FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Monday, July 25, 2011

Contacts:

Lindsey Nitta, CYD Comm. Dir., 916-316-6802

Kelsey McQuaid, CCD Comm. Dir., 949-338-4194

CYD celebrates with California DREAMers

Young Democrats thrilled with passage of AB 130

SACRAMENTO, CA - The California Young Democrats (CYD) and California College Democrats (CCD) join undocumented students in celebrate the signing of AB 130, the California DREAM Act. This bill will allow undocumented students who have graduated from high school in California to pay in-state tuition and to have access to privately funded scholarships at their university. While this is only part of the battle toward providing all California students the opportunity to achieve their dreams, it is a momentous step in the right direction.

“It isn’t viable to deny so many talented young people access to higher education. For our society to thrive, we must have an educated population,” says CYD president Jen Longley. “Undocumented students have the opportunity to become teachers, doctors, engineers, lawyers or whatever they choose to be upon graduation of high school and now achieving those dreams will be easier.”

These undocumented students, like all of California’s students, have seen their dreams slip away with higher costs of education. AB 130 will provide undocumented students with the opportunity to keep their dreams within reach.

“As representatives of active youth in California, we proudly uphold the principles of diversity, democracy and universal public education. Undocumented students are now one step closer to being treated the same as all other students in the higher education system,” says CCD President Lauren Lee.

It has been a long fight to get the DREAM Act passed at the state level, but Assemblymember Gil Cedillo’s tireless efforts have made part of this dream a reality.

“I am a Dreamer and I am also an American through and through. There are so many other dreamers just like me who have spent their whole lives in America and want to continue to give back to this country. This will change the lives of thousands of kids looking to a bright and a better future through higher education, “says Omar Chair of the CYD Latino Caucus. “It is exciting to be part of this moment in history.”

AB 130 only allows these students access to privately funded scholarships. CYD will now focus their efforts on the passage on AB 131, which will allow undocumented students access to public financial aid and scholarship programs. CYD urges the state legislators to move this important piece of legislation forward from committee and give it the vote that it deserves.

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The California Young Democrats (CYD) is the official youth arm of the California Democratic Party, comprised of progressive people ages 14-35.  The California Young Democrats are committed to creating a bloc of young voters who will elect Democrats for an entire generation.  Using proven peer to Peer campaign methods, Young Democrats have made significant differences in races all over California. Young Democrats in California work everyday to promote social justice, women’s rights, peace and stability in the world, and many other progressive values.

The California College Democrats (CCD) is the official higher education student outreach arm of the Democratic Party.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, July 15, 2011

CONTACTS:

Kelsey McQuaid, CCD Communications Director, 949.338.4194

California Can’t Succeed if Students are Priced Out of College

CCD Denounces Tuition increases by the CSU and the UC

Sacramento, CA- California’s college students have faced continual fee increases over the last five years and cannot continue to pay high tuition while administration officials receive lavish raises. The California College Democrats (CCD) denounce these fee increases and deep cuts to higher education that can’t be sustained by students.

On Tuesday, the California State University trustees voted to raise fall tuition by 12% on top of previous increases during the past year. In just one year, CSU students will have to pay $1,982 more in tuition and fees; that’s double the cost of attendance in 2007. In one generation, obtaining a degree from the CSU has gone from attainable for families to near impossible.

Students are being forced to find a second job, enroll part time so they can focus on work instead of class, and even drop out of school due to price. Meanwhile, the new San Diego State president, Elliot Hirshman, will receive a $100,565 raise over his predecessor. The CSU trustees can vote to improve the quality of life for their administrators, but not for their students.

The Regents of the University of California voted Thursday to raise fees by 9.6% for the fall. The increase brings tuition, paired with campus fees, to around $13,218 or double the price of tuition in 2005. This increase follows a 35% increase last year that resulted in student un-enrollment and increased reliance student loans.

“In my three years at UC Davis I’ve seen my financial aid decrease, my student loan debt skyrocket, my hours working increase, and my little brother not apply to a CSU or UC because our family can’t afford two kids in college. I have lived with the anxiety of paying for college while essential services and classes have been cut. We will have to face the consequences of a generation that was priced out of college,” said Kelsey McQuaid, CCD Communications Director.

The CSU Trustees and UC Regents don’t hold all of the blame for the education crisis in California; the state government, held hostage by the inability to raise funds, has continued to cut higher education. With these fee increases, UC students will be paying more for tuition than the state contributes for the first time in history. The state has failed to keep its promise to the students of California of an affordable education.  Our legislators and university administrators must realize that students cannot carry the burden of the budget shortfalls on their backs.

CCD urges state legislators, the CSU Trustees, and UC Regents to stop dismantling California’s higher education system. Our young people can only reach their full potential when they can utilize all the resources available to them without going into debt.

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The California Young Democrats (CYD) is the official youth arm of the California Democratic Party, comprised of progressive people ages 14-35.  The California Young Democrats are committed to creating a bloc of young voters who will elect Democrats for an entire generation.  Using proven peer to Peer campaign methods, Young Democrats have made significant differences in races all over California. Young Democrats in California work everyday to promote social justice, women’s rights, peace and stability in the world, and many other progressive values.

The California College Democrats (CCD) is the official higher education student outreach arm of the Democratic Party.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, April 26, 2011

CONTACTS:

Kelsey McQuaid, CCD Communications Director, 949.338.4194

The California Young Democrats Will Host Their Convention April 30th-May 1st

CYD to Award Speaker Perez at their Convention

Sacramento, CA- The California Young Democrats (CYD) are hosting their convention in conjunction with the California Democratic Party April 29th-May 1st at the Sacramento Convention Center. This year CYD’s theme is “We Win the Future.” They will talk about issues that will affect young people and discuss plans to make sure that the youth turn out to vote in 2012.

The CYD Convention will include caucus meetings, including the California College Democrats and the California High School Democrats, as well as their Executive Committee meeting. Elections of next year’s officers will take place at these meetings. These officers will shape the strategy for the 2012 General Election.

CYD will also be hosting an Awards Reception on Saturday night to honor outstanding leaders and chapters within the organization. The keynote speaker of the CYD Awards Reception is Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez who will receive the CYD Mentor of the Year Award.

“I am pleased to join the California Young Democrats at their convention this year, and am honored to be accepting the Mentor of the Year Award. Young Voters are a crucial component of the Democratic Party, and CYD does a fantastic job of mobilizing young progressives to come out and vote for Democratic candidates, especially in 2010, where young voters were an integral part of Dr. Pan’s historic win in the 5th Assembly District,” said Speaker Pérez.

“We appreciate Speaker John A. Pérez’s efforts in keeping California blue and winning an additional Democratic seat.  Our convention is a time to celebrate and recognize the hard work of young Democrats and our successes, while planning for the future,” said CYD President Alissa Ko.

Going into their convention, the California Young Democrats are looking forward to celebrating the 2010 Democratic victories in California and to getting ready for the 2012 General Election.

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The California Young Democrats (CYD) is the official youth arm of the California Democratic Party, comprised of progressive people ages 14-35.  The California Young Democrats are committed to creating a bloc of young voters who will elect Democrats for an entire generation.  Using proven peer to Peer campaign methods, Young Democrats have made significant differences in races all over California.  Young Democrats in California work everyday to promote social justice, women’s rights, peace and stability in the world, and many other progressive values.

The California College Democrats (CCD) is the official student outreach arm of the Democratic Party.

The California High School Democrats (CAHSD) is the official High School student arm of the California Democratic Party, comprised of progressive students.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, March 17, 2011

CONTACTS:

Kelsey McQuaid, CCD Communications Director, 949.338.4194

The California Young Democrats Denounce Remarks by John and Ken

Community Colleges are an Integral Part of Our Economy

Sacramento, CA- The California Young Democrats (CYD) are appalled by the uninformed comments made by firebrand talk show hosts “John and Ken” during the pair’s evening show this Tuesday.

The two claimed that “the community colleges are the least useful in society . . . Community colleges are the first thing you’d cut. You’re not going to get much of a job out of it.” This is completely false. Community colleges are an integral part of our economy; the college education and training offered by community colleges provides California with an educated and skilled workforce.

John and Ken also said that “the community college thing is a scam. Doesn’t get you anywhere.” The pair might want to talk to the community college graduates who fill approximately 49% of California’s jobs and the single mothers who are able to get back to work through the CalWORKS program.

“There are young people across the state who are unable to afford a four year university, who prefer skills training and apprenticeship programs, and who want to go back to school to improve their viability in the workforce. Without funding for community colleges, California’s workforce will be less suited for the challenges of tomorrow. It is disgraceful that John and Ken are discouraging Californians from pursuing their education. Higher education at all levels is a right, not a privilege that can be cut out of the budget without consequence,” said Alissa Ko, President of the California Young Democrats (CYD).

John and Ken don’t understand the benefit that community colleges provide for cities across California, such as producing 80 percent of first responders and 50 percent of new nurses and other health-care workers as well as a path to a university for students from low-income families.

CYD urges Californians to support community colleges and the essential services they provide for their students.

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The California Young Democrats (CYD) is the official youth arm of the California Democratic Party, comprised of progressive people ages 14-35.  The California Young Democrats are committed to creating a bloc of young voters who will elect Democrats for an entire generation.  Using proven peer to Peer campaign methods, Young Democrats have made significant differences in races all over California. Young Democrats in California work everyday to promote social justice, women’s rights, peace and stability in the world, and many other progressive values.

The California College Democrats (CCD) is the official higher education student outreach arm of the Democratic Party.