Das Williams' Bill Rewards Honest Employers

Assemblymember Williams’ Bill Creates Workplace Equity, Rewards Honest Employers

A new law authored by Assemblyman Das Williams will target unethical contractors who intentionally underreport and/or fail to report the hiring of new employees in an attempt to avoid paying full workers’ compensation premiums 

Unfortunately, many employers have minimum policies and only add an injured worker after the injury occurs. Adding an employee retroactively causes workers’ compensation premiums to increase for all employers. This system is especially unfair to employers who legitimately report employees at the correct time.

“All contractors suffer when employers aren’t honest,” said Assemblymember Das Williams. “This law will balance out the scales so that all contractors over time are paying their fair share and honest contractors don’t have to pay two-to-three times as much.”

AB 1794, signed by Gov. Jerry Brown on Sunday, will authorize the Employment Development Department to provide employer or employee information to the Contractors State License Board and the State Compensation Insurance Fund for the purposes of auditing, investigating and prosecuting violations of tax and cash-pay reporting laws.

Contractors will not have to bear any additional costs or reporting responsibilities because the EDD will now be able to share the information.

By allowing the EDD to share new hire information, the new law will also help California capture a portion of the billions of dollars lost in underreported annual payroll taxes. - Santa Barbara Independent

Das Williams is electrifying! And so is his new car....

a new Chevy Volt!

There was no rumble of a gas-guzzling engine when Santa Barbara's Das Williams cruised silently out of Graham Chevrolet yesterday behind the wheel of a shiny new Volt.

The Volt gets 93 miles to the gallon when in electric mode, and 37 when using only gasoline. It can run purely on electricity for 25 to 50 miles depending on traffic.

It is one of about a dozen electric vehicles expected to be on the market by 2012. As gas prices rise, eclectic vehicles are also on the upswing. The Volt costs about $40,000.

Williams is the first local elected official to drive an electric vehicle, and members of the press where invited to snap photos of the politician smiling coolly behind his fresh, environmentally friendly ride.

But despite the attention, Williams said the event went beyond mere publicity stunt.

“It’s just an opportunity to highlight and encourage alternative technologies,” Williams said. “I don’t have any illusions that me buying it will save the world any more than anybody else buying it.” - The Daily Sound

Das Williams...taking it to the streets

You're invited to Sidewalk Office Hours with Assemblymember Das Williams

Feel free to drop by. Bring your questions, ideas and solutions regarding state legislative issues that affect our communities.

Santa Barbara Downtown Farmer's Market
Saturday, May 28, 2011 - 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
(Corner of Santa Barbara and Cota Streets)

Das Williams Introduces Bill To Protect Local School District Funding

Assemblymember Das Williams recently introduced a piece of district-specific legislation that would allow Santa Barbara schools to continue receiving voter-approved parcel revenues once a move to unify the elementary and secondary school districts is complete.

Assembly Bill 504 would also allow voters to approve the renewal of such revenue extensions upon unification.

“This bill would allow Santa Barbara School Districts to keep current revenues if they unify in an effort to increase funding. That means that the district would receive $6 million more per year, which will prevent cuts that would hurt our kids,” Williams said.

“AB 504 would extend a revenue source for the SBSD that would otherwise have to continue to make cuts. This piece of legislation preserves the will of voters, who supported the school districts with more than 70 percent approval in 2008.”

Over the last 3 years, the Santa Barbara School Districts have made more than $20 million in budget cuts and are faced with making more cuts this fiscal year. They are already moving forward with a plan to unify their Elementary and Secondary school districts based on a study that shows the unification will generate approximately $6 million annual additional revenue, according to school district officials.

Without clarifying legislation, the unification could result in the nullification of their two parcel tax measures, which are used to support programs like music, art, math and technology.

To avoid the potential loss of that revenue stream for the school district, Assembly Bill 504 would authorize the new unified school district to continue to collect the voter approved parcel taxes once their former districts are merged out of existence

“This legislation is imperative for the future success of our schools in Santa Barbara,” said Dr. Brian Sarvis, Superintendent of Santa Barbara School Districts.

A TWEET SIGHTING OF DAS WILLIAMS

@leFRENCHPRESS / @daswilliams was supporting our local business AND enjoying super mega delicious coffee today!! Yay!

Das Williams - Newly Elected State Assemblymember

Congrats, Das.

Honesty, integrity and old fashioned
hard work paid off.

Williams, a Democrat, beat Republican opponent Mike Stoker and claimed the seat by racking up 33,088 votes, or 52.4 percent of the vote, according to final election results early Wednesday morning. Stoker received 29,887 votes, or 47.33 percent. - Noozhawk

A Personal Message from Das

Don't Let Big Oil Steal This Election

Dear Friend,

Although it's hard to believe, we have now reached the final week of this long and hard-fought campaign.

Whether it's been walking precincts, phoning voters, taking part in our neighborhood teams or contributing; your efforts have been a crucial part of the success of this campaign. I am proud of how far we've come and what we've been able to accomplish together.

However, it's this final week when we expect my opponent and his supporters to make their most significant attacks against me. We are gearing up for what we expect to be a surge negative media directed at and against me -- funded by oil companies -- to try and steal the election.

DONATE NOW to ensure that our basic principles of preventing further cuts to our schools, protecting our environment and creating good middle class jobs are not at threat. If you can't donate, I hope you will contact one of our organizers to come in for a couple of hours this week and call voters to help combat my opponent's attacks.

We have one week left, but it is the most crucial one yet. Please do what you can to ensure our joint success on November 2nd.

Thank you,
Das

Help Das Williams and local Santa Barbara Democrats

keep Santa Barbara "Blue" by joining them at Reds.

Help Keep Santa Barbara Blue.
Join Democratic Women at REDS Wine Bar on
Friday October 30th from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
to mix and mingle with Democratic candidates
and get inspired for the final GOTV effort.
Special Guests: Lois Capps and Das Williams.

REDS is located at 211 Helena in Santa Barbara

Ventura County Star Endorses Das Williams

The Nov. 2 election is important for many reasons. One is the fact that voters in Ventura County will help select two brand-new legislators to fill two open seats in the state Assembly.

....The Star endorses Mr. Williams out of a belief that he has the outlook, energy and experience necessary to legislate responsibly while seeking creative, bipartisan solutions to the many problems facing the state. Also, Mr. Williams better reflects the views of a majority of the district’s residents, making it more likely that he will have a positive relationship with city and county officials in the district he will represent. - The Ventura County Star

Are YOU registered to vote?

Did you know you can check your status?

Have you changed your name?
Have you changed your signature?
Have you changed your address?
TIME TO RE-REGISTER!

Did you just move to Santa Barbara County?
You will need to register.
Your registration DOES NOT automatically follow you.

DATES TO REMEMBER -

LAST DAY to register for the November Election - OCTOBER 18.
If you will be out of town on Election Day, APPLY FOR VOTE BY MAIL BALLOT -(pdf)
LAST DAY to Apply for Vote by Mail ballot - OCTOBER 26

Keep in mind that the Santa Barbara County Elections office for Santa Barbara has moved from their old offices in the Naomi Schwartz building on Victoria Street to:

4440-A Calle Real
Santa Barbara, CA 93110

Their new mailing address is:
Post Office Box 61510
Santa Barbara, CA 93160-1510

Their phone numbers are remaining the same:

568-2200
800-SBCVOTE
568-2209 (fax)

The Non-Partisan California League of Conservation Voters

is endorsing Das Williams
for the 35th State Assembly District.

DAS WILLIAMS has served Santa Barbara well

now...let's send him to Sacramento to serve the 35th Assembly District well.


"As a legislative player, Williams has been consistently inventive, shrewd, and creative. On matters budgetary, Williams has supported pay raises for cops while figuring out ingenious ways to keep intact programs serving at-risk youth — indirectly threatened by police pay hikes..."- The SBIndy

Das Williams (CA-HD-35)	$

DAS WILLIAMS knows about the 35th District Issues

because Das grew up in and around the 35th District!

"I grew up in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, attending local public schools and solidifying my educational foundation before attending UC Berkeley, where I earned my BA in political science. I followed that up with a master’s in environmental science and management from UCSB’s Bren School of Environmental Science & Management." - Das

Das Williams walks the walk...AND

works the work.

Das Williams Yesterday I did a " day (home health care) provider's shoes". They do tough work for very little money, and the Governor wants the program cut in half, and the elderly and disabled on the street or in institutions that don't have the capacity for them. Thank you Bonnie for teaching me about you and Alan!

The Santa Barbara Elections Office has moved

Want to take this time to remind everyone that the Santa Barbara County Elections office for Santa Barbara has moved from their old offices in the Naomi Schwartz building on Victoria Street to:

4440-A Calle Real
Santa Barbara, CA 93110

Their new mailing address is:
Post Office Box 61510
Santa Barbara, CA 93160-1510

Their phone numbers are remaining the same:

568-2200
800-SBCVOTE
568-2209 (fax)

Remember:

• If you moved - REREGISTER!
• If you changed your party affilition - REREGISTER
• If you changed your signature - REREGISTER
• If you changed your name - REREGISTER

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Das Williams - Gives Thanks

Dear Friends and Supporters,

By now the Election Day festivities have faded away and I've had some time to reflect on our shared win. This last year has been an incredible experience for me and I have been touched by each and every one of you who has helped us get to this point.

I want to give a special thanks to all the volunteers who gave so much of their time and energy to this campaign. We've worked hard for more than a year to make this happen. Hundreds of people walked and phoned voters in the District to share our positive message of change. Our grassroots operation was unprecedented. This has always been your campaign and I believe that message was strongly voiced on Tuesday.

To all our donors who so believed in this campaign and gave what they could, when they could, thank you. I'm proud that we have over 1,000 individual donors, of which, 75% live right here in the 35th Assembly District.

The primary election victory is critical to our effort of bringing change to Sacramento, but our work continues. The general election will be a difficult fight. In the coming months we will be working to prepare to run another winning campaign in November. We must continue to spread our message of positive change that focuses on bringing real solutions to our budget crisis, building a high quality education system, protecting our environment and investing in the green economy to create good family-supporting jobs right here at home.

I am truly honored that you have chosen me to be your Democratic candidate for the 35th State Assembly District and I look forward to working together towards our victory in November.

Thank you,

Das

DAS WILLIAMS....Get ready...cuz here he comes!

“I am incredibly humbled that the people in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties would choose me and desire that I would continue my service to them,” Williams told the Daily Sound. “I am very much aware that this is not just my victory. This is a victory for the hundreds of volunteers and thousands of supporters who believe in our message of change and our message of real results on positive issues."

GO DAS, GO!

If you haven't mailed your VBM Ballot yet...

DO NOT MAIL IT TODAY!!!
TAKE YOUR BALLOT TO A POLLING STATION TOMORROW INSTEAD!

If you put it in the mail today, there is no guarantee that the Elections Office will receive it by the close of polls tomorrow. And, if they don't get it in time...YOUR VOTE WON'T COUNT!

To be safe, turn in your completed VBM ballot in to ANY polling place in Santa Barbara County, tomorrow, Election Day. it does NOT have to be your polling place. That way, you can make sure your vote for Das Williams for State Assembly will count!

You can also look up the status of your VBM ballot online. Click HERE.

Das knows we need to "Get Oil Out"

Get Oil Out! (GOO!)

is a Santa Barbara based public interest group dedicated to the protection of the Santa Barbara Channel and coastline from the deleterious environmental, economic, and esthetic impacts of oil development.

GOO! was founded in the aftermath of 1969 oil blow out at Platform A in the Santa Barbara Channel, and is widely recognized as the first grass-roots environmental group in the United States.

So, when GOO sends a letter, people should listen:

Dear Councilmember Williams,

On behalf of Get Oil Out! (GOO), I would like to commend you for your vision, courage and leadership in the effort to bring an end to oil production in California.

The nightmare of the 1969 oil spill served as a wake up call to this community. In the wake of this disaster, grassroots activists united and built a powerful environmental movement to defend our beautiful coast line. You are one of the great leaders representing the next generation of the movement and your efforts are emblematic of the values of this community.

Your leadership at the City; opposing expansion of oil drilling, taking an official position against onshore drilling projects and calling on the federal government to terminate plans to add new onshore oil development, has helped California move a step closer to our goal of ending oil drilling. Thanks to your commitment to strategic, long term solutions -- rather than succumbing to the short-term fixes that so often bring with them gratification today along with a new set of problems for tomorrow -- we believe that our common goal of securing a permanent end to oil drilling is within reach.

In addition to your important work and commitment to end oil drilling, you have shown great leadership and vision, by spearheading a public policy that has moved our region away from oil addiction and towards a future of renewable energy.

Thank you for all of your work on behalf our community and our environment.

Sincerely,

John Abraham Powell, President

Das Williams knows our local issues

Because Das Williams IS local...
and isn't that what being represented in Sacramento is all about?
Someone who KNOWS us? Someone who will fight for us?