For Immediate Release: Sept 6, 2024
Contact: Tyler Bushnell, tyler.bushnell@nextgenpolicy.org

NextGen California commends the State Legislature for their support of legislation that prioritizes climate, food insecurity, and inclusive democracy

SACRAMENTO – NextGen California applauds the final actions of the California State Legislature in passing critical bills to protect our environment and make polluters pay; expand and make our democracy more inclusive; build upon the state’s record to end food insecurity; and make our healthcare system more affordable. These policy wins were hard fought, especially against a backdrop of a strained state budget landscape and powerful industry opposition.

“We were very pleased to see several of the bills that NextGen prioritized, which provide support and protections to the state’s most vulnerable communities, pass the Legislature,” said Arnold Sowell Jr., Executive Director for NextGen California. “Specifically, steps that were taken to protect our environment from polluters; create more opportunities for Californians to participate in our democracy; solve the ongoing food insecurity crisis; and pave more affordable pathways to healthcare. Despite these wins, there’s still more to be done – the NextGen team looks forward to continuing our advocacy work to build a better California for all.”

Some of NextGen’s priority legislation that passed includes:

• Climate Justice, Make Polluters Pay Package: AB 1866 (Hart) Idle Oil Well Clean Up &
  AB 3233 (Addis) The Local Environmental Choice and Safety Act.
• Inclusive Democracy: SB 299 (Limón) Automatic Voter Registration
• Solving Food Insecurity: AB 2313 (Bennett) Regional Farmer Equipment and
  Cooperative Resources Assistance Pilot Program
• Health Care Reform: AB 3129 (Wood) Health Care System Consolidation

NextGen California looks forward to continuing to advance our legislative and budget priorities in the next legislative session and will work with the Governor, State Legislature, and our valued community and coalition partners to protect and support California’s most vulnerable communities.

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The mission of NextGen California is to fight for progressive policy change to address environmental, social, racial, gender, and economic inequities in California through justice-centered legislative advocacy, grassroots partnerships, and democratic civic engagement.