21 days to go. WE CAN DO IT. But we all must pull together! Never before have the challenges been so great, but we are up to meeting and overcoming them. Our children's futures depend on what we do this election. Thank you for being a part of this exciting phase in our community's and our nation's history, and thank you for supporting my campaign.

Please consider forwarding this newsletter to your friends and family, and encouraging them to join the mailing list (see golden link to right) for these last three weeks. Thank you!
In This Issue of Carole Lutness' News
GOTV event Sunday 10/19 9am-1pm
Lt. Gov. John Garamendi - Fundraiser Event Update
Media Events!
Rapid Response Letters Needed
Three weeks to GO! Can You Keep Up With Carole?
Down Ticket Races - Good Picks!
Clean Money Bill Signed
Winds of Change, By Carole Lutness
We've Got Them On The Run!
Carole's Crucial Events Schedule
Got Events?
Phoners & Researchers Needed

GOTV wildly successful

We had another wonderful GOTV event on Saturday at DP/SFV. The incredible Operating Engineers Local 12 turned out again for a great day of GOTV precinct walking and many students and other volunteers made phonecalls for us. All told, I think there were about 35 volunteers helping.

Isn't that incredible? We are so grateful for all the hundreds of people who have worked so hard on our campaign.

* Please join Lutness4Assembly at the SCV Democratic HQ on Sunday, October 19 from 9am to 1pm as our team of volunteers GOTV's in a precinct walk. I will be there to precinct walk, talk to voters and drop literature for all our great Democratic candidates. Walk for as long as you can. SCV Dem HQ is located at - 23119 Lyons Ave, Newhall (661-877-2775) (I-5 North to Lyons, turn RIGHT on Lyons, HQ is about 1+ miles on your LEFT.) I will be on hand to walk and phone.
* Back at DP/SFV in SFV on Saturday, October 25 9-1pm. I'll be there. Again, walk for as long as you can and phone bank as well. DP/SFV HQ is located at 14529 Archwood, Van Nuys, CA 91405 (818-995-DEMS). Directions: Van Nuys Blvd North from the 101 to Vanowen. Turn Left on Vanowen at the 99Cent Store, and then turn immediately LEFT into the parking lot. DP/SFV HQ is 1/2 block on the RIGHT. I will be on hand to walk and phone.

* TBA - GOTV activities the last weekend before the election (11/1 and 11/2) We'll keep you posted.

We are hoping that our other Union brothers and sisters join the GOTV efforts. If you have questions, call the HQ's (listed above) or our campaign number 661-755-3772. Hope you can join us. The Repubs have the money, we have the feet and ours is a righteous campaign.
Lt. Gov. John Garamendi - Fundraiser Event Update

We are getting many Sponsors for our Garamendi fundraiser. Thirteen so far. Thank you so much for having confidence in our campaign. We have sent out a lot of invitations and are beginning to get responses from them as well.

WE NEED VOLUNTEERS THIS WEEK to follow up the invitations with phone calls starting on Wednesday, 10/15. Please let us know if you can help do this. Contact Rosemary Jenkins or me.

Imagine having a political HEADLINER out here in Santa Clarita. It's been many a year since anyone high up in the Democratic Party paid any attention to the 38th!! We are so grateful Lt.Gov Garamendi will come here because it shows that we are a district that now matters. We will be able to introduce this wonderful man to the 38th AD voters. He has had a remarkable career of public service. He has gone up against a lot of big powerful forces and has always represented the people.

Remember, he will come to the SCV Democratic HQ on Lyons Ave at 4:30pm to meet the volunteers who are doing so much to make this the best campaign Dems have ever run out here.

Then we'll dash off to the Event! (Space is limited, call Rosemary at 818-667-3280, or WRFJenkins@aol.com or Carole, 661-755-3772 for tickets or sponsorship information.)

The event will be held from 5-7pm at the Valencia Hills Club House, 24060 Oak Vale Drive, Valencia, 91355. (From I-5 North, exit at LYONS Ave. Turn RIGHT. Turn LEFT at the bottom of the hill onto Wiley Canyon Road. Turn LEFT at the first light onto Tournament Drive. Turn RIGHT on Oak Vale. Turn RIGHT into the Club House)

There is a lot to do to prepare for this big event. We need lots of volunteers.

DON"T FORGET - Volunteers for the event will receive one free ticket. Anyone who volunteers at SCV/DHQ or DP/SFV HQ to help get all of our candidates in the 38th AD elected will get a reduced price ticket.
Please notify us right away if you are planning to attend as SPACE IS LIMITED.

* Please notify Rosemary Jenkins, our Field Director, if you want to volunteer and/or attend. (Rosemary Jenkins - 818-667-3280 or WRFJenkins@aol.com) or me at 661-755-3772

We need people to help

1. ...sell tickets
2. ...make calls to follow up on the invitations
3. ...with the program
4. ...act as host/hostesses
5. ...set up, decorate and clean up
6. ...do Press Releases / media
7. ...with a sound system - borrowing / renting / setting up / taking down / returning

I'm sure there are other jobs. Please let us know how you can help.

Media Events!
On Friday, October 3rd, KHTS News Director Carol Rock interviewed California Assembly candidate Carole Lutness. The complete show is available now as a podcast, and you can listen by clicking below.

http://www.hometownstation.com/local-news/carol-lutness-assembly-2008-10-09-10-45.html

Also, if you missed the Newsmaker of the Week "debate" between me and Cameron Smyth on Channel 20 you will be able to find it on line at SCV/TV (http://www.scvtv.com/)

If you have any Media contacts, let us know. I would love to appear on TV/Radio/the Web and newspapers to get our message out. (661-755-3772)
Rapid Response Needed

Rapid Response needed: Create a stir. Express your opinion. Any good buzz is important.

Send your letters to letters@the-signal.com; letters@venturacountystar.com;
newstip@theacorn.com and Los Angeles Daily News 818-713-0058(fax)


Three Short Weeks to Go!

Our campaign continues to be a flurry of activity. Some events this week where I will be appearing include: Sun Valley Neighborhood Council (Tuesday evening); Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce (Wednesday-noon); Obama Event at Vincenzos Pizza - Lyons Ave. (Wednesday evening); Action Democrats Dinner (Thursday evening); CalArts Political Rally - I'm the Obama surrogate (Friday 12:30pm); DP/SFV HQ - to hear Thom Hartman (one of my real heroes) (Friday evening); Rubber Ducky Regatta - (Saturday AM); Minority Symposium (Saturday PM); GOTV 9am at SCV HQ (Sunday); Obama Houseparty in Shadow Hills (Sunday evening)
Down Ticket Races - Good Picks!

Often people ask me advice about Down Ticket races. I know several wonderful Judges who advise me and I take the guidance also from the Los Angeles Democratic Party and DP/SFV. This year the Hot Picks for Judges are: Steven Simons (Office #72); Cynthia Loo (Office # 82); Lori-Ann C. Jones (Office # 84); C.Edward Mack (Office # 94); Rocky L. Crabb (Office # 154)

For Water Board: David Clark (At Large) Leigh Hart,
Dave Martuscello, or Eleda Luther (depending on what
District you are in.) They are all great people and
would be a breath of fresh air on an otherwise
Developer-controlled Water Board that ultimately
decides on our Valley's future.

Propositions: Here are the LACDP recommendations: Los
Angeles County Democratic Party Official Endorsements for the November 4, 2008 Elections

STATEWIDE PROPOSITIONS

Proposition 1A - YES - Safe, Reliable High-Speed
Passenger Train Bond Act
Proposition 2 - YES - Standards for Confining Farm
Animals
Proposition 3 - YES - Children's Hospital Bond Act
Proposition 4 - NO- Waiting Period and Parental
Notification Before Termination of Minor's Pregnancy
Proposition 5 - YES - Nonviolent Drug Offenses,
Sentencing, Parole and Rehabilitation
Proposition 6 - NO - Police and Law Enforcement
Funding. Criminal Penalties and Laws
Proposition 7 - NO - Renewable Energy Generation
Proposition 8 - NO - Eliminates Right of Same-Sex
Couples to Marry
Proposition 9 - NO - Criminal Justice System. Victims'
Rights. Parole
Proposition 10 - NEUTRAL, though Sierra Club, the leading environmental group, opposes Prop 10 - Alternative Fuel Vehicles
and Renewable Energy Bond
Proposition 11 - NO - Redistricting

Bonds are difficult. Bonds are like credit cards. We cannot solve our problems by borrowing because we may reach a point where the Debt Service is so high that it gravely impacts our ability to meet our current
obligations. Pretty soon there is nothing left over in the General Fund to take care of the day-to-day expenses of the state. The current Bond measures all have merit. I leave it up to you to decide. I voted "no" on some and "yes" on others.

Clean Money Signed by Gov!

As you know, Clean Money has been my number one priority, and I am delighted to report that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed the Clean Money bill into law. AB 583 (Hancock), The California Fair Elections Act will establish a pilot program for voluntary public funding of Secretary of State candidates in 2014 and 2018. It still needs to be approved at the ballot box in a referendum slated for June, 2010.

The California Clean Money Campaign will now work on educating voters on the benefits of public funding, where candidates for office in the most recent election cycle spent more than $400 million on the race. Please call or email to thank Governor Schwarzenegger for signing this bill. You can write c/o the State Capitol Building, Sacramento, CA 95814, send an email http://gov.ca.gov/interact#contact
or call (916) 445-2841.

Consider joining the Clean Money Campaign. www.caclean.org

It is really the only way we are going to clean up the corruption that permeates politics on every level, and full Clean Money initiatives will give us a chance of restoring the balance between Corporate WANTS and the people's NEEDS.
The Winds of Change are Blowing!

As the winds of change foment a financial firestorm on the national level and our own Santa Anas whip up a literal firestorm once again locally, we must examine how our government does business.

The election on Nov. 4 once again will give our community and the nation the opportunity to move in a new direction, if we choose.

Much of the financial meltdown in our nation occurred due to dishonesty fired with the flames of greed - dishonest brokers who didn't disclose the rise in ARM rates to uninformed borrowers, and then didn't require appraisals because they might show inadequate values for the properties. They just wanted their fees.

Or appraisal companies that inflated appraisals for the brokers so that they would continue to receive business; banks that were so hungry for new loans that they didn't review the borrower's ability to pay, and it goes on and on.

Everyone just wanting to make a quick buck instead of following the rules that protect the public.

On a state level, decisions are also driven by money, fueled by lobbyists who donate liberally to campaigns.

The lobbyists represent companies that also want to make a quick buck by getting rid of burdensome laws that protect the public. They know that usually whichever politician receives the most campaign donations will win the election.

But this doesn't have to happen. The voters still have the last word in our democracy. You, the voter, can choose to look at voting records and campaign donations and be informed.

My opponent, Cameron Smyth, has been a fixture in this community for several years, but you might want to check his voting record. According to the Secretary of State's Web site, his sizable campaign contributions come from various big corporate sources like oil, big drug companies, HMOs, developers, tobacco and alcohol.

His voting record shows these interests' influence. He gets an "F" from these public-interest groups: the Sierra Club, the American Alliance for Retired Americans, public transit and corporate tax breaks watchdogs. (See www.votesmart.org for Smyth's voting record.)

In particular, last year he voted against bills that would have worked to slow building in wildfire areas (AB2447) and make sure that any such developments have two exits for residents in case of fire.

Wasn't that the very concern voiced over the local Lyons Canyon project?

He voted against a bill that would have stopped developers from counting polluted water as available for new developments (AB2046). He voted no on solar water heating and sustainable building standards.

He voted against mortgage reform and health care bills. He voted against extending student financial aid.

He did, however, approve a bill that would allow development in Half Moon Bay, opposed by many locals.

So, you get what the lobbyists will pay for and what the people will vote for. I encourage you to see if his record is really in line with our communities' needs. Democracy doesn't really exist without informed voters.

They say, "money is the mother's milk" of politics. But where has that gotten us? Is money from lobbyists or labor unions the only way to win elections? I have supported and worked hard for campaign finance reform for many years because ultimately it is the only way to ensure that we will get representatives that work for the voters and not the lobbyists. I will continue to support such legislation in Santa Clarita and Sacramento in the future. We must wrest control of our political and governmental systems from the current bonfire of money and greed that is burning away our ability to do what is right for our communities.

Please support our Campaign

If you haven't had a chance yet, please consider sending Lutness4Assembly a donation. I cannot get elected without money. We need to send out flyers to voters, print walk pieces, and pay to be on slate mailers, etc.

I take no money from Corporate sources which means I must ask my friends and supporters for help. So, please consider sending a donation to our campaign at Lutness4Assembly, P.O.Box 221251 Newhall, CA 91322-1251 or
make a donation on line (a SAFE website dedicated to supporting Democratic candidates)
http://www.lutness4assembly.com/cont.htm

21 days to go. WE CAN DO IT. TOGETHER WE ARE STRONG!

Regards,

Carole Lutness
Lutness4Assembly