Capitol Voice November 2020

Sierra Club California’s annual Summit (held virtually this year) to discuss the year ahead could not have been timed better. Only minutes before the Summit began, national news networks projected that Joe Biden had won enough electoral votes to become the 46th President of the United States.

As the relief sank in among the more than 150 attendees, so did the reality of the immense work that will be required for the country and the state to “Build Back Better.”

The Summit was packed with speakers and panelists with ambitious visions for the future and plans to materialize them.

The first panel outlined what happened in the elections and what the results mean for California going forward. Dan Schnur, who teaches political communications at UC Berkeley and the University of Southern California  noted that “California is the United States, sooner.” 

Schnur, along with the other panelists, including Sierra Club Political Committee Chair Victoria Brandon, Political Director Ariel Hayes and strategist Doug Linney, stressed the importance of California continuing to take a leadership role in the United States and pushing for progressive environmental policies.

During an outstanding keynote speech, State Controller Betty Yee relayed her vision of a California where diversity is held as its greatest strength. While she cautioned that we are living in a “era of finite resources,” she highlighted the extraordinary work and potential of leaders, particularly women leaders, who aspire to be true public servants for all.

Following inspirational spoken word from Bobby Jo Chavarria, a second panel discussed opportunities to advance environmental protection in California.The panel included water policy expert Felicia Marcus, energy expert Dan Kammen and California Department of Parks and Recreation Director Armando Quintero.  Each of the panelists emphasized the need to incorporate equity as leaders and activists work to promote park expansion, mass electric vehicle adoption and water conservation. 

Sierra Club National Organizing Director Bob Bingaman rounded out the speakers with a personal reflection on how he has incorporated equity and justice in his environmental work.

The day concluded with breakout sessions during which participants brainstormed one big idea for activists and staff to advocate for in the coming year. Each group reported back with ideas including promoting rooftop solar, advancing water education and emphasizing park expansion and access while supporting the Governor’s recent biodiversity executive order.

Throughout the day, DJ Mikey V played music during breaks in the program. As he spun his final records, activists logged off feeling renewed and inspired to protect our shared planet.

Senate Races Present Bright Spots, New Faces

 By Kathryn Phillips

 

Voters restored Josh Newman to the senate seat he was forced out of in 2018, and a senator who rarely votes with the environment appears to have been unseated by a Sierra Club California endorsed candidate.

That means that, as of this writing on November 12, before ballots have been entirely counted, it appears the state senate will have at least six new members who won our endorsement.

Newman, who will again represent Senate District 29, which covers parts of Los Angeles, Orange and Riverside counties, lost that seat in 2018 after a conservative political strategist orchestrated a recall to punish Newman for voting for a gasoline tax to help improve transportation in the state. Newman had served less than two years in office when he was recalled.

Dave Min appears to have beaten Senate District 37 incumbent John Moorlach. On Sierra Club California’s 2020 Legislative Report Card, Moorlach received a solid zero. SD 37 includes coastal Orange County and Costa Mesa and Anaheim.

Other Sierra Club California endorsed senate winners include Susan Talamantes Eggman (SD 5), who will replace termed-out Senator Cathleen Galgiani in the Delta region district. Eggman is moving over to the seat from the Assembly.

Newly elected Senator Monique Limon (SD 19) will also be moving over from the Assembly to take over the seat vacated by Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson, who was termed out of the Santa Barbara-area seat.

Josh Becker (SD 13) will be another new face among the Club-endorsed senators. He will replace Senator Jerry Hill who was termed out of the Silicon Valley area seat.

John Laird (SD 17), a former assembly member who served as Secretary of Natural Resources under Governor Jerry Brown, will take over the seat held by Bill Monning, who was termed out of this seat. SD 17 includes parts of the counties of Monterey, Santa Cruz and Santa Clara and all of San Luis Obispo County.

As of this writing, the race between Sierra Club California endorsee Kipp Mueller and Senator Scott Wilk remains too close to call.

For information on and links to all election results in California, visit the Secretary of State’s website at sos.ca.gov.