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| {{Infobox State Senator | {{Infobox State Senator | ||
| | name = Leland Yee |
| name = Leland Yee | ||
| | image = Leland yee. |
| image = Leland yee at Pressconference.JPG | ||
| | imagesize = |
| imagesize = 220px | ||
| | state_senate = California State | | state_senate = California State | ||
| | district = ] | | district = ] | ||
| | term_start = |
| term_start = December 2006 | ||
| | term_end = | | term_end = | ||
| | predecessor = ] | | predecessor = ] | ||
| Line 11: | Line 11: | ||
| | state_assembly2 = California | | state_assembly2 = California | ||
| | district2 = ] | | district2 = ] | ||
| | term_start2 = |
| term_start2 = December 2002 | ||
| | term_end2 = |
| term_end2 = December 2006 | ||
| | predecessor2 = ] | | predecessor2 = ] | ||
| | successor2 = ] | | successor2 = ] | ||
| | office3 = Member of the<br>]<br>from District 4 | | office3 = Member of the<br>]<br>from District 4 | ||
| | term_start3 = 1997 | | term_start3 = Janaury 1997 | ||
| | term_end3 = 2002 | | term_end3 = December 2002 | ||
| | predecessor3 = ''district created in 2000; prior terms were for city-wide seat'' | | predecessor3 = ''district created in 2000; prior terms were for city-wide seat'' | ||
| | successor3 = ] | | successor3 = ] | ||
| Line 35: | Line 35: | ||
| | religion = | | religion = | ||
| | signature = | | signature = | ||
| | website = http://dist08.casen.govoffice.com/ | | website = | ||
| | footnotes = | | footnotes = | ||
| }} | }} | ||
| Line 49: | Line 49: | ||
| ===District 4 Supervisor=== | ===District 4 Supervisor=== | ||
| Leland Yee became ] 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 |
Leland Yee became ] 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. Yee also hired ], who later became a supervisor, as his volunteer community liaison in ]. | ||
| ===District 12 Assemblyman=== | ===District 12 Assemblyman=== | ||
| Line 57: | Line 57: | ||
| ===State Senator=== | ===State Senator=== | ||
| On June 6, 2006, Yee defeated his opponents ] and ] to win the Democratic nomination for the ], representing the 8th District |
On June 6, 2006, Yee defeated his opponents ] and ] to win the Democratic nomination for the ], representing the 8th District. In the final vote tally certified on June 27, 2006 by San Mateo County Chief Elections Officer Warren Slocum,<ref name= "CA June 6, 2006 Primary Results">{{cite web |url=http://vote.ss.ca.gov/Returns/stsen/0800.htm |title= CA June 6, 2006 Primary Results |accessdate=2007-10-15|last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date=]-] |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher= |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }}</ref> 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 ] in the November 7 2006 election by a landslide of 77.5% of votes cast. With ] and ] having a high Democratic base Yee was elected as Senator for the 8th District on November 7, 2006. This was a notable election making him the first ] elected to the California State Senate in 156 years. Yee replaced ], who left office due to term limits. | ||
| As State Senator, Yee passed 11 bills chaptered into law. | |||
| 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 ] in the November 7 2006 election by a landslide of 77.5% of votes cast. With ] and ] having a high Democratic base Yee was elected as Senator for the 8th District on November 7, 2006. This was a notable election making him the first ] elected to the California State Senate in 156 years. Yee replaced ], who left office due to term limits. | |||
| Yee had largest margin of victory of any Democrat with a Republican opponent. As State Senator, Yee passed 11 bills chaptered into law in his first year. | |||
| ===Decision not to run for Congress in 2008=== | |||
| On January 14, 2008, Yee announced that he would not seek the Democratic nomination for the Congressional seat being vacated by the retirement of ].<ref>{{cite web |title=Yee decides not to seek Lantos' House seat |first=John |last=Wildermuth |url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/01/15/BA8SUF8T7.DTL |accessdate=2008-01-16 |date=2008-01-14}}</ref> | |||
| ===Ending Discrimination on the LPGA Tour=== | |||
| In 2008, in a surprising twist of events in the ] English language controversy, Sen. Leland Yee of San Francisco and Assemblyman ] 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. <ref>. ]. Retrieved on ]-].</ref> | In 2008, in a surprising twist of events in the ] English language controversy, Sen. Leland Yee of San Francisco and Assemblyman ] 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. <ref>. ]. Retrieved on ]-].</ref> | ||
| ==Controversies== | |||
| ==Awards and Honors== | |||
| ===Allegations of theft and prostitution=== | |||
| He has been named “Legislator of the Year” by the California Association of School Psychologists; California School Nutrition Association; California Psychiatric Association; Faculty Association of California Community Colleges; California Independent Grocers; California Mental Health Directors Association; California Staffing Professionals; Associated Students of UC Davis; California Partnership to End Domestic Violence; and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. In addition, he was named “Person of the Year” by GamePolitics.com, a leading video game news site.<ref name=autogenerated1></ref> | |||
| On ], ] Per County of ] Police Lt. Ed Tanaka caught Leland Yee as he walked out of the KTA Superstore in Kona's Keauhow Shopping Village with a small bottle of "Tropical Blend Tan Magnifier oil" in his front short pocket.<ref name=" Mug Shot Doesn't Flatter Supervisor">{{cite web |url= http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2000/10/13/MN116316.DTL&hw=leland+yee+record&sn=002&sc=701|title= Mug Shot Doesn't Flatter Supervisor |accessdate=2007-02-26|last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date=]-] |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher= |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }}</ref> He was subsequently stopped by a store security officer who summoned the local police. Yee was booked on suspicion of petty misdemeanor shoplifting but the case was closed in 1993 without prejudice. However, the case was publicized by the San Francisco Chronicle which published Yee's mug shot. | |||
| For his legislative and community efforts, Senator Yee has also been honored with the Freedom of Information Award by the California Newspaper Publishers Association; Distinguished Service to Journalism Education Award by the Journalism Association of Community Colleges; Profile in Courage Award by the California Psychiatric Association; Special Friend of Children Award by the National Association of School Psychologists; Building a State of Equality Award by Equality California; Coastal Steward by Vote the Coast; Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Neighborhoods by the Coalition for San Francisco Neighborhoods; Legislative Superstar by AFSCME; Moscone Award by the California School Nutrition Association; Advocacy Award by the California Association for Bilingual Education; Champion of Journalism Education Award by California Journalism Education Coalition; Cornucopia Award by California Women for Agriculture; Special Recognition Honoree by the Asian Heritage Awards; Norman Hill Award by A. Philip Randolph Institute; and Environmental Champion by Environment California.<ref name=autogenerated1 /> | |||
| Yee has also been pulled over by ] three times under the suspicion that he was cruising for prostitutes in the Mission District of San Francisco. All three times, he was questioned by police and let go with no charges filed.<ref name=" Best to Stay on the Straight, Narrow Streets All the Way Home">{{cite web |url= http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/1999/11/22/MN91849.DTL&hw=leland+yee+prostitution&sn=002&sc=610 |title= Mug Shot Doesn't Flatter |accessdate=2007-02-26|last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date=]-] |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher= |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }}</ref> | |||
| ==Legislative Accomplishments== | |||
| During his tenure in the Legislature, Senator Yee has fought for children, mental health services, working families, open government, consumer protection, the environment, and civil rights. Since 2003, Dr. Yee has one of the best track records in getting his bills passed and signed into law. In fact, he has successfully passed 94 pieces of legislation, of which 73 have been chaptered into law.<ref name=autogenerated1 /> | |||
| In 2008, Senator Leland Yee had 14 bills chaptered into law. Most notably, SB 1356 protects domestic violence survivors from the threat of incarceration when they refuse to testify against their abuser in court. SB 697 bans the predatory practice of balance billing for low-income families. SB 1217 provides public oversight of state bar pilots commission. SB 1250 is designed to reduce recidivism by allowing greater family communication for incarcerated youth. SB 1370 protects high school and college teachers and other employees from retaliation by administrators as a result of student speech. SB 1419 protects San Francisco pedestrians by declaring a double-fine zone on 19th and Van Ness Avenues. SB 1696 allows greater public access to government contracts as well as audits and reviews of public agencies.<ref name=autogenerated1 /> | |||
| In 2007, Senator Leland Yee had 11 bills chaptered into law. Most notably, SB 190 – the Higher Education Governance Accountability Act, brings major transparency reforms to the governing boards of the University of California and California State University. SB 230 grants the Broadmoor Police Department with all the powers and responsibilities of a municipal police force. SB 279 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.<ref name=autogenerated1 /> | |||
| In 2006, Yee had 10 bills chaptered. Most notably, 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.<ref name=autogenerated1 /> | |||
| In 2005, 12 Yee-authored bills were chaptered into law. Most notably, AB 1179, which was intended to protect children from the harmful effects of ultra-violent video games. AB 451 returns millions of dollars to airport communities across the state. AB 637 allows properly trained foster parents to administer life-saving shots for their foster children. AB 800 guarantees a patient’s spoken language is included in his/her medical records. AJR 14 officially declares California’s opposition to any weakening of the federal offshore oil drilling moratorium.<ref name=autogenerated1 /> | |||
| In 2004, Yee had 11 bills chaptered into law. Most notably, AB 3042 helps protect children from being exploited through prostitution. AB 2412 helps part-time community college faculty to access earned unemployment benefits. AB 1793 gives parents a tool in choosing appropriate video games for their children by requiring retailers to post signs about the rating system. ACR 195 brings greater awareness of the need for literacy instruction for visually impaired students through the use of Braille. ACR 158 officially declares each January as Mental Wellness Month in California. <ref name=autogenerated1 /> | |||
| In 2003, Yee’s first year in the Legislature, he had all 15 of his bills signed into law. Most notably, AB 504 increased fines for littering in parks and open space districts. AB 938 offers incentives to mental health practitioners working in medically under-served communities. AB 1102 requires evaluation of current mental health sensitivity training for law enforcement officers. AB 1371 strengthens informed consent requirements for mentally ill patients involved in medical research.<ref name=autogenerated1 /> | |||
| Other notable legislation authored by Yee include: AB 292 to prohibit the use of children as medical interpreters; AB 443 to improve school nutritional standards; AB 452 to create a double fine zone on the ever-dangerous 19th Avenue in San Francisco; AB 775 to require public meetings of the UC Regents for all discussions on executive compensation packages; AB 1321 to protect patients from receiving unfair bills for medical services covered by their insurance; AB 1113 to help strengthen the profession of acupuncture by allowing diagnosis within an acupuncturist’s scope of practice; AB 1818 to protect the health and safety of snowmobile consumers.<ref name=autogenerated1 /> | |||
| ===Video game controversies=== | ===Video game controversies=== | ||
| In 2005, Yee criticized ] for the ] in ] and claimed that the ] knew about it in advance and criticized them for not rating it "adults only".<ref name=" Leland Yee on Hot Coffee mod">{{cite web |url= http://www.gamespot.com/news/6129209.html |title= Leland Yee on Hot Coffee mod |accessdate=2007-10-15|last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date=]-] |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher= |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }}</ref> The controversy resulted from the ] 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.<ref name=" Yee Blasts ESRB For Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas Rating">{{cite web |url= http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=5868|title= Gamasutra |accessdate=2007-02-26|last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date=]-] |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher= |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }}</ref> In response, Rockstar removed the content used for the mod. That same year, Yee passed ], a video game bill that |
In 2005, Yee criticized ] for the ] in ] and claimed that the ] knew about it in advance and criticized them for not rating it "adults only".<ref name=" Leland Yee on Hot Coffee mod">{{cite web |url= http://www.gamespot.com/news/6129209.html |title= Leland Yee on Hot Coffee mod |accessdate=2007-10-15|last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date=]-] |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher= |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }}</ref> The controversy resulted from the ] 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.<ref name=" Yee Blasts ESRB For Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas Rating">{{cite web |url= http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=5868|title= Gamasutra |accessdate=2007-02-26|last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date=]-] |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher= |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }}</ref> In response, to the Rockstar removed the content used for the mod. That same year, Yee passed ], 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 ]th, ] 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.<ref name=" California 2005 Video Game Law Ruled Unconstitutional ">{{cite web |url= http://gamepolitics.com/2007/08/06/breaking-california-2005-video-game-law-ruled-unconstitutional |title= California 2005 Video Game Law Ruled Unconstitutional |accessdate=2007-02-26|last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date=]-] |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher= |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }}</ref> The adverse ruling required the state to pay $324,840 to the ESA in legal fees.<ref name=" Schwarzenegger Appeals CA Game Law As Industry Seeks $320K Legal Fees">{{cite web |url= http://gamepolitics.com/2007/09/05/schwarzenegger-appeals-ca-game-law-as-industry-seeks-320k-legal-fees/|title= Schwarzenegger Appeals CA Game Law As Industry Seeks $320K Legal Fees|accessdate=2007-10-15|last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date=]-] |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher= |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }}</ref> The ruling was then appealed by Governor Schwarzenegger in the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court. | ||
| On ], ] Yee criticized the ]’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."<ref name=" Leland Yee Zings Army over Video Game Recruiting Effort">{{cite web |url= http://gamepolitics.com/2007/04/12/breaking-yee-spanks-army-over-video-game-recruiting-efforts/ |title= Leland Yee Zings Army over Video Game Recruiting Effort |accessdate=2007-10-15|last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date=]-] |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher= |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }}</ref> | On ], ] Yee criticized the ]’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."<ref name=" Leland Yee Zings Army over Video Game Recruiting Effort">{{cite web |url= http://gamepolitics.com/2007/04/12/breaking-yee-spanks-army-over-video-game-recruiting-efforts/ |title= Leland Yee Zings Army over Video Game Recruiting Effort |accessdate=2007-10-15|last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date=]-] |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher= |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }}</ref> | ||
| On ] ] Leland Yee criticized the ] for not disclosing what content was removed from ] to re-rate the game from an AO rating for violence to the ESRB Mature rating.<ref name=" California’s Leland Yee Demands Answers on Manhunt 2 Re-rate">{{cite web |url= http://gamepolitics.com/2007/08/27/breaking-californias-leland-yee-demands-answers-on-manhunt-2-re-rate/|title= California’s Leland Yee Demands Answers on Manhunt 2 Re-rate|accessdate=2007-10-15|last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date=]-] |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher= |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }}</ref> Yee asked the Federal Trade Commission to investigate the change in rating. In response, ESRB president ] stated the details for a product that has not yet been released will not be disclosed.<ref name=" ESRB Refuses to Detail Manhunt 2 Re-rate ">{{cite web |url= http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=6981&Itemid=2 |title= ESRB Refuses to Detail Manhunt 2 Re-rate |accessdate=2007-10-15|last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date=]-] |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher= |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }}</ref> | On ] ] Leland Yee criticized the ] for not disclosing what content was removed from ] to re-rate the game from an AO rating for violence to the ESRB Mature rating.<ref name=" California’s Leland Yee Demands Answers on Manhunt 2 Re-rate">{{cite web |url= http://gamepolitics.com/2007/08/27/breaking-californias-leland-yee-demands-answers-on-manhunt-2-re-rate/|title= California’s Leland Yee Demands Answers on Manhunt 2 Re-rate|accessdate=2007-10-15|last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date=]-] |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher= |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }}</ref> Yee asked the Federal Trade Commission to investigate the change in rating. In response, ESRB president ] stated the details for a product that has not yet been released will not be disclosed.<ref name=" ESRB Refuses to Detail Manhunt 2 Re-rate ">{{cite web |url= http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=6981&Itemid=2 |title= ESRB Refuses to Detail Manhunt 2 Re-rate |accessdate=2007-10-15|last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date=]-] |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher= |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }}</ref> | ||
| ===Editing Misplaced Pages=== | |||
| ⚫ | ===Opposition to Schwarzenegger healthcare plan=== | ||
| On ], ] it was revealed using ] that ] registered to computers in the California Senate office had made changes to its Misplaced Pages entry favoring Leland Yee.<ref name=" Public Radio: Yee’s Misplaced Pages Page Altered From Within State CapitolLeland Yee Zings Army over Video Game Recruiting Effort">{{cite web |url= http://gamepolitics.com/2007/09/04/public-radio-yees-wiki-edited-from-within-state-capitol/ |title= Public Radio: Yee’s Misplaced Pages Page Altered From Within State Capitol|accessdate=2007-10-15|last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date=]-] |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher= |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }}</ref> It was reported that they removed the 1992 shoplifting allegations and the video game controversies sections. | |||
| ⚫ | On January 23, 2008 during a committee meeting, Leland Yee announced his opposition to the health care plan sponsored by |
||
| ⚫ | ===Opposition to Schwarzenegger healthcare plan=== | ||
| ===Open Government and Public Access=== | |||
| ⚫ | On January 23, 2008 during a committee meeting, Leland Yee announced his opposition to the health care plan sponsored by Governor Schwarzenegger and supported by a majority of Democrats in the California State House and Senate, while opposed by a majority of Republicans. Yee's opposition along with the opposition of Democratic Senator and Health Committee Chair ] led the NY Times to predict that California's healthcare bill would be effectively killed.<ref name=" California Governor’s Plan for Health Care in Trouble">{{cite web |url= http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/28/us/28healthcare.html |title= California Governor’s Plan for Health Care in Trouble |accessdate=2008-01-28|last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date=]-] |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher= |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }}</ref> | ||
| Leland Yee has long championed open government, public access, and free speech rights. While on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, Yee authored the city's first sunshine ordinance and continued such tradition in the State Assembly. In 2006, then Assemblyman Yee authored the law (AB 2581) in which California became the first state in the nation to grant free speech and protect student press rights for students <ref></ref>. In 2007, Senator Yee authored the Higher Education Governance Accountability Act (SB 190), which required all executive compensation packages at the University of California and the California State University to be voted on in an open session of a subcommittee and the full board. The bill also required full disclosure of the compensation package with accompanying rationale, allowed the public to comment on such action items, and made public advisory group meetings that deal with compensation matters <ref>http://info.sen.ca.gov/pub/07-08/bill/sen/sb_0151-0200/sb_190_bill_20071012_chaptered.pdf</ref>. In 2008, Senator Yee passed a law (SB 1696) to allow greater public access to government contracts as well as audits and reviews of public agencies <ref></ref>. He also passed SB 1370 protect high school and college teachers and other employees from retaliation by administrators as a result of student speech, which most often happens when a journalism advisor or professor is disciplined for content in a student newspaper <ref>http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_9603863</ref>. Yee is also working to pass legislation to protect state whistleblowers from retaliation <ref></ref>. The numerous legislative efforts earned Yee the title, "Senator Sunshine," by CalAware <ref></ref>, as well as various awards including Distinguished Service to Journalism Education Award by the Journalism Association of Community Colleges, Champion of Journalism Education Award by the California Journalism Education Coalition, and the Freedom of Information Award by the California Newspaper Publishers Association. <ref name=autogenerated1 />. | |||
| ==See also== | ==See also== | ||
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Revision as of 00:58, 1 March 2009
| Leland Yee | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the California State Senate from the 8th district | |
| Incumbent | |
| 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 Janaury 1997 – December 2002 | |
| Preceded by | district created in 2000; prior terms were for city-wide seat |
| Succeeded by | Fiona Ma |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1948-11-20) November 20, 1948 (age 76) Guangdong, China |
| 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 includes 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 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.
Early life
Leland Yee immigrated to San Francisco from Taishan, Guangdong, China when he was three years old and later became a naturalized United States citizen. His father served in the U.S. Army. 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. 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.
Political career
School Board
Yee was elected to the San Francisco school board in 1988 and served two four-year terms on the School Board including one as Board President.
District 4 Supervisor
Leland Yee became Sunset 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. Yee also hired Ed Jew, who later became a supervisor, as his volunteer community liaison in 1996.
District 12 Assemblyman
Leland was elected to the California State Assemblyman 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.
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, 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. 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. 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. As State Senator, Yee passed 11 bills chaptered into law.
In 2008, 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.
Controversies
Allegations of theft and prostitution
On December 19, 1992 Per County of Hawaii Police Lt. Ed Tanaka caught Leland Yee as he walked out of the KTA Superstore in Kona's Keauhow Shopping Village with a small bottle of "Tropical Blend Tan Magnifier oil" in his front short pocket. He was subsequently stopped by a store security officer who summoned the local police. Yee was booked on suspicion of petty misdemeanor shoplifting but the case was closed in 1993 without prejudice. However, the case was publicized by the San Francisco Chronicle which published Yee's mug shot.
Yee has also been pulled over by SFPD three times under the suspicion that he was cruising for prostitutes in the Mission District of San Francisco. All three times, he was questioned by police and let go with no charges filed.
Video game controversies
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". 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. In response, to the 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 7th, 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. The adverse ruling required the state to pay $324,840 to the ESA in legal fees. 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."
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. 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.
Editing Misplaced Pages
On September 4, 2007 it was revealed using WikiScanner that IP addresses registered to computers in the California Senate office had made changes to its Misplaced Pages entry favoring Leland Yee. It was reported that they removed the 1992 shoplifting allegations and the video game controversies sections.
Opposition to Schwarzenegger healthcare plan
On January 23, 2008 during a committee meeting, Leland Yee announced his opposition to the health care plan sponsored by Governor Schwarzenegger and supported by a majority of Democrats in the California State House and Senate, while opposed by a majority of Republicans. Yee's opposition along with the opposition of Democratic Senator and Health Committee Chair Sheila Kuehl led the NY Times to predict that California's healthcare bill would be effectively killed.
See also
References
- "CA June 6, 2006 Primary Results". 2007-01-10. Retrieved 2007-10-15.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Cite has empty unknown parameters:|month=and|coauthors=(help) - "Lieu and Yee Help Rescind LPGA English Language Policy Penalty". AsianWeek. Retrieved on 2008-09-08.
- "Mug Shot Doesn't Flatter Supervisor". 2007-01-10. Retrieved 2007-02-26.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Cite has empty unknown parameters:|month=and|coauthors=(help) - "Mug Shot Doesn't Flatter". 2007-01-10. Retrieved 2007-02-26.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Cite has empty unknown parameters:|month=and|coauthors=(help) - "Leland Yee on Hot Coffee mod". 2007-01-10. Retrieved 2007-10-15.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Cite has empty unknown parameters:|month=and|coauthors=(help) - "Gamasutra". 2007-01-10. Retrieved 2007-02-26.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Cite has empty unknown parameters:|month=and|coauthors=(help) - "California 2005 Video Game Law Ruled Unconstitutional". 2007-01-10. Retrieved 2007-02-26.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Cite has empty unknown parameters:|month=and|coauthors=(help) - "Schwarzenegger Appeals CA Game Law As Industry Seeks $320K Legal Fees". 2007-01-10. Retrieved 2007-10-15.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Cite has empty unknown parameters:|month=and|coauthors=(help) - "Leland Yee Zings Army over Video Game Recruiting Effort". 2007-01-10. Retrieved 2007-10-15.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Cite has empty unknown parameters:|month=and|coauthors=(help) - "California's Leland Yee Demands Answers on Manhunt 2 Re-rate". 2007-01-10. Retrieved 2007-10-15.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Cite has empty unknown parameters:|month=and|coauthors=(help) - "ESRB Refuses to Detail Manhunt 2 Re-rate". 2007-01-10. Retrieved 2007-10-15.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Cite has empty unknown parameters:|month=and|coauthors=(help) - "Public Radio: Yee's Misplaced Pages Page Altered From Within State Capitol". 2007-01-10. Retrieved 2007-10-15.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Cite has empty unknown parameters:|month=and|coauthors=(help) - "California Governor's Plan for Health Care in Trouble". 2008-01-28. Retrieved 2008-01-28.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Cite has empty unknown parameters:|month=and|coauthors=(help)
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded byElection was not district specific | Member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors District 4 1997–2002 |
Succeeded byFiona Ma |
| Preceded by | Assembly Speaker Pro Tempore 2003-2006 |
Succeeded bySally Lieber |
External links
- Leland Y. Yee (Official California Senate Site)
- State Senate Campaign Site
- Leland Yee Political History
- San Mateo County Votes Tally Complete
- Yee’s biography on Asian Americans.net
- California State Senators
- Members of the California State Assembly
- Chinese American politicians
- Taishanese people
- 1948 births
- Living people
- San Francisco Board of Supervisors
- San Francisco State University alumni
- University of Hawaii alumni
- University of California, Berkeley alumni
- Naturalized citizens of the United States
- Asian American politicians