POLICY WATCH – September 2024
In This Issue
Measure J- why you should vote No
Measure I- why you should vote Yes
Climate Pledge- Clean Air Day, October 2
United Against Hate Week, September 21-27
Upcoming Events:
Business Edge Briefing: Hybrid Workforce? Get Proven Ways to Increase Performance and Productivity, October 17th
NBLC’s State of the North Bay Conference, October 23rd – Tickets are now available here
North Bay Housing Solutions Summit in Partnership with Generation Housing, October 11
Honoring NBLC member Dr. Denise Lucy at IAS Inspiration Dinner, October 19
Members in the News
In this issue, we take a deeper look at why it is so important to support Measure I and oppose Measure J in Sonoma County. We also present you again with our legislative agenda to help guide you through the November ballot. We ask you to take a Climate Pledge and take action during United Against Hate week.
Please save the dates and register for upcoming events. NBLC’s annual State of the North Bay Conference is on October 23rd. Each year, we present original research by the Bay Area Council Economic Institute and learn how the North Bay is faring as a region economically and what opportunities we have for new growth. There will also be a panel featuring North Bay City Managers to talk about their local economies and how it impacts you. Tickets are on sale now.
We are partnering with Generation Housing this fall to present the North Bay Housing Solutions Summit, October 11th in Petaluma. You can purchase tickets here.
Measure J- Vote NO!
Measure J is on the ballot in November. It is a citizen-initiated ballot measure in Sonoma County to prohibit factory farms, as defined by Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) in our community. The definition of a CAFO, from No on Measure J website, “is a designation by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) by which appropriate regulations and oversight are employed to ensure the protection of natural resources. The designation of a CAFO includes confinement for at least 45 days or more in a calendar year. In Sonoma County, even organic, pasture-based dairies can be designated as a CAFO in that they house their animals in the winter months to offer clean-dry bedding, housing, and food to the animals while ensuring the protection of soil and pasture health. If Measure J passes, it will likely lead to the closure of farms classified as CAFO’s in Sonoma, many of which have existed for more than 100 years and have been passed onto generations and leave these multi-generational family farms without a way to sustain their operations, likely leading to the sale of these farms and their herds or flocks.”
KRCB, Sonoma County’s NPR station, hosted a townhall-style debate about Measure J on Wednesday, September 18th at the Central Sonoma County Library Branch in Santa Rosa. It was a packed house with a sharp exchange of differing viewpoints, according to Jeremy Hay at the Press Democrat.
You can watch the debate here on YouTube.
In the video, Brent Newell, an environmental attorney and a Petaluma planning commissioner, said “Farms in Sonoma are climate friendly, sustainable, pasture based and local. We should be encouraging these farms in Sonoma County, because they are an important part of our community, our local food system and our economy.” NBLC couldn’t agree more. They are not factory farms. They are owned and operated by families of brothers, cousins, fathers, sons and daughters, not corporations. We should be proud of the farms in Sonoma regardless of the size, not trying to downsize them because of ideology. The proponents of Measure J are not local voices. According to the No on Measure J website, “Measure J, was proposed by an animal extremist group from Berkeley, aiming to eliminate Sonoma County’s diverse animal agriculture production. If passed, Measure J would put multi-generational farming families out of business and as a result, the cost of dairy products, eggs, and poultry will increase significantly.”
The passage of Measure J will also have a catastrophic effect on the economy in Sonoma County according to “a study from University of California Cooperative Extension and Chico State University that concluded the measure could cost Sonoma County $500 million and nearly 1,400 jobs”. It will have a rippling effect on the economy too. Passing the ballot would force a dozen or more major organic and conventional dairy, meat and egg operations to reduce the size of their operations, forfeit millions of dollars in revenue or shut down entirely. If the multi-generational family farms are forced to close, it will impact our local source of food supply forcing local restaurants and wineries that rely on the local products they produce to purchase from outside of Sonoma. “By essentially shutting down certain agricultural businesses in Sonoma County, trucking companies would likely have to drive long distances to import our food from areas outside our region, or state” increasing greenhouse gas emissions. Our food choices will no longer be local. No longer fresh. It also impacts feed suppliers and smaller farmers that sell the products they produce to the larger farmers, not to mention the loss in sales tax revenue for the county. These multi-generational family farms in Sonoma are crucial to the entire eco-system of agriculture in Sonoma.
NBLC’s fundamental mission is to promote sound public policy. Measure J is not needed for Sonoma, it is not reasonable and has too many unintended consequences. A No vote on Measure J would help farmers in Sonoma thrive, ensure our local economy is resilient and protect Sonoma’s rich agricultural history. Please join NBLC and vote no on Measure J.
Measure I: Vote YES!
Measure I - Sonoma County Child Care and Children’s Health Initiative and Sales Tax is on the ballot in November. A “yes” vote on Measure I is a vote to approve 0.25% transactions and use tax on the sale and use of tangible property within Sonoma County, including incorporated and unincorporated areas, until ended by the voters, to fund early childcare, education and health care for children with high priority needs.
North Bay employers of all sizes and industry sectors are feeling the burden of the child care crisis and want more quality, affordable child care for their workforce. Child care and preschool are unaffordable for most working parents and supply in Sonoma County is scarce, especially for infants and toddlers. The Sonoma County Child Care and Children's Health Initiative will raise approximately $30 million annually, revenue that will address a set of critical priorities identified by our community. If passed in November, funds from the sales tax measure will develop more facilities where parents live and work, increase the number of slots available and pay a decent wage for child care and early education providers.
Overall, quality, affordable child care is not just beneficial to employees but also to employers, as it contributes to a more satisfied, productive, and loyal workforce. When employees have access to reliable child care, they are less likely to miss work due to child care issues. This leads to higher attendance rates and increased productivity. But it’s not just about productivity, it’s more about everyone’s well-being. As a working parent myself, when my children were younger just knowing that they were well cared for while I was working, allowed me to focus on my job and not worry. Access to affordable child care can help level the playing field for working parents too, particularly mothers. When both parents have access to reliable child care, it reduces the burden on one parent (often mothers) to stay home and care for children, allowing them to participate more fully in the workforce. Sonoma County is experiencing a crisis of early childhood care, health, and education.
Yes on I for Kids website states, “Nearly 50% of all available child care slots in Sonoma County were lost due to impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, less than 20% of children entering kindergarten are fully prepared to be successful in school–the latest indicator in a six-year downward trend in the kindergarten readiness of Sonoma County’s children. Given that 90% of brain development occurs before the age of 5, this will have dire long-term consequences, not only for this cohort of kids, but on our entire community. Measure I provides immediate investment to turnaround early childhood education and children’s health in Sonoma County.”
Join Congressman Jared Huffman, Congressman Mike Thompson, State Senate President Mike McGuire, Senator Bill Dodd, Assemblymembers Cecilia Aguiar-Curry and Jim Wood and NBLC in supporting Measure I. Vote Yes on Measure I and invest in our future.
NBLC Legislative Analysis: November 5th, 2024, Ballot Measures
The business and civic leaders of the North Bay Leadership Council make it their goal to promote sound public policy to make the north bay a better place to live and work. We provide a strong voice for leading employers to drive public policy in our region, demonstrate and grow leadership within the region, and collectively work for a more resilient, prosperous and equitable future.
Please find our legislative agenda for the November 5th ballot here with recommendations for the Statewide propositions, regional and local ballot measures as they pertain to NBLCs workplan and priority focus areas for 2024.
California Clean Air Day, October 2
Clean Air Day is Wednesday, October 2. As stated from cleanairday.org, “When it comes to air pollution, we can all do our part. Whether you’re an individual, business, government agency or nonprofit organization, there are things we all can do to improve air quality and protect public health. In a state with some of the worst air pollution in the United States, it is imperative that we do.
California Clean Air Day is built on the idea that shared experiences unite people to action to improve our community health. By joining together for a unified day of action we can create new habits to clear the air for all members of California’s diverse communities”.
NBLC has once again taken the pledge to commit to do our part to clear the air, through actions big and small. By taking the pledge, NBLC is helping to create a healthier environment but also is sending a strong message of support for clean air initiatives across our state. By joining, North Bay Leadership Council can continue to make a real impact in our collective efforts to improve air quality and address climate change. Partners like you are essential to building a better future for all Californians.
The Clean Air Pledge allows individuals and organizations to commit to do their part to clear the air, through actions big and small. When you take the Clean Air Day Pledge, you will see two options: to register as an individual and/or household or to register on behalf of an organization.
Please consider taking the pledge!
Be a part of a community of pledgers that included more than 16,500 Californians in 2023. Take the pledge to choose from a menu of items that make a big difference. Choose from each of our three main categories (Easy Actions, Small Investments and Plan Ahead) to triple your impact! You can change your air filter, eat vegan, or try out public transit for the day.
Are you a business, school, governmental entity, non-profit organization or healthcare provider? Then sign up to take the organization pledge. There you will find a series of questions related to your type of organization, with the number of employees participating being a key component, as well as what business practices and educational efforts might be modified on or for Clean Air Day.
United Against Hate Week, September 21-27
United Against Hate Week is a call for local civic action to stop the hate and implicit biases that are a dangerous threat to the safety and civility of our neighborhoods, towns, and cities, as reported on unitedagainsthateweek.org.
“United Against Hate Week emerged from a United Against Hate poster campaign created by Bay Area Cities in response to white supremacist rallies in Berkeley and San Francisco in 2017. The original 13 communities were convened in 2018 by Not In Our Town, a national anti-hate organization and partner in the LA vs Hate campaign, and committed to an annual week of action and awareness. Since its inception, United Against Hate Week has spread to over 200+ communities including all of Los Angeles County, faith-based groups, LGBTQ, and human rights organizations, and is beginning to take off throughout California and in communities across the U.S.”
In the current political climate where behaviors, and words have fueled animosity between groups, sometimes leading to extremist behaviors, this week serves as a reminder of the need for unity, understanding, and empathy, encouraging communities to stand against divisive ideologies.
We have all seen that the internet and social media have allowed hate speech to spread more rapidly than ever before. Online platforms have often become breeding grounds for misinformation and hate campaigns. It is so difficult to determine what is truth. United Against Hate Week promotes positive counter-narratives and digital responsibility.
There are many ways you, your organization, your employees and your neighbors can get involved. The simplest one is to hang a United Against Hate poster in your home, business, office or in a civic space. Many cities across the Bay Area are recognizing United Against Hate week including the City of San Rafael, the City of Novato, the towns of San Anselmo, Sonoma and Sebastopol.
By raising awareness and bringing people together to combat hate, maybe United Against Hate Week can help change the dialogue around hate, discrimination, and social division and shift public conversations toward more positive, empathetic, and constructive discussions.
To learn more and download a poster visit unitedagainsthate.org.
Upcoming Events
Don’t Miss NBLC’s State of the North Bay Conference, October 23rd, 8:30am via zoom – Ticket sales are on now.
Each year, the North Bay Leadership Council hosts an Economic Insight Conference focused on the State of the North Bay. Please join the event virtually on October 24th, 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., and hear original, expert research and learn how the North Bay is faring as a region economically and what opportunities we have for new growth. There will also be a panel featuring North Bay City Managers to talk about their local economies and how it impacts you. Purchase Tickets here.
Register Now- North Bay Housing Solutions Summit, October 11th Sheraton Petaluma, 9:00am-5:00pm
Join Generation Housing and The Press Democrat on Friday, October 11, 2024 for the 2024 Housing Solutions Summit. Conveniently located in the North Bay hub of Petaluma, the summit will bring together leaders and advocates to discuss actionable solutions to the housing crisis—and how to engage in those solutions. Now in its 4th year, the 2024 Housing Solutions Summit is a not to be missed event. Purchase Tickets here.
Business Edge Briefing: Hybrid Workforce? Get Proven Ways to Increase Performance and Productivity, October 17th, 11am via zoom
In this webinar, you'll discover proven ways to boost your team's performance and productivity in a hybrid workforce setting. Join us for a deep dive into strategies, tools, and best practices that will help you navigate the challenges of remote and in-person work. Register Here.
Join Me in Honoring NBLC member Dr. Denise Lucy at the International Association of Sufism’s Annual Inspiration Dinner, October 19th
On October 19, 2024, IAS is honoring Dr. Denise Lucy, Executive Director of Dominican University of California’s Institute of Leadership Studies, and Professor, Business and Organizational Studies at Dominican’s Barowsky School of Business, for the excellence of her work in and dedication to higher education, work in leadership development, and work with non-profits. NBLC CEO Webster serves on the Honorary Committee along with Dr. Mojgan Behmand, recipient of 2024 Leaders of the North Bay award.
The annual Inspiration Dinner will be held at Edgehill Mansion on the campus of Dominican University of California at 7pm on Saturday October 19, 2024. Please join us. To purchase tickets, visit www.ias.org/annualdinner.
Business Edge Briefing: Thrive in the AI Era: Unleashing the Power of Human Connection & Creativity, November 20, 11:00am via zoom
This webinar zeroes in on the critical human capabilities needed in the workplace that Artificial Intelligence (AI) cannot replace, offering an island of sanity in the midst of this noisy, liminal space. These AI-proof capabilities -- the ability to care, connect, and co-create -- form the fundamental building blocks of your organization's culture and ways of working. Activating these behaviors will make the difference between teams that are primed to collaborate, innovate, and adapt and those who are not. Register Here.
Members in the News
Marin Sanitary Service’s Patty Garbarino Receives the John P. Moscone Award for Lifetime Achievement
North Bay’s local Patty Garbarino, President of Marin Sanitary Service, Marin Recycling and Marin Resource Recovery Center, Board Member of Sonoma County Resource Recovery, and Napa Recycling and Waste Services was honored to receive the John P. Moscone Award for “long-term exemplary commitment and dedicated service to the waste industry” by the Resource Recovery Coalition of California (RRCC) at their annual Convention.
North Bay Children's Center Completes New Child Development Center
North Bay Children’s Center celebrated the structural completion of North Bay Children's Center’s new Child Development Center!
Congratulations to Our Members that Made the Pacific Sun’s 2024 Best in Marin
Congratulations to Kaiser Permanente and Redwood Credit Union for making the 2024 list!
Basin Street Properties Welcomes G & J Seiberlich’s New Office at Waterfall Towers in Santa Rosa
Basin Street Properties, a prominent real estate investment, development, and management firm, is pleased to announce G & J Seiberlich has signed a lease at Waterfall Towers in Santa Rosa.
Basin Street Properties Welcomes Berlin Masonry’s New Office at Waterfall Towers in Santa Rosa
Basin Street Properties, a prominent real estate investment, development, and management firm, is pleased to announce Berlin Masonry Inc. has signed a lease at Waterfall Towers in Santa Rosa.
Redwood Credit Union Welcomes Susanne Miller as Senior Vice President of Accounting and Finance
Susanne Miller has been hired as the new senior vice president over Accounting and Finance for Redwood Credit Union. In her new role, Miller will oversee financial planning and analysis, business finance support, and the accounting and financial reporting teams.
Comerica Bank Reaches Major Milestone
Happy 175th Anniversary, Comerica Bank!
Redwood Credit Union CEO joins Marin-Sonoma Impact Ventures advisory board
Redwood Credit Union CEO Brett Martinez has joined the advisory board of Marin-Sonoma Impact Ventures, the Corte Madera-based venture capital firm.
Sonoma County Winegrowers Awarded $900,000 in CDFA Grants
Sonoma County Winegrowers just received final confirmation that their organization has been awarded two significant California Department of Food & Agriculture’s Specialty Crop Block Grants, totaling over $900,000! This funding will help us continue advancing our goals and initiatives over the coming years. Importantly, these dollars leverage and elevate the investment our grape growers make in this organization and in working together to promote our wine region.
Sonoma County Winegrowers’ Wine Grape Farm Tech Project Grows in Exposure with John Deere Pilot
The tractor company partnered with the winegrowers’ group and its Central Valley equipment dealer, Belkorp Ag, with the aim of helping area farms manage the bumps and hurdles of farming through the use of high tech.
Basin Street Properties Welcomes Drew Nicoll Real Estate Offices to Fountaingrove Center in Santa Rosa
Basin Street Properties, a prominent real estate investment, development, and management firm, is pleased to announce Drew Nicoll Real Estate has signed a lease at Fountaingrove Center in Santa Rosa.
Who We Are
North Bay Leadership Council is the strong voice of employers who advocate for sound public policy affecting the North Bay, demonstrate and grow leadership within the region, and collectively work for a more resilient, prosperous and equitable future. For more information: Call 707.283.0028 / E-mail info@northbayleadership.org