Category: Government & Politics

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…

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…

Washington, DC – Although poll taxes and literacy tests have been illegal for many decades, blacks are still being denied their rights to fully participate in elections today, according to the black leadership network Project 21. While the techniques used now to restrict the black vote are more subtle and sophisticated, Project 21 says, the…

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…

Marine Corps veteran Quintin Sherard has been living on the streets of Victorville since 2015, the same year that the County of San Bernardino’s Board of Supervisors approved a strategy to reduce its population of homelessness veterans. The Board then supported the formation of the Homeless Veteran Community Planning Group (HVCPG) – a group of…

ST. LOUIS — A federal appeals court today ruled that the at-large electoral process used by Missouri’s Ferguson-Florissant School District violates the Voting Rights Act. The American Civil Liberties Union brought the lawsuit on behalf of the Missouri NAACP and several African American parents and residents. “The courts have ruled yet again that the Ferguson-Florissant…

Lawsuit charges that Trump Executive Orders constitute executive overreach, violate separation of powers WASHINGTON, June 22, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) has filed a second lawsuit challenging two executive orders issued by President Trump that would curtail the rights of federal workers. [The American Federation of Government Employees, the largest…

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…