Jerry McNerney's website

Pombo Doesn't Know What He Did Last Summer

From Think Progress:

Last week the Tracy Press in California reported that in summer 2003, Rep. Richard Pombo rented an RV and took his family for “two weeks on vacation” — funded by $6436.38 of taxpayer money. House rules dictate “official travel may not be for personal…purposes.”

In recent days, Pombo has attempted to defend his 10-day, 5000-mile family vacation by saying that “there was no personal travel on this trip.” He stressed that at all his stops — from Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks to Mount Rushmore — he met with park officials on congressional business.

But many of the park officials Pombo claimed to have met, dispute the lawmaker’s claims....

Read More: Think Progress: Pombo Doesn't Know What He Did Last Summer .

A Vision for the Future of San Joaquin County

We do not need to sacrifice economic prosperity for the environment. In fact, protecting the environment could be a tremendous boost to the future of San Joaquin County. What we need is the leadership to make it happen.
The renewable energy business is starting a period of explosive growth that will rival the growth of the electronics businesses of the past 30 years. This country and the world need a massive increase in renewable energy to replace the world's dependence on fossil fuels.

Even President Bush, the oil industry's poster child, was forced to admit that the time has come for our country to concentrate on renewable energy during his State of the Union Address.

San Joaquin County is uniquely situated to take advantage of that opportunity and can become a world leader in this burgeoning field. The Altamont Pass has already opened the door to renewable energy with the wind farms there. Civic leaders need to work with businesses and developers to bring investment into the Valley--investments in solar panel development, wind turbine manufacturing, bioconversion of farm wastes to diesel and ethanol fuels, and more. We need business incubators to help entrepreneurs get started, and educational programs in engineering and energy efficiency to provide local people with the skills they need to get good jobs in these business areas.

As this new business center develops, it will offer people alternatives to commuting to the Bay Area for work. It will provide a better tax base for local education, highways, and other government services to improve the standard of living.

But it takes a commitment to the people of this district--a commitment to the future.

San Joaquin County can become an economic powerhouse with sustained economic growth, a high quality of life, and the associated cultural benefits. As a congressman, I will use my influence to encourage local and regional politicians, business leaders, developers, and educators to work together and make this vision a reality. On the federal level, I will lead in crafting a national energy policy committed to our future. A policy that spurs development in these industries and stops the flow of blood and money to rogue nations.

The 11th Congressional District, and the entire country will benefit from renewable energy innovation. To do it, we need to pull together behind a common vision and muster the political will to make it happen. Even as a freshman in Congress, I can help make that happen.

It's not about party politics or power. It is about who uses their office in the interests of their constituency. Please help me bring this plan to the United States Congress.

- Jerry McNerney

Remembering Coretta Scott King

My condolences go out to the family and friends of Coretta Scott King. She will be sorely missed by those whose causes she championed on behalf of racial and economic justice, rights for women and children rights, gay and lesbian dignity, religious freedom, the needs of the poor and homeless, full employment, health care, educational opportunities, nuclear disarmament, and ecological sanity. Coretta Scott King's fight for civil equality must be kept alive. While the country has made progress on some of these issues, we must continue to fight for Ms. King's vision of equality for all Americans.

Some may fear that with the passing of Rosa Parks last year and now Mrs. King, the fight for civil rights might slow down. But their efforts are living on in a new generation of leaders. Leaders right here in our own district.

Pastor Pamelton, Pastor Wise, and Kathy Langford deserve praise for organizing the South Stockton community and demanding improved living conditions in an long-ignored part of town. During the Tracy African American Association's 10th Annual Prayer Breakfast, held in Dr. King's name, I was introduced to efforts of their organization to make education a priority in the African-American community. And we all can take inspiration from Pastor Napolean Kaufman, who retired early from the Oakland Raiders to take up his ministry.

Across our great district Coretta Scott King's vision of equality for all Americans lives on. It lives on in those of us who share Mrs. Kings determination.

- Jerry McNerney