CA DISABILITY COMMUNITY ACTION NETWORK
CAPITOL NEWS REPORT - ISSUE #145-2004
AUGUST 24, 2004 - TUESDAY
Linking people to disability rights and unified action
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SENATE DEMOCRATS CHOOSE SEN. DON PERATA TO BE NEXT SENATE LEADER - WILL SUCCEED JOHN BURTON AFTER NOVEMBER ELECTIONS

SACRAMENTO   - State Senator Don Perata of Oakland emerged early this evening, in a very close vote by the 25 Senate Democrats,  to succeed Senate President Pro Tem John Burton when the San Francisco Democrat steps down after the November elections, due to term limits.  The full Senate is expected to formally elect Perata to succeed Burton, on Thursday (August 26).

Perata, who later mounted the podium to speak briefly  to the Assembly, who were still in session,  beat out Senators Martha Escutia and Sheila Kuehl for the position - with Escutia seen as Perata's main opponent for the leadership position.

Perata said that he could work with Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger but added that  "I don't need to be combative...I will be as combative as we need to be to get what we want done."  He observed that no one can replace Burton - who is seen by both Republicans and Democrats as a near legendary figure.

Perata, a former Alameda County Supervisor, was first elected to the State Assembly in 1996, serving one term before running for the State Senate seat vacated by Barbara Lee in 1998, defeating then Assemblywoman Dion Aroner in a extremely narrow primary election.  He ran unsuccessfully in 1994 for State Controller in the Democratic primary election against Kathleen Connell.

IMPACT OF SEN. JOHN BURTON'S DEPARTURE AND SELECTION OF SEN. DON PERATA ON  PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND SENIORS
* No immediate impact, as Burton will remain as Senate President Pro Tem until after the November 2004 elections.
* Burton's departure at the end of the year will have an enormous impact to people with disabilities and seniors in coming budget fights  His strong stands for health and human service programs and services,  especially those needed by people with disabilities and seniors often was the difference in why a proposed reduction by a governor (both Democratic and Republican) did not take place.  Most Capitol observers feel that no future legislative leader will have the combination of Burton's experience, personality and power that made him virtually the second most powerful leader in state government after the Governor.  Many health and human service programs and services could, as a result, be even more vulnerable next year, especially if the state budget shortfall projections turn out to be as bad as predicted.
* While not having the enormous power that Burton seemed to have as Senate President, Don Perata does have strong connections to people with disabilities and seniors, sponsoring several pieces of legislation, including most recently bills on sovereign immunity regarding the federal Americans With Disabilities Act, and legislation relating to seniors (adult day programs).  He spoke out in strong support this past year for In-Home Supportive Services, and also strongly opposed Governor Schewarznegger's early porposals to roll back rights of people with disabilities - including a proposed permanent suspension of the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services - considered the civil rights act for people with developmental disabilities.
 

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT CA DISABILITY COMMUNITY ACTION NETWORK
URGENT - CONTRIBUTIONS NEEDED TO CONTINUE EFFORT
Please help continue the effort! Many many, thanks again,  to the friends, people with disabilities and their families, community organizations and others who have sent in generous and needed contributions and donations.  Contributions from people and organizations is  very urgently needed to keep the advocacy efforts going for the next several months, as we work to establish non-profit status, which we can focus after the budget is signed.  Apologies to anyone who have not yet received a thank you - emails, letters, calls have been overwhelming!
Please make check or money order  to:  California Disability Community Action Network  (or abbreviate CDCAN).  A method to contribute by credit card (through Paypal) is NOW set up on our website, at www.cdcan.org.   CDCAN is not yet a non-profit organization but will be soon.  Send contributions to: California Disability Community Action Network,  1225 8th Street Suite #480, Sacramento, CA  95814.  A method to contribute by credit card (through Paypal) is NOW set up on our website, at www.cdcan.org.
* Who Is CDCAN?
The California Disability Community Action Network is a non-partisan link to thousands of Californians with developmental and other disabilities, their families, community organizations and providers, direct care and other workers, and other advocates. These action alerts and news reports is for all of them. In addition it also goes to news organizations, state and local government officials and staff.
* How To Receive CDCAN Capitol News Reports and Alerts
If you would like to get on this distribution (and conversely, get off of it) please send an email with that  request to:  martyomoto@rcip.com  OR sign up via the NEW CDCAN website at www.cdcan.us  [note the new site will not be up until possibly this coming weekend, August 21 or August 22)   Sharing information is part of our organizing effort. Please feel free to forward or copy  this (attribution is nice). We're all in this together!
* How To Contact CDCAN
Marty Omoto, director/organizer  -  California Disability Community Action Network   WEBSITE:  currently down - working to bring up again
1225 8th Street Suite 480 Sacramento, CA 95814   VOICE PHONE: 916/446-0013
FAX number: 916/446-0026        email: martyomoto@rcip.com 
INFO HOTLINE TOLL FREE NUMBER: 1-877-260-0267 (cannot leave messages) SAME INFO HOTLINE FOR SACRAMENTO AREA:  486-4652