As we approach the Senate and Assembly suspense file hearing, taking place on Thursday, May 20th upon adjournment of session, EDGE is working hard to raise awareness and uplift critical measures pending before the Appropriations committees from both houses – urging our State leaders to make investments that seek to empower working families, adult learners, low-income students, and that bolsters industry and workforce needs. Below are several key priority bills for EDGE that are pending in the Assembly and Senate Suspense Files. To ensure our voices are heard, we urge you to email and call the Senate and Appropriations Chairs to pass these important measures off the suspense file! Even if you only support one bill from the list below, a couple, or all, your voice is crucial as the suspense hearing approaches!
PRIORITY BILLS PENDING ON SUSPENSE FILE
- AB 99 (Irwin) Cradle-to-Career Data System, including the Governor’s proposed budget, seeks to establish for the first time in California, a statewide longitudinal data system – integrating K-12, higher education, social services, financial aid, workforce training, and employment data in a secure system – fully leveraging quality data to improve outcomes for all students and adult learners from “cradle to career.” (Factsheet)
- AB 106 (Salas) Regions Rise Grant Program would establish a grant program to support regional innovative strategies to address housing, homelessness, workforce, and public health. The state program intends to provide competitive grants for multijurisdictional collectives that involve local and regional governments, labor, community-based organizations, and private and civic organizations covering locally-defined economic regions, to adopt a comprehensive shared prosperity strategy focused on the priority challenges of the respective region. (Factsheet)
- AB 417 (McCarty) Rising Scholars Network would authorize the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges to establish the Rising Scholars Network program to enter into agreements with up to 50 community colleges to provide support services funding for justice-involved students. (Factsheet)
- AB 628 (E. Garcia) Breaking Barriers to Employment Initiative would build upon the Breaking Barriers to Employment legislation (2017) by assisting individuals who face systemic barriers to employment in obtaining the skills necessary to prepare for work in high-demand industries. The bill also expands access and eligibility for community-based organizations to supply training and supportive services. (Factsheet)
- AB 1036 (E. Garcia) CA Manufacturing Emergency Preparedness Act of 2021 would authorize I-Bank to establish the Manufacturing Disaster Loan Program for the purpose of attracting, retaining, retooling, and expanding manufacturing capacity in the state. Specifically, the loan program would need to meet certain objectives, including the protection and enhancement of the state’s long-term manufacturing capacity, and support quality jobs that provide high wages, including benefits. (Factsheet)
- AB 1456 (Medina/McCarty) Cal Grant Reform seeks to address long standing structural inequities within the student financial aid Cal Grant program. By removing barriers and expanding access to the Cal Grant program, California can better support students and adult learners, and serve those who need aid the most. Modernizing CA’s financial aid system will help to rebuild the state’s workforce pipeline and fuel California’s economic recovery. (Factsheet)
- SB 4 (Gonzalez) Broadband-For-All would secure ongoing funding and implement a number of critically needed reforms to the California Advanced Services Fund (CASF) program administered by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). These changes will help close the digital divide and meet the connectivity needs of Californians. (Factsheet)
- SB 609 (Hurtado) CalFresh Employment and Training Expansion and Improvement Program would expand the CalFresh Employment and Training (E&T) program by including individuals who lost employment as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic, including individuals in adult education and career tech education programs. (Factsheet)
Have your voice heard and urge our legislators to pass these bills on May 20th! A sample email and phone script can be found here.
And tune in on Thursday, May 20th to watch live whether bills pending on the suspense file pass out of committee! Both hearings will start upon adjournment of session – session starts at 9am.
To view the Assembly Appropriations Suspense Hearing, click here.
To view the Senate Appropriations Suspense Hearing, click here.
For any questions, contact Anna Alvarado, Policy Director, at aalvarado@caedge.org.