The California Budget is in bad shape, and it can happen to us.

[Kyung]

JUNE 1, 2009, DO IT TODAY!!!!

Please contact us with any questions at the email address or phone number listed below.

CALIFORNIA OFFICIALS NEED OUR HELP!

The Legislative Analyst's Office has proposed to
eliminate all 1,800 officials in our state and
systematically replace them with electronic recording
systems. As reporters and officers of the court, we
all understand how misguided this proposal is and we
and we will present our arguments in the appropriate forum.
Right now, though, we need your help and we need it
immediately!

DRA is joining COCRA and CCRA in asking All
reporters in the State of California to help fight
this latest and seemingly ongoing battle. DRA is not
asking for your financial assistance, just a small
amount of your time. On this coming Monday, June 1,
we need you to express your feelings regarding this
proposal as reporters and voters in the State of
California. This must be accomplished on June 1!
Below is a sample fax template and contact list.

Please have your fax messages reflect the
professionalism that is exemplified by our
profession.

John Squires, President
Deposition Reporters Association of California


SAMPLE LETTER/FAX TEMPLATE -
PLEASE REJECT THE LAO PROPOSAL TO IMPLEMENT ELECTRONIC RECORDING!

Hello, my name is ______________________. I am
writing to urge you to reject the proposal for
electronic recording in the courts for the following
reason(s):

This proposal calls for the state to spend
multi-millions to potentially save money. The voters
just rejected this strategy on May 19th.

The legislature has rejected this same proposal in
budget hearings twice during the last year, for
multiple reasons.

It is proven in other states that electronic
recording doesn't work, it compromises the integrity
of the judicial system, it violates privacy, and it
causes backlogs and problems for the courts. Several
states, including Texas, New Jersey, and New Mexico,
have given up on their electronic recording systems
and returned to stenographic reporters.

Recent reports prove that using ER instead of
stenographic reporters would actually cost the state
money which it doesn't have.

Studies show that electronic recording is unreliable,
takes longer to get transcripts, has far more
inaccurate transcription, is frequently inaudible,
has undetected equipment failures, and is opposed by
the vast majority of judges, attorneys, and
consumers.

Please reject this proposal.

Truly, __________________________

Title: __________________________

ASSEMBLY

Noreen Evans, Chair; (D-Santa Rosa)
FAX [phone]

Kevin De Leon (D-Los Angeles)
FAX [phone]

Bob Blumenfield (D-Van Nuys)
FAX [phone]

Jim Nielsen (R-Biggs)
FAX [phone]

Roger Niello (R-Sacramento)
FAX [phone]

SENATE

Denise Ducheny, Vice Chair (D-San Diego)
FAX [phone]

Mark Leno (D-San Francisco)
FAX [phone]

Alan Lowenthal (D-Long Beach)
FAX [phone]

Bob Dutton (R-Rancho Cucamonga)
FAX [phone]

Mimi Walters (R-Tustin)
FAX [phone]

Contact Us
Deposition Reporters Association
7172 Regional Street #111
Dublin, CA 94568
www.caldra.org / [e-mail]
Phone: [phone]

[Stacy Tegner]

Thanks for the reminder, Kyung!! I just faxed all my letters :))

[Kyung]

Yay!! Thank you.