Green Party response to Gov Schwarzenegger's cuts: 'Cynical manipulation of dedicated public servants... indifference to promoting visionary policies'

SACRAMENTO (July 31, 2008) - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's decision Thursday to cut jobs and salaries of state workers is a "cynical manipulation of those dedicated public servants who can least afford the loss of pay and jobs in the current economic crisis," according to a statement released by the Green Party of California Thursday.

The Greens chided the governor for not working toward a simple majority to approve a budget, and said it proves he is too close to the Republican Party in this state - at the expense of taxpayers, and public servants.

Green Party SF supervisor helps introduce San Francisco 'Clean Energy Act' ballot measure, declares it has 'scared' power company giant PG&E

SAN FRANCISCO (July 22, 2008) - A November ballot measure that would create a groundbreaking clean energy standard that has power giant PG&E "scared" - according to San Francisco Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi, a longtime Green Party member - was presented here today by environmental and social justice organizations.

The San Francisco Clean Energy Act will enable San Francisco to take community control of its energy future and adopt clean electricity mandates for the City of 51 percent by 2017, 75 percent by 2030 and 100 percent by 2040, said Mirkarimi, an original sponsor of the measure.

Green Party mourns loss of Dona Spring, Berkeley City Council member since 1992; she's called an 'inspiration' as longest serving Green in office

BERKELEY (June 15, 2008) - Greens statewide and across the nation are mourning the loss of Berkeley City Councilwoman Dona Spring - she was the longest-serving Green Party officeholder in the country. Ms. Spring died Sunday after a decades-long fight with rheumatoid arthritis. She was 55.

Ms Spring was first elected to the Berkeley City Council in 1992, and easily won re-election in 2006. A champion of the rights of the disabled, tenants, animals and the planet, Ms. Spring was known as one of the most outspoken progressives in the city, the state and the nation. Just a month ago she went to the UC Berkeley in her wheelchair to support tree-sitters.

Green Party names Californian, former Georgia Congressperson Cynthia McKinney as its candidate for President of United States

CHICAGO (July 12, 2008) - The progressive left chose its new candidate for President Saturday when former U.S. Rep. Cynthia McKinney - now a resident of California - was tabbed as Green Party's candidate for President at the Green Party Presidential Nominating Convention here. She won on the first ballot, garnering 313 of 532 votes cast.

"This was an amazing phenomenon. The nomination of Cynthia and her vice president running mate Rosa Clemente demonstrate the growing strength of the Green Party. Let there be no doubt now who speaks for the progressive left in this country," said David Cobb, the 2004 Green Party nominee for President, who resides in Eureka, CA.

San Francisco Green Party endorses Cindy Sheehan run against Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi; Greens will be strong ally in longshot bid

SAN FRANCISCO (June 24, 2008) - The San Francisco Green Party - a powerful force in progressive San Francisco politics - has endorsed the independent run by peace activist Cindy Sheehan against Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D) in November.

The SFGP decision means Sheehan - who lost her son Casey in the war in Iraq - will have a strong ally in her bid to upset Pelosi in the 8th Congressional District. Greens hold several key San Francisco elected positions, including SF Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi, and Mark Sanchez, president of the SF Board of Education, who is running for a supervisor slot.

Governor drought decree is shortsighted, doesn't address state climate change, and is a 'boondoggle' for rich, says Green eco-analyst

SACRAMENTO, Ca. (June 5, 2008) - Gov. Schwarzenegger's "drought decree" declared Wednesday is shortsighted, doesn't address the climate change California is now experiencing and is a boondoggle that will benefit large corporations, said a Green Party environmental policy analyst today.

"Our Governor has been very good at recognizing the ecological problems facing all of California and totally lacking in imagination as to the ramifications of his solutions, which always support the politically expedient rather than having a sound ecological basis," said Wes Rolley, co-chair of the Green Party National Eco-Action Committee.

Green Party marks another electoral victory, but laments state of elections in the state, and 'pandering' of special interests

SACRAMENTO, Ca. (June 4, 2008) - The Green Party of California quietly added to its growing list of officeholders Tuesday - avoiding the stranglehold of special business interests, and without spending tens of millions of dollars, the Green Party of California said Wednesday.

Green Party candidates for Congress and the state Legislature easily won their primaries Tuesday, and in a city council election in Winters, Mayor Woody Fridae, a Green, won his council seat by collecting 51.5 percent of the vote.

Green Party of California weighs in on eminent domain ballot battle; urges progressive voters to oppose Prop 98, back Prop. 99 in June

SACRAMENTO, Ca. (May 29, 2008) - The Green Party of California - with more than 132,000 voters statewide - urged its members and other progressive voters Thursday to oppose Prop. 98 and support Prop. 99 on the June 3 ballot.

The announcement comes on the heels of a Field Poll released Wednesday that showed California voters are split on the dueling eminent domain measures. Prop. 98 is trailing 33-43 percent, but Prop. 99 is winning 48-30 percent. Both measures, though, have large numbers of undecided voters.