In early May, the DSA released a radio spot in support of County Supervisor Ron Roberts. 

As everyone knows, this is an election year. As such your Political Action Committee has been very busy and will continue to be so until the general election in November. The political activities of your association are some of the most important, as well as the most misunderstood, business we do. It is important because it has both a direct, and a collateral, impact on our job and benefits. It is misunderstood for a variety of reasons, some of which this article will hopefully clear up.

Please consider making a one-time or ongoing contribution to the PAC fund and make your voice heard!

Two of the seats on the County Board of Supervisors are up this year; the Fourth and Fifth Districts. We endorsed Ron Roberts for the county’s Fourth District and have not yet endorsed a candidate for the Fifth District. This is also an election year for the Office of Sheriff, probably the most important local office for our members. We endorsed Jim Duffy for that office, and there will be updates on that race in future issues of this magazine. The primary takes place June 8, so the early months of 2010 will be crucial for both the candidates and the DSA’s PAC committee. As important as theses local races are, I want to talk about a state level race that could dramatically impact everyone in law enforcement. I’m not referring to the governor or any state senators or assembly members. I am talking about the race for California Attorney General. PORAC and the DSA both endorsed Alberto Torrico for this important office, and we hope you will support our candidate.

A new ballot initiative, The McCauley Pension Recovery Act, has been proposed to add a surcharge to all pensions in California. In addition to the state’s regular income tax, which can run as high as 9.3 percent, it would tax all additional pension income over $40,000.