Political Playback: California Capitol News You Might Have Missed
Bo Tefu, Joe W. Bowers Jr. And Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media
Californians for Kamala: Rep. Maxine Waters Leads Coalition Rally to Support V.P. Harris
(CBM) – Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA-43) hosted a press conference on July 26 at the Proud Bird Event Center Tuskegee Room near LAX to rally behind Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign.
The event brought together election officials, community leaders, faith-based organizations, and notable figures from South Bay Los Angeles County cities.
“This is a pivotal moment in our nation’s history,” Waters declared. “I urge everyone to get involved and help us bring about the change we want to see by supporting a leader who truly represents our values. Kamala Harris is from California, and we need to stand behind her.”
Key supporters spoke at the event:
The Rev. Robert Shaw II and Rev. Ann Champion Shaw from First AME Church Los Angeles (FAME) offered an invocation, praying for Harris’s protection and success.
Antonio Villaraigosa, former Los Angeles Mayor, highlighted the importance of unity. “We need to stand up for women’s reproductive freedoms, immigration reform, and sensible gun control,” he said. “Kamala Harris can bring these changes.”
Sen. Steven Bradford (D-Inglewood) praised women’s leadership. “If you want something done, ask a woman to do it. Kamala Harris will get it done as our next President of the United States.”
Former State Senator Rod Wright emphasized the stakes. “If you read the platform of Donald Trump, some of y’all might have to learn how to pick cotton again. You might have to learn how to tap dance. We’re talking about the future of your existence in this country. Kamala will be the president. What she will do is protect the future of your children.”
Yvonne Wheeler, president of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, emphasized labor support. “We got to get our children registered to vote. They will move us ahead.”
Sweet Alice Harris, a longtime community activist, added her passionate support. “We got to be ready to work hard and make sure Kamala Harris gets to the White House. It’s time for a change, and she’s the one to make it happen.”
The rally showcased California’s unified effort to ensure a strong voter turnout for Kamala Harris, emphasizing the crucial role of voter participation in shaping the nation’s future.
Kamala Harris Has Already Locked Up Support She Needs to Win Dem Nomination
According to the Democratic National Convention (DNC), support from the California Delegation — as well as preliminary counts from other states — has likely already secured Kamala Harris’s nomination as the Party’s candidate for President.
Nancy Pelosi motioned to endorse Harris for president at a virtual meeting of the California DNC delegation this past week.
With an endorsement from California’s delegation, Harris secured enough delegates to win the Democratic nomination. Pelosi’s announcement came after President Joe Biden withdrew his nomination as the presidential nominee for the Democratic Party.
Harris is set to visit the battleground state of Wisconsin, focusing on working-class voters who make up 63% of the state’s population, according to the United States Census Bureau.
Harris says she intends to earn the presidential nomination and gain the support of fellow Democrats.
“I am proud to have secured the broad support needed to become our party’s nominee, and as a daughter of California, I am proud that my home state’s delegation helped put our campaign over the top. I look forward to formally accepting the nomination soon,” said Harris.
Despite Harris gaining majority support, Democratic delegates are free to vote for a candidate of their choice until the deadline on Aug. 7.
So far, Democrats have raised over $100 million for Harris.
Calif. Dept. of Finance July Report: Income Up; Inflation Slowing
California’s personal income increased by 8.2% in the first quarter of 2024 due to higher wages, salaries, and property income, stated the July report released by the state Department of Finance last week.
The report indicated that California’s real gross domestic product grew by 1.2% in the first quarter of this year. In the past two years, national inflation rates decreased by 6.1%, slowing down inflation to 3% in June 2024.
However, the report showed that the national unemployment rate gradually increased by 4.1%, a total of 162,000 individuals are without formal jobs. However, California’s unemployment rate remained at 5.2% in June this year. The state’s labor force increased by 7,200 people and civilian household employment grew by 17,500 jobs. A majority of the jobs created by the state were driven by trade, transportation, and utilities. Other sectors such as government, private education, health services, and hospitality and leisure added jobs in the past year. However, the manufacturing sector experienced the largest job loss, losing nearly 3,000 jobs in June. Other sectors that suffered great job losses included construction followed by mining and logging.
The state permitted a total of 106,000 housing units in May, a 5.1% increase from last year. The median sale of a single-family home now costs approximately $900,720 in June 2024.
California’s Preliminary General Fund agency cash receipts were $361 million, a little above the forecast for the 2023-2024 fiscal year.
“June is an important month for personal and corporate income tax receipts because it contains the due date for second quarter estimated payments,” the report stated.
According to the financial report, personal income tax cash receipts were $145 million in June, remaining slightly above the forecast for the current fiscal year. Annual withholdings, a percentage of an employee’s earnings paid directly to government-mandated collections, decreased by 9.9 %.
The report highlighted that single-month readings are often misleading and inaccurate due to calendar changes that affect the timing of payments and stock-based compensation.
Sen. Bradford Responds to Deputy-Involved Killing of Unarmed Black Woman
After seeing a video of a deputy-involved shooting death of an unarmed Black woman in Illinois last week, the vice chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) Sen. Steven Bradford (D-Inglewood) stated that he sees “no appropriate justification for this deputy’s actions.”
Sonya Massey, 37, was shot in the face by a Sangamon County Sheriff’s deputy after she called 911 to report a prowler. The deputy who shot Massey reportedly worked for six different law enforcement agencies in four years and had two Drinking Under the Influence (DUI) charges.
“SB 2 created a process for peace officers who violate the public trust to be decertified. This law has already protected the public from at least 80 now-former officers who will never again wear a badge in California,” Bradford viewed the incident within the context of California law.
“Strong police accountability laws increase the public’s trust in our law enforcement by removing those individuals whose actions erode that trust,” he added.
Bradford said The Sangamon County, Illinois case is an “inexcusable tragedy.”
“After looking at the video of the shooting and reading about the case, I see no appropriate justification for this deputy’s actions,” Bradford said in a July 24 statement to California Black Media. “The death of Sonya Massey should never have happened.”
Bradford wrote Senate Bill (SB) 2, the Kenneth Ross Jr. Police Decertification Act of 2021. It created a statewide decertification process to revoke the certification of a peace officer following the conviction of serious crimes or termination from employment due to misconduct.
SB 2 was signed into law on Sept. 30, 2021, by Gov. Gavin Newsom.
The California bill has no bearing on the case in Illinois, but it puts the spotlight on how rogue cops can move from one jurisdiction to another and land a job. The deputy in Illinois was charged with first-degree murder.
Thus far, SB 2 is effective, Bradford stated.
Gov. Newsom Issues Executive Order to Remove Homeless Encampments
Last week, in an executive order, California Gov. Gavin Newsom gave s state agencies the green light to get rid of homeless encampments statewide.
This action is supported by a recent decision handed down by the United States Supreme Court in June permitting states to crack down on makeshift camps set up by homeless persons.
In the executive order issued July 25, Gov. Newsom authorizes state and local governments to clear camps and directs them to adopt policies and mobilize resources to do so in within an orderly and sustainable framework.
“This executive order directs state agencies to move urgently to address dangerous encampments while supporting and assisting the individuals living in them — and provides guidance for cities and counties to do the same,” said Newsom.
“The state has been hard at work to address this crisis on our streets. There are simply no more excuses. It’s time for everyone to do their part,” he said.
Several mayors initially expressed concerns about the executive order but are willing to work with Gov. Newsom and the state agencies to address homelessness in their cities.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said she looks forward to collaborating with the state.
“Strategies that just move people along from one neighborhood to the next or give citations instead of housing do not work,” said Bass.
Bass appreciated the governor’s effort but is hopeful that state officials can work on strategies that help improve people’s lives.
Republican Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones of San Diego praised the governor for his timely executive order.
Jim Wunderman, President and CEO of the Bay Area Council, a public policy group backed by business leaders, supported the directive.
“Getting our many thousands of unhoused residents indoors and out of unsafe, unhealthy and inhumane outdoor encampments is critical to ending California’s homelessness crisis,” said Wunderman.
Despite the pushback from local leaders, Newsom’s directive urges state agencies to partner with local organizations and request services for homeless people from camps. However, state agencies can offer resources and support but there is no obligation for agencies to help displaced people find homes.
Celebrating 40 Years, Bill Pickett Rodeo Partners with BeyGOOD Foundation
The Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo (BPIR) announced July 26 that it has teamed up with the BeyGOOD Foundation to support Black Equestrian programs.
BIPR says the collaboration honors the rich legacy of Black cowboys, cowgirls and ranchers, whose contributions have shaped American history.
“We are excited to partner with Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo Foundation to support Black Equestrian culture through our BeyGOOD grants program. We have committed $400K and will be providing grants
to nonprofit equestrian organizations from Los Angeles, Georgia, South Carolina, Oklahoma, and Texas,” said BeyGood Foundation Executive Director Ivy McGregor in a statement.
“Saturday night (Aug. 20) was our first stop,” McGregor continued. “Next up Georgia and then Texas. We are excited about the impact and honored to get to share their impact stories.”
Margo Wade LaDrew, the National Development and Partnership Director at BIPR, said she is “proud of this historic partnership.”
“No one has ever invested in Black ranchers and equestrians to this magnitude,” LaDrew continued. “These partnerships signify more than just financial support. They represent a long-overdue recognition and validation of the contributions of Black ranchers and equestrians to the rich tapestry of American culture and history.”
During the BIPR event at the Industry Hills Expo in The City of Industry on Saturday July 20, BeyGOOD awarded two grants: one to Love This Horse Equine Rescue, and another to Urban Saddles.
Board member Allie Harvey from Love This Horse, Equine Rescue in the Mojave Desert accepted a $25,000 grant on behalf of Seventeen-year-old Erna Valdivia who made history as the first African American woman to compete in the Tevis Cup, widely regarded as the most prestigious and challenging endurance ride in the world.
At the event, the Tevis Cup witnessed a historic moment as Valdivia crossed the finish line of the grueling one-day, 100-mile race in the California Sierras. Riding her Arabian rescue horse named “Love Story,” Valdivia captivated hearts and inspired generations.
The grant to Urban Saddles was accepted by Ron Recasner. Urban Saddles provides a safe environment for young people to engage with the equestrian lifestyle, offering training in horse skills and life-skills.
Other Black equestrian organizations recipients will be surprised with grant awards at the BIPR in Atlanta on Aug. 3.
For more information, visit www.billpickettrodeo.com.
California Civil Rights Council Push to Regulate AI in Job Recruitment
The California Civil Rights Council proposed rules that prohibit the use of artificial intelligence (AI) during the job recruitment process last week.
The amendments to FEHA were proposed early this year to regulate employment practices carried out by businesses, nonprofits, and government agencies. The council held a hearing during an official meeting last at the University of California, Berkeley School of Law.
The proposed amendments would make it a violation of state law to use automated systems to make hiring decisions in a discriminatory way.
Supporters say ules under the proposed Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) law would protect employees from experiencing harassment or discrimination from their employer using AI software.
In recent years, AI has been used in every stage of the hiring process, stated tech experts at a council hearing on algorithms and bias. The experts acknowledged that AI systems were used in recruitment, screening, analyzing, and making recommendations based on applicant interviews, even as far as during employment.
“The Council has determined that the proposed amendments are not inconsistent or incompatible with existing regulations,” the Council stated in defense of the proposed rules.
“Currently, there are no regulations expressly addressing the use of automated‐decision systems to make or assist in making hiring or other employment decisions,” the council added.
Under this proposal, employers are prohibited from using AI systems that screen out, rank, or prioritize applicants based on their religion, disability, and medical conditions. The law also prevents employers from using automated systems that make decisions based on voice, facial expressions, and other physical characteristics including gender, race, and nationality.
State legislators are still evaluating, Assembly Bill (AB) 2930, another law similar to FEHA that requires employers to notify applicants that automated systems are being used to make decisions in the recruitment process. The use of AI systems can result in discrimination against minority groups and worsen systemic inequality in the job market, the council stated. With these new AI bills, civil rights groups are advocating for equal opportunity and fair employment practices in the workforce.
