League of Women Voters of Santa Monica
VOTER
July 2014

July15, 2014

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Join the League of Women Voters of Santa Monica

Our Mission
The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.

Diversity Policy
The League of Women Voters of Santa Monica in both its values and practices, affirms its belief and commitment to diversity and pluralism, which means there shall be no barriers to participation in any activity of the LWV on the basis of gender, race, creed, age, sexual orientation, national origin or disability.

It's summertime

and one of those chairs at the beach looks awfully tempting. Most of us have no desire to even think about November elections, but they are just around the corner. Your League boards at every level are preparing backgrounds on ballot measures so you can become informed voters. So far, there are six at the state level, although the legislature can change this in August, and five proposed at the local level.

At the same time we are also scheduling candidate forums and related events as candidates at the local level are just beginning to pull papers. Those at county, state and national levels are actively campaigning and we will advise you of locally available forums for those elections. We will have notice of all events here as soon as they are scheduled. It is going to be an interesting, if busy, fall.

Saturday was a new member orientation brunch at Ann Williams'. Seven newish members, two that joined that day, joined a few board members in a lively discussion of the various things League does and how they can participate. We will do this again in the fall, probably after the election. Let us know if you are interested.

A last reminder of the County League Day in Pasadena this coming Saturday. Jessica Levinson is a wonderful speaker, the workshops are interesting and the lunch is always special with their famous popovers.

Save the date for August 13, a late summer Happy Hour on the terrace at Zengo, third floor, Santa Monica Place, 5:30 to ???. Informal discussion of upcoming fall events and activities. All are welcome to join us.

PRESIDENT'S CORNER

Summer is a great time to stretch one's curiosity, try something new, learn about what others are doing - in politics, as in everything else.

This month, new LWVSM board member Sharon Hart and I drove downtown to the California Endowment headquarters, a beautifully appointed center a block away from Union Station, whose mission is "to expand access to affordable, quality health care for underserved individuals and communities, and to promote fundamental improvements in the health status of all Californians."

We were there to attend a presentation by the Consortium for Risk-Based Firearm Policy, a group of national experts on mental illness and gun violence who are committed to advancing "evidence-based gun violence prevention policy recommendations" on the state and federal level.

We found their analysis most interesting, particularly the fact that gun violence is far more correlated with alcohol and substance abuse and past acts of violence than with mental illness.

The Consortium recommends states pass legislation allowing for "Gun Violence Restraining Orders,"similar to domestic violence restraining orders, in which family members can approach a judge and ask for police intervention to restrain a family member who they feel is likely to commit violent acts with firearms - including the ability to remove guns from their family member's possession.

While the LWVUS has not stated whether they support or oppose the Consortium's recommendations, the League does have a strong position on gun control.

I hope you are all exploring your political world this summer, and have your own stories to tell about advancements made by the many organizations that benefit us all.

LWVC NEWS

Recently LWVC has had the opportunity to author two op-ed pieces on issues we care about.

This piece on the new school funding formula was published on Fox and Hounds and EdSource Today.

A second piece has just been submitted to the San Francisco Chronicle. As soon as it is printed we will link to it from our Facebook page. Another good reason to "like" us on Facebook, daily updates to what is happening.

LWVUS NEWS

Support for Disclose Act The League sent a letter to the U.S. Senate in support of quick action to enact the DISCLOSE Act of 2014. The League also joined a letter with other reform groups in support of action on the DISCLOSE Act. The DISCLOSE Act would ensure that voters know the identity of donors who have been secretly financing campaign expenditures in federal elections. Members of the LWVUS Lobby Corps will also be visiting Senate offices to discuss the legislation.

DID YOU KNOW

Just this weekend we passed 100 likes! on our Facebook page and numbers are still growing. 115 as we write this. If you haven't yet, click the little blue f below.

The Pier concerts started last Thursday, movie night on the Promenade on last Friday and the Sunday afternoon Jazz concerts in Stewart Park will happen every Sunday in August. The beach, our wonderful parks, and access to the world's best weather is always available. Enjoy your summer!

League of Women Voters of Santa Monica
P. O. Box 1265
Santa Monica, CA 90406
Phone: 310-692-1494
www.lwvsantamonica.org