In The News

League of Cities CA: California moves one step closer to closing the digital divide, a top priority for Cal Cities in 2021

October 13, 2021
Securing resources for local infrastructure projects, including broadband, was a top priority for the League of California Cities in 2021. Cal Cities delivered by working in tandem with lawmakers and coalition partners. 
In a significant win for cities, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed AB 14 (Aguiar-Curry) and SB 4 (Gonzalez) last Friday, two Cal Cities-supported measures that prioritize the broadband needs of California's unserved and underserved communities while providing local governments the flexibility and funding to expand deployment. The two bills complete an earlier $6 billion legislative package that enables and encourages local governments to take an active role in last-mile deployment and, in doing so, drive competition and increase access.

Random Length News: Monumental Broadband Legislation Signed Into Law

October 12, 2021

Gov. Newsom Oct.8, signed into law Senate Bill (SB) 4 by Senator Lena Gonzalez (D-Long Beach) and Assembly Bill (AB) 14 by Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters) to advance digital equity in the state and provide high-speed internet access to more Californians. These new laws will complement the recent $6 Billion budget...

Techwire: Governor Signs Broadband, Cybersecurity Bills by Deadline

October 11, 2021
By Theo Douglas
The legislative session officially ended Sunday, which was the last day for Gov. Gavin Newsom to sign or veto proposed laws sent to his desk by elected representatives.
 
And as expected, Newsom signed several significant pieces of technology and innovation-related legislation. This year’s crop of new laws is intended to hone existing cybersecurity and data legislation and smooth the way for getting more and better broadband out to residents. Among the takeaways:
 

Governor signs Aguiar-Curry and Gonzalez bills to provide internet for all

October 09, 2021
New bills signed into law this week aim to modernize and expand the internet across California.
 
Assembly Bill 14, written by Assembly member Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters), and Senate Bill 4 by Sen. Lena Gonzalez (D-Long Beach), were signed into law this week by Gov. Gavin Newsom.
 
AB 14 and SB 4 are meant to revolutionize the state’s broadband deployment program under the California Advanced Services Program, and provide increased funding to bring California into the technological 21st Century.
 
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare the massive gaps in internet connectivity at sufficient speeds for too many Californians.

CSAC: CSAC Applauds Broadband Bill Signing By Governor Newsom

October 08, 2021
SACRAMENTO–California State Association of Counties, the voice of California’s 58 Counties, reacts to Governor Newsom signing broadband legislation.
 
California’s Counties applaud Governor Newsom, Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, and Senator Lena Gonzalez for working together to seize the moment and answer the call to increase broadband access and affordability this legislative session. AB 14 (Aguiar-Curry) and SB 4 (Gonzalez), which were signed today, join SB 156 in a series of legislative victories including historic broadband infrastructure funding to close the digital divide in California. 

EdSource: Gov. Gavin Newsom signs $123.9 billion package to support K-12 education

October 08, 2021

By BETTY MÁRQUEZ ROSALES

Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday signed a $123.9 billion package to increase broadband infrastructure, develop mental and behavioral health programming and require that all high school students take an ethnic studies course before graduating. The 22 bills included in the package amount to the highest per-pupil funding in state history, according to a news release from the governor’s office.

The Sun Gazette: Newsom signs proactive water solutions bill SB 403

October 06, 2021
By Ben Irwin, News Reporter
Gov. Gavin Newsom signs SB 403 into law, giving State Water Board more authority over small community water woes
 
TULARE COUNTY – On Sept. 23, after crushing the republican opposition in the recall election, Governor Gavin Newsom got back to governing and made a trip to smoke-choked Tulare County to sign a robust $15 billion climate package as the KNP Complex fire raged in the mountains above. During his trip to the Sequoias, he also signed a slew of water bills—among them extending the water utility shutoff moratorium through at least the end of the year and requiring water shortage contingency plans for small water suppliers—another tendril of climate change directly impacting Tulare County residents parched at the center of the West’s water crisis.

Signal Tribune: Hundreds march through Downtown Long Beach in support of reproductive justice

October 02, 2021

BY EMMA DIMAGGIO, MANAGING EDITOR

A march for reproductive justice attracted hundreds to the George Deukmejian Courthouse this morning as protesters chanted their way through Downtown Long Beach towards Harvey Milk Promenade Park.

The protest came just a month after Texas legislators passed Senate Bill 8, a restrictive law that prohibits abortions after six weeks—before many women know they are pregnant—and created financial incentives to turn in people who acted in support of these abortions.

International Brotherhood of Teamsters: TEAMSTERS CELEBRATE NEWSOM SIGNING BILL TO PROTECT PORT TRUCK DRIVERS

September 27, 2021
 
Following California Governor Gavin Newsom signing into law SB 338, a bill designed to protect truck drivers at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, Teamsters Port Division Director Ron Herrera released a statement. SB 338, by Senator Lena Gonzalez, will hold retailers accountable when they contract with trucking companies that have repeatedly engaged in misclassification.
 

Long Beach Post: Long Beach marchers to join hundreds of other events nationwide protesting anti-abortion laws

September 27, 2021
By Jason Ruiz
 
Shortly after a restrictive abortion law in Texas went into effect earlier this month, and the United States Supreme Court declined to block it, the Women’s March national organization put out a call for action. Belmont Heights resident, C.J. Crockett, had never organized anything political but she responded to the email with a request to host an event in Long Beach.