Your May 8, 2020 Newsletter from the Fresno County Democratic Party

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Newsletter: May 8, 2020
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** In This Newsletter:
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New Chair for Our Democratic Party (#Chair)

Statewide Day of Action! (#CADEM)

Democracy and Sacrifice During the Virus (#Democracy)

Jim Costa on COVID Relief (#JimCosta)

2020 Coordinated Campaign Events (#Coordinated-Campaign)

Take Action! (#Take-Action)

Covid-19 Tips and Information (#Covid-19)

Remind Everyone About the Census (#Census)

Gov. Newsom Orders Vote-By-Mail in November Election (#Vote-by-Mail)

Volunteer Your Time with the Fresno County Democratic Party (#Volunteer)


The Fresno County Democratic Central Committee had the election of new officers at its May 6 reorganization meeting. Those members newly elected in the March Primary chose Ruben Zararte as chair, Fresno City Council Member Nelson Esparza as first vice chair, State Center Community College District Trustee Magdalena Gomez as second vice chair, Jeni-Ann Kren as secretary and TJ Cox staff member Araceli Garcia Muñoz as controller.

“I am proud to be new chair of the Fresno County Democratic Party,” said Zarate. “I want us to be a party that represents Democrats throughout Fresno County.

“We are approaching one of the most critical elections in our nation’s history, and we must unite all our voters and resources to ensure that we defeat Donald Trump.”

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Plague has become a partisan issue. The Republican Party is working hard to pivot away from its record of incompetence and lies, now trying to create a false choice between ending all lockdown measures and keeping the lockdown forever. As Democrats we must fight this, for as long as the conversation is made in terms of “what is best for me and my family right now” instead of “what is best for humanity,” the selfish ideology of conservatism will win.

Unfortunately, some Democrats are taking the bait, calling any consideration toward opening the economy idiotic. Saying that the economy doesn’t matter when people are dying plays into the Republican’s hands. Trump and his sympathizers have been calling for an end of restrictions before they even began, but eventually those broken clocks will be right and when that time comes the right will claim victory as they demonize the Democratic Party for the depression we have been thrown into. The only way to fight this is to reshape how we think about our individual actions and how we present them.

This is a time of sacrifice, and if the world is to recover and, just as important, improve, we need to focus on what this notion of sacrifice means. There are many people in our country who simply cannot comply with optimum shelter-in-place restrictions. These are people who cannot work from home, who work in essential industries, whose foolish employers are forcing them to violate good practice or individuals who simply lack the opportunity to isolate. However, distancing is not an all-or-nothing issue. Anyone who can isolate, must, for the good of all those who can’t.

We must all do our part. Each time we practice distancing we are making a small sacrifice for the greater good. When you refrain from going to the grocery store just to pick up a lone ingredient, you are making a sacrifice. When you meet with your friends or family on video chat instead of driving over to their house, you are making a sacrifice. When you wear a mask because you might be carrying the virus and never feel a thing, you are making a sacrifice.

Individually, each of these sacrifices is small, but doable. We must unite as a country against those who want us to only look after ourselves. Make sacrifices when you can, go forth when you can’t and thank the sacrifices of your neighbors that keep you safe.

On April 23, the House passed its fourth piece of bipartisan COVID-19 relief legislation: The Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act ([link removed]) . It provides additional funding for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) and Grants, healthcare providers and testing. This action gets help to the people who need it most.
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Paycheck Protection Program Improvements:
* Adding an additional $310 billion in PPP loans
* $60 billion set aside for smaller lenders and Community Development Financial institutions, including:
+ $30 billion for banks and credit unions with more than $10 billion in assets but less than $50 billion
+ $30 billion for banks and credit unions with less than $10 billion in assets


** Economic Injury Disaster Program Expansions:
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* Increases available funding for EIDL grants by $10 billion.
* Allows agricultural businesses with not more than 500 employees to receive EIDL grants and loans.
* Adds an extra $50 billion to the Disaster Loans Program Account.


** Strengthening Health Care and Testing
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* $75 billion for hospitals and healthcare workers to cover reimbursements
* Requires a Federal COVID-19 Strategic Testing Plan
* $25 billion to expand COVID-19 testing, including:
+ $11 billion for states and localities
+ $225 million for rural health clinics
+ $ 1 billion for the uninsured

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Additional Small Business Resources:

We've compiled all the resources you need in one convenient location on our website ([link removed]) .
* Navigating Small Business Administration programs ([link removed])
* Small Business Owner's Guide to the CARES Act ([link removed])
* SBA San Joaquin Valley Resource Guide ([link removed])
* Fresno Economic Development Commission Small Business Assistance ([link removed])
* Lead Small Business Development Centers by Region ([link removed])
* CARES Act Small Business Flow Chart ([link removed])
* Paycheck Protection Program FAQs ([link removed])
* Small Business Administration Economic Injury Disaster Loans. ([link removed])

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My staff is here to help.

If you have questions, call our Fresno, Merced, or DC Offices (contact information below). You can also submit a request
([link removed]
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Subscribe to Congressman Costa's e-newsletter here. ([link removed])

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We hope you are staying safe and healthy! CADEM's Fresno team has some exciting remote events coming up and we want you to get involved!

THIS SAT. MAY 9 - Phone Bank for Christy Smith and Elizabeth Romero!

The special elections in CA-25 and SD-28 are exactly one week away! On Saturday, May 9th at 10 am hundreds of activists in California are coming together to put on a statewide phone bank for Christy Smith (CD-25) and Elizabeth Romero (SD-28). These two top-notch Dems are competing against conservative opponents and we need your help to make sure they win. It's our final push, so please sign up!
* To make phone calls this Saturday, May 12th, sign up here: [link removed]
* Please share the event on Facebook! Here is the link to our CADEM post: [link removed]
* If you want to make phone calls for Christy between now and the 12th, please sign up here: [link removed]

Wellness Wednesday Phone Calls

Every Wednesday, our team in Fresno will be calling and checking-in with our neighbors. Our goal is to connect people to the resources and services they might need during this ongoing pandemic. You can make these important calls while you shelter in place and help flatten the curve!
* Sign-up for a shift here: [link removed]

Census Calls

Help persuade residents in Fresno to participate in the 2020 Census! The Census helps determine how hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funding flow into communities every year for the next decade. We need to make sure we count everyone in Fresno so we can get vital resources for programs like Medicare, SNAP, and workforce training.
* Please sign up here: [link removed]

Although all of us are not able to engage in person during shelter-in-place, there are many activities that we can each be doing to support our community from the comfort of our homes.

Reach out to your elected representatives and let them hear your stance on pressing issues such as the fate of the Postal Service and our Valley’s farm workers.
The California Democratic Party’s Coordinated Campaign is still organizing and supporting many activities. Contact the Coordinated Campaign today at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]?subject=RE%3A%20Take%20Action-5%2F8) .

On the national level, the Democratic Party is organizing through the Virtual Action Center: ([link removed]) a one-stop shop where you can take action to protect and expand our Democratic Majority -- all from the safety and comfort of your own home.

Let national decision makers see your opinion! Follow Michelle Obama’s plea and respond at [link removed]

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Though it is a difficult time for many of us, the FC Democratic Party must pay its monthly expenses to ensure that after this crisis, the office will reopen. The FCDCC has taken several steps to reduce expenses but would appreciate donations to cover ongoing expenses. Donations can be made through the ActBlue link on the web page fresnocountydemocrats.org ([link removed]) or by check address to: Fresno County Democratic Party, P.O. Box 5795, Fresno, CA, 93755.

Special thanks to the many Democrats that contributed time, labor and money to make the new office a welcoming place to be proud of including Tony Canales and the Carpenters, Jeff Roberts and the Painters and Drywall Finishers, Brian Bobbitt, Natasha Moiseyev, Bob & Joyce Jones, and Jeff Rosendale.

Sources including the California Department of Public Health recommend the following measures to minimize the spread of Covid-19:
* Wash hands with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds
* Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands
* Avoid close contact with people who are sick
* Stay away from work, school or other people if you become sick with respiratory symptoms like fever and cough
* Cover a cough or sneeze with your sleeve, or disposable tissue; wash your hands afterward
* Practice social distancing
* Follow the guidance from public health officials

Information and resources:

State government’s special public health page: [link removed]

County of Fresno: www.co.fresno.ca.us/departments/public-health/covid-19

Rep Jim Costa's Office [link removed]

Rep. TJ Cox’s Office: [link removed]

State Treasurer’s Office: www.sto.ca.gov ([link removed])

Hotline for seniors: 833-544-2374

Beware of scammers: Government agencies will not call and ask for your Social Security Number, your bank accounts or for any payment over the phone.

Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a new measure banning all evictions statewide. The ban will remain in effect until 90 days after the end of the state of emergency, and the only exceptions to the eviction protection are for individuals who threaten public health or safety.


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The U.S. Census is under way. Complete your response online, by phone or by mail. This task is not only a civic duty but also crucial to shaping the way our government operates for the next decade. Visit [link removed] call 844-330-2020 (4 a.m.–11 p.m.).

Governor Newsom Issues Executive Order to Protect
Public Health by Mailing Every Registered Voter a
Ballot Ahead of the November General Election.

SACRAMENTO -- Recognizing the threat COVID-19 continues to pose to public health, Governor Gavin Newsom today signed an executive order to ensure that Californians can exercise their right to vote in a safe and accessible manner during the General Election this November. The order requires that each county’s elections officials send vote-by-mail ballots for the November 3, 2020 General Election to all registered voters. Californians who may need access to in-person voting opportunities – including individuals with disabilities, individuals who speak languages other than English, individuals experiencing homelessness, and others – will still be able to access in-person voting opportunities.

“Today's executive order is a critical first step to ensuring California's November 2020 election is safe and accessible,” said Jonathan Mehta Stein, Executive Director of California Common Cause. “While other states are fighting for access to vote-by-mail ballots, Governor Newsom has ensured that for California voters and we can now push ahead, together, on the difficult work of ensuring in-person voting sites for voters with language needs, voters with disabilities, voters without reliable access to mail, and other voters who need in-person voting to access their vote."

The text of the Governor’s executive order can be found here ([link removed]) and a copy can be found here ([link removed]) .

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The headquarters of the Fresno County Democratic Party is closed right now but you can still volunteer to help our efforts for the Central Valley. Call 559-495-0606 or visit [link removed] and click “Fight for the People” to sign up.

Our newsletter is prepared by Francis Horan.
Can You Help the Democratic Party in Fresno County Today?
Donate ([link removed])

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