Racial Equity

Fighting for racial equity by addressing the legacy of institutional and systemic racism in government programs and policies.

Racial Equity Lead

Elena Santamaria

Partnerships Manager and Senior Policy Advisor elena.santamaria@nextgenpolicy.org

“To meaningfully address inequities and racial disparities is a hard road that requires sustained leadership, community based solutions, and purposeful action to change the social and economic conditions of those who historically have been most harmed. California’s journey towards justice is long but has the potential to put the state on a path that is more equitable, inclusive, and anti-racist.”

Elena SantamariaPartnerships Manager & Senior Policy Advisor

Big Wins for Racial Equity in California

Advocacy

Community advocates helped establish the Racial Equity Commission through an executive order issued by Governor Newsom.

AB 256 (2022)

Authored by Assemblymember Kalra enables individuals currently incarcerated to retroactively assert that racial bias led to their conviction and the length of their sentence.

AB 2750 (2022)

Authored by Assemblymember Bonta directs the California Department of Technology (CDT) to draft a state digital equity plan focused on addressing issues of broadband quality, access, and affordability as well as digital literacy and inclusion.

SB 1137 (2022)

Authored by Senators Gonzalez and Limón requires a health and safety buffer zone between oil wells and schools, homes, and healthcare facilities.

SB 907 (2022)

Authored by Senator Pan creates the Local Equitable Access to Food (LEAF) program, which establishes a grant program to expand the use of Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) services at certified farmers’ markets across California.

Budget Increase

Increased budget investments in health care over the last few years have resulted in Medi-Cal eligibility for all California residents, regardless of immigration status.

On September 13, 2022 Governor Newsom signed Executive Order N-16-2022 which created the Racial Equity Commission. The Commission’s responsibility is to recommend strategies to advance racial equity across government programs and policies. The Commission will develop a Racial Equity Framework for the state, offer technical assistance to departments and local governments, engage in community outreach, and release an annual report on racial disparities and recommendations to reduce such disparities.