We’re living in scary and unprecedented times. The President is blatantly defying the Supreme Court as he seeks to decide who gets to live in this country without regard for due process or human decency. The California legislature must do everything in its power to support our immigrant neighbors and protect our population.
I’m proud to be leading AB 1261 this year, which would establish the right to legal representation for unaccompanied children in immigration court proceedings taking place in California. Unaccompanied immigrant children in the U.S. currently have no right to legal counsel in immigration court, leaving them vulnerable to deportation and unable to access critical protections. This is an urgently needed bill, with California seeing over 10,000 unaccompanied minors just last year.
California cannot afford to roll over to the federal administration, and I’m proud to be working with my colleagues to ensure fair representation, basic human rights, and a shot at the California dream.
Yours in Service,
Mia Bonta
Assemblymember, 18th District
As Chair of the Assembly Health Committee, I am committed to addressing one of the most pressing issues for Californians – why does healthcare cost so much? Lowering costs and expanding access to care are my guiding goals in chairing this powerful committee. I’m hopeful the bills the legislature is advancing will provide real relief for Californians. I’m proud that two of my bills passed through this committee earlier this week to ensure our health systems work for consumers, not big corporations. AB 1415 will increase oversight powers for the Office of Health Care Affordability. AB 910 will reign in Pharmacy Benefit Managers, middlemen who exercise significant control over which drugs are available, at which price, and which pharmacies patients can use to receive their prescribed medications. It doesn’t take an expert to know we have much further to go to achieve affordable healthcare, and I am committed to continuing to address this issue.
On Wednesday, April 16, California filed a lawsuit challenging President Trump's imposition of tariffs as an illegal overreach of executive power - one that will cost the average American family $2,100 and shrink the U.S. economy by $100 billion annually.
As contributors to the fifth-largest economy in the world, Californians know that these chaotic, haphazard, and unauthorized tariffs are harmful to the state's businesses, agricultural sector, and consumers. The lawsuit seeks to void these tariff orders and prevent the Department of Homeland Security and Customs and Border Patrol from implementing them, asserting that the Constitution gives tariff authority to Congress, not the President.
The East Bay isn’t just our home; its waters and the surrounding land are home to countless animals whose ancestors have lived here long before we moved in. Recent beached whales off our shores should remind us of the fragility of our relationship with nature. We must continue to promote efforts to combat climate change, tackle sea level rise, and mitigate oceanic pollution. Those looking to get involved can attend the Alameda Bike Festival this Saturday, April 26, or Emeryville’s 2025 Shoreline Cleanup at Shorebird Park on Sunday, April 27.
Recently, I had the honor to welcome Oakland-based IGNITE National to our State Capitol. IGNITE empowers young women nationwide to become the next generation of political leaders. Their visit to Sacramento gave these girls first-hand knowledge about how policy gets made. This work is so important. It took until 1976 to have women in both houses of our state legislation after over 100 years of decisions made almost exclusively by men. As a Black Latina, I bring my lived experience to my legislation every day, and we need to continue to diversify our politics to bring more perspectives into the fold of policymaking. It was an honor to welcome these advocates and future leaders to Sacramento.
Are you interested in connecting at the Capitol? Submit a scheduling request below.
Apply Here: Women in California Leadership – The Minerva Scholarship, California Latino Legislative Caucus Foundation Scholarship, California Legislative Black Caucus – The Frederick M. Roberts Scholarship
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