Bakersfield News Observer 5.1.24

News Observer

More Entry-Level Homes Could Help Solve Housing Crisis

By Antonio Ray Harvey California Black Media

The Community Housing Working Group hosted

a briefing on April 23 at Cafeteria 15L in Sacramento. Discussions focused on how the housing crisis in California affects Black and Brown communities and explored ways to provide low-income families and individuals with affordable housing.

Tia Boatman Patterson, CEO and President of the California Communities Reinvestment Corporation, said “entry-level housing” is not available as it was in the past, adding that affordable units were a major point of entry into homeownership for many families in the Black community.

“My mother bought her first house when I was in junior high. It was an 850-square foot, two-bedroom and one-bathroom house in 1978. That house cost $30,000,” Boatman-Patterson said.

“A woman working part-time at JCPenney was able to afford that house. We don’t build these types of housing now. We do not build entry-level homeownership,” she added.

The Community Housing Working Group is a collection of diverse community organizations from across California working together to address housing challenges in their communities. The organization believes that solving the affordable housing crisis will require creating enough smaller, lower-cost, multi-family homes located near jobs, transit, and good schools.

The briefing included a panel discussion titled, “Exclusionary Zoning: A Look Back and a Path Forward.” Boatman-Patterson participated in that session along with Henry “Hank” Levy, Treasurer-Tax Collector for Alameda County, and Noerena Limón, consultant, Unidos U.S., and Board Member of California Housing Finance Agency.

Boatman-Patterson, a former Associate Director for Housing, Treasury and Commerce in the Office of Management and Budget for the Biden Administration, started her presentation by highlighting how exclusionary single-family zoning is contributing to continued segregation of California communities.

She said that single-family zoning originated in the Bay Area city of Berkeley in 1916.

“By creating single-family zoning and having fenced-off communities, you were able to exclude the ‘others,’” Boatman-Patterson said. “It really was a method

Tia Boatman-Patterson, CEO and President of California Communities Reinvestment Corporation says there should be more affordable “entry-level homeownership” in California for Black and Brown communities. Boatman-Patterson is also a former Associate Director for Housing, Treasury, and Commerce in the Office of Management and Budget for the Biden Administration. April 23, 2024. (CBM photo by Antonio Ray Harvey)

Community Housing Working Group held a panel discussion about the housing crisis in California. Shown left to right are Henry “Hank” Levy, Treasurer-Tax

for

erena Limón, consultant, Unidos U.S., and Board Member of California

Tia Boatman-Patterson, CEO and President of California Communities Reinvestment Corporation; and Konstantin Hatcher from California Yes, In My Back Yard

to exclude -- what they called ‘economic segregation’ -but that was a guise for racial segregation. Single-family zoning, along with redlining, became a systemic approach to exclude based on affordability.”

Title VIII of the federal Civil Rights Act of 1968 -- commonly known as the Fair Housing Act of 1968 –is the U.S. federal legislation that protects individuals and families from discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of housing. It was passed to open the doors to affordable housing.

In an effort to increase housing the housing inventory in California to help address the state’s ongoing housing crisis, lawmakers in 2021 passed Senate Bill (SB) 9. That law allowed Californians to build up to four residential units -- including triplexes, duplexes and residential dwelling units (RDUs) -- on their properties in areas that were previously zoned for single-family homes only.

Last week, a Los Angeles Superior Court Judge declared SB 9 unconstitutional. That ruling affects 121 charter cities that have their own local constitutions and want to maintain the independence and authority to make their own land use decisions.

In 1968, 65.9% of White families were homeowners, a rate that was 25% higher than the 41.1% of Black families that owned their homes, according to National Low-Income Housing Coalition. Today, those figures have hardly changed in the Black community, although White homeownership has increased five percentage points to 71.1%.

Boatman Patterson said the rate has not changed in Black and Brown communities because financing for affordable entry-level homes is almost nonexistent. The homeownership disparities contribute to the disturbing racial wealth gap in the nation, according to the National Low-Income Housing Coalition’s October 2018 report.

“We really must align the financing with the actual

building of units, which we haven’t necessarily done. Because of this misalignment, I think we continue to see problems,” Boatman-Patterson said. “All these laws were supposed to address the ability to buy and purchase and to now have opportunities, but we don’t align financing with what we do.”

The other key aspects of the briefing and panel discussion included the impacts of exclusionary singlefamily zoning on communities of color, policies to prioritize to create more equitable housing choices, and the importance of creating more housing options to drive economic mobility and increase local revenue and investment in communities.

The panelists not only brought their expertise to the conversation. They shared their backgrounds and personal experiences as well.

Limón said her father, a tree trimmer, bought an entry-level house for about $46,000. Based on that, she understood that “homeownership is foundational for wealth creation, property tax collection for the state, and to ensure that people can take out loans to send their kids to college,” she said.

“The fact that the entry-level homeownership supply is the most under-supplied units really exacerbates the prices we are seeing today,” Limón said.

The moderator for the briefing and panel was Konstantin Hatcher from California Yes, In My Back Yard (YIMBY), a statewide advocacy organization working to pass legislation to end the state’s housing shortage and affordable communities.

In closing, Hatcher said he hopes that the housing crisis in California subsides soon.

“Hopefully a decade from now we’re not having this same conversation and we have seen the needle move and that opportunities have moved evenly across California,” Hatcher said.

New Jersey Rep. Donald Payne Jr. Dies at 65 IN MEMORIAM:

“Today, the Congressional Black Caucus mourns the loss of our dear colleague and friend, Representative Donald M. Payne, Jr., and we are holding his family and loved ones in our hearts during this difficult time,” the statement read.

“Representative Payne will be remembered by all those who knew him for his kindness and generosity. He leaves behind a legacy and commitment to service that New Jerseyans and our country will not soon forget.” He is survived by his wife and three children.

expressed their condolences and offered prayers to Payne’s family and friends. Jeffries described him as a “highly effective public servant and compassionate leader.” Payne was running for reelection in New Jersey’s 10th Congressional District. He was first elected to the House in 2012, following his late father, Rep. Donald Payne Sr., who died of colon cancer. Payne ran unopposed in the Democratic primary. Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Chairman Steven Horsford (D-Nevada) and members of the CBC issued the following statement regarding Payne’s death.

“Representative Payne served the people of New Jersey and our country honorably for six terms in the U.S. Congress. He was an advocate for racial justice, equal rights for all, reproductive freedom, free college tuition, and public transportation. He was also a fierce proponent of improving the lives of working families, expanding voting rights, lowering the costs of prescription drugs, and combating the climate crisis.

“Representative Payne was an effective leader in Congress having served as the ranking member and chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials, as well as the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery.

“Prior to joining the Congress in 2012, Representative Payne, in the footsteps of his father Rep. Donald Payne Sr., dedicated his life to

community as a member of the New Jersey City Council, as a president of the South Ward Young Democrats, as a Garden State Parkway toll collector and for the Essex County Educational Services Commission.

“A lot of times you see this stuff, you don’t see kids like us doing it.”

The 2 high school seniors said it wouldn’t have been possible without the encouragement of their teachers, who instilled in them their school’s slogan ‘No Excellence Without Hard Labor.

“We have really great teachers,” Jackson added. Moreover, Johnson and Jackson are planning to go to college and get their STEM degrees, which are environmental engineering and biochemistry.

Mt.

Alicia and Andrea Ayers

U.S. Representative Donald Payne Jr. (D-NJ).

(Photo: Official photo, United States House of Representatives / U.S. Government)

Collector

Alameda County; No-

Housing Finance Agency;

(YIMBY). April 23, 2024. (CBM photo by Antonio Ray Harvey)

Biden and Harris Fight Back Against House Republicans’ Budget Threatening Health Care

access affordable medications.

By Stacy M. Brown

NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

Resolute in their stand against the recent budget proposal by House Republicans, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are intensifying their efforts to lower healthcare costs and safeguard crucial provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Medicaid, and Medicare. In a Fact Sheet, the White House noted that Biden and Harris underscored the administration’s commitment during a visit to North Carolina, where they outlined a comprehensive strategy to make health care more affordable for all Americans.

“The draconian measures in the Republican budget, which the Republican Study Committee created and which the House Republican leadership supported, have alarmed people because they could destroy crucial health care programs,” administration officials said. Among its provisions, the budget seeks to slash a staggering $4.5 trillion from the ACA, Medicaid, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program, potentially leaving millions of Americans without access to essential health coverage.

Key aspects of the Republican budget include eliminating funding for the ACA’s Marketplace and Medicaid expansion, jeopardizing coverage for over 45 million individuals. Furthermore, the proposed transformation of Medicaid into block grants “could imperil the health care of an additional 60 million

Trump, along with his former chief of staff Mark Meadows and attorney Rudy Giuliani, faced new legal challenges. They were named as unindicted co-conspirators in the Michigan attorney general’s case against the state’s “fake electors” from the 2020 election, where Trump and his allies allegedly tried to overturn the results of his loss to Joe Biden.

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Americans, leading to increased difficulty in qualifying for coverage and potential cuts to critical benefits,” officials argued. The budget threatens the well-being of seniors and individuals with disabilities by proposing cuts to Medicaid home care services and nursing home payments, which could result in diminished care quality and longer waitlists for essential services.

In addition to dismantling crucial consumer protections established by the ACA, such as coverage for pre-existing conditions and prohibitions against insurance company abuses, officials said the Republican budget would also convert Medicare into a “premium support” program, potentially raising premiums for millions of seniors and exacerbating prescription drug costs.

“Contrary to this regressive agenda, President Biden and Vice President Harris are staunch advocates for expanding access to affordable health care,” officials asserted. “Under their leadership, a record-breaking 21 million Americans have enrolled in ACA coverage this year, marking a significant milestone in the ongoing effort to extend health care to more citizens.”

The White House argued that the administration’s initiatives have yielded tangible benefits, including average annual savings of $800 per individual on health insurance premiums. They claimed that the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, which Biden championed, has given

In addition to dismantling crucial consumer protections established by the ACA, such as coverage for pre-existing conditions and prohibitions against insurance company abuses, officials said the Republican budget would also convert Medicare into a “premium support” program, potentially raising premiums for millions of seniors and exacerbating prescription drug costs. (Photo: iStockphoto / NNPA)

Medicare the authority to negotiate lower prescription drug costs, ensuring that seniors and people with disabilities can

Trump, Meadows, and Giuliani Identified as Unindicted Co-conspirators in Michigan ‘Fake Electors’ Case

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

While the New York hush money trial involving the twice-impeached and four-times indicted former President Donald Trump took its weekly Wednesday hiatus, Trump, along with his former chief of staff Mark Meadows and attorney Rudy Giuliani, faced new legal challenges. They were named as unindicted co-conspirators in the Michigan attorney general’s case against the state’s “fake electors” from the 2020 election, where Trump and his allies allegedly tried to overturn the results of his loss to Joe Biden. Last year, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel charged 16 Republicans with forgery and conspiracy to commit election forgery. The individuals allegedly attempted to replace Michigan’s electoral votes for Biden with votes for Trump during the certification of the vote on January 6, 2021.

During Wednesday’s preliminary examinations for the “fake electors,” Howard Shock, a special agent for the

attorney general’s office, testified that Jenna Ellis, a former Trump attorney, is also an unindicted co-conspirator in the case.

The revelation came on the heels of a grand jury indictment in Arizona that named 18 of Trump’s closest advisors, including Meadows and Giuliani. They are accused of involvement in a similar “fake elector” scheme aimed at keeping Trump in office despite his defeat in the 2020 election.

The indictment alleges that after President Biden’s victory, Trump’s allies conspired to redirect Arizona’s 11 electoral votes to Trump. Among those indicted are prominent GOP figures, including a former Republican Party of Arizona chair, a Republican national committeeman, an executive at Turning Point USA and its political arm, and two sitting state senators—one of whom wields significant political influence at the Arizona Capitol.

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes emphasized the gravity of the charges, noting that those indicted must face consequences. “Whatever their reasoning was, the plot to

violate the law must be answered for, and I was elected to uphold the law of this state,” Mayes asserted. “The scheme, had it succeeded, would have deprived Arizona’s voters of their right to have their votes counted for their chosen president. It effectively would have made their right to vote meaningless.”

Trump is currently on trial in New York for allegedly making illegal hush-money payments to former porn star Stormy Daniels to cover up his extramarital affair with her. He has also been indicted in Georgia, Washington, and Florida on 88 felony counts related to the 2020 election and the deadly Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Earlier this year, a judge determined that Trump committed “massive business fraud,” and ordered him to pay more than $450 million in penalties. A jury also found the presumptive GOP nominee responsible for sexually assaulting a writer. A judge ordered Trump to pay the victim, E. Jean Carroll, nearly $90 million in damages.

Fort Wayne City’s First Black Mayor

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

Fort Wayne Councilwoman Sharon Tucker has made history after becoming Indiana’s second-largest city’s new mayor. Tucker becomes Fort Wayne’s first Black mayor and second woman to hold the position. She was selected during a Democratic caucus to replace the late Mayor Tom Henry, who died in March.

Tucker, a Democrat, secured her win in the second round of voting during the Democratic caucus, meeting the requirement of 50% of the votes plus one, the local Journal Gazette reported. She will be sworn in as mayor early next week, according to Derek Camp, chairman of the Allen County Democratic Party.

“Today, Mayor Tucker proved that she has the energy and support of our party, and we look forward to supporting her as she works to continue moving our community forward,” Fort Wayne Democratic Party officials stated in a news release.

Seven candidates, including Indiana Democratic House leader and state Rep. Phil GiaQuinta, ran in the party caucus. A total of 92 precinct committee members cast votes to determine the successor to Henry, who died at the age of 72 after battling stomach cancer.

Camp confirmed that Tucker will serve the remainder of Henry’s term, which runs through December 31, 2027.

Tucker’s Background and Community Involvement A graduate of Indiana Tech, Tucker holds two Bachelor of Science degrees in Management and Human Resources.

She has a community and civic engagement history, having served as the Treasurer for the Allen County Democratic Party for five years and as Vice Chair in 2016.

Tucker was elected 1st District Councilwoman on the Allen County Council in 2014 and re-elected to a second term in 2018. She later won the 6th District City Council seat in 2019, becoming the first African American woman to hold that position.

In addition to her political roles, Tucker has been involved in various community organizations. She is a Zeta Phi Beta Sorority member, AVOW (Advancing Voices of Women), and the NAACP. Tucker also volunteers on the Board of Directors for the Allen County Public Library, Alliance Health Clinic, and SEED.

In 2012, Tucker founded the ’Women in Politics Forum,’ an annual event focusing on empowering, engaging, and educating women on political involvement. According to her official council bio, Tucker has mentored several local female political candidates and advocated for women’s political representation.

In 2021, Tucker launched Project Activate SouthEast Fort Wayne (PASE), an entrepreneurial training and pitch competition designed to support economic development in the southeast portion of the city.

Outside of her political and community service, Tucker runs an e-commerce business and a YouTube channel, Classy Shay Designs, which offers craft supplies for DIY projects and custom gifts.

to the applicants, who then kicked back a portion of the advance payments to both the convicted mom and daughter. In addition to their prison terms, both were each sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to pay forfeiture in the amount of $1,690,000 and to pay restitution to the SBA in the amount of $1,690,000. Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI.

Alicia and Andrea Ayers

Tucker, a Democrat, secured her win in the second round of voting during the Democratic caucus, meeting the requirement of 50% of the votes plus one, the local Journal Gazette reported.

Meet the Owner of the Only Black-Owned Motorcycle Drag Racing Cup Series

By Broderick Jackson

Nationwide — Broderick “Hollywood” Jackson, the Founder and CEO of Hollywood Drag Racing Production (HDRP), a Black-owned Atlanta, Georgia-based company, is seeking to revolutionize the world of motorcycle drag racing entertainment. He says that he aims to become a leader in the industry by implementing a unique distribution formula that promotes sustainability for both participants and tracks.

With the vision to provide fans with top-notch racing experiences, HDRP plans to utilize Internet Marketing, Live Streaming, and Production Quality Shows to engage audiences. By showcasing quality culture engagement within racing, HDRP aims to attract a diverse range of fans to their newly created and controlled media platform. The company’s website offers merchandising capabilities, live streaming to 35 media platforms simultaneously, as well as professional content writing that captivates the audience.

To enhance the overall racing experience, HDRP has also developed production-quality short commercials, 1-hour produced/edited films, and complete event live streams that will be released behind a paywall in the future to help fund the company’s growth. Additionally, the company plans to host multiple live-stream events featuring the Manufacturers Cup Motorcycle Drag Racing Series (ManCup), which was purchased in 2022 by HDRP. In order to achieve its mission, HDRP seeks marketing partners who can provide the best production resources/ ads, editing expertise, and branding capabilities to increase their visibility during live streaming events ads. This partnership would enable the brand to offer a larger market of racers across various race series and markets, thanks to the existing relationships and video rights already established by the company, with the acquisition of ManCup, HDRP

is poised for growth. “We want to create a win-win-win-win sustainable model where all parties involved benefit,” says Jackson. “Our aim is to provide exciting racing experiences that are not solely determined by financial resources or influence. By taking a more grassroots approach, we offer our marketing partner the opportunity to connect with loyal racers and fans, thereby opening up new sales opportunities. Furthermore, tracks partnering with us will benefit from marketing distribution and will attract the best Motorcycle Drag Racers and Fans to their events.”

“With having such a broad range of participants and fans it has been a challenge to nail down exactly how can we use this platform for more than advertising for sales and racing, I feel that we need to do more from a social capital investment perspective,” says Jackson. “We need to use the platform as a networking event for youth entering the workforce, experience people connecting with others with like-kind interests, and so forth. What better way to engage with people than in an environment where people are more comfortable? Not only would this be beneficial to the employer, but equally beneficial to the potential employee/youth looking for career paths. In my experience building relationships is essential to success.”

With years of experience and success in various business ventures, Broderick Jackson embodies excellence and passion both on and off the racetrack. As the owner of J2 Connect, Government Mechanical Services Contractor, HDRP, he has already proven himself as a successful entrepreneur.

In the realm of racing, Jackson is possibly the only African American owner of a professional motorsports series who is the current CEO/Owner of Manufacturers Cup Motorcycle Drag Racing Series, Pro Ultra 4.60 Racer

Broderick “Hollywood” Jackson, the Founder and CEO of Hollywood Drag Racing Productions. with multiple sanctions, a former Pro Modified Bike Champion (2009), and a World Record Holder in Pro Mod Bike (2007). As the 2024 Racing Season approaches, the 2023 ManCup Series Champions will be awarded the “Hollywood”, a custom trophy in the image of Broderick ‘Hollywood” Jackson himself.

“The “Hollywood” came to fruition when my crew member Ira “Pinky” Bowers saw a photo taken at an event of me during the time we were trying to come up with an idea for a trophy for the 460 class HDRP was sponsoring,” says Jackson with a big smile. “Long story short for now the trophy was born and awarded to winners of the 460 class, but since the purchase of the ManCup the “Hollywood” seemed a perfect award, with a color change from Silver to Gold. NHRA has the “Wally”, and the ManCup has “The ‘Holly’ Hollywood.”

This 11-Year-Old Cowgirl Made History Competing at the First Nationally Televised Black Rodeo

Who

By Kortnee Solomon

Nationwide — Meet Kortnee Solomon, a fourthgeneration Texas cowgirl who was only 11 years old when she competed in the first nationally televised Black rodeo back in 2021.

Kortnee, who was born and raised in Texas, comes from a family deeply rooted in rodeo history, according to Andscape. Her mother, Kanesha Jackson, is an 11-time invitational champion, and her father, Cory Solomon, is a Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association tie-down roper. Kortnee’s grandmother, Stephanie Haynes, boasts 18 invitational championships and served on the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo board, while her grandfather, Sedgwick Haynes, was the Rodeo’s general manager before his passing.

At just 5 years old, Kortnee made her debut at the Bill Pickett Rodeo. She has since secured numerous championships in ladies’ barrel and junior breakaway events.

The young cowgirl’s world involves more than just mastering rodeo techniques. She and her mom, based in Hempstead, Texas, care for their horses, handling everything from feeding and grooming to training and riding. Jackson, Kortnee’s mom, emphasized their unique connection with the horses, each with its distinct personality. The rodeo season usually spans from May to September, with at least one event every weekend. Despite the commitment to the sport, her mother said it is important for Kortnee to have a regular childhood, participating in dance, gymnastics, cheerleading, and basketball. Kortnee, often the only girl in competitions, remains focused on her performance, setting aside time before each run for solitary contemplation.

“Before I run, I like to be by myself and to think about what I am going to do in that run,” she said.

The Bill Pickett Invitational, one of the oldest Blackowned rodeo circuits, joined forces with Professional Bull Riders for the Showdown in Vegas in 2021, showcasing seven pro events like bareback riding and calf roping. Kortnee, along with other cowboys and cowgirls who participated, made their mark in the historic event that marked the first nationally televised Black Rodeo.

Developing a New Video Game

John Saunders, and his 6-year-old game designer son, Logan, are the masterminds behind a new video game in the making called “Pigeon’s Mission.” Produced via their company, Glowing Cheetah Studios, this game is a vibrant embodiment of Logan’s sketches, characters, and stories, and is poised to enchant the gaming community with its heartfelt narrative and pixel-packed adventure.

The genius idea for this video game is based entirely on the sketches of a child who envisioned a world where pigeons embark on daring missions, to the digital landscapes that now thrive with life.

Logan’s dad says that “Pigeon’s Mission” stands as a testament to the boundless creativity of young minds. He comments, “My son has turned daydreams into gameplay, breathing life into Archie, the game’s plucky pigeon protagonist, and his magical world of Pepper Pines (now that’s a tongue twister).”

Recognizing the potential of Logan’s vision, he worked with his dad to assemble a dream team including Benz, a talented Pixel Artist; Khrystyna, an outstanding Illustrator; and Gary, an amazing GameMaker developer. Together, they have worked tirelessly to translate Logan’s sketches and ideas into a game that promises not just to entertain, but to inspire.

“Pigeon’s Mission” is not just a game; it’s a journey through a child’s imagination, crafted to bring joy and wonder to players of all ages,” John says while showcasing the game. “This game is my dream come true,” Logan shares with a smile. “I can’t wait for everyone to meet Archie and explore

Anti-Sex Trafficking Advocates Discuss Competing Bills, Strategies

By Bo Tefu California Black

Media

Advocates from across California are challenging state officials and community leaders to support legislation that provides resources and services for survivors and victims of human trafficking, as well as assistance as they transition back into civil society.

Some of those advocates are also calling for more effective state policy to curtail trafficking, a crime that has an outsized impact on Black children, particularly girls.

According to the FBI, a report covering a two-year period found Black children accounted for 57% of all juvenile arrests for prostitution. In addition, 40% of sex trafficking victims were Black and 60% of those victims had been enrolled in the foster care system.

In Los Angeles County alone, “92% of girls in the juvenile justice system identified as trafficking victims were Black, 62% of those children were from the child welfare system, and 84% were from poor communities in the southeastern part of LA County,” stated a report provided by Rights4Girls, a Washington, D.C.-based advocacy organization.

“It is time to hold the perpetrators who take advantage of our children accountable,” said the Rev. Shane Harris, a San Diego-based activist, former foster youth and founder of the Peoples Association of Justice Advocates, (PAJA), a national civil rights organization and policy think tank.

“It is time to send a thorough message that if you seek to buy a child for sex, you will pay the highest criminal penalties in this state,” added Harris who was speaking at a rally at the State Capitol earlier this month. Harris was

speaking in support of Senate Bill 1414, authored by Sen. Shannon Grove (D-Bakersfield), which calls for people who buy sex from minors to be punished with a felony.

The punishment includes a two-year prison sentence and a $25,000 fine.  Harris said the PAJA is the only civil rights organization in the state that supports SB 1414, which is currently under review in the Appropriations Committee.

On April 16, the Senate Public Safety Committee voted 4-0 to advance SB 1414. Harris urged other Black-led groups who favor antitrafficking legislation more focused on criminal justice

reforms (as opposed to stiffer penalties), to “join the movement.”

Many of those civil rights groups fear that SB 1414 could lead to the incarceration of more Black youth.

That sentiment was echoed in a panel discussion organized by Black women advocates on April 26 to examine the cause and effects of human trafficking in California’s Black communities. The virtual event was hosted by the Forgotten Children, Inc, a faith-based nonprofit organization that advocates for survivors and victims of human trafficking through anti-trafficking campaigns and initiatives.

Panelists shared the psychological impact of sexual exploitation on youth and children in the long term.

Author and educator Dr. Stephany Powell shared statistics and information revealing that African American women and girls are the most trafficked nationwide.

Powell, who serves as the senior advisor on law enforcement and policy at the National Center on Sexual Exploitation said that national data indicates that sex trade survivors are disproportionately women of color. She stated that male survivors often go unnoticed because boys rarely report trafficked crimes. Powell added that labor trafficking is also underreported because victims have limited economic opportunities.

In some instances, survivors of human trafficking fail to self-identify as victims due to, “limited, economic avenues, dealing with things like self-esteem due to systemic racism, and capitalism,” Powell said.

Powell said that decriminalizing prostitution in California could increase human trafficking. She argued

that Senate Bill 357, authored by Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), which was signed into law in 2022 and legalized loitering for prostitution, caused a surge in streetlevel prostitution.

Panelist and psychologist Dr. Gloria Morrow shared opposing views on decriminalizing prostitution. She said that decriminalizing prostitution could help survivors gain access to state resources and support.

California Family Council Vice President Greg Burt opposed the bill stating that it allows sex trafficking to thrive in poor communities with little police interference.

“Senator Wiener’s promises of increased safety for trafficked girls and women have not been fulfilled. His policies have instead empowered exploiters and those purchasing sex, all the while hindering police attempts to save victims from sex trafficking,” Burt said.  Senate Bill 1219, a bill that counteracts Wiener’s bill, authored by Sen. Kelly Seyarto (R-Murrieta), proposes classifying loitering in public spaces to engage in prostitution as an offense punishable by a misdemeanor. A public hearing on the bill was held April 2 in the Senate Public Safety Committee. No further action has been scheduled.

Despite opposing views, Powell and Morrow agree that the Black community needs resources and educational programs to address human trafficking. Both women called on state officials, community-based organizations, and mental health professionals to partner in creating initiatives and programs that support victims and survivors.

California Is Investing $500M in Therapy Apps for Youth. Advocates Fear It Won’t Pay Off.

With little pomp, California launched two apps at the start of the year offering free behavioral health services to youths to help them cope with everything from living with anxiety to body acceptance.

Through their phones, young people and some caregivers can meet BrightLife Kids and Soluna coaches, some who specialize in peer support or substance use disorders, for roughly 30-minute virtual counseling sessions that are best suited to those with more mild needs, typically those without a clinical diagnosis. The apps also feature self-directed activities, such as white noise sessions, guided breathing, and videos of ocean waves to help users relax.

“We believe they’re going to have not just great impact, but wide impact across California, especially in places where maybe it’s not so easy to find an in-person behavioral health visit or the kind of coaching and supports that parents and young people need,” said Gov. Gavin Newsom’s health secretary, Mark Ghaly, during the Jan. 16 announcement.

The apps represent one of the Democratic governor’s major forays into health technology and come with four-year contracts valued at $498 million. California is believed to be the first state to offer a mental health app with free coaching to all young residents, according to the Department of Health Care Services, which operates the program.However, the rollout has been slow. Only about 15,000 of the state’s 12.6 million children and young adults have signed up for the apps, school counselors say they’ve never heard of them, and one of the companies isn’t making its app available on Android phones until summer.

Advocates for youth question the wisdom of investing taxpayer dollars in two private companies. Social workers are concerned the companies’ coaches won’t properly identify youths who need referrals for clinical care. And the spending is drawing lawmaker scrutiny amid a state deficit pegged at as much as $73 billion.

An App for That Newsom’s administration says the apps fill a need for young Californians and their families to access professional telehealth for free, in multiple languages, and outside of standard 9-to-5 hours. It’s part of Newsom’s sweeping $4.7 billion master plan for kids’ mental health, which was introduced in 2022 to increase access to mental health and substance use support services. In addition to launching virtual tools such as the teletherapy apps, the initiative is working to expand workforce capacity, especially in underserved areas.

“The reality is that we are rarely 6 feet away from our devices,” said Sohil Sud, director of Newsom’s Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative. “The question is how

we can leverage technology as a resource for all California youth and families, not in place of, but in addition to, other behavioral health services that are being developed and expanded.”

The virtual platforms come amid rising depression and suicide rates among youth and a shortage of mental health providers. Nearly half of California youths from the ages of 12 to 17 report having recently struggled with mental health issues, with nearly a third experiencing serious psychological distress, according to a 2021 study by the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research. These rates are even higher for multiracial youths and those from low- income families.

But those supporting youth mental health at the local level question whether the apps will move the needle on climbing depression and suicide rates.

“It’s fair to applaud the state of California for aggressively seeking new tools,” said Alex Briscoe of California Children’s Trust, a statewide initiative that, along with more than 100 local partners, works to improve the social and emotional health of children.

“We just don’t see it as fundamental. And we don’t believe the youth mental health crisis will be solved by technology projects built by a professional class who don’t share the lived experience of marginalized communities.”

The apps, BrightLife Kids and Soluna, are operated by two companies: Brightline, a 5-year-old venture capitalbacked startup; and Kooth, a London-based publicly traded company that has experience in the U.K. and has also signed on some schools in Kentucky and Pennsylvania and a health plan in Illinois. In the first five months of Kooth’s Pennsylvania pilot, 6% of students who had access to the app signed up.

Brightline and Kooth represent a growing number of health tech firms seeking to profit in this space. They beat out dozens of other bidders including international consulting companies and other youth telehealth platforms that had already snapped up contracts in California.

Although the service is intended to be free with no insurance requirement, Brightline’s app, BrightLife Kids, is folded into and only accessible through the company’s main app, which asks for insurance information and directs users to paid licensed counseling options alongside the free coaching. After California Healthline questioned why the free coaching was advertised below paid options, Brightline reordered the page so that, even if a child has high-acuity needs, free coaching shows up first.

The apps take an expansive view of behavioral health, making the tools available to all California youth under age 26 as well as caregivers of babies, toddlers, and children 12 and under. When California Healthline asked to speak with an app user, Brightline connected a reporter with a mother whose 3-year-old daughter was learning to sleep on her own.

‘It’s Like Crickets’

Despite being months into the launch and having millions in marketing funds, the companies don’t have a definitive rollout timeline. Brightline said it hopes to have deployed teams across the state to present the tools in person by midyear. Kooth said developing a strategy to hit every school would be “the main focus for this calendar year.”

“It’s a big state — 58 counties,” Bob McCullough of Kooth said. “It’ll take us a while to get to all of them.”

So far BrightLife Kids is available only on Apple phones. Brightline said it’s aiming to launch the Android version over the summer.

“Nobody’s really done anything like this at this magnitude, I think, in the U.S. before,” said Naomi Allen, a co-founder and the CEO of Brightline. “We’re very much in the early innings. We’re already learning a lot.”

The contracts, obtained by California Healthline through a records request, show the companies operating the two apps could earn as much as $498 million through the contract term, which ends in June 2027, months after Newsom is set to leave office. And the state is spending hundreds of millions more on Newsom’s virtual behavioral health strategy. The state said it aims to make the apps available long-term, depending on usage.

The state said 15,000 people signed up in the first three months. When California Healthline asked how many of those users actively engaged with the app, it declined to say, noting that data would be released this summer.

California Healthline reached out to nearly a dozen California mental health professionals and youths. None of them were aware of the apps.

“I’m not hearing anything,” said Loretta Whitson, executive director of the California Association of School

Counselors. “It’s like crickets.”

Whitson said she doesn’t think the apps are on “anyone’s” radar in schools, and she doesn’t know of any schools that are actively advertising them. Brightline will be presenting its tool to the counselor association in May, but Whitson said the company didn’t reach out to plan the meeting; she Concerndid.Over Referrals

Whitson isn’t comfortable promoting the apps just yet. Although both companies said they have a clinical team on staff to assist, Whitson said she’s concerned that the coaches, who aren’t all licensed therapists, won’t have the training to detect when users need more help and refer them to clinical care.

This sentiment was echoed by other school-based social workers, who also noted the apps’ duplicative nature — in some counties, like Los Angeles, youths can access free virtual counseling sessions through Hazel Health, a forprofit company. Nonprofits, too, have entered this space. For example, Teen Line, a peer-to-peer hotline operated by Southern California-based Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services, is free nationwide. While the state is also funneling money to the schools as part of Newsom’s master plan, students and schoolbased mental health professionals voiced confusion at the large app investment when, in many school districts, few in-person counseling roles exist, and in some cases are dwindling.

Kelly Merchant, a student at College of the Desert in Palm Desert, noted that it can be hard to access in-person therapy at her school. She believes the community college, which has about 15,000 students, has only one full-time counselor and one part-time bilingual counselor. She and several students interviewed by California Healthline said they appreciated having engaging content on their phone and the ability to speak to a coach, but all said they’d prefer in-person therapy.

“There are a lot of people who are seeking therapy, and people close to me that I know. But their insurances are taking forever, and they’re on the waitlist,” Merchant said. “And, like, you’re seeing all these people struggle.” Fiscal conservatives question whether the money could be spent more effectively, like to bolster county efforts and existing youth behavioral health programs. Republican state Sen. Roger Niello, vice chair of the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee, noted that California is forecasted to face deficits for the next three years, and taxpayer watchdogs worry the apps might cost even more in the long run.

“What starts as a small financial commitment can become uncontrollable expenses down the road,” said Susan Shelley of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association.

AFL-CIO Report Exposes Deepening

Racial Disparities in Workplace Safety

By Stacy M. Brown

NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

The AFL-CIO, a coalition representing 12.5 million workers across various unions, has released its 33rd annual report, “Death on the Job: The Toll of Neglect,” uncovering troubling racial disparities in workplace safety. The report’s findings, based on the most recent data available, underscore the urgent need for policymakers, regulatory bodies, and employers to confront the disproportionate rates of fatalities, injuries, and illnesses faced by workers of color. According to the report, Black workers’ job fatality rates have surged to the highest levels seen in nearly 15 years. Meanwhile, Latino workers continue to endure the most significant risk of death on the job compared to any other demographic group. In 2022, 734 Black workers lost their lives while on the job, a significant increase from the 543 deaths recorded in 2003. Similarly alarming trends were observed among Latino workers, with the number of deaths rising from 794 in 2003 to 1,248 in 2022. Shockingly, 60% of those killed were immigrants.

“These alarming disparities in workplace fatalities among workers of color are unacceptable, symptomatic of deeply ingrained racial inequity and the need to pay increased attention to the dangerous industries that treat workers as disposable,” remarked AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler in a statement.

The revelations are particularly stark when compared to the racial breakdown of the American workforce. Recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that as of 2021, white workers comprised 77% of the U.S. workforce, while Latino workers accounted for 18%, and

Black employees represented 13%. The proportions don’t align with the rates of fatalities among workers of color.

“This report exposes an urgent crisis for workers of color and reaffirms what we’ve long known: When we talk about justice for workers, we must prioritize racial equity,” the authors emphasized. The report identified specific hazards and industries where workers of color are most vulnerable. For Black workers, fatalities often result from transportation accidents, homicides, or exposure to harmful substances or environments. Meanwhile, Latino workers face significant risks in industries such as construction, agriculture, and manufacturing, where workplace hazards are prevalent. Furthermore, the report highlights the systemic challenges workers of color face in accessing adequate protections and resources. Instances of employer retaliation for reporting unsafe conditions or injuries are rampant, creating a culture of fear and silence among workers. Weak penalties and enforcement mechanisms further exacerbate these issues, failing to hold non-compliant employers accountable for endangering their employees’ lives. Despite advancements in safety regulations and enforcement, systemic issues persist, threatening the wellbeing of workers across various industries.

Comparing records on safety and health, the report noted that the Biden and Trump administration’s records differ drastically. The authors determined that the Biden administration’s job safety agencies have had to repair and rebuild after “four years of decimation rife with understaffing, repeal of worker safety laws, limits on public access to information and the inability to issue even the most basic of long-overdue protections.” They concluded

that the Biden administration improved transparency of information about loved ones lost on the job to honor them and to prevent the tragedies for other families, bolstered enforcement initiatives to hold accountable the employers who violate the law and put workers in danger, strengthened policies to protect vulnerable workers with the greatest risks of dying on the job and facing retaliation, and issued milestone regulations to save workers’ lives and improve their livelihoods.

The authors noted that the Biden administration recently used the first action under the amended Toxic Substances Control Act to ban current uses and imports of chrysotile asbestos, after decades of weak laws and inaction that have put the United States behind other countries; issued a rule to protect communities from facilities that store, use or manufacture chemicals; clarified the rights of workers to choose their own representation during inspections; issued a rule to protect mineworkers from silica exposure; issued a rule to require large employers to fall in line with other-sized employers on injury reporting to OSHA and anti-retaliation measures for workers who report injuries; and worked across agencies to protect immigrant workers whose employers are involved in a workplace safety and health investigation.

The authors said urgent steps are needed to address the root causes of workplace fatalities, injuries, and illnesses, particularly those disproportionately affecting marginalized communities. They urged policymakers, employers, and stakeholders “to prioritize racial equity to improve workplace safety and health outcomes for all workers.”

(Shutterstock Photo)

(Lydia Zuraw/KFF Health News)

By Molly Castle Work KFF Health News

Disparities in Air Quality Exposure

Highlighted in American Lung Association’s State of the Air Report

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

The American Lung Association’s 25th annual “State of the Air” report has revealed significant disparities in air quality across the United States, with people of color, low-income communities, children, older adults, and individuals with underlying health conditions disproportionately affected.

Despite comprising 41.6% of the U.S. population, people of color represent 52% of those living in counties with at least one failing grade for air quality. In counties with the poorest air quality, where failing grades are given for all three measures of air pollution, 63% of the nearly 44 million residents are people of color, compared to 37% white.

Bakersfield, Calif.; Fresno-Madera-Hanford (Calif.); Fairbanks, AK; Eugene-Springfield, Oregon; and Visalia, Calif., counted as the top five cities most polluted by short-term particle pollution.  Meanwhile, the California cities of San Jose, San Francisco, and Oakland, joined the others as the most heavily polluted by year-round particle pollution.  The report’s authors also noted that ground-level ozone pollution is a powerful respiratory irritant whose effects have been likened to a sunburn of the lungs. Inhaling ozone can cause shortness of breath, trigger coughing and asthma attacks and may shorten life. They said warmer temperatures driven by climate change make ozone more likely to form and harder to clean up. The top five cities most affected by ozone pollution are the Los Angeles-Long Beach area; Visalia, Bakersfield,

Despite comprising 41.6% of the U.S. population, people of color represent 52% of those living in counties with at least one failing grade for air quality.

the Fresno-Madera-Hanford area, and the Phoenix-Mesa, Arizona area.

The report also recognized the nation’s cleanest cities. To make the cleanest list for all three measures, a city must experience no high ozone or particle pollution days and rank among the 25 cities with the lowest yearround particle pollution levels. The top five were Bangor, Maine; the Johnson City-Kingsport-Briston, Tennessee and Virginia area; Lincoln-Beatrice, Nebraska area; Urban Honolulu, Hawaii; and Wilmington, North Carolina.

The report highlighted that approximately 68.9 million people of color live in counties that received at least one failing grade for ozone and/or particle pollution. Over 27.5 million people of color reside in counties with failing grades on all three measures, including about 16.8 million Hispanics. Additionally, 16 million people living in poverty are in counties that received a failing grade for at least one pollutant, with more than 5.4 million in counties failing all three measures.

Further, the report revealed that more than 29.2 million children under 18 and 20.6 million adults aged 65 and over live in counties with at least one failing grade for pollution. More than 9.7 million children and 6.7 million seniors reside in counties failing all three measures.

The impact of air pollution on vulnerable populations is significant. Over 1.9 million children and nearly 9.8 million adults with asthma live in counties with at least one failing grade for pollution. In comparison, more than 600,000 children and 3.1 million adults with asthma reside in counties failing all three measures. Additionally, about 6.0 million people with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) live in counties with at least one failing grade for pollution, including over 1.7 million in counties failing all three measures.

“We have seen impressive progress in cleaning up air

pollution over the last 25 years, thanks in large part to the Clean Air Act. However, when we started this report, our team never imagined that 25 years in the future, more than 130 million people would still be breathing unhealthy air,” said Harold Wimmer, president, and CEO of the American Lung Association.

The report also underscored the association between exposure to air pollution and increased risks of severe illness and death from COVID-19. A 2022 study in California found that residents in the most polluted areas had a 20% higher risk of COVID-19 infection and a 51% higher risk of death than those in the least polluted areas.

The authors noted that these disparities in air quality exposure can be traced back to systemic racism in the U.S., including practices like redlining and institutionalized residential segregation. Historically, decision-makers have placed pollution sources, such as power plants and industrial facilities, in economically disadvantaged communities of color, contributing to high rates of emergency department visits for asthma and other diseases.

People of color are also more likely to live with chronic conditions like asthma and diabetes, making them more susceptible to the health impacts of air pollution. Addressing these disparities requires comprehensive efforts to improve air quality, promote environmental justice, and protect the health of vulnerable communities, the authors concluded.

“Climate change is causing more dangerous air pollution,” Wimmer added. “Every day that there are unhealthy levels of ozone or particle pollution means that someone – a child, grandparent, uncle or mother –struggles to breathe. We must do more to ensure everyone has clean air.”

A Child’s First Three Years Hold the Power to Unlock Bright, Strong Futures

By Ernestine Benedict Chief Communication Officer, ZERO TO THREE

The first three years of a child’s life lay the foundation for lifelong health and well-being. From the moment they’re born, babies soak up every interaction and experience from their environments and love from their caregivers. Babies’ brains grow rapidly during those earliest days, weeks, and months, forming 1 million neural connections every second. Understanding the significance of these early stages lies at the heart of ZERO TO THREE’s mission. As the premier organization that translates the science of early childhood into action, we recognize the profound impact these early experiences have on shaping the trajectory of a child’s life and our collective future. When we’re born, we have billions of neurons. But they’re not, for the most part, connected. Connections between synapses—or signals sent through the brain—are strengthened through repeated positive experiences. These connections are vital in helping babies learn the essentials they need to survive and thrive. As science has provided us a window into how the brain develops and can be nurtured, it has also documented how the early years can lead to profound and lasting gains in school achievement and lifelong success…or not. Research shows that early adverse experiences become integrated into our bodies, impacting lifelong development, emotional success, and mental and physical health. This stark reality is one where disparities in access to resources and high-quality care create barriers to success, perpetuating cycles of poverty and inequality.

There are 11 million infants and toddlers in the United States, and each is born with unlimited potential. In communities across the country, families are striving to give their children a good start in life. They share a common desire for their babies to be healthy, happy, and secure. Yet far too many families face considerable obstacles. Decades of underinvestment in systems for supporting the health and well-being of young children and the insidious impacts of systemic racism often stand in their way. In

California Black Media Political Playback: News You Might Have Missed

By Bo Tefu and Joe W. Bowers Jr. California Black Media

Civil Rights Activist and Social Justice Leader, the Rev. Cecil Williams, Passes at 94

On April 22, community leader and social justice advocate

Reverend Cecil Williams died at his home in San Francisco surrounded by his loved ones, according to his family.

He was 94 years old.

The reverend was a civil rights leader who advocated for the equal rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people in the Bay Area.

Williams was the head pastor of the nondenominational GLIDE Memorial United Methodist Church. The church welcomed individuals from the queer community and people struggling with homelessness, housing instability and substance use disorder (SUD).

Through his work, Rev. Williams attracted national attention. Prominent political and cultural leaders such as Maya Angelou, Bono, Oprah Winfrey, and Bill Clinton all attended church services at Glide.

Congressmember Barbara Lee (D-CA-12) said she is deeply saddened about the passing of her dear friend.

“The Reverend changed the lives of millions through radical love, support, inclusivity, and a commitment to service to the most marginalized,” Lee said.

Gov. Gavin Newsom said that the reverend inspired people across California to embody the values of generosity and acceptance.

Rev. Williams was, “a visionary leader whose legendary compassion and love for his community transformed the lives of people from all walks of life,” Newsom said.

Rev. Williams served as the chief executive officer of the Glide Foundation until his retirement in 2023.

State Superintendent Thurmond Pushes for Educator Training in Literacy and Math Through Senate Bill 1115

State Superintendent of Public Instruction (SSPI) Tony Thurmond is advocating for comprehensive training for teachers in reading and math, emphasizing the urgent need to improve student academic outcomes across California.

Physicians for a Healthy California Releases Report

Addressing Retention of Women Doctors of Color in California

Physician retention in California has decreased over the years for women doctors of color, a report by the Physicians for a Healthy California stated.

According to the report, women physicians are more likely to experience burnout than their male counterparts, a trend that worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The report states that Black and Latino physicians are underrepresented in the healthcare industry. Only 2.8% of physicians are Black and 5.5% are Latino across the state of California.

It also noted that women doctors of color are often

assigned to serve in vulnerable and under-resourced communities.

“It is critical for health care organizations to implement effective strategies focused on the retention of this important group of clinicians,” the report stated.

Women doctors of color face career dissatisfaction, contributing to the low retention rates in California’s healthcare industry. The burnout particularly experienced by female doctors of color stems from workplace harassment and perceived lack of value at work.

Additionally, moral injury was another key factor driving women physicians of color away from the workforce. Unlike burnout, moral injury is defined as “the betrayal of what’s right by someone who holds legitimate authority in a high-stakes situation.”

Currently, two of the nine California regions used in the framework of the report -- the Inland Empire and San Joaquin Valley -- have less than 50 primary care doctors. Physician shortages are projected to get worse over the next few years. By 2030, the report indicates, the demand for physicians will exceed the supply by at least 12%.

Gov. Newsom Issues Proclamation Declaring Day of Remembrance for the Armenian Genocide Last week, California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared April 24 as “a day of remembrance of the Armenian genocide.”

This proclamation marks the first holiday honoring the victims and survivors of the systemic genocide of the Armenian people by the Ottoman Empire on the same day in 1915. The genocide targeted Armenians, who were a minority group that were forcefully deported and killed in the early 20th century.

“We honor the strength and resilience of the Armenian people, who have built new lives and thriving communities in all corners of the globe,” the proclamation stated.

The genocide resulted in the deaths of over 1.5 million Armenian men, women, and children. This great loss suffered by the community led to the displacement and deportation of many families, many of whom settled in California for refuge.

The declaration noted that the state government is committed to protecting the safety and wellbeing of the Armenian community. The state government has taken action to address racial, ethnic, and religious hate through reinforced security at houses of worship, and cultural centers. The state has also implemented a comprehensive “Stop the Hate” program that promotes tolerance and support for victims. An anonymous hotline and internet resource have also been set up to report for victims and witnesses of hate acts.

The California Armenian Legislative Caucus Foundation sponsored an educational lunch to commemorate the 109th anniversary of the genocide.

Gov. Newsom, Attorney General Bonta Support Bill Allowing California to Host Arizona Abortion Care

Gov. Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta announced last week that they are backing a bill introduced by the state legislative women’s caucus that allows Arizonabased doctors to provide abortion care in California to patients from Arizona.

Senate Bill (SB) 233 was authored in response to the Arizona Supreme Court’s decision on April 9 that an 1864 ban on abortion in the state is enforceable. The bill also aims to counter growing support for anti-abortion legislation in states with Republican-majority legislatures since Roe v. Wade was overturned, according to supporters.

“California will not sit idly by. We’re urgently moving legislation to allow Arizona doctors to provide safe and

reliable reproductive care to Arizonans here in California,” Newsom said.

Sen. Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley), chair of the California Legislative Women’s Caucus said that abortion bans are based on laws that set women back to a time when they had limited human rights.

“Anti-abortion forces have resurrected a dead law passed at a time when women couldn’t vote and husbands beating their wives was lawful,” Skinner said.

On April 24, the Arizona House of Representatives voted to repeal the 1864 abortion ban. It now moves to the Arizona Senate for deliberation.

California Bill Wants Total Grocery Store Plastic Bag Ban by 2026

Last week, a group of lawmakers introduced Assembly Bill 2236 and Senate Bill 1053 which will address plastic pollution statewide.

The bills will remove the option to receive an unwoven plastic bag at grocery, retail, and convenience stores. The bills authored respectively by Assemblymember BauerKahan (D-Orinda) and State Senator Catherine Blakespear (D-Encinitas) are backed by a coalition of environmental advocacy groups and organizations like the California Grocers Association.

Bauer-Kahan said that California tried to ban plastic bags a decade ago, but that effort failed. Today, she says, pollution from plastic is harming the environment and wildlife.

“With tougher rules and a push for eco-friendly alternatives, we’re ready to kick plastic bags to the curb and reclaim our environment,” said Bauer-Kahan.

Blakespear said that plastic waste is a global issue that has caused irreversible damage to the environment in California.

“It’s time to improve California’s original plastic bags ban and do it right this time by completely eliminating plastic bags from being used at grocery stores,” Blakespear said.

California environmental advocacy groups continue to push for plastic bans following the passing of SB 270 which banned the single use of carryout plastic bags from most grocery stores in 2014.

Court Throws Out Controversial Law That Allowed Californians to Build Duplexes, Triplexes and RDUs on Their Properties

Charter cities in California won a lawsuit last week against the state that declared Senate Bill (SB) 9, a prohousing bill, unconstitutional. Passed in 2021, SB 9 is also known as the California Housing Opportunity and More Efficiency Act (HOME). That law permits up to four residential units --- counting individual units of duplexes, triplexes and residential dwelling units (RDUs) – to be built on properties in neighborhoods that were previously zoned for only singlefamily homes.

A Los Angeles Superior Court Judge ruled in favor of

the cities, pointing out that SB 9 discredited charter cities that were granted jurisdiction to create new governance systems and enact policy reforms. The court ruling affects 121 charter cities that have local constitutions.

Attorney Pam Lee represented five Southern California cities in the lawsuit against the state and Attorney General Rob Bonta.

“This is a monumental victory for all charter cities in California,” Lee said.

However, general law cities are excluded from the court ruling as state housing laws still apply in residential areas.

Attorney General Bonta and his team are working to review the decision and consider all options that will protect SB 9 as a state law. Bonta said the law has helped provide affordable housing for residents in California.

“Our statewide housing shortage and affordability crisis requires collaboration, innovation, and a good faith effort by local governments to increase the housing supply,” Bonta said.

“SB9 is an important tool in this effort, and we’re going to make sure homeowners have the opportunity to utilize it,” he said.

Charter cities remain adamant that the state should refrain from making land-use decisions on their behalf. In the lawsuit, city representatives argued that SB 9 eliminates local authority to create single-family zoning districts and approve housing developments.

Former California Superintendent Delaine Eastin Dies at 76

Delaine Eastin, who served as a former state Assemblymember representing parts of Santa Clara and Alameda County -- and the first woman elected as State Superintendent of Public Instruction -- died at age 76 on April 23.

Eastin passed away from complications caused by a stroke.

Known for her power of persuasion, Eastin used her influence to be a champion for bipartisan issues that helped raise academic standards, lower class sizes, and emphasize the importance of conserving nature and the environment in schools.

Former Assembly Speaker Willie Brown and fellow legislative colleagues said that Eastin was in demand on the speech circuit while serving as a legislator.

“Few could engender the kind of emotion and passion she delivered in every speech,” Brown said.

State superintendent Tony Thurmond called Eastin a trailblazer who inspired fellow public servants.

“California lost an icon in our school system today. Delaine Eastin’s legacy as a trailblazer in public education will forever inspire us. Her unwavering dedication to California students -- from championing Universal Preschool and the “A Garden in Every School” program to honoring our educators by establishing the California Teachers of the Year Awards -- has left an indelible mark on our state’s educational landscape,” said Thurmond. Thurmond honored Eastin’s legacy at the California Teacher of the Year Program, an honor that she established during her time as superintendent.

A Win for Black Entrepreneurship: Is the New FTC Ban Good for Black Businesses?

By Taalib Saber Attorney and owner of The Saber Firm

In what has since created shockwaves across the nation, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) voted 3-2 for banning noncompete agreements, which goes into effect 120 days after the rule is officially published in the Federal Register. This decision will undoubtedly have significant impact on both employers and employees alike, but what about black entrepreneurs?

The FTC defines a non-compete clause as, “a term or condition of employment that prohibits a worker from, penalizes a worker for, or functions to prevent a worker from (1) seeking or accepting work in the United States with a different person where such work would begin after the conclusion of the employment that includes the term or condition; or (2) operating a business in the United States after the conclusion of the employment that includes the term or condition.”

Historically, non-competes have been used to restrict employees from working in the same industry after leaving their former employer. Though the intention is to protect the intellectual property of businesses, non-competes have often negatively affected competition in product and service markets, especially with Black workers.

If written properly, most non-competes have outlined specific restrictions of a current or former worker, who

can be their employer, where they can work for said employer, and for how long they aren’t allowed to work for an employer, which can be unduly burdensome. Imagine being told who to work for and who not to work for. That basically is a non-compete. Those who have signed noncompetes and wish to increase their salaries, will either have to accept where they are or change industries and possibly, locations. These are all unnecessary hassles that restrict a competitive market and perpetuate wage suppression.

I have reviewed contractual agreements of several Black clients who I have worked with in a variety of areas, from tech to entertainment. Many of my clients desired to venture out or hang up their proverbial “shingle,” signaling the start of their own business, but have been deterred by these non-compete clauses.

Approximately 18 percent of the workforce, which is about 30 million people, is covered by non-compete agreements. In the Black community, there’s a saying that goes, “If a white person has a cold, then a black person has pneumonia.” What this essentially means is that if the majority of Americans are suffering from a particular thing, that thing already has, currently is, or will be suffered much more by Black people. Here, if many Americans are experiencing the effects of wage suppression and restrictions in the market, then the Black community feels it worse. Add in Black workers who want to start their journey to entrepreneurship and it becomes an almost impossible task to accomplish.

FTC estimates that the impact of banning noncompetes could increase worker pay by $300 billion and it can lead to 8,500 more new businesses each year. For Black entrepreneurs, the elimination of non-competes can now open the door to new innovations, creativity, and fairer competition in the marketplace. This ban can help business owners attract top talent, as there would be no restrictions on the mobility of skilled workers; thus, strengthening their businesses and enhancing their competitiveness.

With that stated, there will be several legal challenges to the implementation of the FTC’s non-compete ban.

Within 24 hours of the vote being published, both the United States (US) Chamber of Commerce, the world’s largest business organization, and the Business Roundtable, an association of chief executive officers of America’s leading companies, filed suit against the federal agency.

In a statement released announcing the lawsuit, the US Chamber of Commerce declares, “[t]he FTC contends that by using regulation they can simply declare common business practices to be ‘unfair methods of competition’ and thus illegal. This is despite the fact that noncompete agreements have been around longer than the 110-yearold FTC and until now no one has suggested that they are illegal.” It goes on to state, “[i]f the FTC can regulate noncompete agreements, then they can decide to regulate or even ban any other business practice. All without a vote from Congress.”

I believe that many more businesses, organizations, associations, and groups will file lawsuits and lobby against, what they believe, is an overreach by the Federal Trade Commission on governing business transactions. Furthermore, if any of the federal courts who hear the cases decide to grant a stay or a preliminary injunction on the ruling, the effective date could be postponed. Then, if the cases are appealed thereafter, the ruling would be delayed for many more months. So while this non-compete ban could take some time to go into effect, black entrepreneurs should start positioning themselves to take advantage of it.