The September 25th ECDC meeting will present the following agenda items:
- Back to School 2018-19 at the West Contra Costa Unified School District (WCCUSD) with Superintendent Matt Duffy,
- ECDC Endorsement Panel and Vote for AC Transit Director at Large, and
- Discussion and Possible Endorsement of CA State Propositions
- 2018-19 WCCUSD Back to School with Superintendent Mathew Duffy
Superintendent Matt Duffy will present an overview of the West Contra Costa Unified School District and the many challenges that face the district going into the new school year, including limited budgets, security concerns, curriculum, discipline issues, and the ongoing issues involving Charter vs. public schools.
Superintendent Matt Duffy is originally from New York City where he taught middle school for four years in the South Bronx and three years as a Vice Principal in Harlem.
Duffy spent nine years in the Oakland Unified School District serving as a principal and an area superintendent. As an area superintendent, he oversaw a portfolio of 15 schools including middle and high schools throughout the city. Before coming to WCCUSD in 2016 Duffy served as the Assistant Superintendent in Milpitas Unified where he was in charge of teaching and learning, leadership, enrollment, technology, Special Education, and LCAP development.
Superintendent Duffy is the ninth permanent superintendent in WCCUSD history. He lives in Oakland with his wife Tamara and three kids.
- ECDC Endorsement Panel: AC Transit Director at Large
The two candidates for AC Transit Director at Large will make their case before members for an ECDC endorsement, with a vote to follow.
Dollene Jones is the Co-Founder/CEO of Abundance Worldwide Enterprises at St. Mary’s College. Jones was a bus operator for AC Transit for more than 21 years and has previously run to be an AC Transit Director. She is presently a Senior Transportation Ambassador for the Senior Mobility Action Council of the Advisory on Aging in Contra Costa County.
Joel Young is an East Bay attorney and was appointed by the AC Transit Board of Directors in February 2009 to fill one of the District’s two At Large positions. He was elected by the voters in 2010 and re-elected to serve another term in 2014. Previously he worked on two local campaigns and practiced securities law. Director Young earned his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of California at Berkeley and his Juris Doctor from the U.C. Berkeley School of Law.
- Discussion of Four State Propositions on California General Election Ballot
In July, members were asked to review the positions taken on the qualifying state propositions by the state Democratic Party for the November General Election. At the August ECDC meeting, members agreed with and endorsed the same positions on the following propositions:
- Proposition 1 (Veterans Bond) – SUPPORT
- Proposition 2 (No Place Like Home Act) —SUPPORT
- Proposition 4 (Children’s Hospital Bond) —SUPPORT
- Proposition 6 (Road Repair Fund Repeal) —OPPOSE
- Proposition 8 (Regulation of Dialysis Centers) —SUPPORT
- Proposition 11 (Ambulance Employee Break Restrictions) —OPPOSE
- Proposition 12 (Farm Animal Well -Being) —SUPPORT
Members also asked that the following propositions be pulled from the list to allow additional discussion at the September 25 ECDC meeting:
- Proposition 3 (Water Bond) —NO POSITION
- Proposition 5 (Property Tax Assessment Changes)—OPPOSE
- Proposition 7 (Daylight Savings Time Repeal) —SUPPORT
- Proposition 10 (Rent Control Ban Repeal) —SUPPORT
After a discussion on each Proposition (ECDC will seek possible speakers if available) members will determine whether to endorse, oppose or take no position on the above. For in depth discussion of all CA propositions which will include a general discussion, supporters and opponents, contributors and costs go to the Ballotopedia website at:
https://ballotpedia.org/California_2018_ballot_propositions
Specific Ballot Propositions for Discussion:
- Proposition 3: Water Bond **
Official Ballot Title: Authorizes Bonds to Fund Projects for Water Supply and Quality, Watershed, Fish, Wildlife, Water Conveyance, and Groundwater Sustainability and Storage. Initiative Statute
| A “yes” vote supports this measure to authorize $8.877 billion in general obligation bonds for water infrastructure, groundwater supplies and storage, surface water storage and dam repairs, watershed and fisheries improvements, and habitat protection and restoration. |
| A “no” vote opposes this measure to authorize $8.877 billion in general obligation bonds for water infrastructure, groundwater supplies and storage, surface water storage and dam repairs, watershed and fisheries improvements, and habitat protection and restoration. |
For additional background information go to:
https://ballotpedia.org/California_Proposition_3,_Water_Infrastructure_and_Watershed_Conservation_Bond_Initiative_(2018)
- Proposition 5: Property Tax Assessment Changes
Official Ballot Title: Changes Requirements for Certain Property Owners to Transfer Their Property Tax Base to Replacement Property. Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute
| A “yes” vote supports amending Proposition 13 (1978) to allow homebuyers who are age 55 or older or severely disabled to transfer their tax assessments, with a possible adjustment, from their prior home to their new home, no matter (a) the new home’s market value; (b) the new home’s location in the state; or (c) the buyer’s number of moves. |
| A “no” vote opposes amending Proposition 13 (1978) to change how tax assessments are transferred between properties for homebuyers who are age 55 or older or severely disabled. |
For additional background information go to:
https://ballotpedia.org/California_Proposition_5,_Property_Tax_Transfer_Initiative_(2018)
- Proposition 7: Daylight Savings Time
Official Ballot Title: Conforms California Daylight Saving Time to Federal Law. Allows Legislature to Change Daylight Saving Time Period. Legislative Statute.
| A yes vote supports allowing the California State Legislature to establish permanent, year-round daylight saving time (DST) in California by a two-thirds vote if federal law is changed to allow for permanent DST. |
| A no vote opposes allowing the California State Legislature to establish permanent, year-round daylight saving time (DST) in California by a two-thirds vote if federal law is changed to allow for permanent DST. |
For additional background information go to:
https://ballotpedia.org/California_Proposition_7,_Permanent_Daylight_Saving_Time_Measure_(2018)
- Proposition 10: Allow Local Rent Control
Official Ballot Title: Expands Local Governments’ Authority to Enact Rent Control on Residential Property. Initiative Statute
| A yes vote supports allowing local governments to adopt rent control, repealing the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act. |
| A no vote opposes the initiative, thus keeping the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act and continuing to prohibit local governments from enacting rent control on certain buildings. |
For additional background information go to:
https://ballotpedia.org/California_Proposition_10,_Local_Rent_Control_Initiative_(2018)
** Summary information on propositions used here is from Ballotpedia.