Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 2483 into law today, delivering a landmark victory for incarcerated firefighters and public safety by creating a clear pathway for people who protect California communities on the fireline while incarcerated to continue that service as a career after release.

With the California Legislature entering the final stretch of the 2026 legislative session, the Michelson Center for Public Policy (MCPP) has secured a significant policy milestone: a $5 million state budget investment to expand justice-involved workforce development in Los Angeles County. Meanwhile, sponsored legislation advancing workforce pathways, housing transparency, and economic mobility—and support for additional measures that expand opportunity and protect consumers—continues to move through the legislative process.

Today, Sen. Jesse Arreguín introduced a resolution on the Senate Floor recognizing the importance of California’s investment in Zero Textbook Cost degrees, as new data shows the program is already saving community college students tens of millions of dollars.

Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 79 into law, positioning California as a national leader in supporting students’ basic needs just as the federal government moves to scale back essential programs. The bill creates roles and infrastructure to ensure students in need can access public benefit programs, such as CalFresh and Medi-Cal—programs that many students qualify for but often struggle to access.

In a significant win for incarcerated firefighters, California Assembly Bill 1380 has passed the Assembly Floor with broad bipartisan support and will now move to the Senate.

As we honor the dedication and love of father figures this June, it’s critical to spotlight a demographic in urgent need of support: student parents.

AB 2458 would improve college affordability, access, and success for student parents in California.

MCPP urges budget leaders to take action to address the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s (CDCR) unfair practice of deducting release allowance funds for returning citizens.

This Partnership Will Provide New Internet Options for Up to 275,000 Households and Small Businesses in East and South Los Angeles.

Member organizations of the California Alliance for Digital Equity (CADE) gathered in Sacramento last week to advocate for the passage of AB 2239.

AB 2239 by Assemblymember Mia Bonta would make California the first state in the nation to legally define “digital discrimination”

AB 2458 by Assemblymember Marc Berman would help the 400,000 student parents in California better access the financial aid they need

Assembly Bill 1887 will extend the application deadline for state financial aid programs from April 2 to May 2 to help ensure that more California students are able to complete the FAFSA and gain access to the financial resources they need to begin their college educations in earnest.

Assembly Bill 2458 would improve college affordability, access, and success for student parents in California.

Welcome to the Fall 2023 edition of our Michelson Center for Public Policy (MCPP) newsletter. Government is the great lever of change to catalyze sustainable, scalable, and replicable solutions.

Michelson Center for Public Policy applauds Governor Gavin Newsom and California State Legislature for enacting legislation to improve the lives of Californians and their pets

Governor Newsom Signs Legislation to Increase Transparency on Course Materials for College Students

The Michelson Center for Public Policy requests Governor Newsom to sign Assembly Bill 607 (Kalra), which MCPP is proud to sponsor, into law.

Assembly Bill 607 (Kalra, Bryan, and Cervantes) will help students by providing clear and comprehensive details about expenses associated with college courses on online schedules.