WPI fellows pictured: Tiffany Eng (left) and Gwendy Donaker Brown (right)
Why did you join Women Give San Diego (WGSD)?
I joined WGSD because its mission aligned with what I am passionate about--helping low-income women and their children achieve economic sustainability. I was looking for an organization that had determination to leverage it's power and resources, catalyze partnerships, and become a force for change in the lives of these women. I was also interested in joining an organization whose members are generous with their time, ideas, and are actively working to improve the lives of women and girls through public policy, advocacy, and public education. I wrote to The Women's Foundation of California and they connected me with WGSD.
Why did you go to WFC's Legislative Action Day?
My career in education publishing, developing national and state specific social studies and science programs for K-12 students, has spanned more than two decades. And while I have written countless lessons on "How a Bill Becomes a Law" or "How Local, State, and National Government Works", I've never had occasion to witness government in action. When I heard about Legislative Action Day, I realized that this was a chance to implement what I've spent part of my career writing about. In addition, the ability to advocate for an assembly bill that, if passed, would help women and their families throughout the state of California was a golden opportunity I could not pass up. So I joined fellow WGSD member, Johanna Schiavoni for this exciting event.
On Tuesday, May 3, the WFC and Women's Policy Institute held a Legislative Reception in Sacramento. Judy Patrick welcomed everyone with her opening remarks. Then the Foundation presented awards to Assembly Member Jim Beall, Jr., long-time champion for women; Assembly Member Fiona Ma, who has authored groundbreaking legislation to protect young children from dangerous chemicals; and Human Services Consultant Nicole Vazquez, who serves on the California State Assembly Budget Committee. The reception was followed by a smaller hosted dinner with WFC and Institute staff to honor Senator Carol Liu.
What bills did you present? Who did you talk to? What was the response?
The WFC's Webinar and subsequent conference calls and other materials helped to prepare Johanna and me for Legislative Action Day.
Along with WFC staff, board members, and members of other WFC donor circles, we met with Women’s Policy Institute (WPI) fellows on the morning of May 4th. Women's Policy Institute is a yearlong program of training retreats in Sacramento hosted by the Women’s Foundation of California, to teach women activists (i.e. fellows) and grassroots organizations how to successfully negotiate the labyrinth of Sacramento.
Johanna had joined the Criminal Justice Team and I had joined the Economic Justice Team (EJT). WPI fellows Gwendy Donaker Brown and Tiffany Eng led the EJT and I traveled with them and another volunteer, WFC board member, Lise Paul throughout the afternoon. The team was advocating for Assembly Bill 828: Nutrition Assistance for Families Act, authored by Assembly Member Sandree R. Swanson. In a nutshell, AB 828 would require California to opt out of the lifetime federal ban from Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP/CalFresh) benefits for persons convicted of a felony involving controlled substances.
Let me sidetrack for a moment to provide some brief, but important, background information that will illuminate the importance of AB 828. The Federal welfare law imposes a lifetime ban on anyone convicted of a drug-related felony from receiving federally funded SNAP benefits. The law prohibits individuals from receiving benefits for the rest of their lives, even if they have completed their sentence, have overcome their addiction, or have earned a certificate of rehabilitation or other form of clemency. States that wish to opt out of the ban must go through their own legislative process, and, to date, about 16 states and the District if Columbia have done so.
On the morning of May 5th, Gwendy and Tiffany received some good news—AB 828 passed Assembly Appropriations. In the afternoon the four of us met with Diane Shelton, Legislative Director for 44th District Assembly Member Anthony Portantino. Shelton was very much aware of AB 828, and assured us that the Assembly Member was in favor of the bill.
We also met with Miriam Barcellona Ingenito, Deputy Director, Legislation in the Department of Finance. Ingenito shared concerns the Department had about the bill so the team could strategize and take action on how to keep this bill moving forward.
Here are the next steps. The Bill will go to the Assembly Floor and if it passes it will then go to the Senate Policy Committee followed by the Senate Appropriations Committee, and then to the Senate Floor. Finally, around September it will go to the Governor, assuming it passes each prior step. So basically, at the moment the Bill has passed through 2 of 7 steps.
What did you learn? What was your favorite moment/experience?
I found the day to be energizing. On a personal note, this day had tremendous meaning for me because it was empowering to finally be able to lift a set of words, we often take for granted, off the pages of history and put them into real-world context “ . . . government of the people, by the people, and for the people. . . .” To me these words mean having a passion for what you believe in and an unwavering belief in the process. I witnessed this passion and belief in Gwendy and Tiffany.
As State Senator Dede Alpert and Nikki Clay counseled the WGSD membership during our April 4th meeting, reaching out to form relationships with legislators and, sometimes more importantly, their staffers is critical to the legislative process. Gwendy and Tiffany demonstrated how to effectively advocate by having well choreographed presentations that highlighted particular aspects of AB 828. They remained focused and on topic, and provided opportunities for Lise and me to impress upon those we met with that we felt so strongly about AB 828 that we flew up to Sacramento for the day to make this known. I think this sent a powerful message that this issue matters to women around California.
Next Steps:
Here are some action steps that Gwendy suggests for WGSD members, their family, and friends.
There is an immediate call to action. Because AB 828 will be heard on the Assembly Floor soon (date TBD), call your Assembly Member to let them know you support AB 828. You can click here to find your elected representatives, http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/yourleg.html.
Continue supporting the bill this summer: As the bill moves forward (hopefully) to the Senate and to the Governor, we ask you to either call or write specific elected officials to show your support (either your reps or committee chairs).
Please expect communication from us around June/July for Senate and September for the Governor. IMPORTANT: If you represent an organization/group and are able to support the bill “on behalf” of your organization this is more impactful so please consider asking your organization if you are able.
I am going to be following up with Gwendy throughout the summer and would be happy to keep everyone posted.
No comments:
Post a Comment