News and Notes

Mark joined supporters of the Mt. Diablo Unified School District Measure D parcel tax measure at a campaign kickoff rally in Concord on April 11.

As Mark told the crowd, "There is nothing more important to the future of our country and our community than these kids."

The rally followed a coordinated precinct walking and phone banking campaign to generate support for the measure. "So when you go out there today and ring a doorbell, realize you are doing the most important thing an American citizen can do--you're asking your fellow citizens to contribute to the future of this country."

To watch the video, please click here. You can also visit the Yes on Measure D web site to learn more about the measure.

Mark moderated a panel at the California Constitutional Convention Summit held in Sacramento on February 24. Mark has authored legislation (SCR 3) to ask the people of California to vote on whether to convene a Constitutional Convention.

Click here to read Contra Costa Times political editor Lisa Vorderbrueggen's report from the California Constitutional Convention Summit.

Mark joined the Center for Collaborative Solutions at a press conference in Bay Point on January 29 to announce the certification of 10 Healthy Behaviors Learning Centers across the state.

The Mt. Diablo CARES program in Bay Point is one of the 10 after schoolprograms to earn the certification. These afterschool programs are volunteering to help other afterschool programs in their communities fight childhood obesity and hunger and have agreed to meet a rigorous set of guidelines involving their nutrition and physical activity practices. Click here to read a Contra Costa Times story about the event.

Please join Senator Mark DeSaulnier and his supporters for his 3rd Annual Crab Feed on Friday, January 30, 2009!

You can still purchase tickets on-line for this event by clicking here. Your tickets will be held at the sign-in table for you to pick-up at the crab feed.

The event will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Centre Concord, located at 5298 Clayton Road, Concord. For more information, please contact Martha Parsons at 925-890-2665 or martha@markdesaulnier.com. Please click here to sign up or to see the event flyers!

Senate President pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg has appointed Mark to several key committees. Bay Area News Group's Josh Richman reported on the Senate Committee appointments in a January 13 blog post.

In addition to Mark's previously announced chairmanship of the Senate Labor and Industrial Relations Committee, Mark will chair the Senate Budget Subcommittee on State Administration, General Government, and Judicial Budget.

Mark was also named to the Appropriations Committee; the Elections, Reapportionment & Constitutional Amendments Committee; the Health Committee; and the Transportation and Housing Committee.

Mark hosted a community swearing-in ceremony in Concord on December 11. Senator Daniel Boatwright (Ret.) conducted the oath of office.

In addition to the oath ceremony, the event also featured Contra Costa County Clerk Steve Weir, Contra Costa County Supervisor Susan Bonilla, Concord Vice Mayor Guy Bjerke, Rev. Richard Mangini, and two songs sung by Antioch's Neyisha Go.

Mark invites you to join him at a Community Swearing In Ceremony at the Concord City Council Chambers on Thursday, December 11, at 6 p.m.

Please join Mark and his supporters for this local event to mark the start of his first term in the California State Senate!

Senate President pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg has announced that Mark will chair the Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 4 on State Administration, General Government and Corrections.

The subcomittee plans to hold its first hearing of the new legislative session in Sacramento on Thursday, December 11 at 10 a.m.

Senate President pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg has appointed Mark the chair of the Senate's Committee on Labor and Industrial Relations.

After his appointment, Mark said in a statement, "With the sharp economic downturn in California and throughout our nation, many are realizing that the social safety net has been yanked out from under the middle and working classes. We need to focus our attention to reenergizing local economies and creating jobs that support workers and their families. I’m proud to be given the duty of chairing this committee so early in my time in the Senate."

Mark thanks everyone who voted for him for State Senate. He is looking forward to working on the vital issues facing the state as your new State Senator!