Oakland Tribune
Daphne Phung doesn’t mince words about her upstart group that is trying to push California to get tougher with criminals who force victims into slave labor or sexual slavery. “A bunch of amateurs; a bunch of volunteers; a bunch of people who don’t have money,” is how she affectionately describes California Against Slavery, a nonprofit that operates out of Phung’s Fremont home. Actually, “bunch” might be a bit generous. The group is composed of about 10 East Bay residents, mostly young, unmarried professionals, whose political experience amounts to stepping inside a voter’s booth.
Piedmont voters solidified support of their schools with the healthy passage of two parcel tax measures in a special election held Tuesday. Both measures required a two-thirds majority to pass. The measures were placed on the ballot to offset state take-aways and preserve staff and programs in a school district that prides itself on excellence; it ranks second in the state for academics.
The California Green Party has come out against all six measures on the May 19 ballot. The party came to the decision after polling its members.