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California lawmakers want to curb retail theft, but say it’s not as easy as it sounds

Anabel Sosa, Los Angeles Times

 

While California lawmakers feel pressure to address concerns about crime, the murky and sometimes contradictory evidence of an increase in lawlessness has put legislators in a bind.

Recent studies show that retail theft has increased in some of California’s big cities — with shoplifting rates jumping nearly 50% in San Francisco since 2019 — while some rural and suburban areas of the state have seen a drop in those crimes.

Emeryville Orgs honored at Second Annual AD18 Awards Celebration

Rob Arias, E'ville Eye

Representations of organizations throughout Assembly District 18 packed the auditorium at the Emeryville Center of Community Life on Friday, October 27th for the second annual AD18 awards celebration.

The event recognized orgs and individuals making a difference in their communities. It was attended by a swath of local councilmembers and mayors from Alameda, Oakland & Emeryville and emceed by District Director Rowena Brown.

AB 1104: Rehabilitation and Reentry Prep for Incarcerated People

New law emphasizes restorative justice and successful reintegration after release from prison

Post Staff Reporting, Alameda Post

On October 8, Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 1104, a bill introduced by Assemblymember Mia Bonta, into law. The new law, which goes into effect January 1, 2024, changes California’s penal code to make clear that the purpose of incarceration is rehabilitation and preparation for reentry, not levying additional punishment, the Assemblymember stated when the bill was introduced.

AB 1148: Stable Parents, Stable Children Act Signed Into Law

Child support repayment timeline extended for formerly incarcerated parents

Post Staff Reporting, Alameda Post

On October 8, Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 1148, a bill introduced by Assemblymember Mia Bonta, into law. The Stable Parents, Stable Children Act , sponsored by Root & Rebound, a reentry legal resource organization, brings crucial reform to the child support system by extending the time for formerly incarcerated parents to resume child support payments from one month or less after exiting incarceration to 10 months.

Assemblymember Mia Bonta’s adequate staff-to-student ratio bill ensures safe working and learning environment

Post Staff Reporting, Alameda Post

Assemblymember Mia Bonta’s Classified Employee Staffing Ratio Workgroup bill, AB 1273, was signed into law last week. The new law establishes a workgroup to propose guidelines on proper staffing for classified school employees. This bill will help to ensure that local educational agencies are adequately staffed to provide students with the services and resources they need to thrive.

AB 722 Safeguards Jobs of Unionized Physicians

Post Staff Reporting, Alameda Post

bill introduced by Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Oakland), AB 722, aimed at safeguarding the cost-effectiveness of healthcare services provided by the Alameda Health System (AHS) and protecting the jobs of unionized physicians was signed into law in the evening of Saturday, September 30.

New bill would shift restitution from juveniles to State

If approved, payments would be made by state's Victim Compensation Board

Betty Márquez Rosales, EdSource

 

Xochtil Larios entered adulthood with a $3,500 restitution debt to her name after years in the foster and juvenile justice systems. She was determined to move forward, but the restitution debt from a crime she was charged with as a teenager felt insurmountable.

The debt impacted her “mentally, physically, financially, spiritually, and I couldn’t sleep at night,” said Larios. “I can’t worry about who I’m becoming because I still have to fix my past.”