OWL ALERT June 28 – July 4, 2020
PLEASE  SEND THIS URL, WWW.OWLSF.ORG TO FAMILY AND FRIENDS IN OTHER STATES. ASK THEM TO CONTACT THEIR SENATORS  AND ESPECIALLY IF THEY ARE INCLINED TO OPPOSE THIS BILL.  https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members

 If not us, then who?

SITUATION:  The many instances of racism and brutality towards black people by police puts a spotlight on police policies, training, accountability and militarization.

ACTION: This bill facilitates federal enforcement of constitutional violations (e.g., excessive use of force) by state and local law enforcement. The bill establishes new requirements for law enforcement officers and agencies, including to report data on use-of-force incidents, to obtain training on implicit bias and racial profiling, and to wear body cameras. See the full summary here https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/7120

Call, email or write your senators.  Ask them to vote for HR 7120 and to urge their fellow senators to do the same.   

PLEASE  FORWARD THIS MESSAGE TO FAMILY AND FRIENDS IN CALIFORNIA.   ASK THEM TO CONTACT GOVERNOR NEWSOM

Thanks to your calls, the CA legislature spared senior service cuts

SITUATION: The Legislature passed a budget on June 15^th that restored the cuts to essential services that seniors and people with disabilities depend upon.  We must keep the pressure on the Governor and tell him to maintain these services while we work to get additional revenue from the Federal Government (HEROES ACT).”

ACTION: Talking points To Newsom : Please support the Senate And Assembly Budget Plan that passed on June 15^th.  We must fund the essential programs that keep seniors and people with disabilities safe and supported – and out of institutions.  If we must create new revenues, use the rainy day fund, or borrow money.

Newsom must either sign the budget by July 1 or he can veto all parts of it, so keep the pressure on!

Governor Gavin Newsom          Phone: (916) 445-2841 
1303 10th Street, Suite 1173
Sacramento, CA 95814

OWL ALERT JUNE 15-22, 2020

https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members

TRUST ACT HR. 4907 & S. 2733 THREAT TO SOCIAL SECURITY

SITUATION: This Act is a sneak attack and a direct threat to our retirement security. It will allow lawmakers to create special “rescue committees” that they can use to slash
Social Security and Medicare. It is gaining traction behind closed doors.  Last week, 60 members of the House sent a letter urging the TRUST Act to be passed in any future
coronavirus bill.

ACTION: We can’t let Congress create a “commission” to devise ways to cut our earned benefits in the name of deficit reduction. Sign this petition from the Alliance of Retired Americans https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/tell-congress-to-stop-plan-to-cut-social-security-and-medicare-behin

 CALL OR SEND A POSTCARD TO YOUR OWN LEGISLATORS

https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members

OWL ALERT May 27-TIME SENSITIVE

http://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov/

CA LEGISLATURE MUST SAVE ADULT DAY HEALTH CARE & IN-HOME SUPPORT SERVICES

SITUATION:  The decimating of senior services continues in Newsom’s budget! Governor Newsom’s proposed budget, eliminates funding for Community Based Adult Services, Multipurpose Senior Services, and In-Home Support Services, thereby making it more difficult or impossible for elderly and disabled people to continue living at home.

 ACTION:  Contact those listed below, saying:  Help keep elderly and disabled people out of nursing homes where over half of COVID-19 deaths in California have occurred.  Adult Day Health Care, Multipurpose Senior Services, and In-Home Support Services must be funded!

Contact Senator Holly J. Mitchell, Chair Senate Budget Committee at (916) 651-4030 or  sbud.committee@senate.ca.gov and your legislator below:

Call or email your own Assemblymember

If you prefer not to talk with a live person, call during off-hours

Call or email your own senator:

OWL ALERT May 22, 2020

http://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov/

FUNDING FOR ELDERLY & DISABLED PEOPLE TO LIVE AT HOME

SITUATION:  Governor Newsom’s proposed budget, would eliminate funding for Community Based Adult Services and Multipurpose Senior Services, thereby making it more difficult or impossible for these people to continue living at home.

 ACTION:  Contact those listed below, saying;   Over half of COVID-19 deaths in California have been in nursing homes. Help keep elderly and disabled people out of nursing homes. Please fund Community Based Adult Services and Multipurpose Senior Services.

Governor Gavin Newsom          Phone: (916) 445-2841 
1303 10th Street, Suite 1173
Sacramento, CA 95814

Call your own Assemblymember

If you prefer not to talk with a live person, call during off-hours

Call your own senator:

OWL ALERT May 12, 2020

http://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov/

PROTECT OUR DEMOCRACY’S PRECIOUS VOTING PRIVILEGE

SITUATION:  Gov. Gavin Newsom’s executive order Friday requiring counties to send every registered voter a mail-in ballot for the November election must also include an expansion of the number of in-person voting locations to support voters.  In-person locations are needed for people who will not use a mail-in ballot, that need a replacement ballot, need any kind of in-person language or physical assistance, do not have an address to receive a vote-by-mail ballot, are new to voting, or need to register and vote on the same day. This is not a partisan issue.

ACTION:  Voting by mail is not enough.  Having as many in-person locations as possible, with as many early voting opportunities as possible, is the only safe way to conduct an election under the current conditions to avoid long lines and large crowds. Contact those listed below and urge the expansion of both mail-in balloting and onsite voting places.

Governor Gavin Newsom          Phone: (916) 445-2841 
1303 10th Street, Suite 1173
Sacramento, CA 95814

Call your own legislator

If you prefer not to talk with a live person, call during off-hours

Call your own senator

OWL ALERT April 20 – 27, 2020

PROTECT OUR POSTAL SERVICES

If not us then who?

The U. S. Postal Services is a vital American institution that has served a critical role during the Coronavirus crisis.  It is a lifeline for millions of older citizens, especially those without internet access and those living in rural areas.

SITUATION:  President Trump has personally rejected emergency postal service funding, and the post office has received a loan only. Our Postal Service needs direct assistance, not loans, in order to continue serving the public during this pandemic, the recovery period and the upcoming election.  Vote by mail, so important to our democracy, is especially at stake.

ACTION: Call your Congressmember and U.S. Senators TODAY!  Tell them to protect our postal services and its tireless employees by providing needed permanent funding.  Make sure that Americans can continue getting their mail.

CALL YOUR OWN LEGISLATORS TODAY!

https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members

OWL ALERT April 12–19, 2020

Stimulus Package Phase 3

 If not us, then who?

SITUATION:  Senate Democrats in Washington unveiled their own Phase 3 proposal to fight COVID 19 and the economic crisis it has caused. This proposal puts workers and families first.  Older people, veterans and people with disabilities, Social Security benefits would immediately be increased by $200 per month until the end of 2021, putting money into the economy. Public health issues, including burgeoning capacity issues for hospitals, childcare and education would also be addressed.

ACTION: Please contact your Senator and ask for their support for a more people oriented Phase 3 proposal, one that puts families, children, older people, veterans and those with disabilities first, rather than tax cuts and financial support for corporations.

CALL YOUR OWN LEGISLATORS TODAY!

OWL ALERT April 4 -10, 2020

CA AB 2377 ADULT RESIDENTIAL CLOSURE ACT
If not us, then who?

SITUATION:  Adult residential homes in California are closing at an alarming rate.  These facilities commonly referred to as “Board and Care,” house some of our most vulnerable older citizens who are no longer able to live independently in the community.  At this time it is more important than ever to have safe housing to prevent homelessness.

ACTION:This bill requires a licensee of a Board and Care home to take all reasonable steps to transfer residents safely to minimize possible transfer trauma. and provides for more stringent closure requirements.  Contact your Assemblyperson today and ask for their support on Assembly Bill 2377

If you prefer not to talk with a live person, call during off-hours

Are you ready to learn new skills, train, and go back to work?
SCSEP is a federally funded job-readiness program that helps older adults transition
from on-the-job-training back into the work force.
Eligibility requirements are:
1. 55 years or older
2. Resident of San Francisco
3. Currently unemployed
4. Low Income
Contact Amy Yu, Program Director: ayu@felton.org,   or call 415/345-1002.