by CCR | Feb 11, 2021 | Uncategorized
California Congress of Republicans (CCR) is a statewide organization, permanently chartered by the California Republican Party with chapters throughout the State of California. Many of our members also serve on their respective county Republican Central Committees and local Republican clubs.
The CCR has many objectives, some of which are: (a) to become an influential political force for constructive action to preserve and protect responsible constitutional government, (b) to educate members and the public at large regarding pending legislation, candidates for public office, and the important issues of the day, (c) to encourage qualified Republicans to seek public office, (d) to help Republican candidates get elected, (e) to increase Republican registration and voter turnout, and (f) to promote unity, effectiveness and loyalty among all Republican groups.
To achieve some of CCR objectives, we partnered with South Peninsula Area Republican Coalition (SPARC) to provide a monthly “Speaker’s Series” presentation. An important and timely topic is selected and then an outstanding speaker is scheduled for the event. These topics include: “What’s Next for the Supreme Court”; U.S. and China relations; California ballot initiatives; post-election analysis; legislative attacks on Proposition 13; and the effects of Propositions 47 and 57 on the criminal justice system.
California Congress of Republicans provide an opportunity for like-minded individuals who share important core values to network and socialize with each other. This camaraderie can be furthered by participating in or joining a chartered organization in their community. Because CCR is statewide and a chartered organization, its members’ voices are heard at the California State Republican Party level.
We welcome new members with diverse ideas, who relish the power of teamwork. We will assist you in building your chapter! CCR helps identify, bring forward and endorse statewide candidates. Send your recommendations to our leadership.
For more information, please call me at (661) 433-2593 or email me at [email protected]
Sincerely,
Mark Hershey
by CCR | Sep 13, 2017 | Uncategorized
By Senator Mike Morrell
Originally published in the Press-Enterprise and Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
In the coming weeks, the legislature is set to take a final vote on Senate Bill 54 by Senate President pro Tem Kevin de Leon (D-Los Angeles). Should the measure pass, it would make California a “sanctuary state,” shielding dangerous criminals from deportation and further erode the Rule of Law.
While its approval in the Assembly is uncertain at this point, it is critical to note that if this measure becomes law, it would weaken public safety in our state, putting additional and unneeded pressure on local law enforcement.
Consider where California is already. In 2011, Sacramento’s Democratic majority, led by the governor, pushed through Assembly Bill 109, a law that shifted over 30,000 felons out of the state’s prison system into local jails. As a result, sheriffs have been forced to release criminals into our neighborhoods – individuals who have committed crimes such as involuntary manslaughter, elder abuse, battery against a first responder, grand theft, and a host of other offenses.
Three years later, Proposition 47, the misleadingly titled “Safe Neighborhoods and Schools Act,” endorsed by prominent Democrats, classified property crimes such as gun theft, shoplifting, and receiving stolen property as misdemeanors no matter how many times a criminal commits them, just as long as the value of the stolen items is less than $950. In the first two years after its passage, 13,500 inmates were let out into our neighborhoods.
When asked about the impact of Proposition 47, conversations with local law enforcement officials directly confirm that felons are adapting their methods to evade penalties. In one instance, a criminal offender was in and out of the police station at least 41 times, unable to be held in lock-up.
Further, under the Governor’s Proposition 57, criminals most reasonable people would consider dangerous or violent are eligible for early release. These offenders commit acts such as felony battery, felony assault with a deadly weapon, solicitation of murder and the list goes on. State officials have estimated that another 9,500 felons will be released.
Rather than being empowered to keep dangerous criminals out of our communities, law enforcement’s hands are increasingly being tied. They are able to do little more than engage in a system of catch and release, with few consequences for those who are apprehended and convicted.
By making California a “sanctuary state,” SB 54 will safeguard dangerous illegal immigrant criminals from deportation, preventing law enforcement from cooperating with federal officials, even in extreme circumstances when they determine it necessary to do so.
SB 54 protects criminals who commit such heinous acts as sex trafficking, severe child abuse, elder abuse, production of child pornography, stalking, sexual battery, pandering, and felony domestic violence only to name a few.
When you think about just two of these – child abuse and sex trafficking of young girls – it becomes clear that the Democrats at the capitol are waging a war against all of us, but especially against women and vulnerable children, the very groups they claim to protect.
With all of these facts in mind, it is unconscionable that these lawmakers would put more strains on our already overburdened public safety system. However, that is exactly what will happen with the passage of SB 54.
In opposing the measure, the California State Sheriffs’ Association wrote, “The breakdown of local, state, and federal partnerships that will occur under this bill will prevent violent criminals from being kept off our streets.”
I refuse to believe that most Californians accept and agree with these bad laws. Polls conducted by UC Berkeley have found that respondents do not think local authorities should be able to ignore a federal request to hold a detained criminal who is in the country illegally.
For years, Democratic leaders have taken California in a perilous direction. Our state has some of the highest taxes and is frequently ranked the worst place to do business by CEOs from around the nation. They promote big government policies ranking the state above citizens. Tax dollars are not used as promised, resulting in struggling schools and the highest poverty rate in the nation.
Now, under SB 54, Sacramento Democrats are crossing a line, gambling with the lives of California families and choosing to support policies that have hurt countless victims while protecting felons over law-abiding citizens. Their views and actions no longer represent the majority of ordinary people.
They are breaking our state, putting Californians at risk by prioritizing the freedom of felons over the justice crime victims and their families deserve – and the majority party will have to own it.
State Senator Mike Morrell represents the 23rd Senate District in the California State Legislature, which includes portions of Riverside, San Bernardino, and Los Angeles counties.
