by Mary Schreiber, Action Committee chair
Welcome and Introductions
Attending: Bill Smith, Jonee Grassi, Marian Shostrom, Anne Granlund, Leslie Stewart, Susan Hildreth, Ana Pan, Fred Sullivan, Shawn Gilbert, Joanne Supersad, Suzan Requa, Emily Hopkins, Marian Moris, Melanie Speir, Bill Spier, Mary Schreiber
Issue Areas
Civic Engagement: Melanie Speir - Melanie is contacting local school boards and city councils to find out what issues they are having with public meetings and what LWVDV can do to help.
Criminal Justice: KQED Article on Criminal Justice Reform in Contra Costa County
- Discussed local environment concerns. Brentwood and Antioch are considering drilling bans. Brentwood Drilling Ban
- Contra Costa County is working on its General Plan which includes an EIR and a state requirement to consider the public health effects of climate change.
- Climate/Environment was discussed at Program Planning as a possible priority for 2024-2025.
Gun Safety: No update. Gun Safety is a current program priority. Sue Brandy will continue to monitor for updates.
- Marian Shostrom reported that Ash Kalra introduced AB 2200 Health Care For All with 17 cosponsors.
- Jonee Grassi is doing a legislative analysis for PNHP (Physicians for a National Health Plan) which has a team of 8 people.
- BHSA (Behavioral Health Services Act) Proposition 1 was discussed at length.
- LWVDV did a Pros and Cons about Proposition 1 on Thursday February 15 and it is available on the LWVDV YouTube channel.
- LWVC position on Prop 1
- Updated Fact Sheet on Behavioral Health Services Act
- CNWS Bill Spier reported that the Term Sheet hearing has been postponed.
- Suzan Requa is part of a community that is working to get more transparency in the process.
- Bill Smith said that nearly every Military Base has a RESTORATION ADVISORY BOARD, for example Alameda Naval Air Station Restoration Advisory Board. There appears to be a CNWS RAB: https://www.bracpmo.navy.mil/Library/Community-Information/Display/Article/3581259/hybrid-rab-meeting-nws-concord-nov-08-2023/
- Concord approved a Rent Control ordinance this month.
- Bill Speir talked about Housing Elements. The city of Lafayette had its last proposal rejected and may be subjected to the Builder's Remedy.
Board of Supervisors: Mary Schreiber - Federal Glover is Chair of the Board this year. The January 30 meeting was the Budget Update.
Program Planning meeting: Anne Granlund gave a report on the meeting, which was held on February 9.
Legislative Interviews Update: Mary Schreiber. Interviews have taken place with Assemblymember Grayson and Senator Glazer. An interview with Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan is scheduled for February 29. Bill Smith, Susan Hildreth and Jonee Grassi reported on the Glazer interview. Joanne Supersad reported on the Grayson interview. Mary Schreiber was note-taker at both interviews. We discussed the differences in the legislators’ responses.
Announcements/Sharing Information
- We discussed that the Antioch Public Library is closed until further notice. Discussion about the effects on access to information about elections took place. Suzan Requa and Shawn Gilbert will look into whether there is something LWVDV can do.
- Discussion about Mis/Disinformation. Recommendations:
- The Media and Me a Guide to Critical Media Literacy by Project Censored
- For fun education teenager or adult - Verify It! developed by LWV Alameda. (SmithWJA [at] gmail.com and I will put you in touch with the developers.)
- LWV Bay Area webinar series:
- October 10, 2023: Death vs Dollars is our Health and Individual or Collective Responsibility
- February 12, 2024: Infection Associated Chronic Disease
- New east bay deportation court
- Local challenges and opportunities for promoting human rights at home
NEXT MEETING: March 16, 202
