California News

Border Crisis

The past year marked the highest number of immigrants crossing the US-Mexico border with about 2.5 million people. On December 18, 2023, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed a law that made unauthorized border crossings a state crime. The law mentions that if any migrant refuses to go back to Mexico, they will be put in jail; however, the governments of Mexico and Guatemala voiced that they will not accept migrant returnees from Texas. Governor Abbott and his administration issued buses to transport migrants from Texas to Los Angeles. 

This caused a massive scramble for nonprofit organizations in California to meet the demands of the migrants’ needs. Organizations such as the Jewish Family Service, Catholic Charities Diocese of San Diego, the North County LGBTQ Resource Center, and the Interfaith Community Services have spent thousands of dollars a week to provide food, water, shelter, and other hospitable assistance to asylum seekers. Many of these organizational leaders have voiced their concern that this is not a sustainable way to manage the oncoming influx of migrants from Texas, and have mentioned that it is not fair for local nonprofit organizations to sacrifice many of their resources when state governments should be responsible in handling this situation. 

On January 2, 2024, the US Customs and Border Protection released a statement on the resumption of field operations which will occur in Eagle Pass, Texas; San Diego, California; Lukeville, Arizona; and Nogales, Arizona. 

New California Laws in 2024

Numerous new laws have taken effect as of January 1, impacting various facets of Californian’s daily lives, including public safety, workplaces, education, and more. Here are a few prominent laws now in effect this year.

Education

AB 1291 introduces the UC Associate Degree for Transfer Pilot Program, which simplifies community college students' transfer process. AB 607 mandates transparency in education costs, AB 2282 strengthens penalties for hate symbols, and SB 808 mandates sexual harassment investigation reports. 

Social Media & Consumer Privacy

AB 587 and SB 60 mandate social media companies to disclose hate speech and misinformation policies and allow the public to seek content removal through court orders. Proposition 24, effective March 2024, introduces the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) which grants consumers control over personal data and prevents its sale or sharing by businesses. AB 587 emphasizes social media transparency by requiring regular reports on companies' responses to terms of service violations.

Criminal Justice 

AB 360 forbids the use of "excited delirium" as a cause of death.  Additionally, SB 673 introduces the Ebony Alert, an emergency system aimed at locating missing Black women and youth aged 12 to 25.

Transportation & Public Safety

 AB 413 is geared towards improving crosswalk safety to make pedestrian crossings safer. AB 645 grants specific cities like Glendale, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Oakland, San Francisco, and San Jose, the authority to install speed cameras to promote adherence to speed limits. In terms of traffic regulations, AB 436 prohibits cities from banning cruising on streets or driving modified vehicles. AB 1909 allows bicyclists to cross streets when a pedestrian signal is activated.

Workplace

SB 616 extends paid sick leave from three to five days to support workers' health and family needs.  SB 848 ensures five days of leave for reproductive loss situations like failed adoption or miscarriage. The minimum wage is also increasing to $16 per hour as part of a law from 2016. The minimum wage for fast-food workers will be raised to $20 per hour (AB 1228) and there will be a gradual increase for healthcare workers to $25 per hour by June 2024 (SB 525).SB 497 prevents retaliation against workers discussing wages. 

Voting

AB 545 allows voters with disabilities to complete regular ballots through curbside voting. This aims to enhance accessibility and inclusivity in the voting process. AB 1539 establishes a misdemeanor for voting in both California and another state on the same date.. Additionally, AB 421 promotes transparency in ballot measures by requiring precise language and disclosure of top funders.

Newsom’s Deficit Plan

Governor Gavin Newsom laid out a plan to address California’s $38 billion deficit. This will be done by delaying spending, removing $13.1 billion from the budget stabilization and safety net reserve accounts, cutting $8.5 billion from programs and services including climate, housing, and education, delaying $5.1 million spending, and deferring $2.1 billion to 2025-26. On the other hand, he said he would protect investments in homelessness, mental health reform, and public safety.