{"id":3623,"date":"2019-03-08T12:54:55","date_gmt":"2019-03-08T18:54:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/advocacy\/?p=3623"},"modified":"2019-03-08T12:54:55","modified_gmt":"2019-03-08T18:54:55","slug":"march-update-u-n-and-state-edition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.elca.org\/advocacy\/march-update-u-n-and-state-edition\/","title":{"rendered":"March Update: U.N. and State Edition"},"content":{"rendered":"

U.N.<\/a> | California<\/a> | Colorado<\/a> | Minnesota<\/a> |\u00a0New Mexico<\/a> | Southeastern Synod<\/a> | Pennsylvania<\/a> | Virginia<\/a> | Washington<\/a> | Wisconsin<\/a>
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Lutheran Office for World Community, United Nations, New York, N.Y.<\/h3>\n

Dennis Frado, director<\/h4>\n

57TH<\/sup> SESSION OF THE COMMISSION FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT:<\/strong> The fifty-seventh session of the Commission for Social Development (CSocD57) took place from 11 to 21 February 2019, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The Priority theme this year was \u201cAddressing inequalities and challenges to social inclusion through fiscal, wage and social protection policies\u201d. The Commission\u2019s emerging issues theme was \u201cEmpowerment of people affected by natural and human-made disasters to reduce inequality: Addressing the differential impact on persons with disabilities, older persons and youth\u201d.<\/p>\n

Across nine days, the challenges and inequalities of social inclusion were explored through fiscal, wage and social protection policy during high level panels and side events. A plenary on February 13 highlighted the peoples most affected during times of crisis; people with disabilities, older persons and youth and how current policies could be more inclusive and empowering through all stages of planning and implementation. An emphasis on the importance of including those with psychosocial\/mental disabilities in disaster planning was also addressed, with the need for visual materials, and verbal cues during moments of natural or man-made disasters.<\/p>\n

For further information, check out CSoD57.<\/a><\/u><\/p>\n

UNITED NATIONS BLACK HISTORY MONTH TOUR: <\/strong>During the month of February, the United Nations<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
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Ark of Return located on the United Nations Visitors Plaza. \u00a9 LOWC\/Rebekka P\u00f6hlmann<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

offered for the first time a special Black History Month tour. Each weekday the Black history-themed tour of the United Nations included a look at the Ark of Return, a permanent memorial in honor of the victims of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade, located on the United Nations Visitors Plaza. The art piece was designed by Rodney Leon, an American Architect of Haitian descent, and unveiled on 25 March 2015 to commemorate the more than 15 million African men, women and children, who were enslaved.<\/p>\n

During the tour the visitors had the chance to learn about the contributions of people of African descent to the work of the United Nations in fields such as peace and security and human rights, with a special emphasis on decolonization. Ralph Johnson Bunche, for example, was the first person of African descent to receive a Nobel Peace Prize in 1950 for his efforts to help resolve the Arab-Israeli conflict in the 1940s, specifically the 1949 Armistice Agreements. He was also highly involved in the formation and early administration of the secretariat of the United Nations.<\/p>\n

The tour was also organized in the context of the International Decade for People of African Descent<\/a> 2015-2024<\/u>.<\/p>\n

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California<\/h3>\n

Regina Banks, Lutheran Office of Public Policy loppca.org<\/a><\/h4>\n

BILL INTRODUCTION DEADLINE:<\/strong> February 22, 2019 marked the final day for the California Legislature to introduce bills for the 2019 Legislative Session. The Senate and Assembly Desks remained open through the weekend to process the bill introductions. Nearly 2,600 bills were introduced this year, covering an extensive range of topics and subject-areas. Among the several bills introduced were no fewer than 17 that represent the End Child Poverty Plan recommendations. Many other bills were introduced with respect to LOPP-CA\u2019s other legislative priorities of Water Justice and Immigration and Migration issues. The policy council will begin to narrow down bill priorities in the coming weeks. \"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGNS:<\/strong> The Communications Committee has heard your cry: Invest in LOPP-CA\u2019s Social Media presence! We know that you are looking for LOPP-CA on social media platforms and we are preparing to meet you there. Please visit us on Facebook at Lutheran Office of Public Policy- California. We are sharing updates, article and time-sensitive action items. Like, share and repost our content. The policy council has a goal of getting 5000 followers by the end of the year. You can help us meet our goal and stay up-to-date with the activities. Plans are underway for Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube. Watch this space!<\/p>\n

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<\/a>Colorado<\/h3>\n

Peter Severson, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry\u2013Colorado lam-co.org<\/a><\/h4>\n

LUTHERAN DAY AT THE LEGISLATURE: <\/strong>We had a successful lobby day event on Thursday, February 21.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
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Constituents of State Sen. Tammy Story (2nd<\/sup> from right) meet in her office at the State Capitol for Colorado Lutheran Day at the Legislature<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Thanks to all who came out for fellowship, conversation, education and advocacy! We heard from State Senator Jeff Bridges, Rocky Mountain Synod Bishop Jim Gonia, and Colorado Center on Law & Policy attorney Jack Regenbogen. Our asks were all criminal justice related: support for automatic record sealing, \u201cBan the Box,\u201d and abolishing the death penalty.<\/p>\n

Many attendees met with their legislators and\/or a legislative aide during our time at the Capitol. The next day, Bishop Jim Gonia offered the opening prayer for the House of Representatives, where he gave thanks for the vocation to public service of our state legislators. You can watch video of his remarks online here<\/a> (via Facebook).<\/p>\n

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE:<\/strong> We have been advocating recently on bills to extend eviction notice windows for renters (HB 19-1118) and to expand the Child Nutrition School Lunch Protection Act (HB 19-1171). LAM-CO Director Peter Severson testified in both hearings. We expect the introduction next week of several high-profile bills on our agenda, including Paid Family Leave and Abolishing Colorado\u2019s Death Penalty. Follow all the bills that have been introduced at http:\/\/leg.colorado.gov<\/a> and be informed on issues that you care about. Stay tuned!<\/p>\n

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Minnesota<\/h3>\n

Tammy Walhof, Lutheran Advocacy\u2013Minnesota www.lutheranadvocacymn.org<\/a><\/h4>\n

HOUSING & THE GOVERNOR\u2019S BUDGET: <\/strong>Gov. Walz\u2019s budget highlights housing as a critical issue facing Minnesota, calling for investments across the housing continuum from homelessness to homeownership. We appreciate that the governor gives the housing crisis the increased attention it needs! However, we must go beyond his proposals to even do more to meet the housing needs of students, families, employers, and communities across Minnesota. State investments must also include supportive services (in Health & Human Service budget).<\/p>\n

CLEAN ENERGY LEGISLATION: <\/strong>Legislation has been introduced that creates a set of renewable and carbon-free energy targets for Minnesota\u2019s utilities to meet between now and 2050, with 100% carbon-free energy the eventual goal. It allows flexibility if meeting the targets significantly effects energy costs or reliability, and allows modification for future unknowns like new technology, environmental impacts, or obstacles to building energy infrastructure. (The bill defines \u201crenewable\u201d energy as electricity produced from solar, wind, small hydroelectric facilities, hydrogen and biomass. \u201cCarbon-free\u201d energy is defined as electricity produced without emitting carbon from sources like nuclear energy which aren\u2019t renewable).<\/p>\n

CLEAN ENERGY & CLIMATE ACTION DAY<\/strong>: <\/strong>Join students, neighbors, families, people of faith! Engage in opportunities throughout the day to learn, share, meet with legislators and let them know you want action on clean energy. Participate in action stations, inter-faith worship, and a rally in the Capitol Rotunda. Stay for the day or come when you can. Register at<\/strong>: http:\/\/bit.ly\/MNEnergyDay<\/a>\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n