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TRACK YOUR BALLOT

Go to ocvote.gov/vlt/ 

DAVE MIN AND DEREK TRAN WIN!!!

So does Mike Levin in south county.  OC is represented mostly by Democrats!

Voice of OC, 11/27/2024 by Spencer Custodio: https://voiceofoc.org/2024/11/derek-tran-beats-rep-michelle-steel-in-45th-congressional-district-race/

AIR SHOW SCANDAL

For a review watch this short video on the city's probably illegal million dollar settlement with Code 4, the company that runs the airshow.  Outrageous!   www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMPtTkOnvVw 

VOTER ID LEGISLATION

Our State Senator Dave Min's bill SB 1174 has passed the State Senate and now goes to the Assembly. The bill prohibits local governments from imposing voter identification (ID) requirements in local elections and reinforces the State of California's exclusive jurisdiction on the matter. (from Dave Min's website

The bill passed the Assembly and will now go to the Governor for signature: www.latimes.com/socal/daily-pilot/news/story/2024-08-30/bill-which-could-shut-down-huntington-beachs-voter-id-requirements-passes-california-assembly 

Governor Newsom signed the bill, but HB City Attorney Gates will contest, naturally.

Data on Voter Fraud

Here's the secret it's NOT rampant

HB in the News

Read a comprehensive, front page LA Times article (12/15/23) on what our new City Council is doing to Huntington Beach:  www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-12-13/huntington-beach-sticking-it-to-woke-california-at-what-cost-to-residents  For earlier press coverage go to our Press page.  And, go to the Protect HB YouTube channel for the latest coverage. Watch a short video on the Air Show settlement scandal.

OUR LIBRARY UNDER ATTACK

ATTACKING THE LIBRARY COLLECTION

The Huntington Beach Public Library, a stellar organization in the county has been under attack since the MAGA city council took over.  Late last year the council passed a resolution to remove "objectional" items from the childrens and teen section of the library.  The reason, paraphrasing, is to protect young readers from "pornography" and "obscenity." No criteria was set for the removal process and for the alternative access to these materials by those who wish to use them.  On the February 20th meeting, Council Woman Moser attempted to bring transparency to the process, but her resolution was not passed.  Read an unbiased review of this action in the Daily Pilot. Many more articles are archived in the From the Press section of this website. 

The MAGA majority is moving forward to create a 21 person "review" board to evaluate childrens books. How often will they meet?  What criteria will be used to appoint these people? What criteria will they use to review these books? How many books have to be purchased for the process?  What happens to the books that will not be purchased for the library? The Community and Library Services Commission met on April 10, 2024, where these questions were asked but not answered because everything is in process.  Here is a sampling of the books that have been removed from the children and teen sections of the library.

PRIVATIZING THE LIBRARY

Incredibly, the MAGA majority has decided that it would be a good thing to privatize the library.  As such they will issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) to firms such as Library Systems and Services (a for profit entity).  The RFP is in the process of being written. Over 30 citizens spoke at the April 10 commission meeting decrying this move and asking pertinent questions such as: will we have the same services, will we be eligible for government grants, will we able to keep the hundreds of volunteers who staff many programs and services, how much money are we actually saving?  There were few answers although an astonishing fact is that the library's budget hasn't increased in the last five years.  HB spends $27 per citizen per year for library services. Hardly a huge amount.  It's the price of an average hardback book. One book check out by an HB tax payer takes care of that amount. 1/19/24: FORTUNATELY, THE VENDOR BACKED OFF AT THE LAST MINUTE SO THE ISSUE IS MOOT.  HOWEVER, BE ON THE ALERT FOR CONTINUING ATTACKS ON OUR LIBRARY.


WHAT CAN WE DO?

Attend council and commission meetings, contact the council members (call, email, make in-person appointments, attend protest meeting (See Protect HB for activities and opportunities),join the Friends of the Library and donate, talk to your friends and neighbors--most people lead busy lives and are not well informed on local issues. Sign the petitions to undo the "citizens review board" that will censor children's books and the petition against privatizing the library. See below for opportunities to work on the petitions.  


PROTECT HUNTINGTON BEACH

PROTECTHB.ORG is a new PAC whose mission is to defeat the Charter Amendments on the ballot this March.  Please support this organization.  Go to their website, learn more about it and donate whatever you can.  Hopefully you can volunteer to write postcards and knock on doors to defeat the madness that the F5 have set upon us. The Editorial Board of the OCRegister endorsed our cause on 1/16/24: www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/vi6pmz91l82e894c5p61o/24-01-16-OCR-Endorsement-End-Huntington-Beach-comic-political-theater.pdf?rlkey=psnhs6engedece7r1hhymoh17&dl=0   A terrific column appeared in the LATimes (1/21/24) on the front page of the California section. Written by famed writer Steve Lopez it chronicles the current madness with a nod to "retirees" turned activists: edition.pagesuite.com/infinity/article_share.aspx?guid=b0effe4d-be72-4a77-bde9-b164a4e19aba&v=sdk  Watch a Facebook video from our campaign.  Watch a video with comments from citizens. 

The Editorial Board of the Orange County Register endorsed our cause.  See link for full article.

An editorial in the Daily Pilot/LA Times, October 24, 2023 by nine former HB mayors is a significant rebuff to the current city council.  See full text on the below or go to: www.latimes.com/socal/daily-pilot/opinion/story/2023-10-24/commentary-current-huntington-beach-council-majority-sending-city-in-wrong-direction 

The mayors held a Press Conference at City Hall on November 1, 2023.  See www.latimes.com/socal/daily-pilot/news/story/2023-11-01/protect-huntington-beach-group-seeks-to-stop-charter-amendments 

See video of Press Conference here: drive.google.com/file/d/1nOvle0g5QfiOCVY9AFkwf5qT1hSWDtiy/view?fbclid=IwAR34pzLHFe8qHyoKw2zdmoZZEyhFOqLSjvLMfXZ_SF3-b3QPEHGTDEI2saE&pli=1  

Click here to send your emailscity.council@surfcity-hb.org and supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org 

Our state senator Dave Min's comments on HB City Council issues.


What can you do about this?  

Attend the meetings and voice your opinions.  If you can't attend in person, call, write or email the city council members repeatedly if need be.  You will find their emails at  www.huntingtonbeachca.gov/government/elected_officials/city_council/  Also, keep up with what the press coverage is by going to our internal page:  sites.google.com/view/orange-coast-huddle/voter-engagement/from-the-press 


Just when HATE CRIME is on the rise HB eliminated the Human Relations Committee which was established 25 years ago.  voiceofoc.org/2023/09/new-report-shows-hate-crimes-and-incidents-continue-increasing-in-orange-county/ 

RELOCATED BOOKS AT HBPL

HOLDING ELECTED LEADERS ACCOUNTABLE

In February we sponsored a program on this extremely timely topic.  HB is a hot spot right now, but other governmental entities are also vulnerable.  In any case, the right thing to do being concerned citizens is to keep informed and act on issues we care about on behalf of ourselves and our community.  The program slides are available by clicking here.  Learn how to

HB CITY COUNCIL AGENDA

Agendas are available at huntingtonbeach.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx  City Council meetings are broadcast live on YouTube. Search for the live session or the archives. The city website is www.huntingtonbeachca.gov/ 

The new "conservative" majority block running the HB City Council's actions must be observed closely.  They need to be held accountable for the platform they ran on.  For instance, California State General Attorney Bonta sent a letter to Michael Gates, HB City Attorney warning him to comply with California laws re affordable housing.  Mr. Gates is planning to sue the state to avoid this type of housing. The LA Times has covered the issue. Even the Orange County Register ran an editorial against our city's action. One of the most comprehensive articles comes from the Voice of OC.  On another matter, 11 former mayors wrote in the Daily Pilot against the council's plan to craft an ordinance that limits the flags flown at city hall.  For more information go to the HBCC subpage nested under the Voter Engament page of this website. 


lHOLDING ELECTED LEADERS ACCOUNTABLE

We sponsored a program on this extremely timely topic.  HB is a hot spot right now, but other governmental entities are also vulnerable.  In any case, the right thing to do being concerned citizens is to keep informed and act on issues we care about on behalf of ourselves and our community.  The program slides are available by clicking here.  Learn how to

State Senator Dave Min introduces bill to ban off shore drilling

Read about it here. 

Benefits of the Inflation Reduction Act


The Biden administration on Tuesday launched Cleanenergy.gov, a website that explains how consumers can take advantage of the clean energy tax credits in the Inflation Reduction Act.   The site provides information on the tax credits that are available for rooftop solar panels, heating and cooling systems, energy efficiency upgrades and electric vehicles. Consumers can also sign up to receive updates about incentives that will become available next year.



LOCAL CANDIDATES SPEAKING AT OUR RALLY ON AUGUST 27th

Thanks to all candidates and volunteers who attended!

D588AD8C-5C05-4861-9981-23534178328C.MOV

KEEPING INFORMED VIA LOCAL NEWSLETTERS

Keep up with local city news by going to Surf City Break at surfcitybreak.com/    For reporst from the city manager go to https://www.huntingtonbeachca.gov/announcements/announcement.cfm?id=1579 

Fountain Valley newsletter:  https://www.fountainvalley.org/Blog.aspx?CID=2

Costa Mesa newsletter:  https://www.cityofcostamesanews.com/

Our OC District 2 Supervisor, Katrina Foley, has a newsletter which you can find at http://bos.ocgov.com/legacy2kf/newsletters/vol1issue2.html

Our own newsletter: Register to get it here: us15.list-manage.com/subscribe? u=fefda7d67dd51caf8aad96c88&id=b4f9961904   

For archived issues of our newsletter go to: us15.campaign-archive.com/home/?u=fefda7d67dd51caf8aad96c88&id=b4f9961904 

Our Environment Team sends a weekly newsletter.  Sign up by emailing llaw2449@gmail.com 


Orange County Progressive News Outlets

Voice of OC    Independent, free, but donations are highly encouraged. Award winner.

Orange Juice Blog  A bit more edgy. States it has conservative contributors.

Democratic Club of West Orange County.  Official club associated with the Democratic party.