What’s Next: Things are warming up! 😎 Updates on the election, policy items, health care & more
February 26, 2024
The warmth of spring is just around the corner and the NextGen team is gearing up for the busy weeks ahead as the Legislature begins to tackle its work on the state budget and the numerous policy bills that have been introduced. In this issue of What’s Next, we provide an opportunity for college students to share their experiences with harmful debt collection practices due to fees owed to their college; we take a closer look at a couple of equity-centered bills that NextGen is proud to co-sponsor that address digital discrimination (AB 2239, Bonta) and protect immigrant rights (SB 1132, Durazo); we also highlight the need for more affordable health care; and plenty more.
We’d also like to remind you to mark your calendar for Tuesday, March 5th, which is the California primary election! There is a lot at stake when it comes to this year’s primary election – this election will determine the top two candidates who will appear on the November general election ballot for various local and statewide offices! Please make sure you have a voting plan and are ready to cast your ballot. We encourage you to check your voter registration status, and remember – it’s not too late to register to vote! Visit your county elections office, a vote center, or a polling station on or before March 5th to participate in same-day registration and cast a provisional ballot on the spot! Your vote will still count – it just means that an official has to verify your registration before your ballot is counted. See you at the polls!
With that, let’s take a look at What’s Next at NextGen Policy:
★ Share Your Story, College Students: Although state and federal policymakers have taken significant actions to support student loan borrowers, another type of educational debt has gone unaddressed – so called institutional debt. Institutional debts are owed directly to an institution of higher education and are usually incurred from overdue fees on student accounts including library, parking, healthcare, and other fees. Students with institutional debts may be subject to harmful debt collection practices and even barriers to graduation! If you or a friend have ever owed an institutional debt or outstanding fees directly to your college and, as a result, experienced harmful debt collection practices, not being able to enroll in classes, having your degree withheld, or other punitive actions, please take the time to fill out our survey and help us address the problem of institutional debt. We’ll be amplifying your stories to lawmakers as we fight to stop these harmful debt collection practices!
★ Defining What Digital Discrimination Means: We are breaking new ground when it comes to addressing digital discrimination and closing the digital divide! We are co-sponsoring AB 2239 (Bonta) which will make California the first state in the nation to codify into law the U.S. Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) newly adopted definition of digital discrimination. Passing this bill will help close the digital divide, add to our team’s Broadband for All work, and provide equitable access to fast, reliable, and affordable internet for every California household.
★ Permitting Health Inspections in Private Facilities: We’re also proud to co-sponsor SB 1132 (Durazo), which will allow county health officials to inspect private detention facilities operating within the State of California. These for-profit facilities are used for civil detention and house immigrants on behalf of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) – unfortunately, such facilities have a poor track record and routinely place profit over safety. Stay tuned for future opportunities to join us in the fight to protect the rights of immigrants and ensure that all jails, prisons, and private detention facilities operated within the state are subject to public health oversight and transparency.
★ Did You Know? Our friends at RMI recently created the Smarter MODES Calculator to assist policymakers, advocates, and other climate experts in measuring the benefits of reducing traffic and car dependence! This new tool will help California direct public and private sector investments that will expand public transportation options and improve community health, climate outcomes, and household finances for all who call the Golden State home.
★ Member Spotlight: We’re shining a spotlight on Assemblymember Lori D. Wilson who represents Assembly District 11, and serves as Chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus. We commend Assemblymember Wilson for her dedicated leadership and for working to help close the digital divide in California with her AB 1588. Thank you for your efforts to improve digital access and inclusion in communities throughout California. Keep up with her work on Twitter (X)!
★ Legislative Deadlines and Insights: With the 2024 deadline to introduce new bills behind us, the NextGen team is combing through the 2,124 new bills that were introduced and considered this year! There are 1,505 new Assembly Bills (ABs) and 619 new Senate Bills (SBs). We’ll be taking stances on many of the bills that will address issues of environmental, social, racial, and economic equity in California! Additionally, we’ll be heading into budget committee hearings to defend and fight for funding for critical programs that combat climate change, provide school meals for millions of k-12 students, create greater access to state financial aid programs, increase access to high speed internet service, and more.
★ Our Mission: NextGen Policy fights for progressive policy change to address environmental, social, racial, gender, and economic inequities through justice-centered legislative advocacy, grassroots partnerships, and democratic civic engagement.
Thank you for being a part of our journey toward a more equitable California. As we continue to push for progressive policy change, we invite you to make a difference by donating to support our organization. Your contribution will directly impact our efforts to address environmental, social, and economic inequities throughout the state.