We often miss important legislation our elected officials are working on; or, are unable to keep up with the many worthwhile organizations doing great work in the community. In keeping with our voter education initiatives, we’ll be providing updates and clarifications as new legislation and efforts around the community become known so stay tuned.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATES
- Assemblywoman Tina McKinnor, Assembly District 61 – https://a61.asmdc.org/ State Assembly passed AB57 and AB62 which are part of the California Legislative Black Caucus “Road to Repair” Legislative package that deals with some inequities suffered by descendants of former slaves. AB57 addresses inequities in homeownership by reserving a portion of the funds within California’s Home Purchase Assistance Program specifically for the descendants of formerly enslaved people. AB62 will provide a pathway for victims to legally redress grievances as victims of eminent domain. Eminent domain allowed government entities to take private property for public use. Throughout the 20th century, racially motivated practices displaced countless Black, indigenous, and other communities of color under the guise of public development projects, urban renewal and highway construction. These actions disrupted families, destroyed generational wealth and fractured communities. Existing law does not currently provide mechanisms to redress these grievances until AB62.
- Assemblyman Isaac Bryan, Assembly District 55 – https://a55.asmdc.org/ Assemblyman Bryan had some significant budget wins in the California Legislature.
a. Obtained $5 million establishing Center for Climate Change Education at West Los Angeles College to provide students with career paths to the clean energy and climate technology industries.
b. $5 million allocated to the Center on Reproductive Health, Law, and Policy at UCLA.
c. Created the Hire UP! Program to provide a stipend equivalent to the minimum wage for students that are formerly incarcerated, CalWORKS recipients, or former foster youth while they are attending California community colleges. This is funded for $30 million.
d. Climate Bond sets aside $10 billion to finance safe drinking water, drought preparedness, extreme heat mitigation, wildfire prevention, and clean air programs.
COMMUNITY UPDATES
South LA Café – https://southlacafe.myshopify.com Is a place where you can meet and greet neighbors; get a good cup of coffee and healthy and delicious food items and sit and mingle or have a small meeting. The owners, Joe and Celia Ward-Wallace have also created the South L.A. Market all operated under the South LA Community Foundation visit their website; but more importantly visit their café and market locations.
The Los Angeles Urban League – https://laul.org 100 years old; reinvigorated with an energetic and visionary leader in Cynthia Heard and a young and dynamic staff. The League promotes economic empowerment through education, job training, workforce development ,entrepreneurship, housing and community development, health and quality of life. All are welcome to follow through and see their program offerings.
