Category: Government & Politics

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today published its proposed Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) rule, which offers clearer guidance to states and local governments to help them improve affordable housing choices in their community. Read HUD’s proposed rule. “HUD’s commitment to Fair Housing remains as steadfast as ever before, and this…

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…

Partisan “Clarification” Called Disrespectful and Hypocritical Washington, D.C. – Pushing back on lawmakers who compare impeachment proceedings to the Civil Rights Movement and the fight against Jim Crow discrimination, members of the Project 21 black leadership network are calling liberals’ rhetorical tactics – particularly ones by U.S. Representative Hakeem Jeffries – both incorrect and hypocritical….

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,…

HUGER, S.C., Dec. 9, 2019 – Today, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment Jim Hubbard announced USDA has invested $8.1 million in high-speed broadband infrastructure that will create or improve e-Connectivity for more than 3,780 homes in rural South Carolina. This is one of many funding announcements in the…

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,…

Nearly 650 residents and businesses in small, remote communities will gain high-speed internet access JOHN DAY, Ore., Dec. 3, 2019 — U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director John Huffman today announced that USDA is providing $6 million to expand high-speed broadband infrastructure that will provide e-Connectivity for nearly 650 new customers in…

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (D-CA) published an op-ed exclusively with CNN today holding Acting Secretary of Homeland Security, Chad Wolf, accountable for his role as the architect of the Trump Administration’s family separation policies. In the article, Rep. Torres, the only Central American immigrant serving in Congress, reveals new details of the…

Program Expanding, Futons Subject to Recycling Fee as of Jan. 1, 2020 ALEXANDRIA, Va. – As of Jan. 1, 2020, futons will be added to the mattress recycling program in California and will be subject to recycling fees. The $10.50 fee and recycling obligations apply only to the futon mattress, not to the futon frame…

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…

Investments will Benefit 1.5 million Residents and Businesses WASHINGTON, Nov. 1, 2019 – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $1.4 billion in projects in 21 states (PDF, 143 KB) to build and improve rural electric infrastructure. “Modern and reliable electric infrastructure has been a…

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…

Congresswoman Beatty calls out Facebook over discrimination lawsuits WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, the House Financial Services Committee conducted a hearing to scrutinize Facebook and its previous and future business practices. During the “An Examination of Facebook and Its Impact on the Financial Services and Housing Sectors” hearing, U.S. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03), Chair of the House Financial…

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…

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,…