The California Legislature is currently on its July recess. That makes now the perfect time to contact your assembly member and ask that he or she oppose SB 1146 when the Legislature reconvenes August 1.
SB 1146 (see the text here) has already passed the Senate and both of its Assembly policy committees. It will be heard in the Assembly Appropriations Committee on either August 3 or 10.
Pray: Ask the Lord to work in the heart of SB 1146’s author Sen. Ricardo Lara (D-Long Beach) so that he would understand that true diversity means that students should be free to use their Cal Grants at the college or university of their choice. Further that it means these fine institutions should continue to be free to follow their faith in all areas of curriculum, student life, housing, restrooms, locker rooms, and employment and more. Ask that he would be moved to withdraw the bill or amend it so that it no longer poses this existential threat. (This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. ~1 Timothy 2:3-4)
Act: First, please call your assembly member and ask him or her to oppose SB 1146. (Find your assembly member here.)
Second, if your assembly member sits on the Assembly Appropriations Committee, your calls are particularly important! But anyone can call these members and ask for their opposition. Phone calls make a greater impact than e-mails, so please just make two or three calls a day for a few days over the next few days. The most you will be asked to provide is your name, your city (or ZIP code) and your position. You may even leave a message after hours. (See the list below.)
Finally, share this e-mail and the website opposesb1146.com with others. The site was created by Biola University, one of the schools on the forefront of this battle. It contains action items, talking points and even a sample letter to help you.
Background:
The most recent amendments to SB 1146 have clarified that the bill does, indeed, affect Cal Grants, limiting the choices of the state’s lower-income students – potentially some 25 percent of the student population at faith-based schools. Not only will students be unable to obtain their education at the schools they most desire, but also those very schools may not survive the drastic cut in enrollment.
To avoid losing Cal Grants students, schools would be forced to abandon many of their Biblical tenets, particularly in terms of student housing. Dorm, restroom, and locker room accommodations would be based on gender identity, rather than biological sex. Married housing would have to include same-sex couples.
Student life and the whole campus environment make faith-based institutions what they are and under current law there have been very few complaints. Students who prefer a different campus environment have hundreds of other schools in the state from which to choose. We are asking that freedom of choice be available for all Christian students who desire a pervasively Christian environment, too!
Other elements of the bill involve notification requirements, the majority of which are not of great concern. Students should know the type of school to which they are applying – and most campuses are already very open about their Biblical foundations.
Read more at opposesb1146.com.
Assembly Appropriations Committee Members:
Lorena S. Gonzalez, Chair (D-San Diego) (916) 319-2080
Frank Bigelow, Vice Chair (R-Placerville) (916) 319-2005
Richard Bloom (D-Santa Monica) (916) 319-2050
Susan A. Bonilla (D-Concord) (916) 319-2014
Rob Bonta (D-Oakland) (916) 319-2018
Ian C. Calderon (D-City of Industry) (916) 319-2057
Ling Ling Chang (R-Brea) (916) 319-2055
Tom Daly (D-Anaheim) (916) 319-2069
Susan Talamantes Eggman (D-Stockton) (916) 319-2013
James Gallagher (R-Chico) (916) 319-2003
Eduardo Garcia (D-Imperial) (916) 319-2056
Chris R. Holden (D-Pasadena) (916) 319-2041
Brian W. Jones (R-Santee) (916) 319-2071
Jay Obernolte (R-Hesperia) (916) 319-2033
Bill Quirk (D-Hayward) (916) 319-2020
Miguel Santiago (D-Los Angeles) (916) 319-2053
Donald P. Wagner (R-Tustin) (916) 319-2068
Shirley N. Weber (D-San Diego) (916) 319-2079
Jim Wood (D-Eureka) (916) 319-2002
Please pass this on to like-minded California friends and family.
Thank you for your prayers and action on this dangerous bill!