Susan Stein Kregar, CAE, CNAP

🗳️ Arizona’s utilities APS, SRP, & Southwest Gas are strategically funding legislative races in pivotal districts like AZ House LD2, LD4, LD9, LD13 and AZ Senate LD2, LD4, LD13, LD17—often backing candidates who’ve shown support for utility rate increases. As voters, we have the chance to advocate for consumer-first policies by choosing candidates who prioritize transparency, accountability, and fair rates. Let’s make our voices heard and ensure elected officials serve Arizona families, not corporate interests. To learn more visit https://lnkd.in/gJaEVxrx #AZElections #UtilityAccountability #VetsForward #VetsForward

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Did you know that there are over 1,000 special districts in the state of Oregon? Each one was formed to provide a specific service to the community it serves. Learn more about these local governments that are formed by the people and for the people. #specialdistricts #localgovernment https://lnkd.in/gENFpmUG

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And we'll keep saying it! 🗣️ The newly released State Budget has some notable investments in young children, but we know that there are MORE opportunities to prioritize children and families! We're calling on Governor Tina Kotek and the Oregon Legislature to take it even further with THREE TARGETED INVESTMENTS for young children that strengthen both our early childhood and economic ecosystems across the state: 1. $500 million for Employment Related Daycare to reach unconnected and waitlisted families. 2. Momnibus Package to help stabilize families during pregnancy and the first year of a child's life. 3. $26 million investment in Home Visiting to strengthen healthy child development and break intergenerational cycles of trauma. Read more about our recommendations:ttps://https://lnkd.in/giJfGzei

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🏛️ Last Night at the Spokane City Council Legislative Session: ✔️ Resolution 2024-0110 relating to approving an extension of a development agreement regarding the preliminary plat and planned unit development referred to as "The Vistas at Beacon Hill". ➕ Deferred to Dec 2nd, 2024 . ➖ Passed 7-0. ✴️ Another deferment. Why does the Council need more time? ✔️ Ordinance C36608 relating to littering and illegal dumping. ➕ 20 tons of litter is reported in Spokane every month. ➕ Dumping/Littering occurring more on top of 5-Mile, near the schools. ➕ CM Cathcart stated that what bothers him is the double standards when it comes to creating ordinances. The concept of enforcement is called into question when addressing concerns such as these. ➕ CM Bingle said he will be voting for this, but mirrored CM Cathcart's concerns in creating ordinances and resolutions that have little to no enforcement capabilities behind them. ➕ CM Dillion said the Council commonly adopts ordinances that cleanup municipal code. ✴️ This Council is creating contradictory legislation for many of our citizens that are confusing our laws and making it difficult for Spokane to find its footing, in the midst of several crises. ➕ Passed 7-0. ✔️ Hearing # 1 continuation of H1 on 2025-2026 proposed Biennium Budget (continued from November 18th, 2024 Agenda). ❗ Several citizens testified on Mayor Brown pilfering the "Janet Mann Safe Streets for All Fund" to the tune of $1.8 million to finance a SPD Traffic Unit. ✴️ Sounds similar to Mayor Woodward's proposal that was last year. Why isn't there more council push back like last time? What changed? ➕ Vote to continue Hearing # 1 into December passed 7-0. ✔️ Public Forum: ➕ 2 people testified on supporting the Council's Resolution for DNR Property use. ➕ 1 Individual spoke upon how Mayor Brown is turning our Downtown into a disgrace. ➕ 1 Person testified on asking what are the metrics of success for nonprofits in Spokane. ➕ 1 Person spoke upon the increase of encampments across Spokane with the recent TRAC Shelter closure. and the coming inclement weather. ➕ 1 Individual testified on the confusing concept of how a person who disrupted City Council and changed the very nature of Public Forum gets a city appointment. Setting a dangerous precedent. ➕ 1 Person spoke upon commending Mayor Brown for closing the TRAC Shelter. ➕ 1 Individual testified on their opposition to Catholic Charities getting city support. ➕ 1 Person spoke upon having more empathy for one another. 🔸 Save Our Spokane Organization was at the council again for a second week in a row. #SpokaneCityCouncil #PublicForum #SOS

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register SVABO.ORG November 5 and 6,  2024  |  8:00 AM to 4:00 PM City of Folsom Community Center 52 Natoma St., Folsom, CA, 95630 Add to Calendar  Get Directions Concepts of Plan Review 101 for Permit Technicians Duration: 14 hours – in person, two full days CEUs = 1.4                 Course Description: This class is focused on basic over-the-counter plan reviews for single-story residential decks and patios, accessory structures (sheds, detached garages), walls and fencing, pools and spas, windows, and solar. This is an introductory level class designed for permit technicians, inspectors, and entry level building department personnel wishing to understand the over-the-counter plan review process. This is not an advanced plan review class. Included is an overview of the plan review process including proven plan review concepts and construction and inspection terminology. Topics will include basic over-the-counter reviews of various residential projects including decks, patios, sheds, garages, walls, fencing, pool and spas, windows, and solar. What will be covered: 1.      Understanding how to read a set of plans 2.      Knowledge of what should be in the set of plans when submitted 3.      Understanding basic structural concepts and terms 4.      How to understand the IRC/CRC 5.      Overview of over-the-counter plan reviews 6.      Decks 7.      Patio Covers 8.      Carports 9.      Detached Garages 10.    Swimming Pools 11.    Fences / Walls 13.    Windows

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🌟 Attention San Joaquin County Residents: Your Voice is Needed! 🌟 San Joaquin County is embarking on the creation of a five-year Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), and we need YOUR input to ensure it reflects the values and priorities of our community. Why Your Voice Matters: Our county has faced numerous economic challenges in recent years, affecting jobs, businesses, health, housing, and overall economic stability. This strategy will guide critical investment decisions in infrastructure, public works, industrial and commercial site development, and job-creating initiatives to build a sustainable economic future for all. Get Involved: Online Surveys: Share your input through our online surveys. Your feedback is confidential and crucial for developing a plan that meets our community’s needs. - Resident Survey (https://conta.cc/4aEchBn) - Business Survey (https://conta.cc/3yFQP1z) Stay Informed: Visit our project website at https://lnkd.in/g9MhxhfT for more information and updates on the CEDS process. Together, we can create a roadmap for a thriving San Joaquin County. Your voice is key to shaping a brighter future for our community. #SanJoaquinCounty #EconomicDevelopment #CommunityEngagement #CEDS #SustainableFuture

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🌟 Attention San Joaquin County Residents: Your Voice is Needed! 🌟 San Joaquin County is embarking on the creation of a five-year Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), and we need YOUR input to ensure it reflects the values and priorities of our community. Why Your Voice Matters: Our county has faced numerous economic challenges in recent years, affecting jobs, businesses, health, housing, and overall economic stability. This strategy will guide critical investment decisions in infrastructure, public works, industrial and commercial site development, and job-creating initiatives to build a sustainable economic future for all. Get Involved: Online Surveys: Share your input through our online surveys. Your feedback is confidential and crucial for developing a plan that meets our community’s needs. - Resident Survey (https://conta.cc/4aEchBn) - Business Survey (https://conta.cc/3yFQP1z) Stay Informed: Visit our project website at https://lnkd.in/g9MhxhfT for more information and updates on the CEDS process. Together, we can create a roadmap for a thriving San Joaquin County. Your voice is key to shaping a brighter future for our community. #SanJoaquinCounty #EconomicDevelopment #CommunityEngagement #CEDS #SustainableFuture

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That garden program I mentioned in my last post - it is one of the contributors to the 75% drop my local community has seen in childhood obesity over the last 17 years. Short Story: Years ago, when I was working with a community health initiative (Blue Zones Project), I was presenting to a local nonprofit and mentioned the obesity rate of our community. A man in the audience spoke up in disbelief, "Have you looked around? We don't have an obesity problem here." When you live near the ocean, you see people running by the beach, playing volleyball, rollerblading, bike riding, and surfing. You don't see depression. You don't see loneliness. You don't see isolation. You don't see disordered eating. You don't see stress and anxiety. But those things live here, too. No matter where you live, you tend to see the healthy behaviors, but not the other. Health takes time. And it takes community (people who support you). A supportive environment (including your office!) Information. And access. In this case, it took 17 years, but how awesome that a future generation (including my children) get to benefit. And, shameless plug, use your digital health benefits, because community and information and access are there! Just give it time...

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September projects at the IDA… 💥Preparation for National Manufacturing Day…which we celebrate all month in October 💥Annual audit and tenant reviews 💥Event planning for business workshops in the future! Stay tuned. 💥Chasing leads on business attraction and expansion projects! 💥Presenting our Economic Development Policy to local government leaders including County Commission, City of Potosi Mayor and City Council, Caledonia Mayor and Village Board, City of Irondale and City IDA…so far! 💥Learning and research…always… learning and research. #economicdevelopment

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In my 6 months at PAG, I’ve learned how important transportation planning is to economic development, quality of life, and the overall vitality of the Tucson region. If you live in the Tucson area and have thoughts on how to prioritize improvements to the region’s roadways, public transportation, cycling and pedestrian infrastructure then you should take this survey.

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LAUSD Budget Outlook Improves, But Financial Challenges Remain California’s revenue is declining, but Los Angeles Unified leaders are cautiously optimistic about the district’s immediate financial outlook. The district plans to restore previously restricted funding to individual schools following the governor’s latest budget proposal. What changed: District finance staff pointed to several factors that improved the district’s finances, including more state funding for cost of living adjustments, increased attendance and administrative cost-cutting. Altogether that nets $136 million more than previously expected. Ongoing challenges: However, the district still faces a growing budget deficit. California school funding is tied to enrollment and fewer students are attending LAUSD — and the majority of districts in the state — every year. “What we're doing now is quickly doing something to make things better, and I'm supportive of that completely,” said Board President Jackie Goldberg. “But it's not the solution. It doesn't tell us where we need to go.” Response from labor: Thousands of educators and support staff rallied outside the board of education meeting last week to protest expected cuts to individual schools. “They're moving in the right direction, but you know, we are not negotiating with them,” said Service Employees International United Local 99 Executive Director Max Arias. “We are demanding absolutely no cuts next year.” 🔗 https://bit.ly/4bEnnrb ✍️ Mariana Dale 📸 Julie Leopo/LAist

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Big ideas + Great Discussions = Actionable Insights We always walk away with outstanding insights from the speakers at this monthly event!

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Where do community action agencies in Nevada get their funding? 💰 Let us fill you in! 👇 The Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) gives block grants to states, which then pass them on to local agencies providing various services to low-income individuals and families. These services include job training, education, housing assistance, and other support. The goal of this funding is to aid people in becoming self-sufficient and improving their economic situation. By offering adaptable funding, it enables communities to customize their support programs to meet residents' specific needs. Overall, this funding has helped support thousands of Nevadans overcome poverty and achieve self-sufficiency.

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Editorial: “Defending Effective and Collaborative Governance in Spokane” NOTE// Summary following - Full editorial in today's Spokesman Review As the CEO of the Spokane Business Association (SBA) and former CFO for the City of Spokane for 18 years, I am deeply concerned about proposed changes to Spokane City Council’s rules. These changes are being rushed through and are set for a vote this Monday, December 9. If adopted, the changes will further diminish the ability of our City Government to address Spokane’s most pressing needs, such as the ongoing public safety crisis in our downtown and neighborhoods including the critical need for effective programs to assist our most vulnerable populations. The Council majority’s proposed changes include the following: 1 – Move the weekly City Council meetings from Monday evenings to Tuesday. 2 - Reduce public testimony on legislative items from three minutes to two minutes. 3 - Require sponsorship by three Council Members—up from the current two—to place an item on the legislative agenda. All these changes undermine the principle of equitable representation and further entrench the partisan divides that have already eliminated the City’s ability to govern collaboratively – I believe most of us agree we have seen too much of that already! As the former Chief Financial Officer for the City of Spokane nearly two decade I have witnessed firsthand the power of collaboration and bipartisan cooperation in achieving remarkable results for our community. During my tenure as CFO, we raised the city’s credit rating six notches—from near junk status (BBB) to AA. Through partnerships across party lines, we consistently balanced budgets – often with unanimous Council support – built strong reserves, dropped double digit utility rate increases from over 10% annually to below 3% annually for 12 straight years, cleaned up the Spokane River, rebuilt crumbling infrastructure, restored Riverfront Park, and, with our local business community, brought about a remarkable renaissance in our downtown. We desperately need new successes like these, but they can only happen through a renewed commitment to bipartisanship and collaboration. I urge Citizens to immediately ask our City Council to reconsider these changes – and our Mayor to oppose them - and instead prioritize policies that foster collaboration and create outcomes. This is NOT a partisan or political issue – regardless of which party is in the majority, this is about getting things done for the good of our community. Spokane has always thrived when we have come together to solve our challenges and make great things happen – let’s not lose sight of that spirit now. Gavin Cooley CEO, Spokane Business Association

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