| July-August 2023 Volume 51 No. 1 | | Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy. | | |
LWVCS Annual Meeting – an exciting and educational event!
If you missed it, following are a few highlights…
Our featured speaker was Shannon Bushey, the Registrar of Voters for Santa Clara County. Shannon is a 33-year veteran with the County, working over 27 years in the Registrar of Voters Office.
Shannon has been instrumental in implementing the state’s first satellite voting locations using Ballot on Demand technology, implementation of Remote Accessible Vote-by-Mail technology, expanding language assistance and voting opportunities, ensuring best practices in elections and security, developing in-house employee training programs, and establishing a “Just Culture” in the department...
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Check out the LWVCS Calendar to see the complete schedule of events and meetings here!
| | LWVCS Summer Interns – Gearing for Action!
Interns - Update and Next Steps:
Our wonderful interns Afsheen Khan, Cupertino, Pratham Hebbar, Sunnyvale and Aryaa Vijayakar, Sunnyvale will be working this Summer to:
- Analyze and report on voter trends
- Analyze, report on, and make recommendations about our website, marketing presence, and membership
- Identify community groups, including clubs, national affinity groups, schools, youth groups in Cupertino and Sunnyvale
- Prepare outreach questions and an LWVCS information packet to gather ideas on how LWVCS can best increase voter engagement in Cupertino and Sunnyvale residents
- Along with LWVCS board members conduct interviews with select community groups
from Nancy Smith, Intern Program Manager | | | LWV Cupertino-Sunnyvale Events - Participate!
- Check out our Calendar of LWVCS Events on our website here!
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Questions about the League?
We have answers - join us for our August 17 Coffee Hour at 11am here
And we have opportunities to be active in League - your interests, your timeframe. | | | | LWVCS Volunteer Opportunities!
LWV Cupertino-Sunnyvale has Volunteer Opportunities on its Committees
Join a fun team, enhance your talents and participate in your League!
We have several Committees that need coordination and additional "hands"
Voter Service, Communications, Online Access, Activities - and more!
Check out the Committees here!
Helping empower voters and making democracy work is inspiring and important work.
We welcome you to be a part of it!
If you know someone that would be interested in learning more about League and civic engagement,
please have them contact us
| | | LWV National - LWVUS
Below see an additional note from a co-editor...
| Moore v. Harper – Key Supreme Court Ruling
A decision about a little-know legal theory is a major victory for the constitutional rights of voters.
Why did the League of Women Voters of the United States and League chapters from all 50 states and the District of Columbia file an amicus brief in this case?
Because, as stated by said Virginia Kase Solomón, CEO of LWV-US, “Every year, voters face attacks on their rights from state legislatures seeking more power for politicians over the will of the people."
| | | Measure A (Affordable Housing Bond) Oversight Committee Update:
from Tracey Edwards, Vice Chair Measure A Oversight Committee:
Below are some excerpts from the Grand Jury Report:
“The Measure A Oversight Committee has been diligent and has worked effectively to exercise its oversight responsibilities. In addition, the Oversight Committee has worked with the Office of Supportive Housing (OSH) and the independent auditors, MGO, to promote transparency and to communicate Measure A’s performance. An example of this is the Measure A activity dashboard. This set of metrics and reports supplies information on projects and performance at both a detailed project level and in the aggregate. The dashboard was a collaborative and cooperative effort on the part of a sub-committee of the Oversight Committee, OSH, and the independent auditors, MGO.
The Oversight Committee makes recommendations on a quarterly basis. The Civil Grand Jury learned that inquiries, challenges, and concerns are openly shared between the OSH and the Oversight Committee in a manner that is transparent and promotes the public’s understanding of Measure A progress.”
“Despite the narrow charter found in Measure A’s language, both OSH and the Oversight Committee have moved the discussion beyond County funding. They are now examining how to ensure the goal of 4,800 units are constructed. The Civil Grand Jury sees value in shining a light on the current state of building progress and the challenges posed in reaching the Measure A Program Goals. While the recommendations to achieve Measure A Program Goals mirror those of the Oversight Committee, the Civil Grand Jury hopes Santa Clara County residents will benefit from this examination of the largest bond measure in County history.
The Findings point to the effectiveness and value of the oversight function. The Civil Grand Jury has reviewed other bond oversight committees and attended the California Association of Bond Oversight Committees statewide conference. All oversight committees have rules for committee representation, most often expressed as geographical or interest group (e.g., seniors, students, taxpayer advocacy groups). None of the reviewed bond oversight committees specify skills or experience relevant to the bond program, such as financial, analytical, political, or legal expertise.
In contrast, members of the Oversight Committee bring housing policy and high-level accountancy expertise, as well as senior political and organizational leadership experience. In the Civil Grand Jury’s judgement, this has strongly contributed to the Oversight Committee’s effectiveness and benefited County residents. The Board of Supervisors is to be commended for their selection of this Oversight Committee’s membership.” | | LWV Santa Clara County
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 August 21, 1pm here
| | | LWC Bay Area - LWVBA
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LWV Bay Area Board Briefs – July, 2023
Bay Area Housing Finance Authority (BAHFA) Update
We are closely following preparations for a 2024 affordable housing bond measure. BAHFA has implemented eight programs that set the stage for its role as a regional affordable housing lender and provider of new housing resources. The next phase of preparation requires decisions regarding an expenditure plan for its revenue (Regional Expenditure Plan). LWV Bay Area is working with Kate Hartley, BAHFA Director to plan a series of educational programs for Bay Area League on BAHFA and the potential regional housing bond measure. Watch for e-blasts on these programs.
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Timeline for decision making by MTC/ABAG committees:
September 2023: Informational
· Geographic distribution of regional funds
· Preservation and protection program priorities
· Local Government Incentive Grant priorities
October 2023: Approval Requests
· Initial funding priorities for regional housing revenue
· Adoption of Business Plan Equity Framework & Funding Programs
December 2023
· Adoption of final BAHFA Business Plan
January – May 2024
· Approval of BAHFA’s Regional Expenditure Plan and Resolution to place bond on ballots of voters in all nine counties.
BAHFA has a budget of almost $60 million for Fiscal Year FY 2023-2024 with $40+ million from REAP administered by state Housing and Community Development. Contact me if you have any suggestions or comments. roma.dawson@lwvsjsc.org
LWVBA Observer Corps
We are excited to announce that Jean Perry will be leading an effort to increase the number of observers monitoring regional agencies and organizations. Training is available for anyone new to the role of League observer. The Board is especially interested in monitoring more committees of MTC/ABAG (https://mtc.ca.gov/about-mtc/committees/standing-committees). If you want to join this important team, send a request to lwvbayarea@gmail.com. If you indicate an interest area, we will recommend committees or regional agencies for your consideration.
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Meeting Bay Area Legislators Event
- View the presentation by Tommy Gong, Chief Deputy County Clerk Recorder for Contra Costa for the LWVBA Biennial Council meeting speaking on election misinformation here.
| Related Organization Events:
- Santa Clara County Office of Education:
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From the Santa Clara County Library:
Have you checked out your library programs lately – lots going on!
Programs for youth, teens, and even adults. Just like LWVCS, they are looking for volunteers – for tutoring who are willing to provide homework help to students in grades K-6 in the topics of Math, Science, and English.
Take a peek here
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Special City Council Meeting - July 25, there will be a study session on the revised Housing Element, and the agenda will be posted on Wednesday.
Council recesses for the month of August, so there will be no council meetings that month. The first regular council meeting in September will occur on Wednesday, September 6, due to the Labor Day holiday.
Contact Phone: 408.777.3223
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Cupertinians - Participate in these Events:
Cupertino Releases Housing Element Draft
The City of Cupertino released a draft of its 6thCycle Housing Element and is inviting public comment through December 23.. 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.
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Emergency Preparedness Training
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Cupertino’s Office of Emergency Management is presenting a series of trainings specifically for your family and neighborhood. It is recommended you attend the two-part series.
The first of the series is the Personal Preparedness class. Training dates are Tuesday, July 25, from 7 to 8 p.m. and Saturday, August 5, from 8 to 9 a.m. This training will teach you what you and your family need to know in case of an emergency. This training will go over what supplies you'll need, first aid kits, how to create a communication plan, and what role the City will play in the event of an emergency.
The second of the series is the Family and Neighborhood Preparedness class. Training dates are Thursday, July 27, from 7 to 8 p.m. and Saturday, August 12, from 10 a.m. to noon. This training will teach you what your family needs to have in place to have a better outcome after an emergency and what your neighborhood can do together to check on each other. The training will also go over how to manage small events before they become too big to handle (fire, gas, electrical), get resources, and information to take care of each other until help arrives. Register here at cupertino-office-of-emergency-services-6855993345.
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| Cupertino Chamber of Commerce - check out their activities here. |
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Sunnyvale City Events Calendar - and More... here
Sunnyvale City Governance
- City Council Welcomes In-person Public Participation
Sunnyvale Chamber of Commerce Events
Summer Carnival Evening In The Park | July 28 | 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Sunnyvale School District Job Fair | Aug 5 | 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Pezzella's Hot Summer Nights | Aug 5 | 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
41st Italian Family Festival | Aug 5, 11:00 am - 8:00 pm | Aug 6, 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
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LWV Cupertino-Sunnyvale
Board of Directors
Co-Presidents: Elaine Manley & Tracey Edwards
Secretary: Leigh Anne Gillis
Treasurer: Beth Claywell
Voter Service Director: Pam Anderson
Membership Director: Nina Wong-Dobkin
Online Access Team Director: Marilyn Sherry
Technical Services Director: Bruce Kendall
Online Events Coordinator: Debbie Timmers
Director at Large: Bill Wilson
Nominations Chair: Marieann Shovlin
| | | Board Meeting Notes -June 2023
- 2023-2025 LWVCS Board elected
- Student Internship Program Interns program Initiated
- Annual Membership Meeting held
- Dues increase accepted
- 501c3 Status change approved
Summer Quote:
“The quest for democracy…is part of the unceasing human endeavor to prove that the spirit of man can transcend the flaws of his nature.”
Aung Sung Suu Kyi, Pro-democracy Activist
| __________________________________ | Elected Officials Representing Cupertino & Sunnyvale
For contact information and more detail visit:
| __________________________________ | 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:
$100 Individual member
$50 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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