League of Women Voters of Santa Monica
VOTER
August 2014

August 5, 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.

Election time

is less than 100 days away and the temperature is rising. LWVSM is in the process of finalizing election season activities and programming. Check our website www.lwvsantamonica.org starting in early September for a calendar of all activities. They will also be reported here, but the calendar page there is a quick check.

Before the season gets in full swing is a good time to remind our readers that, while the League of Women Voters never endorses candidates or parties, we do take positions on issues we have studied and have adopted positions. As we go back to a weekly update in September you will find Voter Service information, links to Pros and Cons, etc. in alternate issues with Advocacy messages about issues we are supporting at the state and local levels.

Two non-election events, save the dates:

Wednesday, 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.

Saturday, September 13, our Fall Membership Luncheon at the new Pico Library Annex with the new City Librarian, Maria Taesil Hudson Carpenter, as our guest speaker. This is a free event, the League provides the lunch, and it is an excellent opportunity for those of you reading who have thought about joining to meet members and check us out as well as check out the new library. Members, invite a guest.

PRESIDENT'S CORNER

Summer isn't complete without Popovers in

Pasadena,the LWV/LAC's get-together at the lov

ely Pasadena Women's City Club. Anyone who's had the eponymous popovers will be sure to return, not only for the food, but for the stimulating speakers.

This year, the featured speaker was Loyola University Law Professor Jessica Levinson who gave us the low-down on the current state of money in politics. You can read a couple of her recent op-ed pieces, one for the Sacramento Bee here and one for the Los Angeles Times here.

She explained how recent Supreme Court decisions have gutted comprehensive campaign reform that dates back to the aftermath of the Watergate scandal. These rulings have led to the proliferation of joint fundraising committees (we know them as PAC's).

What's the fix? Well, it won't be easy, she said, but she did think we could pressure legislators for more disclosure of the sources of campaign funds, including naming the largest donors. That way, at least the voters would know who's paying for the issues and candidates on the ballot.

*So, do you want to talk about this, and other political topics? Come to our cocktail social at Zengo at 5:30p.m. On Wednesday, August 13. What better way to enjoy evening sea breezes with good company? We'd love to see you there!

ELECTION NEWS

A Candidate Forum for both the SMMUSD Board of Education and the Trustees of Santa Monica College has been scheduled for the evening of Wednesday, October 1. This event, co sponsored by the PTA Council, will be held in the school district's board room. Watch for more information.

Questions: As is our tradition, in order to ensure a variety of questions without duplication, we are collecting in advance from our members as well as our co-sponsors. Send your questions to league@lwvsantamonica.org.

We need an even greater variety of questions for city council candidates to prevent excessive duplication in the variety of TV programming we co-host with CityTV.

DID YOU KNOW?

SANTA MONICA FARMERS MARKETS

Library Panel Series
Local, Seasonal, Sustainable, SEAFOOD

Thursday, August 7,

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm*

MLK Jr. Auditorium, Santa Monica LoLibrary
601 Santa Monica Blvd.

Featuring

Sarah Rathbone, Owner Community Seafood

Ben Hyman, Capitan | Owner Wild Local Seafood Co.Nick Fash, Education Specialist Heal the Bay

Michael Cimarusti, Chef Providence

*Stay after for socializing and snacks prepared by Michael Cimarusti (8:30 pm - 9:00 pm). Free and open to the public.

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