Time to Renew or Join Us
Some of you may be enjoying a vacation, but the League's Membership Director is busy all summer. Members received renewal requests in early July, along with a redesigned Members Interest Survey. If you haven't yet paid your dues and survey, please do it today! If you are not yet a member, we invite you to join us.
For the first time since 2003, the board has approved an increase in the annual dues. Individual memberships went up $10 to $70. Couples can join for $105. The student rate is $35. Scholarships are available. You can pay your 2014-15 dues now on our website with PayPal or by mail to the League office, 328 E. Carrillo, Suite A, Santa Barbara, CA 93101.
You can also make an additional tax-deductible contribution to our LWVSB Education Fund, which supports voter education and candidate forums.
Outgoing Membership Director Amanda Pelch is now working with Linda Reimel, who will take over as director while Pelch serves as secretary.
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Local Study on District Elections, At-Large Elections and Other Options
For the Santa Barbara City Council
If you are interested in being part of LWVSB's new study group, we welcome your participation. The next meeting is Thursday Aug.7 at 10 a.m. at the League Office. Or contact chair Amanda Pelch, 452-5804; apelch@yahoo.com.
The committee will be discussing legal challenges to district elections, including the lawsuit recently filed against the City of Santa Barbara, as well as arguments for and against the current at-large system of electing council candidates.
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Speak Out on Carbon Pollution Limits
 In June, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) introduced a proposal to set the first-ever limits on carbon pollution from existing power plants. The EPA will hold public hearings in four major cities to obtain feedback on this historic regulation.
Add your voice by submitting your comment to the EPA in support of their proposal today!
As LWVUS President Elisabeth MacNamara says, "The EPA's proposal will protect future generations from unchecked climate change. Power plants are responsible for 40 percent of the carbon pollution in the United States-making them the single largest source of that pollution in the country. The unlimited dumping of carbon pollution is the chief cause of climate change. Reducing the amount of carbon pollution from power plants is a life-saving measure that will protect our children, our nation and the world from the devastating effects of climate change."
MacNamara added, "We've seen an incredible response from League members in support of this regulation, but we still need you to raise your voice. Tell the EPA you support their groundbreaking proposal to limit carbon pollution from existing power plants."
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For Your Calendar
Aug. 22: "Thirsty for Justice"
You are invited to a screening of the film "Thirsty for Justice: The Struggle for Human Right to Water" on Friday, Aug 22 at 7 p.m. at the Unitarian Society Parish Hall.
LWVSB Co-President Joanie Jones will introduce the film. A discussion and reception will follow. The League is a co-sponsor of the event.
As many as two million Californians face significant challenges with water and sanitation. Water supplies can be contaminated with nitrates, arsenic, lead, pesticides, and industrial chemicals. Water is sometimes inaccessible or unaffordable. And some water policies are undemocratic and unsustainable.
"Thirsty for Justice" visits people in some of these communities to hear their stories. It traces the years-long activism leading to the successful enactment in 2012 of the Human Right to Water Bill (AB685), writing into California law that safe, sufficient, accessible, affordable water for daily living is a fundamental right of every resident.
Aug. 26: Great-American Write-In
You are invited to the Pro-Choice Coalition's annual Great American Write-In, which recognizes Women's Equality Day. On Tuesday, Aug. 26 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Main Library's Faulkner Gallery, we will celebrate the 94th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment, granting women the right to vote.
You can exercise your hard fought right to participate in the political process by signing dozens of letters to legislators in support of achieving women's equality. This year's theme (and hash tag) is "#JointheDissent Because Women Are Not Yet Equal," inspired by Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's recent outspoken dissent in the controversial Hobby Lobby ruling, which seriously infringed on women's reproductive rights.
The event will feature entertaining words of wisdom from local columnist Starshine Roshell who recently wrote a Feminist call-to-action, "Are you a Feminist NOW?"
The Great American Write In is free and open to the public. Free celebratory cake and refreshments will be provided.
Participating organizations include: LWVSB, Santa Barbara Women's Political Committee, Pacific Pride Foundation, Santa Barbara County Commission on Women, AAUW, UCSB Women's Center, Planned Parenthood and Planned Parenthood Action Fund, Democratic Women, Democratic Party of Santa Barbara County, Legal Aid Foundation, Santa Barbara Women Lawyers and more.
Sept. 28: "Tough Guise 2:
Violence, Manhood & American Culture"
On Sunday, Sept. 28, another of our coalition partners, the Coalition Against Gun Violence, will present a documentary film and discussion about the consequences of violence in the media.
Moderator will be State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson. The film will be introduced by Jackson Katz, PhD, author and specialist in anti-violence and gender violence prevention education. The event will be held a Fe Bland Forum and will be held from 3-5 p.m. at Santa Barbara City College, West Campus.
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Stay in Touch
The next Channel Voter will be in early September, but in the meantime, please visit our website for the latest information. And you can go to the websites of both LWVC and LWVUS to get the latest action alerts and updates about the issues you care about.
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