Over the course of the 2021 legislative session, and in light of the ongoing global pandemic, the CA EDGE Coalition has focused on various education, training, and workforce policy efforts centered on the needs of low/no-income students, adult learners, workers, and employers. Specifically, our policy priorities sought to move and support policies intended to secure a social safety net for underserved communities; keep community colleges and their programs functioning; and work with our industry partners to stabilize their workforce – all while ensuring strategic funding and policy initiatives were developed and implemented through a racial equity lens.
As the Governor’s deadline to take action on pending legislation came to a close on October 10th, all of us at EDGE are excited to see several priority bills chaptered into law! Building upon last year’s efforts to support and uplift working families and bolster California’s economy, the Governor signed critical measures that EDGE has been supportive of throughout the year in the areas of broadband access, expansion of workforce training opportunities, and support services for justice-involved students attending community colleges.
In addition to legislation, EDGE also strongly advocated in support of various budget items that were approved by the Legislature and Governor, such as investments in student financial aid, career technical education, apprenticeship programs, social safety net services, and skills training. These budget priorities were part of the final 2021-22 State Budget Act, a historic $262.6 billion spending plan that will support California’s students, working families, businesses, and the economy.
Moving forward into the 2022 legislative cycle, EDGE remains committed to working alongside our partners, the Legislature, and Administration to chart a path towards economic equity and mobility that ensures California’s most underserved communities, particularly communities of color, women, and undocumented immigrants, have the resources they need to reach their career goals and obtain pathways to family-sustaining jobs; while also supporting our industry partners to keep businesses open and strengthen their workforce.
Read about EDGE’s priority bills and their final outcomes here.
For any questions related to EDGE’s positions on legislation and budget items, please contact Anna Alvarado, Policy Director, at aalvarado@caedge.org