Whatā€™s Next: Your September digest is here! šŸ‘šŸ Catch up with the NextGen team

September 23, 2024

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 sheā€™s had to face and overcome throughout her life while reconciling her Vietnamese and Mexican cultural identities. ā€œNow I say Iā€™m 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, hereā€™sĀ Whatā€™s NextĀ at NextGen:

ā˜… Elena Santamaria Talks to The Sacramento Bee: NextGenā€™s 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 sheā€™s had to face and overcome throughout her life while reconciling her Vietnamese and Mexican cultural identities. ā€œNow I say Iā€™m 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!

  • Climate Week NYC: From September 22 – 29 Climate Week NYC is held ā€“ and is one of the largest annual climate-related events of its kind, with more than 600 seminars, workshops, and other activities focused on climate change across New York City for both in-person and virtual attendees. Hosted by Climate Group, this event brings together elected officials, business leaders, innovators, policymakers, and representatives of community based organizations from all over the world. Climate Week NYC is about sharing current data, new ideas, and innovative technologies in the fight to champion progress against climate change. Learn more about Climate Week NYC and register to attend virtually!

ā˜… The Central Kitchen is Feeding Sacramento Students:Ā NextGenā€™s 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 Districtā€™s 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.


šŸšØ Itā€™s time to take action! Join us in asking Governor Newsom to veto AB 2527 (Bauer-Kahan). This bill fails to protect the dignity, health, safety, and well-being of pregnant people who are placed in solitary confinement in Californiaā€™s jails, prisons, and detention centers!

Send a quick letter to the Governor asking for his veto.

Take Action!


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, ā€œSchool lunch should be considered an essential school supply like books or desks.ā€ The NextGen team couldnā€™t agree more, and thatā€™s why weā€™re 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, weā€™ve 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˜… Member Spotlight:Ā This week, weā€™re shining a spotlight onĀ Assemblymember Luz Rivas, who represents Californiaā€™s 43rd Assembly District. The NextGen team has worked with Assemblymember Rivas on several projects and issues affecting our state, including our work on School Meals for All and our efforts to put an end to childhood hunger. Our team also worked with Assemblymember Rivas to provide all Californians with affordable, reliable internet service and help close the digital divide. The entire NextGen team would like to honor and thank Assemblymember Rivas for being a legislative champion and for her distinguished career as a State Assemblymember.Ā Follow along to keep up with Assemblymember Rivasā€™ work!

 

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.

As we shared in the previous Whatā€™s Next, the Governor has called upon the Legislature to convene a special session to address gasoline price spikes. To date, the Assembly continues to answer the Governorā€™s call, having convened two special session committees, held hearings with another hearing set for Sept 26th, and scheduled a Special Session convening on October 1st. The Senate, however, remains on the sideline, with President pro Tempore McGuire signaling that only once the Assembly has passed a bill will he convene the Senate for the second extraordinary session on gasoline price spikes.
Stay tuned for the next edition of Whatā€™s Next for an update on the special session, and what actions the Governor took on bills.

 

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 for being a part of our journey toward a more equitable California. As we continue to push for progressive policy change,Ā 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