What’s Next: Who’s ready for August? 🌻 Here’s the latest from NextGen

July 30, 2024

As the State Legislature prepares to return from their summer recess on August 5th, the NextGen team has been working hard to plan, strategize, and ready our policy priorities for the last stretch of the legislative session. With the August 16th deadline for bills to pass their respective fiscal committees fast approaching, the NextGen team is developing various advocacy actions to ensure our priority bills receive the necessary support they need to move out of either the Senate or Assembly Appropriations Committees!

In this issue of What’s Next, enjoy a very special Let’s Talk blog post written by NextGen’s Senior Policy Advisor Dave Weiskopf that looks back at his last 10 years of climate advocacy work; review the new Climate 100 report from Dave and Policy Advisor Jamie Pew which walks readers through what lies ahead for the historic California Climate Commitment; receive information on the California Healthy School Food Pathways Program, an important school food program helping to address California’s growing food insecurity crisis; learn how you can take meaningful action in support of California’s higher education students by asking Senate Appropriations Committee members to support AB 1160 (Pacheco), the Protecting Students from Creditor Colleges Act; and get updated on plenty more!

With that, let’s dive into What’s Next at NextGen:

Let’s Talk Climate Advocacy: In a very special Let’s Talk blog post, NextGen’s Senior Policy Advisor Dave Weiskopf reflects back on the past decade of his NextGen climate advocacy work as he prepares to embark on the next chapter of his career. “Through changing circumstances and times, I have maintained as a North Star the goal to advance climate policy that is informed by scientific reality, grounded in a commitment to justice, and built on the understanding of how political power dynamics shape and are shaped by our collective level of ambition,” writes Dave as he looks back on the past 10 years he’s spent with NextGen advocating for climate justice on behalf of all Californians. Read our Let’s Talk blog to check out Dave’s complete blog post!

Our New Climate 100 Report: In NextGen’s latest Climate 100 report, “California Climate Commitment 2.0, Looking Toward a Fair and Sustainable Climate Budgeting Policy,” we’re taking a closer look at why California’s current, zero-sum funding approach to address the climate crisis is not sustainable in the face of accelerating climate change conditions. The time has come for California to consider more holistic approaches to tackling the climate crisis, and that includes taking a fresh look at the climate budgeting tools available to the state! Find out how California policymakers can leverage an all-of-government approach to address the climate crisis and create an enduring California Climate Commitment 2.0.

Get the Facts on a Key California School Food Program: The California Healthy School Food Pathway program is an apprenticeship and workforce pipeline program for scratch-cook school food operators that is working to address the longstanding shortage of school food professionals in California. Created by the Chef Ann Foundation (CAF) and certified by state and federal entities in 2022, the Healthy School Food Pathway program provides a unique educational opportunity and hands-on experience in the design, administration, and preparation of freshly prepared school meals through state and federally registered Pre-Apprenticeship, Apprenticeship, and Fellowship programs. Stay tuned for more information on NextGen’s upcoming work in support of the California Healthy School Food Pathways Program!


Help protect California students from institutional debt! ✊🎓

Send a quick email to urge members of the California Senate Appropriations Committee to support AB 1160 (Pacheco), the Protecting Students from Creditor Colleges Act. This bill will protect students from the drastic academic consequences and economic harms caused by institutional debt.

Send the Email


Did You Know? In case you missed it, check out NextGen’s response to the final California State Budget unveiled by Governor Newsom last month: “We will remain steadfast in our commitment to advocate on behalf of California’s most vulnerable communities who will feel the sting of these budget impacts more than other Californians, and we will continue to work with the Legislature and the Newsom Administration to reinstate and fully fund crucial safety net programs going forward,” writes NextGen’s Executive Director Arnie Sowell Jr. Take a look at our full response to the final California State Budget – reactions from Arnie and other members of the NextGen team!

Member Spotlight: This week, we’re shining a spotlight on Assemblymember Mia Bonta, who represents California’s 18th Assembly District. Assemblymember Bonta is the author of AB 2239, a bill which would help end digital discrimination in California and ensure all communities have access to affordable, high-speed internet. NextGen is proud to co-sponsor and support AB 2239, and we’re grateful for Assemblymember Bonta’s continued efforts to narrow the digital divide. We look forward to our future work together fighting for digital equity on behalf of all Californians – follow along to keep up with Assemblymember Bonta’s work!

Legislative Deadlines and Insights: With the end of the Legislative Summer Recess, the Capitol Community is gearing up for the last stretch of the legislative session. This will include getting bills through the fiscal committee deadline, otherwise known as the Suspense file hearing on August 15th; final floor votes on bills the last two weeks of August; and then working through the Governor’s final signing period that ends September 30th. With all that on the horizon, we hope everyone has taken the opportunity to recharge during the Summer Recess as things will kick back into full gear starting August 5th when the Legislature returns.

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.

Thank you,
NextGen Policy