We suggest that you join or renew your Membership online For Caucus elections, you must be a member in good standing in advance of the upcoming CDP Convention, per the CDP Bylaws.
Our last meeting was held virtually November 2023 during the CDP Endorsing Convention in Los Angeles.
The lineup of speakers was very impressive. Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis gave a personal tribute to Susan Rowe, recalling their first meeting when Eleni toured every county as a candidate and Susan was one of the first rural Democrats to get onboard her campaign. I loved that she made the connection that flipping the two Central Valley Congressional seats will be the best tribute we can pay Susan. Then, in the midst of a new PG&E rate hike and prompted by a question from Central Coast Regional Chair Glenn Glazer, she pledged, as a now candidate for Governor, she would reconstitute the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to “stand up to PG&E and other monopolies”.
State Senate pro Tempore Toni Atkins confirmed that she is “seriously considering” running for Governor. She is turning over leadership of the State Senate to Mike McGuire early next year – an historic shift that will put rural leaders at the helm of both the Senate and the Assembly. In fact, on the Assembly side, the top three seats are now held by rural leaders with Robert Rivas as Speaker, Jim Wood as Speaker pro Tempore, a new position for one year, and Cecilia Aguilar Curry in the role of Majority Leader. It’s a sea change that will ensure that the unique challenges and perspectives of rural California are front and center.
We are already feeling the positive impact thanks to Mike McGuire. About six weeks ago, there was a scare that the Department of Technology was deprioritizing rural and low-income areas in the state’s broadband plan because of a shortfall in funding. According to Mike, that has been reversed and the full 10,000 miles of laying fiber is going forward with the needed monies to be secured in the January budget. 8,300 miles of that 10,000 miles is now officially under contract and will be built in the next 36 months. 3,500 of the 8,300 miles will be installed in the next 24 months.
The excellent progress report from State Water Resources Control Board Chair Joaquin Esquivel reaffirmed the state’s commitment and, most importantly, the resources to respond to the accelerating extremes of both drought and flood while still protecting our rural communities that are most vulnerable to climate change:
- Managing flood waters to recharge our aquifers thanks to the Governor’s Executive Order, allowing recharge from flood-fighting to “bank” 1.2 M acre-feet of water this year.
- Continuing the work of bringing clean affordable drinking water to all Californians. To date, 120 water districts have been consolidated and $800 M in construction grants have been dispersed to disadvantaged communities.
- Adjusting our water rights system to adapt to climate change. The agency just got the authority to investigate and the dollars to finally digitize all the old records so the long inviolate, in some cases self-reported, pre-1914 claims can be accessed and assessed.
We heard very impressive presentations regarding local school board meetings that are descending into chaos due to disruptions, verbal confrontations, and sometimes even threats. Several County Committees (including Sonoma, Alameda, San Diego) have programs to recruit and train volunteers to hopefully restore civil discourse.
In the same vein, Cheryl McKinney asked for our continued support to stop the chaos in Shasta County. The recall vote against extremist county supervisor Kevin Crye is set for March 5, concurrent with the primary. The link to donate is https://www.recallkevincrye.org/updates.
During the Good of the Order, Glenn Glazer’s cautionary statement regarding rising antisemitism and Islamophobia underscored the importance of responsible communication to prevent inciting violence and unfortunately proved prescient.
The incident that disrupted the convention that evening was regrettable preventing the the Arab American Caucus, Asian American Pacific Islander Caucus, Black Caucus, Chicano Latino Caucus, Computer and Internet Caucus, Disabilities Caucus, and the LGBTQ Caucus from holding their meetings.
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Prior Meetings:
CDP Rural Caucus Meeting was on Saturday, May 27th, 2023 from 8:00 AM-9:15 AM in person at JW Marriott LA Live (Platinum A-C) and Zoom (Zoom Link https://bit.ly/RuralCaucusMay27)
This was a voting meeting so it was very important that you renew your membership online to avoid long lines at the meeting and to make sure you can vote at the meeting. If you need a waiver for dues, please reach out to the Treasurer Lise Talbott prior to the meeting. Please make sure your email and phone number are up to date with them.
We will be voting for Caucus Officers and our new Caucus Bylaws. Our election will be done via ElectionBuddy.
Please note in order to vote in person you will need a smartphone, computer, or electronic device.
For those who might need help with technology, we will have an extra computer for you and will be able to assist you.
Membership will also hear presentations about flooding issues in the Central Valley and how to help the severely impacted farming communities from the winter storms and the expected double jeopardy from a massive snow melt as temperatures heat up.
Speakers will include incoming House Speaker Asm. Robert Rivas, Hernan Hernandez, Executive Director of California Farmworker Foundation, and Santa Cruz DCC Vice Chair Jenni Veitch-Olsson who lives in Pajaro Valley.
CDP Rural Caucus Meeting Agenda as of 5.16.23
DONATE: CDP Rural Caucus/CADEM Billboard Campaign
2022 CDP Platform – Rural Plank
A guide to Indigenous land acknowledgment
Map for CA Native Land Acknowledgment
Our next meeting is during the CDP Executive Board Virtual Meeting November 18-20, 2022
CDP Rural Caucus Meeting is Saturday, November 19, 2022 from 8:00AM – 9:30AM (Virtual Door opens at 7:45AM) via zoom
CDP Rural Caucus Meeting Agenda (as of 11-18-2022)
Congressman Jared Huffman is joining us with a first-hand report on the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Egypt, COP27, his take on the midterms, consequences for the House, and a few words about Nancy Pelosi.
DONATE: CDP Rural Caucus/CADEM Billboard Campaign
2022 CDP Platform – Rural Plank
A guide to Indigenous land acknowledgment
Map for CA Native Land Acknowledgment
Our next meeting is during the CDP Executive Board Meeting in Los Angeles – July 8 – 10, 2022
CDP Rural Caucus Meeting is Saturday, July 9, 2022 from 8:00AM – 9:30AM (Virtual Door opens at 7:45AM)
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Debut of the video package about the Rural Broadband Billboard Messaging pilot program starring Eliseo Gamino, Raisin City School District, Huron Mayor Rey León , Senator Anna Caballero, Region 8 Director Humberto Gomez and Caucus Vice Chair/Madera County Chair Susan Rowe.
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Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis, joining us from backstage in L.A.
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Senate Pro Tem Toni Atkins to kick off the YES on Prop 1 campaign. Did you know that before serving as an elected official, Sen. Atkins was Director of Clinic Services at Woman Care Health Services in San Diego and the Feminist Women’s Health Center in Los Angeles?
DONATE: CDP Rural Caucus/CADEM Billboard Campaign
2022 CDP Platform – Rural Plank
A guide to Indigenous land acknowledgment
Map for CA Native Land Acknowledgment
Our next meeting is during the CDP Virtual Endorsement Convention – March 4 – 6, 2022.
Joint CDP Rural Caucus & CDP Environmental Caucus Meeting is Saturday, March 5, 2022 from 7:30AM – 9:30AM (Virtual Door opens at 7:15AM)
Please join our meeting via zoom: https://bit.ly/ruralenviromtg
Joint Rural & Environmental Caucus Meeting:
“The People vs. PG&E -The problems and the solutions”
March 5, 2022 Meeting Agenda (Final)
Our Guest Speakers include:
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (Video Message)
Eleni Kounalakis, CA Lt. Governor
Rusty Hicks, CDP Chair
Justin Meyers, CDP Executive Board Member
Catherine Sandoval, Former CPUC Commissioner
Mari Rose Taruc, Reclaim Our Power!
Esperanza Vielma, Coalition for Environmental Equity and Economics
Ken Wells, O&M Solar
Crystal Huang, People Power Solar Cooperative
DONATE: CDP Rural Caucus/CADEM Billboard Campaign
2022 CDP Platform – Rural Plank
A guide to Indigenous land acknowledgment
Map for CA Native Land Acknowledgment
Our next meeting is during the CDP Virtual Fall Executive Board – November 15 – 21, 2021.
Rural Caucus Meeting is Saturday, November 20, 2021 from 8:00AM – 10:00AM (Virtual Door opens at 7:45AM)
Meeting recording: https://drive.google.com/file/d/180damkVJVEM3CdEbz7AeJGBF-TFhPl2d
RC Chair’s notes from November 20, 2021 Caucus Meeting
Please join our meeting via zoom: https://bit.ly/RuralCaucus
Meeting Agenda for November E-Board 2021
Middle-Mile-Broadband-Initiative-Initial-Projects-FINAL
Our Guest Speakers include:
Nicole Myers-Lim Executive Director, CA Indian Museum & Cultural Center
Michael Wagaman, Wagaman Strategies
CA Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry
CA Lt. Governor Eleni Kounalakis
Video featuring CA Governor Gavin Newsom, U.S. Senate Alex Padilla & CDP Chairman Rusty Hicks
A guide to Indigenous land acknowledgment
Map for CA Native Land Acknowledgment
Our next meeting is during the virtual 2021 Summer CDP Executive Board August 25 – August 29, 2021
Rural Caucus Meeting is Saturday, August 28, 2021 from 8:00 – 10:00AM (Virtual Door opens at 7:45AM)
Please register for our meeting on zoom: https://bit.ly/RuralCaucus
CDP Rural Caucus Agenda for August E-Board 2021
Our Guest Speakers include:
CA Insurance Commissioner, Ricardo Lara (confirmed)
Tom Collishaw, President/CEO Self-Help Enterprises (confirmed)
Journalist Mark Arax, author of best seller” The Dreamt Land” (confirmed)
Joaquin Esquivel, Chair of the State Water Board speaking on the drought (confirmed)
CA Assembly Speaker, Anthony Rendon speaking on broadband for all (confirmed)
RC Bylaws as of 11.15.2019 with suggested amendments for 2021 August General Meeting
A guide to Indigenous land acknowledgment
Map for CA Native Land Acknowledgment
NOTICE: Because of the Covid-19 pandemic the rules for our next general membership meeting during the 2021 CDP VIRTUAL Convention and the Rural Caucus Officer Election are subject to change. We strongly suggest that you join or renew your Membership online and in advance -at least 5 days prior- of our meeting.
Our next meeting is during the CDP State Convention April 29 – May 2, 2021
Rural Caucus Meeting is Saturday, May 1, 2021 from 7:30 – 9:30 am (Door opens at 7AM)
Click here to watch the video recording of the CDP Rural Caucus Meeting
Agenda CDP Rural Caucus Meeting 5-1-2021
Our Guest Speakers include:
U.S. Senator Alex Padilla
CA Attorney General Rob Bonta
CA Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara
CA Secretary of Agriculture Karen Ross
Sonya Logman Harris, Senior Advisor, COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force, CA Dept. of Public Health
CA State Senator Anna Caballero
CA State Senator Mike McGuire
For information about the Officer Elections go to our Announcements page HERE.
A guide to Indigenous land acknowledgment
Map for CA Native Land Acknowledgment
CDP Rural Caucus Meeting
Monday, February 15, 2021 at 5pm on Zoom.
The purpose of this meeting is to get grounded on our goals and strategy for the midterms.
Our Northern Regional Chair Elizabeth Betancourt will set up the discussion with her insights and recommendations from running in AD 1 last year. Then, we will have the opportunity to hear from the two candidates for Party Chair, Rusty Hicks and Delaine Eastin, on their vision for building our base in rural California for 2022.
Please Register in advance for this meeting HERE.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
A guide to Indigenous land acknowledgment
Map for CA Native Land Acknowledgment
The next CDP Rural Caucus Meeting will be during the virtual 2020 Fall CDP E-Board on the California Democratic Party’s Zoom Account.
E-board Meeting: Monday, November 9th – Sunday, November 15, 2020 Tentative Agenda
CDP Rural Caucus Meeting via Zoom
Tuesday, November 10, 2020 from 5:00 – 7:00 PM
Please register in advance for this meeting: HERE
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
The next CDP Rural Caucus Meeting will be during the virtual 2020 Summer CDP E-Board on the California Democratic Party’s Zoom Account.
E-board Meeting: Friday, July 24th – Sunday, July 26, 2020 Tentative Agenda
CDP Rural Caucus Meeting via Zoom
Friday, July 24, 2020 from 5:30 – 7:30 PM
Register in advance by Wednesday, July 22, 2020 at midnight for this meeting: HERE
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
CDP RC Meeting Agenda Summer EBoard 2020
This Meeting has been CANCELED
Join Us in Visalia!
California Democratic Party 2020 Spring Executive Board Meeting
Friday, March 20, 2020 from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Visalia Marriott at the Convention Center Sierra Room (2nd Floor)
300 S. Court Street, Visalia, CA 93291
1. Call to Order
2. Roll call/ Ratification of Quorum
3. Pledge
4. Opening Statement from the Chair
5. Primary Outcomes, Issues and November Priorities
6. Voter Security- Southern Coastal Regional Chair Michael Duran
7. Update on Broadband
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- AB 2163 (Rivas) Rural Broadband Act
- Governor’s Broadband for All policy initiative
- Federal infrastructure bill
- T-Mobile Sprint merger
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8. Update on Wildfire Insurance Crisis – Phil Gross
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- SB 944 (McGuire) Fire Safe Home Tax Credit
- Bill AB 2367 (Gonzalez. Limon). requiring insurers to write coverage where homeowners, communities have “hardened” properties.
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9. What’s Happening with PG&E – Central Coast Regional Chair Glenn Glazer
10.Update on Census 2020 Outreach Efforts
11. Active State Water Issues – Water Policy Group Chair Mike Smith
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- Governor’s Water Resilience Portfolio
- Update on SGMA implementation
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12. Community Water Center Executive Director Susanna De Anda Soeaking on Clean Drinking Water for All Act. signed into law last year. how it is being implemented and Roll Out of https://www.communitywatercenter.org/drinking water tool
13. Governor’s Budget Proposal and Its Impacts on Rural California
14. Good of the Order Speaking length allocated based time remaining/number of speakers
15. Meeting Adjourns
Join Us in Long Beach!
California Democratic Party 2019 Fall Endorsing Convention
Friday, November 15, 2019 7:00 to 8:45 pm Room 203 A-B Level 2
Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center
300 East Ocean Boulevard, Long Beach, CA 90802
Tentative Agenda (Updated With Flexibility as of 11-13-19)
1. Call to Order (7pm)
2. Roll call/ Ratification of Quorum
3. Pledge
4. Opening Statement from the Chair
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- Wildfires
- Update on Broadband Initiatives
- Delegation to Mexico led by Lt. Gov. Kounalakis
- Note: The Lt. Gov. is speaking at 7:45pm
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- Nancy Pelosi Issues Conference and Luncheon in San Francisco
- Announce Rural Caucus Newsletter to be edited by Juan Vazquez
- Rural Plank Revisions for CDP Platform 2020 (2020 Platform Updated Rural Plank)
- New issues
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- Census 2020
- Lise Talbott to provide county contact information
- Census 2020
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- Impact on farming communities from SGMA
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5. Consent Agenda
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- Ratify amendments to Bylaws (RC Bylaws to be amended 11-15-19)
- Include CDP Code of Conduct
- Clarifications of the Nominations and Elections Procedures
- Approve Caucus Work Plan RECERTIFICATION – Statement of Purpose / Work Plan 2020
- Ratify amendments to Bylaws (RC Bylaws to be amended 11-15-19)
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6. Officer Reports (1 minute each)
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- Renee Zeimer
- Michael Duran
- Elizabeth Betancourt
- Amy Champ
- Susan Rowe (Reporting for Patty Hughes) (Rural Constituency Report)
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7. Presentation on PG&E Power Shutoffs (7:30pm)
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- Glenn Glazer (10 minutes) (Report)
- Dean Rewerts (2 minutes) (A Laypersons Guide to Legislative Advocacy)
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8. Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis (7:45pm) (Media Wildfires)
9. Presidential and state level candidates to address the caucus (7:50pm)
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- Tom Steyer
Amy KlobucharNo show- Audrey Denney
- Brynne Kennedy
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10. Update from Water Policy Discussion Group (8pm)
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- Mike Smith (3 minutes)
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11. Update from Cannabis Committee
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- Helen Rouvier (3 minutes)
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12. Update on Wildfire Insurance
13. CDP Chair Rusty Hicks (8:15pm)
14. Good of the Order (8:20pm)
Speaking length will be allocated based on the number of speakers and the time available.
15. Meeting adjourns (8:45pm)
“For the 2019 Fall Endorsing Convention the California Democratic Party is establishing a Childcare center. The party has contracted ACCENT on Children’s Arrangements, Inc. to set-up Camp CDP. With 28 years of experience Accent is a leader in the childcare industry.” Register for Camp CDP HERE.
Join Us in San Jose
2019 California Democratic Party Summer Executive Board Meeting
CDP Rural Caucus Meeting
Friday, August 23, 2019 4:15 to 6 pm
DoubleTree by Hilton San Jose
2050 Gateway Place, Fir Room (Second Level), San Jose CA 95110
Our primary goals for this meeting include:
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- Discuss actions needed to address the fire insurance crisis with Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara.
- Submit updates to the Rural Plank for the 2020 CDP Platform. Note: The Party Platform will be finalized at the Long Beach Convention in November 2019.
- Secure the outcome of the Resolutions we passed at Convention.
CDP Rural Caucus Meeting (Tentative Agenda as of 8-13-19)
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- Call to Order – 4:15 pm (Doors open at 4 pm)
- Roll call/ Ratification of Quorum
- Pledge
- Opening Statement from the Chair
- Presentations to the Caucus – Fire Insurance 4:20 pm
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- Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara Wildfire presentation
- Heidi Hall (Representing Nevada County)
- Jamie Beutler (Representing El Dorado County)
- State Senator Mike McGuire
- Discussion
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Speakers will be limited to two minutes
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- Consent Agenda – 5:20 pm
- Amendments to the Caucus Bylaws sent out to the Caucus Membership 30 days prior to meeting. CDP Rural Caucus Bylaws AMENDED DRAFT for 8-23-19 Meeting
- Vote on Amendments to the Rural Plank, posted on the Rural Caucus Website.
- Good of the Order – 5:30 pm
- Consent Agenda – 5:20 pm
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Speaking length will be allocated based on the number of speakers and the time available.
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- Meeting adjourns – 6 pm
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Suggested reading July 31 article by Mark Arax in the California Sunday Magazine about Paradise. “Gone: Decades of greed, neglect, corruption, and bad politics led to last year’s Paradise fire, the worst in California history. It should never have happened. It will happen again.”