June 13, 2022

Congratulations – you’re IN! We are excited to share that this is NextGen Policy’s very first What’s Next email written with our insiders list in mind. As an NGP Insider, you’ll be the first to get exclusive updates on what’s happening in the NGP world and around the State Capitol!  Along with everyone else this month, we’re super focused on the June 15th budget deadline, which is the constitutional deadline for when the Legislature has to pass the state budget for the next fiscal year. Scroll down for updates on how NGP is working to ensure that the state budget addresses NGP priorities and also to take a glimpse at our new climate ad campaign – and much more!

★ SB 17 Funding: We continue to urge Governor Newsom and State Legislators to fund SB 17 (Pan), the Office of Racial Equity, in the budget.  Put California on a path towards achieving equity for all by funding and including SB 17 in the California state budget. Share our message on fully funding SB 17, retweet here.

★ SB 907 Funding: We want you to know all about SB 907 (Pan), Local Equitable Access to Food (LEAF) and how important it is to fully fund this important program. SB 907 will ensure that the most vulnerable California families have equitable access to locally grown, affordable, and nutritious foods, regardless of income, while also increasing the number of certified farmers’ markets throughout the state. Learn more about SB 907 and help us get this program funded!

★ CADE Debut: Last month, NGP launched the California Alliance for Digital Equity (CADE) and hosted our first meeting – more than 80 organizations attended.  We are proud to join in the fight to advance digital equity, from device acquisition to broadband accessibility and affordability to digital literacy. Learn more about CADE and follow along as it becomes one of the leading coalitions supporting equitable, affordable internet access for all Californians!

NGP just launched our new million-dollar  “Headline We Want” campaign to make it clear that our leaders must change the narrative around California’s multiple climate-caused disasters, including the ravages of wildfires, drought conditions, and extreme heat that have plagued our state over the last decades. California cannot afford to wait when it comes to investing in a 100% climate-aligned state budget – Later is Too Late!

WATCH NOW!

★ NEW Op-ed: Solitary Confinement: When it comes to the use of solitary confinement in our penal system, California can and must do better. It’s time to end extreme isolation and the terrible physical and psychological harms perpetuated by solitary confinement in our jails, prisons, and private immigration detention facilities.  NGP strongly supports The Mandela Act, AB 2632 (Holden). Check out the op-ed authored by our partners at Disability Rights California and the California Collaborative for Immigrant Justice on why passing the Mandela Act is the right thing to do. 

★ Cal Grant, Take Action: Last month, over 100 higher education and student leaders, equity advocates, business owners, and other stakeholders across California signed on to support the Cal Grant Equity Framework. If the Cal Grant Equity Framework is included in the 2022-23 state budget, as many as 150,000 additional California students will have access to the Cal Grant financial aid program. You can help! TAKE ACTION: visit the Fix Financial Aid Coalition’s website and join the effort to encourage the Governor to enact this framework. 

★ Did You Know? NextGen Policy recently released a *new report* detailing how California can dramatically boost voter registration rates. In our report on automatic voter registration, we study how Colorado streamlined their voter registration system and increased registration rates by 74%, and how a similar automatic voter registration system in California would lead to a more representative and inclusive democracy.

★ Member Spotlight: This week, we’re recognizing California Senate President pro Tempore Toni Atkins! Pro Tem Atkins is not only the first woman to lead the California State Senate, but is also the first openly LGBTQ+ Senate Pro Tem in state history. Let Pro Tem Atkins know how much you appreciate her leadership and the work she is doing for our state – Click to Tweet!

★ What’s Next: Join us this Sunday, June 19th – Juneteenth – to commemorate the effective end of slavery in the United States after the Civil War, honor the contributions of African-Americans to the country, and to reflect on the continued need to advance racial equity across our nation. Currently, the California Senate has the opportunity to pass AB 1655 (Jones-Sawyer) which will proclaim June 19 as “Juneteenth National Freedom Day: A Day of Observance” – urge them to vote ‘yes’ and move this bill out of policy committee and to the Senate Floor.

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