A PUBLICATION OF THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF KERN COUNTY NOVEMBER/DECEMBER, 2014 BE INFORMED ABOUT THE HYDROGEN ENERGY PROJECT Twenty-three miles west of downtown Bakersfield near the town of Tupman is the site of the proposed Hydrogen Energy California (HECA) plant. The purpose of the plant is to convert coal and refinery waste into an impure hydrogen fuel that will be used to generate electricity and produce fertilizer. One thing the plant has already generated is much controversy. The original plan was that HECA would capture 90% of its carbon dioxide emissions and pipe it to Elk Hills where Occidental Petroleum would inject it for use in hydraulic fracturing (fracking). Recently, Occidental spun off its California operations, thus placing the HECA plant on hold. Even though the plant is in limbo, League members should understand its effect on air quality, its funding, and its possible threat due to storage of dangerous chemicals such as anhydrous ammonia. Chris Romanini has been a vocal and informed opponent of HECA. She will be the speaker at our general dinner meeting Wednesday, November 19 at 5:45 p.m. A third generation Bakersfield native, Chris s family has farmed near Buttonwillow for over 100 years. The Romaninis were the first family farmers to plant pistachios in the Buttonwillow area. They have demonstrated that pistachios are an ideal Kern crop because they can thrive on brackish water. After she raised two sons, Chris started a successful real estate career making the top 1% of Century 21 agents in Central California. She has been featured in a Los Angeles Times article and on Bakersfield television s Channel 17 news program about HECA. An articulate speaker, Chris will explain the negative aspects of this project. Be informed. Come to the November 19th meeting at the Petroleum Club, 5060 California Avenue. Cost of the dinner is $25. Reservation deadline is noon on November 17. Call the League Line, 634-3773, or email patriciajjepsen@aol.com. Guests who wish to attend the program only are always welcome and should plan to arrive around 6:45.--Lynne Rosenstein IN THIS ISSUE President s Message 2 December Program 3 Nov. Ballot Proposition 3/4 Message from LWV President 5 League Positions Update 6 Sponsors 7 Calendar 8
President s Message The 2014 mid-term election day is rapidly approaching and soon will be behind us. I know a number of League members choose to vote by mail. and many of them have already marked their ballot and mailed it. If you haven t voted by mail and choose to go to the poll, I hope the information in this Voter will be of help. The November meeting s topic, Hydrogen Energy California (HECA) should be of concern for all of us. It has been dropped and morphed into different projects several times and is currently in limbo now. It could return. When I first heard about HECA, its energy source was to be natural gas from nearby Kern gas wells and could be used to produce electricity. The most recent plan was to bring in coal from an uncertain source using trains and truck it from a train terminal to its final destination. December s meeting follows the spirit of the Holidays as we are to bring a gift for a woman or child to assist those in need and support of the Alliance Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault. The League has had a tradition of planning for the coming year in January. As Planning Meetings have had very poor attendance, the Board will plan at a later board meeting. and the general membership will vote on that plan at the Annual Meeting. If you have an idea or know of an important issue you think the League should study, please let me know and I will present it to the board during our planning session. At this time I would like to thank all the members who took their time to study the propositions and present at our membership meeting and the Delta Kappa Gama Sorority meeting. Terri Stanton, Paula De La Riva, Monique Hawkins and Irene Heath who filled in for Nancy Arias did an excellent job at our October 15 th general meeting. Jill Egland, Pam Baugher, and Nancy Arias did outstanding jobs at the Delta Kappa Gama Sorority meeting October 23 rd. Thank you, Thank you. Lois Watson, President Voting by Mail? Remember to mail that ballot early, not often! Editor s Note: Due to space limitation, Carrie Catt, Pt. 2 will be in the next Voter. 2
LEARN ABOUT & HELP THE ALLIANCE AGAINST FAMILY VIOLENCE & SEXUAL ASSAULT Louis Gill, Jr. wears two hats. Not only is he the director of the Bakersfield Homeless Center, but he is also the director of the Alliance Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault. The Alliance is committed to stopping domestic violence and sexual assault in Kern County and to assisting those who have suffered from these crimes to reclaim their lives. Louis will be our speaker when we meet at the Guild House for lunch Wednesday, December 17 at 11:30. He will explain the services provided by the Alliance and discuss the number of people the agency assists. Please bring a gift for either a woman or a child or both. Suggestions include disposable diapers, toys, shampoo, deodorant, and cosmetics. If possible, please wrap your gifts (except diapers) and with removable labels indicating the contents. Alliance Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault is a non-profit organization committed to stopping domestic violence and sexual assaults in Kern County and to assist those who have suffered from these crimes reclaim their lives. Located in Bakersfield, California, Alliance began in 1979 with a group of volunteers operating a 24-hour hotline. Over thirty years later, volunteers and staff not only continue to operate the hotline, but they also provide many other programs and services that work to end domestic violence and sexual assault in our community and support those who have been victimized. Cost of the luncheon is $18. Reservation deadline is noon on December 15 at noon. Call the League Line, 634-3773, or email patriciajjepsen@aol.com. Make your reservation early; space is limited.--lynne Rosenstein NOVEMBER BALLOT PROPOSITIONS This November ballot has six propositions for voters to consider. The voters will notice that they are not numbered sequentially, which was the original way in which they were designated. The Legislature renumbered the two propositions that it put on the ballot, from Prop. 43 and Prop. 44 to Prop.1 and Prop. 2. It did not change the rest of the numbering. Proposition 1 is the Water Bond: Funding for Water Quality, Supply, Treatment and Storage Projects. It would allow the state to redirect $415 million in unsold bonds and sell $7.1 billion in additional bonds, with funds used to manage water supplies, protect and restore wetlands, improve water quality, and increase flood protection. The cost to taxpayers would average about $360 million annually over the next 40 years. (cont. p.4) 3
NOVEMBER BALLOT PROPOSITIONS (cont.) Proposition 2 is the State Budget. Budget Stabilization Account. It would reduce the annual revenue transfer to the BSA by approximately $1.6 billion and add a portion of capital gains-related taxes in years when they exceed a certain level. For 15 years, half of the foregoing amount would be used to pay down public retirement benefit obligations and other governmental debts. It would increase the target BSA maximum to $11 billion. It could also increase funding to a new state reserve for schools and community colleges. The fiscal impact is that the state would likely pay down existing debts somewhat faster, leaving less money for other things in the state budget, at least for the next 15 years. Proposition 45 is Health Care Insurance. Rate Changes. This proposition applies only to individual and employer small-group plans. The Insurance Commissioner would have to approve rate changes for those plans. It would also prohibit the use of an individual's credit history or the absence of prior insurance coverage when determining rates or eligibility for health, automobile, or homeowner's insurance. The fiscal effect would be increased administrative costs, which would come from the fees paid by insurance companies. Proposition 46 is Drug and Alcohol Testing of Doctors. Medical Negligence Lawsuits. The proposal would mandate random drug tests of doctors in addition to tests after events of possible medical negligence. It would require doctors to check a statewide database before prescribing certain drugs to prevent patient "doctor shopping." It would also raise the cap for noneconomic damages in malpractice lawsuits to $1.1 million. Fiscally, the government funded medical programs would see an increase in malpractice insurance. There would be a slight increase in health care costs as a result of raising the cap. The drug database could reduce the amount of drugs prescribed, saving drug costs, and testing doctors would prevent some medical errors leading to uncertain savings. Proposition 47 is Criminal Sentences. Misdemeanor Penalties. This would reduce the penalty for most nonviolent felonies to misdemeanors unless the defendant has prior convictions for violent and serious crimes. It would permit resentencing for anyone currently serving a prison sentence for any of these offenses. The state savings are estimated to be in the low hundreds of millions of dollars annually, and the county cost savings are estimated to be several hundred million dollars annually. Proposition 48 is Indian Gaming Compacts. This ballot issue is a referendum that asks voters to approve or reject the gaming compacts with the North Fork and Wiyot tribes. A YES vote approves the legislative statute that ratifies the compacts and allows them to go into effect. A NO vote rejects the statute and voids the compacts. The fiscal impact is that tribes would make annual payments to the state and local governments to offset costs arising from the existence of a new casino. These would probably average about $1.5 million annually over the 10 year compact. Madera County and city are the two areas slated to receive the major fiscal benefits of this referendum. To read Pro and Con arguments for each of the above propositions go to the League of Women Voters of California site. Terri Stanton 4
10/23/14 MESSAGE FROM NATIONAL LEAGUE PRESIDENT It has been an interesting few weeks as I have traveled first to Wisconsin, then to Texas and most recently to Virginia. In all three states, the League has been working, often in conjunction with elections officials, to prepare voters to present voter photo ID at the polls this election. Luckily, in Wisconsin, the U.S. Supreme Court gave a reprieve for yet another election. In Texas, despite a ruling at the trial level that the ID law was discriminatory, the U.S. Supreme Court allowed the state to proceed with its unfair and onerous photo ID law. In Virginia, where voter photo ID will be required for the first time, elections officials at the state and local level are actively making the best of a bad situation by trying a voter-friendly approach. The situation in VA is bad because there could be as many as 200,000 eligible voters without the requisite ID. The approach of state elections officials in interpreting the new state law has included a broader range of accepted forms of ID than in other states. Additionally, state and local elections officials have been working together along with the Virginia League and other organizations to educate voters. Speaking to elections officials this week in Richmond and Fairfax, the good news is that local governments have stepped up to provide voter education and access to free voter photo ID. Unlike many of the states with restrictive voter ID laws, Virginia does not require multiple documents before issuing ID, including the free ID. Whether these efforts will ameliorate the impact of this bad law remains to be seen. In my meetings with officials this week, I could not help but admire their determination to do what they could to ensure that every eligible voter in their community had free and fair access to the polls. At every meeting with every elections official in the states I have visited so far, I have been struck by how much time, effort and money is going into implementing laws that accomplish nothing but create new barriers and disenfranchise eligible voters. My hat is off to our members and their partners, public and private, who are working hard to put voters first this election season. With 13 days to go, including today, there is still much work to be done to turn out voters, whether through early voting or on Election Day. Sincerely, Elisabeth MacNamara President, League of Women Voters Need a gift? Give a KCLWV membership! 5
LWVC NOVEMBER BALLOT RECOMMENDATIONS UPDATE Since the last issue of the Voter, the League has taken the following positions on Propositions 1 & 2. The LWVC board carefully considered Prop 1, the water bond, and decided to remain neutral on this measure. Vote YES on Prop 2, the Rainy Day Fund measure, which takes an important step toward stability and fiscal discipline in our state government. Just a quick reminder: Recommendation for Proposition 44: State Budget. Budget Stabilization Account SUPPORT Recommendation for Proposition 47: Criminal Sentences. Misdemeanor Penalties SUPPORT No Recommendation on the Other Measures on This Ballot Because League positions do not cover the issues in Prop 45, Prop 46, and Prop 48, the LWVC is taking no stand on these measures. To read the full League position, please go to: www.lwvc.org/ballot-recommendtions - Pam Baugher League of Women Voters of Kern County PO Box 132 Bakersfield, CA 93302 League Line (661) 634-3773 E-mail: lwatson707@sbcglobal.net Lois Watson, President Lynne Rosenstein, 1st Vice President Terri Stanton, 2nd Vice President Margo Perry, Secretary Patti Jepsen Treasurer Pam Baugher, Voter Editor Directors Majida Shehadeh Paula De La Riva Nancy Arias Irene Heath Monique Hawkins Tracey LaMonica The LWVKC in both its values and practices affirms its belief in the commitment to diversity and pluralism. Voting membership is open to all citizens of voting age (18 years); associate membership is open to non-citizens and citizens under the age of 18. Our activities in the community are open to everyone. 6
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League of Women Voters of Kern County PO Box 132 Bakersfield, CA 93302 NOVEMBER 19TH MEETING Potential Problems with HECA plant Petroleum Club, 5:45 pm Calendar November 3- Monday, 5:30 pm. LWVKC Board meeting, Beale Library. November 19 - Wednesday, 5:45 pm, General meeting. Negative aspects of HECA, Petroleum Club, 5060 California Ave. Reservations due by noon, Monday, Sept. 16. December 1---. Monday, 5:30 pm. LWVKC Board meeting, Beale Library. December 17 Wednesday, 11:30 am. General LUNCH meeting. Alliance Against Family Violence & Sexual Assault, Gift donation requested. Guild House, Reservations due by noon, Monday, Dec. 15. Reminder: General meetings are usually on the third Wednesday of the month. If you need transportation to a meeting, please leave that message on the League Line. Reservations are required for dinner and luncheon meetings and special events. Please call the League Line, 634-3773 or email Patti Jepsen at patriciajjepsen@aol.com by Monday noon prior to the Wednesday event. No charge for attendance at program only. Thank you.