Here is a link to a new Action Toolkit for Welcoming Migrants where you will find helpful links to additional information, organizations, and resources to engage in individual and group action, including: National and local organizations that work with asylum seekers and unaccompanied childrenReflection and worship resourcesAction alerts and advocacy opportunitiesBackground information on asylum and immigration policiesAsylum sponsorship information Together, we can continue to build awareness, pray for justice, connect with and support organizations engaged in this important ministry, and urge our public officials to humanely welcome children and families seeking asylum.
Important: Contact Diane Feinstein by phone or email and strongly urge her to support ending the filibuster! It the only way that meaningful legislation will be passed. LOPP-CA is following several state bills. The most important are: Housing: AB1199 creates a corporate landlord registry, AB15 Provides Covid relief eviction limitations Healthcare: AB1400 Guaranteed Health Care for All AB1132 Health Care Consolidation and Contracting Fairness Act of 2021. Assembly-member Jim Wood (D-Santa Rosa) introduced a package of bills to address health care affordability, access, equity, quality and cost containment. AB650 Would see health care workers receive up to $10,000 if they worked on the front lines during the Covid-19 pandemic. Immigrant Justice: AB221 This bill would provide Emergency Food Benefits for immigrants adversely affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic and excluded from federal aid.
Ask your members of Congress to be an original co-sponsor of the EATS Act that will permanently rescind the college student SNAP rule. The deadline is tomorrow 3/11 to be an original co-sponsor.Members can sign on after tomorrow so please keep that drumbeat going in visits next week – this will be a priority bill. If you need any staff contacts please let me know.Already co-sponsors & do not need contact: Costa, Khanna, Lowenthal, Swalwell, Takano. 29 CA members co-sponsored in the last Congress.Reps. Gomez, Harder, and Panetta will reintroduce next week, so be ready to amplify on social media.
Deb Haaland’s confirmation to lead the Department of the Interior could be in jeopardy. If confirmed, Haaland would be the first Indigenous person to manage the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education. Both are part of the Department of the Interior. She would also oversee more than 480 million acres of public lands and nearly a dozen federal agencies, including the National Park Service. Both California senators are collecting letters and emails of support for her. Please consider writing a letter of support. Northern California Kelp Forests: An analysis of satellite imagery has found that the kelp forest that only eight years ago formed a leafy canopy along the Northern California coast has almost disappeared. This is a huge environmental concern. For articles with more information click on these links: USNEWS, CLICK THIS LINK to find out about the State of California Natural Resources Agency Kelp Forest Restoration Project in Mendocino County.
Please consider attending Ecumenical Advocacy Days (EAD)! This is an annual national gathering of Christian advocates and activists. We worship, delve deeply into the pressing issues of the day, and lift our voices by speaking truth to power on Capitol Hill. The 2021 theme is ““Imagine! God’s Earth and People Restored.” EAD 2021 is an opportunity to support this global movement centered on and led by the people and communities most vulnerable to climate impacts due to historic racial and colonial inequities. Together, we will passionately advocate and reimagine a world that lives out the values of justice, equity and the beloved community. EAD 2021 will be a virtual gathering, to be held April 18-21, 2021. Register now! Great news: LOPP-CA is now a part of First 5 California. We have a seat on their round table Nicole Newell is back with LOPP-CA! She will be coordinating Lutheran Lobby Day. Lobby Day will be virtual and held on Wednesday, May 19th. The keynote speaker will be announced soon. This legislative session LOPP-CA along with Bread for the World will be watching the movement and focusing on these three bills: • SB 107 CalFresh: Simple for Seniors, which makes it easier for seniors to access healthy public food assistance• SB…
Consider signing up for Chase Tibb’s podcast Faith and Capital at: https://faithandcapital.buzzsprout.com/ Write a letter to your state senator and/or assemblyperson stating that as Christians we affirm the Right to Food for all people – access, nutrition, food security, and dignity. In 2021 Californians will be speaking up about the Right to Food. Please personalize your letter and use your own words when possible. Be sure to include the bill numbers and names. Urge them to support the following hunger related bills: • SB 107 CalFresh: Simple for Seniors, which makes it easier for seniors to access healthy public food assistance• SB 364 End Child Hunger, which establishes universal school meals for all kids in public schools and creates a stopgap nutrition program for school breaks and when campuses are closed• AB 221 Emergency Food for All, which grants food assistance access to immigrants, regardless of status.
Let your pastor and congregation know by an announcement in church or a newsletter article that these are some important bills that Lutheran Office of Public Policy-CA will be working on this year. SB 108, as introduced, Hurtado. State Healthy Food Access Policy. This bill would declare that it is the established policy of the state that every human being has the right to access sufficient healthy food. AB 221, as introduced, Santiago. Emergency Food Assistance for all. The State Department of Social Services shall provide a food assistance benefit statewide to low-income California residents, regardless of their immigration status. AB 614 (Eggman)—“Farm to Food Bank” Tax CreditOverview: This bill would increase access to the food donation tax credit for agricultural growers by expanding the list of qualified donation items to food banks and other non-profit organizations by including other fresh food items not currently in statute, as well as various shelf-stable dietary staples. Emergency food and diapers bill. (no number yet)