Don't Miss Out

CPA's Summit on the States: Values and Vision for America, Dec. 8-10

The 10th Annual Summit on the States will be held December 8-10 at the Capital Hilton Hotel in Washington, DC. During the Summit, five outstanding leaders of the political and civil community will be honored at the Annual Award Luncheon on December 9th. Online registration available now! The Early Bird Registration ends at Midnight October 31st. Full Summit registration and Awards Luncheon tickets available until December 1; afterwards on-site only. If you have any questions, please contact Quinta Martin at 202-956-5132 or qmartin@cfpa.org.

 

Progress on Policy

California Courtroom Discrimination to be Curtailed

AB 1160, sponsored by Assemblymember Sally Lieber, has been signed into law by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. This law requires juries to be instructed not to make decisions based on real or perceived disability, race or ethnicity, religion, gender, nationality, or sexual orientation. For more information, read CPA’s GLBT Anti-Discrimination policy brief and model legislation.

Rights of Victims of Domestic Abuse in Same-sex Relationships Expanded

California has passed AB 2051, sponsored by Assemblymember Rebecca Cohn, for the protection of victims of domestic abuse. This new law establishes the Equality in Prevention and Services for Domestic Abuse Fund, which will provide services and treatment for domestic abuse equal to those offered to heterosexual couples, but specifically geared toward gay, lesbian, bisexual and transsexual individuals. For more information on this subject, read CPA’s GLBT Anti-Discrimination policy brief and model legislation.

Domestic Abusers Must Relinquish Guns More Quickly in California

Californians who have restraining and protection from abuse orders filed against them will have less time to comply with the requirement that they turn in their firearms.  AB 2129, sponsored by Assemblymember Todd Spitzer, reduces the amount of time allowed by persons under certain restraining orders and injunctions to relinquish their firearms from 48 hours to 24 hours. For more information, see CPA’s Gun Violence Prevention policy brief and model legislation.

California Reproductive Health Clinic Workers’ Identities Protected

A new law passed in California prohibits reproductive health care workers’, volunteers’, and patients’ place of business from posting or giving out home contact information. This law, AB 2251, was sponsored by Assemblymember Noreen Evans. Previously, the confidentiality of this information only applied to governmental or other public records. For more information on this topic, read CPA’s Health Clinic Protection policy brief and model legislation.

California Governor Signs Parole Reform, Mobile Narcotic Treatment Bills

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed SB 1453, giving nonviolent ex-convicts the opportunity to reduce their parole sentences through intensive drug treatment. The bill, authored by Sen. Jackie Speier, would provide an incentive for inmates with drug problems to commit to treatment, thereby reducing return trips to prison. Another bill concerning the treatment of drug addicts has been signed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger as well. AB 631, by Asm. Mark Leno, directs the State Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs to establish a program to operate mobile narcotic treatment programs. For more information, read CPA’s Sentencing Reform policy brief and model legislation.

English-Learning Pilot Program Approved in California

A bill that creates a pilot program to promote English language learning and development was signed into law by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.  AB 2117, sponsored by Asm. Joe Coto, will offer grants to be used toidentifybest practices for teachers in the instruction of English to English-learners.

Landmark Greenhouse Gas Emissions Bill Signed in California

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed into law a first-in-the-world comprehensive program aimed at reducing California’s greenhouse gas emissions 25 percent by 2020. AB 32, sponsored by Assemblymember Fabian Nuńez, will combine strategies such asredesigningcars and trucks, producing greener electricity, encouraging energy conservation, expanding forests, and using smarter development and transportation planning to achieve its ambitious goal.  For more information, read CPA’s policy briefs and model legislation on a variety of environmental topics: Clean Cars, Clean Power Plants, Environmental Justice, Global Warming, Green Buildings, and Renewable Energy.

California to Divest from Sudan

California Gov. Schwarzenegger signed AB 2941 and AB 2179, which together will lead California to divest from any companies doing business with the government of Sudan. These bills had bipartisan sponsorship by Assemblymembers Tim Leslie and Paul Koretz.

Michigan Governor Signs Tax Credit Legislation

Gov. Jennifer Granholm has signed a bill that creates a state earned income tax credit (EITC) for working families. The EITC launched by SB 453, sponsored by Sen. Nancy Cassis, willbe granted to low-income familieswho qualify for thefederal tax credit. The state credit would start at ten percent in 2008 and rise to 20 percent in 2009. The bill was a bipartisan effort. For more information, read CPA’s Earned Income Tax Credit policy brief and model legislation.

Website of the Month: www.gxonlinestore.org

As the leaves change color and temperatures get lower, kids around the country look forward to trick-or-treating for mounds of candy.  Progressives concerned about the labor practices of chocolate and other confections producers could use Halloween as an opportunity to buy and distribute fair-trade candy.  The Global Exchange fair-trade online store, www.gxonlinestore.org, offers socially-responsible candy and decorations for Halloween and helps spread the word about the importance of fair trade.