Washington, D.C. – Last week, Congressman Jerry McNerney (CA-9) and Congressman Walter Jones (NC-3) launched the bipartisan Congressional Campaign Finance Reform Caucus to address the undue influence of money on our political process.

“I’m excited to launch the Campaign Finance Reform Caucus with my colleague, Congressman Jones,” said McNerney. “Since the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision, too much campaign spending comes from undisclosed and unregulated sources.  We need reform that brings transparency to the campaign finance system and restores the voice of the voters. Our democracy depends on it,” McNerney said.  “By bringing together members from both sides of the aisle, the Caucus can address these inequities and advocate for changes to the current system.”

The Center for Responsive Politics reports that total federal election spending in 2012 was more than $6.2 billion, doubling money spent on the 2000 campaign.  A joint report issued by the Brookings Institution and the American Enterprise Institute found that, adjusted for inflation, House candidates spend more than 300 percent as much getting elected as they did nearly 30 years ago – an average of $1.6 million dollars every two years.

“I am greatly troubled by the undue influence that fat-cat lobbyists and special interests have in Washington, DC.  Now, more than ever, secretive special interest money plays an enormous role in our electoral process and in governing.  Beginning in my days in the North Carolina General Assembly, I have long advocated for returning power to the people and getting big money out of politics. Launching this Campaign Finance Reform Caucus is another step in that direction,” said Congressman Jones.

At its inaugural meeting on Thursday, Reps. McNerney and Jones were joined by other Caucus members and were briefed by academic and legal scholars on the history of campaign finance policy and its effects on politics today.  The Caucus will hold regular meetings to educate members of Congress and staff about these policies and advocate for relevant policy proposals.

The Caucus is open to all members of Congress and will provide a forum to discuss and advance solutions to reform the way campaigns are financed in this country.

Rep. Jerry McNerney serves the constituents of California’s 9th Congressional District which includes portions of San Joaquin, Sacramento Counties and Contra Costa, including most of Antioch. For more information on Rep. McNerney’s work, follow him on Facebook and on Twitter @RepMcNerney.

The East County Senior Coalition invites all interested senior citizens to get on the bus and join them for the Senior Rally Day in Sacramento, on Wednesday, May 11

If interested, contact Mary Chapman at either (925) 978-1883 or info@elderlywish.org so they can fill an East County bus.

Can make appointment at next meeting on April 20th if Board chooses

The Board of Education of the Antioch Unified School District Board of Education is seeking applications to fill a vacancy on the Board caused by the resignation of Claire Smith on April 1, 2016.  Board members will use the following process to appoint an individual to complete Mrs. Smith’s term, which expires December 2016.

Remaining Term of Office:  June 2016 – December 2016

Requirements for Office:

• At least 18 years of age
• Resident of Antioch Unified School District
• Registered voter
• United States citizen
• Not disqualified by the U.S. Constitution or state law from holding a civil office

Application Process: 

To secure an application, visit the District’s website at www.antioch.k12.ca.us or pick up an application at the School Services Building, located at 510 G Street, Antioch by April 20, 2016 by 12:00 p.m. The District office is open Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Timeline:

• Completed applications must be received in the Superintendent’s Office no later than 12:00 p.m. April 20, 2016.  Neither postmarks nor late delivery will be accepted.
• Board of Education will interview candidates in a public meeting called by the Board.  The following date and time has been set aside for interviews:  May 4, 2016 between 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.
• The new Board Member will be sworn in at the regular Board of Education meeting on June 8, 2016.

If you should have any questions, please call (925) 779-7500 ext. 51000.

However, the Board can make an appointment at their next meeting on Wednesday, April 20.

“Under a provisional appointment, they can do the process like they did for Mr. Navarro,” according to Nancy Belleci, Executive Assistant to the Superintendent. “They can do anything they want. But, they have to wait 30 days before the new member can take their seat.”

“At the last meeting during the discussion the Board determined they want to revise interview questions and the tally process,” she added.

Notice:  This appointment is provisional and subject to the petition process specified in California Education Code 5092.

By Nick Goodrich

At their regular meeting, on Tuesday, March 8th, the Antioch City Council approved the hiring of a new City Attorney, and extended road closures, and voted to oppose Senate Bill 876, which relates to homelessness in California.

The Council began with the hiring of the new City Attorney, Michael Vigilia, who has served as the City of Hayward as Assistant City Attorney since 2011. He was eager to begin serving the City of Antioch.

“I feel like I made the right decision in coming to Antioch,” Vigilia said.

He has over 12 years of experience practicing law in California, and was approved in a unanimous 5-0 vote by the Council.

City Council also held two public hearings during the meeting, to consider extending the closures of two roads in Antioch that have presented crime issues in the past: a section of Empire Mine Road, and a section of McElheny Road between East 6^th Street and Fulton Shipyard Road.

The section of Empire Mine Road in question was originally closed in 2005, when Antioch resident Jack Roddy – whose property borders the road – came to the city to complain about ongoing crime, vandalism, and the illegal dumping of trash and other debris. The crime had become so bad at that point that in some instances, he reported people shooting at his cattle that grazed alongside the road. Since that time, that segment of Empire Mine has undergone five more extensions of the closure.

City staff recommended, in light of the fact that the crime issues have not yet been fully resolved, that the Council extend the closure of the road for the seventh time. They did so in a 5-0 vote, with the understanding that only 1 more temporary closure can be voted for before they must decide on whether or not to close the section permanently.

McElheny Road has had similar problems. The City Council voted to extend the closure of that section of road as well, which represents the second such closure since crime became an issue there in 2011.

The Council ended the meeting with discussion of State Senate Bill 876. The legislation was sponsored by State Senator Carol Liu in an effort to address the issue of homelessness in California. In effect, the new bill would provide state guidelines – a “one size fits all” approach for cities to deal with homelessness, among other things.

The Council was critical of the bill, with council members expressing their desire to remain in control of solving issues like homelessness in Antioch. The overwhelming sentiment from the Council was that local approaches and solutions to problems like homelessness prove more effective, with local representatives benefitting from an inside look at issues that they work to solve.

The League of California Cities, usually an avid supporter of local governments, brought the bill to the Council’s attention, and recommended that Mayor Wade Harper sign a letter opposing it.

“I understand what the state’s trying to do, to be an aid, but I think it hurts some of the city governments that are trying to do positive things to clean their cities,” Council Member Tony Tiscareno said.

The result of the City Council’s discussion was a unanimous, 5-0 vote authorizing Harper to sign the letter, in an effort to prevent the state from preempting Antioch and other cities like it, in their efforts to address issues like blight and homelessness.

Contra Costa lawmaker also joins Budget Panel

Sacramento – In an expansion of his role in the California State Senate, Sen. Steve Glazer, D-Orinda, (9^th District), was named on Wednesday as Chairman of the Banking & Financial Institutions Committee and to serve on the Budget and Fiscal Review Committee.

Glazer, who was elected in May 2015, will serve on the Budget Subcommittee on State Administration and General Government. He also serves on the Public Safety, Insurance and Governmental Organization committees.

Senate President pro Tempore Kevin de Leon made the nominations, which were approved by the Senate Rules Committee.

“I’m pleased to have someone with Steve’s knowledge shepherd the Banking and Financial Institutions Committee and join the Budget and Fiscal Review Committee,” de Leon said. “His experience will be critical to the committees as it takes on issues of great importance to all Californians that create economic opportunity and financial security.”

Glazer said he is “appreciative of the confidence that the President pro Tem is showing in me by tapping me as chairman of the important Banking and Finance Committee.

“One of the most important tasks of a legislator is to be a good steward of the state’s finances, so I’m pleased to have a seat at the budget table,” he added.

Glazer represents Antioch in California’s 9^th State Senate District.