Catalysts Institute for Local Control logo

2024 Town Hall Series

The Great Housing Challenge: What Matters?

Affordable Housing, of course! And also Safety, Taxes, Elections, and the Constitution

A 4-part Series on Zoom

August to November

3rd Thursday evenings

5PM to 6:30PM

Register for the Town Hall Series

Session 1
Thursday, Aug 15, 2024

 

Safety Matters!

Catalysts wants to thank our presenters, Amy Kalish and Carolyn M. Scott for an informative session. We would also like to thank our partners for promoting this successful presentation. You can watch the trailer below. The video of the presentation will be published shortly.

State-imposed housing density (called Regional Housing Need Allocations or RHNA) increases fire risks which drives up insurance costs. The promise is more affordable housing, but the California Dream is collapsing into a California Nightmare. Learn how one Sonoma community is fighting back. You can, too.

Speakers

Amy Kalish

President,
Citizen Marin

Carolyn M. Scott

Turtle Island Films
“Small is Beautiful: The Quest to Save Valley of the Moon (Sonoma)”

Watch Catalysts Town Hall Session 1

Session 2
Thursday, Sept 19, 2024

 

Taxes Matter!

Do you wonder why we’re hearing so much about voter tax fatigue? Learn from the experts. Tom Rubin, transportation expert, and Susan Shelley, Communications VP for the Howard Jarvis Taxpayer Association, will explain. Learn why Shelley calls Prop 5 “a turbo engine for raising property taxes” and about other proposed tax and bond measures on the November ballot. Rubin, who opposed the $20B Regional Measure to fund the Bay Area Housing Finance Authority, which was pulled, will warn about other tax schemes on the horizon.

 

Speakers

Tom Rubin

CPA
“20 BILLION Reasons to Vote No on the Bay Area Housing Tax”

Susan Shelley

Vice President for Communications Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association
Download the PDF for Session 2
Download the HJTA Recommendations

Session 3
Thursday, Oct 17, 2024

 

Elections Matter!

Meet three women running for seats in the state Assembly. What motivates them to challenge incumbents who too often vote with their Sacramento peer group, not for their constituents?  What are their goals, if elected?  Learn about their positions on housing, local control, and state overreach.

Speakers

Margot Smith

Berkeley Activist
vs. Buffy Wicks,
East Bay, AD 13

Lydia Kou

Palo Alto City Council
 vs. Marc Berman, AD 23

Liz Lawler

Monte Sereno CC
vs. Gail Pellerin, Santa Cruz, San Jose, AD 28

Session 4
Thursday, Nov 21, 2024

The Constitution Matters!

On April 22, 2024, a Los Angeles County Superior Court ruled that Senate Bill 9, the Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) law, does not apply to charter cities. The ruling could ultimately have a broader impact on the state’s ability to enforce SB 9 and other housing laws in California’s 121 charter cities.

 

Speakers

Pam Lee

Attorney, Aleshire & Wynder, argued the winning SB9 case.

Sunny Soltani

Attorney, Aleshire & Wynder, is an expert on how to become a charter city.

Series Moderator
Susan Kirsch

Founder & President
Catalysts Institute
for Local Control

Catalysts affirm that it matters when the public is educated and engaged.

Your generosity matters!

Catalysts Institute, a 501(c)(3) organization, seeks to restore neighbors’ and communities’ rights to plan for housing. Your donation will help expand Catalysts’ influence

Donate

Our Partners

Alameda County Taxpayers Association (ACTA) ·  California Alliance of Local Electeds (CALE) · California Cities for Local Control · Citizen Marin · Coalition for San Francisco Neighborhoods · Friends of the Hills · Palo Altans for Sensible Zoning (PASZ) · United Neighbors · West Bay Citizens Coalition

 

Spread the Word

Distribute our flyer to your friends, neighbors and organizations. Download the PDF, print it on both sides and fold it in thirds. Thank you.

Download the Flyer