Grassroots Progressives for Assembly District 54 are a diverse, dynamic and dedicated group of grassroots activists from across the district, united by our commitment to progressive values and making the California Democratic Party transparent, inclusive and welcoming to all.
We value as policy goals:
We support the following principles and party reforms:
(1) Transparency. Delegate votes at Convention and Executive Board meetings for candidate endorsements and party officers are a matter of public record, but you shouldn’t have to travel to Sacramento to dig through paperwork to find out how your Delegates voted. We support making these records available online on the party's website immediately after they are taken, which will ensure that the vote count is accurate and trusted.
(2) Fairness. End voice votes for any contested party endorsement floor votes at the Convention and have clearly defined rules for signature gathering. Candidates and other interested parties need to know that the system is fair, and the vote on whether to endorse should fully and accurately reflect the preferences of the delegates.
(3) Safety. Implement a new code of conduct that formalizes the Party’s categorical opposition and prohibition of all forms of discrimination, workplace harassment and sexual harassment at all Party functions, to ensure an inclusive environment and that all Delegates, staff and members are treated with respect and dignity.
(4) Eliminating Conflicts of Interest. Require that Executive Board Members automatically recuse themselves from any votes on party endorsements of ballot measures when they or their firms are under contract from a committee opposing or supporting the ballot measure. Additionally, no Executive Board Member may agree to accept a contract from a committee opposing or supporting a ballot measure in exchange for voting for or against the measure. We have a lot of talented political operators within the party - pollsters, campaign managers, treasurers, campaign attorneys, consultants, mail consultants, social media people, fundraisers, lobbyists, and others who serve as Delegates and Executive Board Members. The work that they do should be separate from their roles as representatives of the party.
(5) Fresh Perspectives. Executive leadership is rarely effective when it is concentrated in single hands for too long a period of time. We support a three-consecutive term limit for Executive Board representatives elected through the ADEM process.
(6) Disclosure. Require all party officers to disclose all of their contributors to their campaigns for party office. Candidates for public office must disclose all contributions in order to prevent corruption. For leaders of the California Democratic Party, it shouldn’t be any different.
(7) Accountability. Create a formal recall process for party officers who are accused of gross misconduct.
(8) Accessibility. Extend the time to vote for all ADEM caucuses and all meetings to elect Democratic National Convention delegates and require that all locations must have free parking or be immediately accessible by public transportation.
(9) Inclusion. Expand each standing committee by two members to include two Delegates elected through the ADEM process (one self-identified female, one other) who will be elected by fellow members of the standing committees. This will help ensure that grassroots activists will have a seat at the table when it comes to our party’s leadership.
(10) Equity. Create a commission to study the implementation of ranked choice voting for party officer elections that require a majority of the vote. The current system is flawed because people often leave after Saturday votes at the Convention due to economic constraints. Second ballots currently favor those candidates who are closest to the Convention site. We ought to have a system that reflects the will of all the Delegates and not just those who can afford to stay for a Sunday runoff.
We value as policy goals:
- Protecting the integrity of our democratic institutions
- Adherence to the rule of law and ensuring that no individual is above the law
- Voting rights and expanding access to the ballot
- Equal protection under the law regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, or gender identity
- Fair and comprehensive immigration reform and a pathway to citizenship, and protection for DREAMers
- Campaign finance reform and public financing of elections
- Common sense gun regulation and violence prevention
- Criminal justice reform
- Health care for all
- Fully funded, quality public education for all
- Affordable housing solutions and responsible development
- Increased statewide resources to combat and prevent homelessness, including creating additional stock of supportive housing
- Environmental justice and a green New Deal
- A commitment that Black Lives Matter
- Economic justice and equity
- Recognizing the rights of workers to unionize and collectively bargain a fair contract
We support the following principles and party reforms:
(1) Transparency. Delegate votes at Convention and Executive Board meetings for candidate endorsements and party officers are a matter of public record, but you shouldn’t have to travel to Sacramento to dig through paperwork to find out how your Delegates voted. We support making these records available online on the party's website immediately after they are taken, which will ensure that the vote count is accurate and trusted.
(2) Fairness. End voice votes for any contested party endorsement floor votes at the Convention and have clearly defined rules for signature gathering. Candidates and other interested parties need to know that the system is fair, and the vote on whether to endorse should fully and accurately reflect the preferences of the delegates.
(3) Safety. Implement a new code of conduct that formalizes the Party’s categorical opposition and prohibition of all forms of discrimination, workplace harassment and sexual harassment at all Party functions, to ensure an inclusive environment and that all Delegates, staff and members are treated with respect and dignity.
(4) Eliminating Conflicts of Interest. Require that Executive Board Members automatically recuse themselves from any votes on party endorsements of ballot measures when they or their firms are under contract from a committee opposing or supporting the ballot measure. Additionally, no Executive Board Member may agree to accept a contract from a committee opposing or supporting a ballot measure in exchange for voting for or against the measure. We have a lot of talented political operators within the party - pollsters, campaign managers, treasurers, campaign attorneys, consultants, mail consultants, social media people, fundraisers, lobbyists, and others who serve as Delegates and Executive Board Members. The work that they do should be separate from their roles as representatives of the party.
(5) Fresh Perspectives. Executive leadership is rarely effective when it is concentrated in single hands for too long a period of time. We support a three-consecutive term limit for Executive Board representatives elected through the ADEM process.
(6) Disclosure. Require all party officers to disclose all of their contributors to their campaigns for party office. Candidates for public office must disclose all contributions in order to prevent corruption. For leaders of the California Democratic Party, it shouldn’t be any different.
(7) Accountability. Create a formal recall process for party officers who are accused of gross misconduct.
(8) Accessibility. Extend the time to vote for all ADEM caucuses and all meetings to elect Democratic National Convention delegates and require that all locations must have free parking or be immediately accessible by public transportation.
(9) Inclusion. Expand each standing committee by two members to include two Delegates elected through the ADEM process (one self-identified female, one other) who will be elected by fellow members of the standing committees. This will help ensure that grassroots activists will have a seat at the table when it comes to our party’s leadership.
(10) Equity. Create a commission to study the implementation of ranked choice voting for party officer elections that require a majority of the vote. The current system is flawed because people often leave after Saturday votes at the Convention due to economic constraints. Second ballots currently favor those candidates who are closest to the Convention site. We ought to have a system that reflects the will of all the Delegates and not just those who can afford to stay for a Sunday runoff.
