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Leland Yee 余胤良 | |
---|---|
Member of the California State Senate from the 8th district | |
Assumed office December 2006 | |
Preceded by | Jackie Speier |
Member of the California State Assembly from the 12th district | |
In office December 2002 – December 2006 | |
Preceded by | Kevin Shelley |
Succeeded by | Fiona Ma |
Member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors from District 4 | |
In office January 1997 – December 2002 | |
Preceded by | district created in 2000; prior terms were for city-wide seat |
Succeeded by | Fiona Ma |
Personal details | |
Born | Guangdong, China | November 20, 1948
Nationality | United States |
Political party | Democratic |
Residence(s) | San Francisco, California |
Alma mater | UC Berkeley San Francisco State University University of Hawaii |
Occupation | Politician |
Profession | Child psychologist |
Website | dist08.casen.govoffice.com |
Leland Yee (Chinese: 余胤良; pinyin: Yú Yìnliáng, born November 20, 1948 in China) is a California State Senator in District 8 which represents the western half of San Francisco and most of San Mateo County. Prior to becoming state senator, Yee was a California State Assemblyman, Supervisor of San Francisco's Sunset District, and was a member and President of the San Francisco School Board. In 2004 Yee became the first Asian American to be appointed Speaker pro Tempore, making him the second highest ranking Democrat of the California State Assembly. He is often mentioned as a candidate for Mayor of San Francisco in 2011.[1]
Early Life and Education
Leland Yee immigrated to San Francisco from Taishan[2], Guangdong, China when he was three years old and later became a naturalized United States citizen. His father served in the U.S. Army and the Merchant Marines.[3] Yee attended San Francisco's Mission High School and earned a bachelor's degree from UC Berkeley, a master's from San Francisco State University and a Ph.D. in Child Psychology from the University of Hawaii.
Early Career
After obtaining his PhD in Child Psychology, Yee worked as a therapist in the Mental Health Department of San Franicisco, the Oakland School District and with Asian American for Community Involvement, a non-profit that serves low-income people. [4]
Political Career
San Francisco School Board Member and President
Yee was elected to the San Francisco Unified School District Board of Education in 1988 and served two, four-year terms on the board including one as Board President. During his tenure, Yee called for audits of all schools in the San Francisco Unified School District and fought to establish performance standards for educators.[5]
District 4 Supervisor
After serving eight years on San Francisco's School Board, Yee successfully ran for supervisor in 1996. As District 4 supervisor Yee was appointed to chair of the Finance Committee where he helped establish the "Rainy Day" budget reserve and introduced General Obligation Bond Accountability Act. He was re-elected to the Board of Supervisors in 2002. [6]
District 12 Assemblyman
Yee was elected to the California State Assembly in November 2002 to represent the 12th Assembly District.
In his first year in the Legislature, he was appointed to the Speaker’s leadership team as the Assistant Speaker pro Tempore. In 2004 Yee became the first Asian Pacific American to be appointed Speaker pro Tempore in the California State Assembly and was elected President of the National Asian Pacific American Caucus of State Legislators.[7]
State Senator
On June 6, 2006, Yee defeated his opponents Mike Nevin and Lou Papan to win the Democratic nomination for the California State Senate, representing the 8th District. In the final vote tally certified on June 27, 2006 by San Mateo County Chief Elections Officer Warren Slocum,[8] Yee gathered 51.9 percent, Nevin received 35.4 percent and Papan took 12.7 percent of the vote. Since Jan. 1, Nevin spent $887,562.80 of campaign contributions, Yee spent $673,372.59 and Papan ran a modest campaign, spending just $289,862.64. He was elected to the California State Senate in the November 7, 2006 election by a landslide of 77.5% of votes cast [3]. With San Francisco and San Mateo County having a high Democratic base Yee was elected as Senator for the 8th District on November 7, 2006 [4]. This was a notable election making him the first Chinese-American elected to the California State Senate in 156 years. Yee replaced Jackie Speier, who left office due to term limits [5].
Yee actively serves on the following Senate committees[9]:
- Appropriations
- Business, Professions and Economic Development
- Governmental Organization
- Human Services
- Labor and Industrial Relations
- Select Committee on Biotechnology
- Select Committee on California's Wine Industry
- Select Committee on California's Horse Racing Industry
- Select Committee on Integrity of Elections
- Select Committee on International Business Trade
Additionally, Yee chairs the following Senate committees[10]:
- Select Committee on California's Public Record and Open Meeting Laws
- Select Committee on Asian Pacific Islander Affairs
- Select Committee on Bay Area Sustainable Development and Economic Progress
Legislative Accomplishments
2010
Senator Yee has introduced a number of bills which focus on job creation, health care reform, environmental protection, child safety, government transparency, domestic violence prevention, improving the economy and juvenile justice. [11]
2009
Senator Yee had 9 bills chaptered into law in 2009.[12]
Notable bills include SB 340 which protects consumers by requiring businesses to clearly and conspicuously enumerate all automatic renewal offer terms and obtain customers affirmative consent, SB 786 which protects the right of individuals to enforce open government laws without fear of a significant financial burden and ensures that public entities act with greater transparency, SB 13 which restores $16.3 million for 94 domestic violence shelters and centers throughout California, SB 447 which protects children from sexual predators by reforming the criminal background check law at youth organizations, and SCR 48 makes California the first state to officially declare October as Filipino American History Month.[13]
2008
Senator Yee had 14 bills chaptered into law in 2008.[14]
Notable bills include SB 1356 which protects domestic violence victims from the threat of incarceration when they refuse to testify against their abuser in court, SB 697 which bans the predatory practice of balance billing for low-income families, SB 1217 which provides public oversight of the state bar pilots commission, SB 1370 which protects teachers from retaliation by school administrators as a result of student speech, SB 1419 which protects San Francisco pedestrians by declaring a double-fine zone on 19th and Van Ness Avenues, SB 1696 which allows greater public access to government contracts as well as audits and reviews of public agencies.[15]
In a surprising twist of events in the LPGA English language controversy, Sen. Leland Yee of San Francisco and Assemblyman Ted Lieu of Los Angeles were able to help rescind the LPGA Tour Commission’s suspension-penalty policy. Both officials publicly challenged the legality and galvanized community attention to the LPGA’s policy in August 2008 when it was released, which resulted in revision of policy by the end of 2008.[16] This resulted in Yee introducing SB 242, which prohibits businesses from denying services to customers that don't speak English. Yee received hate emails and messages in response to this legislation and the bill was vetoed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on October 11, 2009.
2007
Senator Yee had 11 bills chaptered into law in 2007.[17]
Notable bills include SB 190 – the Higher Education Governance Accountability Act which brings major transparency reforms to the governing boards of the University of California and California State University, SB 230 which grants the Broadmoor Police Department with all the powers and responsibilities of a municipal police force, SB 279 which addresses illegal organized vehicle sales which cause a public nuisance and safety concerns. SB 523 increases the number of child support payments collected in San Mateo County by establishing a program to allow judges to order an unemployed child support obligor to seek work at the initial support hearing. SCR 52 calls for shared governance by workers of the University of California employee’s pension plan. [18]
2006
Yee had 10 bills chaptered into law in 2006.[19]
Notable bills include AB 2581 made California the first state in the nation to specifically prohibit censorship of college student press, including school newspapers and broadcast journalism. AB 450 requires disaster preparedness agencies to consider household pets, service animals, equines, and livestock in emergency evacuation planning. AB 1969 increases the production of renewable energy in California by allowing water and wastewater agencies to sell environmentally-friendly energy – such as small hydro, solar, and biogas – produced by their treatment and delivery facilities to electrical companies. AB 1207 adds sexual orientation to the list of protections in the Code of Fair Political Practices. AB 409, emergency legislation, establishes new health standards to protect nail salon consumers. ACR 106 officially declares California’s White Ribbon Campaign, an effort of men against violence. [20]
2005
Yee had 12 bills chaptered into law in 2005. [21]
Notable bills include AB 1179 which protects children from the harmful effects of ultra-violent video games, AB 451 which returns millions of dollars to airport communities across the state, AB 1116 allows properly trained foster parents to administer life-saving shots for their foster children, AB 800 which guarantees a patient’s spoken language is included in his/her medical records, and AJR 14 officially declares California’s opposition to any weakening of the federal offshore oil drilling moratorium[22]
2004
Yee had 11 bills chaptered into law in 2004.[23]
Notable bills include AB 3042 which helps protect children from being exploited through prostitution and AB 2412 which helps part-time community college faculty to access earned unemployment benefits.[24]
2003
In his first term the Legislature, Yee had 15 bills signed into law in 2003. [25]
Notable bills include AB 1371 which strengthens informed consent requirements for mentally handicapped patients that take part in medical research[26], AB 504 which increase fines for littering in open space districts and AB 938 which offered incentives to mental health workers in medically under-served communities.[27]
Awards
Lee was named the California Legislator of Year by San Francisco Women’s Political Committee, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME Local 3299), California Society of Certified Public Accountants, Associated Students of the University of California (Davis) [28] and the California Faculty Association[29] among many others. [30]
Because of his commitment to public service, Yee has been awarded numerous awards including:
- Freedom of Information Award by the California Newspaper Publishers Association [31]
- Modern Day Abolitionist Award by the San Francisco Collaborative Against Human Trafficking [32]
- Building a State of Equality by Equality California [33]
- Distinguished Service to Journalism Education Award by the Journalism Association of Community Colleges [34]
- Service Award by Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse of San Mateo County[35]
- Scholastic Journalism Award by the Journalism Education Association[36]
- Beacon Award by the First Amendment Coalition [37]
- Leadership Award from the California Animal Association[38]
- Special Friend of Children Award by the National Association of School Psychologists[39]
- Public Official Award by the Society of Professional Journalists [40]
Controversies
Investigation into Funds Used for Sarah Palin's CSU, Stanislaus Speech
This year, Yee has been a vocal critic of the California State Stanislaus Foundation's decision to hire and pay former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin $75,000 to speak at the school's 50th anniversary celebration on June 25. [41]
Yee filed a public records request in April to discover if any state funds would be used to pay Palin's speaking fee.[42]
The foundation responded by refusing to divulge the any information about fees paid to Palin. [43]
As a result, Yee introduced SB 330 which would require groups to abide by California's Public Records Act. [44]
On May 28, the Los Angeles Times reported that two California State sources disclosed that Sarah Palin will receive $75,000 for her speaking engagement. Officials would not confirm the amount of the disclosure. [45]
In response to the disclosure, Yee said, "It's rather disappointing that Sarah Palin is asking for nearly $100,000 to speak at this anniversary event when we're looking at state increases in student fees, cancellations of classes and the fact that this money could be going to scholarships… She could do wonders for all of us … by taking this money and donating it back to the foundation."
Video Game Restrictions to Protect Youth
In 2005, Yee criticized Rockstar North for the Hot Coffee Mod in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and claimed that the ESRB knew about it in advance and criticized them for not rating it "adults only".[46] The controversy resulted from the Hot Coffee mod created by PC users of the game using hacking tools to create a mod to play a mini game which was otherwise inaccessible to players.[47] In response, Rockstar removed the content used for the mod. That same year, Yee passed California Assembly Bills 1792 & 1793, a video game bill that criminalizes sale of videogames rated M to children under 18 and require retailers to place M-rated games separate from other games intended for children. Yee's bills passed in part to mass media concentration on the speculative link between video game violence and real world violence, as well as several support of concerned parent groups. The bill was signed into law on October 7, 2005 and the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) filed a lawsuit 10 days later. After the bill passed, it was ruled to be unconstitutional by Judge Ronald Whyte.[48] The adverse ruling required the state to pay $324,840 to the ESA in legal fees.[49] The ruling was then appealed by Governor Schwarzenegger in the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court.
On April 12, 2007 Yee criticized the US Army’s program to will spend $2 million in tax dollars to sponsor the Global Gaming League. Yee claims the military individuals on the site who are "desensitized to real-life violence through the online violent video games."[50]
On August 29, 2007 Leland Yee criticized the ESRB for not disclosing what content was removed from Manhunt 2 to re-rate the game from an AO rating for violence to the ESRB Mature rating.[51] Yee asked the Federal Trade Commission to investigate the change in rating. In response, ESRB president Patricia Vance stated the details for a product that has not yet been released will not be disclosed.[52] On July 22, 2009, Leland Yee filed an amicus brief in support of Governor Schwarzenegger's appeal to the Supreme Court regarding the passing of a law which would criminalize the sale of extremely violent video games to minors, claiming that unlike books, movies and CDs, video games "can contain up to 800 hours of footage with the most atrocious content often reserve for the highest levels and can be accessed only by advanced players after hours upon hours of progressive mastery.”[53]. This action has been met with criticism from gamers that the Californian state senator is wasting resources on a law already judged unconstitutional at a time when the state is already facing economic problems[54]
Allegations
In 1992, Yee was allegedly accused of the petty misdemeanor crime of shoplifting a small bottle of sunscreen in Hawaii. In 1993, the case was closed without prejudice.[55]
Yee has also been pulled over by SFPD under the suspicion that he was cruising for prostitutes in the Mission District of San Francisco on South Van Ness Avenue. In each case, he was questioned by police and let go with no charges filed.[56]
Personal Life
Leland Yee met and married his wife Maxine in 1972 and together they raised four children who attended SF public schools. He currently lives in San Francisco's Sunset District.
References
- ^ http://blogs.sfweekly.com/thesnitch/2010/04/leland_yees_sarah_palin_crusad.php
- ^ [1]
- ^ [2]
- ^ http://www.asianamerican.net/bios/Yee-Leland.html
- ^ http://www.asianamerican.net/bios/Yee-Leland.html
- ^ http://www.asianamerican.net/bios/Yee-Leland.html
- ^ http://totalcapitol.com/?people_id=12
- ^ "CA June 6, 2006 Primary Results". 2007-01-10. Retrieved 2007-10-15.
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(help) - ^ http://dist08.casen.govoffice.com/index.asp?Type=B_LIST&SEC={961EC3F6-2749-4496-8936-F676D9BA4389}
- ^ http://dist08.casen.govoffice.com/index.asp?Type=B_LIST&SEC={961EC3F6-2749-4496-8936-F676D9BA4389}
- ^ http://dist08.casen.govoffice.com/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={DB36A2CD-223B-4DD3-82AF-BC42FA0D67DE}
- ^ http://dist08.casen.govoffice.com/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={5D860270-3CFF-4A37-AC7D-2D05FF965067}
- ^ http://dist08.casen.govoffice.com/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={5D860270-3CFF-4A37-AC7D-2D05FF965067}
- ^ http://dist08.casen.govoffice.com/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={EEB24B66-76BE-4AB1-97B4-C99A9968387E}
- ^ http://dist08.casen.govoffice.com/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={6A0A28A9-AE31-4858-9BC6-B9DB274510AB}
- ^ "Lieu and Yee Help Rescind LPGA English Language Policy Penalty". AsianWeek. Retrieved on 2008-09-08.
- ^ http://dist08.casen.govoffice.com/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={EEB24B66-76BE-4AB1-97B4-C99A9968387E}
- ^ http://dist08.casen.govoffice.com/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={EEB24B66-76BE-4AB1-97B4-C99A9968387E}
- ^ http://dist08.casen.govoffice.com/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={0A580249-1356-4148-985C-11C5171E324F}
- ^ http://dist08.casen.govoffice.com/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={0A580249-1356-4148-985C-11C5171E324F}
- ^ http://dist08.casen.govoffice.com/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={95C875E5-F599-49C3-B186-B31E8A2EA4DE}
- ^ http://dist08.casen.govoffice.com/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={95C875E5-F599-49C3-B186-B31E8A2EA4DE}
- ^ http://dist08.casen.govoffice.com/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={193FE664-7445-4F92-A6B2-65D6F6B8DA65}
- ^ http://dist08.casen.govoffice.com/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={193FE664-7445-4F92-A6B2-65D6F6B8DA65}
- ^ http://dist08.casen.govoffice.com/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={56692EB5-9098-46C7-9D6D-7CB1B343C5BB}
- ^ http://www.cmta.net/legsample.php?leg=yee_leland
- ^ http://dist08.casen.govoffice.com/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={56692EB5-9098-46C7-9D6D-7CB1B343C5BB}
- ^ http://www.asianjournal.com/community/community-news/3922-several-new-laws-to-take-effect-january-1.html
- ^ www.asianjournal.com/data/PDF/2010.../2010_05_07_SF_B%206.pdf
- ^ http://dist08.casen.govoffice.com/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={CDF69DB5-7977-4494-9AFB-DAF8CEE64FC5}
- ^ http://www.cnpa.com/full_story.cfm?id=1621
- ^ http://www.sfexaminer.com/opinion/blogs/under-the-dome/Yee-to-be-honored-for-work-against-human-trafficking-83783417.html
- ^ www.calsilc.org/SILC_Quarterly...2009/9-Leeland_Yee_biography.doc
- ^ http://www.californiaprogressreport.com/site/?q=node/7220
- ^ http://www.sfexaminer.com/local/Yee-honored-for-work-saving-domestic-violence-shelters-93048254.html
- ^ http://www.asianjournal.com/community/community-news/3922-several-new-laws-to-take-effect-january-1.html
- ^ http://www.firstamendmentcoalition.org/2009/10/first-amendment-coalition-names-free-speech-award-winners-and-one-loser/
- ^ http://www.asianjournal.com/community/community-news/3922-several-new-laws-to-take-effect-january-1.html
- ^ www.nasponline.org/press/06awards.pdf
- ^ http://sfpublicpress.org/blog/2010-02/sf-public-press-wins-local-journalism-award
- ^ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/04/08/palin-stanislaus-speech-l_n_529629.html
- ^ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/04/08/palin-stanislaus-speech-l_n_529629.html
- ^ http://articles.latimes.com/2010/apr/13/local/la-me-calstate13-2010apr13
- ^ http://articles.latimes.com/2010/apr/13/local/la-me-calstate13-2010apr13
- ^ http://articles.latimes.com/2010/may/28/local/la-me-calstate-palin-20100528
- ^ "Leland Yee on Hot Coffee mod". 2007-01-10. Retrieved 2007-10-15.
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(help) - ^ "Gamasutra". 2007-01-10. Retrieved 2007-02-26.
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(help) - ^ "California 2005 Video Game Law Ruled Unconstitutional". 2007-01-10. Retrieved 2007-02-26.
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(help) - ^ "Schwarzenegger Appeals CA Game Law As Industry Seeks $320K Legal Fees". 2007-01-10. Retrieved 2007-10-15.
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(help) - ^ "Leland Yee Zings Army over Video Game Recruiting Effort". 2007-01-10. Retrieved 2007-10-15.
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(help) - ^ "California's Leland Yee Demands Answers on Manhunt 2 Re-rate". 2007-01-10. Retrieved 2007-10-15.
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(help) - ^ "ESRB Refuses to Detail Manhunt 2 Re-rate". 2007-01-10. Retrieved 2007-10-15.
{{cite web}}
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(help) - ^ http://dist08.casen.govoffice.com/vertical/Sites/{BF15804D-042F-4DCF-8803-86441E95CD9F}/uploads/{F338F527-8D2E-4B9B-8A2F-B6D865D54A31}.PDF On petition for a writ of Certiorari to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Cicuit
- ^ http://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2009/07/sensationalist-legal-brief-aims-to-revive-ca-game-law.ars
- ^ http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2000/10/13/MN116316.DTL&hw=leland+yee+record&sn=002&sc=701
- ^ http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/1999/11/22/MN91849.DTL&hw=leland+yee+prostitution&sn=002&sc=610
External links
- Leland Y. Yee (Official California Senate Site)
- State Senate Campaign Site
- Leland Yee Political History
- San Mateo County Votes Tally Complete
- California State Senators
- Members of the California State Assembly
- American politicians of Chinese descent
- Chinese immigrants to the United States
- Taishanese people
- 1948 births
- Living people
- San Francisco Board of Supervisors members
- San Francisco State University alumni
- University of Hawaii alumni
- University of California, Berkeley alumni
- Naturalized citizens of the United States
- California Democrats