March 2023 Volume 50 No. 8 | Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy.
| | | __________________________________ | | Be Part of the Action in Defending Democracy and Educating Voters!
LWVCS Needs Your Talents Now!
Your LWVCS Nominating Committee has begun its work to Identify the 2023-2025 Board of Directors.
Be a part of a board filled with members who are ....
-- Dedicated and knowledgeable
-- Eager to learn from each other and from other Leagues
-- Bring the issues of the day to life for voters in Cupertino and Sunnyvale
Does this sound like a group that might interest you?
Board service is an experience to remember: demanding, rewarding, challenging, satisfying..
The LWVCS Nominations Committee is currently seeking individuals to be a part of a dynamic, fun group of people: our Board of Directors. As a board member, you will be able to:
- build your leadership skills,
- learn to use your skills to make things happen for the League and for your community,
- help to set the direction for the LWVCS,
- share your League successes with other Leagues,
- expand your commitment to the League,
- engage in issues of interest to our community.
If this sounds like an opportunity you or someone you know might want to pursue, please contact Roberta Hollimon, Nominating Committee Chair at nominations@lwvcs.org.
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- Board & Committee Nominations
- LWVCS Co-Presidents' Letter
- Link to Cupertino Mayor Wei's State of the City Address
- LWVCS Calendar
- Student Member Corner - Legislative Interview
- LWVCS Program Planning Results
- Updates from Local, State and National
- LWVCS Upcoming Events
- LWVCS Committee Updates
- Local Government Updates
- LWV-Bay Area Regional News & Monitor
| __________________________________ | LWVCS Co-Presidents' March, 2023 Letter
Getting to know our elected officials
We had an excellent event on Feb 11th with an opportunity to get to know some of our elected officials.
Over 40 of our members and many residents had the opportunity to speak directly with 25 locally elected officials.
We heard from Cupertino Mayor Wei, Sunnyvale Mayor Klein and Santa Clara County Supervisor Chavez as a group.
The rest of the time was spent talking one on one and in small groups. We are grateful to all who attended and made this a productive and fun event.
The phrase "all politics are local" is attributed to the late Speaker of the U.S. House, Tip O'Neill, and was a reminder to the representatives to take care of their constituents. The idea behind this phrase is that politics at the local level can have a significant impact on people's daily lives, and that local issues and concerns can often be more influential in shaping political attitudes and behavior than national or global issues. In so many ways, this is true. Local elected officials are responsible for providing essential services such as police and fire protection, waste management, and road maintenance. They have a direct impact on the quality of schools, parks, public safety, housing, transportation, the environment, and public amenities.
For those elected officials who are in office for the first time – thank you. We thank you for your fresh perspective which will help to challenge established norms and practices and your new ideas and approaches to solving our local problems. Thank you for helping reinvigorating democracy: through your successful campaigns you are an example to others who may be considering running for public office. You reinvigorate the democratic process by increasing citizen engagement and encouraging more people to participate in the political process.
For those more experienced officials - thank you: We thank you for bringing a level of continuity and stability to the political process, which ensures that important initiatives and projects are completed and that effective policies are maintained. Thank you for your experience and expertise that comes with serving in public office and which is invaluable when addressing complex and challenging issues. You have a connection with the community which is important in ensuring that our needs and concerns are addressed.
The role of elected official is hard, time-consuming, and some would say thankless. While we can’t address the hard and time-consuming part of your job, we can be grateful and thankful that you have chosen to step up and put heart, hands, and mind around the challenges facing our communities. Thank you all.
Elaine & Tracey, Co-Presidents | __________________________________ | Cupertino State of the City
An enthusiastic crowd filled the Cupertino Room at the Quinlan Center for Mayor Hung Wei’s 2023 State of the City Address on Feb. 15.
Readers can watch a replay on the City of Cupertino channel on YouTube. | | | __________________________________ | League Updates from Around the Bay - See the links and articles below for the latest!
- Check our website calendar for all our events!
- LWVCS Learning Opportunity - Join the Coffee Hour, Thursday, March 16, 11am, To hear about upcoming League opportunities.
- LWV SCC Civil Discourse Committee, March 20, 1pm via ZOOM - join here!
| __________________________________ | Ed Note: Above are the participants in the LWV Legislative Interview of CA Assemblyperson Evan Low, with his interviewers (l-r) Alan Jian, Tracey Edwards, Evan Low, Roberta Hollimon, Roma Dawson and Raeena Lari.
Our League, seeking to expand diversity in the voices from Cupertino and Sunnyvale, invited youth to participate in the 2023 Legislative Interviews. Below are the impressions from our youth panelist, Alan Jian, Sunnyvale Resident and senior at Homestead High School. | Leg Interview Report: Contributed by Alan Jian, February, 2023
Accompanying senior members of the League of Women's Voters, I interviewed California Assemblymember Evan Low about his legislative priorities for the upcoming year. By touching on a wide range of topics, from climate change to increasing youth participation in the government, I got a better sense of Assemblymember Low’s ideologies and tangible action plans. Specifically, his ideas for increasing civic engagement through community outreach efforts resonated with me, as I know many eager youth like myself who would love to participate and share our perspectives. Moreover, the conversations made me realize how complicated our political system is, as compromise between multiple parties of varying interests is necessary before implementing any policy. While this makes our politics slow at times, such a search for consensus is the backbone of the Democratic system. | | | __________________________________ | |
LWVCS Program Planning 2023 Results
Following a presentation by Program Planning Chair, Nancy Smith, and co-President, Elaine Manley and a robust discussion, the LWV Cupertino-Sunnyvale members decided on the following program priorities for 2023-24:
1 - Ranked Choice Voting for Santa Clara County
The LWV Cupertino-Sunnyvale will work with other Leagues in the County of Santa Clara in support of ranked-choice voting. We will encourage the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors to implement RCV as soon as possible for all County-level positions. We will also work to educate voters about the benefits of ranked choice voting and counter misinformation being spread by some detractors of RCV.
2 - Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Visionary Network
The LWV Cupertino-Sunnyvale will work with other Leagues in the County of Santa Clara in support of VTA's efforts to envision the next decades of public transit through the Visionary Network program. The Visionary Network will define how transit service in Santa Clara County should look over the next 30 years, including street corridors it should serve in the future, how often buses and trains should arrive, how early and late-night service should run, and what bus stops and stations should look like and provide. The VTA has potential to better serve the communities of Santa Clara County, including Sunnyvale and Cupertino.
Parents of north Sunnyvale High School students are already protesting equity issues from the lack of public transit between North Sunnyvale and Homestead High School in Cupertino where many attend, but cannot participate in after-school activities.
Public transit service has a very real impact on people's lives and livelihoods.
3 - Greater Diversity Equity and Inclusion for our League
Looking to our own League, the Program Planning participants determined we do not fairly represent the demographics of either Cupertino or Sunnyvale.
We have chosen to first diversify by age, by inviting student members to join, and by providing unpaid internships for high school students.
In the coming year, we intend to work with the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters to better understand the demographics of our voting populations and identify underserved and underrepresented voters.
We will look to expand our intern program and will engage their help in widening our outreach.
Through engaging youth, we hope to reach more adults as well.
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LWV Cupertino-Sunnyvale Events - We Need Your Participation!
- You Can Do It - Get involved in your League - Get on the Board or a Committee - contact here
- If you missed our Meet Tara Sreekrishnan, Santa Clara County Board of Education at our Coffee Hour in February, catch it here.
- Don't miss our March Coffee Hour to hear more about LWVCS opportunities - join March 16 at 11am here!
- LWV Santa Clara County Civil Discourse Conversation - Equity vs. Equality - register here!
- Check out our Calendar of LWVCS Events on our website here!
- LWVC Convention is scheduled for May 19-21, 2023 in San Francisco. Join in to explore Power and Possibility in the League. Check the website for Convention details here.
| Learning Opportunities in the Bay Area | From neighboring LWV SWSV: GREAT DECISIONS: YOU ARE INVITED!
Our SWSCV League is participating in a foreign policy association’s “Great Decisions’ program” that has flourished for over 60 years. We invite you to join this largest discussion program in America on world affairs.
2023 Great Decision (8) Meetings will take place twice a month, on the 1st & 3rd Fridays, from 10:30-12:30 starting in February.
Mar 3 — China and the U.S.
Mar 17— Economic Warfare
Apr 7 — Politics in Latin America
Apr 21 — Global Famine
May 5 — Iran and the U.S.
May 19 — Climate Migration
We will be meeting at the Saratoga Senior Centre portable building located at 19655 Allendale Avenue in Saratoga (across from the post office).
The total fee to join is $41 per individual & $46 for couples who are planning to share a workbook.
For more information, please call Ginger Good @ 408-866-1331 or Hana Itani @ 408-838-6416.
During the upcoming Civic Learning Week, National Conference on Citizenship (NCoC) is excited to invite you to join us at 3pm ET on Thursday, March 9th, for a webinar on “Measuring Democracy: Exploring the Tools and Landscape of Civic Measurement.” Register here for this great event.
We’ll take a deep dive into Mapping Civic Measurement: How Are We Assessing Readiness and Opportunities?, the product of a partnership between the Institute for Citizens and Scholars and the Democracy Innovation project at NCoC.
The report is a first-of-its kind civic measurement landscape review and analysis of existing literature, practices, and 200+ tools in use by the broader civic field. You can download the report here.
CivicWell Policymakers Conference March 16 – 19, 2023 at Asilomar
Save your spot today to attend the conference, as space is filling up quickly. Learn more and register here.
Topics to be covered at the conference include:
- How to Build More Housing in Your Town
- The Challenges and Promises of Offshore Wind
- Effectively Influencing State Climate Policy from a Local Level
- Solar, Battery Storage, and Grid Reliability
- The Remote Workforce - Environmental and Equity Implications
- Building Decarbonization - What Local Governments Can Do
Earth Day & Arbor Day Festival
Cupertino's Earth Day & Arbor Day Festival is an interactive event that invites community members of all ages to learn about the environment
City of Cupertino, Sat, 22 April 2023, 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM PDT at Cupertino Library Park 10400 Torre Avenue Cupertino, CA 95014
County Boosts Mental Health Navigator Program
The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors recently increased funding and staff for the County’s Behavioral Health Navigator Program, an initiative proposed by Supervisor Joe Simitian. The new County program, which launched in July 2022, helps residents navigate the County’s mental health system, including public and private resources.
LWV California
In partnership with a coalition of civil rights and civic engagement organizations, the League of Women Voters of California released a report today that evaluates California’s 2020 redistricting cycle and the implementation of the Fair Maps Act (FMA).
The report raises concerns and is a call to action. As explained in the press release:
“Findings show that city councils, county boards of supervisors, and school boards in many regions manipulated redistricting processes to entrench incumbents’ political power at the expense of California’s communities”.
| __________________________________ | Civil Discourse Committee
Our regular monthly meetings to update events and plan our 2023 program have begun!
We need your ideas and participation.
Join our next meeting March 20, 1pm here
| __________________________________ | Our Next Event -
Finding Fairness in a Polarized Country -
Practicing Civil Discourse
Hone your civil discourse skills and add your ideas in this Participative Workshop Conversation around using the elements of Equity & Equality and whether they provide fair solutions to community issues.
Facilitated Group Discussion Topics will include:
• Affordable Housing - Nimby vs. Yimby – What’s fair?
• No cash bail? Is it fair to have bail requirements?
• Mental health treatment for unhoused – Mandatory or not?
• Universal Basic Income – What’s fair?
Join us via ZOOM on Thursday, March 16, 7- 8pm
Please register here.
| Cupertino News
To view the minutes and webcast archives visit: Agenda, calendar and archives
| | | Participate in these Events:
Morning Chat with Cupertino Mayor
Grab your mug and a free coffee or tea on Mayor Hung Wei, and get ready to talk about the issues that matter most to you. Residents, business owners, and community members are invited to these casual meetings where they can discuss any topic they want with one of Cupertino’s decision-makers.
Morning Chat will take place on the first Tuesday of the month from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. at Holder’s Country Inn, located at 10088 North Wolfe Road.
Cupertino Earth & Arbor Day Festival -
On Saturday, April 22, 2023, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. join LWVCS at Library Field Park to celebrate our shared earth and help the environment. Cupertino’s Earth & Arbor Day Festival invites community members of all ages to learn about environmental issues and solutions in a family-friendly atmosphere. Consistently attracting thousands of attendees and dozens of partner organizations, the Festival features hands-on activities, live entertainment, and delicious food served by local food trucks.
Cupertino’s Annual Earth Day & Arbor Day Festival is an interactive event that invites community members of all ages to learn about environmental issues and solutions in a family-friendly atmosphere. Consistently attracting thousands of attendees and dozens of partner organizations, the Earth Day & Arbor Day Festival features hands-on activities, live entertainment, and delicious food served by local food trucks.
Cupertino Releases Housing Element Draft
The City of Cupertino has released a draft of its 6th Cycle Housing Element and is inviting public comment through December 23. The draft will be available for a 30-day public review and comment period. After the comment period closes, the City will review and consider all comments received and will revise the element for consideration and final adoption. Learn more from the revised version here. | __________________________________ |
Sunnyvale City Governance
City of Sunnyvale Top 30 Project Summaries
Project Summary List Which Has Valuable Updates On Priority Projects For Sunnyvale.
The agenda for the March 7, 7 pm 2023 Council
City Council Welcomes In-person Public Participation
To join in person and comment:
- Council Chambers, 607 All America Way*
*Use this address for entrance to City Hall and for GIS mapping. The W. Olive Avenue entrance is closed during construction.
To join online and comment:
- Join on Zoom
- Call-in: 833-548-0276 | Meeting ID: 961 1158 0540
City Manager's Update Sunnyvale Report Posted
The City Manager's report, Update Sunnyvale, is a summary of updates related to City programs and projects, responses to City Council inquiries, effects of COVID-19 on our community, and events and activities of interest to the community.
Read the Latest Report here
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Covering 20 Bay Area Leagues In Nine Bay Area Counties
Special Events:
Meeting Bay Area Legislators
Fighting Voter Cynicism with State Senator Josh Becker
LWV Bay Area hosted Senator Josh Becker to talk about what he and his Senate colleagues have been doing to fight voter cynicism while listening to the voices of diverse interest groups and crafting legislation. This is the beginning of a series of conversations with BayArea legislators. Watch the interview here on our Youtube channel.
LWV Bay Area Regional Board Briefs:
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Bay Area Air Quality Management District Updates - The Air District is urging the passage of AB 953 to expand Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies program statewide. Visit BAAQMD for the complete press release and for more information.
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Decarbonization - Implications for the Gas System and What Local Governments Are Doing
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Concord Reuse Project Delayed Again, Council Drops Master Developer
- Looking for additional members for our Regional Government and Land Use Study Committee.
- Want LWV Bay Area news? Join the LWV Bay Area mailing list. Add names to our email lists. Ask local to “volunteer” additions noting we always include an Unsubscribe. Contact LWVBayArea@gmail.com
| | __________________________________ | March Quote:
"Lift every voice and sing till Earth and heaven ring, ring with the harmonies of liberty."
"Black National Anthem," Official song of the NAACP | Board Briefs
- Next Board Meeting March 6, 7pm via Zoom
- Nancy Smith is Researching Project for Rotary Grant
- Roberta Hollimon, Nominating Committee Chair, will lead the charge for new Board members
- Join this fun team - the LWVCS Board - see below!
| | | __________________________________ | LWV Cupertino-Sunnyvale
Board of Directors
Officers serving from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2023
Co-Presidents: Elaine Manley & Tracey Edwards
Vice President: Open
Secretary: Pam Anderson
Treasurer: Beth Claywell
Voter Service Director: Open
Programs Director: Nancy Smith
Database Management Director: Open
Membership Director: Pam Anderson
Communications Directors: Marieann Shovlin, Marilyn Sherry
Resource Development Director: Open
Technical Services Director: Bruce Kendall
Nominations Chair: Roberta Hollimon | __________________________________ | Elected Officials Representing Cupertino & Sunnyvale
For contact information and more detail visit:
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United States
President Joseph R. Biden, Jr.
Vice President Kamala D. Harris
Senator Dianne Feinstein
Senator Alex Padilla
US Congressional Representative 17th District, Ro Khanna
California
Governor Gavin Newsom
Lt. Governor Eleni Kounalakis
State Senator District 10: Aisha Wahab
State Senator, District 13 (Sunnyvale) Josh Becker
State Senator, District 15 (Cupertino) Dave Cortese
State Assembly, District 24 (Sunnyvale) Mark Berman
State Assembly, District 26 (Cupertino & Sunnyvale) Evan Low
| Santa Clara County
County Supervisor, District 3: Otto Lee
County Supervisor, District 5: Joe Simitian
Cupertino
Mayor: Hung Wei
Vice Mayor: Sheila Mohan
Councilmember Liang Chao
Councilmember J.R. Fruen
Councilmember Kitty Moore
Sunnyvale
Mayor: Larry Klein
Vice Mayor: District 2: Alysa Cisneros
Councilmember Seat 1: Gustav Larsson
Councilmember Seat 2: Glenn Hendricks
Councilmember Seat 3: Tony Spitaleri
Councilmember District 4: Russ Melton
Councilmember Disctict 6: Omar Din
| | | __________________________________ | Join the League of Women Voters
Voting membership in the League of Women Voters is open to men and women 16 years of age and beyond.
Annual Membership:
$80 Individual member
$40 for each additional member in the same household:
Free for full-time students at this time
| | | __________________________________ | The Cupertino-Sunnyvale VOTER
Published 10 times a year by the
League of Women Voters of Cupertino-Sunnyvale.
This newsletter is posted on our website:
| The LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.
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Permission is granted to reprint any part of this newsletter with credit to the League of Women Voters of Cupertino-Sunnyvale | | | __________________________________ |
League of Women Voters of Cupertino-Sunnyvale
PO Box 2923
Sunnyvale, CA 94087
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League of Women Voters of Cupertino-Sunnyvale
PO Box 2923
Sunnyvale, CA 94087
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