ICYMI: Federal Policy Threats to Food Assistance and Analysis of the Governor’s 2026-27 Budget from the California Budget & Policy Center

Early this year, the California Budget & Policy Center (Budget Center) released timely analyses examining the impacts of federal policy changes on Californians’ access to food and essential services, along with an overview of the governor’s proposed 2026-27 California state budget. To learn more about each publication, please see below: Timeline of Funding Cuts to…

Black Lawyer Delivers Powerful Commentary on Racial Injustices on the American Court System

Nationwide — Attorney Zulu Ali, a former police officer and U.S. Marine Corps veteran, has released a powerful commentary titled “Attorney Zulu Ali Speaks on Justice: Trying Cases in a System Built to Oppress Black People.” In it, Ali argues that the American court system is racially biased beyond repair, compares being Black in the…

We Urge Law Enforcement to Safeguard Voter Rights

ORANGE COUNTY, CA––In anticipation of the 2025 Special Election, Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California (AJSOCAL), the nation’s largest civil rights and legal services organization serving Asian American and Pacific Islander communities (AAPI) is sharing voting rights education throughout the region expanding its voter protection and poll monitoring efforts across Orange County. With community partners,…

Riverside County Probation Launches Mobile Service Centers to Remove Transportation Barriers for Clients

The Riverside County Probation Department (RCP) announced the rollout of two fully equipped Mobile Service Centers designed to bring community supervision services directly to unhoused individuals and clients who face transportation challenges. The new units will travel throughout the county, to local parks, public libraries, shelter parking lots, and resource fairs, making it easier for…

Padilla, Schiff, Western Senators Raise Alarm on Trump’s Illegal Funding Cuts Targeting Wildfire Mitigation Efforts 

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff (both D-Calif.) joined Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), and 10 other Western Democratic Senators to sound the alarm over threats to the removal of hazardous fuels on U.S. public lands. The Bureau of Land Management recently issued stop work orders to…

Fire Prevention and Resilience in California: A Policy Blueprint for Government Leaders

 The devastating fires in Los Angeles County underscore the urgent need for proactive measures to reduce wildfire risk and improve community resilience in California. While no preparation can entirely prevent tragedies when 100 MPH winds ignite urban canyons, there are practical steps local and regional leaders can take to better prepare for the next wildfire….

Fire Prevention and Resilience in California: A Policy Blueprint for Government Leaders

 The devastating fires in Los Angeles County underscore the urgent need for proactive measures to reduce wildfire risk and improve community resilience in California. While no preparation can entirely prevent tragedies when 100 MPH winds ignite urban canyons, there are practical steps local and regional leaders can take to better prepare for the next wildfire….

Federal Government Announces Significant Efforts to Reduce Homelessness

New partnerships and funding aim to expand housing resources, improve services, and end veteran homelessness WASHINGTON – The Biden-Harris Administration announced a series of measures to address homelessness across the country, reaffirming the Administration’s commitment to ensuring all Americans have access to safe, stable housing. This includes updating regulations that streamline the repurposing of surplus…

Inland Empire and Southern California should continue to see steady economic growth in 2025, SCAG economists say

The Inland Empire’s emergence as a global trade hub and the impact of steady population growth on key industries such as health care, retailing, and hospitality will continue to drive economic expansion in the two-county region over the next year, according to a new economic report. The report, released Thursday by the Southern California Association…

California invests over $100 million to build safe walking and biking routes in disadvantaged communities

What you need to know: More than $100 million was approved for 13 projects across the state that are building safer walking and biking routes. It’s yet another example of infrastructure projects building California’s future. SACRAMENTO – More walking and biking routes are coming to California. Governor Gavin Newsom announced today the California Transportation Commission…

BSCC Releases Over $108 Million in Grant Funding to Support CBO Reentry Services

SACRAMENTO (November 21, 2024) – The Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) today approved the release of over $108 million in grant funding through the Cohort 4 Adult Reentry Grant (ARG). The ARG supports community-based organizations (CBO) to provide warm handoff, reentry, and rental assistance programs that support individuals released from state prison.  The…

Ranking Member Waters Applauds CFPB’s New Rule Targeting Fraud and Scams in Big Tech Payment Apps

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), the top Democrat on the House Financial Services Committee, released this statement following the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s latest action to supervise widely used payment apps provided by Big Tech and other nonbank companies and ensure they are held accountable for protecting personal data, responding to fraud,…

California gets hundreds of millions of dollars from Biden-Harris Administration for parks, rivers, and clean transportation

What you need to know: Californians will benefit from better parks, healthier fish and wildlife, and more clean transportation in their communities. SACRAMENTO – In just the last week, California has received $360 million from the Biden-Harris Administration to support critical projects across the state, including habitat restoration, park improvements and rail and highway investments. …

Ramos bill requiring notification to guardians, parents when foster children are missing sent to governor

Bill would help stop child trafficking and other dangers to missing kids SACRAMENTO—A bill requiring county social workers or probation officers to immediately notify parents or legal guardians, attorneys for parents, court-appointed special advocate, the court of jurisdiction and others when they receive information that children receiving child welfare services – including non-minor dependents –…

California scores big clean transportation boost from Biden-Harris Administration

SACRAMENTO – The Biden-Harris Administration is sending hundreds of millions of dollars to California to help upgrade its transportation infrastructure. California, along with Oregon and Washington, have secured $102 million to install charging stations and hydrogen fueling stations for zero-emissions trucks along Interstate 5 and other key freight corridors. An additional $47 million is going…

The Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo (BPIR) Celebrates 40th Anniversary with National Tour and Upcoming Events

The Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo (BPIR) has celebrated its 40th Anniversary with sold-out shows across the nation, making stops in Denver, CO; Fort Worth, TX; Memphis, TN; and Oakland, CA from January to July 2024. Highlights of this milestone year included the announcement of BPIRs 2024 Buckle Series at The BPIR Texas Connection Series and…

USDA Announces Enhanced Resources to Support Businesses Interested in Procurement Opportunities

WASHINGTON, June 24, 2024 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced resource enhancements designed to simplify and streamline access to contracting information for businesses interested in selling their products and services to USDA. These substantial updates include the addition of new and targeted contracting information on USDA.gov, along with improved functionality that makes…

Padilla, Durbin, Gillibrand Lead Call to Provide At Least $3 Billion for Shelter and Services Program in FY 25

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, and Border Safety, Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) led 15 Senators in calling on Senate Appropriations Committee leadership to provide no less than $3 billion in FY…

States Boost Earth Day Impact with Climate Corps Expansion

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Today on Earth Day, the states of Illinois, New Mexico and Vermont each announced the creation of its own state-level Climate Corps in partnership with California Volunteers, Office of Governor Gavin Newsom. They join 10 states already providing volunteer and paid service opportunities to take climate action. With this announcement, state-level climate…

California Recognizes 10 More Prohousing Communities

SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced that the cities of Berkeley, Brea, Crescent City, Fairfield, Pinole, Rancho Cucamonga, Richmond, South Lake Tahoe and West Hollywood, as well as the County of Los Angeles, have earned the state’s Prohousing Designation for their efforts to encourage development of housing at all income levels. This designation comes…

Congresswoman Maxine Waters Introduces New Initiative to Combat Maternal Health Crisis in Minority & Low-Income Communities

“Nothing could be more important for women and their families than healthy pregnancies and healthy babies,” said Congresswoman Waters. “Yet, maternal and infant deaths in the United States are tragically and unacceptably high, and the crisis is especially severe among African American mothers and their babies.” The Mamas and Babies in Underserved Communities Act is…