Political Claireity

SACRAMENTO – The California Young Democrats (CYD) are extremely disappointed with Governor Schwarzenegger’s proposal to eliminate Cal Grants, a program that provides aid to 300,000 low-income college students. CYD does not support the Governor’s proposals because if passed it would jeopardize thousands of low-income students’ educations, leaving them at the mercy of ever-rising costs. CYD is encouraging all of its members and anyone else who supports California education to take a few minutes to call the governor and express their disapproval. Education is CYD’s top priority and the state of California must invest in its people in order to have success now and in the future.

“The University of California’s simple statement, that ‘if you’re ready to attend the UC, money shouldn’t stand in your way’ affirms the need for equality of opportunity.  Our university system, is tasked with providing not only a quality education, but also one that is affordable and accessible, as well,” said Ian Magruder, President, California College Democrats.  Magruder continued, “Yet, its egalitarian spirit is under fierce attack. Affordability has been abandoned by our governor, who has regrettably chosen short-term political expedience over long-term investment in the future of our great state.”

The people of California have already spoken and rejected all but one of the Governor’s proposals in the special election last Tuesday. Now, the Governor’s proposal to eliminate the Cal Grants Program would eliminate new awards for the High School Entitlement and Community College Transfer Entitlement programs and the CalGrant C Program. These eliminations will cut the state budget for education by $173 million for 2009-2010 and $450 million for 2010-2011. In addition to eliminating the new awards, the proposal also includes a complete decoupling of Cal Grants Renewals, which would eliminate the increase in award amounts for renewals associated with UC and CSU fee increases. To accomplish this, the Governor has proposed cutting the state budget by $28 million for both 2009-2010 and 2010-2011.

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, May 26, 2009

SACRAMENTO – The California Young Democrats (CYD) are extremely disappointed by the California Supreme Court’s decision to uphold Proposition 8, which bans same sex marriage.  CYD is encouraging its members to protest the Supreme Court’s decision today at Day of Decision events around the state http://dayofdecision.wetpaint.com and on Saturday, May 30th at 1pm at the City Hall in Fresno http://www.meetinthemiddle4equality.com.  The passage of Proposition 8 in 2008 saddened the 63% of young voters who voted NO, overwhelmingly rejecting the taking away of citizen’s rights.  The California Young Democrats will continue to fight for marriage equality, and will always stand up as advocates for universal civil rights.

Last June, the Executive Board of the California Young Democrats took the official stance of “Hell No” on Proposition 8, and since then have been actively involved with the campaign to earn equality for all.

“With skyrocketing college costs, cuts to public transportation, a flagging economy, and an endless war in  Iraq, it is outrageous to young people that the one thing they should be worried about is taking away the right for someone to marry the person they love,” said Alissa Ko, President of the California Young Democrats.  Ko continued, “I am proud to stand with the most diverse and progressive Generation in America’s history to say yes to fairness, and yes to marriage equality.”

Gorgeous!

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, April 28, 2009

SACRAMENTO, CA: The California Young Democrats (CYD), the California College Democrats (CCD), and the California High School Democrats (CAHSD) have returned from the 2009 California Democratic Party State Convention re-energized and armed with fresh board of young Democrats to inspire and continue their legacy of youth involvement. This year’s convention saw record-breaking turnout and involvement of Young Democrats in the California Democratic Party Process—over 300 Young Democrats were official voting members of the California Democratic Party (CDP), and over 800 Young Democrats participated in the concurrent CYD and CDP Conventions.  CYD held a canned food drive during Convention and collected 1,052 lbs of food, which we donated to the Sacramento Food bank, who told us that is enough food to feed 500 of their families this month.

“The convention was an amazing culmination of a very successful year,” said incoming CYD President Alissa Ko. “With over 800 Young Democrats in attendance, many of them participating in convention for the first time; we had an opportunity to experience firsthand the grassroots activism of the California Democratic Party.  As CYD President, I am excited to work with all 109 chapters and over 7,000 CYD members across California.  Congratulations to the newly elected Executive Boards for CYD, CCD and CAHSD.  United together we can continue building the youth movement.”

“The 2008 election energized young Californians on a scale never seen before, and now it is up to us to keep that momentum going into 2010,” said incoming CCD President Ian Magruder.  “Thanks to the hard work of Nick Warshaw, and the entire outgoing CCD board, the organization is now in a stronger position than it has ever been in with 50 chapters across the state.”

“The California High School Democrats are excited to come out of convention with a energized group of officers ready to build this organization,” said incoming CAHSD President Elijiah Goldberg.  “High School students across California are ready to bring the needed change to our communities.”

CYD presented the honorable State Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg with the prestigious CYD Will Brown Mentor of the Year award in recognition of his unwavering dedication and support to the Young Democrats and passion for involving youth in the electoral process.

Both CYD President Rocky Fernandez and CBAY Director, Darcie Green were awarded the prestigious California Democratic Party JFK, Jr. Award for Public Service.

“The future arrived early. The California Young Democrats are organizing for smart investments in our quality of life now and down the road,” said outgoing President Rocky Fernandez. “I am confident that Alissa Ko and our new leadership will make CYD the leading voice for the Millennial Generation of voters in California.”

2009-2010 California Young Democrats Executive Board
President: Alissa Ko, Sacramento County Young Democrats
Vice President of Membership: Jennifer Longley, San Francisco Young Democrats
Vice President of Finance: Nick Caston, Sonoma County Young Democrats
National Committeewoman: Natalie Rojas, Fresno County Young Democrats
National Committeeman: Owen Stephens, San Francisco Young Democrats
Political Director: Julie Lind, East Bay Young Democrats
Secretary: Jonathan Goetz, San Diego County Young Democrats
Parliamentarian: Omar Torres, San Jose State University Democratic Caucus
Communications Director: Stephanie Chan, Cal Berkeley Democrats
North State Region Director: Caily McElhinney, Chico State University College Democrats
Bay Area Region Director: Darcie Green, Silicon Valley Young Democrats
Central Valley Region Director: Mark Torres, Fresno County Young Democrats
Central Coast Region Director: Hillary Blackerby, Santa Barbara County Young Democrats
Los Angeles Region Director: Becca Doten, Los Angeles County Young Democrats
Inland Empire/Orange County Region Director: Amos Young Jr, San Bernardino County Young Democrats
San Diego/South State Region Director: Allan Acevdeo, San Diego Stonewall Young Democrats

2009-2010 California College Democrats Executive Board
President: Ian Magruder, Cal Berkeley Democrats
VP of Membership:  Ian Blue, UC Santa Barbara College Democrats
VP of Finance: Melissa Hurtado- College Democrats at Sacramento State University
Northern CA Regional Director: Chris Smith, College Democrats at Sacramento State University
Southern CA Regional Director: Fabiola Inzunza, UCLA Bruin Democrats
Communications Director: Anjani Nadadur, University of Southern California College Democrats
Political Director : Don Gibson, UC Davis Democrats

2009-2010 High School Young Democrats Executive Board
President: Elijah Goldberg , Tamalpias High School Young Democrats
Vice President: Jimmy Biblarz, Hamilton High School Young Democrats
Political Director: Adam Berman, Tamalpias High School Young Democrats
Communications Director : Jocelyn Fong, The Branson School Young Democrats
Finance Director: Lindsay Rapkin, Hamilton High School Young Democrats

View of the crowd from the Convention Stage

SF Mayor Gavin Newsom spoke:

College Dems Board:

The view of the crowd:

President of SCYD Kiyomi and Myself at our entrance table:

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Over 850 Young Democrats Descend on California Democratic Party Convention for Annual Trainings, Events, Ballot Endorsements and Elections in Sacramento

The California Young Democrats (CYD) will hold their annual state convention this upcoming weekend at the Sacramento Convention Center, in conjunction with the California Democratic Party (CDP) Convention. The most recent registration figures have over 850 Young Democrats paid to attend.  Previous conventions topped out at 500 paid attendees.

“We worked hard over the past year to capitalize on the excitement of the 2008 election, and are tasting the fruits of those efforts,” said CYD President Rocky Fernandez.  “Before people started casting ballots, we were already reaching out to those inspired by Obama and the Democratic Party’s priorities.  Using the very peer-to-peer tactics that mobilized young voters in 2008, we turned around and decided to run hundreds of delegates for the California Democratic Party Convention, with great success.  I like to think the future arrived early.”

CYD’s convention theme, “Leading the Change,” was inspired by record young voter turnout in the November elections and their success in state party delegate elections.  The organization doubled in size and now boasts more than 100 chapters, up from 58 a year ago.  CYD has chapters in 26 counties, including El Dorado, Placer, San Joaquin, San Bernardino, and Tulare.  The group proudly boasts of a chapter at traditionally uber-conservative Biola University.

In addition to participating in the CDP convention, the organization will hear from elected officials, take up endorsement of the May 19th ballot measures and other resolutions, and elect a new slate of statewide leadership.  They will hold an awards luncheon on Saturday and host a technology booth throughout the weekend, where people will be able to post pictures, videos, Tweets, and Facebook updates during the convention proceedings. CYD will host a hospitality suite on Friday with Assemblymember Dave Jones, Candidate for Insurance Commissioner 2010 and the California College Democrats will host “A Block Party for California’s Future” featuring grammy award winner Wyclef Jean, Biz Markie, and San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom on Saturday.

CYD will wrap up its convention with a Lobby Day of the State Legislature on Monday.  The Executive Board has decided to advocate on issues involving youth voting rights, job training for clean energy, the Employee Free Choice Act, and higher education funding.

“72% of California’s young voters supported Obama last November,” said Nick Warshaw, President of the California College Democrats. “We’re now mobilizing our peers to speak up for college affordability and a sustainable economy so that we can rebuild our economy. Young people are demanding we make smarter investments for our long-term future.”

Senior year in College I had three fabulous roommates, and it’s pretty impressive that we are all exactly where we wanted to be!  Jaclyn is in rabbinical school, Robyn is in Med School, Daniel is a reporter for Newsweek and I’m working in politics!!!

Inauguration Day Daniel was with the press corps inside the Capitol, he shared these pictures with me, and I’m sharing them with you with his permission: