Posts with the tag California

Campus Progress Action Statement on Propositions 8 (CA) and 46 (CO)

misspronounced — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 10:31:16 EST

In this momentous time of unprecedented voter turnout and the election of the nation’s first black president, Campus Progress Action celebrates the defeat of Proposition 46 in Colorado, preserving equal opportunity programs in that state, and mourns the passage of Proposition 8 in California, which will rewrite the state Constitution to eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry.

Through the efforts of numerous youth-led organizations on the ground and nationally, such as Rock the Vote, Energy Action Coalition, and others, young voters turned out on election day in record numbers to demand a mandate for change. This year, young voters between the ages of 18-29 comprised 18% of the electorate, while voters 65 and older counted for 16% of the electorate. Not only were young voters a larger part of the electorate than seniors, an estimated 23 million young people cast their vote in this election -- 3.4 million more than in 2004. To engage young people around the election, Campus Progress Action partnered with non-partisan efforts such as Trick or Vote, Video the Vote, and the Twitter Vote Report, encouraging students on campuses all across the country to remind their friends to vote and report problems at their polling place and in their communities.

Today, we’re taking pride in the fact that for the first time in its twelve year history, Ward Connerly’s deceptive anti-equal opportunity ballot initiative in Colorado, Proposition 46, has been voted down in a statewide election. Losses in California in 1996, Michigan in 2006, and Nebraska this year have finally been matched by a victory, and Colorado will preserve its equal opportunity initiatives in higher education, employment, and contracting. Campus Progress Action staff, student representatives, and friends worked to defeat this initiative through tireless phone-banking, emailing, press outreach and peer-to-peer interaction. The defeat of this proposition not only ensures the protection of vital programs in the state of Colorado, but stems the tide of challenges to diversity and equal access to education nationally.

Of course, while there is much reason to celebrate right now, the decisions by voters in California, Arizona, and Florida to ban marriage equality, and in Arkansas to deny unmarried couples the right to adopt children (widely seen as a way to prevent gay couples from adopting) create cause for concern. Proposition 8 was a particular loss for the progressive community, as it represents the first time the state repealed a previously-recognized right. In order to bolster efforts by young people to combat Proposition 8, Campus Progress Action provided an action grant to students to help them sponsor events on their campuses. The Goldman School of Public Policy (GSPP) at UC-Berkeley used their grant to host a fundraiser to defeat Proposition 8. The event was a great success, bringing in more than $5,000 from over 70 people who attended, and an additional $1,200 from other sources. Members of the Queer Student Union at UC-Santa Barbara used their grant to raise awareness about Proposition 8 by staging mock marriage ceremonies for 50 couples. Notably, Santa Barbara was the only county in Southern California to vote NO on Proposition 8.

Although the passage of Proposition 8 was disappointing, it is important to note that the No on Prop 8 campaign raised record amounts of money, and mobilized one of the largest grassroots and volunteer networks in history to build a strong coalition for the future of civil rights. Young people (who according to a CNN exit poll, voted against Proposition 8 by a 61% margin) overwhelmingly support equality and justice for the LGBT community, and will continue to be an essential part of the grassroots effort. Visit Equality California for the latest news and information on how to help the ongoing fight for equality in California. Also, check out videos from the I’m Voting For campaign that show young people talking about their support for LGBT Rights:

- Raymond on GLBT Rights

- Emma on not getting married

Campus Progress Action applauds the hard work of staff and volunteers who worked tirelessly to defeat Propositions 8 and 46, but recognizes that there is still much work to be done to ensure equality for all, and expand the scope and impact of the progressive movement. Campus Progress Action encourages young people to remain engaged in progressive work post-election through our programs in activism, journalism, and events, and to connect to the larger progressive community so that we can make sure our elected officials are held accountable. For more information, please visit our website at www.campusprogressaction.org.

UC-Berkeley Students Say NO to Prop. 8

misspronounced — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 16:57:14 EDT

Jessica Shipley, the event host, writes:

On Friday, October 17, students from the Goldman School of Public Policy (GSPP) at UC-Berkeley teamed up with Campus Progress to host a fundraiser to defeat Proposition 8. Proposition 8 (Prop. 8) is a ballot initiative in California that would amend the state constitution to eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry.

Students listening to the pitch.

The fundraiser was a great success, bringing in more than $5,000 from over 70 people who attended the event. An additional $1,200 was donated from other sources. Beverages and snacks were served at the event and attendees also enjoyed delicious treats from Cesar, a Spanish Tapas restaurant.

At the encouragement of GSPP student Jeff Pertl, many attendees also volunteered their time to the campaign to defeat Prop 8 in the days leading up to, and on Election Day.

The hosts would like to thank Campus Progress for supporting this event and helping us make it enjoyable for all our guests!

For more information, visit: www.noonprop8.com

Californians, it's our chance to ban BPA for good!

canow.environment — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:29:16 EDT

I just read on Enviroblog that every formula manufacturer in the U.S. puts baby formula into cans lined with bisphenol-A.

Bisphenol what? Bisphenol-A is a chemical associated with reproductive defects and low dose toxicity.

As if this isn’t outraging enough, I also read that the chemical is often found in baby bottles and sippy cups too. Healthy Child, Healthy World takes you through the rooms of your house to identify, item by item, toxic substances consumed by children and families everyday. And Healthy Toy database indicates which toys and car seats are lead-free.

I like the way one blog writer put it when she said “we mamas gotta be our OWN lobbyists.” California moms and dads can take action by supporting legislation to ban of bisphenol-A. State senate Bill 1713 needs our help. Make noise by contacting companies that use bisphenol-A and share the facts with parents you know.

Jeffrey Rosen v Same-Sex Marriage In California

Matt Zeitlin — Fri, 16 May 2008 17:42:59 EDT

Jeffrey Rosen isn't happy with the Court's decision:

So what makes the legal reasoning so inflammatory? Most controversially, the Court held that sexual orientation discrimination should be treated just as skeptically as racial discrimination–a conclusion that the U.S. Supreme Court and the other state Supreme Courts have refused to accept. Social conservatives are already invoking contested science to question one of the premises of this conclusion: that sexual orientation, like race, is immutable. “There is no evidence to establish that a homosexual lifestyle is an immutable characteristic such as race,” a lawyer for Advocates for Faith and Freedom told The New York Times. There was no need to open this Pandora’s Box: The Court could have held more modestly that there are no rational reasons for limiting the label “marriage” to straight people and denying it to gays and lesbians.

Marriage Equality Woo Hoo!

Matt Zeitlin — Thu, 15 May 2008 16:39:53 EDT

Marriage equality makes me happy:

Gays and lesbians have a constitutional right to marry in California, the state Supreme Court said today in a historic ruling that could be repudiated by the voters in November.

In a 4-3 decision, the justices said the state’s ban on same-sex marriage violates the “fundamental constitutional right to form a family relationship.” The ruling is likely to flood county courthouses with applications from couples newly eligible to marry when the decision takes effect in 30 days.

What’s interesting about this decision, especially considering the inevitable cries of judicial activism from conservatives, is that this is exactly what Governor Schwarzenegger wanted to happen. When the California legislature twice passed bills legalizing gay marriage, Schwarzenegger vetoed them, saying that he didn’t want to override Proposition 22, which prevented California from recognizing out of state or international same-sex marriages. He also explicitly stated that he was amenable to either a proposition or the courts settling the issue. And now the courts have settled the issue, despite the fact that there is sure to be another proposition passing a constitutional amendment to get rid of same-sex marriage. But I’m optimistic - it’s unlikely that a socially liberal state will want to nullify the thousands of marriages that are sure to happen before the next election. This would square the circle of the decision being viewed as democratically legitimate - if the people refuse to overturn it, they’d essentially be giving their stamp of approval.

For more on the complicated mess that is California, same sex marriage and the constitution, read Josh Patashnik.

Loyalty Oath Firing in California

pdelatorre — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 10:36:08 EST

Inside Higher Ed has a story today about Marianne Kearney-Brown, a math professor at California State University East Bay who was fired for not signing a “loyalty pledge.”

Hey California, Campus Progress is Coming Through!

Tanya Paperny — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 12:18:21 EST

If you're at a California school, watch out because Campus Progress is coming through on a road trip!

Starting this Thursday January 17th and all the way until our upcoming Journalism Conference on the 26th, a bunch of CP staff will be meeting with CA student activists and journalists to chat about the progressive movement, campus organizing and journalism, and any ideas about how Campus Progress can better support the work happening on campuses across the state.

Conan the Budget Slasher

pdelatorre — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 10:59:49 EST

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger just released his proposed budget for 2008-2009, and it includes deep cuts to higher education programs. The reduced spending is a response to a $3.3 billion budget gap.

EPA Blocks Greenhouse Gas Limits

Kay Steiger — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 13:22:13 EST

Some infuriating reporting reveals the the Environmental Protection Agency is actually blocking automobile emissions standards by California and 16 other states. This just goes to show that even though the United States signed onto the Bali pact last week, agreeing to reduce emissions by 2012, that commitment isn't backed up in any real way by this administration. These states are willing to put forth enforcement on their own, but for the first time the EPA -- the part of the government designed to protect the environment -- blocked an initiative in conflict with the Clean Air Act.

Those lobbying against the initiative, primarily automakers, are thrilled. They say it would be "too difficult" to adhere to different standards in different states. Perhaps then they should just meet the lowest emissions standard and sell those in the rest of the states as well.

CA Students File Ballot Initiative to Freeze Tuition

pdelatorre — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 18:13:13 EST

California students today filed an unprecedented ballot initiative with the Attorney General that would freeze tuition increases at University of California and California State University schools for five years, and to tie tuition increases to the price of inflation after the freeze expires.

Heartwarming News for LGBT Folks

Tanya Paperny — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 09:50:16 EST

Old news, but:

A high school in Davis, California crowned a gay couple as the "princes" of the school's homecoming. And this happened without a hitch - no complaints, no outrage, just support.

Stories like this make me remember why I identify as a "progressive" - because progress is possible. And it's happening.

Annals of Philanthropic Malpractice

Justin Elliott — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 17:23:04 EDT

UC Berkeley is getting a massive $113 million in computer printer money from the “Hewlett Foundation to create 100 endowed faculty chairs and slow the exodus of top professors to wealthy private universities.” George Leef at NRO’s phi beta cons blog cries foul:

For $113 million, a lot of non-rich students could have gotten scholarships to help defray the cost of college. Instead, UC will be able to marginally up its prestige by winning some bidding wars for big-name professors. I think it's a poor use of resources.

Potheads to Solve Budget Crisis

Zach Marks — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 01:11:11 EDT

I just returned from sunny California where the state’s in a bit of a budget crisis. I spent most of my time drinking fresher boba and eating yakitori with more obscure body parts than you can find on the East Coast. But I took a few seconds from consuming here and there to talk politics (although it was mostly about the mayor’s affair with a reporter, his bodyguard manhandling a reporter, or a number of other politicians’ political pratfalls). Among the proposals floating around to close the budget deficit – mostly cutting funding for a cocktail of social services – none seemed as outside-the-boxy as one I heard today after I returned to D.C.