The California Legislature is currently on Summer recess – returning in Aug. 

Lawmakers adopted a $300 billion dollar state budget, that will provide refunds to most taxpayers in the state, boost public education funding, and expand abortion access. 

The following made the cut: 

• $2.3 billion to provide healthcare access to all income-eligible Californians through full-scope Medi-Cal, extending access to more undocumented Californians 
• $35.2 million to expand CalFresh to all, regardless of immigration status 
• $1.4 billion for utility debt relief

ACA 3, known as the End Slavery in CA Act, did not pass: ACA 3 would've given voters the chance to remove the clause in our state constitution that currently allows for involuntary servitude. 

The Supreme Court of the United States has ended its term with a long-list of historic decisions. 

• A few recent notable rulings (all of which were decided 6-3), include: 
  • New York State Rifle & Pistol Assoc. v. Bruen 
    • SCOTUS determined that the 2nd amendment applies to concealed carry in public.
• West Virginia v. Environmental Protection Agency  
  • SCOTUS decided that the EPA does not have the authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. 
• Shinn v. Martinez Ramirez 
  • SCOTUS decided that individuals incarcerated on the state level have no constitutional right to present new evidence to support claims on wrongful convictions. 
• Vega v. Tekoh 
  • SCOTUS ruled that a person cannot sue a law enforcement officer for violating their 5th amendment rights against self-incrimination if the officer did not provide a Miranda warning. 
• Carson v. Makin 
  • SCOTUS held that the state of Maine is required to fund religious education at private religious schools as part of their state tuition assistance program. 
• Kennedy v. Bremerton School District 
  • SCOTUS held that a high school football coach praying on the field is protected by the first amendment. 
• Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization 
  • Visit couragecalifornia.org and under “Campaigns” click on “Abortion Rights” to find useful resources. 
  • Visit couragecaliforniainsitute.org to check out our blog post: SCOTUS Will Not Stop at Overturning Abortion Rights 
  • Courage California supports SCA10 – listed as Proposition 1 on your Nov. ballot.
• The Supreme Court’s next term will start in October – and there are some impactful cases lined up that our nation’s court has agreed to hear. 
  • Moore v. Harper – the court will review state power in federal elections.
  • Merrill v. Milligan – the court will reconsider the scope of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which prohibits voting practices or procedures that discriminate on the basis of race.

California’s 2022 Primaries are now behind us! 

• Visit https://electionresults.sos.ca.gov/ to view results as they are updated. 
• Only 33% of registered voters voted in the primaries. 33% 
  • View your county's voter turnout: https://electionresults.sos.ca.gov/returns/status  

With You, fashioned in Courage, We can create a California that represents and serves us all. @CourageCA #CourageLooksGoodOnYou

Production: LisaMarie Betancourt and Angela Chavez

Editorial: Jay Chotirmal and Irene Kao 

Graphics: Isidra Chávez

Sound Engineer: Lucianna Hernandez

The Supreme Court issued its opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization – which overturned Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey – ending the right to safe and legal abortion in the United States.

In this episode we learn what the Supreme Court decision means for California, and how California’s fight to expand abortion rights and access can be a model for the nation. Nourbese Flint interviews Onyemma Obiekea, Policy Analyst at Black Women for Wellness/Action Project, Shannon Olivieri Hovis, Director of NARAL Pro-Choice California, and Sierra Harris, Deputy Director of Network Strategies at National Network of Abortion Funds.

With You, fashioned in Courage, We can create a California that represents and serves us all.

Let us know your thoughts about this episode by tagging us @CourageCA and using the hashtag #CourageLooksGoodOnYou

https://couragecalifornia.org/ 

https://couragecaliforniainstitute.org/ 

Production: LisaMarie Betancourt and Angela Chavez

Editorial: Jay Chotirmal and Irene Kao 

Graphics: Isidra Chávez

Sound Engineer: Lucianna Hernandez

LisaMarie Betancourt interviews two Central Valley healing justice advocates, community organizer Grisanti Valencia & Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Gidai Maaza. 

• What roles are communities currently occupying in public safety? 
• What are the small entry points we all can make for collective healing? 

In this episode, we talk about healing justice for communities most impacted by policing and least served by current community care models. Healed people heal people. 

With You, fashioned in Courage, We can create a California that represents and serves us all.

Let us know your thoughts about this episode by tagging us @CourageCA and using the hashtag #CourageLooksGoodOnYou

https://couragecalifornia.org/ 

https://couragecaliforniainstitute.org/ 

Production: LisaMarie Betancourt and Angela Chavez
Editorial: Jay Chotirmal and Irene Kao
Graphics: Isidra Chávez
Sound Engineer: Lucianna Hernandez

LisaMarie Betancourt interviews co-founder of the Prosecutors Alliance of California, Cristine Soto DeBerry for a conversation about lasting public safety.

• How do we create safer communities for everyone? 
• Who is harmed and what is criminal? 

In this episode, we talk about the impacts of crime and punishment in California, victimization, and how progressive prosecutors throughout California are critically engaging with the legal system to heal communities and prevent crime before it happens.

Shot of Courage:

It’s Primary election time! Remember to return your primary ballot on or before June 7th! Visit couragevoterguide.org to learn who the candidates are in your area and which candidates Courage California has endorsed.

In May – Courage California partnered with Communities for a New California and Data for Social Good to release polling for the newly drawn congressional districts 21 and 22 in the Central Valley.

With You, fashioned in Courage, We can create a California that represents and serves us all.

Let us know your thoughts about this episode by tagging us @CourageCA and using the hashtag #CourageLooksGoodOnYou

https://couragecalifornia.org/ 

https://couragecaliforniainstitute.org/ 

Production: LisaMarie Betancourt and Angela Chavez

Editorial: Jay Chotirmal and Irene Kao

Graphics: Isidra Chávez

Sound Engineer: Lucianna Hernandez

Jay Chotirmal interviews Data for Social Good’s Jose Bedolla and Lisa Garcia Bedolla to learn about the ins and outs of political polling and pollsters, the people behind the polls. As most Americans have experienced, polls aren’t always reliable – but it turns out, even inaccurate polls can provide us with important information. Who funds, conducts, and is surveyed for polls can be just as informative. 

Inclusivity matters when working to pass policies and elect leaders who truly represent all of us. 

Shot of Courage: 

All registered voters in California will receive a vote-by-mail ballot for the Primary Election, starting May 9, 2022! In today’s shot of courage, Courage California’s Executive Director, Irene Kao and Angela Chavez discuss the “election fatigue” California voters are feeling – and the importance of getting your votes in (yes, again) by June 7. Public safety is on the ballot, and our communities are relying on each and every one of us to make our voices heard. 

With You, fashioned in Courage, We can create a California that represents and serves us all.

Let us know your thoughts about this episode by tagging us @CourageCA and using the hashtag #CourageLooksGoodOnYou

Production: LisaMarie Betancourt and Angela Chavez

Editorial: Jay Chotirmal and Irene Kao 

Graphics: Isidra Chávez

In this episode: www.dataforsocialgood.org  | https://couragecalifornia.org | https://couragevoterguide.org

Irene Kao interviews Executive Director of Communities for a New California Pablo Rodriguez, and Los Angeles Supervisor Holly Mitchell in this episode to learn more about the word progressive and the progressive movement. We unpack how the terminology translates across diverse parts of California, and how Holly and Pablo are working towards progressive goals in their respective communities.

Shot of Courage: 

• Do you have an election coming up in your district? Visit couragevoterguide.org to find out when your next election is and learn who the candidates are.
• Courage has endorsed :
  • Tina McKinnor for AD62, which includes part of Los Angeles County – the election happens on April 5th.
  • David Campos for AD17, which includes part of San Francisco County – this election will happen on April 19 
• Courage California is supporting the below 2022 bills: 
  • AB 1819, authored by Lee -  aka, The Stop Foreign Influence in California Elections Act would bar foreign-influenced, US-based corporations from contributing to candidates, parties, or committees – and protect the integrity of California’s government.
  • AB 2419, authored by Bryan - is known as California Justice40 Act - and would invest at least 40 percent of federal climate and infrastructure funding to communities that have been historically neglected by discriminatory policies -- such as low-income, Indigenous, and rural communities and communities of color. 
• Our 7th Annual Courage Score was released on Feb. 28 – visit CourageScore.org to find out who your State Assemblymember and Senator are, see their scores and voting history–  and discover who to hold accountable and who to celebrate as champions.

With You, fashioned in Courage, We can create a California that represents and serves us all.

Let us know your thoughts about this episode by tagging us @CourageCA and using the hashtag #CourageLooksGoodOnYou

https://couragecalifornia.org/ 

https://couragecaliforniainstitute.org/ 

Production: LisaMarie Betancourt and Angela Chavez
Editorial: Jay Chotirmal and Irene Kao
Graphics: Isidra Chávez 

You're invited to join us on April 4 for the launch of "Courage — It Looks Good On You!"

Courage California is fighting for a California that works for all of us – by providing the information and resources Californians need to hold their elected officials accountable. 

Courage — It Looks Good On You! will help keep Californians informed about the issues – and help you discover the different ways to courageously participate in the democratic process and ensure your voices are heard. 

This season we’ll discuss issues that are important to our communities, such as: 

• Voting Rights
• Corporate money in politics
• Climate change and environmental justice, and…  
• Community safety and criminal justice reform

And we’ll have insightful conversations with advocates and leaders at all-levels, throughout the state to learn: 

• What is the difference between a democrat, mod-dem, and a progressive? 
• How can we stop the misinformation and disinformation campaigns targeting communities of color? 
• What are the different ways we can hold our elected officials and institutions accountable? 

In our first episode, we’ll dive into the word "progressive," featuring Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly Mitchell and Executive Director of Communities for a New California Pablo Rodriguez.

With You, fashioned in Courage, We can create a California that represents and serves us all. 

Production: LisaMarie Betancourt and Angela Chavez
Editorial: Jay Chotirmal and Irene Kao 
Graphics: Isidra Chávez