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State Updates

May 2019 Update

ADVOCACY CONVENING:
California was well-represented at this year’s Advocacy Convening held April 29 through May 1 in Washington, D.C. The theme of this year’s event was “Prepared to Care: Our Advocacy in Light of Disasters Intensified by Climate Change”. The California delegation consisted of Bishop Guy Erwin of the Southwest California Synod, Debi Groon of Lutheran Social Services of Southern California, Wylie Cook a seminarian and board member of the Lutheran Office of Public Policy- California, and Regina Q. Banks, director of LOPP-CA.

The delegation discussed the ELCA’s commitment to disaster response and preparedness with congressional representative Gilbert Cisneros (CA-39), Doris Matsui (CA-06) and Brad Sherman (CA-30),  as well as senators Kamala Harris and Diane Feinstein. All of the meetings went very well and it was decided all of the offices were receptive to the ELCA Advocacy Ask.

LUTHERAN LOBBY DAY IN SACRAMENTO:
Washington was good practice for California’s first statewide advocacy event scheduled for Wednesday May 29th in Sacramento. You can still register for Lutheran Lobby Day at the State Capitol. Participants from D.C. will give an in-depth debrief. Information and a link to register can be found at www.loppca.org

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State Updates

April 2019 Update

LUTHERAN LOBBY DAY:
LOPP-CA is pleased to announce our first Lutheran Lobby Day at the State Capitol on Wednesday, May 29. Plan to join our bishops, clergy, members, and Rev. Amy E. Reumann, ELCA Advocacy Director, as we build relationships with legislators and policy-makers and fellowship with one another. We will gather at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Sacramento at 8 a.m. and will progress to the Capitol together around 10 a.m. Our goal is to have every single Assembly district represented, so we need you there.

A block of rooms has been reserved at the Residence Inn Sacramento Downtown at Capitol Park (a block from St. John’s and two blocks from the Capitol building). Mention LOPP-CA when making your reservations to get our discount. We look forward to seeing you there.

Lobby Day Registration Link: https://community.elca.org/lutheran-lobby-day-at-the-capitol

SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGNS:
Our social media relaunches are underway! Please visit us on Facebook at Lutheran Office of Public Policy- California. We are sharing updates, articles and time-sensitive action items. Like, share and repost our content. The policy council has a goal of getting 5000 by the end of the year. You can help us meet our goal and stay up-to-date with the activities. Plans are underway for Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube. Watch this space!

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Join us in Sacramento, Wednesday, May 29th for Lutheran Lobby Day!

https://community.elca.org/lutheran-lobby-day-at-the-capitol

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Updates

March 2019 Update

BILL INTRODUCTION DEADLINE:
February 22, 2019 marked the final day for the California Legislature to introduce bills for the 2019 Legislative Session. The Senate and Assembly Desks remained open through the weekend to process the bill introductions. Nearly 2,600 bills were introduced this year, covering an extensive range of topics and subject-areas. Among the several bills introduced were no fewer than 17 that represent the End Child Poverty Plan recommendations. Many other bills were introduced with respect to LOPP-CA’s other legislative priorities of Water Justice and Immigration and Migration issues. The policy council will begin to narrow down bill priorities in the coming weeks. 

SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGNS:
The Communications Committee has heard your cry: Invest in LOPP-CA’s Social Media presence! We know that you are looking for LOPP-CA on social media platforms and we are preparing to meet you there. Please visit us on Facebook at Lutheran Office of Public Policy- California. We are sharing updates, article and time-sensitive action items. Like, share and repost our content. The policy council has a goal of getting 5000 followers by the end of the year. You can help us meet our goal and stay up-to-date with the activities. Plans are underway for Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube. Watch this space!

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Updates

February 2019 Update

LOPP-CA HAS A NEW DIRECTOR:
The Policy Council of the Lutheran Office of Public Policy – CA is pleased to announce that Regina Q. Banks, JD has begun as LOPP-CA Director! She succeeds Mark Carlson whose successful tenure as Director sunsets January 31st.

ADVOCATING FOR IMPOVERISHED CHILDREN:
LOPP-CA acted with its partners in the Lifting Children and Families Out of Poverty Task Force in participating in the End Child Poverty in California Advocacy Day at the state capitol January 22nd. The event was very well received with over 90 legislator visits and a standing-room-only press conference with democratic state lawmakers.  Over 40 organizations came together for the event to support the final report and recommendations of the task force. Among the recommendations are a welfare grant increase beyond the governor’s budget proposal and targeted child tax credit that would also function as a rental subsidy.

LUTHERAN LOBBY DAY PLANNED:
LOPP-CA held its first policy council meeting of 2019 on February 2 at the Southwest California Synod offices in Glendale. Many new and exciting initiatives were planned and will be announced soon. But please mark your calendars now for Lutheran Lobby Day: Wednesday, May 29, 2019 in Sacramento. Issues discussed will include policy council issue priorities for 2019: Deep Childhood Poverty, Immigration and Water Justice.

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End Child Poverty in California Advocacy Day

Our new director, Regina Banks, is already hard at work!  LOPP-CA participated in the End Child Poverty in California Advocacy Day at the state capital today. Over 40 organizations came together for the event to support the final report and recommendations of the Lifting Children and Families Out of Poverty Task Force.

What do you think it will take to end childhood poverty in California?

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Regina Q. Banks Joins the Lutheran Office of Public Policy-California

The Policy Council of Lutheran Office of Public Policy is thrilled to announce that Regina Q. Banks, JD will join the Lutheran Office of Public Policy-California as Director. Banks has served as Policy and Legislative Director for both statewide memberships organizations and within the California Assembly. Her skills and relationships will support LOPP-CA’s expansion goals.

Ms. Banks is a proud alumna of Valparaiso University School of Law where she was a Jurist Scholar and Lincoln University of MO.  She states, “I look forward to the marriage of my analytical and advocacy skills with my deep and abiding faith. I admire the work of the LOPP-CA and will work diligently on their behalf for policies that strengthen people and families and honor the majesty of God’s creation.”

 

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Excitement In the Capital this week as Regina Banks officially begins her position as Director of LOPP-CA.

The Capitol was full of excitement this week as statewide elected officials and legislators were sworn into office and got to work. Governor Gavin Newsom began inauguration day Monday, January 7, 2019 with a closed-door interfaith service at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Sacramento.  Faith leaders from around the state- and across faith traditions- offered prayers for Gov. Newsom and first partner Jennifer Siebel. The service culminated with the a rousing sermonette by Rev. Dr. Amos Brown of Third Baptist Church, and president of the San Francisco Chapter of the NAACP, during which some 40 interfaith clergy were invited to stand together and invest the First Family with the prayers and support of the statewide family of faith. The San Francisco Interfaith Council hosted the service. At noon, Newsom was sworn in as the 40th Governor of the State of California in a ceremony on the West Steps of the Capitol complete with gospel choir.

Continue reading “Excitement In the Capital this week as Regina Banks officially begins her position as Director of LOPP-CA.”