NEW YORK — Men and women incarcerated in prisons across the country declared a nationwide strike today to draw attention and demand changes to the conditions they face in the prison system. The Nationwide Prison Strike is scheduled to last from August 21 to September 9. The organizers of the strike have outlined 10 demands,…
OAKLAND, CA (August 13, 2018) On July 24, the Oakland City Council voted unanimously to enthusiastically endorse Proposition 10. The statewide ballot measure will allow communities to urgently address California’s housing-affordability and homeless crises by limiting rent increases. Oakland City Councilmember Rebecca Kaplan said, “Proposition 10 will bring much needed local control back to communities…
TIAA-CREF Tuition Financing, Inc. also Oversees Treasurer’s ScholarShare Program SACRAMENTO – California State Treasurer John Chiang today announced the selection of TIAA-CREF Tuition Financing, Inc. (TFI) to administer the California Achieving a Better Life Experience (CalABLE) Program. “TFI’s selection means we’re one step closer to turning on CalABLE’s ‘Open for Business’ sign,” said State Treasurer…
BURLINGAME – California Teachers Association President Eric C. Heins issued the following statement today about the support and resources that CTA is offering to educators who lost their homes or were evacuated due to the deadly wildfires raging in the state: “CTA and the entire education community offer our thoughts and support to the students,…
Decision to Strike Criminal History Question Opens Door for Tens of Thousands of Students Seeking Access to Higher Education Today, the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law (Lawyers’ Committee) announced an important victory in its work to remove the criminal history question from the standardized college application form used by more than 700 colleges…
SACRAMENTO—State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson announced today that he is creating an Action Team on Charter Schools to review laws governing California’s charter schools, and provide recommendations about any needed changes to the next State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Governor, State Board of Education, and State Legislature. The guiding law for charter schools—the…
SACRAMENTO—State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson urged educators, parents, school board members, community leaders and all residents to voice their support for state legislation that will improve mental health services for students. Torlakson is putting a major focus on mental health awareness and treatment, suicide prevention, and school safety as the Legislature reconvenes August…
AARP and Treasurer Chiang to Partner in Promoting Largest Expansion of Retirement Security since the Passage of Social Security Act SACRAMENTO –California State Treasurer John Chiang and AARP have combined efforts to introduce CalSavers — a new retirement savings plan that aims to provide greater financial security for millions of Californians, who could otherwise be…
Asian Americans Refuse to be a Wedge in Affirmative Action Debate LOS ANGELES, CA — (July 30, 2018) Asian Americans Advancing Justice (Advancing Justice) alongside the National Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, the Boston-based Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Economic Justice, and pro bono counsel, Arnold & Porter, filed an amicus curiae,…
SACRAMENTO – The owner of a Southern California environmental laboratory has pleaded guilty to a felony charge of filing false information and overcharging for clean-up costs submitted to the State Water Resources Control Board’s Underground Storage Tank Cleanup Fund. In addition to being sentenced to 30 days community service, Roobik Yaghoubi, owner of Cal Tech…
SAN BERNARDINO, CA—Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr. announced today the appointment of David E. Driscoll to a judgeship in the San Bernardino Superior Court. He fills the vacancy of a new position created on September 18, 2017. The Governor’s Office released the following statement: David E. Driscoll, 63, of Riverside, has been appointed to a…
Division of Drinking Water Provides Guidance to Water Systems Statewide SACRAMENTO — The State Water Resources Control Board today established new drinking water guidelines for local water agencies to follow in detecting and reporting the presence of contaminants once used in grease and stain-resistant coatings for consumer products and firefighting foams. The guidelines adopted by…
SACRAMENTO –Assemblyman Obernolte (R-Hesperia) announced today that his bill finalizing the formation of the Big Bear Fire Authority was signed by Governor Brown. “The new Big Bear Fire Authority combines the various fire departments in our region, allowing the important fire service needs of our community to be addressed more effectively,” Assemblyman Obernolte said. “This…
(LOS ANGELES) – The federal government announced today that it has rescinded policy guidance issued by the Obama administration to foster diversity in elementary and secondary schools and on college campuses. Please attribute the following statement to Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund): “Feeding his…
Sacramento, CA – On June 21, 2018, the United States Supreme Court issued its long-anticipated decision in South Dakota v. Wayfair, Inc. In this case, the Court was asked to revisit the issue of sales and use tax remittance by out-of-state retailers. In two earlier decisions, the Court had held that an out-of-state retailer’s obligation…
Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson released a statement today on the Trump administration’s policy of separating families seeking asylum from human rights abuses, violence, and crime. “I am saddened and angered by the treatment of families and young children at our southern border,” said Torlakson. “Families who come to the United States seeking economic…
At this moment of painful developments regarding how migrant children are being treated by the United States government, The Sentencing Project lends its voice to the millions of Americans who are rising up to challenge these abhorrent policies. The punitive orientation of these policies to address social problems is an extension of historical practices that…
Sacramento – The California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC), led by its Chairman, Assemblymember Chris Holden (D-Pasadena), declared victory in securing funds related to the Caucus’ budget priorities. The CLBC was able to negotiate constructively with legislative colleagues in both the Senate and Assembly, as well as Governor Jerry Brown, to pass California’s remarkable $199.3 billion…
New Online Maps Show Results for Lead Testing at Public Schools SACRAMENTO — The State Water Resources Control Board has released a new map-based web tool that shows which public schools in California have had their drinking water tested for lead. “Our newly developed website allows the public to search the status of lead testing…
WASHINGTON, DC – Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-Pomona), member of the powerful Rules Committee, announced passage of a legislative proposal she introduced to assist local airports, like Ontario International Airport, remove unused military facilities. Ontario International Airport shared space with the Ontario Air National Guard Station, which remained in operation for decades to provide training…
Three of the 21 Judicial appointments by Governor Brown are African American. SACRAMENTO – Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced the appointment of 21 California superior court judges, which include: Two in Alameda County; one in Humboldt County; one in Inyo County; one in Kern County; 10 in Los Angeles County; one in…
WASHINGTON — The American Civil Liberties Union joined Color of Change, Free Press, and over 35 other organizations to call for the release of the unredacted Department of Homeland Security memos known as the “Race Paper” and the “Growing Frequency of Race-Related Domestic Terrorist Violence.” Memos like these inform the activities of law enforcement officials…
Sacramento – The California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) will host a free seminar for nonprofit and exempt organizations on Thursday, June 14, 2018, in Apple Valley. Local nonprofit leaders and tax practitioners are encouraged to attend and learn how state tax laws apply to the operation of their organizations. Representatives from the…
SB 1288 Supported by Broad Coalition of Labor and Patient Advocates SACRAMENTO – Legislation authored by Senator Connie M. Leyva (D-Chino) that will protect patient safety and reinforce nurse staffing ratio requirements passed from the California State Senate earlier today. In order to enhance hospital patient safety, Senate Bill 1288 would require the California Department…
Ramona Morales has worked for most of her life cleaning houses and selling Avon makeup in and around California’s Coachella Valley. Through hard work and thrift, she was eventually able to save enough money to buy a modest rental property. With the help of friends and relatives, she fixed it up and rented it to…
