With less than two months left before Election Day, campaigns both defending and opposing Proposition 22 — the ballot initiative that aims to keep gig company drivers classified as independent contractors — are revving up their efforts to reach out to Black voters.
Earlier this month, Uber, Lyft, DoorDash and Instacart pumped another $70 million into their campaign to pass Prop 22. The total funds those app-based companies and others have spent on the Yes on Prop 22 public information effort is now $181 million, making it one of the most expensive California initiative information campaigns ever.
The opposition, made up of mostly labor organizing groups, has raised about $4.8 million so far, with funding coming mostly from labor organizing groups.
Jay King, President and CEO of California Black Chamber of Commerce
On September 3, the Yes on 22 campaign hosted a press conference for ethnic communities in the state. At the event, community leaders spoke up about why they support the ballot initiative. They emphasized that gig companies provide an easy stream of income for their drivers, and that Prop 22 would keep those jobs in California — and in Black and Brown communities in particular.
“Driving has been a source of relief for these people. It’s easy to sign up, start driving and earning right away, without a lot of the normal barriers that block Black and Latino Americans from working,” said Dr. Tecoy Porter Sr., President of the National Action Network Sacramento Chapter.
Jay King, President and CEO of California Black Chamber of Commerce, said the Black community can not afford massive job losses in the wake of the pandemic.
“One in 10 app-based drivers are Black. Many of them would lose their jobs if Prop 22 is not passed this November. When so much of our community is suffering, we need to encourage and promote new and innovative ways to make income. I encourage everyone to vote yes to save app-based jobs and services,” he said.
On September 9, protesters from Rideshare Drivers United (RDU), an organizing group that has come out against Prop 22, gathered under an Uber billboard in Oakland that read, “If you tolerate racism, delete Uber. Black people have the right to move without fear.” Uber has launched a microsite that promotes that slogan and shares how the company plans to rid its platform of racism and investments it has made in the Black community.
“We are condemning them on their hypocritical ballot measure that would relegate drivers to a permanent underclass without basic rights or voices or privileges. We condemn major companies like Uber and Lyft who are claiming support of a protest movement that has galvanized America, in the middle of a pandemic that has disproportionately affected Black and Brown people in their lives,” Cherri Murphy, an RDU organizer, told California Black Media.
Murphy says there are multiple instances when Uber and Lyft exploit Black drivers and customers, alleging that those companies increase ride prices in Black and Brown neighborhoods. That claim has been supported by a June preprint study by George Washington University.
“If you want to know whether or not Lyft and Uber are doing the right thing, you need to look at their historical measures and tactics. The most recent one is around the preliminary injunction. As opposed to following the rules, what they want to do is invoke fear and have people make a decision based on fear. So their method on threatening people to shut down wasn’t because they’re in a bind. Not a million dollar — a billion dollar — company. Compare that to those who live check to check,” said Murphy.
As they wait to see how Californians will vote on Prop 22, Uber and Lyft are also currently in an appeals process against the preliminary injunction that ordered them to classify their drivers as employees last August.
Black Caucus Writes LettersDefending State Bar Candidate Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media On Sept.15, the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) sent out separate letters to Gov. Gavin Newsom and Senate Pro Tem Sen. Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego), voicing its concerns about the treatment of two high profile African American public servants. In the letter obtained by California Black Media, the organization, comprised of African Americans elected to the state legislature, called out the “practices of the State Bar of California —? most recently involving Black women.” “Specifically, we are shocked and appalled by the mistreatment of Attorney Fredericka McGee, who had her job offer as Executive Director of the State Bar rescinded without explanation. We are also troubled that Debbie Manning recently and abruptly resigned from the State Board,” CLBC chair and Assemblymember Shirley Weber (D-San Diego) wrote in the letter to Atkins. The board of trustees offered McGee — a respected California legislative attorney licensed in the state for 30 years — the position of executive director in July.? Last month, the organization, which serves as an administrative arm of the State Supreme Court and is charged with protecting the public interest, reportedly withdrew the proposal without providing McGee an explanation.? Manning, a member of State Bar’s 13-member board — the only African American serving on the governing body — surprisingly resigned halfway through her term. She was appointed to a four-year term by the state Senate in 2018.? “Over the past few months, this nation has witnessed the inhumane treatment of African Americans in this country. While the focus has been on law enforcement, we are aware that systemic racism does not confine itself to one agency, but can be experienced in macro and micro aggressions,” Weber stated in the letter to Newsom. The executive director of the State Bar leads the senior management team responsible for various programs. The position requires the executive director to answer to the board of trustees and advance its policies. The State Bar Board of Trustees chairperson Alan Steinbrecher, responding to published reports about the McGee issue, said the governing board does not comment publicly about personnel decisions. “We are not in the position to respond to specifics reported in the press because the executive director’s selection process is a confidential, personnel matter,” he said. ? Weber requested an urgent meeting with Newsom to discuss the issues surrounding the State Bar and McGee’s appointment. Her letter also asked that the governor veto Assembly Bill (AB) 3362 or hold off on considering it until a meeting takes place.? AB 3362, a bill that would authorize the State Bar to collect fees from California attorneys and restrict its board of trustees from discussing issues about the Bar’s exams administration, is currently being reviewed by the governor. “The State Bar of California has a long history of inappropriate behavior. The need to hold them accountable is long overdue. While the Legislature’s role is limited, it is no less important and impactful,” Weber said in the letter to the governor. The mission of the CLBC is to advocate for the interests of Black Californians, remove obstacles that Black Americans face in every aspect of life, demand equity to eliminate disparities between racial groups, and increase African-American participation and representation in all levels of government.??? Members of the California Legislative Black Caucus include: The chair, Assemblymember Shirley N.Weber (D-San Diego); Sen. Steven Bradford (D-Los Angeles), the group’s vice chair; Assemblymember Sydney Kamlager (D-Los Angeles), secretary; Assemblymember Jim Cooper (D-Sacramento), treasurer; Sen, Holy J. Mitchell (D-Los Angeles); Assemblymember Chris R. Holden (D-Pasadena); Assemblymember Mike Gipson (D-Los Angeles); Assemblymember Autumn Burke (D-South Bay, Los Angeles); Assemblymember Reginald Jones-Sawyer, Sr. (D- South Los Angeles); and Assemblymember Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento).
Over the weekend on September 19th, local recording artist and community activist Justified Smith and his organization Fathers In Hip Hop brought a big blessing to the High Desert with their BLESSED IN THE MESS RELIEF EFFORT CAMPAIGN, by going to the Walmart Super Center/Victorville on 395 and Palmdale Rd. to bless the mess. Earlier in the week Justified and his team of supporters and contributors raised $2,000 and all of it went towards the purchase of Walmart gift cards in the amounts of $50 and $100.
After the purchase of the gift cards, Justified along with his rap comrade Big2daboy and their teams walked through the store in search of fathers and families to bless randomly with the gift cards to go towards their purchases. Adelanto city council candidates Daniel Ramos and Roy Isaiah joined Fathers In Hip Hop on this day and helped with the distribution of the funds.
Adelanto Mayor Gabriel Reyes & City Commissioner Daniel Ramos also joined in on the giving by making a donation of $500 to the campaign on behalf of the City Of Adelanto. They believe in what Justified and Fathers In Hip Hop are trying to accomplish with the fathers in their city.
Justified believes that if you bless the fathers, the families will be blessed as well. Giving these gift cards to the fathers is their way of acknowledging and honoring ACTIVE FATHERS and saluting them for accepting the call of duty and being present in their children’s lives. He also believes that spending time is just as important as spending money when it comes to being a father.
$1,200 in gift cards were distributed to fathers and their families inside of the Walmart. The following day Sunday September 20th Justified, Daniel Ramos, and Mayor Gabriel Reyes took the remaining $800 in gift cards to the streets on the north end of Adelanto, and visited an apartment complex where they sought out and found more fathers to bless with the gift cards. The fathers that were fortunate enough to receive this unexpected blessing were overwhelmed with gratefulness and really appreciated the gift cards. While out distributing the cards they came across a team of first responders and decided to bless the Adelanto Fire Department with a Gift Card in the amount of $50 to honor of the fathers on their team, and advised them to take the blessing and use it for their Fire House.
Justified and Fathers In Hip Hop are determined and committed to be a blessing to the fathers and families of the high desert. All the money is was raised by donations from local businesses and supporters who believe in the mission of Fathers In Hip Hop and what they’re doing with their Blessed In The Mess Relief Effort. If you want to participate in the giving, you can do so by making a donation to their cash app $fathersinhiphop. You can also connect with the Fathers In Hip Hop via email at fathersinhiphop@gmail.com or follow them on Instagram
SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom issued the following statement today regarding the passing of Supreme Court of the United States Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg:
“Justice Ginsburg devoted her extraordinary life and intellect to making the words of our nation’s founding documents more true. Throughout her historic legal career, her contributions as a jurist to the cause of equality for women and men were unmatched. Justice Ginsburg fought tirelessly for the rights of women at work, at school and in the life of our nation. She proved over and over again that sex-based discrimination harmed not just women, but men and families, and that reckoning with this inequality was required for our nation to live out its promise.
“In moving our nation forward, she inspired millions among us, including so many women and girls, to reach higher, dream bigger and dissent more passionately. Though this loss is incalculable, her legacy will live on in the fairer, more just society that she bravely ushered in and that we must, to honor her, safeguard. Our thoughts and prayers are with her colleagues, her family and all Americans in mourning.”
NASHVILLE—Black-owned brands are suddenly in demand, and serial entrepreneur Jason Ridgel is in high spirits after sales of Guidance, a whiskey brand he owns, skyrocketed in recent months.
Guidance is making a name for itself as one of the few black-owned premium craft small-batch whiskey brands available for purchase online and in stores in Tennessee, Kentucky, Florida, Georgia and California. It’s part of a growing black-owned spirits movement.
Since launching in 2018, Guidance Whiskey has made its product available for purchase online in 43 states. The company recently inked a deal with Kentucky-based distributor Legacy Wine and Spirits, which helped expand its availability in stores to 50 retail locations in five states.
Ridgel said the deal is historic because it marks a rare partnership between a black-owned whiskey brand and a black-owned whiskey distributor.
“I was told ‘no’ by a bunch of distributors,” said Ridgel, who developed his product with the idea of appealing to the unique taste preferences of African Americans. “They told us that would never sell because the market was saturated and there are tens of thousands of spirits.”
Jason Ridgel, founder of Guidance Whiskey (Zachary Staben/Zenger)
Based in Nashville, Tennesse, near the Jack Daniel’s whiskey distillery in Lynchburg, Guidance received its big break in June 2020 when it partnered with black-owned distributor Legacy Wine and Spirits. The partnership expanded Guidance’s distribution to 10 stores in Kentucky.
Ridgel’s success is part of an up and coming black-owned spirits movement. There are dozens of black-owned liquor brands in the U.S. but many have yet to gain entry into the mainstream. They are often shut out of the distribution deals needed to place them on store shelves.
Both companies are supporting the initiative equally with a combined pledge of $5 million to help create the Nearest Green School of Distilling, develop the Leadership Acceleration Program for apprenticeships, and create a Business Incubation Program focused on providing expertise and resources to African Americans entering the spirits industry as entrepreneurs.
Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey honors the first known black master distiller, Nathan “Nearest” Green. The Nearest Green School of Distilling at Motlow State Community College in Tullahoma, Tennessee is awaiting approval from the Tennessee Board of Regents. They could begin classes as early as fall 2021, according to the company.
Legacy Wine and Spirits owners Kelvin Young Sr. and DJuan Ditto say they want their platform as black-owned distributors to be a gateway for up and coming brands.
“Once we met with Jason and actually had a conversation about his vision for Guidance and the whole black-owned spirits movement, we knew that we definitely wanted to play a part in that and also be a distribution partner for Guidance,” Young said.
Nathan “Nearest” Green’s son, George (3rd L), sits next to Jack Daniel at the Lynchburg Distillery. (historic photo)
Ridgel said he created Guidance Whiskey to offer customers a different taste, which he describes as “no heat.”
“I wanted to change it to fit our pallet,” said Ridgel. “Black people always have a different take on things. The spirit industry has been missing that creativity that comes from our people. You see it in the music industry, in the arts and in sales, but in liquor, we don’t have a lane.”
A graduate of Tennessee State University, Ridgel is a serial entrepreneur who started his first business at age 23. He has launched companies in the janitorial industry and medical equipment sales. He became interested in whiskey after seeing an opportunity to change the perception of what it means to be a Tennessee whiskey.
Ridgel chose the name Guidance, defined as “infinite wisdom that enables excellence,” as a reference to ancestors who pass down treasures throughout the generations.
“Our grandparents, parents, aunts and uncles pour into us. Nothing that we create now would be possible without them, so Guidance seemed like the perfect name,” Ridgel said.
Ridgel funded the launch of Guidance using his own money.His first steps were finding a distillery partner and a signature taste.
Comprised of 88% corn, 10% rye and 2% malted barley, Guidance is made at a distillery in Iowa and aged for 24 months. Guidance’s website describes its taste profile as “dominated by smooth front-end vanilla with a light and smooth experience in the middle” followed by a “long, smokey finish.”
Ridgel describes Guidance as “love in a bottle.”
Legacy Wine and Spirits owners (L to R) DJuan Ditto, Kelvin Young Sr., with Guidance owner Jason Ridgel, and Robert Jobe (Deja Downy/Zenger)
“When you start with liquor it’s hard to figure out what you like but you know what you don’t like,” said Ridgel. He used to go out with friends who would buy him a shot of whiskey, which he would pretend that he liked. “Really my mouth would be on fire,” Ridgel said of the experiences that led him to create his signature taste.
While Guidance is available for purchase on its website for $64.99 per bottle, Ridgel said an important part of his strategy to grow the brand is to have it available in restaurants, bars and private clubs where customers can buy it by the glass. Guidance partnered with Nashville-based DET Distributing Company for sales in Nashville-area restaurants in 2019.
Future plans for Ridgel include mentoring other entrepreneurs and establishing Guidance as a brand that will last for years to come. Online sales of Guidance doubled in the months of May, June and July 2020, and Ridgel is focused on working to ensure that his brand will survive beyond the recently renewed interest in black-owned businesses.
“We are in the game of respect,” Ridgel said. “If we become a respected brand it makes it easier for us to help other brands. There is more recognition and support of black-owned businesses right now; we want to keep it that way.”
America is still healing from several violent murders of unarmed Black men and women at the hands of law enforcement officers across the country. But that climate in the country, volatile and fraught with distrust and disagreement, did not stop members of the California Correctional Peace Officer Association (CCPOA) from placing a gun target on the photo of a Black lawmaker in California.
The CCPOA, in a two-minute political video, clearly displayed an image of a “crosshair” symbol over the face of State Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer (D-Los Angeles) at the 1-minute-20-second mark of the clip, which was widely circulated before it was deleted.
“From what I saw, there were no Black correctional officers in the video, no Black representation,” the Rev. Jonathan E.D. Moseley, president of the Los Angeles Chapter of the National Action Network, told California Black Media (CBM).
“It was a despicable piece of propaganda. It was not just targeting elected officials, it targeted an elected Black official,” he continued.
Glen Stailey, a correctional officer and CCPOA’s state president, posted the video on Facebook. CCPOA is supporting a candidate who is running against Jones-Sawyer in the November General Election.
The crosshair symbol is commonly used figuratively to connote that someone or something is being targeted. Whether it’s a sniper, police officer, or a citizen practicing at a range, shooters rely on actual crosshairs in firearm viewfinders to mark the object of their impending gunfire, before they squeeze the trigger.
“It is unconscionable that the president of a peace officer’s association would use such a scare tactic that could incite someone to take action and cause harm,” said Jones-Sawyer, who has asked the Assembly Sergeant-at-Arms for additional security. He has also requested that California Attorney General Xavier Becerra investigate.
In the video, Stailey is shown staring at a wall lined with photos. Other individuals are standing by him. He is specifically pointing his finger at the photo of Jones-Sawyer, which is covered by the crosshairs target symbol.
“CCPOA is prepared to take the lead and speak the loudest. We are going to demand that the increased violence and assault on peace officers are addressed and the perpetrators are held accountable to the highest degree,” Stailey says in the video, pointing to Jones-Sawyer’s photo.
Alice Huffman, president of the California-Hawaii branch of the NAACP, watched the video. She told California Black Media (CBM) that it was “heartbreaking.”
“This is hurtful and despicable,” she said. “At its best, this video shows a violation of the trust that we place in our law enforcement authorities. At its worst, this is a dangerously suggestive, racist, calculated and terrifying act perpetrated by people who should know better. These are people we count on to protect us – not to use symbols we all can identify to instill fear in us,” said Brown. “An apology just doesn’t cut it.”
After a slew of comments on Twitter and Facebook reacting to the video, most of them in opposition, the CCPOA deleted the video.
“The CCPOA posted a video that showed we are ‘targeting’ several legislative districts,” Stailey said in a statement. “It would require a great stretch of the imagination to believe that we meant anything other than our clear intent, which was to demonstrate that we are mounting political campaigns against certain legislators. However, to put this controversy to rest, we are moving the video from our official channels and editing it.”
Jones-Sawyer is the chairperson of the Assembly Public Safety Committee.
“This is unacceptable. Putting crosshairs on a sitting Assemblymember with whom you have political
disagreements crosses a line big time. Reggie Jones-Sawyer is a great leader for CA, particularly on criminal justice & prison reform,” State Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), wrote on his Twitter account.
After two Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies were shot at close range while sitting in a patrol vehicle on Sept. 13 in Compton, Jones-Sawyer called the crime “cowardly.”
The two deputies survived the ambush.
“I’m against police violence,” Jones-Sawyer told a Southern California radio station on Monday, Sept. 14. “And that’s not only police violence when it involves African Americans or Latinos, but also when violence goes against law enforcement officers. That act was a cowardly act.”
Jones-Sawyer, who represents the 59th Assembly District, is currently in a fight to hold on to his seat. He trailed Efren Martinez, also a Democrat, in the primary election, which forced a runoff in the Nov. 3 General Election.
The California Correctional Peace Officers Association, established in 1957 as the California Correctional Officers Association, has over 30,000 members. The labor union advocates for enhancement of wages and other benefits for its members.
“…From day to day, as we live we have to make decisions, and when we make those decisions, things don’t always turn out the way we’d like them to or want them to. No matter what we feel or what seems real, things change. We don’t have a crystal ball to look into, to know what our future is going to be, or what it gonna be…” [Whatever We Had, We Had…Barry White]. But when we look at the Word of God. God tells us about the future. He tells us what is coming. [Matthew 24].
You know, the Apostle Paul wrote Timothy a letter while he was in prison in Rome. He wrote Timothy to tell him that difficult, troublesome, violent, threatening and dangerous days were just around the corner.” Don’t be naive. Don’t think that everything is going to be okay. Its not going to be okay! The “Last Days” will be fierce, violent, dangerous and frightening. [Scripture – Psalms 2 & Timothy 3:1-11]. What we are seeing all around us is a society on the brink of collapse! This is proven by the 18 characteristics of the last days presented by Paul. And the Bible does not leave us guessing about what is going to happen, it speaks very clearly, very simply, very straightforwardly. Therefore, “As the World Turns,.” as our world seems to be going its own way, doing its own thing, I implore you, to decide today, to repent and to give your life to Christ. Jesus is our only hope!
Hear the call God is giving you today. There is an urgency in our world that has never existed before. Warnings of Imminent Dangers! DO NOT trifle with your soul’s salvation, “Whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” [James 4:14]. The Urgency of Today [Proverbs 29:1]. The Insistence of God – [Proverbs 1: 24-28]. Know that “TODAY” may be the very last time you may be exposed to the Gospel of the grace of God. Don’t blow it! “NOW,” “TODAY,” repent of your sins and accept Jesus as your Savior. For the Bible declares, “Behold, “NOW” is the acceptable time; behold, “NOW” is the day of salvation.” “NOW” is Mercy offered. “NOW” is the invitation from God, reaching down from Heaven. Know that the Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. [2 Peter 3:9].
The time is now for you to discern this time, this age and period in which we live, and understand what God is doing among the nations. His purpose is being fulfilled according to plan, and His Kingdom is coming. Do not be deceived! God is not mocked. “Unless ye REPENT ye shall likewise perish” [Acts 2:39].
“And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat upon him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword [war], and with hunger [famine], and with death and with the beasts of the earth [Revelation 6:8]
Now you can deny the fact that Jesus is coming soon if you want too, but you can’t change the truth of it. Jesus is coming, and He is coming soon. And when He comes, it will be with “sudden destruction” [2Thessalonians]. This world is preparing itself for the fulfillment of God’s prophecies. The signs are everywhere. I beg you, don’t take it lightly; your eternity is at stake. Jesus says, “Come now, and let us reason together: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool”. [Isaiah 1:18]. “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteousness man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.” [Isaiah 55:7]. “As the World Turns,” how will you respond?
End Times Signs… [Daniel 12:4] [Zechariah 12:3;] [Matthew 13:25-30] [Matthew 24:6-14,24] [Luke 21:25-26]
[1 Thessalonians 5:3] [1Timothy 4:3-4] [2 Timothy 3:1-5] [2 Timothy 4:4] [2 Peter 2:1-3] [2 Peter 3:3-6].
One-third of all registered voters say jobs and the economy is their most important issue in deciding which presidential candidate to vote for, the latest USC Dornsife Daybreak poll shows.
When asked which candidate they trust more to handle jobs and the economy, registered voters give President Donald Trump a 4 percentage-point advantage over former Vice President Joe Biden. But on uniting the country and healing racial divisions, and on COVID-19 response, Biden has an advantage of 22 points and 14 points, respectively.
The poll also found that nearly 3 out of 5 voters have an unfavorable opinion of Trump; nearly half have an “extremely unfavorable” opinion. Voters are more evenly split over Biden. Half rated him either “somewhat favorable” or “extremely favorable” and 47% rated him unfavorably, including more than a third who have an “extremely unfavorable” opinion.
Voters were asked if they feel discomfort in discussing their choice of presidential candidates with family, friends, acquaintances and pollsters, an issue that was significantly associated with late deciders for Trump in the 2016 Daybreak poll. Pollsters found very little difference in the comfort levels of Trump and Biden voters.
“In 2016, the Daybreak poll found Trump voters to be significantly less comfortable with discussing their candidate choice than Hillary Clinton voters, particularly among acquaintances and if contacted by a telephone poll,” said Jill Darling, Survey Director of the Daybreak Poll. “This year, we see very little difference between Trump voters and Biden voters. The undecided voters are more reticent, but very few voters remain truly undecided.”
The national probability poll was conducted by the USC Dornsife Center for Economic and Social Research (CESR) among 4,580 registered voters who are members of its Understanding America Study panel. The poll has a +/- 2 percentage point overall margin of sampling error.
Partisan differences in how voters ranked issues tell a more nuanced story
Half of Republican voters and those who say they’re voting for Trump, and just under half the voters who lean toward voting Republican, chose jobs and the economy as their top issue.
In contrast, Democrats were more divided on their top issue. “Uniting the country and healing racial divisions” was chosen by a third of those identifying as Democrats and Biden voters, and by just under a quarter of those who lean Democrat. That issue ranked second among all registered voters, as well as among GOP leaners, Independents and undecided voters.
“People are sharply divided on lines of partisanship, not only about what candidate they favor, but what issues are most important to them,” said Robert Shrum, director of the USC Dornsife Center for the Political Future.
Law enforcement and criminal justice was picked second most often by Trump voters and Republicans in general. “The Trump campaign’s focus on riots and protests as problems in the cities are resonating among Trump voters and Republicans,” said Darling. “However, potential swing voters are more concerned about uniting the country around racial unrest.”
In contrast, immigration, which dominated the 2016 presidential race headlines with Trump supporters’ chants to “build the wall,” barely registered among any category of voters as the top priority. Neither did climate change and US-China relations.
The poll was conducted before Trump visited California where massive wildfires have magnified the issue of climate change.
Although jobs and the economy took the top spot among all registered voters and among Republicans and Trump voters, uniting the country was the top issue for nearly 1 in 5 voters who lean Republican, and a similar percentage of independents and undecided voters.
“The poll results reveal that Biden has an issue that everybody, including Republicans, cares about: uniting and healing,” said Mike Murphy, co-director of the Center for the Political Future. “It’s a very clear roadmap for Biden. If he can make it more germane and move it further up the importance scale, that’s pure gain for him.”
It’s (not just) the economy, stupid
Pollsters also asked voters who they trusted more to deal with these issues. While voters gave Trump the edge by 4 percentage points on jobs and economy, they trusted Biden more on all of the other issues — many of them by double digit margins.
“It’s clear that Biden owns ‘uniting and healing’ — as well as climate change — for the small percentage of people who chose that as their most important issue,” said Darling. “But he also has a 10-point advantage on health care — an issue that ranked high in importance for swing voters.”
“What’s amazing to me about this poll is Trump’s lead on the economy has steadily eroded,” said Shrum. “And the president is campaigning heavily on law enforcement and criminal justice — an issue where Biden actually has a four-point advantage.”
Results show that nearly half of all registered voters (47%) have an extremely unfavorable opinion of Trump, compared to one third who have an extremely unfavorable opinion of Biden.
Biden has an overall favorable impression among half of the voters, while only 40% of voters have a somewhat or extremely favorable opinion of Trump.
Independents have a net negative impression of both candidates, by similar margins, but they are four times as likely to say they haven’t heard enough about Biden to form an opinion.
On a related issue, Biden voters were more likely than Trump voters to say their choice was motivated by opposition to the other candidate. Among Biden voters, 53% say they are supporting their candidate, while 47% say they are voting mainly to oppose Trump.
“Trump continues to be the unwitting get-out-the-vote machine for Democrats,” said Shrum.
A much larger majority of Trump voters are voting for him: 85% say they are supporting their candidate and only 15% are voting mainly against Biden.
About the USC Dornsife Daybreak Poll
The USC Dornsife Daybreak Poll 2020 was conducted Aug. 25-Sept. 13, 2020 among 5,272 members of the Understanding America Study probability-based internet panel. The sample included 4,580 registered voters.
Overall margin of sampling error for the sample of registered voters is +/- 2 percentage points. Margin of sampling error for subgroups included in this analysis may vary, and are provided in the associated methodology and topline document.
SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- San Bernardino Valley College (SBVC) has been named one of the best online community colleges in California in a recent announcement by national college ranking website Learn.org. In the wake of the global COVID-19 pandemic, most Inland Empire college students are continuing their educational journeys remotely from the safety of their homes. From its incredibly low cost at $46 per unit, to its extensive availability of financial aid assistance and diversity of academic programs, SBVC continues to be a top choice for higher education in the region.
In its selection of the top online community colleges, Learn.org considered data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Department of Education and evaluated quality of programs, student outcomes, cost, accessibility, and
other factors “critical to students’ academic decisions.” SBVC was ranked number 7 out of the top 25—out of a total of 116—community colleges across California. The website also ranked SBVC as having one of the highest percentages of students receiving financial aid, at 82%. In addition to providing financial aid to students, the college has distributed hundreds of laptop computers and high-speed internet hotspots to students to facilitate online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic and kept its Valley 360 Resource Center (food pantry) open on campus, where students can pick up a free, pre-packaged bag of food or hygiene items every week.
SBVC offers an extensive variety of degrees and certificates fully online, such as administration of justice, anthropology, business administration, philosophy and sociology, as well as many more that are being offered virtually temporarily during Fall 2020 and Spring 2021. To learn more about online learning at SBVC, visit www.valleycollege.edu.
In less than one month, the State Bar of California has been roiled in high-level personnel snafus involving two prominent Black California women.
In July, the California State Bar offered Fredericka McGee, a respected California legislative attorney, the position of executive director. Then, in August, the organization which serves as an administrative arm of the State Supreme Court and is charged with protecting the public interest, reportedly rescinded that offer without an explanation. McGee has been a licensed attorney with the Bar for almost 30 years.?
Then, last week, Debbie Manning, a member of State Bar’s 13-member board — the only African American serving on the governing body — abruptly resigned midway through her term. Manning was appointed to a four-year term by the state Senate in 2018.?
Manning, a “non-attorney” member, was appointed to a four-year term by the State Senate in 2018. Previously, Manning was not only the first Black woman to join the Legislature’s?Office of the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms in 1977, she was also the first woman to serve as Senate Chief Sergeant-at-Arms. She held that position from 2014 until 2017.
Manning’s resignation came just one week after the Bar met to discuss the hiring of the next executive director with extended public comment in support of McGee after which the board went into closed session but did not report any decision or action. Manning did not give a reason for leaving.
Screenshot of the State Bar Zoom Board meeting September 4, 2020
Powerful Support: State Leaders Defend McGee at Board Meeting
At the Friday, September 4 State Bar public board meeting, supporters urged the body to reconsider its decision and renegotiate with McGee for the executive director position. That meeting was delayed when an individual wrote the “n” word several times and other profanity directed toward Black people in the Zoom meeting chat box, which caused the meeting to be delayed for almost an hour.
Despite the delay, a diverse group of people spoke at the meeting in support McGee — supporters say a testament to her rapport with lawmakers; attorneys of all colors and backgrounds; business leaders; members of the African American community; leaders in major service organizations, and more.??Among them were representatives of the California Association of Black Lawyers, SEIU, Planned Parenthood and the ACLU.?
Assemblymember Shirley Weber (D-San Diego), speaking on behalf of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC), was the first speaker to address the board of trustees.
Weber said, speaking on accounts of published reports, that McGee’s situation is one of the reasons the CLBC talks about the “increase of representation of people of color, particularly African Americans in all aspects.”
Weber said the Bar’s alleged withdrawal “brought tremendous concern” to members of the CLBC.
“(McGee) had accepted the position, was making efforts to move, change her residency, and basically move around for this position, and then all of sudden the position was withdrawn,” Weber said. “We stand united in requesting that you provide the state bar the best leader as possible, as we’ve always found that to be of the character and qualifications of Ms. Fredericka McGee.”
In closing, Weber referenced the constitutional relationship between the Legislature and the State Bar. The Legislature annually authorizes a “fee bill” to allow the Bar to assess lawyers’s licensing fees, according to Ed Howard, a Sacramento public interest lobbyist and long-time State Bar watcher.
Fredericka McGee
A History of Turmoil and Mismanagement
Over the years, the State Bar has been under scrutiny for some of its practices and the way its leaders have managed the organization. In 1998, then Gov. Pete Wilson vetoed a bill that would’ve authorized the agency to charge lawyers in the state annual licensing fees to fund the Bar.?
A layoff of two-thirds of the Bar’s staff members was hanging in the balance and the group’s attorney discipline system temporarily shut down for lack of funds. Those issues were only resolved in 1998 after the state’s Supreme Court intervened.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s administration vetoed another fee authorization bill, Senate Bill 641, in 2009. Schwarzenegger justified his action by basing it on a state audit that discovered irregularities in enforcing attorney discipline, embezzlement of $675,000 by a former employee, and prohibited disclosure of the rating of a potential candidate for the appellate bench.
In a written message, the governor said the Bar’s scandals “cannot continue with business as usual,”
“As the organization charged with regulating the professional conduct of its members, the conduct of the State Bar itself must be above reproach,”?Schwarzenegger stated. “Regrettably, it is not.”
In 2016, after the California Legislature did not pass a Bar dues bill, and the state’s Supreme Court had to step in to authorize the agency to collect interim dues. The American Bar Association reported on Nov. 16, 2016, that both Legislative houses were at odds about the bar’s “reform measures,” introduced by the Assembly. The issue was about a study of whether the bar should break into two parts, splitting the Bar’s attorney discipline abilities from its trade organization tasks.
Last month, the Assembly and the Senate passed Assembly Bill (AB) 3362, a bill that would again authorize the Bar to collect fees from California attorneys and restrict its board of trustees from discussing issues about the Bar’s exams administration in seclusion. At the moment, Gov. Gavin Newsom is reviewing the bill.
At the September 4th board meeting, Fabian Núñez, a former Assemblymember, who represented the 46th District in Los Angeles County and served as speaker of the Assembly from 2004 to 2008, highlighted McGee’s professionalism and praised her “level of dignity,”? depth of knowledge,” ability to “build relationships,” and “certainty of purpose.”??
Núñez said that within his nearly five-year tenure, McGee was his general counsel and he watched her juggle and manage legal matters of the Assembly, the rules committee, and judiciary issues.?
“It’s something unmatched in California,” Núñez said of McGee’s skill set. “Quite frankly, it’s unique because she also possesses the skills that are so important when you are managing a large organization such as the State Bar.”?
Gov. Newsom’s former Legislative Affairs Secretary, Anthony Williams also said in support of McGee, “When I heard that she was a candidate for the executive director for the State Bar, I was pleased and proud not only as a lawyer but also as a Californian who knows the important role that the State Bar plays in public protection and administration of justice. Fredericka understands that. I hope that you reconsider it, such a sensitive, personnel decision,” Williams said.?
The board of trustees’s duties includes developing the guiding policies and principles of the Bar. It comprises of five lawyers appointed by the California Supreme Court, two lawyers appointed the by legislature, and six non-attorney members (four named by the governor).?
The State Bar’s Board of Trustees Responds
The governing body’s chairperson Alan Steinbrecher pointed out that the makeup of the state bar is one of diversity and inclusion and at the end of the meeting sought to provide examples of two prior African American State Bar executive directors.?
“In my work with the state bar’s leadership team and with staff, I know that the commitment to diversity and inclusion is widely shared throughout the organization,” Steinbrecher said. “As our former executive director said, ‘We want diversity and inclusion to be built in and not built on.’ I also want to note that contrary to some comments we’ve received, the state bar has been previously led by two capable and talented African American women that served as executive directors.”
Leah T. Wilson, another African American woman, served as executive director for two years before she surprised some when she left the role on Jan. 17 of this year.
The Hon. Judy Johnson, also a Black woman, was the State Bar’s executive director from May 2000 to January 2011. Johnson is now a Superior Court Judge for Contra Costa County, first appointed by Gov. Jerry Brown in 2012.
Before entering a closed session, the Bar’s board of trustees addressed the concerns of McGee’s supporters. ?
“There has been some speculation about a particular candidate who has been considered for the executive director’s position,” Steinbrecher said. “We are not in the position to respond to specifics reported in the press because the executive director’s selection process is a confidential, personnel matter.”?
The executive director of the Bar leads the senior management team responsible for various programs. The position requires the executive director to answer to the board of trustees and advance its policies.
McGee was in the process of transitioning out of her role as vice president of California government affairs and operations for the American Beverage Association (ABA). She worked out of ABA’s office in Sacramento.
In addition, McGee is also the founding president of the Black Youth Leadership Project, Inc., a non-profit organization that offers interactive legislative and debate programs to African American high school students throughout California.
Alice Huffman, the President of the California State National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, said in a written statement dated Sept. 3 that McGee “has been recognized for her exemplary service by a multitude of organizations throughout the state and has a stellar reputation in the legislative and legal community.”
“The California NAACP remains ready to stand with the California State Bar as we ensure a fair and transparent legal system at this pivotal time in our country as we address issues of social justice,” Huffman said in a statement? “Again, I wholeheartedly support the California State Bar in its efforts to complete the contractual process that started with Ms. McGee.”
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