Thank you, thank you for all the support and encouragement I have received in my race for the State Senate. The response has been great.
With the first reporting deadline only hours away, I need to show that my candidacy is not only viable but formidable.
If you haven’t had a chance to contribute yet, please make as generous contribution as you can. If you know someone who can contribute, please share this email.
And thank you again. It means so much to me to know that my work in Sacramento fighting for our community, our children, for justice and equality has our support.
We are fast approaching the June 30th campaign finance-reporting deadline. It’s very important that our campaign report reflect an impressive fundraising base of support.
With a few clicks, it is possible for all of my friends to invest in our movement with an online contribution.
My campaign is a grassroots effort that relies upon many people coming together to provide the resources necessary to succeed. This campaign isn’t about me, it is about offering voters a chance to vote for the best choice for change.
We need to harness this grassroots energy and you can do so right now by making a contribution and asking your friends and family to join us.
Thank you for your consideration. Your donation will enable me to take a major step forward toward the Senate seat. Every and any amount is appreciated. The maximum allowable is $3600.
“The framers of the Constitution understood very well that a truly free society demands a press without government obstruction,” said Leno. “In an age when our cherished freedoms are vanishing at the hand of our own Federal Government, we must do everything in our power to uphold the democratic principles upon which our country was founded. Without a federal shield law, we live with a dramatic and chilling effect on our freedom of the press and journalistic integrity in America.”
-Assemblymember Mark Leno on today’s 74-0 passage of AJR 24, which calls upon the United States Congress to enact a shield law for America’s journalists. The resolution was co-sponsored by Assemblywoman Noreen Evans and Leno.
Your humble editor has been lucky enough to experience marching with Assemblymember Leno during two previous Pride Parades. It is amazing, I lack the words to express how it feels. There is so much energy, so many smiles — it is nothing but adrenaline fueled fun. And it is for such an important issue to boot.
On October 10, 2002, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Iraq War Resolution, giving George Bush carte blanche to invade the country based on “weapons of mass destruction.” But three days earlier, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution urging Congress to oppose such military action. Sponsored by then-Supervisor Mark Leno, San Francisco became the very first City government to go on record opposing the War.
Leno introduced the resolution on September 23, 2002.
Similarly, AB1511 by Assemblyman Mark Leno would create a statewide public education campaign to equip parents with tools needed to talk with their teens about reproductive health and responsible behavior. “Polls show Californians overwhelmingly believe parents should take an active role in their teens’ lives by talking with them about the personal choices they are faced with everyday, yet only 50 percent of California parents report feeling comfortable having these conversations,” said the San Francisco Democrat.
Leno said the legislation is modeled after a successful, multicultural trial public education campaign in San Mateo County.
Today marks my completion of the Food Stamp Challenge. It was at least as difficult as I had imagined and has only served to reaffirm my resolve to focus on the issues of hunger and nutrition. It is morally wrong that in this wealthiest state of the wealthiest nation there are millions of children, adults and seniors living daily at risk of hunger without sufficient government assistance. The hurdles California still has in place discouraging eligible residents from participating in the food stamp program must be removed. Our federal government must revisit many of the program’s requirements and benefit levels. It makes absolutely no sense that an individual who must drive to his or her minimum wage job is deemed ineligible if his/her car is worth more than $1500.
Given that I ran out of cereal on my sixth day, I visited my friends at All Saints Episcopal Church in the Haight Ashbury on Saturday. For eight years, I had volunteered in their Saturday meal program setting up tables, serving and even preparing my one signature dish, pasta casserole for 200. Many of those with whom I had worked were still there to greet me. I told them of my situation and they of course graciously welcomed me and offered me a place in line. The food was hot and nutritious, and hit the spot. It was a pleasure to dine with many of those I had served on Saturday morning many years ago.
It also seemed appropriate to contribute that which I would have spent on food this past week to the efforts of All Saints weekly meal program.
I learned any number of important lessons and facts during the challenge. Friends and supporters sent emails making suggestions as to how to stretch limited resources as nutritiously as possible. Co-workers in the Capitol offered encouragement and thanks for bringing attention to the hunger all around us, sharing stories of their own experience with food stamps earlier in their lives. Certainly, the federal food stamp program desperately needs updating. With Congresswoman Barbara Lee engaged and leading the way, I am confident that we will have an articulate and powerful voice fighting for us in Washington.
We know that we can do better in providing for those who struggle daily with the basics of life. With sufficient and focused political will, we must do better.
Posted by markleno 
Posted by markleno 
Posted by markleno 
