Pastor Brian E. Hawkins started his life of service differently than most. He has come a long way from his early days of a difficult start, misfortune, and with few financial resources to draw upon.
His life story is a powerful and teachable example of how anyone can overcome a problematic start in life. Through sheer will and determination he has become a Pastor, respected elected city Councilman and community leader. And now, candidate for Congress in District CA-25.In 1996 his last year of high school, just seven days past his 18th birthday he became a victim of the unfair aspects inherent in the Three Strikes Law. He was charged with a crime that he did not commit and because he was seven days over 18 sent to jail. He and his family could not afford bail money or a good lawyer. So, he took the ill-advised advice of a disinterested Public Defender who told him to take a plea of nolo contendere. He could get out of jail with no “adverse effects”. However, there was an adverse effect as it became his first strike.In 1997, he had the misfortune of borrowing a car from a friend to get to work unbeknownst to him at the time the car was stolen. Again, on the ill-advise of the Public Defender pleaded nolo contendere. And, in 2004, the final strike came when his rental car he was driving was reported stolen because it was three days overdue. His friend with whom he rented the car forgot to call the rental agency for an extension. Misfortune, bad timing and the lack of adequate legal advice cost him ten early years of his life incarcerated.
In 2014 California legislators passed the Safe Neighborhood and School Act ( Prop 47). Today our schools and communities are far from safe. We are seeing and unprecedented rise in crime. Criminals no longer fear the justice system. Mass shootings in schools have reached recorder numbers in 2022. Congress only solution, make it harder for law abiding citizens to access fire arms. When will we make a bold statement to criminals that gun violence will not be tolerated. I propose automatic "Life Sentence " for anyone that uses a gun in violence towards another human being.
Long-term droughts are not unusual for California, but the current rainfall levels are at a historic low. A recent UCLA study made a lot of headlines with its conclusion that we’re currently suffering the driest period in 1,200 years. And another study indicated that climate change accounts for about 40 percent of the current drought’s intensity. ( according to Shastascout) Where is the conversation about water conservation projects? Im ready to address this issue
Inflation last month jumped to a new 40-year high of 9. 4%, the latest figures show. The Office for National Statistics uses the consumer prices index to measure the rising cost of living, and as well as this headline figure it also compiles the increasing prices of individual goods and services. How long will congress allow the poor and middle class to suffer while they get rich?
The Federal Government Gave Billions to America’s Schools for COVID-19 Relief. Where Did the Money Go? The Education Department’s limited tracking of $190 billion in pandemic support funds sent to schools has left officials in the dark about how effective the aid has been in helping students.
Illegal immigration is an ever-growing and present event for the United States, and some would even say it is one of the biggest problems the American economy is facing today. People who come into America with passports or green cards do not pose a threat to the American people, but rather those who cross the borders illegally that are causing harm to the economy.
When gas prices rise, it can be a drag on the economy—impacting everything from consumer spending to the price of airline tickets to hiring practices.
Gas is an important input for transportation, which directly impacts households as they drive, but also businesses that rely on logistics and transportation chains around the globe.
If discretionary spending is hampered by higher gasoline costs, it can have knock-on effects throughout the broader economy.
securing the border is more about safety then migration. Human tracking and drug smuggling is real. We need to provide our agents with as much support and updated technology as possible