UPCOMING EVENTS

Election Information

"Touring with the Candidates" for our Supervisorial candidates is now online. As always, this service is provided by the LWVSB Education Fund.

1st District candidates.

3rd District candidates

For individual candidates' Tours, see SmartVoter.org. The links in the May "Channel Voter" are no longer correct.

"Touring" and our two forums for candidates for County Supervisor are now airing daily on Channel 71 (note the NEW channel).

Daily the shows are as followed:

1st District Touring at 11:22 pm every night

Candidate forum - English: 9:56 PM
Candidate forum - Spanish: 10:39 PM

3rd District Touring - 9:28 PM

Candidate forum - English: 8:00 PM
Candidate forum - Spanish: 8:44 PM

The programs are also on most nights from 1-5 AM. See the schedule.

Easy Voter Guides in English and Spanish are now available in the office. For other languages, click on the link.

The printed Pros and Cons are expected soon. Click on the link for online and downloadable versions.

The League of Women Voters of California Education Fund has an excellent new site with all types of voting information.

Our Garden Party

Our annual Garden Party, this year ­honoring the men of the League, ­was a great success! With the theme of "We Are All in This Together," the party was Sunday, May 6 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Lions Park, 6197 Casitas Pass Road, Carpinteria.

May Community Forum: Learn about League Positions on the June Ballot Measures

Don't vote until you have attended our May Community Forum to learn about local election Measures X, W and Y. We will give the background for our positions on these three measures and State Ballot Measures, Propositions 28 and 29. We will also clarify the new Top Two Primary system.

The Forum will be Wednesday, May 16, noon to 2 p.m. at the Louise Lowry Davis Community Center, 1232 De La Vina St. It is free and open to the public. Bring your own brown bag lunch; cookies and beverages will be provided. The forum is free and open to the public­bring guests! Parking is free.

Brian Robinson from the Santa Barbara Education Foundation will present information in support of Measures W and X, the continuation of the school parcel taxes. Urban Creeks Council President Eddie Harris and others will explain ­why a large coalition of environmental groups is opposing Measure Y. Marty Blum will explain the League's positions on the state Propositions 28 and 29, and Linda Phillips will explain the new Top Two open primary system.

Annual Meeting 2012 Set For June 16

The League's Annual Meeting will be held this year on Saturday, June 16, 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., at The Unitarian Society of Santa Barbara, 1535 Santa Barbara Street, in the Parish Hall.

Support the Rental Housing Mediation Task Force (Again!)

There is a Budget Review meeting scheduled for the Santa Barbara Community Development Department on Wednesday, May 16 at 2 p.m. in the Council Chambers to consider funding for the Rental Housing Mediation Task Force. Please support the RHMTF. You may also contact the Mayor and Council prior to the hearing to voice your support.

In 2012 LWVSB, along with numerous organizations and individuals, testified in support of the Rental Housing Mediation Task Force. The Santa Barbara City Council voted to save the RHMTF and the mediation services that they provide. However, the Recommended Operating and Capital Budget for 2013 once again calls for significant cuts to RHMTF staff and services.

Building Community: Networking for Action

The LWVSB will participate in this gathering of local organizations at the invitation of the Santa Barbara Women's Political Committee. Groups advocating for programs in their communities will meet on Wednesday, May 23 at 6:00 p.m. at the Faulkner Gallery.

Beth Pitton-August, co-president, program and action, will represent our League on the panel. Other panelists will include representatives from AAUW, Coalition Against Gun Violence, Fund for Santa Barbara, Pacific Pride, Just Communities and National Association of Women Business Owners.

See our Calendar for more upcoming events.

ACTION ALERTS

Sign up to receive Action Alerts directly by email. Don't miss an opportunity to take action! It's easy to sign up and the League will never share your email with others:

League of Women Voters national Grassroots Lobby Corps:

League of Women Voters of California

LWVC Action

UPDATE on the SAFE California Initiative (replacing the Death Penalty)

The SAFE California Initiative has qualified for the November ballot! Nearly 800,000 signatures were gathered throughout the state. Thanks to all who signed the petitions, and special thanks to those who circulated them.

LWVUS Action Alert

LWVUS ACTION ALERT: Tell your Senators it is time to clean up campaigns! LWV supports the DISCLOSE Act so that citizens will know who is behind campaign spending. Our Senators both are co-sponsors of this important legislation.

LWVUS ACTION ALERT: Support EPA's Proposal to Limit Industrial Carbon Pollution.

For the first time ever, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) could put limits on the industrial carbon pollution that fuels global warming, makes smog worse and threatens the health of children and the elderly -- and you can help make it happen.

The EPA has taken an important first step by proposing a new standard to limit carbon pollution from new power plants. The agency is now receiving public comments on the proposal and we must add our voice in support. Send a powerful message to let the EPA know you want them to support people not polluters. Your comment will be delivered with those of thousands of League members and supporters across the country.