OWL San Francisco

What was the turning point in your life? Did it correspond with any historical event?

OWL ALERT Oct. 31, 2020 CALIFORNIANS HAVE BEEN WAITING DECADES FOR LARGE CORPORATIONS TO PAY THEIR FAIR SHARE OF PROPERTY TAX. NOW WE CAN MAKE THIS HAPPEN... VOTE YES ON PROP 15 Big corporations are still paying taxes based on what their land was worth in the 1970’s. Prop 15 will generate $12 billion a year for our schools and communities while maintaining protections for all residential property owners. Opposition scare tactics against Prop 15 have been debunked! Small businesses will not see increased rents brought on by Prop 15. PLEASE SHARE WITH EVERYONE YOU KNOW IN CALIFORNIA. URGE THEM TO VOTE YES ON PROP 15

DEBUNKING LIES ABOUT PROP 15 EFFECT ON SMALL BUSINESS PROP 15 WILL GUARANTEE LONG TERM REVENUE FOR SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES WITHOUT INCREASING TAXES ON SMALL BUSINESS. OWLs have backed this measure for many years. More people signed petitions to put this on the ballot than any other petition in California history! Opposition scare tactics against Prop 15 have been debunked!... Evolve California is one of many groups dedicated to passing Prop 15 on November 3rd. FROM EVOLVE: A new study confirms what we have known for a while: Prop. 15 PROTECTS small business! Last week, Beacon Economics released a report proving that Prop. 15 will not increase commercial rents. As Beacon Economics explains: "Claims about Proposition 15's impacts on small businesses are unfounded. This initiative WILL NOT strain small business owners with skyrocketing rents and should actually affect small businesses very little". Our corporate-backed opponents are hiding behind small businesses to scare Californians into voting against their best interests. But the truth is that Chevron and Disney don't care about the mom-and-pop shop down the street, they just want to keep their special deal. Beacon Economics proved that rents are based on the market, not on property taxes. This won't stop our well-funded opposition from spreading their lies. Will you chip in a contribution to help us get the word out about this report and combat their scare tactics? As the Beacon report highlights, the burden of Prop. 15 will fall on the largest corporations and highest-value properties. When it comes to small businesses, there are 3 important things to remember about Prop. 15: Just 10% of the biggest, wealthiest commercial properties will generate 92% of the revenue. Commercial properties valued below $3 million are exempt. Small businesses will receive the largest tax break in a generation. Prop. 15 will eliminate the personal business property tax for small businesses. This is a cumbersome tax that negatively impacts small business. It is a perfect example of how California is forced to nickel and dime small businesses to make up for large commercial property owners not paying their fair share. Our opponents will spend whatever it takes to avoid paying their fair share of property taxes. Please chip in a contribution so we can restore $12 billion a year for our schools and communities. With less than a week until ballots are mailed to voters, we need your help NOW. If you're a small business owner who would like to endorse Prop. 15, please click here. Thanks for your support, Ben Grieff Campaign Director You can read the Beacon Economics report here. If you are interested in learning more about Prop. 15, c

OWL ALERT October 10, 2020 URGE THE SENATE TO PASS THE TEMPORARY PROTECTION STATUS BILL HR 6 If not us, then who?... SITUATION: The Temporary Status Protection bill halts deportation of hundreds of thousands of TSP holders who have lawfully lived in the U.S. for years many with children who are U.S. citizens. Many of these immigrants from El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal and others would have to go back to countries experiencing humanitarian crisis and ongoing violence and natural disasters. ACTION: TPS and DACA holders built lives and families in the U.S. because they counted on the US government to keep its word. Now the Trump administration is trying to eliminate these protections. A recent appeals court decision could start sending people back next March. The House already passed HR 6 with bipartisan recognition of DACA and TPS holders as permanent and essential members of our society. . Now it’s the Senate’s turn to support this path to citizenship for TSP and DACA holders. Call, email or write your senators. Urge them to vote to protect the TSP bill HR6 and to urge their fellow senators to do the same. D.C. Local D.C. Address Senator Dianne Feinstein https://www.feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/e-mail-me (202) 224-3841 (415) 393-0707 331 Hart Senate Bldg. Washington, D.C. 20510 Senator Kamala Harris https://www.harris.senate.gov/contact/email (202) 224 - 3553 (415) 981 - 9369 112 Hart Senate Building Washington, D.C. 20510 PLEASE SHARE THIS MESSAGE WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS IN OTHER STATES. ASK THEM TO CONTACT THEIR SENATORS, ESPECIALLY IF THEY ARE INCLINED TO OPPOSE THIS BILL. https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members

DEADLINE WED. 9/30 URGE NEWSOM TO SIGN BILLS THAT GIVE ALL FAMILIES SUPPORT SITUATION: AB 2520 will help low-income people and immigrants more easily apply for a variety of crucial public benefits programs. It expands access to medical records necessary to apply for these programs, as well as requires healthcare providers to complete benefit-eligibility forms for free, so families can access these programs as quickly as possible. AB 2377 will keep more adult "board and care" ...facilities open, after too many have closed in recent years. Residents with mental health and other chronic challenges have depended upon Adult Residential Facilities for critical housing, care, and support services, and this bill would help keep them open so their residents don't become homeless. ACTION: Email, call Governor Newsom by Wednesday Sept 30 Phone: (916) 445-2841 Fax: (916) 558-3160 https://govapps.gov.ca.gov/gov40mail/

OWL ALERT Sept 20, 2020 NO QUICK VOTE FOR NEXT U.S. SUPREME COURT JUSTICE SITUATION: "My most fervent wish is that I will not be replaced until a new president is installed. Ruth Baden-Ginsburg Sept.18, 2020. Senator Mitch McConnnell is locking down key votes from Republican senators racing to replace RBG Sept. 19, 2020. In Feb.2016, 9 months before that election, McConnell delayed Obama’s nominee, Merrick Garland, because it was too close to the election and the next p...resident should name the nominee. Hypocrisy in caps! ACTION: Please demand that these Senators honor RBG's request, and stand strong for democracy by allowing the winner of this election to select her successor. This vote will be one of the most important these Senators can make, and will alter their legacy if they choose to disrespect the people of this country by going forward with a vote for a replacement before the next president is inaugurated. (Thank Collins and Murkowski for opposing a quick vote and urge them to hold the vote until after inauguration.) If you do not wish to speak with a live person, call during off-hours. Senator Mitt Romney R-UT (202) 224-5251 https://www.romney.senate.gov/contact Senator Marco Rubio R-FL (202) 224-3041 https://www.rubio.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contact Senator Steve Daines R-MT (202) 224-2651- https://www.daines.senate.gov/connect/email-steve Senator Cory Gardner R-CO (202) 224-5941 https://www.gardner.senate.gov/contact-cory/email-cory Senator Chuck Grassley R-IA (202) 224-3744 https://www.grassley.senate.gov/contact Senator Lamar Alexander R-TN (202) 224-4944- https://www.alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=Email Senator Martha McSally R-AZ (202) 224-2235 https://www.mcsally.senate.gov/contact/email-martha Senator Susan Collins R-ME (202) 224-2523 https://www.collins.senate.gov/contact Senator Lisa Murkowski R-AK (202) 224-6665 https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/contact . SHARE AND URGE FAMILY AND FRIENDS IN OTHER CITIES AND STATES TO CONTACT THEIR U.S. SENATORS - ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO ARE INCLINED TO DISAGREE. https://www.govtrack.us/congress/mem

District 11 https://www.facebook.com/events/292321135371888.

OWL ALERT Sept 13, 2020 Funds for Your City and State Depend on U.S. Census SITUATION: The Republican Senate has cut short the time (by an entire month) allotted for the census to be taken. Why?? Local governments and advocacy groups have filed lawsuits against the Trump administration arguing that an inaccurate count will cost some communities political representation and millions of federal dollars. The Census count influences school funding, senior housing, public tra...nsit, etc. https://2020census.gov/en/community-impact.html ACTION: BE COUNTED TO GET WHAT YOU DESERVE FOR YOUR CITY and STATE https://www.2020census.gov/ or 844-330-2020. Hurry! Census information gathering currently ends SEPTEMBER 30. ALERT YOUR SENATORS to urge an extension of the deadline back to the original October 31 date and please write and call Dr. Steven Dillingham, Director of the Census Bureau, 4600 Silver Hill Rd, WDC 20233 or 800-923-8292 (Cust. Service) M -F 8 a.m.-5 p.m. EDT Senator Dianne Feinstein (202) 224-3841 (415) 393-0707 https://www.feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/e-mail-me Senator Kamala Harris (202) 224 - 3553 (415) 981 - 9369 https://www.harris.senate.gov/contact/email SHARE AND URGE FAMILY AND FRIENDS IN OTHER CITIES AND STATES TO CONTACT THEIR U.S. SENATORS - ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO ARE INCLINED TO DISAGREE. https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members

OWL has a new column, Who Wants to Know. Here's what some OWL members had to say about their lives during the pandemic. Feel free to post your own answer in the comment section!

OWL ALERT Sept. 5, 2020 URGE NEWSOM TO SIGN TASK FORCE BILLS TO STUDY REPARATIONS and DIVERSE CORPORATION BOARDS SHARE WITH EVERYONE YOU KNOW IN CALIFORNIA ... If not us, then who? if not now, then when? John Lewis 1940-2020 SITUATION: AB3121 would just set up a task force to study the idea of reparations for African Americans and AB979 just for a study requiring at least one person of an under representative group be appointed to California corporate boards. Both bills received legislative approval and only await Governor Newsom’s signature. Here’s an interesting illustrated read on discrimination policies throughout U.S. history: https://www.yesmagazine.org//infographic-40-acres-and-a-m/ ACTION: Write, email, call Governor Newsom Governor Gavin Newsom 1303 10th Street, Suite 1173 Sacramento, CA 95814 Phone: (916) 445-2841 Fax: (916) 558-3160 https://govapps.gov.ca.gov/gov40mail/

Kathy Mata, the founder and director of the Kathy Mata Ballet and one of the newest members of OWL, sent this today (September 2nd, 2020) with the following message: This video is dedicated to all the seniors who supported us through the years by coming to so many of our performances! We miss all of you dearly and wanted to say that we are here to stay until we all are reunited again! This video also serves as a reminder about who we are, adult dancers from many diverse back...grounds who have found a place where we belong and can share our love of dancing at Kathy Mata Ballet. Even during these challenging times, we still dance together and are united even more! https://drive.google.com/open. .

OWL ALERT AUGUST 30, 2020 Nov 3 Election Depends on a Functioning Post Office https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members... SITUATION: President Trump by his actions and words is trying to UNDERMINE MAIL-IN VOTING. He has appointed Louis DeJoy as Post Master General (no experience in the postal service, but a huge Republican donor with financial ties to an alternate shipping company, XPO Logistics). LeJoy has dismantled mail-sorting machines and removed mailboxes from streets in several cities in order to SLOWDOWN VOTE-BY-MAIL BALLOT REQUESTS as well as actual incoming ballots. ACTION: It is paramount during this national election period that mail-in ballots with your vote will be counted on time. Demand full funding for the USPS. If you can, please also write to the man who should fire DeJoy on the grounds of his conflict of interest. Robert M. Duncan, Chair USPS Bd. Of Govnrs, 475 L’Enfant Plaza West, SW, WDC 20260 CALL OR EMAIL YOUR OWN LEGISLATORS TODAY! D.C. Local Email Representative Nancy Pelosi 202-225-4965 415-556-4862 https://pelosi.house.gov/contact-me/email-me Representative Jackie Speier 202-225-3531 650-342-0300 [email protected] Representative Anna Eshoo 202-225-8104 650-323-2984 https://eshoo.house.gov/contact/email-me Representative Jared Huffman 202-225-5161 415-258-9657 https://huffman.house.gov/contact/email-me Representative Barbara Lee 202-225-2621 510-763-0370 https://lee.house.gov/contact/email-me Representative Mark DeSaulnier 202-225-2095 925-933-2660 https://desaulnier.house.gov/contact/email Representative Eric Swalwell 202-225-5065 510-370-3322 https://swalwell.house.gov/contact/email Senator Dianne Feinstein (202) 224-3841 (415) 393-0707 https://www.feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/e-mail-me Senator Kamala Harris (202) 224 - 3553 (415) 981 - 9369 https://www.harris.senate.gov/contact/email

OWL ALERT August 15, 2020 KEEP the U.S. Postal Service OPERATING PLEASE SHARE THIS MESSAGE WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS IN OTHER STATES. URGE THEM TO CONTACT THEIR HOUSE REPRESENTATIVES and SENATORS - ESPECIALLY THOSE WHOSE LEGISLATORS ARE INCLINED TO DISAGREE. https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members... SITUATION: Current administration working on undermining voting-by-mail by claiming it’s fraudulent (it carries a fraud rate of 0.00006 percent according to msn). His statements are sounding a lot like voter suppression. He’s saying he'll veto any stimulus bill if it funds the USPS ACTION: Our Postal Service must be fully funded to give us on-time delivery! Other actions to take to combat vote-by-mail suppression: When We All Vote suggests asking for multiple options to request, receive, and return mail-in ballots. Familiarize yourself with your state’s deadlines (all of which are available here). Voters can drop their ballots in designated collection boxes managed by election officials, CALL OR EMAIL YOUR OWN LEGISLATORS TODAY! D.C. Local Email Representative Nancy Pelosi 202-225-4965 415-556-4862 https://pelosi.house.gov/contact-me/email-me Representative Jackie Speier 202-225-3531 650-342-0300 [email protected] Representative Anna Eshoo 202-225-8104 650-323-2984 https://eshoo.house.gov/contact/email-me Representative Jared Huffman 202-225-5161 415-258-9657 https://huffman.house.gov/contact/email-me Representative Barbara Lee 202-225-2621 510-763-0370 https://lee.house.gov/contact/email-me Representative Mark DeSaulnier 202-225-2095 925-933-2660 https://desaulnier.house.gov/contact/email Representative Eric Swalwell 202-225-5065 510-370-3322 https://swalwell.house.gov/contact/email Senator Dianne Feinstein (202) 224-3841 (415) 393-0707 https://www.feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/e-mail-me Senator Kamala Harris (202) 224 - 3553 (415) 981 - 9369 https://www.harris.senate.gov/contact/email