News

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.”

Student Loan Interest, Repayment Begin this Fall

Assemblymember Mia Bonta explains what you need to know

Alameda Post

"Back in March 2020, each of us faced unprecedented circumstances, but most critical was the disruption of our education,” Assemblymember Mia Bonta wrote in a newsletter to constituents this past week.

How attack on Pelosi, violent threats to Bay Area lawmakers inspired an unusual bill

Assembly Bill 37 would allow Calif. lawmakers to start using unlimited campaign funds to hire bodyguards or install security systems.

Alec Regimbal, SF Gate

On April 21 of last year, a convoy of roughly 20 truckers gathered outside the Oakland home of state Assemblymember Buffy Wicks, with the express purpose of intimidating the Democratic lawmaker. They crowded the streets in front of her house, honking and demanding through bullhorns that Wicks, who was home at the time, come outside. After police arrived, the convoy departed.

Just what the doctor ordered: In California, a prescription could pay for your fresh fruits and veggies

Rya Jetha, CalMatters

Every other Friday, the Stockton Emergency Food Bank hosts two live cooking classes — one in English and one in Spanish. Last week, Brenda Munoz made a classic tuna melt with an orange, romaine and dandelion salad.

“Dandelion is completely edible,” said Munoz, holding the small leaves from the flower. “They’re really high in vitamin A and folate.”

‘Abandoned’ Bay Area land will be developed into housing

A law signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom will see an vacant 32-acre lot in Alameda developed into new housing units

Chris Clow, Housing Wire

AB 1706 Paves Way for New Housing, Parks, Marina

Land swap will allow development of Encinal Terminal to proceed

Adam Gillitt, Alameda Post

GOVERNOR APPROVES ENCINAL TERMINALS LAND EXCHANGE

Ekene Ikeme, Alameda Sun

On Thursday, July 27, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill (AB) 1706, which will pave the way for construction to commence on the planned Encinal Terminals Project.

San Quentin Reform Plan Doesn’t Include Prison Closures

Lindsey Holden, Sacramento Bee

California Gov. Gavin Newsom was able to wrest budget dollars from skeptical lawmakers for his plan to reform San Quentin State Prison — but the spending plan does not commit to closing more facilities, as some Democrats wanted.

An Apple a Day: Food Can Be Medicine for Low-Income Californians Under Health Care Plans

George B. Sánchez-Tello, Capital & Main

In a drab gray government room in Sacramento, Rosalina Michel nervously sat in an avocado green chair. She had traveled more than 360 miles to speak at this hearing with elected officials to share her fear of her pre-diabetes diagnosis. Then she recalled how her doctor offered a simple solution.

My body, my data: US fight for abortion access turns digital

Anastasia Moloney, Avi Asher-Schapiro, Context News / Thomas Reuters Foundation

LOS ANGELES, June 22 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - California lawmaker Mialisa Bonta made her abortion public to help other women keep theirs private.

It was in 2022 that Bonta went public about terminating her own unplanned pregnancy at the age of 21, joining a growing number of influential women opting to open up in the face of increasing U.S. restrictions on abortion.