Present:

LWV Humboldt County: Jessica Schlachter, Sharolyn Hutton, and Sharrone Blanck

LWV Sonoma County: Debbie McKay and Donna Roper

LWV Mendocino County: Jess Yates, Eileen Mitro, and Peter McNamee

Legislator and staff: Jim Wood and Erin Dunn

Notes taken by Jessica Schlachter

Question 1: Redistricting Changes in Advance of 2031 

What changes, if any, would you support for the next redistricting cycle in 2031?

• The redistricting process can be scary for some members
• Special districts would be done on the local level
• Gerrymandering is less of an issue here in California than it is in other states

Question 2: Climate Change, Water, and Equity 

What do you see as ways California can help these communities while dealing with the water effects of climate change upon the state? How do we move toward equity and sustainability? Please tell us about both proposed and potential legislation and funding sources. 

• There is currently very little rain predicted in the upcoming forecasts for this region, which is reminiscent of the crisis in 2014
• The needs of the North Coast are different than those of the Bay Area, so it’s vital that the rural areas aren’t left out in discussions and plans
• If addressing equity, all communities need to be looked at
• State legislators are hopefully looking at a climate bond soon
• There is trouble getting everyone on the same page, as California is an incredibly diverse state 
• Communities of color and lower socioeconomic communities are most at risk for the adverse effects of climate change—Wood is dedicated to making sure those communities are acknowledged
• Governor Newson recently signed a bill to phase out the sales of new gas- and diesel-powered engines
• Wood’s concern is that if not structured correctly, the needs of rural California aren’t represented

Question 3: California’s Children and Youth Mental Health Emergency 

What more needs to be done to address the mental health needs of California’s children and youth? Do you anticipate proposing or supporting any legislation to confront the growing problem? 

• Humboldt County has the highest number of ACEs (adverse childhood experiences) per capita—twice the state average
• Wood feels that the 4.4 billion dollars allocated is not enough to solve the current problems
• He stressed “help me to understand what you need on the ground and I’ll go to bat for you”
• He supports behavioral health initiatives 
• One of the biggest challenges is that the workforce needs to be expanded and grow to meet the needs of communities
  • Current budget is looking at expanding the workforce
  • Should allow flexibility in counties, as a one size fits all approach doesn’t necessarily work

Question 4: Personal Priorities of Legislator 

What other major issues do you think the legislature must deal with in 2022? What are your personal priorities?

• Healthcare
  • Obviously COVID is forefront currently
  • Quality, affordable, accessible healthcare is vital

▪   AB1400 unfortunately didn’t advance—would like to keep that on the front burner

▪   California’s Office of Healthcare Affordability

• Monitors how money is being spent, outcomes, and who the cost drivers are
• Sets targets for expenditures
• Complying data, may issue fines if targets aren’t met

▪   Estimated that 30-40% of healthcare spending in California is wasted

▪   Regional disparities in cost and access to healthcare across the state

▪   Cost of healthcare rises at two times that of inflation

▪   86% of people in California stay that the cost of healthcare is “important” or “extremely important” 

• Affordable Housing
  • Wood stressed that he is not a housing expert—he defers to more knowledgeable colleagues
  • Bills were pushed through the legislature last year to regarding accessory dwelling units and to streamline the process of building new housing
  • Housing costs are astronomical
  • Cost of building supplies are also high—California has some of the most stringent timber laws in the country, which drives up the cost of timber/lumber overall
  • People can be resistant to infill and more dense housing
  • Every county in the state is experiencing housing and homeless issues



Optional Question 5: Local Issues 

• Asked by Sharrone Blanck (LWVHC)
  • Follow up to Question 3: How do people contact you with their needs?

▪   Contact through office people

• Erin Dunn in Eureka
• Ruth Valenzula in Mendocino County
• Will Tesconi in Sonoma County
• Asked by Peter McNamee (LWVMC)
  • Mendocino County has a large amount of low wage jobs—higher wages are necessary to afford housing. How can the wages be raised?

▪   It’s a statewide issue

▪   California is one of the first states to have a $15 minimum wage

▪    Humboldt and Mendocino Counties do not have much wage growth, despite having high costs of living

▪    Living wages are important

• Asked by Eileen Mitro (LWVMC)
  • AB1218, regarding infrastructure, why is there a struggle for accessible electric vehicle charging stations?

▪    Upfront costs are astronomical

▪    “If you have adequate infrastructure, people will hopefully do the right thing”

▪     By 2035, you will not be able to buy new gas- and diesel-powered vehicles in California, and what happens in the infrastructure for electric vehicles isn’t there?

• Wood particularly worries about rural areas
• If an area like Humboldt is lacking infrastructure such as charging stations, would the 2035 deadline be delayed out of necessity?