Get Active: Call Your Legislator!

Many of us lead busy lives, and it's tough to keep up with all the decision-making being made in our names. The team at ActiveSGV is thus committed to making SGV residents aware of opportunities to support a more sustainable San Gabriel Valley.

One of the most impactful and time-efficient ways you can make your voice heard is by calling your state legislators. These calls generally take 2 minutes or less, as legislative staff only want to tally community support/opposition to bills, and confirm your residency within the district. 

To be adopted, bills must be approved by both houses of the legislature, and then be signed by the Governor. 

If you've never called your State Senator or Assembly Member before, we have included a sample script below, as well as a brief summary of each bill ActiveSGV has taken a formal stance on.

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out to us for more info!

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Pending, ActiveSGV-supported Bills

The following bills are still making their way through the CA legislature and in need of support!
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• SUPPORT - SB 54 / AB 1080 - Plastic Pollution Reduction Act - Would set CA on a path to phase out single-use, non-recyclable plastics that are now more than ever ending up in our landfills, waterways, and open spaces. Strongly endorsed by environmental partners across the state. As of 8/26/19, this bill has passed the Senate and moved to the Assembly. Bill info here.
• SUPPORT - SB 127 - Complete Streets for Active Living Bill - Would require Caltrans to improve the safety of people walking, biking, and taking transit when they repair or repave state routes in urban areas and along main streets in more rural communities. Strongly endorsed by Cal Bike, AARP, American Heart Association, and other partners. As of 8/26/19, this bill has passed the Senate and is on "suspense" in the Assembly. Bill info here. Also see Streetsblog CA coverage here.
• SUPPORT - SB 742 - Thru-Way Buses - Would allow the public to purchase tickets on Amtrak Thru-Way buses without having to purchase a rail ticket at the same time. As of 8/26/19, SB 742 has unanimously passed the Senate and two committees in the Assembly. Bill info here.
  
• SUPPORT - ACA 8 - Elections: Vote by 17 - Would lower the age of voting to 17 in California. As of 8/26/19, ACA 8 has passed the Senate and moved to the Assembly floor. Bill info here.
• SUPPORT - AB 29 - 710 Freeway - Removes portion of 710 freeway between the 10 and 210 freeways from the California Freeway and Expressway System. As of 8/26/19, this bill is in Senate Appropriations Committee. Bill info here.
• SUPPORT - AB 857 - Public Banking - Would legalize public banking in California, creating lower-cost, more ethical banking options for cities and counties. Unfortunately most major financial institutions in the United States continue to lobby against consumer protections, charge high rates, and fund massive fossil fuel projects. Public banks would be akin to local credit unions, but for Cities/Counties. As of 8/26/19, AB 857 narrowly passed the Assembly and is on 'suspense' in the Senate Appropriations Committee. Bill info here.​
• SUPPORT - AB 1788 - CA Ecosystems Protection Act - Would prohibit the use of over-the-counter poisons (anti-coagulants) that easily move up the food chain, killing wildlife and pets, including bobcats, predatory birds, and mountain lions in the San Gabriel Valley. As of 5/31/19, AB 1788 has passed the Assembly and has moved to the Senate. Bill info here.

Sample Call Script

Hello my name is___________ and I'm calling today as a local constituent from the City of _______ to urge my representative to support the following bills:
                [Share which bills you support here, such as:]

• SB 127 (support) - Complete Streets for Active Living 
  
• SB 54 - AB 1080 (support) - Plastic Pollution Reduction Act 

• AB 857 (support) - Public Banking
• etc.

[Staff may ask you for your home address to verify you live in the District.]

Thank you and good day!

SGV Area State Legislator Numbers

Unsure who your rep is? Find out here.
Once you know yours, we strongly recommend saving their numbers on your phone to make any future calls even easier.

• Sen. Anthony Portantino: (916) 651-4025 - district includes the SGV cities and communities of Pasadena, Altadena, La Cañada Flintridge, South Pasadena, San Marino, Sierra Madre, Monrovia, Duarte, Glendora, San Dimas, La Verne, and Claremont.
• Assm. Chris Holden: (916) 319-2041 - district includes the SGV cities of Pasadena, South Pasadena, Altadena, Sierra Madre, Monrovia, San Dimas, and La Verne.
• Sen. Susan Rubio: (626) 430-2499 - district includes the SGV cities of Alhambra, Arcadia, Azusa, Baldwin Park, Covina, El Monte, Industry, Irwindale, La Puente, Monterey Park, San Gabriel, Rosemead, South El Monte, Temple City and West Covina as well as the unincorporated communities of Avocado Heights, Charter Oak, Citrus, East Pasadena, East San Gabriel, Mayflower Village, North El Monte, South Monrovia Island, South San Gabriel, South San Jose Hills, Valinda, Vincent and West Puente Valley.
• Assm. Blanca Rubio: (916) 319-2048 - district includes the SGV cities of Azusa, Baldwin Park, Covina, Duarte, El Monte, Glendora, and West Covina.

• Assm. Ed Chau: (916) 319- 2049 - district includes the SGV cities of Alhambra, Arcadia, Monterey Park, San Marino, San Gabriel, Rosemead, and Temple City.
• Sen. Bob Archuleta: (916) 651-4032 - district includes the SGV communities of Montebello and Hacienda Heights.
• Assm. Ian Calderon: (916) 319-2057 - district includes the SGV communities of South El Monte, La Puente, and Hacienda Heights.

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Bill Checker: Pending, Adopted, Shelved Bills

[AWAITING GOVERNOR'S SIGNATURE]
​Call the Governor's office at 916-445-2841 to help carry these bills over the line! 

• SUPPORT - SB 400 - E-bike Eligibility - Would make e-bikes eligible for state zero-emission vehicle rebates. As of 8/26/19, SB 400 has unanimously passed the Senate and passed the Assembly floor. Awaiting Governor's signature. Bill info here. ​​

[ADOPTED BILLS]

• PASSED! - SB 307 - Protect Desert Wildlife from Cadiz Water Project - Would protect sensitive wildlife habitat in the high desert from an unsustainable water project. Strongly supported by our environmental partners including the Nature for All Coalition. SB 307 passed both the Senate and Assembly, and was signed by the Governor on 7/31/19! Bill info here.​

[PUNTED to 2020]
Sometimes legislative authors elect to put their bills on a two-year track, to buy themselves more time to garner support.

• SUPPORT - SB 347 - Soda Warning Labels - Would require science-based labeling underlining the link between sugary-sweetened beverages and diabetes, obesity, and other chronic illnesses. Strongly supported by our public health partners including American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association. As of 8/26/19, SB 347 passed the Senate and is now on a two-year track, due to significant soda industry opposition. Bill info here.