The Week in Politics

A weekly roundup of the biggest news in California…

Governor Newsom Issues Proclamation Declaring Juneteenth Day of Observance

Governor Gavin Newsom today issued a proclamation declaring June 20, 2020, as “Juneteenth National Freedom Day: A Day of Observance” in the State of California. The text of the proclamation can be found here.

The Latest on COVID-19 in California

Californians are now required to wear cloth face coverings when outside the home, with limited exceptions.

The California Department of Public Health announced the most recent statistics on COVID-19. California’s positivity rate – a key indicator of community spread – remains stable in the 14-day average. Hospitalization rates remain stable over the long-term while showing a slight uptick in the 14-day average. California has 165,416 confirmed cases to date. 

There were 4,084 new confirmed cases Wednesday. More than half of new cases were reported from Los Angeles County, with 600 results coming in from an earlier period. There have been 3,115,702 tests conducted in California. There have been 5,360 COVID-19 deaths since the start of the pandemic.

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputies Kill Brother of Robert Fuller

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputies shot and killed 31-year-old Terron Boone on Wednesday. The authorities accused Boone of threatening, imprisoning and pistol-whipping an ex-girlfriend, reports the Los Angeles Times. Boone is the brother of 24-year-old Robert Fuller, a Black man who was found hanging from a tree in Palmdale last week.

Governor Newsom Signs Universal Vote by Mail Bill

Governor Gavin Newsom just signed Assembly Bill 860, authored by Assemblymember Marc Berman (D-Menlo Park) and Senator Tom Umberg (D-Orange County), requiring county elections officials to mail active registered voters a ballot for the General Election this November. In-person voting opportunities will remain available for voters in a manner that protects the health and safety of voters and election workers.

Attorney General Becerra Applauds Landmark Supreme Court Decision on DACA

California Attorney General Xavier Becerra applauded the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark decision upholding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy. In November of 2019, the California Department of Justice led a coalition of 21 attorneys general in defense of DACA before the Supreme Court. In Thursday’s decision, the Supreme Court held that the Trump Administration acted illegally when it attempted to end DACA. As a result, the policy remains in effect for now, protecting hundreds of thousands of Dreamers across the country.

“Today, justice prevailed for every Dreamer who has worked hard to help build our country — our neighbors, teachers, doctors, and first responders. Today, America told the Dreamers that this is their home,” said Attorney General Becerra. 

Squaw Valley Resort Considering Name Change

The owners of Squaw Valley, a well-known Lake Tahoe resort, are considering a name change to remove the use of an ethnic slur against Native Americans, according to The Sacramento Bee. The owners will consult with regional Native American leaders while reviewing their use of the word “squaw,” an ethnic and sexist slur used to dehumanize Native American women.

California Closer to Reinstating Affirmative Action

Assembly Constitutional Amendment (ACA) 5, which seeks to reinstate affirmative action and equal opportunity programs in the state of California, passed the Senate Labor, Public Employment, and Retirement Committee this week.

Assembly Member Miguel Santiago (D-Los Angeles), joint-author of the measure, said “We are one step closer to making history in the state of California. As ACA 5 advances through the Senate, the people of California will soon have the opportunity to reverse the racist and neglectful policies of the past by repealing Proposition 209 and reinstating affirmative action during this November’s election. Although we are the wealthiest and most diverse state in the nation, communities of color and women remain woefully underrepresented in our public institutions. Now, we must stand together to bring our communities equal opportunity by repealing Proposition 209 once and for all.”

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