The 2017 California legislative session is a wrap; we have new laws addressing many of the critical issues we face in California. Because so many of you took action, we’re celebrating major legislative victories:

• The California Values Act passed, ensuring state and local resources are not being used to fuel mass deportations, destroy families, and cripple our economy.
• The passage of SB 2 and SB 3 will generate about $5 billion for more affordable housing over the next five years.
• Campaign ads will have to identify their big money donors prominently on tv, radio, online, and in print with the passage of the Disclose Act.
• Community college students will be assessed more fairly, creating a clearer path to success and preventing them from being tracked into unnecessary non-credit remedial classes thanks to AB 705.
• The passage of AB 918 means the millions of voters with limited English skills will have access to more information in their language, including facsimile ballots—a critical step in ensuring all voices are heard on election day.

In addition to the many action alerts we sent, the League was also advocating for other bills at the Capitol. This year, Governor Brown signed ALL of the bills supported by the League that came across his desk! California now has 27 new League-approved laws, improving California’s policies on the environment, education, voting rights, and more.

Unfortunately, our efforts to reform California’s broken bail system were stalled, but we’ll have another chance to fix that when SB 10 is taken up again next year. We’re also looking forward to ongoing efforts to address the housing shortage and progress on key higher education bills. The League is also ready to take action on campaign finance reform and any legislative responses to new federal activity.

Thank you again for speaking up!

Sincerely,

Helen Hutchison
President, LWVC

P.S. The legislature will be back in January, and we’re already hard at work. Help us make change: please follow us on Twitter and Facebook, join the League, or contribute.