Listen to ELCA Advocacy’s “Here I Pod” for Season 2 Episode 2 with host Regina Banks as we explore FEMA Changes and Lutheran Disaster Response.
Category: Updates
On January 10th Governor Newsom released his proposed budget for the State of California. It is important to note that this is the first iteration of the budget, it will be revised in May before a final version is passed this summer. Click here to read the proposed budget in its entirety.
To further understand the proposal and learn more about its expected impacts and shortfalls, click here to read the California Budget and Policy Center’s report.
As we head into a new Legislative Session, we want to highlight all of the bills we followed last year that were signed into law.
Bills are moving quickly through policy committees as we approach the legislative recess next week. Key bills to call in support of include:
- AB 1851 (Holden)- clean drinking water in schools pilot program. This bill is being heard in Senate Environmental Quality Committee on Wed., July 3rd
- AB 660 (Irwin)- food date expiration labeling reform. This bill is being heard in Senate Appropriations Committee on Monday, July 1st.
Additionally, check out Governor Newsom’s State of the State Address that was released on June 25th.
NOTE: AIQ will now be on hiatus until Wednesday, August 14th as the legislature goes on summer recess starting July 3rd. See you in August!
Governor Newsom released a recorded State of the State Address on Tuesday, June 25th. Check it out through the link below:
Categories
AIQ News: 5/8/24
Most bills we’ve been following this year are in their respective Appropriations Committee and waiting on final hearings to determine if they will continue this session.
Stay tuned for our discussion on the Governor’s May Revise, which is the updated state budget that is released every year in May. The May Revise is being announced this Friday, May 10th. We will cover the updated state budget situation at AIQ on Wednesday, May 22nd. Join us!
Lobby Day is nearly here! Check out our priority bills for 2024.
Advocacy actions for the week:
- Call your state Senators and ask them to support SB 1497 (Menjivar)! This is an important environmental justice bill that would make fossil fuel polluters pay for the damages associated with the sale of their products in the state. The bill is being heard in Senate Appropriations on Monday, May 13th. It’s also one of our Lobby Day bills!
- Complete the federal ELCA Advocacy action alert on housing and homelessness.
Check out our specific schedule for Lobby Day 2024 here! The fun begins at 8:30 am at St. John’s Lutheran Church Sacramento.
Once you register, you will receive more detailed information regarding meeting groups and your legislative meetings in closer to May 15th.
We have completed our budget letter containing our concerns and asks regarding the proposed 2024 State Budget. The letter has been sent to the budget committees in the Assembly and Senate.
Our asks come from consideration of our partner coalitions’ budget concerns and our faith discernment of the Governor’s proposed budget text.
Apart from our LOPP specific budget letter, LOPP signs onto other budget and bill letters that come through our networks throughout the legislative session as well. You can find our budget letter and some other sign-ons we’ve done so far in 2024 on our Sign On Letters page.
AiQ resumed for the new year today. Advocates heard updates about the 2024-25 proposed state budget as well as the legislative landscape in 2024.
Key notes:
- State Budget– While a lot of critical programs and funding continue in the Governor’s proposed budget, there is still an estimated $38 billion deficit, per the Governor’s budget team analysis (this number could be as high as $58 billion, according to the Legislative Analyst’s Office). Key cuts or funding delays exist in the housing/homelessness space, CalWORKs, and climate investments.
- Legislature- The Assembly has new leadership following the change in Speaker, so we will be monitoring how the committee changes may impact legislation this session. Additionally, 2024 is the second year of the 2-year legislative cycle. Bills from 2023 will need to advance out of their house of origin by the end of January.
Note: AiQ will NOT meet next Wednesday, January 24th. We encourage you to attend the ELCA webinar on COP28, the UN Climate Conference, happening at the same time. Register here. Join us for AiQ again on Wednesday, January 31st.
Categories
AiQ News: 9/13/23
Great news, advocates! SB 4 passed out of the legislature and is on its way to the Governor! This is the product of years of advocacy, and we cannot be more excited to get this important housing bill across the finish line. Please call, email, and tag the Governor’s office on social media to urge him to sign the bill.
AB 249 (Holden), another one of our Lobby Day priority bills, has just one more vote to go in the legislature before going to the Governor as well. That means 2 of the 4 Lobby Day bills have a great chance to become law! Thank you for your continued advocacy to get these and other important bills done this year.
Important dates:
- September 14th- Last day for each house to pass bills; legislative recess begins upon adjournment
- AiQ is on hold until Wednesday, October 18th
- Save the date! We will be holding a virtual legislative session wrap-up call on November 1st, at 6:30 pm PT