November 9, 2023
Dear Friends,
So much has happened in the last couple of months. I want to share all this news with you.
| Legislation |
We have some big wins! Governor Newsom has signed a number of my bills into law.
- SB 673 creates the Ebony Alert notification system, a first-in-the-nation way to help locate missing Black youth or young Black women between the ages of 12 and 25 years who are disproportionately missing. Black children are also disproportionately classified as “runaways.” This means Black missing persons receive less police and media attention than their white counterparts. The Ebony Alert gives law enforcement an additional resource to help locate them. I want to thank the Governor for signing the Ebony Alert into law.
- SB 51 will lead to greater diversity in California’s cannabis industry. This new law will allow the State Department of Cannabis Control to issue provisional licenses for local cannabis retail equity applicants. A provisional license enables applicants to conduct business while completing the requirements for an annual license, and eventually become fully licensed. For California’s legal cannabis market to succeed, it must look like California. But right now, it doesn’t. Time and time again, I hear from community members who are being boxed out of the industry. Equity applicants deserve an opportunity to set up a business, get a license, and participate in the market.
- SB 700 is another cannabis-related policy that will ban employers from asking job applicants about prior cannabis use during the application process. Cannabis use in California is legal for adults ages 21 and over. Requiring an applicant to disclose off-the-job cannabis use during the application process may discourage individuals from applying for certain employment. This new law doesn’t allow a person to be under the influence on the job and it still allows employers to ask about cannabis use in sensitive jobs where the federal government mandates a drug-free workplace.
- SB 661 protects student-athletes. Now that student-athletes can benefit financially from their name, image, and likeness, it’s important they have the knowledge to manage their money. SB 661 will require colleges and universities to provide student-athletes with proper instruction in financial literacy. The lack of financial knowledge can have lifelong negative impacts. SB 661 will also extend existing scholarship protections to student-athletes at Division I and Division II colleges and universities by allowing them to continue their education in the event of a debilitating injury or illness that makes them unable to compete in their sport.
- SB 384 helps barbers and cosmetologists protect their licenses and livelihoods. This new law will allow licensees who receive a first violation for a minor safety infraction to take a training course and have the violation removed from their records. Similar to traffic school for a first driving offense, SB 384 will allow workers to receive additional education on safety compliance and keep a clean record.
- SB 392 grants an exemption for the new Intuit Dome, which is currently under construction in Inglewood, to sell alcoholic beverages at Clipper games and other events and also place alcohol-related advertising on the arena property. This exemption is similar to the exemptions granted for nearly all professional sports facilities.
Not every outcome this year was positive, unfortunately.
- SB 873 was held in the Assembly Appropriations Committee and did not move forward. It would have assisted patients in affording their medications by ensuring that 90% of manufacturer rebates are passed on to the customer at the pharmacy counter. By lowering out-of-pocket costs, SB 873 could have improved health outcomes.
- SB 50 which would have prohibited police from making traffic stops for low-level, non-safety violations didn’t have enough votes in the Assembly. I decided to make it what’s called a 2-year-bill and we will work to build more support and pass this in 2024. We know traffic stops can rapidly escalate and turn deadly, especially for Black and brown drivers. SB 50 would reduce the potential for more harm to the public and allow police more time to focus on preventing and solving more serious crimes that actually impact public safety.
- Click here to see more of my legislation.
| Budget |
In spite of the economic challenges this year, our state budget boldly meets the needs of Californians and protects the progress we’ve made in recent years. Additionally, I am proud to share that I was able to help secure funding of more than $20 million for several important local needs including:
- $3 million to the City of Gardena for renovation of the Rowley Park Gymnasium
- $15 million to California State University Dominguez Hills to address infrastructure needs
- $500,000 to the Dymally Institute at CSU Dominguez Hills for the institute’s programming and cultural education
- $3.3 million to the Life Development Group for their Social Equity Workforce and Entrepreneur Accelerator program in South LA
- $2 million to the Accelerated Radio School of Broadcasting to give underserved youth a head start in the broadcasting industry
- $1.2 million to A New Day Foundation to provide financial aid and programmatic support toward the empowerment and education of underserved youth
| Reparations: Next steps |
Now that my work on the California Reparations Task Force has come to an end, the work to make reparations a reality is beginning. We must determine what parts of the final report’s recommendations can and should become legislation in 2024 and in the years to come.
I have introduced SB 490 to create a new state agency that would be tasked with administering any reparations that are passed by the Legislature and signed into law by the Governor.
My colleagues in the California Legislative Black Caucus are co-leading this important effort to address the lasting harm inflicted on the descendants of chattel slavery.
| Important Community Information |
Turkey Giveaway - My office is hosting a free Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway event at El Camino College on Tuesday, November 21st. (While supplies last). This charitable event is made possible by the generous donations of community members who want to give back and help local families. Learn more and sign up to participate here.
Toy Giveaway – My annual Christmas Fair and Toy Giveaway will be held on December 9 from 10am-2pm. The event will offer fun kids’ activities, a snow exhibit, community resources, a visit from Santa, and our toy giveaway. (While supplies last). Click here for more details.
Discounted Internet - Free assistance to pay for high-speed home internet is available for Californians with lower incomes. For example, a family of 4 earning less than $60k may qualify for a $30 per month subsidy under the Affordable Connectivity Program. See if you qualify at https://www.internetforallnow.org/applytoday.
Get Health Insurance - Covered California’s 2024 open enrollment period is now here! This is a great opportunity to make sure you and your family get the quality health insurance you need. This year, there is more financial help than ever before. Check it out today at https://www.coveredca.com/get-started/.
$50,000 Scholarships! Edison International will award 30 high school seniors with $50,000 scholarships to help them achieve their career dreams in science, technology, engineering or math (STEM). The scholarship application period is now open through Jan. 23, 2024. Edison says this is a chance for students with big dreams to advance their education and shape the future. For more information on the program and the application, visit edisonscholars.com.
| Celebrating our Community |
I was thrilled to participate in the ceremonial document signing to celebrate the donation agreement between Los Angeles County, American Golf Corp, and the Fore Youth Golf Foundation. This agreement will enhance the powerful legacy of the great Maggie Hathaway through the renovation of the Maggie Hathaway Golf Course. Those involved spoke about the collaborative work behind the effort and how these improvements will provide the public with an affordable, accessible and revitalized outlet to play this wonderful game. I know it will also positively impact the young people in our community because this golf course was a big part of my youth and it still is today!
The Inglewood Teen Center's 10th Anniversary celebration marked a positive milestone for our community! Since its opening on the first floor of the Inglewood Library, the center has partnered with local schools and community agencies to support our youth by providing a safe and inclusive environment where youth can connect with one another, gain academic support, engage in educational enrichment activities, and receive work readiness training and job placement services.
KJLH, Cal State University Dominguez Hills and I hosted the 7th annual Men’s Empowerment Summit. This summit offers an opportunity for the community to come together and share resources and ideas that empower, inspire and uplift the community. This year, some of the panels included: Building Generational Wealth, mental health wellness, sports broadcasting and entertainment, reparations, male-to-male mentoring, and a number of other topics. Dr. Cornel West, the renowned author, philosopher, critic and intellectual, was the keynote speaker who discussed the importance of Unity and uplifting each other. This event was attended by hundreds of men and women including celebrities and dignitaries like Laker great James Worthy and music legend Stevie Wonder.
Click here to see more community events.
It’s an honor and privilege to represent California’s 35th Senate District in Los Angeles County. Please feel free to contact my office if my staff or I can be of assistance. Here is a link to the services our office provides.
Sincerely,
Senator Steven Bradford