Decision was announced after the senator met with the GOP Executive Committee
(Sacramento, CA) — State Senator Abel Maldonado issued the following statement today after learning that California Republican Party Vice Chairman Jon Fleishman has withdrawn his proposal to exclude independent and Decline to State voters in the Republican primary:
“I am glad to hear that Jon Fleishman has withdrawn his proposal to prohibit Decline to State and Independent voters from the California Republican Party primary election. I am glad Jon realized that this proposal would permanently damage the party and would weaken our chances at winning statewide in November. Not only would it have irreparably damaged the party, but would have left us vulnerable to legal challenges.
“I have been actively involved in defeating Jon’s short-sighted measure. I sent letters to GOP Chairman Ron Nehring urging him to oppose the measure. I also notified Jon of the wide coalition of those opposed to his motion, including the Senate and Assembly Republican caucuses and gubernatorial candidates Meg Whitman and Tom Campbell.
“Clearly Jon saw the wide coalition of those who opposed his proposal and withdrew it from consideration at convention later this month.”
Senator Maldonado today testified before the Executive Board of the California Republican Party. The notification of the proposal being withdrawn was sent almost immediately following that meeting.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Visit the Latino Water Coalition Display
You can find the Latino Water Coalition's display in front of Governor Schwarzenegger's office.
New Anti-Gang Legislation Heads to Governor's Desk
As many of you know, our state is engaged in an ongoing battle with gang activity. In Salinas and Watsonville, two cities in my district, gang activity has been increasing at an alarming rate.
In response to this gang activity, earlier this year I introduced SB 492, which passed out of the Legislature yesterday. As you can watch in the above video, I am deeply committed to stopping gang activity, especially around school grounds.
SB 492 will impose a sentencing enhancement for any registered gang member convicted of loitering on school grounds. While this bill certainly isn't the silver bullet in our ongoing fight to end gang violence, it is an important tool for law enforcement and school officials.
Children should not be afraid to go to school, nor should they be forced to witness gang activity happening right outside their classroom windows.
I will continue to work on this important issue to help my district get the tools it needs to help fight gang violence.
Friday, September 4, 2009
For Our Fallen Heroes
This week we lost two brave firefighters in the Station Fire in Los Angeles. These brave heroes gave their lives in a valiant effort to help find an escape route for their fellow firefighters.
Captain Ted Hall and firefighter Arnie Quinones will be forever rememeberd for their tremendous scarifice.
A public memorial is set up for the firefighters on September 12 at Dodgers Stadium.
If you would like to donate to the fund established in their memory, you can send donations to:
Memorial fund at the F&A Credit Union
P.O. Box 30831
Los Angeles, CA 90030-9972
Now we’ve learned that this fire was started by an arsonist. Anyone with information is asked to call L.A. County Sheriff's homicide detectives at (323) 890-5500.
I have added important information about fire safety to my Web site, www.sen.ca.gov/maldonado. I encourage you all to visit the site, which has important infomraiton on how to protect your home and other vital resources.
Our thoughts and prayers remain with the families of the fallen firefighters and all of the those who are working on the fire lines.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Let DTS and Independents Vote in GOP Primary
Jon Fleishman’s proposal prohibiting Decline to State (DTS) and Independent voters from participating in the Republican Party primary is foolish and short-sighted. Moreover, it could potentially lead to legal action being taken against the party.
I simply cannot understand why Jon and other Republican activists want to destroy the California Republican Party. Our current party stance of “exclude everyone” is simply unsustainable. But Jon would rather be a loud voice in a party of few than a quiet voice in a party of many. Any true party activist should want to promote the future of our party, not destroy it. Only someone motivated by his own self-interest would rather promote himself over the future of the party.
We all know that a growing number of voters are choosing to register DTS or Independent. Party affiliation is waning. Voters want a choice. But it seems like the Democrats are the only ones who are giving voters any choice in voting. They understand that it is party suicide to exclude over twenty percent of the voting public in their primary elections.
Jon has told members of the media that DTS voters “taint” the California Republican Party primary elections. That is no way to attract DTS and Independent voters. Do you really think that if you tell someone they are not worthy of voting for you in June that they will turn around and support you in November?
We spend millions of dollars in the general election convincing DTS and Independent voters that our party supports. But just six months earlier we tell them they are not welcome in our party primary. If we can attract more voters in the primary, it will be easier to get Republicans elected statewide in the general election.
Jon is allegedly worried that the inclusion of DTS and Independent voters in our primary election will result in more moderates winning primary elections. Nothing could be further from the truth. Other states like Texas and Mississippi, who have no party affiliation, have elected conservatives like Rick Perry and Haley Barber, respectively. Qualified and quality candidates can and will win regardless of whether DTS and Independent voters participate in the primary.
Jon’s proposal will also turn away more and more donors from our party. All businesses employ DTS and Independent voters. Why would they donate money to a political party that excludes many of their own employees? No business wants to support a party that alienates its employees.
What’s worse, Jon’s nativist proposal leaves the party vulnerable to legal action. As I told him in a letter last week, I’m concerned that his proposal raises serious legal issues related to ballot access. The party would essentially be demanding tax dollars be used to finance an election in which less than 36 percent of the electorate can participate. I believe that a DTS, Independent or Democrat voter could bring a legal challenge against our party. Why should all taxpayers have to pay for an election in which only a small minority can participate?
Jon’s proposal is foolish and simply self-promotion. It is symbolic of everything wrong with our state party. Republican activists should be offended by Jon’s motion, which will only make it harder for a Republican to win in a statewide election. Jon wants to weaken the party so that he can remain relevant. I want to strengthen the party so we sustain a viable two-party system in California.
And I’m not alone in my belief. Gubernatorial candidates Meg Whitman and Tom Campbell oppose Jon’s proposal. Both the Assembly and Senate Republican caucuses have come out in opposition to it as well. This isn’t about “moderate” or “conservative” candidates; this is about the future of our party.
I hope everyone at the upcoming Republican Convention joins this diverse coalition of Republicans committed to the continuation of the California Republican Party.
I simply cannot understand why Jon and other Republican activists want to destroy the California Republican Party. Our current party stance of “exclude everyone” is simply unsustainable. But Jon would rather be a loud voice in a party of few than a quiet voice in a party of many. Any true party activist should want to promote the future of our party, not destroy it. Only someone motivated by his own self-interest would rather promote himself over the future of the party.
We all know that a growing number of voters are choosing to register DTS or Independent. Party affiliation is waning. Voters want a choice. But it seems like the Democrats are the only ones who are giving voters any choice in voting. They understand that it is party suicide to exclude over twenty percent of the voting public in their primary elections.
Jon has told members of the media that DTS voters “taint” the California Republican Party primary elections. That is no way to attract DTS and Independent voters. Do you really think that if you tell someone they are not worthy of voting for you in June that they will turn around and support you in November?
We spend millions of dollars in the general election convincing DTS and Independent voters that our party supports. But just six months earlier we tell them they are not welcome in our party primary. If we can attract more voters in the primary, it will be easier to get Republicans elected statewide in the general election.
Jon is allegedly worried that the inclusion of DTS and Independent voters in our primary election will result in more moderates winning primary elections. Nothing could be further from the truth. Other states like Texas and Mississippi, who have no party affiliation, have elected conservatives like Rick Perry and Haley Barber, respectively. Qualified and quality candidates can and will win regardless of whether DTS and Independent voters participate in the primary.
Jon’s proposal will also turn away more and more donors from our party. All businesses employ DTS and Independent voters. Why would they donate money to a political party that excludes many of their own employees? No business wants to support a party that alienates its employees.
What’s worse, Jon’s nativist proposal leaves the party vulnerable to legal action. As I told him in a letter last week, I’m concerned that his proposal raises serious legal issues related to ballot access. The party would essentially be demanding tax dollars be used to finance an election in which less than 36 percent of the electorate can participate. I believe that a DTS, Independent or Democrat voter could bring a legal challenge against our party. Why should all taxpayers have to pay for an election in which only a small minority can participate?
Jon’s proposal is foolish and simply self-promotion. It is symbolic of everything wrong with our state party. Republican activists should be offended by Jon’s motion, which will only make it harder for a Republican to win in a statewide election. Jon wants to weaken the party so that he can remain relevant. I want to strengthen the party so we sustain a viable two-party system in California.
And I’m not alone in my belief. Gubernatorial candidates Meg Whitman and Tom Campbell oppose Jon’s proposal. Both the Assembly and Senate Republican caucuses have come out in opposition to it as well. This isn’t about “moderate” or “conservative” candidates; this is about the future of our party.
I hope everyone at the upcoming Republican Convention joins this diverse coalition of Republicans committed to the continuation of the California Republican Party.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Welcome to my blog
Welcome to my newest communications tool. I started this blog to use as a forum for ideas and issues in Sacramento and throughout the state.
We are facing a lot of divisive issues in this state and nation. From budget shortfalls to immigration and government reform, the next few months and years will define the future of our state.
I see this blog as an opportunity to communicate my views and opinions on many of these issues, as well as provide insights into the inner-workings of state government. I hope that you will bookmark this page and check back frequently for updates on issues affecting all Californians.
If you do not do so already, I encourage you to follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/abelmaldonado.
Also, you can follow me on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/abel.maldonado.
I have also introduced AbelTV on YouTube in hopes more Californians will have access to the issues we are debating in Sacramento. Follow me at www.youtube.com/senatorabelmaldonado.
As I continue to serve the 15th Senate District and travel California to learn more about what matters most to our citizens, you can check out photos from events and meetings I attend at www.flickr.com/abelmaldonado.
I started these sites as a way to connect and communicate with you on an up-to-the-minute basis. I hope that you bookmark these sites and check back frequently for updates on issues affecting all Californians.
If you have any suggestions or feedback related to this site, please do not hesitate to email at Senator.Maldonado@gmail.com.
It is an honor and privileged to serve the 15th Senate District in the California State Senate.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
