Newsletter of the League of Women Voters of San Joaquin ...
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Volume 80 No.2 Page | 1 THE LEAGUE Volume 80 No. 2 OF WOMEN VOTERS® Spring 2016 Newsletter of the League of Women Voters of San Joaquin County T H E V O T E R Local High School Students Share Their Voices It occurred to us that readers of The Voter might be interested in getting a view of the world as seen by our fellow citizens who are just now coming of age. So we asked some of them to write about that for us through a high school journalism project we are calling “Share Your Voice.” The assignment: Report to the League of Women Voters of San Joaquin County on something important in the local community (school, neighborhood, town) that we will probably not read or hear about in mainstream media. In a short news article, feature story, or opinion piece, tell us something we didn’t know or make us think about a familiar subject in a new way. The reward: Just being published—no small thing for budding writers putting together college applications. To begin with, we asked for submissions from three Stockton high schools, although we would like to expand this project throughout the whole county. We are delighted to have received seven submissions, on subjects ranging from minimum wage proposals to pros and cons of technology, from universal healthcare to climate change education. We have identified three that we thought especially worth sharing with our readers. We fudged a bit on our original word limit, but all of these are under 600 words. We haven’t edited them. We will let one of the authors introduce you to Millennials—Generation Y—those born between the early 1980s and the early 2000s and including the first generation to come of age in the new millennium. Among other experiences that members of this generation have in common is growing up surrounded by advanced technology. What’s a “trigger warning”? It is a statement at the start of a piece of writing or visual material alerting the reader or viewer that the material contains potentially distressing content. In recent years, some teachers and professors have begun to use this kind to statement to alert students to potentially disturbing course content. Millennials: Sensitivity to Injustice, in a Global Context by Phillicity Uriarte The millennials have been deemed the most defensive. The ones who can't take a joke. The ones who will pick a fight over the slightest slip up. The ones who use social justice as an excuse to be confrontational. This stereotype, as is the nature of stereotypes, has some truth to it, but unlike others, it will most likely retain its truth throughout time.
Transcript of Newsletter of the League of Women Voters of San Joaquin ...
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THELEAGUE Volume80No.2OFWOMENVOTERS® Spring2016
NewsletteroftheLeagueofWomenVotersofSanJoaquinCounty
T H E V O T E R LocalHighSchoolStudentsShareTheirVoicesItoccurredtousthatreadersofTheVotermightbeinterestedingettingaviewoftheworldasseenbyourfellowcitizenswhoarejustnowcomingofage.Soweaskedsomeofthemtowriteaboutthatforusthroughahighschooljournalismprojectwearecalling“ShareYourVoice.”Theassignment:ReporttotheLeagueofWomenVotersofSanJoaquinCountyonsomethingimportantinthelocalcommunity(school,neighborhood,town)thatwewillprobablynotreadorhearaboutinmainstreammedia.Inashortnewsarticle,featurestory,oropinionpiece,tellussomethingwedidn’tknowormakeusthinkaboutafamiliarsubjectinanewway.Thereward:Justbeingpublished—nosmallthingforbuddingwritersputtingtogethercollegeapplications.Tobeginwith,weaskedforsubmissionsfromthreeStocktonhighschools,althoughwewouldliketoexpandthisprojectthroughoutthewholecounty.Wearedelightedtohavereceivedsevensubmissions,onsubjectsrangingfromminimumwageproposalstoprosandconsoftechnology,fromuniversalhealthcaretoclimatechangeeducation.Wehaveidentifiedthreethatwethoughtespeciallyworthsharingwithourreaders.Wefudgedabitonouroriginalwordlimit,butalloftheseareunder600words.Wehaven’teditedthem.WewillletoneoftheauthorsintroduceyoutoMillennials—GenerationY—thosebornbetweentheearly1980sandtheearly2000sandincludingthefirstgenerationtocomeofageinthenewmillennium.Amongotherexperiencesthatmembersofthisgenerationhaveincommonisgrowingupsurroundedbyadvancedtechnology.What’sa“triggerwarning”?Itisastatementatthestartofapieceofwritingorvisualmaterialalertingthereaderorviewerthatthematerialcontainspotentiallydistressingcontent.Inrecentyears,someteachersandprofessorshavebeguntousethiskindtostatementtoalertstudentstopotentiallydisturbingcoursecontent.
Millennials:SensitivitytoInjustice,inaGlobalContext
byPhillicityUriarteThemillennialshavebeendeemedthemostdefensive.Theoneswhocan'ttakeajoke.Theoneswhowillpickafightovertheslightestslipup.Theoneswhousesocialjusticeasanexcusetobeconfrontational.Thisstereotype,asisthenatureofstereotypes,hassometruthtoit,butunlikeothers,itwillmostlikelyretainitstruththroughouttime.
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Wearethegenerationthatisextremelydefensive.Throughschoolwearetaughtoftheinjusticesfromthepast:theracism,theoppressionandthecrueltythatpastgenerationshaveendured.Ithasbecomeinadequatetostandidlybyandlethistoryrepeatitselforratherletitliveonamongus.Now,everyonewantsavoice.Ourmaingoalisthateveryoneistreatedfairly,regardlessofrace,gender,orsexuality.Thisiswhywearehugelyresponsibleforthelegalizationofgaymarriage.Sexualitiesbesidesgayandstraightarebeingbroughttolight,andgendershavebecomelessdefined.Sometimeseffortsbecomeoverwhelming,sometimeswebecomeoverzealousinourpursuittomakeeveryonefeelincluded.Sometimestriggerwarningsandwishy-washypronounstroublegenerationspastandevenourown,butthatisn'ttosayourheartisinthewrongplace.Manypeopleonsocialmediaencourageusto“staywoke,”whichisaeuphemismtostayinformed,toknowwhat'sgoingonnotonlyaroundourselvesbutaroundtheworld.Thisvoicethatfightstheinjusticesweseetodayisgrantedthroughsocialmediaplatforms.Theycontainaworldthatgrantsusavoicethathasthecapabilitytoreachthefurthestcornersoftheearth.
Perhapsthemostwellknownonlinesocialjusticemovementis#BlackLivesMatter.Ithasbecomeamantratothosewhohavefeltorwitnessedoppression.Ofcourse,thisinandofitselfcausessometofeelleftout,thoughthatisn'twhatitismeanttodo.Thosewhowishtoincludeeveryonewillshoutback#AllLivesMatterandacivilwarofsortswillbreakoutamongus.However,inthissortofsocialjusticebattle,theonlycasualtieswillbeofsomeone'signoranceandnotoftheirlifebecauseoftheirrace.TosayfightingfortrueequalityistheonlyreasonawholegenerationissoattachedtoalloutletstotheInternetwouldbealie.Onemustrealizehowlargearoletechnologyisplayinginourlivesbeforewecanevenspeak.Regardlessofwhatsomemaythink,technologyisjustgoingtoplayabiggerroleinlivesovertime.Ofcoursetherearefaultsinhowthistoolishandled.Tosayalliswellandperfectisabold-facedlie.GenerationYisattemptingtobeapeacemaker.Manyarestillyoung,easilymisguidedandignorant,butthatisn'ttosaythatisallweare.Wearethefuture,andourbiggesthopeisthatitismoreprogressiveandaccepting.
BlackLivesMatterprotestinToronto,2015.PhotobyJalaniMorgan.
Fromthe‘UnpopularOpinions’Tumblrpage.
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_________________________________________________________________________________________________________GettingtheCorrectFocusfor“PoliticalCorrectness”
byCelineLopez,StaggHighSchool
TheRedPartyrejectstheredStarbucksholidaycupindisgust.Theeveningdebateisfueledbyrantsdenouncingthesecularyetstillmerrygreeting“HappyHolidays.”Meanwhile,thereareAmericancitizenswithoutahomeoramealtoenjoywhicheversacredholidaytheybelievein.Thesecandidatesrunningforofficecrythatbeingpoliticallycorrectisruiningthisnation,yetnotasinglepieceoflegislationisintroducedinCongresstoaddressthenation’slackofjobs.Instead,themajorityoflegislationaimstodefundvitalprograms.It'sanuglycycle:politiciansareoffendedthatsocietyissooffendedbyeverything.Well,I’moffendedby“politicalcorrectness.”Notthepractice,
theterm.WhileIthinkpeopleshouldwatchwhattheysaywhenitcomestowordslike“illegalaliens,”“retarded”andthen-word,Idon’tthinkthispracticeshouldbepoliticized.Thenotionofbeingpoliticallycorrectaimstobeinclusiveandrespectfulofmarginalizedoroppressedgroupsineverydayconversation;itisamatterofexpandingequalityandnotnormalizingracist,sexist,ableistorany-istculture.Ofcourse,peoplecanchoosetosaywhattheywant,offensiveornot.Buttheideathatusinginoffensivetermshastobesomethingpoliticalhaspolarizedthisconceptof“politicalcorrectness”somuchthatsomepeopleevendeliberatelychoosewordstopurposelyoffend.WatchingcandidatestaketurnsexchangingpettyinsultsissotiringwhenIwanttohear,Idon’tknow,anactualdebate.I’mgladIcannarrowdownmylistofpotentialcandidatesfromnear20tothesmallhandfulthatatleasttalksaboutsomeissues.Iwishimmigrationwouldbemeaningfullydiscussedsothenationcandevelopamoreconsistentandefficientpolicy,notsopoliticiansandreporterscandiscusstheterm“anchorbabies”andpointoutwhichpresidentialcandidateshaveimmigrantparents.Thatrhetoricisgettingold.Bedonewiththebirthercontroversyandgetoverit,please.Let’sfocusonwhichcandidatesactuallyqualifybasedonmeritandexperience.Politicshasbecomeacircuswherethemaineventisasadexcuseofapresidentialelection.Candidateswanttorelatetovoterswithembarrassingattemptstobecoolorcomparethemselvestopeople’sabuelas.SomeRepublicansseemlikethey’rehavingacontesttodeterminewho’sthewhitest,mostpatriotic,mostconservativeChristianDemocrat-hater.Despitepublicopinionthatmillennialsareapatheticwhenitcomestopolitics,Iandthemajorityofmypeersareworriedaboutthiselection.ThisyearwillbethefirstelectioninwhichmyfriendsandIwillbeallowedtovote.Wehavebeenpayingattentiontowhatthecandidateshavebeensayingand
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whatconditionthisnationisin.Wecareabouthealthcare,immigration,guncontrol,minimumwage,jobs,taxes,andeducation.Wedon’tcareaboutbirthcertificatesordeletedemailsorpollnumbers.Idon’twanttobeassignedtowatchthedebatesbymyAPGovernmentteacherformetoactuallysitthroughallofthis.Thepublicwilltakeinterestinpoliticsonlyifthereissomethingvaluablebeingaddressed.There’sanobviousneedforchange.Thereareissuesthatneedtoberesolvedandanationtolead.Somethings,likeoffensiveterms,reallyshouldn’tbepoliticized.Whenpoliticsstrayssofarfrombeingaboutnationalissuesandinsteadsnarkycomments,whatneedstobepoliticizedispolitics.
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TheRoleModelattheFrontoftheClassroombyAnyaBekhtel,LincolnHighSchool
ComparedtootherhighschoolersinCalifornia,LincolnHighSchool’sstudentbodyisrelativelyindifferenttorace.OurstudentpopulationreflectsStockton’sremarkablediversity,withfriendshipstranscendingtheimaginaryboundaryofethnicity.However,thisdemographicdiversityisnotevidentamongLincoln’steachers,asavastmajorityofLincoln’steachersareCaucasian.
“TheDeclarationoftheOccupationofNYC”,anartsactivismpiecebyRachelSchragis.
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Thisimbalancebeginsattheelementaryschoollevel.IaskedfourLincolnstudentswhoattendeddifferentelementaryschoolsinLincolnUnifiedSchoolDistricttolisttheethnicitiesofalloftheirelementaryandhighschoolteachers,findingthat83.87,82.76,83.33,and96.00percentoftheirteacherswerewhite.Tofocusonstrictlyacademicallybasedsubjects,Iexcludedforeignlanguageteachersfromthetotalnumberofteachersbecauseteachingaforeignlanguagerequiresaculturalbackgroundinthatlanguage.Overall,thisdatarevealsthatovereightypercentLincolnUnified’steachersareCaucasian.
Thisextremegapbetweenthenumberofwhiteandminorityteachersistroublingbecauseitsignifiesthatmostchildrendonotseepeopleofcolorinpositionsofpowerintheirdailylives.Youngstudentshavetheutmostrespectfortheirteachersandwilltypicallyfollowtheirinstructions.Achild’steacherisessentiallyhis
firstbossoutsideofthefamily.Ifastudentgrowsupwithouthavinganycoloredteachers,hewillnotseeanon-whitepersoninanauthoritativepositionuntilheisinhisearlytwentiesworkinghisfirstjob.Itisespeciallyimportantforyoungminoritystudentstoseeotherpeopleofcolorinauthoritativepositionstoshowthemthepossibilityfortheirownsuccesslaterinlife.Unfortunately,bythetimestudentsreachtheirfinaltwoyearsofundergraduateeducation,whenschoolsofeducationfocusonrecruitingthemasfuturestudents,mosthavealreadydecidedontheireventualcareer.Ifyoungpeopleofcolordonotseeminorityteachersintheirschools,theyhavenoreasontobelievetheyhavethecapacitytobecometeachers.Theywilllikelynotconsiderteachingapossiblefuturecareerforthemselves,resultinginagreaterproportionofwhiteteacherstominorityteachers.
Tocombatthismentality,educationalinstitutionssuchasStockton’sUniversityofthePacificshouldactivelymarkettopeopleofcolorasteenagers.TheseschoolscanorganizepresentationsfromminorityeducatorsforhighschoolandfirstyearundergraduatestudentsthroughethnicclubssuchasLincoln’sBlackStudentUnionandLincolnLatinLeadership.Manyof
FromtheABCNewsarticle‘StudentDiversityisUpButTeachersAreMostlyWhite.’PhotobyThomasBarwick.
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thesestudentsarestillcontemplatingtheirchoiceofcareerandaremoreopentoexploringdifferentfieldsofstudy.Hearingpresentationsfromsuccessfulminorityeducatorsmayencouragemorepeopleofcolortopursueteaching.Thissignifiesthatmoreminoritystudentswillhaveminorityteachers.Havingpeopleofcolorasteachersshowsthenextgenerationthattheyhavethecapacitytopursueateachingcareer,furtherboostingminorityenrollmentateducationschools.Thispositivefeedbackloopwillcreatemorecoloredteachersthatwilldecreasetheproportionofwhiteteachers.BymendingtheratiobetweenCaucasianandminorityteachers,youngpeopleofcolorwillhaverolemodelsoftheirethnicitiesshowingthemthattheyhavetheabilitytosucceednotjustasteachers,butinanywhite-dominatedcareer,whichisexactlythementalityweneedtofosterifwewanttoestablishracialandopportunityequalityintheCalifornia._________________________________________________________________________________________________________Reporton“ClimateChange:ImpactsonHealth”forumAbout40peoplegatheredintheHealthPlanofSanJoaquinCommunityRoomonSaturday,October17foraforumtitled“ClimateChange:ImpactsonHealth.”TheprogramopenedwithcommentsbyspecialguestCongressmanJerryMcNerney.
TheCongressmandiscussedsomepositivedevelopmentsatthefederallevelinaddressingglobalwarming.PresidentObamahasaclimateplanthathasovercomesomeresistancefromdevelopingcountrieslikeChinaandIndia.CongressismorewillingtoacknowledgedthatclimatechangeisbeinginfluencedbyhumanactivitiesandtoagreethattheU.S.shouldtakeaction,eventhoughitcan’tsolvetheproblemalone.AresolutionintroducedinSeptemberbyRep.ChrisGibson(R-N.Y.)and10HouseRepublicancolleaguescallsontheHouseofRepresentativestoworkconstructivelytoaddressclimatechange,affirminga
AtthePeople’sClimateMarchinNewYorkCity,2015.PhotobyCraigRuttle.
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moralobligationtostewardtheenvironmentandeconomyresponsibly.Itrecognizestheharmfuleffectsclimatechangeisalreadyhavingonhumanhealth,ecosystems,nationalsecurity,andtheeconomy.CongressmanMcNerneymentionedproblemsassociatedwithmilitaryrelianceonfossilfuels.Oilproducerswieldalotoffinancialandpoliticalinfluence,andtheCongressmanadvisedthoselobbyingforinitiativestocombatglobalwarmingtofocusonadverseeconomicimpactsintermsofhealthandjobs.Hementionedhisownresolution,HJR31,thatwouldaddresscampaignfinancereformbyspecifyingindividualcitizensorpublicelectionfinancingorvotereducationsystemsastheonlysourcesoffundingtodirectlyorindirectlysupportoropposecampaignsforelectiontopublicofficeorstateballotmeasures.TheCongressmansaidthattheCleanAirAct,passedduringtheNixonAdministration,isalittleoutofdateanddoeshavesomeinefficienciesthatmakeitvulnerabletobeingoverturned.Somearguethatitishardtoenforce.However,“Wedon’twanttounravelthewholething.”ModeratorBarbAlberson,SeniorDeputyDirectorforPolicyandPlanningforSanJoaquinPublicHealthServices,openedthepanelsectionoftheprogrambyintroducingDr.LindaRudolph,DirectoroftheCenterforClimateChangeandHealthatthePublicHealthInstituteinOaklandandco-conveneroftheU.S.ClimateandHealthAlliance.Dr.Rudolph,aphysician,reviewedtheaffectsofglobalwarmingonthewatercycle,waterquality,andsealevels.Warmingaffectsthefoodsupplybyloweringcropyieldsanddamagingwaterqualityforfisheries.Specifichealtheffectsincludeurbanheatislandsthatcanbe12degreesto20degreeshigherthansurroundingareas,andincreasedincidenceofValleyFeverduetoreleaseofsporesindust.NotedDr.Rudolph,“WejustfinishedthewarmestSeptembereverreported,hereandglobally.”Shelistedconflict,displacement,andmigrationasglobalconsequencesofclimatechange;internaldisplacementinSyriaaggravatedethnictensionsthatledtotherecentcivilwar.Livingconditionseverywhereinfluencehealth,andclimatechangeleadstohealthinequities.Dr.Rudolphcalledglobalwarminga“medicalemergency.”BonnieHolmes-Gen,SeniorDirectorforPolicyandAdvocacyfortheAmericanLungAssociationinCalifornia,tiedglobalwarmingtohealthrisksassociatedwithairpollution.SheestimatedtheannualcostofairpollutionintheSanJoaquinValleyat$11billion,includingprematurebirths,prematuredeaths,and$135millioninannualhospital
PhotofromtheInternationalCommissiononIrrigationandDrainage.
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costsfortreatmentofasthma.Wildfires,heatwaves,anddroughttrappollutionclosetotheground.TheAmericanLungAssociation’s2015StateoftheAirReport,whichgradeseverycountynationwide,foundthat7in10Californiansliveincountieswithfailinggradesforairquality.Thenumberofdayswithunhealthylevelsofozoneandparticulateshasgonedowninthelast15years,butthosenumbershavereboundedinSanJoaquinCounty,Merced,andtheSanJoaquinValleybecauseofdroughtandstagnantweather.Holmes-Gensaidthataclimatechangepenaltycancelsotherprogress.Nevertheless,Californiaisamodelforcleanairactions:“Wehavethebestpoliciesinthecountry.”
KatelynRoednerSutter,EnvironmentalJusticeProgramDirectoratCatholicCharities,DioceseofStockton,spokeabouttheimpactofclimatechangeonpoorandvulnerablecommunities.Lowsocio-economicsituation,foodinsecurity,poorhealth,andimpactsofpollutionoverlaptocreateasituationwhereaboutone-thirdofSanJoaquinCountyisfallsintoacategoryof“mostdisadvantaged.”TwentypercentofSanJoaquin
Countyresidentshavebeendiagnosedwithasthma,andresidentsin“communitiesofconcern”haveevenhigherrates.Already-badairismadeworsebythedrought,withnoraintotakeparticulatematteroutoftheair.RoednerSutterpointedoutthatairqualityproblemsanddroughthavenotjustphysicalbutalsomentalhealtheffects.Mentalhealthvisitsarehigheramongthemostvulnerablepopulationswhenpeopleconfrontweatherextremessuchasfloodsanddroughts.Shesaidthatthesuiciderateisup35%since2009incountiesinthesouthernSanJoaquinValley,andshesuggestedthatthismaycorrelatewiththeworseningdroughtanditsimpacts.StocktonisnowclassifiedwithOaklandandSanFranciscoinafederalcombinedstatisticalarea,partlybecauseofcommutepatterns.RoednerSuttersuggestedthatweneednotjustairqualitystandardsbutalsoinvestmentsandrethinkingabouthowgoodsandpeoplearemovedinthisregion.(Diesel,especiallyintrucking,isthebiggestsinglesourceofairpollution.)
GraphicbytheOdysseyOnline.
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Followingtheindividualpresentations,paneliststookaudiencequestions.Amongthepointsmadeduringthatsegmentoftheprogram:Whenhealthcareprofessionalsspeak,politicianslisten,sothese“healthmessengers”needtotaketheleadintyingclimateissuestohealth.Ourcurrenthealthcaresystemisnotresilientintermsofinfrastructure;hospitalsneedtobethelastbuildingstandingincatastrophessuchaswildfires,floods,orearthquakes.HealthbenefitsofoutdooractivityDOoutweighthedisadvantagesofbeingoutdoorsinpollutedair.Audiencememberswereencouragedtobecomeadvocatesasresidentsofthisregion,aregionwherelawmakershearmostlyfromnon-progressivevoices.AsDr.Rudolphsaid,“Weneedtoreachatippingpointinourpoliticalwill.”______________________________________________________________________________ProgramPlanningMeetingOurlocalLeaguehelditsProgramPlanningSessionon23January2016atthehomeofTreasurerJaneWagnerTyack.LeaguemembersdiscussedtheStrengths,Weaknesses,OpportunitiesandThreatsfacingourLeague.VoterService(e.g.,candidateforums,ProsandCons,SmartVoter)waseasilythemostprominentstrength.Limitedmemberparticipation,limitedfundingandtheperceptionoftheLeagueas“partisan”whenwetakestandsonissueswereamongtheweaknessesnoted.
FocusingmembershiprecruitmentonthosewhohaveaninterestinLeagueissues–suchasthosewhoattendourprograms–morepersonaloutreachtomembersinvitingthemtoparticipateinactivities,bettersocialmediaoutreachtoattractyoungermembersandincludingsocialjusticeissuesinourprogramswerementionedasopportunities.Apathy,
MembersparticipatinginJanuaryprogramplanningmeeting.
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distrustof“politics”,fewyoungmembersandinadequatefundingtopursuemorevigorousprogrammingwereamongthethreatsmentioned.
Weweregivenanoverviewofproposeddueschangesandthereasonsfortheproposals(seefullarticleelsewhereinthisVoter),anupdateonstateandlocaladvocacyeffortsanddetailsoftheEarlyChildhoodEducationforumthatLWVSJCwillhostonApril30th.Wewerealsoinformedaboutoutreachtohighschoolstudentsviajournalismteachers:studentsarebeingaskedtosubmitarticles/essaysfocusingonissuestheyfeelareimportanttothembutwhichhavenotbeengivenadequatecoverageinthemedia.WeanticipatepublishingoneormorestudentarticlesinourVoter.DuringProgramPlanningforthe2016-2017Leagueyear,weselectedissuesforeducationandadvocacy:GunViolencePrevention,VoterService(forums,ProsandCons,voterregistration)andImmigrationwereselectedasthetopissues,thoughLibraryandCampaignFinanceReformcloselyfollowedthetopvote-getters.Finally,wediscussedthreemoviesthatwemightshowata“movienight”oraLunchandLearn:
• FixIt(onsinglepayerhealthcare),• PlasticParadise(onthedangersofplastic),and• IronJawedAngels(aboutthestrugglesofAlicePaulandtheearlysuffragists).
WatchyourVoterandemailsforinformationonwhenthesefilmswillbeshown.
***ProsandConsTrainingVickieMarkarianwillholdaProsandConsTrainingatherhomeMonday,March21,2016,from1:00to3:00pmatherhomeinManteca,CA.ProsandConspresentationsareoneoftheLeague’smostimportantVoterServices.Presentationsaregenerallyrequestednotonlyforweekdaysbutweekendsaswell.Andyoucangivepresentationsaspartofateam,ifyouareshy.PleaseconsiderattendingthistrainingtolearnmoreaboutthebasicsofwhattheLeaguedoes.FormoreinformationcallKathySchick([email protected]).
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EarlyChildhoodEducationProgramsForumOnSaturdaymorning,April30,theSanJoaquinCountyLeaguewillpresent“EarlyChildhoodEducationProgramsinSanJoaquinCounty:WhatisCurrentlyAvailable—CanWeDoMore?”Thisforumisinresponsetooneoftheprogramplanninggoalssetatour2015ProgramPlanningMeeting,wherewediscussedproblemswitheducationinourcountyincludingwoefulstatisticsinearlyliteracy.WearepleasedthatwehavebeenabletopartnerwiththeSanJoaquinCountyOfficeofEducationforthepresentation.WewillbeconcentratingoncomprehensiveclassroomprogramssuchasHeadStartandStatePreschool.Ourline-upofknowledgeablespeakersincludesKayRuhstaller,DirectoroftheSanJoaquinCountyResourceandReferralAgency;LindaCraig,ProgramDirectorfromElConcilio;NancyCook,DirectoroftheDeltaCollegeChildDevelopmentCenter,tentativelyAngelaBeyer,professorinDelta’sEarlyChildhoodEdDepartment;andseveralpeoplefromtheCountyOfficeofEducationEarlyChildhoodEducationDepartment.Happily,ourtimingseemsinsyncwiththeSanJoaquinChildren’sAlliance’scallfortheSanJoaquinCountyBoardofSupervisorstodevelopaChildren’sBillofRightsforourcounty.TheprogramwillbeheldApril30from9:30to12:30attheCountyOfficeofEducationjustoffArchRoad.Watchfora“SavetheDate”announcementwithfulldetails.
***
StateLeaguewateractivitieswithalocalimpactbyJaneWagner-TyackMattersthataffecttheSacramento-SanJoaquinDeltaalsoaffectSanJoaquinCounty.ThisisespeciallytrueofWaterFix,theAdministration’splantobuildtwintunnelsundertheDelta.ThispastOctober,LWVCsubmittedcommentstotheproject’splannersthatarecriticalofWaterFix.Continued
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LWVCdoesnothaveapositionopposingDeltaconveyance,buttheLeaguedoeshavecriteriathatanyconveyanceprojectwouldneedtomeet.LWVCfoundthatWaterFixfailstomeetthesecriteria:∙ Realisticlimitsontheamountofwatertobeexported∙ Urbanandagriculturalconservationandreclamationstrategiesinplacetominimize
relianceonDeltaexports∙ FederalandstatecommitmenttohighwaterqualitystandardsintheDeltaand
estuary∙ Strong,bindingenvironmentalsafeguards∙ Fullassessmentofeconomic,social,andenvironmentalcostsandbenefitsofthe
projectLWVCwillnotsupportanyconveyanceprojectthatdoesn’tmeetthesecriteria.LWVChassignedontoletterstotheStateWaterResourcesControlBoardandtheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgencycallingfortheWaterBoardtoupdateitsWaterQualityControlPlanfortheSanFranciscoBay-DeltaEstuary.Currentwaterqualitystandardsarefailingtoprotectfishandotherbeneficialusesofthewater,yettheWaterBoardispoisedtodelayreviewasrequiredundertheCleanWaterAct.TheLWVCwatercommitteewaspleasedthatthisissuemetLWVUScriteriaforustosignontothelettertoafederalagency.AsaLWVSJCObserver,IattendSanJoaquinCountyAdvisoryWaterCommissionmeetingsandhavebeenfollowingthecounty’sresponsetotheSustainableGroundwaterManagementActof2014(SGMA).SGMAhasimportantimplicationsforSanJoaquinCounty,whichoverliestheEasternSanJoaquinSub-Basin.SinceSeptemberof2015,aworkinggroupofalmosttwodozencities,irrigationdistrictsandotherinterestedagenciesinthisandneighboringcountieshasbeenmeetingtodiscusshowtocomplywiththetimelineestablishedbySGMA.Wateragenciesinthesub-basinhaveuntilJanuary2020tocomeupwithaplanforsustainablymanagingthebasinbeforethestateintervenes.ThematterofpoliticaljurisdictioniscurrentlydominatinglocaleffortsasindividualcitiesanddistrictsformtheirowngroundwatersustainabilityagenciesandfileforapprovalfromDWR.SanJoaquinCountyhasfiledasan“umbrella”sustainabilityagencyforthesub-basin.
PhotofromCounterPunch.
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California’sgroundwaterbasinshaveuntil2040or2042toactuallyachievegroundwatersustainability,atermthathasnotyetbeenclearlydefined.AstheLegislatureresumesworkthisyear,atleasttwobillsoflocalinteresthavebeenintroduced.SenatorWolk’sSB554callsforeliminatingtheJuly2018sunsetontheDeltaLeveeSubventionsProgramforstatereimbursementofupto75%oflocalcostsforleveework.ThiswouldrepresentapermanentStatecommitmenttoaprogramthathassignificantlyreducedfailuresofDeltaleveesthatprotectpeopleandvitalStateandlocal
infrastructureintheDelta.ItisbeingsponsoredbytheCaliforniaCentralValleyFloodControlAssociation.Asthingsstandrightnow,thepublicwillnotbeabletovoteonthetwintunnelsplanbecausethewatercontractorsproposetopayforitthemselveswithoutuseofgeneralfundmonies.AssemblymemberEggman’sAB1713wouldrequireaneconomicfeasibilityanalysisbytheLegislativeAnalyst’sOfficeandapublicvoteauthorizingconstructionofaperipheralcanal,whichthebilldefinesas"afacilityorstructurethatconveyswaterdirectlyfromadiversionpointintheSacramentoRivertopumpingfacilitiesoftheStateWaterProjectorthefederalCentralValleyProjectsouthoftheDelta.”ThiswouldcoverthetwintunnelsandWaterfix.Regardingchloramines,neitherLWVSJCnorLWVChasanypositionontheirusetodisinfectwater.
LWVSJCBoardofDirectors
2015-2016
OfficersKathySchick,President
KathyCasenave,2ndVicePresident,DianePark,Secretary,
JaneWagner-Tyack,Treasurer
DirectorsBillLoyko
ChristeenFerreeColleenFosterBeaLingenfelterCateWhiteJulieSchardt
Finance
DonnaBrownBillLoyko
AdvocacyCateWhite
VoterServices/SpeakersBureau
VickieMarkarianBeaLingenfelterDeeMatteucci
SocialMediaCommunication
StinaVa
WebmasterWaltWhite
Voter
Co-editors,JaneWagner-TyackandJulieSchardt
Layout,RyanCamero
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LWVSJCBoardproposesduesincrease Atthe2016annualmeeting,theLWVSJCBoardofDirectorswillaskmemberstoapproveaduesincreasecoupledwithanewapproachtoLeagueengagement. Whyweneedtoincreasedues AsaconditionofitsassociationwiththeLeagueofWomenVotersatthestateandnationallevels,theLeagueofWomenVotersofSanJoaquinCountymakesannualpermemberpayments(PMPs).WithrecentincreasesinPMPs,ourlocalLeaguenowowesatotalof$60peryearforeachindividualmember—$32toLWVUS,$28toLWVC.ForhouseholdswithasecondpersonwhoisaLeaguemember,thePMPishalfagainthecostforanindividualmember—atotalof$90peryearperhousehold. LWVSJC’scurrentduesforindividualmembersare$60peryear,whichcoversjustourPMPobligations;householdduesarecurrently$100,only$10morethanourPMPobligationforahousehold.ButourlocalLeaguehasotherexpensesbesidesPMPs.AnanalysisofLWVSJCadministrativeexpensesfrom2009-2015(includingrent,websitefee,mailboxfee,filingfees,insurance,officesupplies,printingandpostage,andpublicationcosts)revealedthatourbasiclocaloperatingcostsaveraged$28permemberinadditiontoPMPcosts.Membershipnumbersusedforthisanalysisincludesecondmembersofhouseholds(not“half”members),sothelocalpermembercostisbasicallythesameforeachmemberofthehousehold. Inrecognitionthatitisnotrealisticforustotrytorecoverthesecoststhroughfundraisingalone,theLWVSJCBoardisrecommendinganincreaseinbothindividualandhouseholddues,effectiveforfiscalyear2016-2017(membershipyearJuly1,2016throughJune30,2017).TheBoardisproposingGeneralMemberduesof$90forindividualsand$140forhouseholds. Otherlevelsofengagement AbouthalfofourLWVSJCmembersrespondedtoaquestionnaireinthefallof2015regardingwhetherornottoraisedues.Ofthosewhoresponded,70percentwerewillingtoraisedues,while30percentwantedtofindwaystokeepdueslow. Werecognizethatsomeindividualswhowouldliketobeactiveinourworkwouldpreferalowerleveloffinancialcommitment.SotheBoardisproposinganonmembercategorycalledActiveAssociate,withadonationof$30.Thiscategoryisforstudents,thoseonfixedincomes,andotherswhodonotwanttoformallyjointheLeaguebutwanttoparticipateinLeagueevents,helpadvocateonissuestheLeaguecaresabout,andhelptoeducatevoters. Atthesametime,theBoardwouldliketohonorthewillingnessofthosewhoareabletosupportthefullcostsofouractivities.TheproposedduesincreasecoversPMPobligations
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andbasiclocaloperatingexpenses,butitdoesn’tcovermanyoftheactivitiesassociatedwithourmissionofencouraginginformedandactiveparticipationingovernment,increasingunderstandingofmajorpublicpolicyissues,andinfluencingpublicpolicythrougheducationandadvocacy.ThoseabletodosomaybecomeMissionSupportMembersfor$150perindividual. Boardrecommendation Ourbylawsrequirethatmembersapproveanyduesincreaseattheannualmeeting.Theboardwillberecommendinganincreaseinduesto$90perindividual,$140perhouseholdtocoverourPMPobligationsandthemajorityofourlocaloperatingexpenses.Thisincrease,ifapproved,willbeeffectiveJuly1,2016forthe2016-2017membership/fiscalyear. AChangingClimateHereandTherebyRyanCameroForabouttwoweeksfromlateNovembertoearlyDecember,IhadthewildexperienceofrepresentingCaliforniayouthasadelegatetotheinternationalclimatetalksinParis,theCOP21.Ilearnedanastonishingamountandindifferentways:thatcolonialism(thepracticeofacquiringfullorpoliticalcontroloveranareaandexploitingiteconomically)andcorporateglobalization(themeansofproductionhavebecomewastefulandexcessiveintheirconsumptionofresources)haveenactedthecurrentcrisisweseeourselvesintoday,fromlocallyhereintheDeltatoalltheplacesthatseeitinsomeway;thatitwilltakecivicengagement,inspiringcreativityandabravewillingnesstoshapeanewworldoutofourold,failingsystems;andthatallofourgrievancesareinherentlyconnectedanditwilltakeeveryidentityworkingtogethertosolveourstruggles.Thestrongesttakeaway,however,isthatthecarewehaveforourclimate—whetheritisthepersonal,theecological,theeconomicorsocial—willdeterminethelivesweliveandthefuturewecreate.
CaliforniayouthdelegateRyanCamerospeakingwithsocialactivist/authorNaomiKlein.
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WehadaveryproductiveFall2015,beginningwithawell-attendedkick-offmeetingatthelovelyhomeofboardmemberChristeenFerree.ThankstoChristeen’shospitalityweallhadachancetorenewourenergiesandbeginanambitiousyear.Although2015wasnotanelectionyear,theboardkeptverybusy.OurexcellentforumontheHealthEffectsofClimateChangewasahighlightlastautumn.Afterallthathardwork,wewerereadyfortheholidayparty.AndourplanningmeetinginJanuary2016madegreatprogresswithprogramstofillupthenextfewyears.Butnotalltheboard’sworkisvisibletothepubliceye.Wewrestledwithdifficultchoices(andlobbiedotherleaguesthroughoutthestate)inordertodevelopournewduesstructure.However,eventhedifficultandunpleasantjobs,suchasbalancingourbudgetwhilestillofferingthesamevoterservicesandexcellentforums,areajoyinthepresenceofalltheotherwell-informedandinterestingwomen(andman)servingontheLVWSJCboard.Weareimmediatelyinneedofa1stVicePresidentandarepresentativetoSanJoaquinCouncilofGovernments.ByMaywewillneednewboardmembersandofficers.Canyoupictureyourselfinteractingwithourexcitingboardmembers?Wehaveappointedanominatingcommittee:SusanLoyko(209-943-1575,[email protected]),DaphneShaw,JulieSchardtandmyselftosearchoutnewboardmembers,chairsandofficers.Pleaseletusknowifyoumightbeinterestedinjoiningtheboard.Perhapsyouaren’treadyfortheresponsibilitiesofaboardmember,butwouldliketoexperiencemoreofwhattheLeagueisallabout:VoterServices.PleaseconsiderattendingourProsandConstraining,March21.Andbereadyforthecalltohelpwithupcomingcandidateforums.(Myfirstparticipationwithacandidateforumwassimplyholdinguptimecardstomakesureeachcandidatehadequaltime.Itwassothrillingdoingthissimpletask,wearingmyLeagueofWomenVotersbuttonandparticipatingininvaluablevotereducation!)Pleasefeelfreetocontactmeatmyemailaddress([email protected])oratmyhomephonenumber(209-464-8304)ifyouhaveanyquestionsorconcerns.Yourstruly,KathySchick
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CarolHemminger7/19/1940-1/5/2016
CarolHemmingerwaspresidentoftheLeagueofWomenVotersofSanJoaquinCountyfrom1981-1983.ShesteppedupwhenourLeaguewasontheedgeofahiatusduetothelackofapresident.ShebroughtherspecialbrandofhumorandforthrightnesstothejobandtheLeaguecontinuedtobeastrongpresenceinciviclife.In1970CarolandherhusbandLeemovedtoStocktonwheresheraisedtheirchildren,joinedtheLeagueandearnedherdegreein
PoliticalScienceandJournalismfromSacramentoState.SheworkedasalegislativeaidetoAssemblymanandSenatorPatrickJohnstonfor10yearspriortoherretirementin1996.ShewasanavidtennisplayerandenjoyedmanyyearsoftournamentplayinCityofStocktonandlocalathleticclubleagues.CarolandLeeenjoyedtravelinganddidsoextensivelythroughouttheirmarriage.Carolwasadelighttoknow.Herfamilyaskedthatinlieuofflowers,memorialcontributionsbemadetotheLeagueofWomenVotersofSanJoaquinCounty._________________________________________________________________________________________________________
LeagueofWomenVotersofSanJoaquinCountyP.O.Box4548Stockton,CA95204Email:[email protected]
The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major
public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.
