Rep. Mike Thompson: Preventing Gun Violence

Repost of a Thompson email newsletter
[Editor: Note that at a recent meeting with Benicia Indivisible for Justice, Thompson refused to support the banning of automatic assault weapons.  See info about Thompson’s Mar. 3 Town Hall on Gun Violence.  See also Thompson’s webpage on Gun Violence Prevention.  UPDATE: See how Thompson’s views have changed:  He now says that “military grade automatic and semi-automatic assault weapons “do not belong in the hands of citizens.” – R.S.]

February 26, 2018

Dear Friend,

The last two weeks have been tragic as we grapple with the deaths of 17 students and teachers in Parkland. We have also been uplifted and inspired by the young people who push to prevent gun violence. It is another reminder that the majority of Americans want Congress to come to the table and take action.

There are solutions. This year, I introduced a bill that would create a Select Committee to study gun violence so we have recommendations on the best policy map forward. Yet Republican leaders won’t give it a vote. I also introduced bipartisan legislation  that will improve and expand our background check system by closing loopholes, an idea that again, a majority of Americans support. No vote was held on this bill. And throughout my career, I’ve worked to help improve our mental health system, repeal the Dickey Amendment and allow the Centers for Disease Control to study gun violence. These are simple and commonsense proposals, yet Republican leaders have refused to act.

Please know that my fight to keep our children and communities safe will not stop. Thank you to the many in our district and across our nation who have spoken up and spoken out. Your voices are heard and I am fighting to take action to prevent gun violence.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact my office.

Sincerely,

Mike Thompson
Member of Congress

Training Workshop: Prepare to register Benicia youth to vote

Repost from a Gayle Vaughan email…

Training Workshop hosted by League of Women Voters Benicia

On March 12, the LWV Benicia is hosting a Youth Voter Registration workshop as the result of a grant they just won. The goal of the grant is to increase the voter registration numbers of high school seniors.

March 12, 2018
– Noon-2:30 PM
JFK Library, Joseph Room
505 Santa Clara St, Vallejo
[Map]
[RSVP before March 8]

Attendees to the lunchtime training will learn how to use the League’s new power point presentation, how to teach nonpartisan voter rights information, and how to register others to vote.

The meeting will be held at JFK Library, Vallejo, from noon-2:30 in the Joseph Room. Lunch will be provided. Please RSVP before March 8 to vonwindgayle@gmail.com

Thanks,

Gayle Vaughan
LWV Benicia
Voter Service

Important City Council meeting Tues. 2/27/18

From an email sent by Ralph Dennis, Chair, Progressive Democrats of Benicia  [NOTE: Council agenda and reports can be viewed here.]

[NOTE: PAST EVENT]
Sorry for short notice, but please be advised – important to attend tonight if possible!

An important discussion will take place on Tuesday evening, Feb. 27 at City Council that could impact the focus, content, or direction of the “Five Strategic Goals/Issues” that the City of Benicia adopted a few years ago. Some, perhaps many, of you were involved in those earlier discussions that led to the past City Council’s adoption of the Five Strategic Goals and responsible for the fact that we have them as part of City government.

City Council is in the process of implementing a Priority Based Budgeting process, a tool to identify and prioritize programs and projects, and allocating budget revenues consistent with the priorities established. On Tuesday, February 27th, City Council will discuss a Staff Report that recommends City Council confirm its Five Strategic Goals and their continued use. These five issues are:

  • Protecting Community Health and Safety
  • Protecting and Enhancing the Environment
  • Strengthening Economic and Fiscal Conditions
  • Preserving and Enhancing Infrastructure
  • Maintain and Enhance a high Quality of Life

Concern has been expressed that some Council members, and some community members, who may be less supportive of one or more of these five goals, will use the discussion tomorrow night as a means to change or eliminate one or more of these goals. It is important to remember that these goals are inter-related and dependent upon each other for success. Removal of one, for example, would impact the ability of achieving goals of the others.

A presence at the City Council from those who support these goals would go a long way toward reminding City Council that these Five Strategic Goals, as presently stated, are sufficient for implementation of priority based budgeting at this time. If there is to be a discussion of the Five Goals, it should be done in a forum where the community has adequate notice and the opportunity for input and discussion. Please come to make an appearance if you can. And, note, the meeting starts at 6:00 p.m. tomorrow night, NOT the usual starting time of 7:00.

Ralph E. Dennis
Chair, Progressive Democrats of Benicia