SEPTEMBER 2010 VOTER & Other ARTICLES

League of Women Voters^®
of North and Central San Mateo County

Some Articles from Current Voter & Other Information

Membership Information. Report From County League Day. Speakers Training for Ballot Measures. Pros and Cons on November 2 Balllot Measures on Sept. 25. LWVUS Convention Action. LWVC Action. Go Green! Get Your Voter Online. LWVUS Public Policy Positions 2008-2010. LWVUS on the Web. Next 10 and the Concord Coalition Unveil the "Federal Budget Challenge".

Membership Information

Kickoff MEETING
Members' Kickoff Meeting Tuesday, September 14, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Silicon Valley Community Foundation Conference Center 1300 El Camino Real, San Mateo
Special Guest: Helen Hutchison, 2nd Vice President, LWVC Our League is off and running with three General Meetings to help us get ready for the November election. At our September 14 kickoff, Helen Hutchison will address the California League's position on redistricting and the importance of preventing the passage of Prop. 27, which would reverse a hard-won victory in 2008. On September 25, a joint meeting with AAUW (see page 2) will cover the Pros and Cons of all November ballot measures, and on October 19, a panel of speakers will address the economic, scientific, and League perspectives about climate change legislation and the threat from Proposition 23.
League programs, action and advocacy as well as the requests for voter service activities, including Candidates' Nights and Pros and Cons forums challenge us to be involved in 2010-11. Delegates at the national convention in May voted for two studies: The Role of the Federal Government in Education, and Privatization: the policy agenda to transfer government functions, services, and assets to the private sector. Learn how to take part in these studies as well as discussions about climate change, immigration, and transportation--all subjects of meetings this year.
At our kickoff meeting, we will also honor long-standing members and welcome new ones!
Refreshments will be served, and there will be ample time for socializing and reconnecting with League friends as we start our new year.
Information: Renee Kaseff, VP, Program, lrkaseff@comcast.net RSVP: 650-342-5853
Directions to the Conference Center: From Highways 101 or 280, take Highway 92 to the El Camino North exit; turn left on Barneson and immediately right into the parking lot. Do not use the underground garage.
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The LWVC is rolling out a new tool to help you stay active on important issues that build strong communities. If you have not subscribed to LWVC Action Alerts, be sure to visit the LWVC's Act Now! page. Just click on Act Now! at http://ca.lwv.org, and complete the subscription form. You can also indicate the League priority topics that interest you.
If you have already signed up, make sure to update your profile with your mailing address, so you won't be left out when we have action opportunities targeted to specific officials in your area. Check the Act Now! page often so you'll be in the know about advocacy on the League's key issues.
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San Mateo County Budget Idea Forum
San Mateo County expects to see a General Fund deficit of more than $150 million in the 2010-2111 fiscal year. Revenues continue to stagnate and costs increase. To promote community engagement and involve the public and employees in helping to solve the budget crisis, the County is offering an opportunity for you, as citizens of San Mateo County, to offer your suggestions. Ideas must contribute to the efficiency, economy or improvement of County operations or services. To access the forum, go to http://www.co.sanmateo.ca.us/portal/site/SMC. _______________________________________________
More Thanks to League Donors
Thanks to our additional donors who have contributed to our General Fund since our last published thanks: Marie Baldisseri, Raj & Beth Bhatnagar, Judy Bloom, Ida G. Braun, Kathleen C. Everitt, Dorothy R. Greene, Carole Groom, Jane K. Jackson, Jean Johnson, Morris & Arlene Richards Kace, Jack & Ruth Kahoun, Evelyn P. Kaplan, Louise C. Karr, Ralph Levin, Eleanor Lewis, Beverley Madden, Jean Matsuura, Marilyn Meier, Carol Mink, Marilyn S. Minto, Masako K. Nagumo, Jo Ann Nassuti, Susan Simpson Raye, Shirley L. Roberson & Jay T. Kaufman, Cynthia Robbins-Roth, Patricia Ronald, Shirley K. Rosenberg, Willam & Sherrean Rundberg, Evelyn F. Stanton, and Elise C. Stone.
Thanks to our additional donors who have contributed to our Education Fund since our last published thanks: Robin L. Berry (in memory of Meta Berry), Gayle R. Hardt, Barbara Hasten, Renee F. Kaseff, Julia V. Lobel, Frances L. Michaels, and Kathleen Tyson.
Donations to our General Fund and to our Education Fund are always welcome. Donations to our General Fund are NOT tax deductible, while donations to our Education Fund ARE tax deductible.
Donald Jacobberger, Treasurer
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Guide to Government
Many thanks to Karen Bertrand, our Administrative Vice President, who has been working to update the Guide to Government web Web site. She recently completed entering entry of current information about local officials in our county. Federal and state officials must be updated by the LWVC team, and this work should be completed shortly.
The Guide to Government Wweb site was an outgrowth of the Smart Voter project, designed after people asked to be able to find year-round information about their local governments all in one place. As on the SmartVoter web site, people can obtain a complete list of all the officials and districts that affect them simply by typing in their own address.
We have refrained from publicizing this web site because the site it has had outdated information. However, when the update of state officials is complete, we hope to publicize it as another League resource. There are bookmarks, similar to the Smart Voter bookmarks, that can be distributed to libraries and other places. When all the updates are completed, we will alert you to check out http://www.guidetogov.org.
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When was the last time you visited lwvba's http://www.bayareamonitor.org? It has a new, eyecatching look, with online subscription signup, frequent news and updates, and regional resources. Check it out!

Leagues in Action
To find current information about advocacy and action activities by LWVUS and LWVC, we recommend the following Web sites and links:
Health Care - League action and background http://www.lwv.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Health_ Care1
Also use links to Voter-ready articles and Get informed on same page. Climate Change http://www.lwv.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Global_ Climate_Change&CONTENTID=13387&TEMPLATE=/ CM/ContentDisplay.cfm
State Finance Reform; Taxation Fairness http://ca.lwv.org/lwvc/action/letters/2009-07- 15taxation.pdf
http://ca.lwv.org + at home page hit Issues, then Redistricting and Governmental reform

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Report From County League Day

(Thanks to Shirley Des Marais and Evan Hughes, LWV South San Mateo County)
During the business meeting, chaired by Jamie Shepard, President of the LWV South San Mateo County, those attending:
-- discussed an updated version of the county positions, presented by Jackie Jacobberger, Jamie Shepard and Ellen Hope.
-- decided that we would not recommend any new positions or studies.
-- agreed to recommend the Issue of Emphasis for 2010 as follows: Education on land use, housing and transportation and their interrelationships.
-- heard that changes to our county positions must be approved by both Leagues at their Annual Meetings this spring and members will receive information in their Annual Meeting Kits.
-- agreed on the need for increased communication between the county Leagues, for example, between our local action chairs and Voter editors.
-- discussed a need for a county committee that would be involved in transportation, including High Speed Rail. California State Senator Joe Simitian was the featured speaker. He discussed the low ratings of government in polling results, despite the hard work and good intentions that he sees from both parties within the Legislature. He suggested that the public's surprising disapproval of the perceived process of government rather than the results may be due to clever and effective design of political attacks, but may have real substance due to (1) failures to be candid with voters, (2) failures to tie issues to people's daily lives, and (3) the way that the Internet has enabled very coarse language about those with whom one disagrees.
To improve relationships with opponents in the Legislature, he suggested two rules:
"Just Ask" someone on the other side to join together on something where there is good chance to agree, even if not a major issue.
"Leave a nickel on the table." When you could get your way by pushing your advantage, grant a concession anyway. It will improve your chances to win on other items where you can-not just force it through.
On steps to fix the system, he suggested ending super-majority rules such as the two-thirds requirement for budget and taxes in the State Legislature and the 60 percent rule in the U.S. Senate. One result of these requirements is that the majority now ends up looking inept and government gets nothing done. An election may be won but the winner cannot govern. He concluded his prepared remarks with a surprising quote from Chicago's Mayor Daley: "Good politics is good government, and good government is good politics."
The question and answer session covered a number of topics, including:
-- The initiative system and reforms such as making it "indirect" via legislative review
-- Water: subsidies, economics, environment issues, agriculture, Northern versus Southern California, the Delta, governance
-- Revenue sources for the State, the economy, jobs, and CEQA exemptions
-- SB 810's revival and healthcare issues
-- Financial markets' rating of State bonds
-- Reforms to California's constitution and government processes: the constitutional convention approach versus the incremental ballot measure approach.
-- Transportation budget cuts and the need for transit to get people to jobs
-- High speed rail

Speakers Training for Ballot Measures

Speakers Training for Ballot Measures What is happening? Speaker's training for ballot propositions
When? Saturday, September 11, from 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Where? LWV office, 444 Peninsula Ave., #1, San Mateo
Who is it for? All seasoned speakers and novices interested in presenting ballot propositions
I will need at least five speakers who would select one or two propositions to present at the training. Please advise which proposition you would like to present when you R.S.V.P.
In Depth and League Pros & Cons will be available from the League's website on Sept. 3. Go to http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/elections for additional ballot information.
Please R.S.V.P. to Marilyn Canon by e-mail, marilynacanon@yahoo.com,

Pros and Cons on November 2 Balllot Measures on Sept. 25

Saturday, September 25, 1 to 3 p.m.
Joint Meeting of AAUW and LWV
PROS & CONS of the November 2 Ballot Measures
S.M. County Community College District Board Room 3401 CSM Drive, San Mateo
Ten ballot measures cover far-reaching and complex issues, such as Prop 19, legalization of marijuana; Prop 23, suspending AB 32, California's landmark climate change legislation; Prop 20, returning redistricting to the legislature and Prop 27, adding congressional reapportionment to the authority of the citizen's commission; Prop 24, Tax Fairness; Prop 25, simple majority vote to pass the budget; and Prop 26, requiring a two-thirds majority vote for many more government revenue items in addition to the budget. We are pleased to share this meeting with the AAUW, our friends and families, and the public and to demonstrate the great Voter Service of the League of Women Voters. RSVP to the League office, 342-5853.
Directions to the S.M. County Community College District Board Headquarters: Take the Hillsdale Blvd. exit from Highway 92. Take Hillsdale Blvd. towards the College of San Mateo and follow it past the campus entrance to CSM Drive. Turn left on CSM Drive and left again into the college district's headquarters' parking lot. The boardroom is on the second floor. In San Mateo, You can also reach the building by taking Parrot Drive to CSM Drive and turning right off CSM Drive into the district headquarters.
Marilyn Canon, Voter Service Coordinator

LWVUS Convention Action

In addition to the two new adopted national studies described on page 1 of this Voter, delegates at the May LWVUS convention also adopted an updated Arms Control Position by concurrence on the convention floor. See the LWVUS website for details on the updated position.
Also adopted by concurrence were two additions to LWVUS positions. Added to the position on election of the president was: We support the use of the National Popular Vote Compact as one acceptable way to achieve the goal of the direct popular vote for election of the president until the abolition of the Electoral College is accomplished.
Added to the LWVUS Equality of Opportunity position was, "The League of Women Voters of the United States supports equal rights for all under state and federal law. The LWVUS supports legislation to equalize the legal rights, obligations, and benefits available to same-gender couples with those available to heterosexual couples. LWVUS supports legislation to permit same-gender couples to marry under civil law. The League believes that the civil status of marriage is already clearly distinguished from the religious institution of marriage and that religious rights will be preserved. _________________________________________

LWVC Action

LWVC has taken stands on seven of the ten measures on the November ballot, is neutral on two, and has taken no position on one (Prop 19, Legalize and Regulate Marijuana). The League Recommends PDF flyer and the LWVC website have more information about these positions. You can also check on the various campaigns in the Action section of this website. The League Action Guide will be available shortly after Labor Day, and an e-mail will be sent alerting you about it.

See the LWVC website for status reports on legislation where the League has taken a stance.

Where do you think the state and local Leagues should focus their time, talent, money, and reputation? Do we need new studies, should we revisit old studies, or should we select new areas for emphasis? The LWVC wants us to consider these questions and let them know by the middle of February. Program planning is important and will set the calendar for the next two years. Let's start thinking about these issues soon.

Diana Stephens, Action Chair

With term-limits requiring County Supervisor Rich Gordon to end his service representing District 3 on the County Board of Supervisors at the end of the year, five candidates have filed to take his place. Our League will moderate a candidates forum for them on Wednesday, April 28, from 7:30 to 9 p.m. in the Fireside Room of Seton Coastside Hospital, 600 Marine Blvd, in Moss Beach. The Midcoast Community Council is co-sponsoring the event.
The five candidates are Matt Grocott, Jack Hickey, Don Horsley, Michael Stogner, and April Vargas. The election will take place on June 8. If no candidate receives more than 50 percent of the vote in June, there will be a runoff election between the top two vote getters in the November election.
The public is invited to come and submit written questions to ask the candidates. If you do attend, please park in the upper parking lot of the hospital and not in the emergency room lot.

Go Green! Get Your Voter Online

We want to take advantage of our Web site for disseminating information. It's already a place you go to for election and current event information.
Now you can count on the site to read the current VOTER.
So in an effort to limit the number of items we mail and to limit our impact on the environment, we would like to send the VOTER to you electronically. Just send an email, with your preferred e-mail address, agreeing to replace this VOTER with an e-mail version to the LWVNCSMC at lwvncsmc@sbcglobal.net.

LWVUS Public Policy Positions 2008-2010

Representative Government Promote an open governmental system that is representative, accountable and responsive.
Voting Rights Citizen's Right to Vote. Protect the right of all citizens to vote; encourage all citizens to vote. DC Self-Government and Full Voting Representation. Secure for the citizens of the District of Columbia the rights of self-government and full voting representation in both houses of Congress.
Election Process Apportionment. Support apportionment of congressional districts and elected legislative bodies at all levels of government based substantially on population. Campaign Finance. Improve methods of financing political campaigns in order to ensure the public's right to know, combat corruption and undue influence, enable candidates to compete more equitably for public office and promote citizen participation in the political process. Selection of the President. Promote the election of the President and Vice-President by direct-popular-vote and work to abolish the Electoral College. Support uniform national voting qualifications and procedures for presidential elections. Support efforts to provide voters with sufficient information about candidates.
Citizen Rights Citizen's Right to Know/Citizen Participation. Protect the citizen's right to know and facilitate citizen participation in government decision making. Individual Liberties. Oppose major threats to basic constitutional rights. Public Policy on Reproductive Choices. Protect the constitutional right of privacy of the individual to make reproductive choices.
Congress and the Presidency Congress. Support responsive legislative processes characterized by accountability, representativeness, decision-making capability and effective performance. The Presidency. Promote a dynamic balance of power between the executive and legislative branches within the framework set by the Constitution.
International Relations Promote peace in an interdependent world by working cooperatively with other nations and strengthening international organizations.
United Nations Support a strong, effective United Nations to promote international peace and security and to address the social, economic and humanitarian needs of all people.
Trade Support U.S. trade policies that reduce trade barriers, expand international trade and advance the achievement of humanitarian, environmental and social goals.
U.S. Relations with Developing Countries Promote U.S. policies that meet long-term social and economic needs of developing countries.
Arms Control Reduce the risk of war through support of arms control measures.
Military Policy and Defense Spending Work to limit reliance on military force. Examine defense spending in the context of total national needs.
Natural Resources Promote an environment beneficial to life through the protection and wise management of natural resources in the public interest.
Natural Resources Promote the management of natural resources as interrelated parts of life-supporting ecosystems.
Resource Management Promote resource conservation, stewardship and long-range planning, with the responsibility for managing natural resources shared by all levels of government.
Environmental Protection and Pollution Control Preserve the physical, chemical and biological integrity of the ecosystem, with maximum protection of public health and the environment.
Air Quality. Promote measures to reduce pollution from mobile and stationary sources.
Energy. Support environmentally sound policies that reduce energy growth rates, emphasize energy conservation and encourage the use of renewable resources. Land Use. Promote policies that manage land as a finite resource and that incorporate principles of stewardship. Water Resources. Support measures to reduce pollution in order to protect surface water, groundwater and drinking water. Waste Management. Promote policies to reduce the generation and promote the reuse and recycling of solid and hazardous wastes. Nuclear Issues. Promote the maximum protection of public health and safety and the environment.
Public Participation Promote public understanding and participation in decision making as essential elements of responsible and responsive management of our natural resources.
Agriculture Policy Promote adequate supplies of food and fiber at reasonable prices to consumers and support economically viable farms, environmentally sound farm practices and increased reliance on the free market.
Social Policy Secure equal rights and equal opportunity for all. Promote social and economic justice and the health and safety of all Americans.
Equality of Opportunity Equal Rights. Support ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment and efforts to bring laws into compliance with the goals of the ERA. Education, Employment and Housing. Support equal access to education, employment and housing.
Fiscal Policy Tax Policy. Support adequate and flexible funding of federal government programs through an equitable tax system that is progressive overall and that relies primarily on a broad-based income tax. Federal Deficit. Promote responsible deficit policies. Funding of Entitlements. Support a federal role in providing mandatory, universal, old-age, survivors, disability and health insurance.
Health Care Promote a health care system for the United States that provides access to a basic level of quality care for all U.S. residents and controls health care costs.
Immigration Promote reunification of immediate families; meet the economic, business and employment needs of the United States; be responsive to those facing political persecution or humanitarian crises; and provide for student visas. Ensure fair treatment under the law for all persons. In transition to a reformed system, support provisions for unauthorized immigrants already in the country to earn legal status.
Meeting Basic Human Needs Support programs and policies to prevent or reduce poverty and to promote self-sufficiency for individuals and families. Income Assistance. Support income assistance programs, based on need, that provide decent, adequate standards for food, clothing and shelter. Support Services. Provide for essential support services. Housing Supply. Support policies to provide a decent home and a suitable living environment for every American family.
Child Care Support programs and policies to expand the supply of affordable, quality child care for all who need it. Early Intervention for Children at Risk Support policies and programs that promote the well-being, development and safety of all children.
Violence Prevention Support violence prevention programs in communities.
Gun Control Protect the health and safety of citizens through limiting the accessibility and regulating the ownership of handguns and semi-automatic weapons. Support regulation of firearms for consumer safety.
Urban Policy Promote the economic health of cities and improve the quality of urban life.
Death Penalty The LWVUS supports the abolition of the death penalty. Whatever the issue, the League believes that efficient and economical government requires competent personnel, the clear assignment of responsibilities, adequate financing, coordination among levels of government, effective enforcement and well defined channels for citizen input and review.

LWVUS on the Web

The correct website for the LWVUS is lwv.org. Several of our members have typed in http://www.lwvus.org and were perplexed at not finding information about the League of Women Voters.
The LWV California website is http://www.lwvc.org (this will go to http://www.ca.lwv.org.)

Next 10 and the Concord Coalition Unveil the "Federal Budget Challenge"

Frequent stories about our state budget woes have been on the front page of newspapers and featured in television news reports. At our November meeting, we heard from Fred Silva of California Forward about reforms that are being proposed to address some of the systemic fiscal problems in our state.
Three or four years ago, Next 10 developed the California Budget Challenge as a tool to educate and engage more Californians about the tough choices that must be made in developing the state budget. Now, Next 10 and The Concord Coalition are offering a new online simulation that lets users make policy decisions and take steps to try balancing the federal budget. It is similar to the California Budget Challenge in that there is an explanation of how each choice affects the budget, and users can see the arguments for and against each option. Try it out at http://www.federalbudgetchallenge.org
Go to http://www.next10.org for Next 10's latest publications. The 2008 version of the California Budget Challenge is at http://www.next10.org/budget/challenge/html.

Comments, suggestions, questions? Contact our webmaster. Last revised: August 24, 2010 12:06 PDT.