Getting smart about upcoming CA State legislative session

From 350 Bay Area – EVENTS
[Message from PDB Chair Ralph Dennis: “Anyone interested in going to the meeting with me, Sat. Jan. 26, 2:00 to 4:00?”  Reply to Ralph at redennis5156 at att dot net.]

2019 MEETING  –  350 BAY AREA ACTION LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE
JANUARY 26 @ 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

350 Bay Area is convening its first Legislative Action Committee meeting for 2019, and is inviting climate activists interested in working on state climate legislation to attend. Legislative issues expected to be discussed include electrifying transportation, pushing smart growth while preserving low income housing, protecting community choice energy, stopping fracking, and closing down California’s existing oil production.

In addition, the meeting will also focus on lobbying bills, working with our legislators, and partnering with allies.

Where:
Sierra Club Bay Chapter Office

2530 San Pablo Ave., Unit 1
Berkeley

350 Bay Area works to stop climate chaos by supporting clean energy and eliminating fossil fuels. Its mission is building a grassroots climate movement in the Bay Area and beyond that achieves deep reductions in carbon pollution and presses for socially equitable solutions and a just transition to clean energy. Its vision is that all who live in the Bay Area equitably share clean air, water and soil in a healthy, thriving and stable post-carbon future, benefiting all life.

MoveOn: Can we send you a free “Impeach Trump” sticker?

An email from MoveOn.org
[This email came as a MoveOn fundraiser, so you have to give them your info to get one – but we really thought it would be great to see a bunch of these bumper stickers around town!]

Can we send you a free “Impeach Trump” sticker?

Late last night, Buzzfeed News broke the news that Donald Trump directed Michael Cohen to lie to Congress about his dealings with Russia, leading Cohen to commit perjury and constituting one of the most damning acts of obstruction of justice to date.

Click here to get your free “Impeach Trump” sticker while supplies last.

Dear MoveOn member,

Late last night, Buzzfeed News broke the news that Donald Trump directed Michael Cohen to lie to Congress about his dealings with Russia, leading Cohen to commit perjury and constituting one of the most damning acts of obstruction of justice to date.1

This adds fuel to something that’s already been achingly clear: It is time for Congress to impeach Trump.

We need to share this message far and wide, which is why we have printed a big batch of “Impeach” stickers and are giving them away for FREE while supplies last. Click here or on the image below to order your sticker now.

The gravity of this news cannot be understated. According to this report, the president of the United States ordered his personal lawyer to lie under oath to Congress in order to cover up his dealings—to enrich himself—with the hostile foreign power that meddled in our elections. And this comes on the heels of last week’s news that Trump’s campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, shared confidential internal polls during the campaign with Russian intelligence-linked oligarchs.2

MoveOn has been calling for Trump’s impeachment since June of 2017, but this news seems to have broken open the floodgates on Capitol Hill, and now more and more Democrats are calling for impeachment as well if this report is true.3

The time to act is now. Democrats control the House and can launch impeachment proceedings to conduct an open investigation into Trump’s obstruction and collusion.

Trump is an urgent, dire threat to our democracy, and we must make sure that our elected officials know that the time to impeach him is NOW.

Help spread the word by clicking here to order your free “Impeach” sticker today.

Thanks for all you do.

–Kelly, Matt, Bill, Elsie, and the rest of the team


Sources: 

  1. “President Trump Directed His Attorney To Lie To Congress About The Moscow Tower Project,” Buzzfeed News, January 17, 2019
  2. “Paul Manafort shared 2016 polling data with Russian associate, according to court filing,” The Washington Post, January 8, 2019
  3. “‘Resign Or Be Impeached’: Dems Erupt Over Bombshell Trump Obstruction Report,” The Huffington Post, January 18, 2019

Close the Gap: Big win for women in 2018, keep up the good work in 2019!

From an email by Susannah Delano, Executive Director at Close the Gap CA

Keep up the good work in 2019

They’re sworn in and at their desks. You helped them get there and you’ve had an impact. Women are now 30% of the CA Legislature, up from 21% at the start of 2018. In state rankings, CA has jumped from 30th to 22nd for our proportion of women legislators.

An unexpected moment of parity, California-style: As the 2019-2020 session begins, four new Latina Senators from CTGCA target districts bring the number of Democratic women in the Senate even with the total number of Republicans, at 10.

California Legislature

State Senate:
State House/Assembly:
Total Senators: 40          Total Women: 13
Total Members: 80          Total Women: 23
Percentage of Women: 30%
Ranking among state legislatures for the proportion of women: 22

Congratulations! We sent flowers, too!  Filing for 2020 opens in 8 months. Not a moment to waste.  Click here to find out how you can pitch in.

Board President Sonya Logman and volunteer Barri Babow delivered CTGCA bouquets to 9 new women legislators (Asm. Christy Smith, pictured in the center)

Equity & Justice For All