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The Voter 4/23/24

Published on 4/25/2024

Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy.

The official newsletter of the League of Women Voters of San Luis Obispo County.

Vol 66 | Issue 4 | Date: April 23, 2024

In this issue:

2024 SPRING MEETING & LUNCHEON: JUNE 1

Join us for our Spring Meeting & Luncheon on Saturday, June 1, 2024, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the Embassy Suites in San Luis Obispo.

Our Keynote Speaker will be Anne Wyatt, District 2 SLO County Planning Commissioner and Executive Director of Smart Share Housing Solutions,a San Luis Obispo County non-profit affordable housing developer. The topic of Anne's presentation will be "Housing Options: Community Solutions in a Time of Crisis".

Enjoy a taco bar lunch and socialize with League members and their guests while learning more about possible approaches to the affordable housing situation in our community. The early bird price for this event is $50. The price increases to $55 on May 7.

About the Program
Housing Options: Community Solutions in a Time of Crisis

“It’s complicated,” admits Anne Wyatt, District 2 SLO County Planning Commissioner and Executive Director of Smart Share Housing Solutions. Finding solutions to high housing costs, the lack of affordable housing, and homelessness in our community will require new ideas and innovative efforts. We face a “perfect storm” of rising prices and a population less and less able to pay them. Old approaches to the problem are not enough.

Wyatt will draw from her extensive experience with housing issues from government policy making, to private market-rate home rental management, to non-profit housing development to address the issues. As a leader in the movement to offer more affordable and sustainable housing alternatives in our community, she will describe housing options and the alternative housing projects underway locally, including transitional (emergency) housing, home-sharing, accessory dwelling unit production, commercial to residential conversions, movable home allowances, and co-living developments.

“We have housing options available to us and our fellow community members,” Wyatt says, “the big question is whether we’re going to come together to collectively reimagine our policies, our neighborhoods, and our funding priorities to support them.”

Join us on June 1 to learn more. Register here.

INDEPENDENT REDISTRICTING COMMISSION UPDATE

Update on Senate Bill 977 to create an independent Citizens Redistricting Commissionin SLO County

Last January, Senator John Laird introduced a bill (SB977) to establish an independent Citizens Redistricting Commission in San Luis Obispo County. This was at the request of the County Board of Supervisors, who voted 3-2 on January 16, 2024 to direct staff to work with Laird’s office in drafting this legislation. SB977 is currently making its way through the Legislative process in the Senate with amendments being made as it proceeds through various Senate committees.

On April 9, 2024, the Board of Supervisors received an update from County staff on the bill and provided further direction on amendments as proposed by Senator Laird. View the bill, agenda item and presentation slideshere.

The Government Policy Committee is monitoring the progress of this legislation closely and will keep the League board and members informed as it moves through the legislative process. Assuming the bill is passed by both the Senate and Assembly it will proceed to the Governor’s desk for signature. The Governor must sign or veto the bill by September 30, 2024.

We encourage League members to read the draft bill and stay informed of its progress. We are currently planning an educational webinar to be presented as a Lunch with the League event, tentatively planned for June 17th. Please save this date if you are interested in attending. More details will be provided in the coming weeks.

This bill is not without controversy: Supervisors Paulding, Gibson and Ortiz-Legg are in favor of SB977 while Supervisors Arnold and Peschong remain opposed to establishing a Citizens Redistricting Commission in our county.

CIVIL DISCOURSE FORUM

Upcoming Forum: How to Effectively Communicate Your Ideas and Be Heard at Public Meetings

Join the Civil Discourse Committee for this in-person forum to learn how to improve your listening and speaking skills.

Date: Tuesday May 21, 6:30-8:00 p.m.

Location: Nipomo Public Library Community Room

This forum is free and open to the public. Registration is suggested in order to receive event reminders but is not required.

About the Forum
How to Effectively Communicate Your Ideas and Be Heard at Public Meetings

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead

Do you want to see change in your community?
Do you want to have a voice in the decisions being made?
Attending and speaking at local public meetings – meetings of your city council, school board, CSD – is an important place to start.

But maybe you’re concerned that you don’t know how to go about it.

Join the Civil Discourse Committee for this in-person forum on May 21 to learn how public meetings are run and how you can contribute and make your voice heard. Get tips on listening and speaking skills that can make you a more effective communicator.

“Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.” – Edward Everett Hale

The goal of the Civil Discourse Committee is to restore public trust in institutions and leaders by encouraging respectful interactions at public forums and by engaging in mutually respectful, courteous, and orderly communication. Working together we can make it happen.

This forum is free and open to the public. Registration is suggested in order to receive event reminders but is not required.Registerhere.

LEGISLATIVE INTERVIEWS

League Members Interview State Legislators on Their Priorities

Every year, the state League encourages local League members to interview their state legislators or staff. The interviews give local Leagues the opportunity to hear directly from legislators what they are doing in Sacramento, to inform them of League priorities, and to raise the profile of the League. This year the SLO League teamed up with League members from LWV Monterey and LWV Santa Cruz to interview State Senator John Laird and Assembly Member Dawn Addis.

League Co-Presidents Elizabeth Manak and Ann Havlik, together with members Joanne Schultz and Ed Cabrera, interviewed Senator Laird and Assembly Member Addis via zoom on January 29 and March 8 respectively.

John Laird Photo

Senator Laird was asked about legislation he has sponsored to ensure open meetings by clarifying how virtual participation in public meetings should be conducted. He also addressed issues of housing and homelessness, noting the major problem of housing underproduction and urging the restitution of redevelopment funds to be used for affordable housing. He noted that reforming California’s dysfunctional revenue system is a personal priority of his. When asked about SB 977, a bill he is sponsoring to create an Independent Redistricting Commission for SLO County, Senator Laird said there is likely to be some pushback from Republicans in the Senate because the issue has been so politicized. He is, however, optimistic about a positive outcome because it is basically an issue of good government.

Dawn Addis Photo

Assembly Member Addis was asked about the impact of the pandemic on public meetings. She noted that the feedback she has received indicates that remote access increased public participation and opened a pathway for more diverse and inclusive representation. She addressed the effects of climate change on public health, noting that the issue is urgent especially with regard to air pollution and extreme heat. On housing and homelessness, she said that building in the coastal zone is complicated by environmental concerns and that adults over 50 and college students face particular difficulties with housing. As a personal priority, she is focused on education – special needs students and English language learners in particular. Asked about changes to the boundaries of the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary recently proposed by NOAA, she affirmed that she supports the larger boundaries -- from the Monterey Marine Sanctuary in the north to Gaviota in the south. She sees the biodiversity of the ocean and the need for climate-friendly energy sources as companion, not necessarily competing, interests.

Read the full Legislative Interviews with Senator Laird and Assembly Member Addishere.

VIRTUAL COCKTAIL HOUR

~~~ You're Invited! ~~~

Virtual Cocktail Hour

Wednesday April 24at 5 pm

Both League members and non-members are invited to join us on Zoom for a casual hour of cocktails (or mocktails) and conversation. This is a great way to meet other League members, express your thoughts, and ask questions.RSVP to receive reminders or just drop in using the link on the event page here.

RSVP Here

LEAGUE ACTIVITIES

SLO’s Suffragist History
Good Morning SLO Presentationfor Women’s History Month

In honor of Women’s History Month, on March 28, League member Janice Carr spoke about the suffrage movement at the SLO Chamber’s Good Morning SLO. She focused on the movement in California, and especially in San Luis Obispo County, and on the pivotal year of 1896 when California suffragists succeeded in getting a referendum on the ballot. Local women – Sarah Staniford and her daughter, Therese Crittenden and farmer/rancher Harriet Exline – were supported by national figures Harriet Mills and Susan B. Anthony who traveled west to help in the effort to pass the referendum. The measure passed in SLO County but not statewide – so the struggle continued. Find out more about how women fought for the right to vote.

Read Janice's presentation hereor view it on YouTube here.

SLO REP Fundraiser Recap
"What the Constitution Means to Me"

On March 28, League members were treated to a dress rehearsal performance of What the Constitution Means to Me at the SLO Repertory Theater. Hilariously but with ample gravitas, the play follows the story of playwright Heidi Schreck, played by Suzy Newman, who at fifteen toured the US to earn her college tuition as she debated her passion, The Constitution of the United States. Schreck’s mother brought her up with a profound appreciation for what the Constitution could (and could not) do for her as a woman and for others who were not among the propertied class at the time. Heidi Schreck transforms what some might consider a dry and legalistic topic into deeply personal and meaningful storytelling as she describes how a less flawed Constitution could have prevented her beloved grandmother from experiencing a tragic chapter of her hard life.

The last act is a rollicking and quick-witted debate between Schreck and her 15-year-old self, played masterfully by high school student Jamie Collins. The audience left the theater with new insights, appreciation, and critiques of this document signed in 1787.

Upon arrival at the theater, League members enjoyed wine and delicious catered appetizers and desserts. We heard from our co-presidents and applauded several local community leaders who attended the performance. Attendees at all performances of the play received pocket-sized copies of the U.S. Constitution which were donated by LWV SLOCO. Thank you to all who purchased tickets for this event, and to SLO REP and SLO REP Board member and member of our League Wilda Rosene for giving us the opportunity to raise money for LWV SLOCO. If you were not able to attend this event, you can watch a filmed video of What the Constitution Means to Me on Amazon Prime Video.

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