Latest news with #SEIUCalifornia
Yahoo
24-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
As 2026 pool for CD-22 heats up, Democrat Asm. Dr. Jasmeet Bains touts endorsements
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — The 2026 race for the California's 22nd Congressional District is heating up quickly. Last week, Assemblywoman Dr. Jasmeet Bains (D-Delano) declared her candidacy to unseat incumbent Rep. David Valadao (R-Hanford). The Bains for Congress campaign announced the congresswoman-hopeful has received dozens of notable endorsements, just days after throwing her hat in the ring. One credible name, Kern Democratic State Senator Melissa Hurtado — a fellow moderate Democrat and close political ally. SEIU California endorses Asm. Dr. Jasmeet Bains in congressional run for CD-22 The campaign also said numerous city leaders from Arvin, Shafter, Delano, McFarland and Wasco are backing Bains in her fight to unseat Valadao, following his vote for Republicans' 'Big, Beautiful Bill.' Bains, a family doctor, has pushed her agenda to focus on health care, arguing that by voting for the budget bill, the sitting congressman voted for cuts to federal assistance programs such as Medicaid and Medicare. At the state level, California Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis, State Treasurer Fiona Ma and State Controller Malia Cohen are behind Bains. California congressmembers have also announced their endorsements. Especially noteworthy is the endorsement by Democratic Congressman Adam Gray, who beat incumbent Republican Rep. John Duarte in the 2024 election by just 187 votes, flipping a purple district. Gray's 13th Congressional District is just as contentious and swing of a district as Valadao's 22nd Congressional District has been, without fail, in each election cycle. SEIU California – a group of local unions of those in health care and public service jobs – as well as IBEW Local 428, a labor union in Bakersfield have endorsed Bains as well. Support for Democratic candidates in pivotal CD-22 race takes shape Democratic infighting has presented itself, as candidates approach the June primary. Fellow Democrat Randy Villegas announced his candidacy for CD-22 in April. Villegas, a school board trustee in Visalia, is known as the more progressive candidate in the race, compared to Bains, who's made a name for herself as a more moderate Democrat in the California Legislature. On Monday, Villegas received the endorsement of a progressive Democratic organization Working Families Party (WFP), further differentiating his campaign and platform from that of Bains'. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Villegas stated he's collected over 4,000 individual donations amounting to over $250,000 of campaign cash. Bains stated she's has raised over $175,000 since her launch. 'This early show of grassroots support is a powerful affirmation of our message: families across the Central Valley want real leadership on health care affordability and a representative with the courage to act,' Bains stated in a press release. It still remains to be seen how Democrats will perform in June, and if any splitting of the blue vote between the two could allow for Valadao to advance to the November general election, taking him one step closer to another term on Capitol Hill. Click here for the full candidate profile of Jasmeet Bains. Click here for the full interview with Jasmeet Bains. Click here for the full candidate profile of Randy Villegas. Click here for the full interview with Randy Villegas. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Opinion - Don't overlook the Big Labor funding behind the LA protests
The left in general and labor leaders in particular continue to misread the will of the people. Case in point: Among the dozens of lessons both seem incapable of learning from last November's electoral drubbing is that Americans are solidly in favor of enforcing the nation's sovereign borders and expelling as many as possible of the millions of lawbreakers who breached them thanks to the calculated apathy of the previous administration. Apparently unfazed by facts, however, David Huerta, president of the California chapter of Service Employees International Union, last Friday, traded on the full faith and credit of his position to join those violently protesting a legal raid at a Los Angeles worksite by officials from the U.S. Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. He was subsequently arrested for trying to physically block a vehicle trying to enter the property. Again, Huerta made no attempt to distance himself and his actions from his role as SEIU's California director. To the contrary, he first made sure to don his purple SEIU T-shirt in order to make clear to everyone that he considers obstructing law enforcement one of his legitimate job responsibilities. Even more brazenly, his own SEIU affiliates in California have used member dues to support at least one group spearheading the protests — the Coalition for Humane Immigration Rights — and to finance the informal 'immigration rapid response' network that has been equally at the center, and in which SEIU itself also participates. And rather than disavow Huerta's irresponsible, illegal behavior, state and national leftists quickly circled the wagons around Huerta. After all, SEIU California is a major funder of liberal causes and candidates in California. Syndicated columnist Kurt Schlicter, shrewdly noted this week that the scenario 'provides (the Trump administration) an opportunity to defund the government support to (non-governmental organizations) that launder government money to fund this kind of violence.' They could start with Huerta's union. SEIU California and its affiliates siphon millions of dollars a year from Medicaid by confiscating dues from thousands of Californians participating in a federal program that pays a modest subsidy in exchange for providing in-home care for an elderly or low-income client. Because they work at home, usually looking after a loved one, the union representing the caregivers — many of whom don't even realize they are union members — has relatively little to do. But that doesn't stop Huerta's organization from seizing 3 percent of their annual wages — among the highest dues rates in the country. In a very real sense, Medicaid is therefore bankrolling the protests in Los Angeles. Here's a thought: Instead of arresting Huerta and the other lawbreaking protestors, why not just cut off their source of funding by prohibiting unions from plundering Medicaid? Hundreds of thousands of government employees all over the country have exercised their First Amendment right to opt out of union membership and dues since it was affirmed in 2018 by the U.S. Supreme Court. One of the primary factors behind this movement is widespread anger over unions that use confiscated dues money to promote a radical political agenda instead of representing the legitimate workplace concerns of their members. SEIU-affiliated care providers in the Golden State need to ask themselves how Huerta's embarrassing spectacle helps enhance their pay, benefits and working conditions. It doesn't. It simply reinforces what's been obvious for years: The welfare of their rank and file hasn't been a priority for public employee unions in decades, assuming it ever was. Modern government-employee unions like SEIU exist almost exclusively to fund the failed policies of the left with workers' hard-earned dues dollars; workers who are increasingly fed up with it. It isn't just worksites overrun by violent agitators that are burning while labor icons like Huerta fiddle. It is also their fading hopes of ever being taken seriously or being handed political power again. Aaron Withe is CEO of the Freedom Foundation, a national nonprofit government union watchdog organization. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
12-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
Don't overlook the Big Labor funding behind the LA protests
The left in general and labor leaders in particular continue to misread the will of the people. Case in point: Among the dozens of lessons both seem incapable of learning from last November's electoral drubbing is that Americans are solidly in favor of enforcing the nation's sovereign borders and expelling as many as possible of the millions of lawbreakers who breached them thanks to the calculated apathy of the previous administration. Apparently unfazed by facts, however, David Huerta, president of the California chapter of Service Employees International Union, last Friday, traded on the full faith and credit of his position to join those violently protesting a legal raid at a Los Angeles worksite by officials from the U.S. Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. He was subsequently arrested for trying to physically block a vehicle trying to enter the property. Again, Huerta made no attempt to distance himself and his actions from his role as SEIU's California director. To the contrary, he first made sure to don his purple SEIU T-shirt in order to make clear to everyone that he considers obstructing law enforcement one of his legitimate job responsibilities. Even more brazenly, his own SEIU affiliates in California have used member dues to support at least one group spearheading the protests — the Coalition for Humane Immigration Rights — and to finance the informal 'immigration rapid response' network that has been equally at the center, and in which SEIU itself also participates. And rather than disavow Huerta's irresponsible, illegal behavior, state and national leftists quickly circled the wagons around Huerta. After all, SEIU California is a major funder of liberal causes and candidates in California. Syndicated columnist Kurt Schlicter, shrewdly noted this week that the scenario 'provides (the Trump administration) an opportunity to defund the government support to (non-governmental organizations) that launder government money to fund this kind of violence.' They could start with Huerta's union. SEIU California and its affiliates siphon millions of dollars a year from Medicaid by confiscating dues from thousands of Californians participating in a federal program that pays a modest subsidy in exchange for providing in-home care for an elderly or low-income client. Because they work at home, usually looking after a loved one, the union representing the caregivers — many of whom don't even realize they are union members — has relatively little to do. But that doesn't stop Huerta's organization from seizing 3 percent of their annual wages — among the highest dues rates in the country. In a very real sense, Medicaid is therefore bankrolling the protests in Los Angeles. Here's a thought: Instead of arresting Huerta and the other lawbreaking protestors, why not just cut off their source of funding by prohibiting unions from plundering Medicaid? Hundreds of thousands of government employees all over the country have exercised their First Amendment right to opt out of union membership and dues since it was affirmed in 2018 by the U.S. Supreme Court. One of the primary factors behind this movement is widespread anger over unions that use confiscated dues money to promote a radical political agenda instead of representing the legitimate workplace concerns of their members. SEIU-affiliated care providers in the Golden State need to ask themselves how Huerta's embarrassing spectacle helps enhance their pay, benefits and working conditions. It doesn't. It simply reinforces what's been obvious for years: The welfare of their rank and file hasn't been a priority for public employee unions in decades, assuming it ever was. Modern government-employee unions like SEIU exist almost exclusively to fund the failed policies of the left with workers' hard-earned dues dollars; workers who are increasingly fed up with it. It isn't just worksites overrun by violent agitators that are burning while labor icons like Huerta fiddle. It is also their fading hopes of ever being taken seriously or being handed political power again. Aaron Withe is CEO of the Freedom Foundation, a national nonprofit government union watchdog organization.
Politico
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Politico
No chill in Boston over LA ICE protests
COAST TO COAST — Some of the shockwaves from unrest in Los Angeles over immigration enforcement are reverberating back in Boston, but the city is keeping relatively quiet for now. Hundreds of labor leaders, activists and local politicians gathered outside Boston City Hall Monday to call for the release of David Huerta, the president of SEIU California, who was arrested Friday at a protest. 'ICE agents are scooping up our members off the streets,' Tom McKeever, who leads SEIU Local 888, told the crowd as people waved signs and led 'free David' chants. 'A tyrannical government is stripping away our constitutional freedoms, our inalienable rights, rights that everybody is born with.' California Gov. Gavin Newsom has gone toe to toe with President Donald Trump over the past 48 hours over social media and in a lawsuit filed Monday after the president deployed the National Guard to quell protests that have roiled Los Angeles in recent days. At one point, Newsom goaded the president to arrest him; Trump said Monday that's an option that's not off the table. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu has taken a similarly combative stance in response to recent ICE operations in Boston and beyond. The first-term Democrat struck a particularly tender nerve when she described ICE agents as 'secret police,' pointing to the video where Tufts student Rumeysa Ozturk was seized by agents wearing masks. Asked Monday about the protests in Los Angeles, Wu held her ground: 'It's important to speak the truth, and I support the calls to make sure that we are calling out when unconstitutional behavior is happening,' Wu told reporters after a budget signing event. 'There are actions taking place that are retaliatory, that are targeting specific communities and cities, and it's important not to get bullied out of saying what we see with our own eyes.' Some local officials have been wary of Wu's war of words with ICE, out of concern the Trump administration could retaliate against the city. But for the most part, Wu has been earning praise from other electeds for her refusal to back down. 'We're already a target,' Boston City Councilor Julia Mejia told Playbook at Monday's rally. 'This is an opportunity to unite our unions, our immigrant community. And so while it sucks, what is happening in LA, I also want to see it as an opportunity to motivate people.' GOOD TUESDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget for the Playbook? Drop me a line: kgarrity@ TODAY — Gov. Maura Healey speaks at the inaugural Victim Services Conference at 10:20 a.m. in Norwood and participates in a fireside chat at the Boston Globe Tech Summit at 4 p.m. in Boston. Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll speaks at a topping-off ceremony at 11 a.m. in Boston, participates in a fireside chat at 'Make It in Mass 2025' at noon in Cambridge, chairs a meeting of the Local Government Advisory Commission at 1 p.m. and attends the Benjamin Banneker Charter Public School's annual STEAMS Exposition at 1:30 p.m. in Cambridge. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu speaks at the Henderson Upper School at 9:45 a.m. in Dorchester, gives an update on the city's lawsuits against the federal administration at 11 a.m. and speaks at a flag raising ceremony for Caribbean Heritage Month at 12:15 p.m. FROM THE DELEGATION BY THE NUMBERS — Congressional Democrats have been warning that the president's 'Big, Beautiful Bill' will dump thousands from their current healthcare plans. And Sen. Elizabeth Warren's office has some new data on what it will mean for Massachusetts residents. According to data compiled by the Joint Economic Committee's minority staff, an estimated 136,700 people could lose their coverage from the Affordable Care Act, and 168,911 could lose their Medicaid coverage. All told, it would mean 305,611 people losing insurance in Massachusetts, according to the data shared by Warren's office. In a statement, Warren accused Trump and congressional Republicans of attempting to 'rip health care away from millions of Americans and raise costs for families — all to fund giant tax handouts for billionaires.' 'Here in Massachusetts, that means hundreds of thousands of people would lose their care and our community hospitals and health centers could be forced to shut down,' Warren said. 'The 'Big Beautiful Bill' is a lose-lose for Massachusetts families, and I'll keep fighting to stop it.' — Markey says he'd 'fight Trump' over National Guard deployment by Alison Kuznitz, State House News Service: 'Days after President Donald Trump deployed 2,000 National Guard troops in California to respond to immigration enforcement protests, U.S. Sen. Ed Markey said he would oppose any similar tactics in Massachusetts, which has already come under fire for its 'sanctuary' policies.' — Reps. Auchincloss, Moulton, criticize Trump's use of military troops in LA by Rita Chandler, The Boston Globe. DATELINE BEACON HILL — Auditor Diana DiZoglio wants to charge thousands for access to shelter audit records by Chris Van Buskirk, Boston Herald: 'State Auditor Diana DiZoglio wants to charge $2,000 to fulfill a public records request for documents that detail the behind-the-scenes work of an audit into the state-run shelter system, an inquiry her office's top lawyer characterized as a 'fishing expedition.' A shelter audit released last month accused Gov. Maura Healey's administration of inking 'improper and unlawful' no-bid contracts for food and transportation services for the shelter system. But Healey's top deputies pushed back against the report, arguing it 'missed the urgent need for reform.'' — State spending with LGBT-owned businesses fails to meet Healey's benchmark by Trajan Warren, GBH News: 'Massachusetts fell far short of its new goal for hiring LGBT-owned businesses for state contracts last year, according to a recent report from the state's Supplier Diversity Office. In 2023, Gov. Maura Healey said she was setting a first ever goal for the state to spend $18 million annually on contracts with lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender-owned businesses. According to the report, agencies were asked to spend 0.3% of their discretionary budgets with LGBT businesses in fiscal year 2024, which actually bumped the total goal to $22.8 million. But in fiscal year 2024, state agencies only spent $9 million with these companies.' FROM THE HUB BUDGET SEASON — After a contentious veto process last year, Boston passed its budget this year without much fanfare. The mayor signed the $4.8 billion budget Monday, approving the $9 million in changes the council unanimously passed earlier this month. More from State House News Service. — Former Boston City Hall staffer claims Wu administration fired her to protect top aide by Andrew Ryan, The Boston Globe: 'The woman fired from her job at Boston City Hall last month amid a controversy over a domestic violence arrest claims Mayor Michelle Wu unfairly maligned her and cut her loose in an attempt to contain an election-year scandal. In her first interview since the May 15 incident, Marwa Khudaynazar disputed the Wu administration's contention that she invoked her status as a city official to try and avoid arrest following a domestic dispute with her boyfriend, Chulan Huang, who also worked for the city. Khudaynazar acknowledged she told responding officers she worked for City Hall's police accountability office, but she said they took her comments out of context.' — Boston's Mass and Cass 'remains an open-air drug market' with residents begging for police crackdown by Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald: 'Residents impacted by Mass and Cass spillover say the area 'remains an open-air drug market' two years after the mayor rolled out a plan to clean up the troubled intersection and are begging for more police enforcement to quell the lawlessness.' WHAT'S ON CAMPBELL'S DOCKET — AGs sue ATF over 'machine gun' conversions by Christian M. Wade, The Eagle-Tribune: 'Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell is among a group of Democrats challenging the Trump administration's decision to drop federal restrictions on machine gun conversions and return thousands of previously seized devices. A multi-state lawsuit filed Monday in U.S. District Court in Maryland by Campbell and 15 other attorneys generals seeks to stop the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives from 'redistributing' the devices, which allow semi-automatic weapons to be converted into machine guns.' — 21 state attorneys general, multiple universities, alumni to back Harvard in court battle against Trump by Nick Stocio, The Boston Globe. THE RACE FOR CITY HALL — Legal filing indicates Boston mayoral candidate Josh Kraft could be part of Revolution succession plan by Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald: 'Boston mayoral candidate Josh Kraft could be part of a succession plan to inherit ownership of the New England Revolution, according to a 2015 legal document that's recently come to light, a development that stands to complicate his potential role in the city's Everett soccer stadium negotiations. The soccer stadium is set to be the new home of the Revolution, which currently shares use of Gillette Stadium with the Patriots. The 2015 federal court filing lists Josh Kraft as second in line at Kraft Soccer Group LLC, behind his father, Robert Kraft. That creates a potential conflict of interest for the mayoral candidate who has said he would recuse himself from any negotiations related to a potential Everett stadium.' DAY IN COURT — Newton Judge Shelley Joseph denies helping defendant evade ICE in 2018 by Shelley Murphy and Dan Glaun, The Boston Globe: 'Lawyers for Judge Shelley Joseph, who is facing a disciplinary hearing for allegedly helping a defendant evade immigration authorities in a Newton courtroom in 2018, argued Monday she has become a figure of misleading 'local lore' amid the polarizing debate over immigration, without a fair opportunity to defend herself.' — Chief Justice Kimberly Budd wants to repair trust in courts by Jennifer Smith, CommonWealth Beacon. THE LOCAL ANGLE — Some Mass., N.H. federal offices spared the DOGE chainsaw, for now by Barbara Moran, WBUR: 'Offices housing the U.S. Geological Survey's New England Water Science Center have gotten a federal reprieve. The offices will stay open, at least for now, instead of closing at the end of the summer as planned. The Trump administration terminated the leases on the offices in New Hampshire and Massachusetts earlier this year as part of cost-cutting measures undertaken by the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, a unit within the White House.' — Frank Santoro seeks to regain his seat on Quincy school board by Peter Blandino, The Patriot Ledger: 'Retired Quincy Public Schools principal Frank Santoro is seeking to regain his seat on the district's school board. Santoro sat on the board for two terms in the late 1980s and again between 2020 and 2023 before losing a reelection bid. Santoro is one of five candidates vying for three seats. His opponents are incumbent Tina Cahill and challengers Kate Campbell, Kai Lee and Tom Leung. Incumbents Douglas Gutro and Emily Lebo announced they will not seek reelection at the end of their terms.' — Local officials express disappointment following dismissal of MBTA lawsuit by Michael McHugh, The Salem News: 'Elected officials in Middleton and Wenham are expressing disappointment over a superior court judge's ruling Friday on the MBTA Communities Law. Judge Mark C. Gildea decided the law does not impose an unfunded mandate on cities and towns, leading to a dismissal of the lawsuits filed by nine different communities.' — Methuen mayor promises to defend LGBTQ+ community at flag raising by Teddy Tauscher, The Eagle-Tribune. — South Coast towns will continue PFAS remediations despite changing federal regulations by Crystal Yormick, The New Bedford Light. — Busing kids to school is expensive. Fall River wants Mass. to help with the cost by Emily Scherny, The Herald News HEARD 'ROUND THE BUBBLAH HAPPY BIRTHDAY — to former state Sen. Adam Hinds, James Rockas and David Ball, president and founder of Ball Consulting Group. Happy belated to Raj Goyle and CommonWealth Beacon's Gintautas Dumcius who celebrated Monday, and to Joey Perry of state Rep. Thomas Moakley's office, who celebrated Saturday.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
SEIU president David Huerta out on bond after LA ICE protest arrest
The Brief David Huerta, president of SEIU California, has been charged with conspiring to impede an officer during an immigration demonstration in Los Angeles. Huerta walked out of the Roybal Federal Building after his initial appearance to cheers from supporters. The SEIU is holding rallies to support Huerta, and Democratic senators have demanded answers regarding his arrest. LOS ANGELES - Prominent California union leader David Huerta has been charged with conspiring to impede a federal officer during a demonstration against President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown. What we know Huerta, 58, president of Service Employees International Union California (SEIU), has been charged with conspiring to impede an officer during an anti-ICE protest in Los Angeles on Friday, June 6. On Monday, Huerta was released from custody on $50,000 bond. "I just want to tell my members ... that I hope, I don't know if the right word is forgiveness," he said after being released. "It was not my intention to get arrested. I hope that I did not put them in harm's way." SUGGESTED: Trump calls for Newsom's arrest, calls him 'grossly incompetent' Huerta was arrested on Friday when law enforcement officers were executing a federal search warrant at a Los Angeles business under investigation for allegedly hiring illegal immigrants and falsifying employment papers. According to a court filing by a special agent for Homeland Security Investigations, a crowd including Huerta gathered outside the business, yelling at officers. Huerta reportedly sat down in front of a vehicular gate and encouraged others to walk in circles to try to prevent law enforcement from entering or exiting. The agent stated it was clear "he and the others had planned in advance of arrival to disrupt the operation." A law enforcement officer approached Huerta, told him to leave, and then put hands on him to move him. Huerta allegedly pushed back, and the officer pushed Huerta to the ground before arresting him, the filing states. "What happened to me is not about me; this is about something much bigger. This is about how we as a community stand together and resist the injustice that's happening," Huerta said in a statement after his release from the hospital. "Hard-working people, and members of our family and our community, are being treated like criminals. We all collectively have to object to this madness because this is not justice. This is injustice. And we all have to stand on the right side of justice." What they're saying U.S. Attorney in Los Angeles, Bill Essayli, posted on X, "Let me be clear: I don't care who you are—if you impede federal agents, you will be arrested and prosecuted. No one has the right to assault, obstruct, or interfere with federal authorities carrying out their duties." Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and California's two Democratic senators wrote a letter to federal officials demanding answers regarding Huerta's arrest. They stated, "It is deeply troubling that a U.S. citizen, union leader, and upstanding member of the Los Angeles community continues to be detained by the federal government for exercising his rights to observe immigration enforcement." SUGGESTED: LAUSD Superintendent addresses ICE activity in Los Angeles: 'Schools are safe places' April Verrett, SEIU's international president, issued a statement saying the union condemns the immigration raids and will continue to protect workers' rights. "We demand David Huerta's immediate release and an end to these abusive workplace raids," she said. "As a union, we will always stand with our immigrant brothers, sisters, and siblings. We will not be intimidated into silence. We will keep showing up. We will keep fighting back," SEIU 721 said in a statement. Local perspective The SEIU held a rally in downtown Los Angeles on Monday to show support for Huerta and stand up for his right to observe and document law enforcement activity. SUGGESTED: Rapper The Game shares support for Latino community amid anti-ICE protests: 'I stand with y'all' Demonstrations were also planned in at least a dozen cities from Boston to Denver. The backstory The recent anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles erupted following widespread anger over the agency's enforcement tactics. Community leaders reported incidents of ICE appearing at elementary school graduations, disrupting the legitimate immigration processes at various court houses, and aggressively raiding workplaces and locations like Home Depot. SUGGESTED: Newsom fires back at Trump over deployment of National Guard in LA These actions, perceived as arbitrary and invasive, sparked outrage among residents and galvanized the public into widespread demonstrations across Los Angeles County. What's next If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 6 years in federal prison. The Source Information for this story is from SEIU 721 and the Associated Press.
