With October on the horizon and the 2023-24 Legislative Session now behind us, the NextGen team eagerly awaits Governor Newsom’s decision on whether to sign or veto the bills that have reached his desk! Here at NextGen, we are continuing our advocacy efforts and taking every opportunity ā through letters, meetings, and social media ā to encourage the Governor to take action on our policy priorities. Stay tuned for legislative updates!
In her interview, Elena recounts the difficulties and imbalances sheās had to face and overcome throughout her life while reconciling her Vietnamese and Mexican cultural identities. āNow I say Iām Vietnamese and Mexican, and not to put that box around it, to try to break down that narrative,ā shares Elena. Hear more directly from Elena and other members of the AAPI Latino community by reading the full article, written by Esther Sun and Mathew Miranda.
So, without further ado, hereāsĀ Whatās NextĀ at NextGen:
ā Elena Santamaria Talks to The Sacramento Bee: NextGenās Elena Santamaria, Partnerships Manager and Senior Policy Advisor, was recently featured on the front page of The Sacramento Bee! Elena was interviewed as part of a spotlight on AAPI Latino families and how their children are reshaping the future of both California and their cultures. Specifically, the article highlights how children from families with blended cultures have navigated and embraced the complexities that come with having two cultures, identities, and languages. California is home to approximately 300,000 AAPI Latino families ā more than any other state.
In her interview, Elena recounts the difficulties and imbalances sheās had to face and overcome throughout her life while reconciling her Vietnamese and Mexican cultural identities. āNow I say Iām Vietnamese and Mexican, and not to put that box around it, to try to break down that narrative,ā shares Elena. Hear more directly from Elena and other members of the AAPI Latino community by reading the full article, written by Esther Sun and Mathew Miranda.
ā Mark Your Calendars:Ā The NextGen team invites you to join in the activities taking place for two big annual events!
ā The Central Kitchen is Feeding Sacramento Students:Ā NextGenās Research and Policy Advisor, Tiffany Germain, and many of our School Meals for All coalition partners recently toured the Sacramento City Unified School District’s (SCUSD) Central Kitchen. The Central Kitchen’s mission is to serve thousands of SCUSD students freshly prepared meals by sourcing and procuring local, seasonal produce and providing millions of meals annually to 80 Sacramento school sites.
As advocates in the fight against food insecurity, NextGen commends the Sacramento Unified School Districtās Central Kitchen for their work providing students with delicious and nutritious meals, and we look forward to watching their operation continue to grow. Learn more about The Central Kitchen and their important work!
Tiffany Germain, Research & Policy Advisor visits Sac City’s Central Kitchen with partners from the Center for Ecoliteracy.
Send a quick letter to the Governor asking for his veto.
ā Did You Know?Ā In a recent episode of Last Week Tonight, the show featured the importance of universal school meals, and host John Oliver shared his thoughts by saying, āSchool lunch should be considered an essential school supply like books or desks.ā The NextGen team couldnāt agree more, and thatās why weāre so proud of the part we played in advocating for and making School Meals for All a reality in California! Thanks to our work with the Newsom Administration, State Legislators, partner organizations, and action takers like you, weāve paved the way for California schools to provide tens of millions of healthy school meals annually to all students regardless of income. School Meals for All is also a major program in the fight against childhood hunger in California. Check out this clip of John Oliver covering free school meals!
ā Legislative Deadlines and Insights:Ā With one week left in September, the Governor has until midnight on Monday, September 30th to take action on bills or they will automatically become law. The Capitol community is now focused on making their final arguments and using their best advocacy tactics to persuade the Governor to sign or veto bills. This period of bill signing activities is happening amidst the backdrop of political tensions associated with a unique special session on rising oil prices called by the Governor during the last few days of the legislative session.
ā Our Mission:Ā 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,
NextGen Policy