Category: Government & Politics
Rep. Torres leads 76 Lawmakers in Seeking Survivor Benefits, Proper Compensation for Medical Workers
Lawmakers Call for Much-Needed Protections for Medical Workers as they Combat Pandemic WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) today led 76 lawmakers in calling for next COVID-19 stimulus package to include survivor benefits, commiserate compensation, and workplace protections for medical personnel as they comeback coronavirus. Torres, who successfully advocated for direct assistance for…
National Urban League Demands PPP Funding Be Directed To Legitimate Threatened Small Businesses
NEW YORK (April 19, 2020) — Amid reports that massive restaurant chains and businesses that continue to operate received funds intended for small businesses shuttered by the coronavirus pandemic, the National Urban League today demanded the next legislative package include specific funding pools for legitimate small businesses truly threatened by the crisis. “Struggling small businesses…
Statement on San Bernardino County’s COVID-19 Homeless Response Plan to Help Flatten the Curve
The State of California has issued a directive for every county to help stop the spread of COVID-19 by creating interim housing solutions for California’s homeless population. The homeless remain extremely susceptible to COVID-19 due to their inability to self-isolate or practice social distancing because of their current living conditions. There are more than 2,000…
Gov. Abbott Unlawfully Exceeded Authority with Executive Order Limiting Jail Releases, Argues New Lawsuit
The Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Lawsuit says governor’s order restricting releases exceeds his constitutional authority; public health experts agree reducing populations in prisons and jails necessary to prevent outbreaks AUSTIN, TX — Governor Abbott unlawfully exceeded his constitutional authority by issuing an executive order that suspends the rights that individuals, who are presumed innocent,…
Founder Of Black-Owned Accounting Firm Says His Clients Are Already Getting Stimulus Checks
Nationwide (BlackNews.com) — In March 2020, the U.S. government announced that trillions of dollars would be made available to organizations, small businesses, and individuals in an effort to stimulate the economy. As of Monday, April 6, many small businesses are already starting to see the reality of that initiative. Randy Hughes, founder and CEO of…
California State Treasurer Fiona Ma Provides Valuable New Information on Tax Relief and Food Access
Sacramento – California State Treasurer Fiona Ma today announced she has added new resource lists on tax relief and food access to the State Treasurer’s website, which already includes a list of resources for small businesses. View the tax relief list here, the food list here, and the small business list here. The tax list…
Aguilar Votes to Provide Free Coronavirus Testing, Paid Sick Leave for US Workers
Washington, DC—Today, the House passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, legislation designed to help the American people combat the spread of COVID-19, the disease associated with coronavirus. The bill guarantees two weeks of paid sick leave for those affected by the virus; allows up to three months of paid family and sick leave; strengthens…
Rep. Torres Outraged At State Plans to Dump Coronavirus Patients in Dilapidated Building in Pomona
POMONA, CA – Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) expressed shock and outrage today at reports that the State of California plans to transport homeless people infected with coronavirus from L.A. County to an armory in the heart of Pomona and drop them there. The facility, a former homeless shelter that was decommissioned because of its…
PFAW Condemns Racism in Trump Administration’s Coronavirus Communications
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Amid Donald Trump’s use of the racist term “Chinese Virus” to describe the coronavirus, and reports that a White House official used the term “kung flu” while discussing the coronavirus with an Asian American reporter, People For the American Way President Michael Keegan released the following statement: “We condemn in the strongest…
Treasurer Fiona Ma Offers Resources to Small Businesses Affected by COVID-19
SACRAMENTO – California State Treasurer Fiona Ma today announced she has launched a resource list for small business owners affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The list is located here http://bit.ly/stosmallbizlist. It includes resources from the federal, state, and local governments, nonprofits, and the private sector. The list contains information on grants and loans, tax deadline…
Rep. Torres Urges Better Coordination to Avoid Exporting Needed Medical Supplies
Heated Exchange with Export-Import Bank Chair Highlights Head-In-Sand Mentality as Coronavirus Spreads WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) implored Export-Import Bank Chair, Kimberly Reed, to avoid supporting exports of critically needed medical supplies like hand sanitizer and face masks to China as coronavirus spreads across the United States. In a tense exchange during…
Posting of Unofficial Election Results – 2020 Presidential Primary Election
4:00 p.m. Posting of Unofficial Election Results – 2020 Presidential Primary Election (Link)https://www.sbcounty.gov/rov/elections/results/20200303/ Ballots remaining to be processed (Link)https:// http://www.sbcountyelections.com/Elections/2020/0303/ResultSchedule.aspx Next posting results: March 10, 2020, 4:00 p.m. Advisory: The voter turnout percentage for the Democratic Party’s Presidential Preference Contest is not correctly reflected on the County’s election results summary reports. On the report, in…
Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Center Youth Leaders Join Members of Congress for March 6-8 Civil Rights Pilgrimage to Alabama Created by Rep. John Lewis
OAKLAND, Calif., March 2, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Seven high school youth leaders from Oakland’s Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Center will participate in the 2020 Congressional Civil Rights Pilgrimage to Alabama March 6-8 with Congresswoman Barbara Lee. The annual Pilgrimage was originated in 1998 by Congressman John Lewis and is a program of the Faith…
Federal Trade Commission: California Is Scam Capital, U.S.A
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,…
SBA Offers Disaster Assistance to California Small Businesses Economically Impacted by the Severe Storms and Flooding
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…
Rep. Waters: Impeached President, Illegitimate Acquittal
Trump’s conviction was bipartisan, his acquittal was partisan Today’s illegitimate acquittal is fitting for a dishonorable, unpatriotic, dangerous, illegitimate, and impeached president. Anyone who lends any credence to the idea that this unlawful outcome serves as a credible exoneration of Donald Trump is an enemy to the rule of law and the Constitution. The founders…
California Census 2020 Campaign Announces Partnerships with Black-Owned and Operated Media Partners
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…
Treasurer Fiona Ma Announces Prepaid Cards for CalABLE Account Holders
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…
Rep. Torres: Trump Budget is a Self-Inflicted Wound
WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) released the following statement today in response to President Donald Trump’s FY 2021 Budget Request, which slashes deeply at domestic programs to help working and low-income Americans, in some cases, eliminating them outright. “This budget makes President Trump’s priorities crystal clear for the American people –…
Assemblymember Reyes Introduces Legislation Relating to Foster Siblings
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…
Appeals Court: California Must Unseal Secret Files That Hide Police Misconduct
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…
California Department of Aging Launches EngAGE CA to expand public engagement in development of Governor Newsom’s 2020 Master Plan for Aging
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…
HHS Issues Notice of Violation to California for its Abortion Coverage Mandate
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…
Michelle Obama Building A Legacy Of Strong Black Women
“Behind every strong man, there is a strong woman.” That statement used to be common, now it seems as though there is no other person standing behind or in front, just a strong women. And when you think of strong women, you always have to include Michelle Obama. The former First Lady is seen not…
ACLU Takes Action Against Orange County for Unlawful Transfers to ICE
The Cities of Huntington Park and Tustin Also Violated California Values Act The American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of Southern California today filed administrative complaints against Orange County and the cities of Huntington Park and Tustin for unlawfully interrogating people about their immigration status and detaining them for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The…
