ELCA Advocacy is urging all of us to contact our senators urging them to support the John Lewis Voting Rights Act. If you have friends or relatives in states other than California, especially urge them to contact their senators. This is crucial to saving our democracy. Here is a link to an ELCA Advocacy contact form. https://support.elca.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=1426
Author: Edie Lott
Regina is attending the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow on the 31 October – 12 November 2021. The COP26 summit will bring parties together to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. The UK is committed to working with all countries and joining forces with civil society, companies and people on the frontline of climate change to inspire climate action ahead of COP26.
She should have lots of stories to share when she returns!
Categories
AIQ is On Hold
AIQ is on hold until the State Legislature meets again the first week of January. We may rename it at that time, but we will meet again on Wednesdays at noon beginning in January.
Budget Advocacy; Please write a “thank you“ one of the links below. Mention you are from Lutheran Office of Public Policy.
- https://nourishca.org/publications/actionalert/take-a-few-minutes-to-say-thanks-for-funding-food4all-and-more-needs-to-be-done/
- https://nourishca.org/publications/actionalert/damos-las-gracias-por-financiar-food4all-y-necesitamos-compromisos-a-largo-plazo/
Immigration/ Migration https://abic.us/events/the-path-forward-briefing-with-sen-bob-menendez-on-immigration-via-budget-reconciliation/?emci=9ccd605d-afef-eb11-a7ad-501ac57b8fa7&emdi=7eb4aa51-b1ef-eb11-a7ad-501ac57b8fa7&ceid=5839587
Also encourage your pastor to sign on to the letter linked below,
“Garment Workers Sign On Letter” https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pmbiSC0J8085TBp2VSS2qBtuyB1LshdDJD-ItgXcIto/edit?usp=sharing
Green Burial : Information on proposed legislation.
U.S. representatives regularly return to their home districts to stay engaged with their constituents. Traditionally, August Recess is one such time – and while everyone needs some rest and relaxation, lawmakers are likely busy during this period with Town Halls, arranged meetings and other contact points that give you a window to raise your experiences and policy concerns while they are local. Our ELCA advocacy staff reflected on some current events that intersect with federal policy and priorities this year that you can review today in the “August recess opportunity” blog post. The reflections are based upon the ELCA’s social teaching documents and the experiences of its congregations, ministries and partners to end world hunger and stand up for policies that create opportunities to overcome poverty, promote peace and dignity, preserve God’s creation and promote racial and gender justice.
On It will take place on Thursday, July 22, 2021 from 1-1:30 p.m. EDT. you’re invited to the “ELCA Advocacy Network Conference Call: August Recess Possibilities” to hear directly from staff about the current federal policy landscape. Additional details and registration found here. As we enter into the month of August, consider attending one of your lawmaker’s Town Halls or arranging a direct meeting yourself. Resources on how to do each and more can be found at the ELCA Advocacy Resource Page. To find out more, visit the ELCA August Recess Blog, and share how you are planning to take action this summer using #ELCAadvocacy on social media.
With the CA budget passed, these bills we’ve been working on (SB 464 Food4All, SB 107 CalFresh Simple for Seniors, SB 108 State Healthy Food Access) are now being reviewed by the , Assembly Appropriations Committee. Please contact your Assembly Person if they are on this committee and urge full funding for these bills.
ASSEMBLY APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE
80 Chair Lorena Gonzales, Dem, San Diego
05 Vice Chair Frank Bigelow, GOP, Sutter Creek, Placerville, Madera
54 Isaac Bryan, Dem, Culver City
57 Lisa Calderon, Dem, Whittier, South El Monte, La Puente, Norwalk, La Mirada, Santa Fe Springs, City of Industry
51 Wendy Carillo, Dem, Los Angeles
49 Ed Chau, Dem, Monterey Park San Gabriel Valley
01 Megan Dahle, GOP, Redding, Nevada City
73 Laurie Davies, GOP, Mission Viejo, Laguna Beach, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, Dana Point
34 Vince Fong, GOP, Kern County, Bakersfield
45 Jesse Gabriel, Dem, Woodland Hills, west San Fernando Valley
56 Eduardo Garcia, Dem, Coachella, Imperial Valley
10 Mark Levine, Dem, San Rafael, Petaluma, Santa Rosa
20 Bill Quirk, Dem, Hayward, southeast Bay Area
30 Robert Rivas, Dem, Salinas, Morgan Hill, Soledad, Hollister
79 Akilah Weber, Dem, San Diego
AAMPARO
July 12th:
Title: Stories from the Southern Border
Presenter: Rev. Ray Schellinger, Global Consultant on Immigration and Refugees, International Ministries, American Baptist Churches
Summary: Join us to hear stories of resilience from asylum seekers themselves as well as stories from Rev. Ray Schellinger, Global Consultant on Immigration and Refugees International Ministries of the American Baptist Church. Ray will share about his work at the southern border and share some of the stories he has heard from people there. Participants will learn the types of challenges asylum seekers face and learn about ways they can be involved in providing support and welcome.
Registration Link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2496147996837632784
July 19th:
Title: Ethical Storytelling – How to tell stories with human dignity
Presenter: Laura Curkendall, Director of Program Communications, CWS and Christopher Plummer, Director of Media, CWS
Summary: It’s natural to want to share the stories of our refugee neighbors with our own friends and family. But how can we ensure that we’re doing it in a way that we feel good about? Members of the CWS Communications team will share their advice to help you tell refugee stories in an ethical, dignified way.
Registration Link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8658618200429138448
July 26th:
Title: What is Preferred Communities? Intensive Case Management and the Community in Partnership
Presenter: Melissa Berger, Program Specialist, Vulnerable Populations
Summary: Many refugees, asylees, and other new arrivals with complex needs gain access to extended, intensive case management and group services through the Preferred Communities (PC) grant. Learn who is eligible, how the program works, and how PC staff work closely with local communities to ensure that refugees are able to access and navigate the resources they need.
Registration Link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8898774629702595856
This is a very important week for funding of these bills!
Health4All Update: Thank all who have been involved for a powerful month of advocating for Health4All in the budget. Leadership is finishing their negotiations, so it’s our last week to keep the pressure up and ensure they hear from us before the budget goes into print on Saturday! Last Friday, Senator Durazo joined several coalition members at Cliníca Romero in Los Angeles for a press event to call on Governor Newsom to cover those age 50+ in the budget. Everyday this week, please help us lift up Friday’s action by tweeting photos from the event and tagging the @CAgovernor. Photos and sample tweets can be all be found in the digital toolkit, which is provided in both English and Spanish. This is our last push before the budget is finalized.
Food4All Update: This is an important moment for this campaign. We haven’t heard any news since the Governor and Legislature began negotiating the final budget, which means there’s still time to make our voices heard and NOW is the best time 🙂 It’s not too late to tell Governor Newsom: fund Food4All! Call/Email Today: Governor Gavin Newsom or Phone: (916) 445-2841. Already called? Call again! Already did that? Ask a friend/family member to call/email! Share these graphics and messages on social media!
Share these articles: ‘Essential for Everyone’: Food Aid Bill for Undocumented Californians Gains Momentum State Policymakers Can Provide Food Support to Undocumented and Mixed-Status California Families Blocked by Federal Policies !
Share these graphics and messages from Food4All’s Social Media Tool Kit on social media!
Food4All Call to Action
Call/Email Key Decision Makers
Call or send your own email
Direct calls and emails make a difference! Contact these key decision makers to let them know you want to ensure Food4All is included in the state budget. You can also find your Representative here and share the same message below.
- Governor Gavin Newsom
(916) 445-2841 - Senate President pro Tempore Toni Atkins
(916) 651-4039 - Speaker of the Assembly, Anthony Rendon
(916) 319-2063 - Senator Nancy Skinner, Chair, Senate Budget Committee
(916) 651-4009 - Assemblymember Phil Ting, Chair, Assembly Budget Committee (916) 319-2019
Sample Script
Hello, My name is _____ from _____ (either location or organization) and I am CALLING/WRITING to urge _____ (Member Name) to support Food4All in the final state budget package. Food4All would expand eligibility in the California Food Assistance Program to all those who need critical food assistance, regardless of their immigration status.
[OPTIONAL: SHARE YOUR STORY in one or two sentences.]
California needs to end the unjust exclusion of immigrants from CalFresh, our most effective anti-hunger program.
Here is the link for the source of this alert:
Also encourage your representatives to support full funding and further expansion of CalEITC to $0 workers.