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The April-May Channel Voter is now online. Visit our website to find out what's happening in the League during April and May.

Wednesday, April 20 Community Forum:

Pre-Kindergarten: A Vital Investment in our Future

Louise Lowry Davis Center, 1232 De La Vina St., Noon-2 p.m.

In 2013 at the annual meeting of California League of Women Voters, Pre-Kindergarten (also called Pre-School) was chosen as an official "issue for education and advocacy." Leagues around the state have been focused on promoting public awareness of the prodigious learning abilities of pre-school age children.

This community forum is co-sponsored by First 5 Santa Barbara County. Moderated by Bill Marks, the forum will include five speakers including: Ben Romo, Executive Director of First 5 Santa Barbara County; Michelle Robertson, Pre-School Coordinator for the Santa Barbara Unified School District; Dr. Maria Fisk, Director of the Carpinteria Children's Project; Erika Ronchietto, owner/operator of the Learning Den Pre-School; and Professor Matt Quirk of UCSB's Education department.

The original impetus behind the Pre-K movement had been breakthrough advances in brain science. More recently the demonstrated educational and social benefits of Pre-K, both short and long term, have given rise to efforts in a number of cities, including New York and San Francisco, toward guaranteeing universal Pre-School for all four year olds.

LWVSB welcomes the public for a stimulating discussion. Bring a brown bag lunch and enjoy free parking and coffee.

Candidate Forums for June 7 Primary

Wednesday, April 27, Third Supervisorial District. 7-9 p.m., Isla Vista School, 6875 El Colegio Rd., Goleta.
Saturday, April 30, First Supervisorial District, 2-3:30p.m., Franklin Elementary School multipurpose room, 1111 Mason St. Santa Barbara.
Monday, May 2, Third Supervisorial District, 7-9 p.m., St. Mark's-in-the-Valley Episcopal Church, Los Olivos.

The Voter Services Committee is seeking volunteers to assist with these forums. You must be a LWVSB member to sign up. Please contact Joie McKay at 805/966-3733 if you can assist. Feel free to leave a detailed voice message so Joie can keep filling out her volunteer slots.

We still need the following jobs covered by the number of persons in parenthesis:

Wednesday 4/27 - take down helper (2), greeter (2), membership/voter registration assistant (1), question card distributor (2), question sorter (1), backup volunteer (1)

Saturday 4/30 - take down helper (2), greeter (2), voter registration assistant (1), question sorter (1), backup volunteer (2)

Monday 5/2 - take down helper (1), greeter (1), voter registration assistant (1), question sorter (2), backup volunteer (2)

Other jobs that are now filled but may need coverage with our backup volunteers in the event someone does not show: setup, timekeeping, and candidate liaison.

Thank you in advance for your assistance! We could not host these important community events without about 20 League members to help out.

Visit our website to see Pros and Cons in English and Spanish and link to more voter information. Learn about why the League supports Prop. 50, which would give the Legislature clear authority to discipline Senators or Assembly members by suspending them without pay.

May Discussion Units: Clip and Share

Bring a newspaper or magazine article you would like to discuss with the group. This will give everyone a chance to talk about a favorite concern that fits with the League program. But since there is such a contentious atmosphere this year, let's not get into politics!

For dates, times and places of the unit meetings, see the Calendar on our website.

Wednesday, May 18 Community Forum
Why Did California Raise the Minimum Wage?

Louise Lowry Davis Center, 1232 De La Vina St., Noon-2 p.m.

There have recently been movements all over the country to raise the minimum wage. Last Labor Day, a large local rally sponsored by Cause and the Fund for Santa Barbara urged an increase to $15.00 on the South Coast. At the League's November Discussion Units, our members agreed that the minimum wage on the South Coast should be raised to $15. Then this spring the California legislature passed a law raising the state minimum wage to $15 in slow steps, over six years.

At our May Forum, we have invited the Lucas Zucker of Cause and Marcos Vargas of the Fund for Santa Barbara to discuss what this new state law will mean here. They will be joined by Fred Hoffmann, a current events teacher from the Continued Lifelong Learning program, who will talk about the problems and benefits from wage increases.

Bring your questions about this change, as well as your lunch and friends. Beverages will be provided. Forums are free and open to the public. Parking is also free during the meeting.

We hope to see you soon!

Sincerely,

Amanda Pelch and Lindsey Baker

Co-Presidents
League of Women Voters of Santa Barbara