CALIFORNIA POLITICS
California Voter Trends
Univision and L2 released research with 2018 Latinx voter registration data. California-related highlights:
- Nearly 1.2 million more Latinx citizens (29%) registered to vote in 2018, compared to 13% for non-Latinx. That meant that 2 in 5 new registered voters in California were Latinx.
- Registration amongst Latinx voters under the age of 35 increased 40%.
- The biggest increases in registration were in Sacramento (46%), San Diego (40%) and Fresno (33%).
The Pew Research Center also released research on 2018 voter turnout. California-related highlights:
- Nearly 4 million more Californians voted in the 2018 midterms than the 2014 midterms.
- Black and Latinx voter turnout (in age groups 25-to-34 and 35-to-44) increased 26%, more than any other racial or ethnic group.
2020 Census
The U.S. Census Bureau will be cutting the number of California Census offices from 54 in 2010 to 30 for 2020. California is home to disproportionately large hard-to-count (HTC) populations, as is detailed in an LA Times article on the challenges in Los Angeles County. Several of CDT/F’s partner groups are working on Census outreach to diverse HTC communities: AAPIs (Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders) for Civic Engagement Education Fund, Communities for a New California Education Fund, Engage San Diego, and California Calls. Contact Ludovic if you are interested in supporting our partners’ Census efforts.
Governor’s Budget Revision
Governor Gavin Newsom released his May budget revision, which includes expanding health coverage for undocumented immigrants, expanding paid family leave and doubling eligibility for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).
POLICY
Legislation from our endorsed elected officials:
- Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (AD45) authored a bill, AB 791, to protect low-income communities in federally-designated opportunity zones where investors can take advantage of federal tax benefits. The bill “would provide $100 million in new tax credits to keep affordable homes in designated opportunity zones and would create an additional $200 million in credits to encourage housing construction in those communities.”
- Senator Holly Mitchell (SD30) authored a bill, SB 321, to increase access to services under CalWORKS.
- Assemblymember Eloise Gómez Reyes (AD47) authored a bill, AB 194, to provide $1 billion in childcare assistance for families.