NARAL endorses in Assembly races + Native American students struggle to attend university
Good morning and welcome to the A.M. Alert!
NARAL ENDORSES IN ASSEMBLY RACES
With the U.S. Supreme Court likely to strike down Roe v. Wade this summer, the topic of abortion rights has gained newfound urgency nationwide. In California, lawmakers are considering a package of bills aimed at protecting the right to an abortion, and a constitutional amendment enshrining it in state law may be sent to voters this November.
It is in that context that NARAL Pro-Choice California released its latest slate of endorsements, this time for 10 State Assembly candidates.
“Our nation is facing the likely end of Roe v. Wade, and California’s role in the fight for reproductive freedom has never been more important. These 10 state Assembly candidates are critical future leaders to protect and expand reproductive freedom for everybody in California — including those forced to travel from out of state to access abortion care,” said Director Shannon Olivieri Hovis in a statement. “California is a Reproductive Freedom State, and we must continue to earn that designation by electing leaders who will prioritize reproductive freedom for all.”
The latest candidates to win endorsements are Eric Guerra in Assembly District 10, Sara Aminzadeh in Assembly District 12, Jennifer Esteen and Liz Ortega in Assembly District 20, Giselle Hale in Assembly District 21, Gail Pellerin in Assembly District 28, Gregg Hart in Assembly District 37, Pilar Schiavo in Assembly District 40, Elizabeth Alcantar in Assembly District 64 and Josh Lowenthal in Assembly District 69.
Of note is the duel endorsement for Esteen and Ortega in AD-20.
NEW PROGRAM HELPS NATIVE AMERICAN STUDENTS ATTEND UC
In April, The Sacramento Bee reported that the University of California system will fully cover the tuition of all American Indian and Alaska Native students belonging to federally recognized tribes, starting with the 2022-23 academic year.
The Public Policy Institute of California looked at the numbers, and found that Native American students are less likely to graduate high school with eligibility to attend the California State University or University of California systems — just 31% of Native American students are able to do so, compared to 54% of white students.
Among UC- and CSU-eligible students, Native American students enroll at lower rates than other student groups: 10 percentage points lower than white students, 13 points lower than Asian students, 4 points lower than Black students and 1 point lower than Latino students.
The UC Native American Opportunity Plan is expected to serve about 500 undergraduate students and 160 graduate students in its first year, which constitutes about 44% of the current American Indian and Alaska Native student population in the UC system.
The PPIC report notes, however, that college preparation rates “must improve dramatically” if the UC system is to see its Native American student population rise above 1% of the UC’s total enrollment, as it currently stands.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“To use @GavinNewsom-style lingo, CA Democrats have left CA’s most vulnerable in petrol purgatory by dangling the promise of relief. Republicans have a plan to provide it NOW. My constituents depend on driving to survive. When gas is over $6 & rising, it’s a very big deal.”
- Sen. Scott Wilk, R-Santa Clarita, via Twitter.
Best of the Bee:
Donald Trump didn’t know Kevin Kiley. But after a private half-hour meeting at a Trump California golf course last week, the former president instantly decided to endorse the Rocklin assemblyman for Congress, via David Lightman.
Tobi Magdison wants President Joe Biden to “keep to your promise” to the wildfire victims of El Dorado County. Candace Tyler wants to know why she and other fire victims have been overlooked by the federal government, via Dale Kasler.
An appellate court struck down a coronavirus vaccine mandate for California state prison employees April 25, siding with the state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation over a federal health care receiver who had initiated the vaccine directive, via Wes Venteicher.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine stoked fears of a cyber attack on the United States as it works with its partners to impose sanctions and provide military aid. But the tech billionaire running for the U.S. Senate from California was wary of cybersecurity gaps well before the war began, via Gillian Brassil.