Sample script:

I am one of [NAME]’s constituents in Altadena. I recently learned that outside investors are exploiting state law SB9 and SB1123 to build as many as 10 houses per lot in Altadena. I’m calling to urge [NAME] to take action to protect Altadena. Specifically, I urge you to:

1. issue or request an emergency executive order now suspending SB 9 and SB 1123 in the Eaton Fire area (ZIP 91001/91003);
2. amend SB 1090, and exempt Altadena from SB 1116, so that the moratorium on SB 9 and SB 1123 applications starts on the date of the fire on January 7, 2025 and runs through at least January 7, 2030 – preferably 2035 – and applies to any project without an issued building permit as of the earliest possible date; and
3. require a community-led master plan during the moratorium and a mechanism so rising land values benefit survivors, not speculators.

Supervisor Kathryn Barger (5th District) – (626) 792-1886 / Kathryn@bos.lacounty.gov

Gov. Gavin Newsom – (916) 445-2841 / gavin.newsom@gov.ca.gov

Sen. Sasha Renée Pérez – (626) 304-1086 / Edmundo.Cuevas@sen.ca.gov (Chief of Staff)

Asm. John Harabedian – (626) 351-1917 / assemblymember.harabedian@assembly.ca.gov

There is an Altadena Town Council meeting on Tuesday, June 16 at 7pm at the Altadena Community Center: 730 E Altadena Dr. (directly west of Altadena Sheriff’s Station). We have been told that only the first 100 people will be able to fit in the room. If you can’t get in, it’s worth coming anyway: a strong show of community concern will help to communicate the importance of this issue. There will also be a media presence.

If you are one of those 100 people you will have the opportunity to make a brief comment (2 min max) during the public comment portion of the meeting.

Public questions will not be answered directly during the meeting, so it is important to provide the Town Council with questions, concerns, and proposed amendments in advance. You can write to your tract representative using the contact information here.

If you are not able to make it in person, the meeting is online: go to YouTube and search on “Pasadena Media Altadena Town Council.” The live link to the upcoming meeting is: https://www.youtube.com/c/PasadenaMediaCA. It will also be recorded.

Sample script (adapt as needed):

Good afternoon. I am one of [NAME]’s constituents in Altadena. [We lost our home in the Eaton Fire last year / suffered smoke damage / evacuated / etc..] I recently learned that developers are using state law SB1123 to apply for permits to build as many as 10 houses per lot in Altadena. I’m calling to urge [NAME] to take action to protect Altadena and other disaster recovery areas from this kind of rapacious overdevelopment by outside speculators. Specifically, I urge [NAME] to oppose SB1116, which would limit local government’s ability to restrict these developments, unless that bill is amended to exempt disaster recovery areas from SB1123 and related legislation.

Assemblymember John Harabedian – (626) 351-1917

• Can propose an amendment to SB1116 to exempt disaster recovery areas from SB1123 and related legislation

Senator Pérez– (626) 304-1086

• Already voted ‘yes’ on SB1116. Call anyway, express dismay, and urge her to take corrective action (e.g. advocating for an amendment). May have leverage with Newsom, and has future political ambitions. Does not want angry constituents. 

Supervisor Kathryn Barger – (626) 792-1886

• The ‘technical Mayor’ of Altadena. No direct legislative authority in Sacramento, but LA County has lobbyists who can act on our behalf, and Altadena needs Barger’s support. 

Governor Newsom – (916) 445-2841

• Can veto SB1116 (unless amended), and/or can issue an Executive Order temporarily protecting disaster recovery areas

Assembly Committee on Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact

José Luis Solache Jr. (chair) – (916) 319-2062

Leticia Castillo (vice-chair) – 916-319-2058

Assembly Committee on Local Government

Juan Carrillo (chair) – (916) 319-2039

Tri Ta (vice-chair) – 916-319-2070

Assembly Committee on Housing and Community Development

Matt Haney (chair) – (916) 319-2017

Joe Patterson (vice-chair) – 916-319-2005

Sample script (adapt as needed):

Good afternoon. I am calling from Altadena concerning SB1116, which is in review by the Assembly Committee on [NAME OF COMMITTEE]. We support efforts to improve access to affordable housing for all Californians. However, Altadena was almost entirely destroyed in last year’s Eaton Fire, and we’re facing a situation in which speculators are buying up burned-out single-family lots all over town, intending to exploit SB1123 to subdivide them into as many as ten miniature parcels. SB1116, which is currently under consideration by the Committee, will make it harder for local governments to use their local expertise and discretion in considering such applications. I’m calling to ask the Member to propose an amendment to SB1116 that would exempt disaster recovery areas like Altadena from these laws, in order to give our community a chance to recover from the catastrophic losses inflicted by the fire.

Senator Caballero – (916) 651-4014 

Sample script (adapt as needed):

Good afternoon — I am calling Senator Caballero from Altadena concerning SB1123, which she authored, and SB1116, which is currently before the Legislature. We support Sen. Caballero’s efforts to improve access to affordable housing for all Californians. However, Altadena was almost entirely destroyed in last year’s Eaton Fire, and we’re facing a situation in which speculators are buying up burned-out single-family lots all over town, intending to exploit SB1123 to subdivide them into as many as ten miniature parcels. SB1116, which is currently under consideration in Sacramento, will make it harder for local governments to use their local knowledge and discretion in considering such applications. I’m calling to ask Sen. Caballero to propose an amendment to SB1116 that would exempt disaster recovery areas like Altadena from these laws, in order to give our community a chance to recover from the catastrophic losses inflicted by the fire.