Foundation Activities - Lobbying and Advocacy

One of our defining attributes is that we actively participate in the development of public policy to further our vision. Consistent with our desire to effect change at various levels, we led or contributed to several significant policy debates during the year. The election of a new U.S. President heralded a mid-year shift in our lobbying focus from California clean air issues to the disturbing possibility of increased threats from the use of weapons of mass destruction, particularly nuclear arsenals. We also found ourselves drawn into the national discussion over federal funding of embryonic stem cell research because of its potential to cure diseases.


Environment

  • Sponsoring zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) incentive legislation that provides a grant to bring the cost of leasing a ZEV close to price parity with gasoline vehicles (California Assembly Bill 2061, Alan Lowenthal, D-54th District), securing its passage by both houses of the State Legislature, and obtaining Governor Gray Davis’s signature.
  • Helping to defeat Proposition 37, which would have prohibited California from levying mitigation fees for environmental pollution without a two-thirds vote of the State Legislature, on the November 2000 ballot.
  • Working as part of the statewide ZEV Alliance to ensure that the California Air Resources Board (CARB) held fast to its rule requiring automakers to produce and sell ZEVs in substantial numbers by 2003.

Nuclear Disarmament

  • Adopting a strong position in opposition to a National Missile Defense system, and in support of unilateral reduction of U.S. nuclear warheads, the lowering of alert status of U.S. and Russian nuclear missiles ("de-alerting"), and reconsideration and ratification of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.
  • Contacting elected officials and senior Administration officials to discuss, and request careful consideration of, an alternate nuclear posture.

Medical/Science

  • Supporting federal funding for embryonic stem cell research, given that stem cells hold great promise for curing devastating diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, heart disease, spinal cord injury and diabetes, by active participation in a coalition including patient groups, scientists and other funders of research.
  • Urging Congressional members to pressure the Administration to approve federal funding of all stem cell research.

Campaign Finance Reform

  • Advocating passage of clean money initiatives in Oregon and Missouri in the November 2000 vote by supporting Public Campaign Action Fund both financially and through extensive information on the Foundation’s website.


Kirsch Foundation Staff: (top row, left to right) Carla Pantoja, Public Policy and Communications Assistant; Connie Padre, Executive Assistant; May van Scherrenburg, Program Assistant, Medical and Scientific Programs; Sarah J. Caddick, PhD, Director, Medical and Scientific Programs. (Bottom row, left to right) Kathleen Gwynn, President/CEO/CFO; Susan E. Frank, Director, Public Policy.