We also heard surrogates for Kamala Harris and Alberto Torrico, who are running for Attorney General, and Tom Torlakson, who is running for State Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Additionally, we talked to Assemblymen Hector De La Torre and Dave Jones, who are running for Insurance Commissioner.

Lieutenant Governor:

• Hon. Janice Hahn

Secretary of State:

• Hon. Debra Bowen

Attorney General:

• Mr. Chris Kelly
• Hon. Ted Lieu
• Hon. Pedro Nava

Insurance Commissioner:

• Hon. Hector De La Torre

State Treasurer:

• Hon. Bill Lockyer

State Superintendent of Public Instruction:

• Mr. Larry Aceves

State Board of Equalization:

• Hon. Betty Yee

• Governor – No Endorsement
• Lieutenant Governor – Hon. Janice Hahn
• Secretary of State – Hon. Debra Bowen
• Attorney General – Hon. Kamala Harris
• State Controller – Hon. John Chiang
• Insurance Commissioner – Hon. Dave Jones
• State Treasurer – Hon. Bill Lockyer
• State Superintendent of Public Instruction – No Endorsement
• State Board of Equalization – Hon. Betty Yee
• United States Senate – Hon. Barbara Boxer

Cal Dems will vote for these candidates at the California Young Democrats’ endorsement meeting on February 27 (if applicable) and promote them during campus GOTV efforts.

• AB 656 would place a 9.9% “severance” fee on oil companies, which drill in our lands and profit from our resources. Currently, California is the only oil-producing state without such a fee. AB 656 would raise $1 billion, all of which would be reserved for higher education.

• The California Democracy Act would end minority rule in the state legislature by removing the two-thirds requirement for budgets and taxes. It would allow the majority to govern in accordance with democratic principles, and end the current gridlock in Sacramento.

• The military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) policy currently mandates the discharge of openly gay service members. DADT is both a national security problem and a moral problem. Under it, the military has expelled thousands of capable soldiers during wartime. Moreover, DADT condones homophobia and denigrates service members who risk their lives for their county.

• The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), already passed by the Senate, would bring meaningful and long-overdue reform to our health care system. It would move our nation closer to universal coverage, insuring 31 million Americans and reducing up to 45,000 unnecessary deaths per year. It would also institute consumer protections, and shield Americans from abusive practices like rescission, discrimination based on pre-existing conditions, and annual or lifetime caps. PPACA would both expand coverage and lower costs, while actually reducing the deficit by more than a trillion dollars.

All four proposals have been added to Cal Berkeley Democrats’ platform. Cal Dems will work to support them over the coming months and beyond.

###

The Cal Berkeley Democrats is the official arm of the Democratic Party at UC Berkeley.

Serving her sixth term in the legislature, Congresswoman Lee chairs the Congressional Black Caucus and is a member of; the House Committee on Appropriations; including the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Subcommittee; the State Foreign Operations Subcommittee; and the Legislative Branch Subcommittee. She represents Albany, Berkeley, Emeryville, Oakland, Piedmont, and the unincorporated areas of Alameda County: Ashland, Cherryland, Castro Valley, Fairview and San Lorenzo.

Student volunteers have the opportunity to:
- Provide direct service to constituents of the 9th Congressional District
- Learn the inner workings of a fast-paced Congressional office
- Research local issues and study the impacts of innovative national policies

Minimum Commitment: 2 days per week (8 hrs/week total) for 3 months

Requirements: Applicants must be students currently enrolled in an accredited institution who live or attend school in the 9th Congressional District.

Qualifications: Excellent written and oral communication skills, professional manner, ability to attend a one-time orientation session (date to be determined). This program is open only to students currently enrolled in academic institutions.

Duties: Administrative support, community outreach, research, and casework

Application Process: Send a cover letter and resume to the Oakland District Office. The cover letter should include the dates of your availability. The writing sample should illustrate the quality of your writing and be no more than three (3) pages. In addition , be prepared to submit references. Please do not send additional materials.

More Information: Lee.house.gov

Send materials to: Dominique Nisperos, Congressional Aide/Internship Coordinator

Mail: 1301 Clay Street, Suite 1000-N, Oakland, CA 94612

Fax: (510) 763-6538

Email: Nisperos [at] mail.house.gov

Organization Description:
Equality California (EQCA) and its sister organizations (Equality California Institute, Equality California Issues PAC, and Equality California Candidate PAC) share a common mission to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Californians. For more information about EQCA, visit www.eqca.org.

Job Description:
Equality California is seeking applicants for an organizing internship. This is a great opportunity to experience the inner workings of a major political campaign and to make a difference for the LGBT community in your day-to-day work.

Interns will get hands on experience working on an exciting and historic statewide campaign and will be on the front lines of one of the largest and most advanced field campaigns in the country.

Duties:
Organizing interns will advance Equality California’s grassroots campaign to win the freedom to marry in California. Each organizer will work with local volunteers and coalition partners to demonstrate support of full equality for the LGBT community.

Interns support the work of Equality California volunteers and coalition partners, including assistance recruiting volunteers, managing lists, organizing field activities, and responding to the needs of activists. Organizers will support Equality California’s canvassing and volunteer recruitment goals and will have opportunities to connect to persuadable voters in one-on-one conversations.

In addition, organizing interns will assist Equality California’s field staff as needed with research, database management, and other necessary tasks.

All organizers will receive trainings on an on-going basis as well as opportunities to hear from leaders in the fight for the freedom to marry. Interns will have the opportunity to work closely with Equality California staff and to take on independent projects.

Requirements:
Equality California seeks interns who understand and support our mission, are hard-working, are able to successfully complete projects, and are comfortable using computers. Top-notch communication skills and the ability to work in a team environment required. Prior campaigns experience or volunteer coordination a plus.

Time requirements are flexible and range from 15 to 40 hours with some evening and weekends.

This internship is an excellent opportunity to build political, non-profit and community organizing skills.

To apply:
Please email a resume and cover letter to field(at)eqca.org. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis; there is no deadline, but you are encouraged to apply early.

Women, people of color, and transgender individuals are encouraged to apply.

Take part in one of several exciting fellowships known as the Capital Fellows Programs.  The Deadline in February 24th.

All info can be found at the following link:

http://www.csus.edu/calst/capital_fellows_programs_overview.html

Application Process Includes

- Completed Internship Application Form
- Cover Letter
- Resume
- Writing Sample (one page maximum)

http://www.sfmayor.org/mayors-office-departments/neighborhood-services/volunteer-at-mons/

Once you complete the Application Process, please email all documents to kirsten.macaulay@sfgov.org.  Please email if you have any further questions.

The DSCC is accepting applications for its internship program. If you are a student interested in applying for the program, please submit your application to vazquez@dscc.org.

The DSCC is an organization whose goal is to elect more Democrats to the Senate. We work towards this goal by providing Democratic Senate candidates with financial and political support throughout the two year election cycle. The ultimate aim of the DSCC is to advance the Democratic message and to guarantee that Democrats are elected to the
U.S. Senate.

We are a busy staff and rely on our interns. You will take on many important responsibilities. Your assignments will allow you to become familiar with the basics of fundraising and political work, but you will also be assigned to advanced, long-term projects. This is a great experience that will help you learn more about the political process.
You will have the opportunity to meet Democratic senators and candidates from across the county and have the opportunity to work in a competitive election cycle on a national scale.

We are seeking reliable students who are organized, self-motivated, have an interest in politics, who think ahead on how they can help staff and the DSCC, and most importantly, who are willing to work hard to get the job done. This is an internship where you will learn from your surroundings. It is a fast-paced office, and your daily responsibilities will change regularly. We need students who are ready and willing to step up to the challenge and help the DSCC because they believe in the cause.

The program does not provide a stipend, but some interns may obtain college credit. Metro passes are provided. If you are interested in applying for this program or would like more details, please contact Ana Berrios-Vazquez at vazquez@dscc.org or (202) 224-2247.

DSCC Internship Application Information

If you are interested in applying for the program, please send the following to vazquez@dscc.org:

· Please attach a current resume and cover letter to your email message. Make sure you include your contact information on the resume and please clearly state the days you are available to work per week, as well as your start and end dates, in your cover letter. Part-time applicants are welcome to apply (2-3 days per week). However, full-time internship applicants are preferred (4 to 5 days per week).

· Please also attach a short (1 page maximum) writing sample in the form of a letter to the editor. Take a position on a current event and lay out your argument.

· Finally, please include one letter of recommendation and make sure that their contact information is clear and accurate.

Assemblymember Skinner was elected to represent California’s 14^th Assembly District in November, 2008. She is the chair of the Assembly Natural Resources Committee and holds seats on a number of other influential committees including Appropriations.

The 14^th Assembly District Office Internship Program offers high school and college students a unique opportunity to participate in and experience the work of a State Assembly Office. The program exposes students to office operations such as the dynamics of legislation, working with constituents, conducting community outreach efforts, assisting community based organizations, organizing civic events and projects, database development and upkeep, staffing the office, and other essential activities.

Interns will gain valuable education and work experience by fully participating in agreed-upon hours of work. All internship work is voluntary and students will not receive any monetary compensation. However, we will support students in their efforts to seek school credit.

The internship brochure and application is available on our website www.assembly.ca.gov/skinner.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Best,

Frances Fortini

Constituent Services

Office of Assemblymember Nancy Skinner

frances.fortini@asm.ca.gov

phone: (510) 286-1400

fax: (510) 286-1406

On December 7, Cal Dems Robbie Bruens and Nik Dixit spoke at a health care forum hosted by the Fem Dems at Mills College. Thanks to the Fem Dems for arranging the fantastic event!

Photos are below, and videos can be found here.