What's Next: February Agenda - Leg Briefing, 2022 Wins, & More!

Nextgen What's Next
January 27, 2023
February is another busy month for NextGen Policy – as the legislative session starts to get fully underway we’re gearing up for our Students’ Basic Needs Legislative Briefing, showcasing our new climate budget fact sheet, developing our priority bill list for 2023, celebrating Black History Month, and recapping our biggest legislative wins of 2022. The NGP team is super excited to share some highlights of what’s happening next during the month of February. But first, we believe it only fitting that we take the time to honor those who recently lost their lives to gun violence.
★ Senseless Acts of Violence: NGP stands in solidarity with the California AAPI communities as they continue to process, grieve, and heal from the recent mass shooting tragedies. And we call on the federal and state government to do more to curb violence and improve public safety. If you or someone you know needs support during this time period, please connect to the resources below:

★ [NEW] Climate Budget Factsheet: On January 10th, Governor Newsom released his 2023-24 state budget proposal, and, similar to the Legislative Analyst Office projections, it forecasts a shortfall of more than $22 billion. Unfortunately, a budget deficit of this magnitude has caused the Governor to propose some major revisions to last year’s historic $54 billion California Climate Commitment. Our new climate budget fact sheet developed by our Climate 100 team details the contours of the $6 billion in proposed cuts to climate programs and how these changes will impact our climate work and the lives of all Californians.

★ [NEW] AB 280 (Holden): When it comes to the use of solitary confinement in our correctional system, California can and must do better – solitary confinement is an inhumane form of punishment!  Earlier this week, on January 24th, Assemblymember Holden reintroduced – the California Mandela Act (AB 280) which will end the prolonged and routine use of solitary confinement in our state’s jails and prisons. AB 280 will also be the first bill in the nation to address the use of solitary confinement in private immigration detention facilities. We look forward to continuing our advocacy around this important policy area.

★ [UPDATE] Digital Literacy: We’ve teamed up with Compton Community College to create the Connect Corps Program, an initiative to train digital navigators and help close the digital divide by connecting Californians to the resources they need to access affordable, high-speed internet service as well as the digital skills they need. Governor Newsom recently met with one of our “Digital Navigator” volunteers, Diana “Hazel” Reza, to discuss the program and the importance of digital literacy!

★ Black History Month: February is Black History Month and, as always, NGP plans to spotlight key members of the California State Legislature’s Black Caucus as well as other prominent African American leaders in our state. So, stay tuned.

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★ Did You Know? We’ve updated our website with ALL of our BIG legislative wins from 2022! Visit NextGen Policy to catch up on our policy successes so you’re fully up to speed as our work for 2023 kicks off.

★ Member Spotlight: On January 23rd, Assemblymember Evan Low spoke during a vigil in remembrance of the Monterey Park shooting victims, hosted by the Asian American and Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus at the State Capitol. Learn how you can help the AAPI Community during this difficult time.

★ What’s Next: Mark your calendar for our Students’ Basic Needs Legislative Briefing next Thursday, February 2nd! During this 1 hour webinar, we wil be discussing the joint policy brief we developed with Compton College, ‘Every Student is a Success Story : Basic Needs Innovation at Compton College.’  The brief provides a framework to help California higher-ed institutions ensure that their students have access to basic needs resources such as food, housing, transportation, digital devices, and more! This webinar is open for all to join, RSVP today!

★ Our Mission: NextGen Policy fights for progressive policy change to address environmental, social, racial, and economic inequities through justice-centered legislative advocacy, grassroots partnerships, and democratic civic engagement.

Thank you,
NextGen Policy