Make Your Voice Heard

Council Corner
February 12, 2003
by Vice Mayor Marland Townsend

Make Your Voice Heard

It is time for our residents to pay careful attention to what is being proposed as changes in use of property taxes in the State Budget for 2003-04 and beyond. This Council Corner addresses what I suggest is the most effective and responsible method of making your voice heard in local and state government matters. While there is always the ?mobs in the street approach? that some favor, I say that is an inappropriate and ineffective method in the United States, a nation where the people elect the government.

The most effective way to make elected officials aware of issues that you consider vital is to contact these officials. At the local level, the best way is to call the members of the City Council or the School Board of Trustees, or better yet, attend the scheduled meetings of the Council or Board of Trustees.

At the State Government level you can contact the Governor at his office in Sacramento. You can contact your Assembly representative or your State Senator at their local office here in San Mateo County. Their addresses, phone and FAX numbers are listed below.

E-mail is always senator.name@sen.ca.gov or assemblymember.name@assembly.ca.gov.

Governor Gray Davis		Senator Jackie Speier
State Capitol 1st Floor		400 S El Camino Real #630
Sacramento, CA 95814		San Mateo, CA 94402
Phone (916) 445-2841		Phone (650) 340-8840
FAX (916) 445-4633		FAX (650) 341-1661

Assemblyman Gene Mullin		Senator Byron Sher
1528 S El Camino Real #302		260 Main Street
San Mateo, CA 94404		Redwood City, CA 94063
Phone (650) 341-4319		Phone (650) 364-2080
FAX (650) 341-4676		FAX (650) 688-6378

Assemblyman Joe Simitian
160 Town and Country Village
Palo Alto, CA 94301
Phone (650) 688-6330
FAX (650 688-6336

While Senator Sher and Assemblyman Simitian do not currently represent Foster City, they did represent Foster City before the 2002 redistricting, and they are effective and influential legislators who understand Foster City. Assembly members and State Senators usually come home on Thursday evening and are available in their local office on Fridays.

I urge you to take the time to write or visit with your Assembly representative and your Senator on matters of interest to you. Protecting local property tax from further raids by the State is such an issue.