|
NATIVE
AMERICAN CAUCUS
CALIFORNIA
DEMOCRATIC PARTY
Native American Caucus
Executive Board Meeting
Crowne Plaza Hotel,
Burlingame, CA
August 4, 2006
Chair Helen Doherty opened the
meeting and introduced the following people…Margo
Rosen, representing Senator Jackie Speier, was there
to hear our comments about the Goldberg Bill.
Nick Kindell and Chris Myers were there from
CDP staff.
Chair Helen Doherty called the
caucus meeting to order at 2:38pm.
Douglas Duncan delivered the Blessing.
Minutes were distributed, read and approved as
read. The
Treasurers report was given: $8,163.71 was on file
with the State Party.
Board Reports:
Proposition 87 was discussed and
a “No” vote was recommended.
It was felt that the proposition was well
intended but in the long run would circumvent money
from education by specifying sole use of the money for
alternate energy sources.
In addition, the oil companies would be able to
write it off from their property tax, which would hurt
education. It
was also felt that it set a dangerous precedent since
there was no guarantee that the jobs would stay in
California and could in fact be outsourced.
There would be no rights to private companies
for their inventions in this area and it was felt more
consideration should be given to wind turbines.
Lt. Governor Cruz Bustamante
visited the caucus.
Chair Doherty introduced him to our two Native
American candidates running for judge in Los Angeles
Superior Court and asked for his endorsement.
He agreed.
Chair Doherty also invited him to join the
Board for dinner following the caucus meeting.
He accepted.
John Gutierrez and Deborah
Sanchez, judge candidates, were then introduced to the
caucus and spoke about their campaigns.
They were thoughtful, forthright and made an
excellent impression.
Both candidates have impressive backgrounds and
would make excellent judges.
Chair Doherty stated we had an opportunity to
make history in California with their election. No Native American has ever been elected to the bench in the
history of our state.
Reggie Jones, CDP Secretary, then
addressed the caucus regarding the November election
and GOTV. He
also asked to meet with the judge candidates.
Ron Andrade reported on the
following legislation: Funding of Urban Indian Clinics
has seven clinics up and running again.
He is following a Health Care Bill for
Community Service and will keep us updated.
AB 2641 will be on the Senate floor on Monday,
August 7th.
This bill verifies that 6 Indians buried in a
cemetery would qualify it as sacred land.
AB 2665 was discussed.
Ron said that no tribes had been consulted
about the writing of the bill and members of the
caucus and tribal chairs find this unacceptable.
AB 2641 was endorsed by LA City
Council and was led by Eric Garcetti and Alex Padilla
In 1988 gaming was allowed on
Indian Land. In
the state of Arizona John McCain informed tribes that
he planned to modify this legislation. Reform is required on the following:
A.
Requires Indians with 250K to 500K in business
to get approved.
B.
Financial disclosures to the public would be
required – even though this is not required for
private companies.
C.
Gaming on Indian Land only – no private
investors – they are allowed to leap frog over the
tribes in their attempt to get casinos.
Over 1.1 million dollars goes to tribes without
casinos.
D.
Department of Energy is not required to cross
tribal lands with power grids.
They make the calls and the tribes have no say
so.
AB 2666 is no longer moving
forward. Must
start from scratch for the next legislative session.
Joely De La Torre reported on the
development of a Legislative Report Card to grade all
legislators on the job they do for Native Americans in
the state, the tribes and the way they communicate
with the various Native American Groups.
Judy Jacobs then reported on the
Scholarship Fund and the 5 scholarships the caucus
awarded this year.
The Project Competition was also discussed at
this time and a November 10th due date was
decided by the caucus, to begin judging the
applications.
Chair Doherty announced the
Women’s Issues Forum would be held in March 17th
at Morongo and the committee is hard at work for them.
Chair Doherty then introduced a
Proclamation in support of developing a Native
American Cemetery in Riverside. Mary Ann Andreas moved acceptance. Joely seconded it. Passed
unanimously.
Dan Kirk spoke regarding the
Foothill Transportation Corridor.
It would infringe on NRDC at San Onofre State
Park and he is asking for a resolution to oppose this
toll road. Moved
to table.
Chair Doherty then announced that
the DNC meeting would be held in Chicago August 17th
– 19th.
The Arab American Caucus asked us
to approve a resolution calling for immediate
cease-fire in the Middle East. Antonio Salazar Hobson said it was already going to happen.
Moved to table.
Motion adjourns by Bruce Daniels
at 4:07 pm.
Respectfully submitted by
Betty Mc Million
Jackie Atwood
Caucus Members
|
