$$ for community clinics + SCIL founder runs for office + Groups oppose marijuana tax cuts
Good morning and welcome to the A.M. Alert!
$1 BILLION FOR COMMUNITY HEALTH CLINICS?
California lawmakers have introduced a bill that they say would secure $1 billion to help community clinics that are struggling in the state.
Sen. Bob Hertzberg, D-Van Nuys, and Assemblywoman Wendy Carrillo, D-Los Angeles, have come together to champion SB 1014, which would appropriate $400 million in state funds and secure even more in federal funding to invest in community clinics.
“Health care for millions of Californians is on the line if we fail to support our state’s community health clinics,” Hertzberg said in a statement. “Our march toward universal health coverage depends on California’s community clinics, and the coming wave of new patients covered by Medi-Cal demands we invest the resources needed to care for them. I’m proud to lead this effort in the Legislature to ensure our state’s communities of color and lower-income families aren’t left behind.”
California has more than 800 federally qualified health centers, operated by more than 180 public and nonprofit groups to serve under-served communities and those who do not have health insurance.
According to Hertzberg’s office, more than 70% of community health center patients are people of color, while half are Latino and more than half fall 100% under the federal poverty line.
“Every Californian – no matter how much they’re paid, where they were born, or their zip code – deserves to have access to timely quality healthcare. Our community clinics make that happen. We can’t turn our backs on them and the communities they care for and fight for day in and day out,” Carrillo said in a statement. “When we talk about our community clinics being in crisis, we’re talking about the healthcare of low-income communities of color in crisis. I’m honored to stand with clinic workers, leaders, and patients and to champion the Commit to Community Care plan in the Legislature.”
SCIL PRESIDENT RUNNING FOR LEGISLATURE
Social Compassion in Legislation founder and president Judie Mancuso wants to go from sponsoring bills to writing them.
Mancuso recently announced that she is running for the newly redistricted Assembly District 72, which covers parts of Orange County. Mancuso’s group has a track record of sponsoring successful animal welfare-related legislation, and Mancuso said in a statement that she intends to keep fighting for animals if elected to the Assembly.
“Over the past 17 years, I have used my patience, know-how, leadership, and consensus building skills to change laws regarding the rights and protections of humans, animals, and our environment — often against some of the most powerful special interests in the world, “ Mancuso said in a statement. “In the State Assembly, I look forward to continuing to work alongside the party and its members to fight for thoughtful yet decisive action to combat climate change, improve public health and safety, address homelessness, protect women’s rights, save our ocean and wildlife, and stand against racism and hate here in Orange County and across California.”
Mancuso has earned a number of high-profile endorsements, including from former Orange County Congressman Harley Rouda and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon.
“I’ve seen firsthand Judie’s tenacity and fierce advocacy in Sacramento for years. She always works relentlessly with legislators and a wide array of stakeholders to help enact meaningful and impactful legislation,” Rendon said in a statement. “I know that Judie will bring that same, strong approach for her Assembly District 72 constituents and all Californians as an Assembly member.”
GROUP TO HOLD PRESS CONFERENCE OPPOSING MARIJUANA TAX CUTS
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signaled that he would be willing to support a reduction in the legal marijuana industry’s tax burden. While we won’t likely know more until his May revise budget comes out, not everybody is happy with the idea of less marijuana tax revenue coming in.
On Wednesday morning, representatives from groups including Youth Forward, the Public Health Institute, the Alliance for Boys and Men of Color and others will hold a Zoom press conference to speak out against reducing taxes on the cannabis industry.
“Advocates will share their letter to the Governor and legislative leaders that details the negative impact on child care and youth prevention services if the state were to reduce or eliminate state cannabis taxes. 152 organizations have signed on to the letter, including First 5 California, the American Academy of Pediatrics and numerous local community-based organizations across the state,” according to a statement announcing the event.
The press conference begins at 10 a.m. Wednesday, and you can view it by visiting here.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“Can we please just all agree to bring back Jerry Brown as Governor?”
– Republican strategist Matt Rexroad, via Twitter.
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