Meeting reflections

Meeting Reflections – October 11, Lori Wilson & State Ballot Props

MEETING REFLECTIONS
OCTOBER 11, 2022, 7:00 PM

Read summary reflections below.
Watch the Zoom recording here. 

Candidate for Assembly Lori Wilson

Our program this month featured Lori Wilson, our District 11 California Assembly Member, who is running for re-election. Ms. Wilson talked about issues facing the District and State.  (See recorded video for intro at minute 2:50 and Assemblywoman Wilson at 4:00.)

State Ballot Propositions

We also heard speakers and discussed the following important State ballot propositions:

  • Proposition 1: The Proposition is a legislatively proposed amendment to the California Constitution to prohibit the State from denying or interfering with an individual’s reproductive freedom in their most intimate decisions, which includes their fundamental right to choose to have an abortion and their fundamental right to choose or refuse contraceptives. Gina Fisher, Speakers Bureau Director of the Yes on Prop. 1, shared the campaign’s perspective on the proposition. (See recorded video at minute 32:00)
  • Proposition 28: The Proposition proposes to provide additional funding for arts and music education in all K-12 public schools by annually allocating from state General Fund an amount equaling 1% of required state and local funding for public schools and a greater allocation to schools serving economically disadvantaged areas. Danielle Bunch of Create CA spoke about why her group supports the proposition. (See recorded video at minute  49:21)
  • Proposition 30: Proposition 30 is the increasingly controversial proposition that proposes to fund programs to reduce greenhouse gasses by imposing taxes on Californian with personal incomes exceeding $2 million. Max Baumhefner, an attorney at the Natural Resources Defense Counsel, and a member of the coalition supporting the Yes on 30 campaign, will speak about the need for the proposition. (See recorded video at minute 1:08:08)

Local Candidates Birdseye and Scott

We heard from our two endorsed candidates for Benicia City Council, who shared recent campaign efforts and the need for volunteers in these final weeks before the Nov 8 election. See the recorded video – Terry Scott spoke at minute 1:24:54 and Kari Birdseye spoke at minute  1:27:04.

Valero/Labor PAC Update and discussion

Mayor Steve Young offered comments about the Valero/Labor PAC’s apparent lack of involvement this year (so far) in supporting or opposing candidates for Benicia City Council. The PAC is sitting on a war chest of over $220,000, and PDB members have not received any mailers from the PAC as yet.  The PAC has yet to file a campaign finance report with the City of Benicia, which would indicate that they have not exceeded $1,000 for or against any given candidate.

Announcements

  • A member promoted the October 12, 2022 local Candidate Forum, sponsored by the League of Women Voters Solano and the American Association of University Women. [Later: recording of the Forum is now available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7m49BYWS4bg ]
  • This member also shared information about Benicia Voice Podcast, available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts at https://anchor.fm/beniciavoice/.  Recent Benicia Voice topics have included Clean and Fair Elections in Benicia and interviews with all five candidates for Benicia City Council.
  • A member shared information about a SafeQuest Solano fundraiser, Art From the Heart, on October 24.  SafeQuest Solano organizes domestic violence and sexual assault response programs.
  • This member also encouraged members to consider serving on the PDB Steering Committee. PDB is also looking for someone to serve as our next club Secretary.
  • A member concluded with a reminder for all members to vote, and to remind all family members and friends to vote.
  • NEXT MEETING: November 15, 2022 at 7 PM.
Benicia City Council, Kari Birdseye, Local elections, Terry Scott

Benicia Artist Yard Sign Auction is LIVE!

Support for Kari Birdseye & Terry Scott – our Benicia City Council candidates

(NOTICE: AUCTION EXTENDED TO 8PM ON THURS. AUG 15.)

Montage of artist yard signs for Kari Birdseye and Terry Scott – view and bid on these and many more at the AUCTION.

Scores of Benicia artists have created original, handmade campaign yard signs to support our two favorite candidates, Kari Birdseye and Terry Scott which will be installed in yards all over town, and widely posted on social media.

From the Artists: “Our hope is that all the signs find homes in front of Benicia domiciles, and that we raise some serious money for the two campaigns. And finally we hope this helps get Kari and Terry seats on our City Council. Our vibrant and genuine affirmations in the form of campaign signs will balance the negative campaigning we may soon see from Big Oil interests. Thanks for your support ~ have fun bidding!”

Here’s how you can get your sign!

Click on this link: runmyauction.com/kariterry.php
(or use and share the QR code) to make bids and purchases in the Artist Sign Project Auction.

>>NOTE: The Auction ends at 8pm sharp on Wednesday, September 14. (NOTICE: AUCTION EXTENDED TO 8PM ON THURS. AUG 15.)

Thank you for supporting Kari Birdseye and Terry Scott for Benicia City Council. Let’s show what grass roots can do! All proceeds benefit the campaigns.

Meeting reflections

Meeting Reflections – September 13, Local Ballot Measures

MEETING REFLECTIONS
PDB MEMBERSHIP MEETING
SEPTEMBER 13, 2022

Read summary reflections below.
Watch the Zoom recording here.  >Passcode: ^9#YCAHJ

Local Ballot Measure K

After inhouse business and announcements, our meeting focused once again on the upcoming fall election.  We heard first about Benicia ballot measure K.

Bob Berman, Benicia

Bob Berman with the Solano County Orderly Growth Committee spoke about the history of Measure K and why it is back on the ballot.

A yes vote on the ballot measure will extend the duration of our Urban Growth Boundary Measure:

    • Continues existing protection – preventing urban sprawl
    • Preserving agricultural land and open space
    • Extension until December 31, 2043

“The language of the renewal measure is exactly the same as the current measure except for the expiration date. But remember: two previous City Councils have determined that specific renewable energy projects not requiring public services (one a wind turbine project and one a solar project) were consistent with the language of Measure K.”

Check out Bob’s introduction, comments and our conversation with him on the meeting recording. You can fast forward to 00:17:19.

For further study: Ballot Measure K, an Impartial Analysis, and the argument in favor can be found on the Solano County Registrar of Voters website.

Local Ballot Measure R

Erik Upson, Benicia City Manager

Erik Upson, our Benicia City Manager, gave us some insight into the Benicia budget and why Measure R was put on the ballot.

Check out Erik’s introduction, comments and our conversation with him on the meeting recording – you can fast forward to 00:37:05.

Erik clarified first that his position is such that he is not speaking to advocate for or against the measure, but only to provide information, understanding and context.

He explained that our small city is a “full service” city – we have our own police, fire, water and wastewater services, library, parks and recreation department,  a marina and a federally recognized dam and reservoir, a refinery, a deep water port, two State parks, a historic district, etc.  “It’s monumentally challenging for a city our size with 211 employees.”

Our greatest challenges include retaining and attracting staff, and the issue of deferred maintenance.  Measure R is directed at resources that will assist in both. Once we have spent money to improve the roads it will be cheaper in the future to maintain them. More money spent now on improvements means less money spent in the future.

Measure R would adopt a transaction & use tax:

    • Adding 0.75% tax on retail sales price
    • Increases retail sales tax to 9.125%
    • Current retail sales tax is 8.375%
      • 7.25% – State
      • 0.125% – Solano County
      • 1% City of Benicia

For further study: The official Ballot Measure R, an Impartial Analysis, and arguments for and against can be found on the Solano County Registrar of Voters website.

Voting whether to endorse Measure K and Measure R – YES ON BOTH!

Following the presentations, members in good standing voted to endorse Measure K and Measure R.

Tonight’s Action Items

Kathy Kerridge highlighted tonight’s action items.  All are encouraged to make a quick phone call to our legislators about “Joe Manchin’s dirty side deal.”  For links, phone numbers and a script, scroll down to page 4, September action at https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HQ2_r5aOZ255jl277ODmcr1vfZ2GPwoU/edit . https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HQ2_r5aOZ255jl277ODmcr1vfZ2GPwoU/edit

Announcements

  • Benicia Mayor Steve Young – At Council on September 20, we will hear a report on citizens’ water conservation. We were asked to conserve 20% a couple months ago.  We will also hear from Equity and Diversity Manager Dr. Maliika Chambers, to update us on her work and the work that the Committee United for Racial Equity (CURE) has been doing.  We will also consider three requests: one from Councilmember Strawbridge on soccer fields, another from Vice Mayor Campbell on a pride sidewalk, and another from Councilmember Largaespada on vacant First Street properties.
  • Maggie Kolk (for Bart Sullivan, not present) –
  • Lisa Reinertson – Kari Birdseye & Terry Scott Artist Sign Auction. Many artists from the Benicia community have painted campaign signs for our candidates Kari Birdseye and Terry Scott.  Deadline for bids is tomorrow night, 8PM sharp, August 14th. (NOTICE: AUCTION EXTENDED TO 8PM ON THURS. AUG 15.) All proceeds go to the campaigns. https://www.runmyauction.com/kariterry.php
  • Maggie Kolk – Solano Pride Fundraiser, Saturday Oct 1, 6-10PM, at the Dan Foley Cultural Center, 1499 North Camino Alto, Vallejo.  eventbrite.com/e/roaring-20s-casino-night-tickets-405424785447 or facebook.com/events/455389029827571/
  • Terry Scott– Election day is only 56 days away! My campaign for City Council is looking for volunteers.  Email me at  [email protected] or go to the website https://www.terryscottforbenicia2022.org/.
  • Terry Mollica (for Kari Birdseye) – Ballots will go out in the mail on October 10, so we have less than a month before voting will start! It’s crunch time now, lots of ways to contribute as volunteers for Kari in big ways and little ways. Kari’s website is https://karibirdseyeforbenicia.com/ Go to the How Can I Help page.
  • Kathy Kerridge – Please consider becoming a member of our Steering Committee.  We will be losing Maggie, our secretary at year’s end, and it would be great to have a few more people to participate.  If interested, and for any questions, email me [email protected].

Equity & Justice For All