideofemploymentlitigation.)HerecentlybecameavisitinglawprofessoratGoldenGateUniversity,andhehasservedontheboardsofsocialserviceorganizations. DavidLimhasbeenaprosecutorwith theAlamedaDistrictAttorney’sofficefor15years,mostlyspecializinginrealestatefraud(agoodthing).Hedoesnotappeartohavecivillitigationexperience.HehasbeenacitycouncilmemberandmayorofSanMateo. BothJacksonandLimhaverelevantexperience,and

U.S. SenatePamela Elizondo, with

reservations, or John Thompson Parker, with reservations

For avarietyof reasons,wecan’t fully endorseanyofthealmostthreedozencandidateswhoarelistedontheballotforU.S.Senate.Thereare,however,twocandidateswhoseprimaryplatformpositionsarestronglyalignedwithGreenPartyvalues.Votingforeitherofthemwillhelpbuildsolidarityforthosepositions,andforthethirdpartymove-ment.PamelaElizondoisaGreenPartycandidateandJohnThompsonParkerisrunningonthePeaceandFreedomPartyticket. PamelaElizondohasrunasaGreenPartycandidateinthenortherncountiesofCaliforniaseveraltimes,primarilyfor legislative offices includingU.S.Congress andStateAssembly.Herprimaryissueismarijuana.HerapplicationfortheGreenParty’sendorsementiswritteninaratherdis-jointedandeccentricfashion;however,herunderstandingoftheinterrelationshipsofourcountry’smanydestructive

Darryl Cherney, William Kreml, Kent Mesplay, Sedinam Moyowasifsa-Curry, and Jill Stein are running in our Primary. The2016presidentialprimaryracesareshapinguptobequitedifferentfromthoseinrecentmemory--viablepopulistcandidatesarechallenging theEstablishment inways noonequite expected.Self-describedDemocraticSocialistBernieSanderswas set to be yet another fakeprogressiveworkingtocorralvoterstowardHillaryClin-ton’sinevitablenomination,butinstead,withalaserfocusonWallStreetcorruptionanda“politicalrevolution,”hascaptured80percentsupportamongmillennials,wonsomestatesbynearly4-to-1margins,andhasreceivedarecordnumber of individual contributions (aswe go to press,over 2million, averaging $27).Meanwhile, billionaireDonaldTrumphasquicklyrisentothetopofthecrowdedRepublicanfieldwithnon-stopcorporatemediacoverageofhiseverymoveandremark,nomatterhowuninformed,extremist,racistoroffensive—astheCBSchiefexecutivestatedataSanFranciscoinvestors’conference,“ItmaynotbegoodforAmerica,butit’sdamngoodforCBS.” ForGreens, this electionholds the important ques-tionofwhatBernie’sgrowingarmyofyoungpeoplewillfinallydowhenthenominationhitsandtheEstablishmentattemptstocloseranksonthem.ManyBerniesupporters,anestimated30percent,aresigningpledgesnot tovote continued on page 8

forHillaryinNovember,using#BernieOrBust,#BernieOr-Green2016,andothers,intheirsocialmediaposts.Green2012PresidentialcandidateJillStein,runningagainin2016,hasproducedexpertresponsesinnewsinterviewsaskingwhatGreenswilldo,presentingcarefullywordedmessagesmixingpraiseandsupportforBerniewiththegentleremind-ersofhisglaringlimitations,primarily,hisforeignpolicypositionsandthefactthatheisrunningasaDemocrat.AsSteintoldGristmagazinerecently,“Youcan’treallyhavea revolutionary campaign inside a counter-revolutionaryparty.” Interestingly,itisHillary’scampaignthatmaybethebiggestwild cardof all—now the target of the criminalinvestigation by theFBI for setting up an insecure, un-auditable, private server inherhomewhileSecretaryofState,Clintoncouldbeindictedbeforetheprimaryseasonhasevenfinished.Shemayfaceinfluencepeddlingcharges(forthe$172milliongiventotheClintonFoundationbyforeigninvestorsreceivingfavorabledecisionsbyherStateDepartment),orespionage-relatedchargesforattemptingtoevadefederalrecord-keepingandreportinglawsbyde-letingtensofthousandsofemails(hadNixonbeenabletodeletetheWatergatetapes,hemighthavecontinuedonaspresident).Indeed,ratherthanbeinga“securityreview,”asClinton insists, the criminal case is actuallymovingforward—aU.S.DistrictCourtjudgehasgrantedamotion

U.S. President: Green Party primaryDarryl Cherney, William Kreml, Kent Mesplay,

Sedinam Moyowasifsa-Curry, Jill Stein

Election Day: June 7, 2016IndexFederalOffices...................................................1,3,4StateSenateandAssembly....................................1,5StatePropositions......................................................9SuperiorCourtJudge...............................................1,6CountyOffices............................................................6HaywardCityCouncil................................................7LocalMeasures........................................................1,8SpecialArticles............................................................9GreenPartyCountyCouncil.....................................10VoterCard.....................................................Backpage

State Senate, District 9No Endorsement

Fourcandidatesarerunningtoreplacetermed-outStateSenatorLoniHancockinDistrict9:formerAssemblymem-bersandpoliticalpowerhousesSandreSwanson(D)andNancySkinner(D),publiceducationadvocateKatherineWelch(D)andSanPabloMayorRichKinney(R). Sandre Swanson representedAssemblyDistrict 16(nowDistrict18),OaklandsouthtoSanLeandro,forthreeterms.Priortoseekingelectiveoffice,hehad30yearsofpoliticalexperience,workingforCongressmanRonDel-lumsasDistrictDirectorandSeniorPolicyAdvisorfor25years,andthenfiveyearsasChiefofStaffforCongress-womanBarbaraLee.HeisrunningtobuildonhisworkintheAssembly,emphasizinghiscommitmenttogrowingthemiddleclassandsustainablejobs,at-riskyouth,thevictimsofhumantrafficking,workerrightsandprotections,anda“statebudgetthatisnotbalancedonthebacksofthemostvulnerableandvoicelessinoursociety.”Hegaveadetailedresponsetoourquestionnaire,citinglegislationandworkin thecommunity tosupport laborand theenvironment.Hesupportstuition-freehighereducationstartingwiththecommunitycolleges. Swansonalsooffersasevidenceofaprincipledpro-gressivevoicehis“no”votesonthebillthateliminatedthe“HealthyFamiliesProgram,”moving740,000poorchildrentoMedical,andonmeasuresthatheviewsunderminecol-lectivebargainingrights.Healsovotedhis“conscience…refusingtosupportaspendingcap‘rainydayfund’duringthe recession”on the 2009Schwarzenegger/Democraticleadershipbudgetdeal,avotethatcosthimthechairman-shipoftheLaborCommittee.WhileSwansonwasnotabletoconvinceotherDemocratstofollowhisstronglead,in2010hespokeoutforcefullyagainstProp14’sTopTwoPrimaryathearingsandrallies,andinmeetingswithlocalGreensandotherindependentparties. Swanson’scampaigncontributionsarefromindividu-als, a variety of businesses (includingPG&E) andmostnotably,fromorganizedlabor.HisendorsersincludeLoniHancock,BarbaraLee,BerkeleyCityCouncilmembersAn-derson,ArreguinandWorthington,theWellstoneRenewalDemocraticClubandLOTSoflaborunions.Hestrongly

** GO PAPERLESS ** ThePDFversion of thisVoterGuide isavailable athttp://acgreens.wordpress.com/voter-guides.Wouldyouliketosavesometreesandprinting/[email protected] that you prefertoreceiveemail(withourGreenVoterCardplusalinktothefullVoterGuideonline)insteadofprintedcopies. Printedcopies(foryouruse,andtodistrib-ute)willalwaysbeavailableatourGreenPartyheadquartersat2022BlakeStreet,Berkeley,CA94704;(510)644-2293.Donationsofanyamountareencouraged(butnotrequired). Thankseveryone!

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Page 2: U.S. President: Green Party primary Bay Area Measure AA ... · for Hillary in November, using #BernieOrBust, #BernieOr-Green2016, and others, in their social media posts. Green 2012

reen voter guide 2 Election Day: June 7, 2016

The Green Party of Alameda CountyLocals:Alameda County Green Sundays: 2nd Sundays, at 5 pm; Niebyl-Proctor Library, 6501 Telegraph Ave. at 65th St., Oakland. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AnnouncementsGPAC. (510) 644-2293 Albany and Berkeley Greens: We are working on a number of November candidate and ballot measure contests. To join our email list, and for more information, contact: http://lists.riseup.net/www/info/berkeleygreens; (510) 644-2293

Oakland-Emeryville-Piedmont Green Party: We are running at least two candidates in the November election. Please join us as soon as you possibly can. For additional info, please see our website, YahooGroup, or telephone us: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/oaklandgreens, (510) 436-3722 East and South County Greens: We are looking for east and south Alameda County Greens interested in help-ing re-activate an East County and a South County local. If interested, please contact Maxine Daniel (510) 459-7610, [email protected].

Credits: Our voter guide team includes: Peter Allen, David Ar-kin, Victoria Ashley, Jan Arnold, Bill Balderston, Paul Burton (page layout), Maxine Daniel, Mandeep Gill, Dave Heller, Greg Jalbert, Greg Jan, Tina Kimmel, Michael Rubin, Larry Shoup, Kent Sparling, Pam Spevack, Lisa Stephens, and Laura Wells.

The “GPAC” is one of the few County Councils that produce a Voter Guide for each election. We mail about 7,000 to Green households, and distribute another 10,000 through cafes, BART stations, libraries and other locations. Please read yours and pass it along to other interested voters. Feel free to copy the back “Voter Card” to distribute it as well.

Your Green Party The things you value do not “just happen” by themselves—make a commitment to support the Green Party. Call us to volunteer your time during this election season and beyond. Clip out the enclosed coupon to send in your donation today. During thesedifficult times, individualswho shareGreenvaluesneedtostandfirminourprinciplesandjoin together to work to make our vision of the future a reality. The Green Party of Alameda County is coordinat-ing tabling, precinct walking, phone banking, and other volunteer activities. The Green Party County Council meets in the eve-ning on the 2nd Sunday each month at 6:45pm. This is the regular “business” meeting of the Alameda County Green Party. We have several committees working on outreach, campaigns, and local organizing. Please stay in touch by phone or email if you want to get more involved.

Ways to reach us:County Council:Phone: (510) 644-2293Website: www.acgreens.wordpress.comEmail lists: To join a discussion of issues and events with other active Greens, send an email to: [email protected] (all one word, no spaces, but a dash between County-sub-scribe). To get occasional announcements about current Green Party of Alameda County activities send an email to: [email protected].

Voter Guide Contributions We would like to thank the campaigns, businesses, and individuals whose donations allowed us to produce this voter guide. For the candidates and campaigns, please be assured that we conducted our endorsement processfirst.Nocandidatesormeasureswereinvitedto contribute to the funding of this publication if they had not already been endorsed. At no time was there a discussionofthelikelihoodofacandidate’sfinancialsup-port during the endorsement process. The Green Party County Council voted not to accept contributions from for-profitcorporations.Ifyouhavequestionsaboutourfunding process, call us at (510) 644-2293.

Enjoy politics? Missing a race? If you’re interested in political analysis or campaigning, we could use your help. Or if you are wondering why we didn’t mention some of the local races, it may be because we don’t have analysis from local groups in those areas. Are you ready to start organizing your own local Green Party chapteror affinity group?Contact theAlamedaCounty Green Party for assistance. We want to cultivate the party from the grassroots up.

Some races aren’t on the ballot Due to the peculiarities of the law, for some races, whencandidate(s)runforoffice(s)withoutoppositionthey do not appear on the ballot—but in other races they do. We decided not to print in your voter guide write-ups for most of the races that won’t appear on your ballot. Where we have comments on those races orcandidatesyouwillfindthemonourblogwebsite(www.acgreens.wordpress.com). Please check it out.

Our online Voter Guide You can also read our Voter Guide online at http://acgreens.wordpress.com/voter-guides

Our endorsement process Formanyof thecandidates’races,wecreatedques-tionnairesforthecandidatesandsolicitedtheirresponses.For otherswe conducted over-the-phone or in-personinterviews.WealsogatheredinformationfromGreensandothersworkingon issues in theircommunitiesand fromthepublicrecord.Forlocalmeasureswegatheredinforma-tionascomprehensivelyaspossible.TheGreenPartyofAlamedaCountyheldendorsementmeetingstoconsideralltheinformationandmakedecisions.Ourendorsementsareasfollows: Whenwe list “Noendorsement,” eitherwehadun-resolveddifferencesthatpreventedusfromagreeingonaposition,ornopositionwaswarranted. Weonlyendorsebondmeasuresforessentialpublicprojectsthatareunlikelytobefundedotherwise.Ouren-dorsement“Yes,withstandardbondreservations”reflectsourpositionthatfundingthroughbondsismorecostlyandthereforelessfiscallyresponsiblethanatax. Wherenorecommendationappears,wedidnotevaluatetheraceormeasureduetoalackofvolunteers.WorkingontheVoterGuideisfun!Giveusacallnowtogetsigneduptohelponthenextedition!

Green Party of Alameda County2022 Blake Street, Suite A, Berkeley, CA 94704-2604(510) 644-2293• www.acgreens.wordpress.com

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Signature:________________________ 3-digitcodeonbackofcard:_____Include your email address if you want updates on Green activities between elections.Ifyou’dliketovolunteeryourtime,checkhere andwe’llcontactyou.There’smuchtodo,andeveryone’sskillscanbeputtouse.Statelawrequiresthatwereportcontributor’s:

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Support Your Green Party!The Green Party cannot exist without your help. Unlike some political parties, we do not receive funding from giant, multinational polluting corporations. Instead we rely on donations from generous people just like you.

Inaddition,ourmailingandprintingcostshavesignifi-cantly increased over the past several years. Please send in the coupon to the left with your donation today!

Please clip the form to the left and mail it today to help your Green Party grow.

TheGreen Party’s commitment to being fiscallyresponsible is as important as our commitment tobeingenvironmentally and socially responsible.Given thesevalues,weoftenendorsebondsandtaxeswithreservations.Why?Becausestructuralinequitiesinthetaxsystemmakeresponsibleandprogressivefinancingimpossible. Ourbudgetproblemstookaturnfortheworsein1978whenCalifornia’smostfamousproposition,Prop13,wasapprovedbyvoters.Fourteenyearslater,in1992,theGreenPartyachievedballotstatusinCaliforniaandwe’vebeenfightingforafairertaxsystemeversince. Voters overwhelmingly approved Prop 13 to keeppeople,especiallyseniorsonfixed incomes, fromlosingtheirhomesduetoescalatingpropertytaxes.Otherless-understoodpartsofProp13,however,haveincreasinglydamagedCalifornia’slegacyofgreatschools,parks,high-ways,healthcareandqualityoflife. Prop13flattenedpropertytaxesandprohibitedimpo-sitionofanynew“advalorem”(accordingtovalue)taxesonrealproperty.Prop13alsorequiresa2/3voteof thelegislaturetoincreasestatetaxes.Thissuper-majorityisasteephurdletojump,especiallywhenslightlymorethan

1/3ofourlegislatorshavepledgedtovoteagainstanyandalltaxes. Taxesarenowlessprogressiveandmoreregressive,taxing the poormore than the rich.California cankeepthegoodandfixthebadinProp13,butneithermajorityDemocrats norminorityRepublicans use their power topromoterealsolutions. Bondshavebeensoldtovotersas“nonewtaxes”ratherthan“spendnowandmakekidspaylater,withinterest.”Bondsmeanwhileenrichandgive taxbreaks towealthyinvestors, and encourage scamsby casino capitalists onWallStreet.Super-richindividualsandcorporationsavoidpayingtaxes,andinsteadloanmoneytothegovernmentintheformofbonds,andgetevenricherfromtheinterest.Implementing a publicly-ownedStateBank is onewayCaliforniacoulduseitsowncapitaltofundpublicprojects,andinvesttheinterestsavingsbackintoCalifornia. Property taxes beforeProp13 cameprimarily fromcommercial properties, and nowprimarily fromhomes.Homes are reassessedupon sale,whereas tax loopholesallowcorporatepropertiestoescapereassessment. Parceltaxesareoftenthesameforlargepropertiesandsmallcondos.Forsomevotersparceltaxesareoutstrippingtheirbasicpropertytaxes. Salestaxeshavebeenrelieduponforbalancingbud-gets, andweighheavily given that, as updated annuallybytheCaliforniaBudgetProject,whenlookingatfamilyincome,thepoorest20percentpaymoreoftheirincomein state and local taxes than the richest 1 percent.ThiscontinuestobethecaseevenafterProposition30’staxrateIncreases.Thosewhoaverage$13,000pay10.6percentandthosewhoaverage$1.6millionpay8.8percent. WithReservationsweendorsefundingwhenneededforvitalservices,andatthesametimeweeducateandorganizeforbetterwaysofraisingrevenueinthefuture.

Taxes, Bonds, Fiscal Responsibility and the Green Party

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fordiscoveryintowhetherClintondeliberatelythwartedtheFreedomofInformationAct(FOIA),theJusticeDepart-menthasgrantedimmunitytoaformerClintonstaffer,andJudicialWatchhasfiledaproposedwitnesslist. Amidstthesepossibilities,manyGreensaredividedbetween thosewho are sure theEstablishmentwillwinout,as theyalwaysdo,and thosewhohavebeendrawnto supportBernie, andeven, in somecases, endorsehiscampaign(OklahomaGP)andcongratulatehimonhiswins(ColoradoGP).OtherGreens,however,pointoutthatBer-nie’sforeignpolicypositionswillcontinuefundingoftheUSwarmachine,whichwillinevitablyundercuttheabilityforhimtopayforhisrevolutionaryproposalsinhealthcareandeducation.AndwhileBerniecontrastshisownforeignpolicypositionstothoseofClinton--morehawkishthanTrumpandheavilyinfluencedbyHenryKissinger--antiwaractivistDavidSwansonhassummedupBernie’sfailingsthisway: “Sandersclaims,however,absurdly,thathehasonlysupportedwarsthatwerea‘lastresort.’Heincludesamongthose,AfghanistanandYugoslavia,despiteneitherhavingbeenremotelyalastresort.Sandersadmitsasmuch,saying,‘IsupportedtheuseofforcetostoptheethniccleansingintheBalkans.’Setasidethefactthatitincreasedtheethniccleansingandthatdiplomacywasnotreallyattempted,whatheisclaimingisaphilanthropicmission,nota‘lastresort.’”www.truthdig.com/report/item/bernie_sanders_gets_a_for-eign_policy_20150927 Additionally,formerCaliforniaGreenGubernatorialcandidate,LauraWells, has participated in severalBayAreapresidentialforums/debatesandspellsoutaplanforCaliforniavoterswhoareswayedbyBernie: •NEVERREGISTERDEMOCRATORREPUB-LICAN.InCalifornia,registering“NoPartyPreference”allowspeopletovoteforBernieintheDemocraticPartyprimary.Votersmust ask for a “No Party Preference-Democratic”ballot,or“N-Dem”. •AFTERTHEPRIMARY,changeyourvoterregistra-tiontoanindependentparty,liketheGreenPartyorPeaceandFreedom.ByIndependenceDay,beindependentofbigmoney. •INNOVEMBER,VOTE,butdonotwriteinBernieSanders!Heisnotamovement,heisanindividual. •DONOTVOTEDEMOCRATTHEN.GlenFord’sdescriptionofObamaasthemore“effectiveevil”ratherthanthe“lesserevil”isrightonpoint.Alinkishere:http://www.blackagendareport.com/content/why-barack-obama-more-effective-evil.SometimesittakesaDemocrattoac-complishaconservativeagenda,likederegulatingandthenbailingoutWallStreet,andimplementingtradeagreementslikeNAFTAandtheTPP/Trans-PacificPartnership. Reference: “PresidentialElections 2016,withBer-nie, Jill, andPlanB”—http://laurawells.org/2016/02/09/presidential-elections-2016-with-bernie-jill-and-plan-b/.

ThisJune,ourGreenpresidentialslateissurprisinglydiverseandinteresting,with5candidatestochoosefrom.AndbecausetheGreenPartyofAlamedaCountyhasahis-toryofinclusion,overexclusion,weprovideinformationforall5candidates,listedinalphabeticalorder,forvoterstodecideforthemselves:

DARRYL CHERNEYDarrylCherney,locatedinGarberville,California,iswellknowntomanyGreensasanearly30-yearveteranenvi-ronmentalgrassrootsorganizerandactivist,includinghisEarthFirst!work to end the clear-cuttingof old-growthcoastredwoodforestsinNorthernCaliforniaandtheterriblebombingofJudyBariandhimin1990.Intheattack,Cher-neywasslightlyinjuredandBariwasseverelyinjuredbytheexplosion.ThecasewasinvestigatedbytheFBI,whichaccusedthemofbombingthemselves.BariandCherneysubsequentlysuedtheFBIandOaklandPoliceagentsforviolationsoftheUSConstitutionandheandthelateBari’sestatewereawarded$4.4million.DarrylCherneyranintheDemocraticPartyprimaryforUSCongressinthe1stDistrictofCalifornia in1988,garnering5000votes.HebecameaGreenin1990andserveda4-yearterm(2006-2010)ontheSouthernHumboldtCommunityHealthcareDistrict.Cherneyisalsoasongwriter,filmproducer,andfatherofayoungdaughter.HebelievesthatanyoneshouldbeabletorunforUSpresident,andissettinganexamplebyusingprimarilyfreesocialmediatopromotehispositions,YouTube,facebook,twitter,etc. http://www.feelthechern.com/, www.facebook.com/DarrylCherneyforPresidentExploratory, www.twitter.com/feelthechern, #FeeltheChern

President

WILLIAM (BILL) KREMLBillKreml,aDistinguishedProfessorEmerituswith theDepartmentofPoliticalScienceattheUniversityofSouthCarolina, combines a longacademiccareer studying theUnitedStatesgovernmentanditsproblems(50yrs),withactiveparticipationinpoliticalraces(30yrs).AgraduateofNorthwesternUniversityandIndianaUniversity,Kremlhasauthoredninebooks,includinghis1997book,‘America’sMiddleClass–FromSubsidytoAbandonment’,whichwascitedgenerouslybyElizabethWarreninherownbookonthemiddleclass,3yearslater.Kreml’swritingshavebeencovered byTheNewRepublic,TheChristian ScienceMonitor,TheWashingtonPost,andothers.Athisinitiative,theCommitteeontheConstitutionalSystemwasformedin1987tomakerecommendationstocorrectdysfunctionsin the public sector during the constitutional centennial.Kreml has also campaigned for political office in 1980(U.S.Senate),1984,1992,and2000(selectedpresidentialprimaries). Hisfullpresidentialcandidatestatementisavailableatwww.gp.org/presidential_candidate_statement_bill_kreml ; www.billkreml.org.

KENT MESPLAYDr.KentMesplay,ofAustin,Texasdescribeshimselfasa“CulturalCreative,”borninarainforestandraisedonideasofscienceblendedwith intuition,factwithstory-telling;guidedbyadeepcuriosityoftheroleofhightechnologyinsociety.SchooledinEngineering(HarveyMuddCollege,NorthwesternUniversity),Mesplay’sPh.D.isinBiomedicalEngineering,withemphasisonprosthetics,biomechanics,andefficiencyofnaturalsystems.AsaCaliforniaresident,MesplayworkedasanAirQualityInspectorwiththeAirPollutionControlDistrictinSanDiegoCountyandasanenforcement officerwithin theComplianceDivision hehelpsensure—througheducationandregulation—businesscompliancewith local,stateandfederalairqualitystan-dards.MesplaybecamearegisteredmemberoftheGreenPartywhenhediscoveredthatthepartyplatformmatchedhisvaluesandconcerns:fromrenewableenergytoappre-ciationofindigenousdiversity.HesoughttheGreenPartypresidentialnominationin2004,2008,and2012.HehasbeenamemberofServiceEmployeesInternationalUnion(SEIU).His perspectives onClimateChange growoutofhisobservationsasascientistandhisNativeheritage,teachings,andawareness. www.mesplay.org, www.facebook.com/prezkent, www.twitter.com/mesplayforpres

Presidential Primarycontinued from page 1 SEDINAM MOYOWASIFZA-CURRY

SedinamKinamoChristinMoyowasifza-CurrybringsbroadinternationalexperiencetoherworkintheUnitedStatesandAfrica.Apublic school andUniversity ofSouthernCaliforniagraduatewithadvanceddegrees,shehasa35-yeartrackrecordinprogram/projectmanagementinwhichshewascalledontoconceptualize,design,develop,pro-duce,manage,monitor,andevaluateprinciples,theories,concepts,methods,andtechniquesincommunity,public,andmediaaffairsandrelations.Shehasworkedforclientsin business, trade, promotions, and investment, and ineducational, social, environmental, political, economic,cultural-exchange, andheritage-basedprograms/projectsoneverylevel(local,statewide,national,international,andcyberspace).AsanAfrican-American,Moyowasifza-Currypossessestheabilitytomanageprojectsinamulticulturaland interagency teamenvironment.Throughher vision,anemployee-ownedcommunity,public,andmediaaffairsand relationsfirmopened inGhana,WestAfrica,whereshehasalsoservedasapoliticalstrategistforthePeople’sNationalConvention. www.facebook.com/ms.skcmcurry, www.facebook.com/skcmcurryforpresident, www.twitter.com/skcmcurry

JILL STEINIn 2012, Jill Stein’s campaign for president became theonlyotherGreenPartypresidentialrace—asidefromRalphNaderin2000—toqualifyformatchingfunds,andgarnerover450,000votes,givingSteinthedistinctionofbeingthemostsuccessfulfemalepresidentialcandidateinU.S.history.HercampaignplatformfocusedonaGreenNewDeal forAmerica, a plan for a renewables revolution tocreatethousandsofgreen-collarjobs,endunemployment,andreinintheextremistpowerofthefinancesector.Asamother,physician,andlongtimeteacherofinternalmedi-cineaswellaspolitician,shehasledinitiativespromotinghealthycommunities,localgreeneconomiesandtherevital-izationofdemocracy-addressingissuessuchascampaignfinancereform,greenjobs,racially-justredistricting,andthecleanupofincinerators,coalplants,andtoxics.Shewasaprincipalorganizerforthe2014educationanddirectactioncampaign,GlobalClimateConvergenceforPeople,PlanetandPeaceoverProfit. JillhasrunseveralstrongcampaignsinherhomestateofMassachusetts—in2002and2010sheranforGovernorandin2003shereceived21.3percentofthevoteinaracefortheMAHouseofRepresentatives.In2011shebecameactiveintheOccupymovementinBostonandhasvisitedcampsalloverthecountry.Jillisa1979graduateofHarvardMedicalSchool.SheservesontheboardsofGreaterBostonPhysicians forSocialResponsibility andMassVoters forFairElections,andhasbeenactivewiththeMassachusettsCoalitionforHealthyCommunities. www.jill2016.com, www.facebook.com/drjillstein, www.twitter.com/DrJillStein. #JillStein2016

Is it time for a “political revolution”asBernieSanders has been talking about in his campaign?Wellyes,ofcourseitwouldobviouslybegreatifthe“revolutionaryplanks”inSanders’platformcouldgetenacted.Infact,formanyyears,theGreenPartyhasbeen advocating formuchofwhatSanders is nowcampaigningon—andmore. But “political revolution” involves plenty ofothercomponents,beyond just elections.Given theentrenchedpowerofthe“1percent”thathassteadilygrownoverthepast35years,we’llprobablyneedtouseeveryavailabletoolwehavetotrulyturnthingsaround.Forexample,protests,directaction,lobbying,civildisobedience,mediacampaigns,politicaltheater,strikes,andboycottswilllikelyallbeneeded. Whichbringsustoanextremelysimpleyetoftenoverlookedactionyoucantaketohelpopposethetwopolitical parties dominatedby corporate capitalism.Yes,youcanchangeyourvoterregistrationstatustotheGreenParty! Just imagine a scenariowhere theGreenPartydoubleditsregistrationpercentageevery6months–withinacoupleofyears10percentofallCalifornia

voterswouldbe registeredGreen, and less than twoyearsafterthat,amajorityofallvoterswouldberegis-teredwiththeGreenParty!

SoresolvetodaythatnolaterthanJuly4th(“Inde-pendenceDay”),you’llbecome“independent”ofthetwocorporatepoliticalparties!Nowisindeedthetimetoengageinrevolutionaryactions,bothlargeandsmall.Ifyou’dliketoreadmoreabouttheGreenParty,pleaseseeournational,state,andlocalwebsites:www.gp.org;www.cagreens.org;andwww.acgreens.orgAndincaseyouwerewonderingaboutthisFall’sgeneralelection,alloftheregisteredvoters,regardlessoftheirpoliticalpartystatus,willbeeligibletovotehoweverthey’dliketothiscomingNovember. Take action this comingweek, by picking up apostage-paidVoterRegistrationCard—they’reavailableforfreeatmostlibrariesandpostoffices,orifyou’dprefertoregisteronline,savethisVoterGuideasare-minder,orbookmarkthiswebsite:http://registertovote.ca.gov/. Forrevolution,registerGreenParty,byIndepen-denceDay!

For Revolution, REGISTER Green Party

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United States SenatorU.S. Senatorcontinued from page 1problems,andrestorativesolutions,canbefound.Elizondostates, “Legalize hemp&marijuana, grow everywhere,profit from replacingcurrent sourceofpaper, fossil fuelproducts, hydro&nuclear energy, unemployment, dirtyair,food,water,afailingeconomy&environment.”Shestronglysupportstaxpayermoneygoingtowardemploy-mentratherthanimprisonmentandwar,andopposesProp14’s“TopTwoPrimary,”restrictiveballotaccesslaws,andtheelectoralcollege.Ourendorsementreservationisthather inconsistent statementsmaymisrepresent theGreenParty’sfirmbeliefthatanuncorrupted,no-corporate-moneypoliticalpartycanhelpcreateagovernmentwithafairtaxsystemthatcaneffectneededchanges. JohnParkerhasbeenendorsedbythePeaceandFree-domParty.Heis“runningtohighlightandencouragetheBlackLivesMattermovementandbuildsolidarity-espe-ciallyforBlackandBrownpeopleswhofacethebruntofstate-sanctionedmurdersbypolice.ThecampaignwillalsoexposehowU.S.warandtheeconomicwarofausterityandimperialisttradepoliciesareallpartofthewarhereagainstworkingandpoorpeopleandfueltheracistattackson the immigrant community.”Hehasbeen effective inwide-ranging arenas: he initiated aLosAngeles ballotinitiativefora$15minimumwage,andheparticipatedinanti-imperialistworkintheMiddleEastandCuba.JohnParkerhasbeenaprominentmemberoftheWorkersWorldParty,andthereareaspectsoftheplatformthatwearenotinclinedtoendorse,suchassupportfortheNorthKoreangovernment.Westronglystandinsolidarity,however,withtheBlackLivesMattermovementandsowepresentJohnParkerasachoiceintheU.S.Senaterace.Moreinforma-tioncanbefoundonParkerathisGoFundMesite,www.gofundme.com/b8td5vqw. Insummary,PamelaElizondoandJohnParkerhavelong-standingcommitmentstoveryimportantissues,andtheyrevealanunderstandingoftheinterconnectionsamongthebroadrangeofproblemsweface.

Turning now to the “status quo candidates” on theballot thisyear,whoundoubtedlywillreceivealmostallofthe“mainstreammedia”coverageforthisrace,hereisourcommentaryaboutthem:justwhenweallbelieved,fol-lowingaseriesof“toplevel”presidentialdebates,thatthemainstreamcompetitionforhigherofficeinournationcouldnotgoanylower,andfeatureagroupoflessconvincing,moremediocrecandidates(partlyexceptingBernieSanders)thesystemhassprungtheCaliforniaU.S.Senate“race”onus.Readinguponthebiographiesandissueorientationsofthisgroupofgreedy,ambitiousbutempty-headed“leaders”isdepressing,andsummingitallupisataskthatisdifficultto“getone’sheadaround.”Thebestformulatodealwiththissituationistofocusontheemerging“top”candidatesineachoftwomajorparties,andthekeyissuesthattheyshouldbespeakingoutandfightinghardtosolve.Thatwaywecanrevealwhynoneofthemareworthvotingfor,andencourageallofustoredoubleoureffortstobothbuildtheGreenalternativeandengageinthemassdirectactionthatwillbefundamentalifwearetosaveourplanetandourspe-ciesfromthelikesofsuch“leaders.”Thethreefundamentalissuesthatwethepeopleshoulddemandthatthepoliticallyandeconomicallypowerful faceanddealwithare,first,thegrosseconomicandpowerimbalancesandinjusticescharacteristicofourundemocraticsociety,resultinginmil-lionsofalienatedandsufferingpeople,alargeproportionfromhistoricallyexcludedminoritypopulations,butalsoincludingsubstantialnumbersofwomen.Asecondissueisthevastmilitary/warcomplexwithitsendlesslyviolentanddestructiveattemptstoremaketheworldforthebenefitofU.S.capitalismanditswealthyowners.Third,theecological

crisisthatdevelopsoutoftheentirehuman-environmentinteractionandincludesclimatechange,oceanacidification,biodiversity loss, chemical pollution, and impacts fromprofitseekingchangesinlanduse.Thedominantgrow-or-diecapitalistsystemischaracterizedbyecocide,itthreatenstheentireweboflifeonplanetearthbygraduallybutinexo-rablydestroyingastablebiosphere,climatesystemandouroceans.Timeisshorttoavoidglobalcatastropheandturnthissystemaround,andgenerousdosesofbothfarsightedleadershipandmassparticipationwillbeneeded.Alas,nosuchleaderscanbefoundamongthestatusquocandidatesontheballotforU.S.Senatethisyear. LetusstartwithtwoofthetopthreeRepublicanPartycandidates.BothDufSundheimandTomDelBeccaroareformerchairsoftheCaliforniastateparty.NeithersupportstheopenlyfascistDonaldTrumpforpresident,ratherbothrepresentwhatcanbestbelabeledtheplutocraticestablish-mentsectoroftheirparty.Onesurprisingfactaboutbothisthattheirwebsitesonlyhavetheverybriefestandmostsim-plisticofdiscussionofwhattheyseeastheissuesthatmightinform,enlightenandconvincepotentialvoters.Eachofthetwofocusononlyfivekeyissues.ThreeoftheseroughlyoverlapandplaytotheRepublicanbase:thedrought/watercrisis,economyandtaxationandforeignpolicy.Sundheimhasagrandtotalofsixteensentencestocoverallofhisfiveissues,anaverageofalittleoverthreesentenceseach.Hewantsto“putchildrenfirst”bywhichhemeansparentalchoiceofschools.Hisforeignpolicyviewthat“leadership”iskeyfitsintojustonesentenceaboutknowingwhatwestandfor.Thewatercrisiscanbesolvedthroughrecycling,storageanddesalinization.DelBeccarobelievesthataslowstep-by-stepapproachwillsolveanyimmigrationproblemsandthatde-regulation,afreermarket,technology,andaflattaxsystemarethekeystoeconomicgrowth,prosperityandsolvingthewatercrisis.Forhim,overthrowingObama’sIrandealandtrustbuildingarekeystosolvingforeignpolicyissues.Theremainingbetter-knownRepublican,business-manRonUnz,onlyenteredtheraceatthelastmoment.Unzisperhapsbestknownasthesponsorof1998’sProp.227,whichchallengedCalifornia’sbilingualeducationprograms.(Althoughweopposed227, it endedupbeingapprovedbythevoters).HealsoranforGovernorin1994,butlostin theprimary to incumbentPeteWilson.Unfortunately,aswegotopressinmid-April,Unzdoesn’tyethaveanactualcampaignwebsite.Thusfar,hismainmotivationforbeingintheraceistohelppreserveProp.227,whichofcourseisastate,andnotafederal,issue.Inanycase,noneoftheseRepublicansareevenmentioningsuchvitalissuesasinequality,militarism/warmongeringandtheecologicalcrisisthatthreatenCalifornia’sandhumanity’sfuture. ThetwoleadingDemocratsareonlyaslight(“lesserevil?”“moreeffectiveevil?”)improvementovertheRepub-licanofferings.BothLorettaSanchezandKamalaHarrisareestablishmentDemocrats,butrepresentingrespectivelythe“moderate”and“progressive”wingsofthedominantplutocratic establishment. Sanchez has been in theU.S.HouseofRepresentativesrepresentingtwoOrangeCountydistrictssincethelate1990s.AformerRepublican(until1992),sheidentifiesasa“BlueDog”Democrat,theopenlypro-capitalist, fiscally conservative, pro-war (“defense”)factionoftheDemocratparty.ShedidopposetheBushIIwaronIraqbutvotesforallwarappropriations.Herlackofconsciousnesshascreatedanimageproblemforher.ThisisillustratedbyherattempttoholdafundraisingpartyatthePlayboyMansioninHolmbyHills,withdrawingtheideaonlyaftercriticismfromotherDemocrats.WhentoldshewasaddressingagroupofIndianAmericans,shegreetedthembychanting“woowoowoowoo”believingthatthiswasthesupposed“warcry”ofNativeAmericans.ShelaterapologizedforoffendingtheIndianAmericangroup.Shealsooncestatedthat:“anywherebetween5and20percent”ofAmericanMuslims favoredoverthrowing theU.S. tocreateacaliphate. SheseessevenkeyissuesasdefininghercampaignfortheU.S.Senate,theseare:education,humanrights,defense/homelandsecurity,theeconomy,healthcare,veteransandimmigration.Inequality,problemsofmilitarismandwar,andtheecologicalcrisisarenotmentionedasamongherkeyconcerns,andalmostallofhersevenissuesareorientedto-wardhelpingalreadyfavoredgroupsinsociety,orarelamehalfmeasures.Forexample,shedefines“humanrights”aschampioning“religiousfreedom”and“freespeech”inViet-nam(SaudiArabiaandotherU.S.supporteddictatorshipsare,ofcourse,notmentioned).Thisreflects thefact thatherOrangeCountydistricthasalargegroupingofrefugeesfromVietnam.Herinterestintheeconomyleavesoutwork-ersneedswhilestressingexpanding“entrepreneurshipinCalifornia.”Herviewof“defense”istosupportthetroopsandvetswhile securingmilitary spending tobenefither

district.Homelandsecurityis“securingAmerica’sborder.”Healthcareistheso-called“AffordableCareAct”withnopublicoption,notsinglepayerforall.Shecloseswiththetypicalargumentthatsinceherparentswereimmigrants,shewillbeonthesideoftheexcludedandoppressed.Herentire political and ideological orientation and concretevotescompletelyrefutesthisploytoensnaretheunawarevoter. CaliforniaAttorneyGeneralKamalaHarrisisthefa-voredcandidateoftheDemocraticplutocracyinthisraceandisverylikelytowin.Shehasraisedbyfarthemostmoney,andreceivedthemostattention(mainlyfavorable)from theestablishmentmedia.Harris’scareer inpoliticsbeganwhen she became a protégé of state kingpin andpowerbrokerWillieBrownintheearly1990s.Hehadherappointedtoobscurebuthighpayingstatejobswitheasy,onceamonthmeetingsliketheUnemploymentInsuranceAppealsBoardandtheCaliforniaMedicalAssistanceCom-mittee.BrownandothermembersoftheplutocraticwingoftheCaliforniaDemocraticParty(suchasthebillionaireFeinsteinandthemultimillionairePelosi)thenhelpedHar-riswithjobs,endorsementsandelectionfundraisingwhileBrownwasmayorofSanFrancisco.Shewasthenelectedstate attorney general.Despite the culture of frugalitystressedbyGovernorJerryBrown,Harris’srapidandeasyrisetoprominenceandpowerhasapparentlygonetoherheadanddetailedreportsofher“divalifestyle”anddemandsfor“alifeofluxury”havesurfaced.Oneformerasidestatedthatshetreatshercampaignfundslikeapersonalcheckingaccount.Anexaminationofhercampaignspendingreportsshowsthistobetrue,duringthepastfiveyears,Harrishasroutinelyflownfirstclassandregularlyspendsover$1,000pernightinluxuryhotels.Insharpcontrast,herstaffreport-edlyfliescoachonSouthwestAirlinesandstayincheaphotels. Harris’spoliticalorientationcanbesummedupbyherendorsementofHillaryClintonforpresident:“I’mexcitedtostandwithHillaryClinton…Ihaveadeepadmirationforher.”Theissuessheisrunningonreflecttheusual“pro-gressive”DemocraticPartyapproachtopolitics:carefullymanage public anger by offering hope of changewhilemaintaining the status quowithminor alterations.Dur-ingelectiontimetheysoundmoreprogressive,buttotallycaveintocorporateandplutocraticinterestsassoonastheelectionisover.Harrisseessevenissuesascentraltohercampaign.These are: civil rights; justice; environment;foreignpolicy;education;immigration;and“repairingtheladderofopportunity.”Theseprogressive-soundingissuesare properly seen asmerewordswhen examinedmoreclosely.Acoupleofexampleswillsuffice.Theenvironmen-talplankhasapositiveaspectinthat“climatechange”(notthebroaderandmorecomprehensiveecologicalcrisisforlifeonearth)isatleastunderstoodasan“existentialthreattohumanity,”andthat“boldaction”isneeded.However,thespecificsofferedfocusoncapitalistmarketbasednon-solutionslikeacarbontaxandacap-and-trademarketforcarbonpollution.Such“solutions”letthehighconsumingplutocrats(likeherfriendFeinsteinwhohassevenhousesalloverthecountryandfliesaroundonherownprivatejettovisitthem)offthehook,theycanconsumeasmuchastheywantwhiletherankandfilearerationedthroughthemarket.Moreover, environmental issues are, inHarris’sprogram,combinedwithsomethingnotpossible:“sustain-able economic growth.”The need for de-growth, for acrashprograminagroecologicalagriculture,immediatelyendingcoalminingandfracking,aswellasanimmediateendtofossilfuelsubsidiesforbigoil,gasandcoalareleftunmentioned.Thenecessityofendingthesystemofgrow-or-diecapitalism,whichcannotbecontinuedonourfiniteplanetisalsoleftoutoftheHarrisprogram.Theseobviousandessentialstepsareapparentlybeyond“boldaction”asenvisionedbyHarris.Similarly, theforeignpolicyplankconsistsoftheusualself-promotingdogmaabouttheU.S.beingthe“beaconofjustice,equality,andhumanrights,”ignoring all the central facts about the constantwars ofU.S.imperialism,themassincarcerationofpeopleofcolor,unendingpoliceviolenceinourcities,thegrossinequalitiesofoursociety,aswellasthesupportfordeathsquadsandrepressive/dictatorialregimesabroad.Harris,liketheothermainstreamcandidatesforU.S.Senatearethefacilitatorsofahigherimmorality,ignoringtherealissuesfacingthepeople and theplanet,while focusingon typically inad-equateandlame“solutions.” AsAlbertEinstein once stated: “We shall require asubstantially newmanner of thinking ifmankind is tosurvive.”Clearly,theleadingDemocraticandRepublicanpartycandidatesdonotoffersuchthinking.FortheJuneprimaryelection,voteforeitherGreencandidatePamelaElizondoorPeaceandFreedomcandidateJohnThompsonParker.

** GO PAPERLESS ** ThePDFversion of thisVoterGuide isavailable athttp://acgreens.wordpress.com/voter-guides.Wouldyouliketosavesometreesandprinting/[email protected] that you prefertoreceiveemail(withourGreenVoterCardplusalinktothefullVoterGuideonline)insteadofprintedcopies. Printedcopies(foryouruse,andtodistrib-ute)willalwaysbeavailableatourGreenPartyheadquartersat2022BlakeStreet,Berkeley,CA94704;(510)644-2293.Donationsofanyamountareencouraged(butnotrequired). Thankseveryone!

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U.S. Congress, State Senate, State AssemblyU.S. House of Representatives,

District 13No Endorsement

Todate,DemocraticPartyincumbentBarbaraLeehasraised$583,870forherprimaryelection,notincludingthe$83,690leftoverfromherlastcampaign.Keepinginmindthatshehasneverwonanelectionwithlessthan80%ofthevoteandthatshehasnoDemocraticPartyopponent,theneedforsuchacampaignwarchestbecomesacuriousquestion. HerbiggestcontributorisanEmeryvillebusinessmannamed JohnGooding.He runs several consultingfirms,includingTheMiloGroup,QuadricGroupand theEm-eryvilleEducationFund;heisalsoamemberoftheboardoftheEmeryvilleChamberofCommerce.Hemaybebestknowntotheworkingclassforhisoppositiontothe2005MeasureCinEmeryville,whichwasasuccessfulcampaigntoelevatethewagesofhotelworkerstoalivingwage.Heclaimed that raising thewages ofworkerswould causethe hospitality industry to leaveEmeryville.Despite hisseeminginterestineducatingchildren,hedonatedmoneytoRepublicanGovernorPeteWilsonandhisfighttopassProposition187in1994,aninitiativetodenyeducationtochildrenofundocumentedimmigrants. AreviewofRepresentativeLee’sdonationlistincludesmanycorporationsassociatedwiththeMilitaryIndustrialComplex,includingVitalSystems(fromanindividualasso-ciatedwiththecompany),LockheedMartinandMicrosoft.Andshe’salsotakenmoneyfromJStreetPAC,apro-Israel,Zionistorganization($3,750fromanindividualassociatedwiththePACand$3,500fromthePAC)aswellasBendtheArcJewishActionPAC. AlsodonatingtoLeeareDTEEnergyPAC,acompanyassociatedwith gas piping (the fracking industry) andnuclearpower:$3,000.AndDickersonEmployeeBenefits,ahealth insurancecompany($9,800 fromJeanandCarlDickersonofPasadena,CA:whytheyfelttheneedtodonatesomuchmoneytoacandidatewhohasneverwonwithlessthan80percentofthevoteandhasnoviableopponentintheprimaryisabitofamystery.)Nottomention:McDon-aldsPAC$5,000,PG&EPAC$4,000,CloroxPAC$3,000,BayerPAC$2,500,NationalBeerWholesalersPAC$2,500,NationalFootballLeaguePAC$1,500,BerkshireHathawayPAC$1,000,andStateFarmInsurancePAC$1,000. Of the $667,560 total, she has spent $487,744 on“OperatingExpenses,”whichismostlythrowingpartiestoraisemoneytothrowpartiestoraisemoneyand$57,115on“OtherExpenditures,”which ismostlymoney to theDemocratic Congressional CampaignCommittee andotherCongresspersonsrunningforoffice,includingStaceyPlaskettoftheUSVirginIslands,anon-votingmemberofCongress.Isallofthis“moneylaundering”andacceptanceofcorporatemoneyreallywhatyouwantfromaso-called“progressive”memberofCongress? Andtotopitoff,Lee’sonlychallengerisPiedmontreal-torSueCaro,vicechairoftheAlamedaCountyRepublicanParty,whosomehowthinksLeeisa“socialist.”Yikes!Itlookslikeweneedtogo“backtothedrawingboard”andfindastrong,non-corporateprogressivecandidatetorep-resentusinCongress!

favorspublicfinancingofcampaigns. Ifelected,hewillbetheonlyAfricanAmericanfromnorthernCaliforniatoserveintheStateSenateinmorethantwodecades.(Ifyouarewondering,currentlyonly12ofthe40StateSenatorsarewomen).www.sandreswanson.org Nancy Skinner representedAssemblyDistrict 15,OaklandnorthtoHercules,forthreeterms,servedontheBerkeleyCityCouncilfrom1984-92,andontheEastBayRegionalParksDistrictBoardfrom2006-08.Sheisrunningto“deliverontheprogressivepoliciesthatweremyhallmarkintheAssembly.”Sheciteslegislationthatgreatlyexpandsrooftopsolar,gunviolenceprevention,fightingcorporatetaxloopholesandbringingin$1billioninnewsalestaxrevenuefromAmazon,initiatinghigherincometaxesonthesuper-rich,andremovingdangerouschemicalsfrombuild-ingmaterials.AschairoftheBudgetCommittee,shetakescreditforthelargestincreaseinfundingforchildcareandpreschoolinoveradecadeandsubstantialbudgetincreasesforCSUandUC. She gave detailed responses to our questionnaire,highlightingherlegislativerecordandactivismbothinsidetheLegislatureandout.Shebelievesthat“advancingtheprogressiveagendarequiresskilledlegislatorstocraftleg-islation,forgecoalitions,andtenaciouslypushlegislationthroughtotheGovernor’sdesk.”Skinnerhasoutstrippedeveryone in the racewithcontributions, amassingawarchestofclosetoamilliondollarsasofJanuary1.Shehasmanysmallindividualcontributors, lotsoffundingfromthesolarindustry,somefromlabor,and(predictably)fromlocalpro-developmentinterestsinBerkeley,and,mostdis-turbingly,fromtheanti-rentcontrolCaliforniaApartmentAssociation.ShesaysshewillnottakemoneyfromtobaccoorWalmart.HerendorsersincludemostofthemayorsinDistrict9,theSierraClub,formerSecretaryofLaborRob-ertReich,afewunions,andahugelistofelectedofficials.www.skinner4senate.com ThereisonlyalittledaylightbetweenSwansonandSkinner on policy positions, and both have impressiveprogressive legislative records.They both support rentcontrol,meaningfulprisonandpolicereform,singlepayerandrankchoicevoting,andopposefracking.IntermsofSacramento politics both have represented uswell, andwillmoveaprogressiveagendaforwardwithintheexist-ingpoliticalcontext.Therealdifferencemaycomedowntoprinciplevs.pragmatism,andwhenandwheretodrawthatline.(Soundfamiliar?) KatherineWelchisrunningonasingleissueplatformto be a voice for children inSacramento by advocatingforadequatefundingforpubliceducation.Onthissheisknowledgeableandpassionate.Shehasspentthelastfouryears as the board chair for the parent-led all volunteerorganizationEducateOurState. She is a singlemotherwithaPublicPolicyDegreefromDukeUniversityandanMBAfromHarvard.Shehas theendorsementof formerStateSuperintendentofPublicInstructionDelaineEastinandothersinvolvedinpubliceducation.Herresponsestoourquestionnaireonotherpolicyissueswerebriefwithfewspecifics (exceptwhere it intersectsherpersonal experi-ence),butlendgeneralsupportforpoliciesandabudget“that strengthens families andvulnerable communities.”Shehas never held public office.Welch’s experience asa candidate hasmadehermore committed to campaignfinancereform,statingthatthesystemis“riggedagainstnon-incumbentsandthosewithoutwealth.” Sheisnota“fan”ofrankedchoicevoting,andwhileshesupportsbuildingmoreaffordablehousingwithincen-tives fordevelopersand fees tosubsidize it, shedidnotstateapositiononrentcontrol.Nearlyallofhercampaigncontributionsarefromindividuals,withalargepercentagecoming from the candidate herself.www.welch4senate.com DuetoanerrorontheAlamedaCountyRegistrarofVoterswebsite,wedidnotknowthatSanPabloMayorRichKinneywasinfactgoingtoappearontheballotuntiljustbeforeourdeadline,sohewasnotgiventheopportunitytofilloutourquestionnaire.Hiswebsitehasanicelittlevideoaboutwhyheisrunning—helovestheBayArea—butaswegotopress,ithasnopolicypositionsorendorsers.AbsentanyrealinformationonwherehestandsonimportantissuesandgiventhatheisanactivememberofthestateRepub-licanParty,wecanseenoreasonforprogressivevoterstoconsiderhim.http://votekinney.com Becauseallofthecandidatesinthisracebelongtooneofthetwocorporatecontrolledparties,wearenotabletoendorseanyofthem.Butthisdoesn’tmeanyoushouldn’tvote:thisopenseatwillbeonethemostprominentcon-testsontheJuneballotinNorthernAlamedaCounty,andwhoeverwinsinNovemberwilllikelybethereforeightyears! Please visit us at http://acgreens.wordpress.com/candidate-questionnairestoreadthefullresponsestoourquestionnaire.

State Assembly, District 15No Endorsement

The15thAssemblydistrictcoverstheareafromNorthOaklandthroughBerkeley,Richmond,andSanPablo,toPinole. IncumbentTonyThurmond'sanswerstoourdetailedandconcretequestionnaireweremostlyvaguegeneralities.Hereferredseveral timestohiswebsite,but thewebsiteisnotveryconcreteorcomplete.Theonlyquestion thathefullyansweredwashislistofendorsements(primarilytheDemocraticmachine).His votes havebeen standardDemocraticvotes. Themost detailed answerThurmondgavewas to aspecific question about howhe plans to address budgetdeficits:“Ibelieveweneedtobringmorefairnesstoourtax system, including extendingProp. 30, reforming the2/3requirementforpassageoftaxmeasuresandreformingProp.13.” Insomecases,hisquestionnaireanswerwasdeliber-atelymisleading.For example,whenasked “Whatmustaconstituentdoinordertomeetwithyou?”heanswered“Allaconstituentneedstodoiscontactoneofmyofficestosetupanappointment.”Infact,thatappointmentwillbewithoneofThurmond'sSTAFFERS.Thurmondhimselfdoesnotmeetwithconstituents.HerarelyholdsTownHallopenmeetings.Atcampaignstopswherehedoesappear,heseemsslickandinsincere. HisbehaviorasanewmemberoftheAssemblyhasoccasionally been an embarrassment (see https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2015/06/17/18773615.php). Thurmond'sfirsttermwasadisappointment,sincehewasputintoofficein2014bytheRichmondProgressiveAlliance,andsupportedbytheGreens.Itseemspossible,butunlikely,thathe'llimproveashegainsmoreexperience. HisonlychallengerisUCBerkeleyCollegeRepubli-cans'ClaireChiara,whowaspolitebutdeclinedtoanswerourquestionnaire. Weverybadlyneedtoputaviableprogressive intothisimportantseat.

State Assembly, District 18No Endorsement

TheDemocraticPartyincumbent,RobBonta,repre-sentsallofOaklandexceptforthenorthernportion,plusAlamedaandmostofSanLeandro. Bonta is becomingmoreprogressivewith time.WeappreciatethathereturnedtheGreenPartyquestionnaire,whichhedidnotdoforthelastelection.Histhoughtful,concreteanswerstoldusaboutspecifically-chosenlegisla-tiveeventsthatmayhavemadehimappearmoreprogressivethanheactuallyis,overall.Buthehadlotsofgoodthingstosaythistime,inessentiallyeverycategory.Inpersonheappearstobegenuinelyengagedandconcerned. Forexample,in2013weknowthatBontahadvotedFOR fracking (against theAB1323moratorium). Butin 2014 and 2015, he votedAGAINST fracking: SB4(regulations—aneasyvoteforhim),andthefailedAB669(toprotectwaterfromfracking—amoredifficultvoteforhim). In2015BontasupportedSB277,theunpopularmanda-toryvaccinationact—whichisawindfallforthepharmaceu-ticalindustry—afteracceptingtensofthousandsofdollarsindonationsfromthem.ButBontamayhavelearnedfromthisexperience,becauseinhis2016questionnairehesayshe“stoodupagainstthepharmaceuticalindustry,includingbysupportingAB463,thePharmaceuticalCostTranspar-encyActof2016,whichwouldhaverequireddisclosureof additional information [on expensive pharmaceuticaltreatments].” Bontaclaims,“Ihavenot takenanydonationsfromBigOil,BigTobacco,orWalMart,”whichisgreat,butthatstillleavesalotofcorporationsfromwhichhehasacceptedmoney. Bonta’s only opponent isRoseannSlonsky-Breault,whoisanofficeroftheCaliforniaFederationofRepublicanWomen.WeappreciateherrespondingtosomeoftheGreenPartyquestions.Buthernon-specific,polemicalresponsesareFARmoreconservativethanBonta’s,e.g.,“Wehavetoomanyunnecessary entitlementprograms,” “I opposesinglepayerhealth care.The freemarket systemallowspatientstoworktogetherwiththeirowndoctorstohavethebesthealthcare,”“Weneedlessregulationforbusinesses,”“Raising theminimumwage... hurts the young and lesseducatedworkers,itbecomesevenmoredifficultforthemtofindjobs.”Shehasreceivednoendorsementsaswegotopress. The18thAssemblyDistricthaslotsofgreatprogres-sivepeopleinit.WeneedtokeepencouragingBonta—orwhoeverholdsthisseat—toaccuratelyrepresentandleadtheirconstituency.

FOR OUR Fall Voter GuideR Writing R Election AnalysisR Phone Calls R Distribution

We’ve got a LOT of races and measures coming up for the

November election, so we’re definitely going to need more

help to produce our next issue!

We’ll be working on the Fall Voter Guide from July until September,

but please contact us during May or June.

If you can help with any of the above tasks, please contact us at: (510) 644-2293 or

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State Senatorcontinued from page 1

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reen voter guide 6 Election Day: June 7, 2016

Alameda County: Superior Court, Supervisor, School Board

haveahistoryofcivicengagement,butthecourtstendtoalreadybeheavywithformerprosecutors,sotheywouldnotbringsignificantdiversityofexperiencetothecourts.Andaslong-timecareerprosecutors,theyarenotjustattorneyswhodiditforatimetogainexperienceorbuildaresume.WhiletherearenospecificredflagsforeitherJacksonorLim,wearereluctanttoendorseeitherone. BarbaraThomas is a solo practitioner, doing bothcivilandcriminallitigation.Shestatesthatshehasbeen“volunteeringmyservicesworkingwithprisoners,veteransandthehomelesstohelpbettertheirlives,”andherballotdescriptionis“Victims’RightsAttorney.”SheisaformercitycouncilmemberinAlameda,andhasbeenpoliticallyactivethere. ThenatureofthelegalworkthatThomashastakenonindicatesamoreprogressiveorientationthantheothertwocandidates,withmoreemphasisonlegalworktobenefitthedisenfranchised.Inaddition,shehasasignificantlybroaderrangeoflegalexperiencethanJacksonorLimwhilealsobeingengagedwithhercommunity.Atthesametime,wearesomewhatconcernedthatthewritingonhercandidatewebsiteisoccasionallyoddandsomewhatrambling.Ac-cordingly,weendorseBarbaraThomas,butwithreserva-tions.

Alameda County Superior Court, Office #2:

No Endorsement ForAlamedaCountySuperiorCourtOffice#2therearetwocandidates:JenniferMaddenandJonathanVanEe. JenniferMaddenisyetanothercareerprosecutor,hav-ingbeenwiththeAlamedaCountyDistrictAttorney’sofficefor19years,withacurrentfocusonhumantrafficking.Shedoesnotappeartohaveanycivillitigationexperience,andshedoesnotseemtohavebeenparticularlypoliticallyen-gaged,althoughonLinkedInsheisamemberofthegroup“KamalaHarrisforCaliforniaAttorneyGeneral,”whichisnotaplus.Shedoeshavearecordofnon-governmentalcivicengagement, primarilywithAfrican-American attorneyorganizations.Again, similar toJacksonandLimabove,wearereluctanttoendorseMadden. JonathanVanEeworkedforaseriesoflargelawfirmsforoversevenyears(thisworkwouldlikelyhavemainlybeenforlargecorporations),andthenhashadhisownlawpractice for 10years.His current practice appears tobebusiness-focused,servingbothsmallandlargebusinesses,including civil litigation. (TheURL for his lawpracticewebsiteishttp://www.probusinessattorneys.com./)Heap-pearstohavelittleornocriminallawexperience. Ontheballotheidentifieshimselfasa“PublicInterestAttorney,”butoutsideofaninterestinusingtechnologytoimprovethelegalsystem,itisnotclearhowmuchpublicinterestworkhedoes.Undertheheading“DiversityCham-pion”onhiscampaignwebsite,hecitestothefactthatoneofhisbestfriendsisAfrican.WedonothaveaclearenoughpictureofVanEetoendorsehim. Accordingly,wedonotendorseeithercandidateforthisoffice.

Alameda County Superior Court, Office #14:

Margaret Fujioka ForAlamedaCountySuperiorCourtOffice#14thereisonlyonecandidate:MargaretFujioka. Fujiokahasabroaderandlessconventionalbackgroundforajudge,asshehasworkedasanAdministrativeHearingOfficer,anattorneyfortheCityofOakland,apolicyanalystforanOaklandCityCouncilmember,andsheiscurrentlythemayor of Piedmont. It is not clear howprogressiveshemaybe, but she has accumulated an overwhelmingnumber of endorsements fromawide rangeof citizens,judges,attorneysandgovernmentofficials,including12ofAlamedaCounty’s14mayors(notincludingherself)and14AlamedaSuperiorCourtjudges.Withherrelativelydiverseexperience,dedicationtopublicservice,andoverwhelmingsupportamongthosewhoknowher,werecommendavoteforFujioka.

Alameda County SupervisorDistrict 4: No EndorsementDistrict 5: No Endorsement

Beforereviewingtheindividualcandidates,let’sfirsttakealookathowtheexistingBoardcurrentlyoperates.AlloftheSupervisorshavelittlesupervision.TheCountygovernmentissupposedlythesinglelargestemployerwithinthe geographic boundary ofOaklandyet almost no onekeepsaneyeonitorevenreallyknowswhatitisrespon-

siblefor.Inreality,likemostgovernmentalbodies,it’stheappointedmemberswhorunthings.Inthecounty,it’sthecountyadministrator.Sheisinchargeofthebureaucracy. The“regular”TuesdayBoardofSupervisorsmeetingisperfunctory.Maybeit’sthe“chicken-egg”thingbutal-mostnooneknowsofthismeetingorofthefewcommitteemeetingsevenexist.Agendasaresupposed tobepostedthreedaysinadvance.Sometimestheyareaslateasthedaybeforeandtherehavebeenafewmeetingswhenit’sbeenpostedafterwards. ThisisnotlikeOakland’sCitycouncil.Thecommitteemeetingsdonotcoveralloftheitemsthatappearonthefullboardmeetingagenda.Therecanbeover50mainitemsonagivenagendaandmaybeafewhavebeendiscussedbeforethepublicincommittee.Inmostsituations,thepeoplewhoaresittingoutsidethebararedepartmentstaffandpeoplethere to accept ceremonial plaques.When themeetingbeginsnear10:45am,oneoftheSupervisorswilltypicallymakeamotiontowrapalloftheConsentitemsintoonebundlewiththeRegularitemsandmovetopassallofthem.Someonewillreflexivelysecondthemotionandthentheywillquicklypassitunanimously.Moreoftenthannot,theclerkhastointerrupttheBoardtoremindthemifthereistheoddresidentofthecountywhomightwanttoaddresstheirrepresentativesregardinganissue.Inmostsituationsthis interruptionoccursafter the lighting-fastpassageoftheitems.Byfarthelargestamountoftimeisspentontheceremonialitems.Onrareoccasions,aSupervisormightspecificallyspeakonanitemsoastoexplainwhytheyarecastinganovoteorabstainingonthatparticularitem. Soalmostnooneknowswhatgoesonatthecountylevel.Itgetsworse.Nowthose(5)electedSupervisorschoseamongthemselves,toappointthemselvestoasmanyasadozenotherregionalagencies.Andofcourse,almostnooneknowswhathappensatthoseagencies,butofcoursetheiradministrativeheadswillalwayssaythat“well,theboardmembersaremostlyelectedofficialsfromotherjurisdic-tions.” Asagroup,theSupervisorswillalwaysvoteforregres-sivetaxes(sales/property)whetheritwastherecentsalestaxfor(mostly)roadrepairsortheupcomingissues:BART,theS.F.BayRestorationAuthority,county,city,etc.Asagroup,theyappeartogivetheadministrationwhatevertheywant.AndtheyneverevergoagainstwhatSheriffAhernwants. Whatweneedistodedicatepeopletoeachagencyandkeepawatchfuleyeonit.Provideagenda/infolinks,abriefparagraphsynopsisofcertain important issues,and tallythevotesonawebsitededicatedto“our”government.Thepresshasnotandwillnotdoit.TherecentfoldingoftheMcTribuneintotheotherBayAreaNewsGrouppapersintheareajustmakesanalreadybadsituationevenworse.

District 4: No Endorsement Having said that,TheCountyBoard of SupervisorRaceforDistrict4iswellunderway.IncumbentSupervisorNateMileyrepresentstheresidentsofAlamedaCounty’sFourthSupervisorDistrict, this diverse district includesportionsofOakland,fromMontclairinthenorthtoOracleArenaandtheColiseumarea in thesouth,and thecom-munitiesofAshland,CastroValley,Cherryland,ElPortalRidge,FairmountTerrace,Fairview,HillcrestKnollsandPleasanton.NateMiley,thecurrentsupervisor,isnowupforhis5thterm,andhehasachallengerthisyear,BryanParker.AlthoughMr.Mileyhasdonesomegoodthingsinthecountywedon’tfeelthathehasdoneenoughtohelptheoverallcountyfindthemoneynecessarytomaintainandimprovecountyservices,particularlyintheseeconomicallydifficulttimes. BryanParker,throughhispositionasPortofOaklandCommissionerisnostrangertothepoliticalscene.Heciteshisexperience infinanceanddevelopment tobringnewdevelopmenttoDistrict4.Hereallybelievesintheprivatesectorandisverypro-businessandpro-market.Inhisprevi-ousbidforOaklandMayorheispolicefriendlywithlittletonoemphasisoncommunitypolicingorothereffortstotransparency.HeisfacingauphillbattleinaDistrictwheretheincumbentisfirmlyentrenched.

District 5: No Endorsement IncumbentsupervisorKeithCarsonisonceagainrun-ningunopposed.Whilethistimehereturnedhisquestion-naire,we’redisappointedthatinseveralofhisresponseshetriedto“passthebuck”regardingtakingactiononimportantissues--specifically,oppositiontotheUrbanShieldwargamesandweaponsshow,andthecreationofaPublicBankofAlamedaCounty.Infactthisentrenchedpoliticianhasn’tshownanydecipherableprogressivedifferencesincewhatwewrotethelasttimeheran,inJune,2012:“Whilehe’sdoneareasonablygoodjobinthepast,andmorerecentlywithahandfulofissuessuchasthecounty’sTransporta-tionExpenditurePlan,wefeelthatoverall,duringthepast

Alameda County Superior Courtcontinued from page 1

severalyearshehasn’treallymadeuseofhisofficetobea strong,outspoken leader forprogressivechange.Afterall,hedoesrepresentthemostconsistentlyradicalpartofAlamedaCounty(Berkeley,Albany,Emeryville,andNorthandWestOakland). Anumberofimportantcountyfunctionscontinuetobemanagedverypoorly,suchasFamilyCourtandChildProtectiveServices.These,andalsootherprograms,shouldreceiveregularreviewsandauditssotheycanbeoverhauledtoprovidethehighestlevelofqualitypossible. Our local elected officials need to be pushing hardforthemajorchangesweneedtomovesocietyinamorepositiveandprogressivedirection.Carsonhasbecometoocomplacentaboutthemanyproblemsinourcounty--attimesheevensoundslikeanapologist,suchaswhenhehasinformedusaboutthelikelihoodofupcomingbudgetcutbacks. Forthereasonscitedabove,wearenotabletogiveCarsonourendorsement,andwewillbewatchingtoseeifhecantransformhimselftobecomeapro-activeleader,whichwe so sorely need in these increasingly difficulttimes.”

Alameda County Board of Education

TherearetwocontestedboardseatsfortheAlamedaCountyBoardofEducation,Districts2and3(largelyinOaklandandAlameda),whileDistricts5and6(inthesouth-ernpartoftheCounty)areuncontested.Thetwochallengersfiledtheirpapersatthelastmomentandtheirunderstandingoftheofficeisunclear.Itshouldbementionedthataswegotopress,neithertheOaklandEducationAssociationnortheOaklandJusticeCoalitionhastakenapositionontheseraces.

Board of Education, District 2: No Endorsement

InDistrict2(WestOaklandandAlameda)incumbentMarlonMcWilsonischallengedbyAmberChildress.Wereceived a questionnaire response frombothMcWilsonandChildress.McWilsonisaformerathleteandOaklandteacherwhoremainedactiveinWestOakland(especiallyatMcClymondsHighSchool)andinthecommunity.Hehasdoneconsultingworkandissomeoneself-identifiedasabusinessmanworkingwithnon-profits. While he is known to oftenmeetwith communitygroupsandhasnotbeenalignedwithdeformerssuchasGOPublicSchools,hisresponses(andinformalinquiriesintoseekingotheroffices)leadsonetobelievethathedoesnothaveagreatunderstandingoftheproblemsfacingpubliceducationinAlamedaCounty.Hiscommentsoncharters,fiscal responsibilities,LCFF (local control funding) andgeneralprioritiesdonotcreaterealconfidenceinhisroleontheCountyBoard. Ms.Childressclearlyisbetterinformedonfiscalmat-ters,especiallypolicyaroundLCFF.ShealsounderstandsthegeneralroleoftheCountyBoardwithmoreinsight.Thatsaid,herverynegativecommentsaboutthepoliticsofofMcWilsonseemfactional,andherendorsementsbyJumokeHodgeandSheilaJordanaremattersofrealconcern,basedonHodge’s pro-charter views and Jordan’s insensitivityto the circumstances inOakland.Likewise, her answersregardingcharters,hercritiqueofwhathascausedfinancialchaosindistricts,especiallyOakland,andherthoughtsonsuspensionsareworrisome. Thereforewearenotrecommendinganendorsementinthisrace.

Board of Education, District 3: Ken Berrick, with reservations

InDistrict 3 (EastOakland, Fruitvale andOaklandhills),theincumbent,KenBerrickischallengedbyRandyMenjivar.WeknowRandy fromaprevious race for thePeraltaBoardandappreciatehisactivism,buthehasab-solutelynounderstandingofthisofficeinanysubstantialway.Hisopponent,Mr.Berrickhasanimpressiveresumeofworkaroundvulnerableyouthsuchasthoseinvolvingresidential services andmental health needs.His under-standingof issuesaroundLCFF,financial issuesandthepowersoftheBoardversustheCountySuperintendent,hisprioritiesinvolvingasocialjusticeapproachtosuspensionsandinterdistricttransfers,hiscriticalapproachtocharters,andhisgeneralexperienceleadsustocalloranendorse-ment,albeitwithreservations,fornotbeingmoreoutspokenaboutthefiscalmalfeasanceinOaklandandtheroleofthe‘deformers’(likeGOPublicSchools)indominatingschoolpoliticsthere.

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Hayward City Council

Hayward City Council We endorse in the following

preferred order:Al Mendall, Elisa Marquez, Francisco Zermeno, Matt

McGrath, Mark Salinas, and John Taylor

Onlyfourseatsare tobevotedon,yetwehaveen-dorsedsixcandidates.However,wehaverankedthesesixcandidates in theorderofourpreference for them tobeelectedtotheCouncil.Soweleaveittoyou,thevoter,tomakethefinaldecisionregardingwhichfouryouwillbevotingfor.WealsonotethatsomeGreensareconcernedthattwoyearsagotheCityCouncilvotedforawagecutforCityemployeesinordertohelpbalanceamajorbudgetdeficit(whichthemajorityoftheemployeesunderstoodandwereinaccordancewith,butaminorityfractionwerenot.)Unfortunately,duetoaglitchinourprocess,ourquestion-nairefailedtopollthecandidatesaboutthissubject.Hence,ourevaluationsandthisarticledonotaddressthatissue.Hereareourspecificcommentsonalltencandidatesontheballot: Al Mendall:CouncilmanMendallisclearlyoneofthestrongest choicesbyGreenPartyvalues—hechampionssustainabledevelopment,campaignfinancereform,man-datorygreenbuildingrequirements,aclimateactionplan,addingmoreopenspace,protectingtheshoreline,banningplastic bags andStyrofoam, installingLED streetlightscitywide.HesignedtheCity'svoluntaryspendinglimit,andwasco-chairinthepastofCampaign$olutionsforHayward(CA$H),agrassrootsorganizationthatadvocatedforlocalcampaignfinancereform.Hefullysupportedthebikepatrolindowntownthatwasaddedin~2012,thenbeganadvocat-ingforabikepatrolonTennysonAve,whichbeganOctoberof2015andisapparentlymakingadifference.HewasafoundingmemberoftheHaywardSustainabilityCommit-tee,andisthecurrentChair,whichimplementedanumberofgreenpoliciesthathaveledHaywardtoberecognizedfor its environmental leadership in2015with theGreenLeadershipawardfromtheU.S.EPAandtheenvironmentalBeaconawardfromtheCALeagueofCities. AsChairoftheSustainabilityCommittee,heiswork-ingtoimplementazero-net-energypolicyforallCityofHaywardmunicipaloperations,Hayward'sWaterPollutionControlFacility(WPCF)beingasuccessfulexample.HefurthersupportscommunitychoiceenergyaggregationforAlamedaCountywithstronglocalbuild-outrequirements.Further,heledtheefforttogetallnewhousingdevelop-mentsinHaywardtoincludesolarpanelsontherooftopandEVchargingstationsinthegarage. Healsoadvocatesformanyotherpoliciesonwatercon-servation,improvingpublictransit,increasingwalkabilityinthedowntownetc.Ultimately,heisclearlyconcernedwithclimatechangeanditseffects,andsaysheis“com-mittedtothiscauseforthesakeofmychildrenandfuturegenerations.” Wegivehimanunqualifiedthumbsup.

Elisa Marquez:MarquezisacurrentCouncilmemberandfilledoutourquestionnairethoroughlyandthoughtfully.Herfocusisabitmoreonsocialissues,butshealsosays“WewereoneofthefirstCitiestoadoptaClimateActionPlanwhichIhelpedadoptasaPlanningCommissioner,theCityimplementedaGreenBuildingOrdinanceandadoptedsustainabilitymeasuresasoneofourCouncilpriorities.TheCityofHaywardhasrecentlyreceivednumerousawardsforourenvironmentalstewardship.I’llcontinuetoadvocateandsupportforsustainabilityasacorecomponentofHayward’sfuture.Irecentlyvotedtoapproveaddingasustainabilitysectiontoourstaffreports,thatwillhighlightthesustain-abilityfeaturesinnewdevelopmentprojects.” And as one specific thingnotmentionedbyothers,shesaysshe“wouldsupportfundingthrough[Hayward's]CapitalImprovementProgramtosupportaddingsolarpanelcoveragetocityownedparkinglotsandbuildings.” Also,shesaysshe“wouldcollaboratewiththeHay-wardChamberofCommercetooutreachtothebusinessesthroughoutHaywardwithhugeroofsthatcouldsupporttheinstallationofsolarpanels.IwouldalsoworkcloselywithCityStafftomakesurethatourbusinessesareawareofthePACEfinancingprogramandotherincentivessuchasleas-ing,andBusinessRenewableEnergyTaxCredit.”Further,shesaysshehas“encouragedmanydeveloperstoprovidethecharginginfrastructureinnewdevelopments.” It’sclearshealreadyhasastrongenvironmentalrecord,andwillcontinuethisifre-elected.

Francisco Zermeno: Zermeno is a sitting councilmemberandfilledoutourquestionnaireverythoroughly,andinacollaborativespiritinseveralplacesactuallysays,“Wouldyouliketoworkonthistogether?” Someofhisachievementsandnotablepoints: •“Thisisagoodtimetomentiontrees,andhavingourCitycontinuebeingaTreeCity,asithasbeenfor29years.Iconstantlyplantthem,andhaveplantedfivefruittreesatChabotCollege.Hopefully theGreenParty ofAlamedaCountywillhelpmewiththatendeavor.” •“Oneof thereasons thatChabotCollegehassolarpanelingonitsparkinglotisbecauseIencouragedourcol-legetoinstallthem.IhavealsomentionedtotheSouthlandManager that they should explore solar paneling on itsparkinglot.” •“Ihavealwayssupportedpublictransportation,andlivingclosetowork,offeringmycaseasanexample,whereInormallybicycleorwalktowork.” Wefeelhehasastrongandcommunity-mindedrecordandgivehimafullysupportiveendorsement.

Matt McGrath:McGrathworkedfortheCityofHay-wardfor30years,andwasamemberoftheCity’sExecutiveteamastheDirectorofMaintenanceservice,responsiblefortheFleet,Facilities,StreetsandLandscapedivisions.Hesaythisgiveshim“auniqueunderstandingoftheHaywardcommunityandtheCity'sorigination[sic].”Wefoundhisanswerstobepractical,grounded,environmentallypositiveandfuture-oriented.HelikelyhassomeamounttolearntomakethetransitionfromstafftoaCouncilmember,butdoeshaveanintimateunderstandingofhowthingsworkinthecity'sinfrastructure. Asforachievementsthusfar,hesayshe“waspartofthesolarprojectattheCity'sanimalcontrolbuilding[and]priortoretiring..waslookingintocarportsandsolarpanelroofs for [the city's] facilities..”Further, he says “undermyleadershipweinstalledthe13EVchargersintheCity,11attheparkingstructureand1eachatthecorpyardandWPCF[theWaterPollutionControlFacil-ity].IpurchasedthefirstelectricvehiclesintheCityFleet,andwaslookingintomore.” WebelievehewillworkwellwiththeotherCouncilmembersin'greening'Haywardfurther.

Mark Salinas: Salinaswasa formerHayward city council-man from 2010-2014, and thushasagoodamountofexperiencein how the city runs.His focusis on education and economicdevelopment,buthedoesregardgood environmental stewardshipasapartofthisplatformaswell,andhefilledoutourquestionnairequitethoroughly. Hesaysexplicitly thathe is

“committedtoreducinggreenhousegassesandpromotingcleanerandgreenerneighborhoods,”andotherwisecoversmuchofthesamegroundasMendalldoesabove,butit'sclearthisisn’twherehiscentralinterestslie,sofornowwegivehimathumbsup,atleast.

John Taylor:Taylorsentalonganswerbackandasaformerpoliceofficer,isclearlyveryspiritedinhiscaringaboutsafetyinthecity,andheeventouchedonenviron-mentalthemes,butmostlyingeneralities,andclearlyhasafairamounttolearnonhowtheseissuesactuallygetworkedoutpractically. Wewillgivehima“positivemention”butfeelthattheothercandidateswillmakeastronger“greenteam”togetheratthispoint.

Wynn Grcich:Shehadaveryambitiousandhighlyeclectic response—though she is clearly passionate andinvolvedinmanylocalandwidercauses,andisapparentlya'character'attheCouncilmeetingsregularly,itisnotclearshewouldknowhowtopragmaticallywithotherCoun-cilmemberstoimplementmanyofherambitiousideas. Leo Ram:Ram'sanswerswereverybrief,buthedoessayheisavegananddrivesanEV—intriguing,butdoesn’tindicatethatheknowshowtoworkpracticallywithothersongettingthingsdoneinthecity.Perhapssomeonetowatchinthefuture. Brian M. Schott:Schottexplicitlywroteusback,“Ihavedecidednottoseekendorsementfromyourorgani-zation formy run atHaywardCityCouncil.Thankyouagain foryouroutreachefforts,” sowecannotofferanyopinion. Wenotethatasofourpressdeadlinethereisnomentionofanyenvironmentalissuesonhiscampaignwebsite. Kenneth Rollins:Despiterepeatedrequestsbye-mailand by phone, he never returned a completed question-naire.

6450 Moraga AvenueOakland, CA 94611

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Local Measures

around theSanFranciscoBaywithflooding and stormsurges.Buildings, airports, roads, andotherhuman-builtinfrastructurearethreatened.Weneedabout100,000acresoftidalmarshestoprovideprotection,andweweredownto40,000acresin1998.“Ittakestimetorestoreatidalmarsh,butrestorationofmarsheshasbeenunderwaysincethen;40,000acreshavebeenrestoredorareintheworks.Tohelpraisefundsfortheremainingwetlandrestorationweneed,theSanFranciscoBayRestorationAuthorityhasplacedaregion-wide,$12[yearly]parceltaxontheJune7,2016bal-lot.Thetaxwouldraise$500millionover20years,enoughtobuild20milesofnewleveesandrestoreanestimated15,000acresofwetlands.”(LeagueofWomenVotersBayArea(LWVBA)newsletter,BayAreaMonitor,February/March2016.)Accordingtonewsarticles,themeasureissupportedbySavetheBay,AudubonCalifornia,LeagueofWomenVotersBayAreaInter-LeagueOrganization,andSPUR(SFBayAreaPlanningandUrbanResearchAssocia-tion).TheSierraClub’s“Yodeler”(April-Mayissue)hasahighlyfavorablearticleurginga“Yes”vote. Thefirstexpensivemailerappearedmorethanthreemonthsinadvanceoftheelection,sentby“OurBayontheBrink.”SanFranciscoBayiscontaminatedbyvariouspol-lutants,“thedepletionofwetlandsandmarshes,crumblingleveesandrisingsealevelsmeanincreasedriskofdisastrousflooding.”Thismailerdoesn’tmentiontheproposedparceltax.AccordingtotheSanJoseMercuryNews(1/13/16)the“campaignisbeingbankrolledbySiliconValleybusinessleadersandBayAreaenvironmentalgroups.” We support the goals of thismeasure. $12per yeardoesnotsoundlikemuchcomparedtothepropertytaxahomeownerisalreadypaying.However,thisisaregressivetax;someofthelargestandmostprofitablecompaniesintheworldwillpaythesame$12.In2014theGreenPartyofAlamedaCountywrotetotheSFBRAproposingapro-gressivetax,forexample,basedonthesquarefootareaofthe parcel, andproposing an exemption for low-incomeresidents.WealsosuggestedawaytheSFBRAcouldcol-lectdamagesfromcompanieswhosepollutionhasharmedtheBay.Wereceivednoreplytoourcommunication. Ifthewealthybusinessmenwhosesprawlingcampusesarethreatenedbytherisingsealevelcannotpersuadethevoterstopayforprotectivemeasures,theywillprobablyadopta“fortressmentality”andpayprivatelytoprotecttheirinvestments.Onbalance,werecommendvoting“Yes”onthismeasure,becausewebelieveweareallinthistogetherwhenitcomestofightingpollutionandrisingwaters.Ourreservationsarebasedontheregressivenatureoftheflatparceltax.

Chabot-LasPositas Community College District Bond, Measure A:

No Endorsement Wearenotendorsingeitherwayonthisbond.Herearesomereasonswhy:wedon’tthinkbondsarethebestwaytoraisemoneyformajorinfrastructureprojects,sincesomuchinterestmustbepaidbackontheborrowedmoneyovertime,andthisoneisabigone—$950million.Nearlyabilliondollarsontwolocalcommunitycolleges. Ontheplusside:astheysayintheirpro-argument,moreandmorestudentsarerelyingoncommunitycollegetogettheeducationtheyneedtomoveforwardintotheircareers,asthepriceofcollegeoverallcontinuestoskyrocket.Andthemoneywillallgotoinfrastructure,notadministratorsalariesorpensions,theysay. Thingswewould like to see:more of an emphasisonhowtheyplantospendthemoneyinenvironmentallysustainableways.More solar panels on the topsof newbuildings,andcoveringparkinglotsforlargefacilities,suchasthesetwocolleges,arenevermentioned,yetareakeycomponentoflocalenergygenerationintothefuture.Theyalsosaywhocannotbeontheboardchargedwithspendingofthisbondmoney,butneversayhowitwillbechosenorelected,towhomitwouldbeaccountable,howtransparentintheiraccountingpracticestheywouldbe,andwhetheralltheminutesandaccountingwouldbeopentothepubliconline,etc. TherearegoodlocalprogressivessuchasRep.EricSwalwellandSupervisorRichardVallewhoarelistedassupportingthisbond,whiletheargumentagainstiswrittenbythePresidentoftheContraCostaTaxpayersAssocia-tion(partofwhichliesintheChabot-LasPositascollegedistrict.) Otherproblems:This$950millionbondisestimatedtocostthetaxpayer’salmost$2billionovertime.Thetaxeswouldberepaidonthetaxratesleviedontaxableproperties.Andthereisnoguaranteetheprojectswouldbecompletedbecausethe$950millionisnotallthefundsneeded.“Theallocationof thebondsproceedswill be affectedby the

District’sreceiptofStatematchingfundsandthefinalcostsofeachproject.”AgainthecorporationsslidefreebecauseofProp13.Ofcourse,thishasthedisclaimeraboutthismayvaryonwhenbondsaresold,marketrates,etc.Becauseoftheveryunstablepoliticalarena,wedonotnecessarilyfeelthisisagoodtimeforabondmeasure. Itlistsalotofprojectsthatareneeded.Oneinparticularstoodout:“therefinancingofoutstandingleaseobligations.”Soundsliketheyareborrowingmoneytopayonborrowedmoney?Whywouldonefinance such a lease? It bringsupquestionsabouthowoften leasesarepaid—monthly/quarterly/annually?Theypromisefiscalaccountability,andanindependentoversightcommitteethattheywillappoint.However, after looking through theChabot-LasPositasCommunityCollegeDistrictsitewefoundagroupcalledtheMid-AlamedaCountyConsortiumrepresentsthatCom-munityCollegeDistrict.Wewouldlikemoretransparency.Plus,wecannotfullyunderstandwhytheCountyAssessorsintheCountyofAlamedaandtheCountyofContraCostaareinvolved?Therearetoomanyambiguitiesforsuchalargebondmeasure. Wedoatthesametimeseethatsomeoftheprojectsneedtobedone,forexample,abigoneistheremovalofasbestos.Wedidseelightsmentionedwithanewenhancedsecuritysystem,whichisgood,andalsoitsaidtheywould“makecampusbuildingmoreenergyefficient”butnothow.Lastly,againthecollegedistricthasaclosedbiddingprocesssotheprojectsdonotgotocompetitivebidding. Fornow,wedonothaveenoughclarityonmultiplesides,andarenotendorsingeitherwayonthisbond.

Albany Measures B and E:Yes, with Reservations

School Bonds TheGreenPartyendorsesMeasureBandMeasureE,withreservations.Theseendorsementsarebecausethesemeasures support education via facility bonds,which isconsonantwithafuturefocus.ThereservationisbecauseoftheamountofthesebondsandunequalassessmentsduetoProp13—andthefurtheringoflocalschoolfundingviaparceltaxesinAlbany,followingontheheelsofMeasureLLin2014,whichextendedMeasureIof2009. IntheabsenceofreformorrepealofStateProposition13,taxesofthissortcontributetofurtheringtaxinjustice,astheyareneededtofillthegapsbetweenmanyparcelstruevaluationandtheassessmentthatisontherolls,withanannualincreaseseverelylimitedbyProp13.Measuressuchasthesealsotendtobenefitschooldistrictsthatvalueeducationandapprovethem,leavingothers(oftenlowerincomeareas)withoutthebenefitofthissupport,andthisinturnrelievessomeofthepressuretowardenactingstatewidereform. Aswith allAlbanymeasures, there are senior andlow-incomeexemptionsforhomeownersandalow-incomerebateforrenters.However,inpracticefewapplyforthese,andwithmanyrentalpropertiesthisincreaseinpropertytaxeswillbeusedasareasontoincreaserents,workingintheoppositedirectionofaffordablehousing.Publicity isneededtoensurethattheseexemptionprovisionsreachallwhoareeligible. MeasureBauthorizes thesaleofup to$70,000,000inbondsoftheDistricttofinanceschoolfacilities,withanestimatedtotalpossibledebtserviceincludingprincipalof$148,500,000.ThetaxtobeleviedtofundthisbondissueisbasedonestimatedASSESSEDvaluationsatarateof12centsper$100($120per$100,000).Again,duetoProp13theassessedvaluationofparcelsinAlbanyaswellasthroughoutCaliforniavarywildly,dependingonwhenthehomewaspurchased,andinmostcasesshiftingthebulkofthetaxtothosewhopurchasedtheirpropertiesmostrecentlyoratupswingsinthemarket. ThelistofprojectstobefundedbyMeasureBincludesthefollowing:RebuildMarinElementarySchool,RebuildOceanViewElementarySchool,RelieveOvercrowdingatAlbanyMiddleSchool,AdditionalClassroomsatAlbanyHighSchool,andNecessaryCapitalImprovementstoDis-trictFacilitiesandRelocateDistrictOffice,withimprove-ments listed that include seismic andfire safety, energyefficiency,renewableenergy,ADAaccessibilityupgradesandothers. MeasureEisacompanionbondtoMeasureB,andissimilarlytiedtotheassessedvalueofproperties,atarateof6centsper$100($60per$100,000ofassessedvaluation).Itauthorizesthesaleofupto$25Mandthebestestimateofthetotaldebtserviceincludingprincipalis$37M. TheprojectlistforMeasureEincludesRelieveOver-crowdingatAlbanyMiddleSchool,DistrictwideTechnol-ogy,Equipment&Furnishings,NecessaryCapitalImprove-mentstoDistrictFacilities,andIncidentalWorkAuthorizedAtAllSites(whichincludesremovalofhazardousmaterials,modernization,rentaloftemporaryclassrooms,andothersitepreparationneedsincludingdemolition,utilities,andlandscaping).

Measure AAcontinued from page 1

TheDistricthasconvenedaSustainableDesignCom-mittee,andthatgroupisprovidingcommunityoversightanddesigninput.Theirgoalsincludethefollowing:Moreclassrooms to address overcrowding; Flexible learningspacesforlongevity;Safeandaccessibleschools-security,seismic,fireandlifesafety;Buildingstofunctionascom-munityresource(usedbycommunityaswellasschools);Sustainabledesign-specificrecommendationstobedeter-mined-daylighting,energyefficiency,andhealthybuildingsataminimum. ArgumentsinfavorofthemeasuresnotethatthestudentpopulationinAlbanyschoolshasgrownby900since2001,andallofthesitescurrentlyfeaturesubstandardportableclassrooms.AlsonotedisthatthemeasureshelptheDistrictqualify for a share of statematching funds.And indeedgood-paying construction jobs and related expenditureswillhelpourstateeconomygenerally. Nonetheless,relyingonlocalschooltaxestofundfa-cilitiesimprovementsrecreatestheinequitiesofthestate’sprioreducationfundingsystemthatwasbasedprimarilyonlocalpropertytaxesandresultedinvastdifferencesintheamountsspentperpupilinwealthyvs.poordistricts.Theseinequitieswerethesubjectofyearsoflitigationduringthe1970sand80s,endingwiththecurrentstateschoolfundingstrategy,whichcombineslocalpropertytaxrevenuewithstatefundsinanattempttoprovideroughlyequalper-pupilfundingacrossthestate,andsimilarlyusesstatebondmea-surestofundschoolconstructionandmodernization.Totheextentthatlocalitiessupplementstatefundingthroughlocaltaxes,wereturntoasystemofunequalfundinginwhichstudentsinpoordistrictstypicallysufferonceagain.Thusourreservationswiththeseendorsements.

Hayward Measure D: YesRenewal of the Utility Users Tax

Thismeasurecontinuesataxthatwasinstitutedin2009tocoveraholeinthecitybudgetforservicessuchaspoliceandfireprotection,emergencyservices,youthprogramstokeepyoungpeopleawayfromgangsandcrime,anddisasterpreparednessprograms.Thisisastraighttaxandnotabondmeasure,whichwillraiseabout$16millionperyear,forthenext20years,atwhichpointitexpiresunlessrenewedthen. Mostofthecityleadershipisfullyinfavorofthis,asareotherlocalgovernmentwatchdogs.ThemoneyraisedbytheMeasureisalsotobereviewedyearlybyanindependentthird-partyauditingagencywiththeresultsmadeavailabletothepublic.GiventherecenttransparencyandeffectivefunctioningofthegovernmentofthecityofHayward,onedoesexpectthatthiswillbedoneeffectivelyandbemadeavailable online.Further, the city nowdoes rely on thisincomeforitsbudget,andsignificantserviceswouldneedtobecutifitwerewithdrawn. TheargumentagainsttheMeasurereliesontwobasicpremises:first, that it isunfairlyappliedacrossdifferentutilities,andsecond,thatthesalariesofindividualssuchasfirefightersshouldbereinedin.Astothefirstargument,in fact, the statemandateswhichof the services canbetaxed,andwhichcannot,whichthenthecitymustabideby.(Further,proliferationofcomplicatedutilities,suchasdishversuscableTV,etc.,seemstomakeitinevitablethatitwouldbedifficulttofigureouthowtotaxeverysingleutilityequally.)Thusthisisnotastrongargumentagainstapplyingthetaxtothemoststandardutilitiestoraisethemoneyforessentialservices. Thesecondargumentappearsonthefaceofittobesomewhatstronger,asanumberofHaywardfirefighters(four,tobeexact,foundfromhttp://transparentcalifornia.com)havetheirtotalpay&benefitstotalingover$300k/yr.ThesamewebsiteshowsthatFremont,alargernearbycity, has only twofirefighterswhomakeover $300k/yr,withmorefirefightersemployed(82vs.53forHayward).AdjacentcitiesUnionCity,NewarkandSanLeandroap-parentlyhavenotcompliedwiththeTransparentCaliforniarequests,sothatanalogousnumberscouldnotbefoundforthem. However, it turnsout thatsomeof thosefirefightersmakemuchofthatextraincomedoingovertimefightingmajorwildfiressuchastheRimFire,whichtheStatepaysthemfor,notthecity,thoughtheirreportedincomeshowsthetotal.AnotherthingisthatHaywardfirefightersareallhighlytrained,everysingleonebeingaparamedicinaddi-tiontoafirefighter,soitmakessensethattheyarepaidatslightlyhigherthantheaveragerateforneighboringdistricts(atabout the60thpercentile,bycityordinance, in fact.)Also,givenalltheotherservicesthatthetaxraisesmoneyfor,andtheinherentdangerousnessofthejob,itseemsnotsounfairthatthosewhoserveinsuchcapacityshouldbefairlycompensated.Further,thisissueaboutsettingthelevelofsalariesforpublicemployeesseemstobeonethatshouldbedealtwithseparately,andnotatthepointofdiscussinganomnibustaxforessentialservices. WeendorseMeasureD.

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Many of our readers are aware of state initiativeProp.14,andareawarethatwefiledalawsuitchallengingProposition14.We lost.Wewere turneddownat everylevelfromtheSuperiorCourttotheCourtofAppealsandtheCaliforniaSupremeCourt.ThefinalblowwasthattheU.S.SupremeCourtdeclinedtohearourcaseinOctober2015.Prop.14wasapprovedbythevotersinJune2010afteritsproponentsranaterriblymisleadingcampaign.Theproponentsclaimedthiswouldincreasevoterchoice(inthePrimary)butitsrealeffectwastolimitvoterchoiceintheGeneralElection.Onlythetoptwocandidates,regardlessof political party, advance to theGeneralElection.NoteveryelectiveofficeiscoveredbyProp.14.ItappliestoelectionstotheU.S.Congress,theStateLegislature,andthestatewideoffices(suchasGovernor).ThePresidentialElectionoperatesbytheformerrules,andisnotcoveredunderthischange.Localelectionsarenotaffected,astheyarenon-partisan. Thisisterriblyunfairtothesmallparties,inthatatthetimeoftheGeneralElection,whenthepublicpaysthemostattentiontopolitics,ourcandidatesarenotontheballot.Inaddition,theimplementinglegislationthatfollowedthepas-sageofProp.14,madeitmuchmoredifficultforawould-becandidatetogetontheballot.Filingfeeswereraisedgreatly,andtheenablinglegislationalsogreatlyincreasedthenumberofsignaturesneededtoavoidpayingthefilingfees.Forexample,insteadof150signatures,itnowtakes10,000signaturesor$3000(oracombinationofthetwo)togetontheballottorunforstatewideoffice. WeputtogetheracoalitionofindividualplaintiffsandtheGreenPartyofAlamedaCounty(GPAC),thePeaceandFreedomParty,andtheLibertarianPartytofilethelegalchallenge.MichaelRubinoftheGPACwasleadplaintiff,andourlawyerwasDanSiegel. OurlawsuitwasfiledinSuperiorCourtofAlamedaCountyNovember21,2011.WefacedlawyersrepresentingtheCaliforniaSecretaryofState,andalsotheproponentsofProposition 14were allowed intervenor status in thelawsuit and their lawyerswereconstantlypresent in thecourtappearances. WearguedthatProposition14violatedthecivilrightsofthesmallparties,ourcandidates,andthevotersatlarge.Whatwasshockingwastheindifferenceofthecourtsateveryleveltothesituationofthesmallparties,ourcandi-dates,andtothevoterswhomightwantachoicebesides

Special Articles

Read the CANDIDATES’ QUESTIONNAIRES OnlineAlmostallofthecandidatesreturnedourquestionnairesforthefollowingraces:StateSenate,StateAssembly,CountySupervisor,CountySchoolBoard,andHaywardCityCouncil.You’llfindlotsofadditionalinfointhecandidates’completedquestionnaires,sowestronglyencour-ageyoutoreadthemonourwebsite: http://acgreens.wordpress.com/candidate-question-naires/. (Or,youcansimplygoto:acgreens.org, andthenclickonthe“CandidateQuestion-naires”tabnearthetopofthepage).

State PropositionsP.Mayer(CAForward)andHelenHutchison(LeagueofWomenVotersofCA)makeagoodpointthat“itmaynotbeappropriate toexpel thatpersonuntilall thefactsareknownandthecaseresolved.” Legislatorswhoareindictedformajorcrimesshouldbestrippedoftheirpower,salaryandbenefits.Thereshouldbeno‘freeride’or‘paidvacation’forsuspendedrepresen-tativesunderinvestigationforillegalactivities.Ofcourse,Prop. 50 should not be used to “punishmemberswhoquestionauthority”asSen.JoelAndersonhassuggested.Hasanythinglikethiseverhappened?IsthatevenfeasibleinthetransparencyandopennessofCalifornialegislativeoperations?Democracyisenlivenedandevolveswithle-gitimateandreasonabledissentandfearofretributionbythelegislatureseemsunfounded. However,wewouldexpectthatanysuspensionwouldbe terminatedupon afindingof innocence following aninvestigation,trial,orotherlegalproceeding.WhichnowbringsustothemajorproblemthatwehavewithProp.50—thereisNOTanyprovisionwithinitwhichrequiresthereinstatementofsuspendedlegislatorswhohavebeenfoundtobeinnocent,includingthereturnoftheirwithheldsal-aryandbenefits!Althoughthelegislaturewouldlikely“dotherightthing”inthatcircumstance(especiallygiventheprobabilityofsignificantmediacoverageofthesituation),wefeelthatthisflawintheactualtextofthemeasureisjusttoolargeforustoignore:hence,weareunabletoendorseProp.50. Toconclude,thegistoftheamendmentistomorethor-oughlydetailtheprocedureforinitiatingsuspension,andtopermitsalaryandbenefitstobewithheldfromsuspendedlegislators.Aspreviouslynoted,thelawalreadyprovidesthatlegislatorsmaybesubjecttosuspensionorexpulsion.However,becauseoftheproblemdiscussedinthepreviousparagraph,wearesplitoverwhetherProp.50shouldbeapprovedordefeated.

Proposition 50No Endorsement

Allows Salary and Benefits to be Withheld from Suspended

Legislators Ingeneral,webelievethatProp.50makessense,exceptforonemajorproblem,whichtherebyresultsinusbeingunabletosupportit. The intent ofProp. 50 is to allow the legislature tosuspendthesalaryandbenefitsofalegislator.Previously,alegislatorcouldbesuspended,buttherewasnowaytopreventthemfromcollectingsalaryandbenefits.Whenthreesenatorsweresuspendedin2014forcriminalinvestigations,theywerestillcollectingsalariesandbenefits.Asitturnsoutinthosecases,investigationsfoundthemguiltyandtheywereterminated,whileCalifornialikelylostseveraltensofthousandsofdollars. Webelieve suspensionof salary andbenefitswouldbenefitthebalancesheetofCaliforniaandpreventlegisla-torsfromgetting‘paidvacations’whileundersuspension.A suspended representative is already prohibited fromexercisingdutiesorpowersoftheiroffice.Theamendmentbasicallyaddstheabilityfortheirsalaryandbenefitstobesuspendedaswell.Weinterpretthewordingoftheamend-menttomeanthatwouldbeonacase-by-casebasis. California taxpayers should not be paying legisla-torswho are suspended from performing their duties.ThePDFdocument “05/23/14- Senate FloorAnalyses”(201320140SCA17_SenateFloorAnalyses.pdf)availableathttp://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billAnalysisClient.xhtml?bill_id=201320140SCA17describes the potentialsavings:“ThisresolutionmayresultinsignificantsavingsifaMemberissubsequentlysuspendedandhis/hersalaryandbenefitsareforfeited.ThecurrentsalaryforaMemberofthe

Legislaturewhoisinanon-leadershippositionis$95,291.Per diempayments average approximately $28,000 peryear,whileforfeitingotherbenefitswillgenerateadditionalsavingsofseveralthousanddollars.” Thetwo-thirdsmajorityrequiredfortheenactmentofasuspensionisasafetymeasuretoensurethestrengthandlegitimacyoftheSenate’sdecisiontosuspendamember. In theofficialargumentagainst,Sen. JoelAnderson(R-38) calls Prop. 50 “taxationwithout representation.”Suspendedrepresentativeswouldnotreceive“salaryandbenefits”and“shallnotexerciseanyoftherights,privileges,duties,orpowersofhisorheroffice,orutilizeanyresourcesoftheLegislature.”Weseethepointbehind“taxationwith-out representation”madebySenator JoelAnderson andAssemblymanBrianJones:Citizensinasuspendedmem-ber’sdistrictwouldnothaverepresentationforlegislativevotesduringthesuspension.Yet,almostallstatelegislaturevotesarecastalongpartylines,soacitizenwouldstillbe“represented”byothersinthesameparty.Plus,legislatorscanalreadybesuspendedunderexistinglaw,sodefeatingProp.50wouldn’tactuallyaddressthe“taxationwithoutrepresentation”questionanyway. However,wewouldhavepreferredforthisamendmenttohavealsoincludedlanguagedescribinginmoreexplicitdetailthecriteriaforsuspension,suchasillegalactivities,andprohibitingpoliticalattacksonminoritypartymem-bers.Intheofficialrebuttaltotheargumentinfavor,JonFleischman(CATermLimits)andRuthWeiss(CAElec-tionIntegrityProject)statethatProp50giveslegislativeleadership options “NOTTOEXPEL,” but actually theexistinglawletsthelegislatureexpelorsuspend.Therestoftheirargumentisalsodeceptive,asProp.50isnotaboutwhetheralegislatorshouldautomaticallybeexpelleduponindictmentorconviction,rather,itisonlyaboutaddingtheeliminationofcompensationifsuspended. Intheofficialrebuttaltotheargumentagainst,James

theduopoly.However,weneverwereallowedtoactuallymakethatargumentincourt. Ouropponentsarguedthatsincethesamerulesapplytoallpartiesandcandidates,Prop.14wasnotdiscrimina-tory.WewereremindedofasayingbytheFrenchpoliticalcommentator,AnatoleFrance,whoremarkedthatboththerichandthepoorhadtherighttosleepunderbridges.Ouropponentswereabletomakethisintoaproceduralmatter,byarguingthatwedidn’tevenhaveenoughcausetomeritafullhearing.Wewerereducedtoarguingthatpointasop-posedtothemerits.Thatwasthemostdisappointingaspectofoureffort. “TopTwo”isstillineffect.ButonepositivethingwhichatleastpartlyresultedfromourlawsuitisthattheDemocratsintheStateLegislaturemadetwoimportantconcessionstothesmallparties.BeforeProp.14smallpartieshadtwowaystoretainballotstatus.Onewaskeepingpartyregis-trationabove1percentofthetotalregistration.Theotherwasobtaining2percentofthevoteforanystatewideofficeinaGubernatorialelectionyear.Thelegislaturepassedalawloweringthe1percentrequirementto1/3of1percentinaPresidentialelectionyear,andchangedthe2percentvotetesttothePrimaryelection.SinceitishighlyunlikelywewillbeonaGeneralElectionballotinaGubernatorialyear,thischangeishelpfultothesmallparties.However,thesmallpartiesstillhavetocopewiththevastlyincreasednumberofsignaturesand/orfilingfeesrequiredtogetontheballot. Ourpartywillpersevere inrunningcandidatesevenundertheseconditions.Thankstoallwhocontributedtothelegalexpenses.

Summing Up Our Lawsuit Against Proposition 14 Green Sundays

GreenSundayforumsareusuallyheldonthesecondSundayofeverymonth.JoinotherGreenstodiscussimportantandsometimescontroversial topics, hear guest speakers,andparticipateinplanningaGreenfuture.

When:SecondSundayofthemonth,5:00-6:30pm

Where:Niebyl-ProctorLibrary,6501TelegraphAve.,Oakland(betweenAlcatrazand65thSt.)

Wheelchairaccessible.

Infoat:http://groups.yahoo.com/group/An-nouncementsGPAC

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reen voter guide 10 Election Day: June 7, 2016

Green Party County Council Vote for up to eleven of the twelve candidates. CountyCouncilors are elected tomake decisions for theGreenPartyofAlamedaCounty (GPAC).TheCountyCouncilmakesofficialendorsements,decidesonspendingandfundraising,appointsrepresentativestostateandnationalGreenPartyconven-tions,etc.BelowareshortstatementsofthecandidatesforCountyCouncil.TheCouncildoesnotendorsecandidatesinthisrace,butprovidesthisspaceforcandidatestoinformyouoftheirpositions.Weencourageyoutovoteinthisimportantrace—thewinnerswilldeterminethedirectionoftheGPACforthenexttwoyears. CountyCouncilmeetingsareopentothepublic,andaregen-erallyheldthesecondSundayofthemonth.Allinattendancehavefullparticipation,includingdecisionmaking.Theonlyexceptiontothisisifavoteisrequired(weattempttoreachconsensus,andusuallydo),onlyelectedCouncilorshaveavote. Individuals interested in following and/or participating inCouncilproceedingsmayjointheCouncile-maillist,readarchivesofdiscussion,andviewdocumentsviathewebsiteathttp://groups.yahoo.com/group/CountyCouncil. Councilmembersareelectedat large, incompliancewithAlamedaCountyregulations.

County Council Candidates

William Balderston BillBalderstonisalong-timesocialistandadvocateforindependentpoliticalaction.HehasinthepastbeenpartoftheLaborPartyAdvocates,andmorerecently,aparticipantintheElectLeftnetworkandlocally,intheOaklandAl-liance.HeisinvolvedintheOaklandGreensandwastheGreenPartycandidateforstateinsurancecommissionerin2010. Inaddition,Billisateacherunionactivistandinvolvedinarangeoflaborsolidaritywork.Healsohasbeenactivearoundclimatechangeissuesandimmigrantrights.Lastly,he hasworked on anti-war and international solidaritycampaignsformanydecades.

Dale Baum IamaVietnameraveteranwhobecameactiveintheantiwarmovementduringthe1960s.WhilelivingformanyyearsinCollegeStation,Texas,IservedaspresidentoftheBrazosCivilLibertiesUnion(ACLU)andadvocatedforworkers’ rightsbyvolunteering for theBrazos InterfaithImmigrationNetwork.AsalongtimeDemocraticPartypre-cinctcaptain,Igraduallyrealizedthatboldandfundamentalchangesthatournationneededwouldnotbeaccomplishedthroughtheparty.Ivotedinthe2012electionforpresidentialcandidateJillStein.AfterretiringfromteachingandmovingtoOaklandin2014,IwasappointedthefollowingyeartofillavacancyontheCountyCounciloftheGreenPartyofAlamedaCounty. My toppriorities for localpoliticalactivism includethecreationofaffordablehousing,decentjobspayingliv-ablewages,policeaccountabilityviaacitizencommission,banningcoalexportsfromOakland’sformerarmybase,andimprovingthequalityofthecity’spublicschools. Nationwide,millions of young people have showntheirdisillusionmentwiththeexistingAmericanpoliticallandscape through their participation inBernieSanders’campaign.TheGreenPartymustharnesstheirenergyandenthusiasm to continue the struggle for a revolutionarychangefromthebottom-up.

Maxine Daniel Myname isMaxineH.“Mica”Daniel. IpreviouslyservedfiveyearsontheCountyCouncilofAlamedaCounty.IhaveservedthelastfouryearsonthestateCoordinatingCommittee,apositionthatIamsteppingdownfrom,ef-fective June30,2016. I am running forCountyCouncilbecauseIbelieveIcanbemoreproductiveinpromotingGreenPartyvaluesatthelocallevel.IhavebeenactivewiththeGreenPartysince2005eventhoughIamalongtimeGreen(since1992).Iwasimpressedwiththe“10KeyVal-ues”andstillbelievethattheGreenPartyisneededduringtheseunprecedentedtimeswhenbigmoneycanblatantlybuyelections. Doingmyactivism,Ihaveadvocatedforequalrights,reproductive health care, environmental issues,medicalcannabis,andastrongthirdparty tochallengethestatusquo.Ihavestruggledagainstracism,sexism,anddomesticviolence.Asablackfeminist lesbianIwasbornintothestruggle. Iamathoughtfullistener,criticalthinker,calm,honestandwillingtodomyshareofthework.Iaskforyourvote.Thankyou.MaxineH.MicaDaniel

Brian Donahue WhyIbecameaGreen—I’mabluecollarAmerican,35yearAlamedaCountyresidentandwasformerlyaDemocratinthe1980s.ButafterPresidentClintoninitiatedNAFTA,atradeagreementhighlydamagingtoordinaryAmericansthateveryRepublicanwassalivatingoverbutnonecouldhavebeensuccessfulinitiatingowingtoitslikelyuniversalDemocratic opposition, I realized that changedparty, soenthralledwith representingWall Street,was no longer

interestedinrepresentingmyinterests,ordinaryAmerican’sinterests.IseetheGreenPartyastakingupwhattheDemo-cratsdroppedlongago.Andso,in1993,IswitchedpartiesandnoweverytimeIventureintothevotingbooth,I’mhelpingtofurthermyfamily’sinterests...andtheinterestsofmyfellowtravelerAmericans.

Greg Jan I’ve helped coordinatemuch of ourCountyGreenPartyworkover theyears, including theprocess forourVoterGuide endorsements, questionnaires, articles, andfundraising.I’vealsohelpedtofindcandidates, forbothourCountyCouncil,andforourstatewidecandidateslate,andhavehelpedincoordinatingtheplacingofourCountyCouncilandstatewidecandidates’namesontotheballot. Fromourbeginnings,manyGreenshaveconsistentlyadvocated for “political revolution,” and “social democ-racy,” and now thatmany people are finally becomingawareoftheseideas,weneedyourhelptoinsurethatthismomentumdoesn’tsimplydisappearaftertheJuneelec-tion.Opportunities that haven’t existed for decades arenowemerging—andperhapsjustinthenickoftime,givenclimate change, social injustice, and growing economicinequality. So please “roll up your sleeves” and get involved!Whetherit’sregisteringvoters,strategicplanning,passingoutvoterguides,makingphonecalls,runningforoffice,fundraising,and/orhelpingoutwiththisNovember’svoterguide,nowisthetimetotakeaction!Asanall-volunteerorganizationweneedyourassistance,evenifit’sjustonceeverymonthortwo—whateveryoucanspare.Pleasecallusat(510)644-2293.Thankssomuch!

Tina Kimmel IgrewupinanactiveDemocraticPartyhousehold,forexample,mymotherranforUSCongressin1972.ButtheDemsandtheRepublicanshaveshiftedever-rightwardinmylifetime,leaving“MainStreet”moreandmoreintheshadowsof“WallStreet.”SoImovedmyaffiliationleftwardtotheGreens. As aResearchScientist for theCaliforniaDept. ofPublicHealth,Isawhowimportantgoodpublicpolicyandlawsare tovulnerablepopulations, suchaschildrenandotherspecies.EspeciallysinceIretired,Iamdeterminedtomakeadifferenceinthatpolicy. IwasanElectionPrecinctInspectorandCoordinatorfortheAlamedaCountyRegistrarofVotersfor20years.FouryearsagoIbecameactiveintheAlamedaCountyGreens,andtwoyearsagoIwasappointedtotheCountyCouncil.IhavedonecomputerdatabaseprojectssuchasinitiatingthePaperlessVoterGuidemailingsin2014.IhavecontributedinotherwaystotheVoterGuideandotherfunctionsfortheGreens.Iamhappytocontinueinthisimportantwork.

Lynette “Samsarah” Morgan-Becknell

Ms.MorganisanInterfaithMinisterandCounselor,ApprenticeMidwife,FamilyLifeCoach,DoulaandHyp-notherapist.SheisthefounderofNiaCenterforbirthandfamily life. She is a birth andpostpartumcaregiver andchildbirthandparentingeducator,andisthisyearcelebrat-ing36yearsasabirthworkerandtrainer.Sheistheproudmotheroffivegrownsonsandthegrandmotherofthree. Samsarah is theDirectorofShiphrah’sCircleCom-munityDoulaProgramacomprehensiveandfullspectrumDoula support and parenting education program,whichprovidestheseservicesforlowincomeandworkingclassfamilies. Sheisacontributingwriterforseveralonlinemaga-zines,includingWeightLossSolutions360magazine,EveryLittleThing,BirthBabiesandBeyond,andOccupyOaklandMediaCollective. She is the author of “TheChildren’sVillage;Musingsof anUrbanNana.”Her secondbook,“Birth:ABlackWoman’sSurvivalGuide,”isscheduledtobepublishedspringof2016. She is amember of the board for theSacredBirthAngelsFoundation,aswellasaFoundingMemberoftheOaklandBetterBirthFoundation,andtheDecolonize(Oc-cupy)PregnancyBirthandParentingCaucusofOccupyOakland,aswellasKPFACommunityRadioLocalStationBoard. Hergoalistocontinuetoworktowardsarecognitionandhealingofsystemicracism.Shewishestoprovidemen-torshiptofutureGreenPartymembersaswellastocreatechannels that inviteyoungerpeopleaswellaspeopleofcolortoenterandparticipateintheGreenPartyinAlamedaCountyandOakland.

Michael Rubin Iamaretiredstateemployee.IcurrentlyserveontheCountyCouncil, havingbeen appointed in 2014. I havebeen a political activist since the 1960s.Manyof thoseyearswerespentinthelabormovement.Inretirement,IremainadelegatetotheAlamedaLaborCouncil.Inrecentyears,Ihavebecomeveryactiveinthebattleagainstglobal

climatechange.IaminvolvedinSystemChangeNotCli-mateChange,anationalorganizationwhicharguesthatasuccessfulfightagainstclimatechangerequiressystemicchange.IamalsoinvolvedinthecampaigntokeepOaklandfrombeinganexportterminalforUtahcoalandalsointheNorthernCaliforniaClimateMobilization. I believe that the dissatisfactionwith the two-partysystemisgrowing.OurGreenPartyisgoingtohavethechancetogrow.Iwillworktohelpourpartybereadyforthenewopportunities.

Phoebe Anne Sorgen Hi!Iteachpianoandvoice.Ourpathshavemorelikelycrossedduringdecadesofworkforpeace,theenvironment,andjusticecauses.AsaPeaceandJusticeCommissioner,IwastheprimaryforceingettingBerkeleytobecomethe1stcitytodenouncecorporatepersonhood,CAFTA,Bush’sstolen2004election,andCitizens United v FEC.Hundredsofcitiesfollowed.IhelpedmakeBerkeleypublicizecellphone safetyguidelinesdespitebeing suedbyBigTele-com. IservedonKPFA’sBoard.Arrestedcountlesstimesforactsofconscience,I’vealsoorganizedbigprotests,mostrecentlyagainsttheTPP.ImadeBerkeleythefirstcitytobecomeaTPPandTTIPFreeZoneandhelpedothercitiesdoso.Democracy,notcorporatocracy!Iprioritizeendingstructural violence (1%v 99%) and all discrimination.Racism+sexism+antisemitismetc.=classism+divide+conquer. Iwas “OutstandingWoman ofBerkeley” of 2005and a 2015TomPaineCourageousSpirit awardee.Myachievementswerejointendeavorswithwonderfulpeopleandorganizations(GreenParty,MovetoAmend,BFUUSocialJusticeCommittee,BCA,WellstoneClub,WILPF.)Ourplanetisonthebrink.Fortunately,Greensareplayingsignificantrolesincreatingasustainable,justworld.It’sanhonor.Joinus!

Pamela Spevack For the past twelve years I have been anAtLargememberoftheAlamedaCountyCouncilandamservingonthestateCampaignsandCandidatesWorkingGroup.Iamnowconvincedmorethaneverthatourgrassrootsap-proachandrefusaltotakecorporatemoneyiswhatwillgetcorruptionoutofourpoliticallives.Becausemorepeoplearerisingupforchange,andexaminingtherealitiesofthecurrentsystem,itisanopportunetimeforustogrowtheGreenParty. Icomefromasocialjusticebackground,havingworkedasanactivist inNOW,DykeTV;WomenOrganizedforEmployment, andcurrently involved in saving theenvi-ronment and as amember ofOlderLesbiansOrganizedforChange.AllpeoplearewelcometoourmonthlyGreenPartytopicalpresentationsandmeetingshappeningonthesecondSundayofeachmonth.PleaseVoteforanyelevenofthelistedcandidates.

John Torok GrowingupinEngland,JohnHayakawaTorokwaspo-liticizedbytheCampaignforNuclearDisarmamentandtheGreenhamCommonWomen’sPeaceEncampmentprotestsagainsttheU.S.deploymentofnuclearcruisemissilesintheU.K.HehasbeenactiveinAsianAmericanmattersandwasmostrecentlyactivewithOccupyOakland.HisCalEthnicStudiesdoctoraldissertationexaminesChineseimmigrationpolicyenforcementinColdWarNewYorkChinatown.HeservesasaworksiteshopstewardinhisstategovernmentjobinSanFranciscoandasanSEIULocal1000delegatetotheAlamedaCountyCentralLaborCouncil,AFL-CIO.HeparticipatesintheWorldAssociationofInternationalStudiesandtheOaklandLivableWageAssembly.

Laura Wells Mywishfor2016isthatthetwo-partysystembreaksupandthemassmovementbuildsup.MywishforAlamedaCountyisthatwehelpmaketheGreenPartythe“electoralarm”ofthemassmovement.Twomajorbreaksinthiselec-tionyeararethat(1)presidentialcandidates—fromGreens,asalways,toBernieandbeyond—aremakingapointoftakingnocorporatemoney,and(2)there’sanupsurgeinpeoplelookingfor“anewparty”andfor“strongthirdpar-ties.”ManypeoplerecognizetheGreenPartyastheobviouschoicewhilemanyothersareintheevaluatingmode.ThisyearIwillcontributewhatIcantowardmakingtheGreenPartystrongandwelcoming.IhavealonghistorywiththeGreenPartyasavoterregistrationorganizer(yourGreenPartyvoterregistrationismoreimportantthanyourealize!),andasamemberoftheCountyCouncil,co-editorofstateandlocalnewspapers,andcandidateforstateoffice.Formy current focus areas, seeNoCorporateMoney.org,myblogsatLauraWells.organdTikkun.org/tikkundaily.Pleasevoteforany11onthislistofactive,dedicated,cooperativecandidatesrunningforCountyCouncil.Anotherworldispossible.

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reen voter guide Election Day: June 7, 2016 11

Don Macleay is a graduate of both Laney College and San Francisco State. He has been involved in progressive politics since he was a teenager.

Don has been volunteering in Oakland and Berkeley schools for 20 years.

Don Macleay was a machinist for 19 years, most of that time as a shop steward in the International Association of Machinists Union. In his youth he worked to organize his fellow manufacturing workers at Rehau Plastics into the CNTU. He has been a trade school teacher in Nicaragua and has taught English as a second language in China. Don Macleay’s diverse background connects him with many residents. Don has lived abroad, where he learned to speak French, Spanish, Italian, German and Mandarin.

Don Macleay has two sons aged 26 and 13, both born in Oakland.

Don Macleay owns and manages a computer networking business and has lived in the Bay Area for 27 years, 15 of those years in Oakland and one year in China. As a responsible small business owner, he has been managing a busi-ness in Oakland since 2000. Don Macleay has hired workers who have been on parole and provided internships to local kids.

Don Macleay believes strongly in restorative justice and designing walkable neighborhood schools. He has first-hand experience of what works which, in turn, shapes his vision for Oakland schools.

Don Macleay’s Whole School Philosophy Don Macleay supports the need for systematic change within the Oakland Unified School District for students, families and employees. We must create a more advanced and specific curriculum designed to fit the diversity found in Oakland regardless of socioeconomic status. In order to provide all OUSD students with a well-rounded educational experience Don Macleay is determined to establish a Whole School concept in the Oakland Unified School District. The lack of whole school education in Oakland is a fundamental problem. A complete education entails healthy eating, frequent exercise, critical thinking,and play, and the citizens of Oakland owe it to their children to foster this type of environment. In addition, because many Oakland students are bilingual, it is essential to provide multilingual education programs for students; further-more, for those students who graduate, the severe lack of art and music courses places them at a disadvantage in an ever growing world of creativity and innovation. Don Macleay believes bilingual education should be available for any parent that wants in, and Spanish should be supported in all ways at all schools. Advanced curriculum should include a return to the practical life skills and a return to vocational skills, such as traditional shop classes and modern technology and office employment skills such as bookkeeping. Don Macleay specifically looks to improving schools to avoid the frequent criminalization of students in the OUSD. The current setup of the city’s education system does nothing to avoid this counterproductive policy, and, in fact, is supporting the prison industrial complex by cycling Oakland youth continuously through the prisonsystem.

Don Macleay, Candidate for Oakland Unified School District, District 1

Macleay for Oakland USD Board People's District One 2016

Please send donations to P.O. Box 20299 Oakland, CA, 94620

FPPC # 1384267 limit $500.00 per individual $1,000.00 maximum

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reen voter guide 12 Election Day: June 7, 2016 GreenPartyofA

lamedaCounty

2022BlakeSt.

Berkeley,C

A94704

(510)644-2293FPPC

ID#921297

PrintedonRecycledPaperbyU

nionLabor

Clip

and

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u to

the p

olls

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oto

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y for yo

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ds!)

Co

un

ty S

cho

ol B

oard

District 2 -- N

o endorsement, please see w

rite-up

D

istrict 3 -- Ken Berrick,w

ith reservations

Hay

ward

City

Co

un

cil --

We endorse in the follow

ing preferred order:

AlM

endall,ElisaMarquez,FranciscoZ

ermeno,M

attMcG

rath,

M

ark Salinas, and John Taylor

State

Pro

po

sition

s

50 -- Withholding of Suspended Legislator’s Salary

No endorsem

ent, please see write-up

Lo

cal Me

asure

s

A -- C

habot Las-Positas Com

munity C

ollege Bond

-- N

o endorsement, please see w

rite-up

B -- Albany School Bond -- Yes, w

ith reservations

D -- H

ayward R

enewal of the U

tility Users Tax -- Yes

E -- A

lbany School Bond -- Yes, with reservations

A

A -- S. F. Bay C

lean Water, Pollution Prevention, and H

abitat Restoration

Program

Parcel Tax -- Yes, with reservations

Co

un

ty C

om

mitte

e

Green Party C

ounty Council -- See statem

ents inside.

Green

Vo

ter Card

Fe

de

ral Offi

ces

Pre

side

nt

Darryl C

herney, William

Krem

l, Kent M

esplay, Sedinam

Moyow

asifsa-Curry, and Jill Stein are running in our Prim

ary

-- Please see w

rite-up! U

.S. S

en

ator

Pamela Elizondo, w

ith reservations; or

John T

hompson Parker, w

ith reservations U

.S. R

ep

rese

ntative

, District 1

3

N

o Endorsement, please see w

rite-up

State

Offi

ces

State

Se

nate

, District 9

No endorsem

ent, please see write-up

State

Asse

mb

ly, District 1

5

N

o Endorsement, please see w

rite-up S

tate A

ssem

bly, D

istrict 18

Contested open seat: N

o Endorsement, please see w

rite-up

Su

pe

rior C

ou

rt Jud

ge

Office#

1--BarbaraThom

as,withreservations

Office#

2--Noendorsem

ent,pleaseseewrite-up

Office#

14--MargaretFujioka

Co

un

ty S

up

erv

isor

District 4 -- N

o Endorsement, please see w

rite-up

D

istrict 5 -- No Endorsem

ent, please see write-up

IndexFederalO

ffices...................................1,3,4

StateSenateandAssem

bly....................1,5

StatePropositions......................................9

SuperiorCourtJudge.............................1,6

CountyO

ffices...........................................6

Hayw

ardCityC

ouncil.........................7LocalM

easures.......................................1,8

SpecialArticles..........................................9

GreenPartyC

ountyCouncil...................10

VoterCard..................................B

ackpage

June 7, 2016Onlineversionat: http://acgreens.org

for the thinking voter

For R

evolu

tion

, R

EGIST

ER G

reen P

arty

Please see p

age 3


Andrew& Hillary - Building Blocks Adoption Servicebbas.org/cnt/uploads/2014/04/Andrew-and-Hillary.pdf · Andrew and Hillary with Hillary s mom, dad, brother and his family Hillary

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