On Wednesday September 9, the Legislature’s Joint Rules Committee (JRC) will meet to decide the fate of the Capitol Annex Project.

Wednesday, September 9, 2020

Joint Committee on Rules

1 p.m. - State Capitol, Assembly Chamber

Fast Facts

• Including construction costs and interest payments, this project will cost one billion dollars or more.
• The project will lead to the removal or potential damage during construction to over 100 historic irreplaceable trees.
• It was planned without meaningful public involvement
• It will destroy the West and South Park areas around Capitol Building to add an underground visitor center and an underground garage for legislators
• It will demolish the historic Mid-Century Capitol Annex Building to build a new office building for legislators, their staff, and the Governor. 
• The JRC is authorized to move ahead with the project in whatever way they deem appropriate: calling for approval of the Environmental Impact Report, issuing contracts, calling for issuance of revenue bonds, etc.

·         We want them to do NONE OF THESE THINGS! We want them to pause the project, and revise it to decrease costs and damage to the State Capitol Park.

Will you let the Joint Rules Committee know where you stand?  We must all speak up for the trees, our history, and Capitol Park.  We need to let the JRC know that the people do not want to see their Capitol Park desecrated.  Will you stand with us? 

Here’s how you can help:

1)       Get informed

2)       Write a brief message to the Chair of the JRC about your opposition to the current plan. Be sure to say what your opinion is on the current plan: OPPOSED TO THE CAPITOL ANNEX PROJECT AS CURRENTLY PROPOSED.

3)       Send message as an email to the JRC here: joint.rules@asm.ca.gov; Attention: Nicole Willis. 

4)       Send same email to the Speaker of the Assembly here: assemblymember.rendon@assembly.ca.gov

5)       Send same email to Pro Tem of the Senate here: senator.atkins@senate.ca.gov

6)       Call you own legislators’ office. Here’s how to find your legislators: http://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov

You can figure out the Office phone number this way:  Assembly Member:  916-319-20__.  The last two digits are the Member’s district number.  For example, Assemblymember Cooley represents District 8; his phone number is 916-329-2008.

7)       Watch the Hearing – here’s how: Due to physical distancing, seating will be minimal for the press and public. In-person attendance is not recommended. All are encouraged to watch the hearings from their livestream on the following websites:

https://www.assembly.ca.gov/todaysevents or https://www.senate.ca.gov/calendar

8)       Prepare to speak at the Hearing.  There will be a phone link – it isn’t yet available.  Look for it here:

https://jtrules.legislature.ca.gov/hearings

  We assume there will a time limit – usually two minutes – so practice and time yourself.