LWVDV received a request from LWVC Criminal Justice interest groups to do targeted in-district lobbying for SB 94 Sentencing Reform, which allows judges to review certain life-without-parole sentences                       . 
 
Sue Brandy, Diane Bianchi and I met with Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, and Marian Shostrom and I met with Michael Sponsler, District Office Manager for Assemblymember Tim Grayson. 
 
To prepare for the meetings, we were given a SB 94 Fact Sheet and guidelines for lobbying meetings,and we met with Gloria Chun Hoo and Carolina Goodman from LWVC and Natasha Minsker from the California Anti-Death Penalty Coalition. 
 
In our meeting with Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan, she asked questions we were not able to answer about how SB 94 is different from other sentencing reform bills already passed. Sue Brandy then contacted Gloria Chun Hoo. Natasha and a colleague provided further information for Sue's follow-up email to the assemblymember.  
 
Marian and I were able to use that information when we met with Michael Sponsler. During that meeting, Marian emphasized that the people eligible for this review are mostly women and people of color, as well as youthful offenders. The support from many members of the faith community was also important. The response to our visit was positive. 
 
One lesson that I learned from this experience is the importance of working with a legislator's staff in the lobbying process.  It can actually be more effective to meet with staff, who are often more knowledgeable about bills, and very difficult to get a meeting with the legislator. I would definitely recommend getting the first available meeting with a staff member for lobbying. 

 

Both Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan and Michael Sponsler said that they have high regard for LWVDV and our support for a bill is meaningful.

Unfortunately, SB 94 did not make it to a vote in the Assembly.  It is now a two-year bill, currently inactive, and may be brought up again in 2024.