Progressive Sebastopol (www.ProgressiveSebastopol.com) is a grassroots effort to advise electoral choices that benefit the highest good for our community, nation and planet. I am pleased to coordinate this small, volunteer group of Sebastopol-based citizens.
Progressive Sebastopol is independent of any campaign, organization, corporation, or PAC.
You can find a downloadable pdf here, or on our website
We strongly endorse Robert Jabob and John Eder for City Council; an editorial below explains why.
Comments as replies to this post are MOST WELCOME. Thank you!
Progressive Sebastopol 2012 Voter Guide: Candidates
United States President Barack Obama
United States Senate Diane Feinstein
U.S. Representative Jared Huffman
State Assembly Michael Allen
Sebastopol City Council Robert Jacob & John Eder
This City Council race provides a critical opportunity to vote for two candidates who represent a truly local, green future for our unique city. In their experience as community and business leaders who actively opposed the unpopular CVS development at the crossroads of our community, Robert Jacob and John Eder argued articulately against the ill-advised overturning of our City’s Design Review Board.
Through their actions on CVS and leaf blowers, opposing candidates Kathleen Shaffer and Kathy Austin have shown themselves to be unduly influenced by mega-corporations, developers, and large landowners, at the expense of Sebastopol’s citizens and ecology. Progressive Sebastopol believes that the vision that Robert Jacob and John Eder have for our city’s future is better suited for a thriving, locally sustainable economy.
Palm Drive Hospital Board Karen Webb
Marsha Sue Lustig
Sandra Debella Bodley
Statewide Ballot Measures
YES Prop 30: Fund Schools (better than Prop 38)
California public schools, have sunk to 47th in the nation in funding per student, and without this bill, things will get worse. Raises taxes on those making over $250K, and raises sales tax by 1/4 of 1%.
More info: www.yesonprop30.com
NO PROP 31: California Forward Initiative
Allows counties to opt out of safety net programs and override environmental laws.
More information: www. Prop31facts.com
NO PROP 32: Special Exemptions Act
Deceptive corporate initiative masquerading as campaign finance reform. Would increase the power of corporations and Super PACs and eliminate the voices of working people in California politics.
More info: www.stopspecialexemptions.org
NO PROP 33: Mercury Insurance Initiative (again)
Basically the same initiative that voters rejected in 2008. Allows car insurance companies to raise rates on good drivers, even if their gap in coverage was because they didn't own a car.
More info: www.stopthesurcharge.consumerwatchdogcampaign.org
YES PROP 34: Replace the Death Penalty
Replaces the racially and economically discriminatory death penalty with life imprisonment without possibility of parole. Saves the state tens of millions of dollars.
More info: www.safecalifornia.org
NO PROP 35: Increased Penalties for Human Trafficking
Good intention, bad law. ACLU NorCal opposes it and San Francisco Bay Guardian notes, “Under this law, the adult child of a sex worker who was living in her house with her financial support could be tagged a trafficker — and could face a long prison term and a lifetime of being tagged as a sex offender.”
More info: https://www.aclunc.org/legislation/c...ns/index.shtml
YES PROP 36: Three Strikes Reform
Revises the state’s extreme three strikes law to impose life sentences ONLY when felony convictions are "serious or violent."
More info: www.yeson36.org
YES PROP 37: Mandatory Labeling of Genetically Modified Food
Disregard the $40 million deceptive ad campaign by the world’s largest pesticide and junk food companies. This is a critical initiative for a consumer’s right to know what’s in our food. Requires clear labeling of food with GM ingredients and bans the use of the word “natural” for products containing GMO.
More info: www.carighttoknow.org
NO PROP 38: Tax to Fund Education
We like funding schools but not taxing poor people more to do so. Prop 30 is a better law.
YES PROP 39: Green Jobs Tax on Multi-state Businesses
Closes unnecessary corporate tax loophole and raises $1 billion per year. Dedicates $550 million
annually to fund energy efficiency and clean energy jobs in California.
More info: www.cleanenergyjobsact.com
YES PROP 40: State Senate Redistricting
Approves into law the important redistricting work done by Citizens Redistricting Commission.
Local Ballot Measures
YES Measure K: West Sonoma County High School Districts
Urgently needed to adequately fund our three West County high schools.
YES Measure O: Sebastopol Union School Districts
Provides stable funding the State can't take away, for programs, teachers, services, books etc. for the Sebastopol Union School District.
YES Measure Y: City of Sebastopol Half-Cent Sales Tax Increase
Necessary to maintain city services and parks and repair roads. Progressive Sebastopol will lobby to use a small part of this money for long overdue bike lanes for our city.