Fall 2023 Newsletter
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.
Dr. Gary Michelson, Founder and Co-Chair of the Michelson Center for Public Policy
"We are profoundly grateful for the visionary and courageous leadership of Governor Newsom, former Speaker Rendon, Speaker Rivas, Senate President pro-Tempore Toni Atkins, and the legislature for their work on issues that affect the quality of life for all Californians. In 2023, we've seen enormous progress in education, equity, and animal welfare policies, championing fairness, opportunity, and inclusivity for everyone."- Dr. Gary Michelson
HIGHLIGHTS
Helping Students Plan for College Expenses
In October, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 607 by Assemblymembers Ash Kalra (D-San Jose), Isaac Bryan (D-Los Angeles), and Sabrina Cervantes (D-Inland Empire). MCPP sponsored this legislation to help students plan and budget for college by providing clear and comprehensive information about the cost of textbooks, online homework codes, and other course materials for each class. The legislation goes into effect on July 1, 2024.
“I am grateful for Governor Newsom’s signature on our Assembly Bill 607, which will give students the valuable information they need to better plan and budget in college,” said Assemblymember Ash Kalra (pictured below). “Especially while we’re seeing increased costs of living, tuition, and all types of course materials, Assembly Bill 607 will provide much-needed cost transparency that will have a positive impact on college students across California.”
Click here to read the full press release.
Pictured left to right: Cailyn Nagle (Michelson 20MM), Bella (Sacramento State Student), Assemblymember Ash Kalra, Emily (Cal State LA Student), Phil Kim (Michelson 20MM)
Michelson 20MM Foundation Open Educational Resource Program Manager, Cailyn Nagle (pictured above), also recently joined EdSource’s Roundtable on what public policy can do to reduce or eliminate the high costs of textbooks and course materials for college students in California. Event participants discussed how the cost of textbooks can be a barrier for students already struggling with high tuition and costs of living in California. As the Open Educational Resource Program Manager, Cailyn works alongside students, educators, policymakers, and administrators to advance an equitable open course materials landscape for educators and students.
Pictured: Cailyn Nagle (Michelson 20MM), Michael Burke (EdSource Reporter), Anne Vasquez (CEO Edsource), Aya Mikbel (Sacramento State Student), Carole Goldsmith (State Center Community College District), Rebecca Ruan-O’Shaughnessy (California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office), Leslie Kennedy (Academic Technology Services)
Amplifying Digital Equity
Our collective advocacy work with the California Alliance for Digital Equity (CADE) and #OaklandUndivided helped stop the CPUC's plan to use flawed maps that would have resulted in broadband funding cuts in historically underserved communities. Much more work remains to ensure the CPUC uses accurate broadband maps to close the digital divide.
Read more:
Additionally, Michelson 20MM Senior Program Manager, Cristal Mojica, joined the national digital equity advocacy organization EveryoneOn at a forum in October to take a closer look at what federal, state, and regional stakeholders are doing and what’s still needed to close the digital divide in communities across California. Cristal discussed the Michelson 20MM Foundation's digital equity advocacy and how we integrate digital equity into other grant funding priority areas.
ROUNDUP
Across 2023, MCPP collaborated with allied organizations to advance legislation that addresses education, equity, smart justice, and animal welfare. Below is an update.
EDUCATION AND EQUITY
Increasing Transparency of Course-Related Costs in Higher Education
MCPP co-sponsored Assembly Bill 607 by Assemblymembers Ash Kalra, Isaac Bryan, and Sabrina Cervantes, which will provide students and parents additional cost transparency by requiring colleges to prominently display online the estimated costs of all required course materials and related fees for at least 75% of the total number of courses. “Course materials” include digital and physical textbooks, devices, and software subscriptions. Signed into law by Governor Newsom, October 2023.
Support for Student Parents Pursuing Higher Education
MCPP supported Senate Bill 521 by Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas, which will allow pregnant and parenting Californians to be exempted from CalWorks’ welfare-to-work activities when they are denied reasonable accommodations protected under the federal Title IX statute. This legislation helps parenting and pregnant students get the support they need to complete their higher education by ensuring they are entitled to appropriate accommodations. Senate Bill 521 also changes references of “teenage parent” in the Cal-Learn Program to “teen” and requires counties to exempt a teen from the program when they face certain destabilizing situations. Signed into law by Governor Newsom, October 2023.
Reducing Textbook Costs for Community College Students
MCPP continues to support and advocate for the most effective implementation of the historic $115 million investment in the Zero-Textbook Cost (ZTC) degrees pathway program for associate degrees and career technical education programs across California Community Colleges. The ZTC program aims to create a future where students and educators can access high-quality, accessible, and free course materials. The Community College Chancellor’s Office has begun implementing the program, with the first round of funds disbursed in July 2022. Approved in FY 2021-2022 Budget.
Accurate Broadband Infrastructure Mapping
MCPP supported and advocated for the passage of Assembly Bill 286 by Assemblymember Jim Wood, which will require the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to update the broadband service map to include information about each broadband service provider that offers services in California, as well as the maximum speed of services offered. The law will allow individuals to self-report data and refute claims of broadband speed or technology. This will better direct regulatory policies intended to increase broadband access in disadvantaged communities. The California Alliance for Digital Equity, of which MCPP is a founding member, was a co-sponsor of Assembly Bill 286. Signed into law by Governor Newsom, October 2023.
Advocating for Fair Local Regulations for Renters
MCPP supported Assembly Bill 1418 by Assemblymember Tina McKinnor, which will prohibit local governments from imposing a penalty against a resident, owner, tenant, landlord, or other individuals because of contact with a law enforcement agency. Under the new law, cities and counties may no longer enact crime-free housing and nuisance programs designed to force landlords to evict a tenant just because they have had contact with police or have a prior felony conviction. Signed into law by Governor Newsom, October 2023.
ANIMAL WELFARE
Supporting Alternative Animal Text Methods
MCPP supported Assembly Bill 357 by Assemblymember Brian Maienschein, prohibiting manufacturers and testing facilities from using traditional animal test methods if an appropriate alternative exists or a waiver has been granted. AB 357 requires testing facilities to use the fewest number of animals possible if a suitable alternative is unavailable and exempts animal testing for biomedical research. Signed into law by Governor Newsom, October 2023.
Expanding Veterinary Access with Telehealth Services
MCPP was part of a coalition to support Assembly Bill 1399 by Assemblymember Laura Friedman, which will allow for the use of telehealth in the practice of veterinary medicine and require veterinarians to use sound professional judgment while providing quality care when using telehealth. Signed into law by Governor Newsom, October 2023.
Increasing Access to Pet Health Care
MCPP supported Senate Bill 669 by Senator Dave Cortese, which will authorize a veterinarian to allow a registered veterinary technician to administer preventive or prophylactic vaccines and medications. SB 669 expands access to preventative veterinary care by allowing veterinarians to better utilize registered veterinary technicians. Signed into law by Governor Newsom, October 2023.