DNC PRESS DEMOCRAT

MAY 2019 PAGE 1 DNC WINTER MEETING IN WASHINGTON, D.C. BY DNC MEMBER MARY ELLEN EARLY

The DNC held its Winter Meeting February 14-16 in Washington, D.C. The high- light of this meeting was a keynote address by Stacey Abrams of Georgia, the first African American female major-party gubernatorial nominee in the history of the United States, and first Afri- can-American woman to deliver a response to the State of the Union address. A rising star in the Demo- cratic Party, Stacey Abrams has declined to run for U.S. Senate in 2020, a move that would give a huge impetus to the Democratic Party’s bid to win an electoral victo- ry in Georgia. 18 MONTHS TO GO Probably the most disap- BY DNC MEMBERS KEITH UMEMOTO AND ALEX ROOKER pointing aspect of the Winter Meeting was the lack of speeches from (and recep- In 18 months, we'll know if Trump won or have a Re- tions hosted by) any presi- we have a new President, if publican majority that could dential candidates. Too Rep. Pelosi will remain Speak- flip Congress back- many candidates to give er, which party will control the wards. In California, we equal time to each of them? US Senate - thus judicial ap- have two districts where Chairman Perez has already pointments - including the US Republicans outnumber announced that the 2020 Supreme Court, and the size of Democrats by 5 and 8 per- Democratic National Con- our Democratic majorities in centage points, and another vention will be held in Mil- State Legislatures. two with a razor thin mar- waukee, Wisconsin (one of gin. the Democratic Party’s So, the country's direction on the environment, education, Last September, as Dem- much needed states), and ocrats thought we could that the first set of Demo- health care, social services, civil rights, workers rights, criminal retake the US Senate, con- CDP Acting Chair Alex cratic Party debates will take servatives and Republicans place June 26 & 27 in Mi- justice reform, fair elections, Rooker is Treasurer of affordable housing, national became re-energized with the Association of ami. Rather than having an Trump's relentless cam- State Democratic “adults table” and a security, jobs, wealth distribu- Chairs and Vice Chair tion, and a free press will either paigning to net a 2 seat “children’s table” as the Re- pick-up. of the DNC Women’s publicans had in 2016, the continue to regress or serve Caucus ALL AMERICANS. Now that we are en- chairman announced that gaged in our leap-year ritu- there will be two nights of Californian Democrats know well, as we remember how Ar- al of electing a President, debates, with 20 candidates the DNC passed the Rules invited based on polling re- nold Schwarzenegger in 2006 got re-elected, winning 53 coun- and Call for the 2020 Con- sults and the amount of vention. State parties are grass roots donations. ties. He created a massive budget deficit by cutting vehicle developing their delegate The Call for the 2020 selection plans. Integral to Democratic National Con- fees - disproportionately favor- ing corporations, losing $2 bil- these plans are their diver- vention was adopted on sity goals. States will hope- August 25, 2018 (at the lion/year and slashing pro- grams: education, health, safety fully achieve these goals DNC Summer Meeting in having delegates represent- Chicago). California has and human services program funding. ing people with disabilities, Keith Umemoto is a been allotted a total of 495 people of color, LGBTQ, delegates and 35 alternates, If we let our guard down, Co-Chair of the CDP there are enough House Demo- women and youth. These Credentials Committee Continued on Page 4 crats representing districts that Continued on Page 4

MAY 2019 CALIFORNIA DNC PRESS DEMOCRAT PAGE 2 END FEDERAL PROHIBITION ON MARIJUANA BY DNC MEMBER REP.

We have never been quences of leaving it in place. reach in state and local canna- closer to ending the ar- For decades, low-income bis laws, and presenting a lev- chaic and counterproduc- communities and communi- el playing field for communities tive policy of federal mari- ties of color have been dev- of color in the cannabis indus- juana prohibition than we astated by the failed “War on try. are right now. Drugs.” Although data shows To address these issues, I And it’s well past time whites and blacks use mariju- have worked with my col- that we did. ana at similar rates, a 2013 leagues across the aisle to More than 30 states study by the ACLU found that introduce the Marijuana Justice have already decriminal- African Americans are nearly Act, the REFER Act, and the ized or legalized marijua- four times more likely to be RESPECT Resolution. The na in some form. A recent arrested for marijuana pos- ultimate goal of this legislation poll conducted by the session than their white is to provide restorative justice Center for American Pro- peers. As a result, black and to the communities most im- gress found that American brown communities have pacted by the failed War on voter support for legalizing been subjected to mass- Drugs. marijuana is at an all-time criminalization and mass The Marijuana Justice Act high, with 68 percent of incarceration. would de-schedule marijuana respondents in favor of it. This is about more than on the Federal level and allow What’s more: the poll legalizing pot. It’s about racial for restorative justice by ensur- DNC Member Barbara Lee shows a majority of voters justice and criminal justice ing profits from the legal can- represents California’s in both major political par- reform — and doing right by nabis industry go back into the 13th District in Congress ties and independents the communities most im- communities that have been support legalizing marijua- pacted by the War on Drugs. disproportionately impacted by na. Another recent poll This year, I was proud to the unequal enforcement of shows that 93 percent of become the first woman and our drug laws. It will also allow Americans support the the first person of color to Co for the expungement of mariju- medical use of marijuana. -Chair the bipartisan Canna- ana offenses at the federal But more central to why bis Caucus. This caucus has level. ending the federal prohibi- been dedicated to addressing

tion on marijuana is so the unequal enforcement of Continued on Page 4 important are the conse- our drug laws, federal over-

WHY NEW HAMPSHIRE AND IOWA? B ਸ DNC Mਤਬਡਤ਱ Bਮਡ M਴ਫਧਮਫਫਠਭਣ

February 11, 2020 will sen at "Congressional Cau- In 1975, the former Governor mark New Hampshire’s cuses," also known as "King of Georgia, Jimmy Carter, real- 100th anniversary of hold- Caucus." The New Hamp- ized that the Iowa Caucuses ing their first-in-the-nation shire Legislature in June could play a major role for him. presidential primary. On 1831 voted to support the It worked. January 5, 1776, New reelection of President Jack- The Iowa Caucus will be on Hampshire's Fifth Provincial son and called for the first Monday night, February 3, Congress was the first of national convention to be 2020. And as long as Iowa any legislative body in the held in May of 1832 in Balti- remains as a Caucus, then the thirteen original colonies to more. That is exactly what two step process of the Iowa assert its independence happened, where Jackson Caucus first, followed by the from Great Britain. That was was nominated and subse- New Hampshire Primary six months before our quently won a second term. (usually 8 days later), will con- Founders signed the Decla- So New Hampshire has tinue. Presidents Clinton, Bush Jr. and Obama all came in DNC Member ration of Independence in played being first on many Bob Mulholland my home city of Philadelph- occasions. And any Demo- second in their first New resides in Chico and can ia. And the first one to sign crat can pay a $1,000 filing Hampshire primaries. be reached at the Declaration of Inde- fee and appear on the “Why New Hampshire? The [email protected] pendence was New Hamp- 2/11/20 ballot. It was not ‘till First-In-The-Nation Primary shire's Delegate, Josiah 1952 that the importance of State” by NH SOS Bill Gardner Bartlett. the New Hampshire presi- and the late NH Governor Through the 1828 presi- dential primary was recog- Hugh Gregg is my source of dential election, the presi- nized. information. I plan on being in dential nominees were cho- NH on the final days as I have from 1992 on.

MAY 2019 CALIFORNIA DNC PRESS DEMOCRAT PAGE 3

POVERTY AND THE DNC B ਸ DNC Mਤਬਡਤ਱ S਴ਲਨਤ Sਧਠਭਭਮਭ

At the August 2018 DNC Hustings, Director of National Sen. meeting in Chicago, the Demo- Coalition for the Homeless; Sen. Eliz. Warren cratic National Committee Affordable Housing Develop- Mayor Julián Castro made history by unanimous er James Fukuda; Barbara Rep. Tulsi Gabbard vote to create a Council on DiPietro and client Phyllis Andrew Yang Poverty. The purpose of the Davis of the National 3. Support comprehen- Council was twofold – to build Healthcare for the Homeless sive legislative policy political power for the 40.6 mil- Council; Cassidy Waskowicz and utilize State Party lion people in the United States of the National Law Center networks to solicit con- living at or below the poverty on Homelessness and Pov- gressional sponsors. level, and to find a home in the erty; Disability Rights Attor- Our legislative package Democratic Party for those in ney Derek Devermont; Vice includes: underserved communities. President of the Congres- Rep. Maxine Water’s While the Poverty Council sional Black Caucus Founda- “Ending Homelessness was not scheduled on the offi- tion Menna Demessie; voting Act of 2019” (HR 1856) Susie Shannon is a DNC cial agenda at the following rights activist Andrea Miller; Rep. Barbara Lee’s Member, advocate for home- Feb. 2019 meeting in Washing- DNC Native American Cau- “End Diaper Need Act” less issues, and a former Re- ton D.C., grassroots activists cus member Frank LaMere of 2019 (HR 1846) and gional Director of the Califor- chipped in to rent meeting and Poverty Council Founder “Improving Access to nia Democratic Party space at the Marriot hotel and, and CA DNC Member Susie Mental Health with the help of elected officials, Shannon. Several of the Act” (HR1533) homeless and renter advocates speakers were currently or Sen. Kamala Harris’ and a few dedicated DNC and formerly homeless and many Safe Housing for Fami- CDP members, the Poverty others grew up living in pov- lies Act (S 755) Council held its first meeting to erty. Rep. Frederica Wil- a standing room only crowd. The Poverty Council has son’s “Jobs for All Among the speakers included developed the following Four Act” (HJR1000) Congress Members and Califor- Point plan moving forward: 4. Homeless and Low- nia DNC members Hon. Maxine 1.Petition news networks Income Community Waters and Hon. Barbara Lee; hosting the Democratic Pri- Voter Registration and CA State Senator and DNC VP mary debates to include a Personal Stories Project Maria Elena Durazo; Kamala question specifically related If you would like to be Harris’ Chief of Staff Rohini to those living at or below involved in any of our Kosoglu; Our Revolution Presi- poverty level. activities and are com- dent Nina Turner; Lynchburg, 2.Solicit presidential candi- mitted to building politi- VA Mayor Treney Tweedy; Anti dates to support Housing as cal power for those liv- -poverty Coalition Director Joel a Human Right. As of the ing at or below the pov- Segal; the Lighthouse Home- date of this submission, the erty level, please text or less Services founders Finny following candidates have call CA DNC Member Mathew and Martha Brown and taken the pledge: Susie Shannon at cell: client Michaya McMillan; Megan Sen. (213) 880-3065.

IN MEMORIAM: HON. GREG PETTIS (1955-2019)

The California DNC dele- councilmember and first cratic candidates for gation mourns the unex- openly gay public serv- state and federal office. pected passing of Cathe- ant. While his seat on the dral City Mayor Greg Pet- A true progressive, DNC was not the result tis, who passed on Janu- Greg met Robert F. Ken- of being elected by the ary 15 of this year, follow- nedy three days before California Democratic ing complications from the senator’s death, Party, Greg enthusiasti- weight loss surgery he which inspired him to cally joined the rest of underwent last fall. fight against bigotry and the delegation in partici- Greg became a DNC discrimination. pating in both DNC Hon. Greg Pettis member as a representa- As Mayor Pro-Tem, he General meetings and 1955-2019 tive of Democratic Munici- voted (as part of a 3-2 Western States Caucus pal Officials. In addition to majority) to Make Cathe- meetings. He was great- working on behalf of Dem- dral City the Coachella ly loved and respected ocrats in cities and coun- Valley’s first “Sanctuary by his constituents in ties across the nation, he City.” He also attended Cathedral City, as well was first elected in 1994 to rallies against Donald as the rest of the Cali- the Cathedral City Council, Trump’s family separa- fornia DNC delegation. was its longest serving tion policy and for Demo- He will truly be missed.

MAY 2019 CALIFORNIA DNC PRESS DEMOCRAT PAGE 4

DNC WINTER MEETING Continued from Page 1 I am looking forward to for a total delegation of Mueller fired from his hearing Mueller testify be- 530 (by far the largest), post, tamper with wit- fore Congress and answer and a total of 18 stand- nesses by urging them to questions put to him by the ing committee members. lie for him (with the sug- House Judiciary Commit- For complete infor- gestion of pardons for tee. I hope that this testimo- mation, visit the DNC those who remain loyal), ny will make it clear to the website: continuously urging the nation that (www.democrats.org), previous Attorney Gen- deserves impeachment. Of and click on 2020 Presi- eral (Sessions) to un- course, timing is every- dential Campaign Re- recuse himself and to thing. While at present sources. treat the current Attorney there don’t seem to be That being said, I General (Barr) as his enough Republicans in the Mary Ellen Early, U.S. Senate with the back- founding editor of would like to take this own personal lawyer, The opportunity to mouth off among other offenses. bone to vote to convict Trump, Democrats should California DNC regarding our current There was no “collusion,” Press Democrat Constitutional Crisis. because the Mueller Re- prolong the investigation can be reached at I have just finished port, does not use that long enough for the House [email protected] reading the Mueller Re- term. Instead they use to pass Articles of Impeach- ment before the 2020 Gen- port, and it is clear to me the term “conspiracy.” FROM THE EDITORS: that Trump has engaged While the Mueller Report eral Election. I’d like to The California DNC Press in obstruction of justice, states that they cannot think that the American Democrat is published by by attempting to stifle prove conspiracy, they people will vote this con members of the California this report, get Robert have not ruled it out. artist out of office in 2020. DNC Delegation, and is not funded by the California Democratic Party. Opinions 18 MONTHS TO GO END FEDERAL MARIJUANA PROHIBITION expressed by the authors Continued from Page 1 of this newsletter’s articles Continued from Page 2 are not necessarily those of the California Delega- The Restricting Exces- people of color in the legal tion, the DNC or the Cali- delegates will hopefully fornia Democratic Party. coalesce behind our nom- sive of Federal Enforce- cannabis industry. Sincerely, inee to retake the White ment and Regulations We have never been House. Cannabis (REFER) Act closer to ending the feder- Mary Ellen Early is a bipartisan bill that al prohibition on marijua- However, we Demo- Otto Lee will prevent federal na. With bold, progressive crats and our candidates Garry S. Shay must use this process to agencies from using leadership, I have no recruit thousands of new, taxpayer funds to inter- doubt that we can get this energetic and diverse fere in state and local over the finish line and Thank you to our spon- delegates and activ- cannabis laws. It would tackle this issue once and sors: Steven K. Alari, ists now through the Mil- ban the use of federal for all. Becca Doten, Maria Elena waukee convention and funding by any agency Durazo, Jess Durfee, Mary election day Nov. 3. to intrude in state and Ellen Early, Alice Huffman, Nationally, four million local governments that NEXT DNC MEETING Aleita Huguenin, Michael Americans turn 18 annu- have updated their laws Kapp, Andrew Lachman, ally and 700,000 become around cannabis use, The DNC Summer Hon. Barbara Lee, Otto naturalized citizens. Ac- possession, cultivation, Meeting will be held Lee, Sandra M. Lowe, Bob cording to PEW Re- and distribution. August 22-24 of this year Mulholland, Christine search, in 2012, 49% of And the Realizing Eq- in San Francisco. Your Pelosi, John A. Pérez, the eligible voters were uitable and Sustainable DNC delegation is Melahat Rafiei, Alex Rook- Baby Boomers. This fig- Participation in Emerg- severely distressed that er, Susie Shannon, Garry ure drops to less than ing Cannabis Trade this meeting overlaps S. Shay, Keith Umemoto, 40% in 2020., when Mil- (RESPECT) Resolution with the next CDP Roz Wyman, Laurence lennials will be 27% of seeks to address the Executive Board meeting Zakson fact that communities of in San Jose. We have eligible voters. While this seems like a color have been largely complained, only to be Printing: recipe to win in 2020, with shut out of benefitting told that both the DNC the RNC and Trump out from cannabis legaliza- and CDP have already Independent Printers tion. Current estimates fundraising the DNC, signed contracts with the show that less than 1% hotels hosting their purging voter rolls, en- Proofreading: gaging in systematic vot- of the cannabis industry meetings. It is hoped that er suppression of Demo- is owned or operated by in the future, the DNC will Burt B. Belant crats, Trump using his people of color. The check with the RESPECT Resolution Democratic Party in the bully pulpit and allowing Want an electronic copy? Putin to continue med- encourages policy re- host state to make sure dling in our elections, it forms to implement re- there are no conflicts Visit the CADEM web site will take all of us, togeth- storative justice, by ex- before they sign any under Our Party/DNC er, to win. panding opportunities for contracts. Members or the CDP Convention App.