Category: State/Government News

California has been recognized for a concerning new distinction: We are the capital of scams. In 2019, consumers across the United States filed 1.7 million fraud reports, adding up to a total loss of $1.9 billion, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Although California accounts for about 12 percent of the total US population,…

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses economically impacted by the severe storms and flooding in San Bernardino County that occurred Nov. 27 – Dec. 1, 2019, SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza announced today. SBA acted under its own authority to declare a…

SACRAMENTO – Today, the California Census 2020 campaign announced expanding its outreach to Black Californians through a multimedia effort in partnership with Black-owned and operated media partners across California. Voice Media Ventures, a multimedia company and strategic communications firm, is working with these media partners, leveraging trusted messengers to motivate California’s hardest-to-count communities to participate…

SACRAMENTO – California State Treasurer Fiona Ma announced that a new CalABLE Visa® Prepaid Card is available to people with disabilities who hold CalABLE accounts. Account holders can use the card everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted. “This a great step forward that gives CalABLE account holders a convenient new way to help manage their…

Sacramento – Today, Assemblymember Eloise Gomez Reyes (D-San Bernardino) introduced AB 2051, which strengthens visitation rights for foster siblings, who are dependent or nonminor dependent children who have been placed together in foster care, and have developed a sibling-like bond, despite having no relationship through blood, adoption, or affinity. The bill will protect the strong…

Activists, some news agencies and civil rights groups across the state are applauding a California court decision last week to reject an appeal that would have overturned Senate Bill 1421. The landmark legislation, which former Gov. Jerry Brown signed into law in September 2018, allows unprecedented public access to thousands of previously sealed records on…

EngageCA.org invites Californians to share their vision for building an age- and disability-friendly California SACRAMENTO – The California Department of Aging (CDA) announced the launch today of an updated engagement campaign, EngageCA.org, that encourages Californians to share their vision for a new Master Plan for Aging that will promote an age-friendly California. With the state’s…

Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office for Civil Rights (OCR), announced an action to protect human life and the conscience rights of all Americans. OCR is issuing a Notice of Violation to the state of California, formally notifying California that it cannot impose universal abortion coverage mandates on health insurance…

Sacramento, California – State Senator Anthony J. Portantino (D – La Cañada Flintridge) has accepted Disability Rights California’s legislative award for his continued work to promote greater rights and protections for Californians with disabilities. The Senator is thankful that Disability Rights California has recognized his passion to fight for marginalized members of California and looks…

SACRAMENTO – The Bureau of Cannabis Control (Bureau) launched a campaign today encouraging consumers to look for and scan a quick response code (QR code) with their smartphone camera when they visit a licensed cannabis retailer. Consumers who scan to verify a QR code will be able to confirm that a cannabis retailer is licensed….

The California Tax Credit Allocation Committee (CTCAC) administers federal and state low-income housing tax credit programs. Traditionally CTCAC has administered approximately $100 million per year in state tax credits. With the passage this year of AB 101, CTCAC is providing an additional $500 million in state tax credits specifically to target new construction of affordable…

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35), a member of the House Appropriations Committee, today voted to support a legislative package of eight appropriations bills to fund domestic functions of the federal government through fiscal year 2020. The Domestic Priorities and International Assistance Minibus (H.R. 1865) includes funding for: Labor-Health and Human Services-Education, Agriculture,…

Former 9-1-1 Dispatcher Blasts Congressional Stagnation on 4th Anniversary of San Bernardino Shooting POMONA, CA – Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) published an op-ed with the Inland Empire Daily Bulleting commemorating the four-year anniversary of the San Bernardino shooting, which claimed 14 lives, including two of her own constituents, on December 2nd, 2015. Rep. Torres,…

SACRAMENTO—State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond announced today that the California Department of Education (CDE) was awarded a $37.5 million federal Comprehensive Literacy State Development grant. The grant will provide the necessary funds to allow for the expansion of current literacy efforts statewide over the next five years. “Many of the students who are…

Oakland, Calif. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to assist the State of California in combatting the Maria Fire burning in Ventura County. On Nov. 1, 2019, the State of California submitted a request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) for the Maria Fire. At the…

In response to reports of threatening lawsuits from oppositional special interests, Schools & Communities First Communications Director Alex Stack issued the following statement: “The corporations and wealthy investors opposing Schools & Communities First are desperate to obscure the fact that their tax loopholes and shady avoidance schemes cheat our kids, schools, and vital local services…

SACRAMENTO – California State Treasurer Fiona Ma announced today she has appointed 12 housing and economic development experts to a new committee that will assist her office in coming up with out-of-the-box strategies to advance her housing and economic development goals. In January when the Treasurer was sworn-in, she outlined goals to: 1) Increase housing…

On Saturday, a 28-year old black woman, Atatiana Jefferson, was shot and killed in her own home by a police officer in Fort Worth, Texas who was responding to a neighbor’s request for a wellness check. Today, that officer resigned. Kristen Clarke, president and executive director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law,…

WASHINGTON, Oct. 7, 2019 – Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it will issue $16.2 million in grants (PDF, 325 KB) to provide training, outreach, and technical assistance to underserved and veteran farmers and ranchers. This funding is available through the USDA’s Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran…

SB 698 Supported by Education and Labor Organizations SACRAMENTO – Legislation authored by Senator Connie M. Leyva (D-Chino) to require the University of California (UC) to follow the same rules as private employers and encourage university administrators to prioritize the accurate, timely and fair payment of their employees was signed into law by Governor Gavin…

Congresswoman’s request comes in response to President Trump executive order to improve the nation’s transplant system WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Katie Porter (CA-45) today called on the Trump Administration to conduct appropriate and necessary oversight for organ procurement organizations (OPOs), which are responsible for evaluating and securing organs from those who have decided to donate their…

San Bernardino, CA —  Rep. Pete Aguilar announced that the Family Assistance Program, a non-profit based in San Bernardino County, has been awarded a grant of $500,000 from the US Department of Justice Office for Victims of Crime. The grant funding will allow the Family Assistance Program to hire two case managers for Open Door,…

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $3 million grant to the San Bernardino Community College District, San Bernardino, California, to modernize two existing buildings for a new workforce development facility. The EDA grant, to be located in a Tax Cuts and…

Washington, D.C.  – Rep. Karen Bass (D-Calif.) and Rep. Danny Davis (D-Ill.) introduced the FAFSA Act (the Financial Aid Fairness for Students Act) to repeal a law that makes it all but impossible for people with a drug conviction, no matter how petty, to receive federal financial aid for higher education. The law in question,…