Roundup: The Year Ahead
The leaders, the new laws and the list of elections that will shape 2024
New Leaders
Here’s a list of the leaders in local offices and organizations who took on new positions in 2023 and will be leading in 2024.
Diana Rich is the new Sebastopol mayor and Stephen Zollman new Vice Mayor. (December)
Don Schwartz is the Sebastopol’s new City Manager (November)
Julie Aiello is the board president for a second term for the West County Union High School District; Lewis Buchner is vice president.
Sara Gramm is the superintendent of Sebastopol Union School District. (July)
Interim Fire Chief Bruce Martin (November)
Sebastopol Senior Center Executive Director Katie Davis (November)
Sebastopol Center for the Arts Executive Director Serafina Palendech (May)
The Sebastopol Downtown Association and the Sebastopol Chamber of Commerce are in the process of merging. (“Better Together.”) (November)
Minimum Wage Increase in Sonoma County
In December, the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors approved a 2.8% increase county’s Living Wage to $18.10 an hour, up from $17.65 an hour. This sets a minimum wage for workers employed directly by the county government and workers at certain private companies and nonprofits that contract with the County of Sonoma. The wage increase will take effect on Jan. 1, 2024, for new contracts and transactions. Employers with existing contracts and transactions must meet the new wage standard by July 1, 2024.
Utility bill increase coming
“Ratepayers may be looking at water and sewer rate increases ranging from 60% to 175% starting in March 2024.”
New State Laws
From CalMatters: “The new CA laws you need to know”
Firearms
The state’s new concealed firearm restrictions ban Californians from carrying firearms in various public places such as parks, stadiums and places of worship. It was passed in response to a 2022 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that reduced limitations on who can receive concealed carry permits.
Consumer protection
Requires insurance companies to negotiate and settle payments with ambulance companies for out-of-network charges, and limits ambulance bills for uninsured people to the Medi-Cal or Medicare rate.
Establishes a state restitution fund for consumers who fall victim to false advertising.
Criminal justice
Establishes a pilot program in six cities for speeding cameras.
Lifts a statewide ban on cruising and undoes a ban on modifying vehicles to a certain low height.
Adds three years to the sentence for dealing more than one kilogram of fentanyl.
Increases penalties for human sex trafficking of a minor by classifying it as a “serious felony.”
Establishes “Ebony Alerts” for missing Black youth and women ages 12 to 25.
Education
Streamlines the process for undocumented college students to apply for state financial aid.
Health care
Expands Medi-Cal to eligible undocumented immigrants of all ages.
Requires private health insurance plans to cover birth control products for women without prescriptions or co-pays at in-network pharmacies, and bans out-of-pocket costs for vasectomies for men with private insurance.
Requires nursing homes to offer residents copies of any information that explains reasons for their eviction.
Housing
Makes it easier for religious institutions and non-profit colleges to develop affordable housing.
Gives developers permission to build denser, taller buildings if they set aside additional units for middle-income earners.
Makes it easier for courts to slap down “frivolous” environmental lawsuits.
Workplace
Increases guaranteed paid sick leave from three days a year to five.
Bans employers from using hair or urine test results for marijuana in their decisions to fire or penalize workers, and bars employers from asking job applicants about prior cannabis use (workers in the construction industry and positions that require federal background checks are not included).
2024 Primary Election
March 5
It’s bound to be a crazy election year with the Presidential primary season starting this month and coming to California in March 5. The last day to register is February 20, 2024.
Here’s what else will be on the March 5th ballot.
Sonoma County Measure to support fire services. A half-cent sales tax for enhanced fire protection, paramedic services and disaster response after the measure received enough signatures in a petition to be put to voters. The sales tax increase requires approval by a majority of voters. It seeks to raise approximately $60 million annually, divided by 31 Sonoma County fire agencies. (link)
State Proposition 1 on Mental Health Services. The Legislative Analyst’s Office explains this proposition as a reform of the Mental Health Act of 2004, renaming it the Behaviorial Health Services Act.
“Proposition 1 has two major components related to providing mental health care and drug or alcohol treatment to people and addressing homelessness. The proposition:
Changes the Mental Health Services Act that was passed by voters in 2004, with a focus on how the money from the act can be used.
Approves a $6.4 billion bond to build (1) more places for mental health care and drug or alcohol treatment and (2) more housing for people with mental health, drug, or alcohol challenges.”
US Senator. Laphonza Butler who was appointed by Governor Newsom to Diane Feinstein’s Senate seat is not running in 2024. Democrats Barbara Lee, Katie Porter and Adam Schiff are the most recognized names on the list of candidates along with Republican Steve Garvey. Voters must vote twice: once for a candidate to fill out the rest of her Senate term and second for the full term that follows.
US Representative 2nd District. Democrat Jared Huffman is running for his sixth term. Two Republicans and two others are running against him.
Republican
Chris Coulombe, Small Business Owner
Tief Gibbs, Vintage Vehicle Restorer
No Party Preference
Jason Brisendine, Entrepreneur
Jolian "Jo" Kangas, Small Business Owner
State Senate 3rd District. Incumbent Bill Dodd is not running for a third term. Three Democrats and two Republicans are running in the primary.
Democrat
Christopher Cabaldor, Educator/State Commissioner
Jackie Elward, Councilwoman/Educator/Mother
Rozzana Verder-Aliga, Healthcare Provider/Councilmember
Republican
Thom Bogue, City Councilman/Businessman
Jimih Jones, Automotive Parts Advisor
State Assembly 2nd District. Incumbent Jim Wood is not seeking a sixth term. Five Democrats and one Republican have filed to run.
Democrat
Cynthia A. Click (@click_cynthia), Sales Manager
Rusty Hicks, Educator/Nonprofit Director
Ariel Kelley, Healdsburg Mayor/Mom
Frankie Myers, Vice-Chair, Yurok Tribe
Chris Rogers, Councilmember/Non-Profit Executive
Ted Williams (@teddotnet), County Supervisor/Firefighter
Republican
Michael Greer, Retired Special Educator
Fifth District Supervisor. Lynda Hopkins will be running for her third term, apparently unopposed. Sebastopol resident Mark Adams announced that he would run against Hopkins but then withdrew last summer. The Supervisors from the First and Third Districts are also running for re-election.
Judicial Offices. There are eight offices for Superior Court Judge on the ballot but only two are contested (as of 12/13):
Office #3
Office #6
November 5
The Presidential General Election will be held in November as well as the runoff election for winners of the above primary races.
In November, the Sebastopol City Council will have two seats up for election, those held by its Neysa Hinton and Diana Rich.
The West County Union High School District will also have an election for two board seats. The At-large seat held by Debbie Ramirez is going away and the election will be held for representatives of the 2nd and 4th areas. Board president Julie Aiello currently represents the 4th area and Debbie Ramirez is expected to run for the 2nd area.
Sources for election information: County of Sonoma "Candidates who have filed” (last updated 12/13/23) and State of California “Certified list of candidates”
Check out all the new stories this week on our website: SebastopolTimes.com.
It’s great that minimum wage has been in creased to $18.10 per hour in Sonoma County. The works out to $3,137 per month for a full time job before withheld taxes. Average rents here are $2,690. That leaves $447 per month (again before withholding taxes) to cover food, utilities, transportation, health insurance, etc. The future doesn’t look bright.