In this issue:

• Legislative Priorities for 2006
• Leno Hosts Youth Conferences for Young Women and Young Men
• Lights On Afterschool Leadership & Policy Breakfast
• Leno Joins 'Peace Mom' Cindy Sheehan
• Rally with A.N.S.W.E.R.'s National Anti-War March
• Grace Cathedral Forum
• Drug Policy Alliance National Conference
• Leno Hosts Community Check Presentation with Providian Financial
• Leno Receives NGLTF Leadership Award
• San Francisco Fire Department Toy Program
• World AIDS Day
• Hurricane Katrina Relief Programs
• Staff News
• Contact Us

Assemblyman Leno's office is currently working on bills for the 2006 legislative session. Some are "two year" bills, meaning that they were introduced last year, and others are new ideas for this year. Among his many legislative priorities for the coming year, Assemblyman Leno will forge ahead with the following "two-year" bills:

We want to hear from you! Assemblyman Leno is currently formulating his entire legislative agenda. If you have an idea for legislation or if you think a law should be repealed or changed, please contact our office: (415) 557-3013 or email Assemblymember.Leno@assembly.ca.gov. To learn more about Assemblyman Leno's legislation, visit http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/members/a13/

AB 505: Parole Reforms
California's rate of recidivism, the percentage of former inmates who return to prison within 18 months, is the highest in the nation at 67%. Since our Department of Corrections focuses primarily on punishment, rather than rehabilitation, the state does very little to prepare prisoners for their eventual release. The state's attention should be on rehabilitation programs and efforts. Given that 90% of inmates are released, our public safety depends on better preparing them and creating support systems to keep them successful once they have been released. As such, Assembly Bill 505 would make simple reforms in the parole system which would save roughly $60 million annually. These savings would then be reinvested in public/private partnerships to provide re-entry services for soon-to-be discharged prisoners and parolees.

AB 631: Mobile Methadone Treatment MediCal Reimbursement
San Francisco has a model treatment program that is the first of its kind in California. San Francisco's mobile methadone maintenance treatment program has been operating since March 2003 in close cooperation with the state Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs. This program is highly effective in treating the City's estimated 15,000 to 17,000 heroin addicts by taking the services directly to where they reside in neighborhoods throughout the City. By treating these patients more effectively, it is helping ease the burden on our criminal justice system. Assembly Bill 631 will allow the city to be reimbursed for its costs through MediCal saving us about $150,000 annually and authorize counties to replicate this highly successful program.

AB 1147: Industrial Hemp Production
Current law allows hemp to be imported into California for manufacturing a wide array of consumer goods and products, but prohibits hemp from being grown in the state. Assembly Bill 1147 would remove that prohibition, providing California farmers with an environmentally friendly alternative that requires fewer pesticides and less water than many other crops.

AB 1237: Tasers
According to a recent report by the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California, 71 people in the United States and Canada died in incidents following police use of tasers between 1999 and September 2004. In the last year, that number has more than doubled, including 15 post-taser fatalities in northern and central California. Assembly Bill 1237 will require law enforcement agencies to report information about their training protocols and use of tasers to the Department of Justice, thereby providing the information needed to ensure we have taser utilization policies that are truly protective of the public.

AB 1391: Political Reform Act Loophole Closure
Assembly Bill 1391 closes a loophole in the Political Reform Act. Currently, election committees need not follow local election regulations if they are registered as a state election committee, regardless of whether they participate in local elections or not. This bill would require that any committee that participates in a local election must follow local disclosure requirements.

In the fall of 2005, Assemblyman Leno hosted his 2nd Annual Young Women's Conference, "Own It: Your Body, Mind and Life" and his 2nd Annual Young Men's Conference, "Own It." These conferences offer San Francisco young men and women an opportunity to hear topics ranging from college and career preparation to violence prevention to coping with grief and loss. The goals of these events are to: Demonstrate positive opportunities available to help them to rise above life's challenges Share their own personal struggles and goals Hear from and connect with community leaders Prepare themselves for different educational and career paths Become actively involved in their communities

Top Row: Dwayne Jones, Chico Wells, Shawn Richard, Marquez Gray, Rudy's nephew. Bottom row: Leno and Rudy Corpuz

Young Women enjoying the conference with Assemblyman Leno.

San Francisco Young Women: One hundred young women took part in the conference, including students from nine of our area high schools and youth centers-Philip & Sala Burton Academic High School, International Studies Academy, Mission High School, John O' Connell High School, Raoul Wallenberg High School, June Jordan School for Equity, Independent Living, The Center for Young Women's Development, and Gastinell's Tender Loving Care Residence.

The event was co-sponsored with Planned Parenthood Golden Gate (PPGG) and featured such speakers as District Attorney Kamala Harris, Community Youth Center's Sarah Wan, PPGG's Dian Harrison, African-American Art Culture Complex's London Breed, Asian Women's Shelter's Beckie Masaki, CHALK's Taneika Jones, and the Center for Young Women's Development's Marlene Sanchez.

Young Women participate in a workshop on empowerment entitled "The Power of Sisterhood"

Richard, Corpuz, Jones, Manual LaFontaine, and Gray with Leno.

San Francisco Young Men: Nearly 150 young men from seven area schools attended the all-day conference. Featured speakers included Dr. Joe Marshall (an award-winning leader in violence prevention and youth development), Mayor’s Office on Community Development’s Dwayne Jones, Brothers Against Guns’ Shawn Richard, United Playaz’s Rudy Corpuz, Communities in Harmony Advocating for Learning and Kids (CHALK)’s Marquez Gray, City College San Francisco Peer Advisor Manuel LaFontaine, and others.

The conference was co-sponsored by Larkin Street Youth Services and the United Way of the Bay Area and included students from Philip & Sala Burton Academic High School, International Studies Academy, Mission High School, John O'Connell High School, Raoul Wallenberg High School, Galileo Academy, Abraham Lincoln School, and SIATech's Treasure Island Job Corps Center. Lunch for the young men's conference was catered by 10th grade students currently enrolled in the John O'Connell High School's Hospitality/Culinary Pathway Program.

Assemblyman Leno with the culinary educator Joanna Karlinsky and the students in the program.

LIGHTS ON AFTERSCHOOL LEADERSHIP AND POLICY BREAKFAST

Assemblyman Leno hosted the Lights On Afterschool Leadership and Policy Breakfast on October 24th. This first-ever event by the newly formed SF Afterschool for All convened members of the San Francisco Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) and the San Francisco Unified School District to focus on the implementation of Proposition 49's expected funding from the state for afterschool programming-potentially $550 million in funding statewide with an estimated $5 million for San Francisco. This breakfast included over 60 people who now will coordinate a citywide planning team to look at how to best utilize these funds to create quality afterschool programs for families throughout the city.

The Afterschool for All Initiative began at DCYF in January of 2005. Afterschool Programs can provide youth with: A safe, structured place while parents work The support and opportunities they need to become successful, healthy adults - safety, relationship building, youth participation, community involvement, and skill building Learning activities that complement the activities and lessons of the school day Healthy, recreational activities and a place to have FUN!

LENO JOINS 'PEACE MOM' CINDY SHEEHAN

Assemblyman Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) joined "Peace Mom," Cindy Sheehan, at a press conference on October 14th to urge the governor to recall California's National Guard troops from Iraq. "Governor Schwarzenegger has a unique relationship with the president," said Leno. "Therefore we are urging him to join us in restoring the balance between the federal government and the states by limiting Federal control of the California National Guard to cases where there is an insurrection or declaration of war."

"There is no one person more responsible for the reelection of George Bush than Governor Schwarzenegger," said Leno. "His promotion of the president's campaign in Ohio during the last days of the election clearly directed that critically important swing state to George Bush."

Assemblyman Leno emphasized that California should heed the lessons learned from the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Leno stressed the need to have the National Guard available on a moment's notice for emergency response in the event of a fire and earthquake in California. California currently has about 5,800 National Guard troops deployed oversees with over 2,300 in Iraq. 11,000 remain for state duty in the case of an emergency.

RALLY WITH A.N.S.W.E.R.'S NATIONAL ANTI-WAR MARCH

Photo courtesy of Sandra Bradman

Assemblyman Leno spoke out once again on the Bush Administration and its war policies to a rally in Dolores Park on September 24th. As part of a national protest around the country to end the Iraq War, the event was sponsored by the national A.N.S.W.E.R (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism) Coalition and included marches and rallies occurring throughout the country in Washington, DC, Los Angeles, Seattle, and other cities.

GRACE CATHEDRAL's FORUM

Assemblyman Leno was the featured speaker on "The Forum" at Grace Cathedral on November 20th on top of Nob Hill. He spoke with Reverend Alan Jones, Dean of Grace Cathedral, for over an hour from a personal and public policy level on his philosophy, legislative priorities, committee work, and the fight for civil rights. You can listen to this up-close and personal interview by visiting http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/members/a13/.

Assemblyman Leno with Reverend Alan Jones of Grace Cathedral

DRUG POLICY ALLIANCE NATIONAL CONFERENCE

From left to right: Leah Rorvig (Drug Policy Alliance), George Zimmer (Men's Warehouse); Assemblyman Leno; and Ethan Nadelmann (Drug Policy Alliance). Photo courtesy of Jeremy Bigwood.

As Chair of the Assembly Public Safety Committee, Assemblyman Leno participated in a panel discussion at the International Drug Policy Reform Conference on November 10th, sponsored by the Drug Policy Alliance, a leading national organization dedicated to alternatives to the "War on Drugs." At the conference entitled "Building a Movement for Reason, Compassion and Justice," Assemblyman Leno spoke Proposition 36-California's landmark initiative that diverts first and second-time non-violent drug offenders from jail to drug treatments programs. This proposition, passed by 61% of California voters in 2000, has given more than 100,000 people a second chance and provided them with the necessary substance abuse treatment they need. Assemblyman Leno's fellow discussion panelists included Glenn Backes of the Drug Policy Alliance, Cheryl Branch of African American Alcohol and Other Drug Services Advisory Council of Los Angeles County, Gary Jaeger, MD of Kaiser Foundation Hospital, and Bill Zimmerman of the Campaign for New Drug Policies.

LENO HOSTS COMMUNITY CHECK PRESENTATION WITH PROVIDIAN FINANCIAL

On September 27th, Assemblyman Leno presented checks, in conjunction with Providian Financial, to nine non-profit organizations that contribute the health and well-being of the San Francisco LGBT Community. The recipient community organizations included: AGUILAS (Asociación Gay Unida Impactando Latinos/Latinas A Superarse) Black Coalition on AIDS COLAGE (Children of Lesbians and Gays Everywhere) Filipino Task Force on AIDS LYRIC (Lavender Youth Recreation and Information Center) Mission Neighborhood Health Center Openhouse Third Baptist Church (Children's Defense Fund) Under One Roof

Top Row: Bennie Ferma and Paige Ramiro (Filipino Task Force on AIDS); Eduardo Morales (AGUILAS); Gil Gerald and Perry Lang (Black Coalition on AIDS), Zelma Harrison (Third Baptist Church); Fernando Gomez-Benitez & Brenda Storey (Mission Neighborhood Health Center); Marina Gatto (COLAGE); Leno; Beth Teper (COLAGE). Bottom Row: Marcy Adelman and Moli Steinart (openhouse); Mike Marshall (Under One Roof); Jodi L. Schwartz and Melissa White (LYRIC); Loren Brown from Providian Financial

Assemblyman Leno received the 2005 National Leadership Award from the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force at their 9th Annual Miami Recognition Dinner on November 5th. He was honored for his leadership in shepherding Assembly Bill 849, the Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act, through both houses of the legislature for the first time in our nation’s history. The Annual Recognition Dinner honors leaders in the LGBT community and raises funds for local LGBT service organizations. Assemblyman Leno joins an esteemed list of individuals who have been honored at the Recognition Dinner in the past, including Sen. Hillary Clinton, Rep. Richard A. Gephardt, Sir Ian McKellen and playwright Terrence McNally.

Assemblyman Leno receiving the award from presenter Marleine Bastien (Executive Director of Haitian Women of Miami) Photo courtesy of Sharon Kersten

Assemblyman Leno with Fire Chief Joanne Hayes-White and members of the San Francisco 49ers and the Gold Rush Cheerleaders during the 2004 Holiday Drive

For over 50 years, the San Francisco Firefighters have been dedicated to helping children, year-round, through the nation's oldest Toy Program of its kind. In 2004, 300 firefighters and friends distributed over 200,000 toys to more than 40,000 disadvantaged children throughout our City. Over the recent holiday season, Assemblyman Leno sponsored barrels in his District Office. It is always a great time to offer assistance to this invaluable year-round community program. The Firefighters Toy Program is available to attend office parties of area business, corporations, and neighborhood groups to encourage guests to bring gifts and donations in support of the Toy Program or offer a barrel for toy collection. If you would like to learn more, supply toys for the program, or invite them to an office party contact the Firefighters Toy Program directly at 415-777-0440.

December 1, 2005, marked the 18th annual international World AIDS Day. The 2005 theme for the day of action and remembrance was "Keep the Promise, Stop AIDS," with the hope of holding the world accountable to the commitments they make to ensure a comprehensive response to the epidemic. As of September 30, 2005, there were 138,334 cumulative AIDS cases reported in California representing over 16% of all reported AIDS cases in the United States. Nearly 80,500 Californians have died and over 100,000 people are currently living with HIV and AIDS.

Assemblyman Leno speaking at the National AIDS Memorial Grove in Golden Gate Park on the 18th annual World AIDS Day, December 1st, 2005.

You can find more information and educate yourself further about HIV/AIDS through the California Department of Health Services Office of AIDS at http://www.dhs.ca.gov/AIDS or the San Francisco Department of Public Health's HIV Health Services http://www.sfdph.org/PHP/HIVHlthSvc.htm

Assemblyman Leno with Paul Miller, coordinator of the San Francisco Hurricane Katrina benefit

When the Bush Administration failed to do its job in helping support the victims of the Hurricane Katrina disaster in the Gulf Coast, local and national community programs joined together to do what they could to assist. In San Francisco, Assemblyman Leno participated in a fundraising event on October 24th that brought nearly 200 people from throughout the city and raised $23,000 for Habitat for Humanity's programs that help victims of the hurricane. Many other local community groups and individuals gave of their time and money to help out during this national crisis, showing once again that San Francisco is a city that cares.

For more information on relief efforts locally, please contact the SFGives Program at 415-554-7111, sfgives@sfgov.org; or get additional resources here: http://www.sfgov.org/site/uploadedfiles/oes/SFKatrinaResourceGuide2.pdf.

Are you prepared? Hurricane Katrina is an important reminder of our own city's potential for natural disaster. The San Francisco Office of Emergency Services & Homeland Security has put together a terrific website (www.72hours.org) with detailed information on how to prepare you and your loved ones.

We are pleased to welcome two new Senior Legislative Aides to our Capitol Office, Bart Broome and Stephanie Roberson. Bart comes to us from Assemblyman Paul Koretz’s (D-West Hollywood) office and was an extraordinary volunteer during our City Hall days. Stephanie has previously worked for State Senators Gloria Romero, Kevin Murray and Dede Alpert. Both bring a wealth of experience and energy to our team. We are also grateful for the contributions of our District Office volunteers Andrea Olson, Ashley Hayes, Bruce Traficante and Michael Chan, and our Capitol Press Intern Rachel Linn. Of special note, Andrea turned 18 in November. Assemblyman Leno’s staff joined her at San Francisco City Hall as she registered to vote for the very first time.

Andrea holding her completed registration card in front of the San Francisco Department of Elections