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Uploaded: Wednesday, November 7, 2012, 12:16 AM
Buchanan headed for third Assembly term
Says she is excited about new district
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by Dolores Fox Ciardelli
Photos
 
| Assemblywoman Joan Buchanan was part of a jubilant crowd at Pyramid Alehouse in Walnut Creek on Tuesday night, shortly after President Obama's reelection had been confirmed at the Central Contra Costa Democratic Campaign Election Party.
Buchanan was on her way to winning her third two-year term to represent the 16th Assembly District against challenger Republican Al Phillips, with 58 percent of the vote.
"I just want to say I'm thankful with the results and honored to represent the people in the Valley for two more years," Buchanan said.
She and Assemblyman Susan Bonilla addressed the crowd with Bonilla first speaking and saying that she had been fortunate to be unopposed.
"I've always had opponents," Buchanan said, citing her runs for the San Ramon Valley Unified School District board, where she served 18 years, and her last two runs for the Assembly.
"I'm excited about my new district," she continued, which runs from Livermore to Pleasanton, Dublin and north along the I-680 corridor and west to include Lamorinda. Her former 15th District included parts of Sacramento and San Joaquin counties.
Buchanan was hopeful that Proposition 30, Gov. Brown's proposal to fund education, would pass.
"If Prop 30 wins, then our schools win, which is as important as all of us winning," she said.
Then she led the crowd in the chant, "Four more years! Four more years!"
Buchanan is the newly appointed chair of the Assembly Education Committee. Her main campaign points were budget reform, jobs and the economy, and protecting education.
Calling the state budget process outdated and outmoded, she said on her reelection website, "My experience balancing budgets in the corporate world as well as my 18 years balancing budgets on the San Ramon Unified School District Board, taught me that benchmarks, review and accountability are key to effective management of limited financial resources."
She also campaigned on her support for legislative actions to create jobs.
"It must be our top priority," she said.
Since she was first elected to the Assembly in 2008, Buchanan said she has traveled across the 15th District, from Walnut Creek to Livermore, from Oakley and Brentwood to Elk Grove and Galt, meeting with parents, educators, administrators and students to hear their stories about the impacts of recent education cuts.
"These informal 'Classroom Cabinet' meetings keep me well informed about the issues and guide many of the education related bills I introduce and support," she said.
Buchanan, who lives in Alamo, has parted with her Democratic party on some business issues and has backed changes in public pensions opposed by organized labor. At the same time, she opposed SB 1530, which would have made it easier to fire teachers accused of serious misconduct.
Buchanan authored AB 1772, which would mandate kindergarten, this year; it is now optional for parents and since it would establish a new state mandate, it's unlikely to pass. But one bill that did pass, two years ago, set in motion a quality rating scale for preschools that put the state in position for a federal $50 million early childhood Race to the Top grant.
"I do not have a predetermined agenda," Buchanan said. "I plan to do all I can to ensure that every child in California receives a high quality education. Given our current funding challenges, it will be important to bring the entire education community together and seek consensus.Are you receiving Express, our free daily e-mail edition? See a sample and sign-up for Express.
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Posted by Samantha, a resident of the Danville neighborhood, on Nov 7, 2012 at 8:55 am Another incompetent in the union pocket like the affirmative action choom smoking prez. Hope layoffs increase and the stock mkt. continues to declIne--darkness is coming. GOOD!
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Posted by Julia, a resident of the Alamo neighborhood, on Nov 7, 2012 at 9:49 am You are so correct Samantha...the fools that keep putting the good old boy's and the old gal's back into office need their head examined.
Julia Pardini from Alamo
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Posted by Rick Sanchez, a resident of the Walnut Creek neighborhood, on Nov 7, 2012 at 10:02 am I agree with Samantha---I know socialism as a child---we are headed there--shame on your media for getting these evil ppl elected.
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Posted by Jennifer, a resident of the Danville neighborhood, on Nov 7, 2012 at 10:03 am What part do people NOT understand about Joan Buchanan being in the pockets of the CTA?? Any politician who opposed SB 1530,( as Joan did in her lone vote against OUR CHILDREN) by making it impossible for the teachers to get fired for harassing and molesting our students; should have their heads examined.
The unions are in the forefront of very single decision Joan will make while she sits on the education committee; voting happily to support the lobbyists and the unreasonable and greedy unions while they destroy our public school system.
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Posted by Asian, a resident of the Blackhawk neighborhood, on Nov 7, 2012 at 10:28 am Thanks to everyone who supported President Obama, Joan, measure D ..
Rest of you please go back to Fox news, Dick Morris, et al so you can live through the next 4 years!
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Posted by Christa, a resident of the Danville neighborhood, on Nov 8, 2012 at 9:19 am "Asian" you prove your group isn't very bright---we don't want to become like commie china your family probably ESCAPED. Idiot.
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Posted by Asian, a resident of the Blackhawk neighborhood, on Nov 8, 2012 at 12:47 pm @Christa
75% of us must not be bright - because that many Asian american votes went to Obama. You are so stuck in the past. Please continue to vote republican, let them tailor their policies to citizens like you. It will guarantee Dems victory in 2016.
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Posted by Citizen Paine, a resident of the Danville neighborhood, on Nov 8, 2012 at 4:02 pm I think our schools do a pretty good job, but not everybody avails themselves of the opportunity to learn much. I offer this thread as Exhibit A in the defense of that proposition.
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Posted by Jane, a resident of the Danville neighborhood, on Nov 8, 2012 at 5:16 pm I, too, have experienced socialism & communism up close. This isn't about Dem or Rep. It's much bigger than that; it's about the future of America as we know it. Ever lived & worked in Europe? I did-for years. Kissed the ground every time I came home. Wonder why people aren't flocking to THOSE countries (& the young folks are leaving in droves)? You can't get ahead, no matter how hard you work or how smart you are. You're squelched; there's limited advancement, success & freedom - everywhere. Very few can afford to be homeowners - prices are high & wage levels are controlled. Companies cannot become profitable, due to high costs related to government/union mandates of, e.g., 6-weeks paid vacation & 'free' healthcare for all, etc. However, it can be a cushy life - if you like free stuff, working less than 40 hrs./wk & having someone take care of you (warning: nothing is really 'free'; their is a cost of lost liberty). The quality of their healthcare? Forget it! You'll die on the waiting list (for a routine procedure in the US) or from a stupid infection, caught from the hospital (that's even London, folks, not some third-world country). Everyone there who can afford it has private insurance or flies to the USA for treatment (ask our Canadian neighbors; they like coming here, too, for needed care). And we want to become that? Why? I don't get it. Actually, I think I do. Idealogues paint it as something you are owed/entitled; that somehow you've been disenfranchised; that it's the "rich folks'" fault that you don't have it, & that government has the right to step in to run 'private' businesses, to protect you (sound familiar?). It must sound good to those who have NOT experienced those forms of government first-hand. Be careful what you wish for ... there's no Constitution or Bill of Rights beyond our shores - & it's like getting hit in the head by a 2x4 when you're caught up short, & realize it. We definitely take this country for granted. Better brush up on world history - it does tend to repeat itself. Be careful of those who promise "free stuff" - they seem to end up with all the power - & your freedom will be no more. My venting is over; thanks for 'listening.' My fingers are crossed for the USA!
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Posted by psmacintosh, a resident of the Danville neighborhood, on Nov 9, 2012 at 12:34 am Jane, excellently stated information. Thanks!
Too bad so few people here understand these realities.
"Eduction" in our school systems is so substandard in quality thinking and so liberally biased that I don't know how the tide of mis-understanding will ever be turned.
And then the "liberal" media twists the facts as well.
Oh, well, the American people will get what they vote for. After all, America is still a short-lived experiment in the greater course of history, so we will see if it survives.
(Within our lifetime, the USSR is no more--implosion from within.)
Where else can we go? Anyone know much about Australian politics?
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Posted by Diane, a resident of the Alamo neighborhood, on Nov 9, 2012 at 3:30 am No worries!
With the supermajority now in place in Sacramento, you won't have to be bothered reading those pesky ballot measures re: taxes any longer.
Think of all the free time you'll have to look for a job...
/sarc
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