Category: Government & Politics

ScholarShare 529 ranked #1 in the country for investment performance Sacramento –­­­To kick off National College Savings Month, California State Treasurer John Chiang and ScholarShare 529 are reminding California families to start saving for college early. “The cost of higher education may be going up, but that shouldn’t get parents down,” said Treasurer Chiang. “Saving…

AFGE applauds ruling that administration illegally gutted workers’ rights, violated labor contracts WASHINGTON, Aug. 25, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — In a landmark decision, a federal judge has ruled that President Trump violated the U.S. Constitution and laws providing checks and balances in the federal government by attempting to deny more than 2 million federal workers their…

Sacramento, CA – Allegations against members of the California Legislature for sexual and violent threats should be taken seriously and addressed promptly. The Chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus, Chris Holden, is calling for a full investigation into Senator Joel Anderson for his alleged threatening remarks towards Stephanie Roberson, a highly respected lobbyist for…

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…

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,…

CAHU wants to make you aware of a recent California Supreme Court ruling, Dynamex Operations West Inc. v. Superior Court (Dynamex) that could require many 1099 independent contractors to become W-2 employees. This could directly impact you as an agent/broker and affect independent contractors you hire. Dynamex created a new worker classification standard referred to…

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…

Lack of Action by the Times Shows “Leftist Privilege,” Says Project 21 Leader Washington, DC – Anti-white social media posts made by newly-hired New York Times editorial writer Sarah Jeong are “vulgar” and “racist,” say members of the Project 21 black leadership network, who note the inconsistency and irresponsibility of the newspaper in dealing with…

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…

Projects Will Provide Improved Electric Reliability WASHINGTON, Aug. 6, 2018 – Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $345.5 million in 20 infrastructure projects (PDF, 121 KB) to improve rural electric service in 14 states. “Delivering reliable and affordable electricity to power rural America will help lay…

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…

Findings make clear that gun lobby–backed bills have been rejected across the country—with 31 states refusing to weaken their laws Washington, DC — As many state legislatures across the country wrap up their sessions for the year, a new analysis released today shows gun safety activism inspired lawmakers to pass laws to address the gun…

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…

The U.S. Census Bureau is seeking public comments on its 2020 Census plan, which includes a citizenship question on the census form all households must answer.  Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross directed the bureau to add the untested question in March, after misleading stakeholders and Congress about the Justice Department’s need for citizenship data from…

Agreement Would Require Milwaukee to Overhaul Police Department Policies,  Training,  Supervision,  Accountability,  and  Community  Engagement MILWAUKEE — Today the Common Council of the city of Milwaukee voted to approve a settlement of a federal lawsuit brought against the city by a group of Black and Latinx Milwaukee residents, represented by the American Civil Liberties Union,…

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…