Progress Made in 2023 Towards Creating a More Equitable California
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
SACRAMENTO, CA, October 30, 2023 - The Michelson Center for Public Policy (MCPP) celebrates the progress made this year towards eliminating barriers to higher education, advancing equity efforts for Californians, and improving the lives of pets. This year, MCPP and its many partners helped support the passage of new laws that will move the state closer towards bridging the digital divide, providing college students with better access and cost transparency, and helping Californians with their pets’ health care by increasing veterinary care accessibility.
“By focusing our work on higher education, broadband access, and other issues, we are committed to ending systemic challenges that have generationally harmed too many Californians,” said Gary K. Michelson, M.D., founder and co-chair of the Michelson Center for Public Policy and the Michelson 20MM Foundation. “Thanks to the courageous leadership of Governor Newsom and the legislature, students and families across the state will face fewer barriers to the challenges they endure every day to get an education or a job.”
Below are examples of progress made this year towards creating a more equitable and compassionate California:
Education and Equity
Increasing Transparency of Course-Related Costs in Higher Education: MCPP co-sponsored Assembly Bill 607 by Assemblymember Ash Kalra, Assemblymember Isaac Bryan (D-Los Angeles), and Assemblymember Sabrina Cervantes (D-Inland Empire), 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. SB 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 in which students and educators have access to 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: Closing the Digital Divide: 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 at each address in California, as well as the maximum speed of services offered. The map will now allow individuals to self-report data and refute claimed 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 AB 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 Test Methods: MCPP supported Assembly Bill 357 by Assemblymember Brian Maienschein, which will prohibit manufacturers and testing facilities from using traditional animal test methods if an appropriate alternative exists or if 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 excludes animal testing for biomedical research. Signed into law by Governor Newsom, October 2023.
Expanding Veterinary Access with Telehealth Services: MCPP was a part of a coalition to support AB 1399 by Assemblymember Laura Friedman, which will allow for the use of telehealth in the practice of veterinary medicine and requiring 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.
