Co-Chairs: Asha Bajaj, Beverly Nidick, Cynthia Savell

(January 2015) Ten recently elected state senators and 27 state assembly members are new to their positions and they will have to catch up quickly on one of California’s top issues this year: the high cost of higher education.  Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins D-San Diego, urged lawmakers to push back against the nearly 28 percent tuition hike imposed by the University of California regents.  Governor Jerry Brown’s budget includes hundreds of millions of dollars in additional funding for the University of California — but only if tuition is frozen.  UC regents disregarded that incentive in voting to approve tuition hikes. But now a compromise plan, authored by Atkins, has emerged.With the prevalence of drones, including gift delivery by  Amazon, three bills were introduced during the first week of the 2015-2016 Legislative Session.   Two of the bills, AB 37 and AB 56, focus on privacy concerns while the third bill, AB 14, seeks to create a task force responsible for building a comprehensive plan for state regulation of unmanned aircraft.

(March 2014) Equal Pay Day is April 9th. It’s time to contact your member of Congress urging him/her to sponsor and vote for the Paycheck Fairness Act, which is held up in the US Congress.

(February 2014)  Asha Bajaj, Joan Conley and Alyssa Harkins attended the Women’s policy summit meeting held in Sacramento Jan 16th 2014.  Please read Asha’s report here 

(February 2014) US Congressman George Miller announced his retirement after 40 years. He has been a big supporter of  AAUW and women’s and children’s issues  for our community and nationally. We thank him for his service and dedication.

Congress allowed unemployment benefits to expire on Dec 31st and new job numbers fell short of expectations, growing by 74,000 instead of the expected 197,000 jobs in January. In addition to steep spending cuts in food stamps Thanksgiving week, 1.3 million people lost their unemployment benefits. 

On December 31st, Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor issued a last-minute injunction requiring religiously-affiliated non-profit organizations to provide contraception coverage to employees. The Supreme Court will hear arguments on the constitutionality of requiring for-profit businesses to provide contraceptive coverage on March 24th.

Four state legislatures passed restrictive abortion laws: North Dakota, Texas, Arkansas, and North Carolina.

The Senate confirmed Janet Yellen as the next Federal Reserve Chair. Yellen, who was serving as Vice Chair, will be the first woman to serve in the chair position.

(January 2014) Covered California, California’s health insurance marketplace is up and running and is the only avenue for the federal premium assistance which makes health coverage more affordable for many. Also through Covered California, Californians can find out if they are eligible for low-cost or no-cost Medi-Cal. To view the variety of healthcare options available, go here.

On 27 November 2013, the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) released draft- proposed regulations on the recently enacted California Competes Tax Credit and has scheduled workshops throughout California. The California Competes Credit provides a credit against the income and franchise tax.

The California slaughterhouse and meatpacking companies that supply beef to the National School Lunch Program and others will pay $3.1 million to settle allegations arising from the release of upsetting videos in February 2008 by the Humane Society of the United States. The disturbing videos prompted the recall of 143 million pounds of beef. About a fourth of that was in the school lunch program.

Effective Jan. 1, 2014, Assembly Bill 491 allows both California hospitals and nonprofit and for-profit corporations to adopt bylaws that make it possible for the governing board to make business decisions in the absence of a quorum during an emergency, narrowly defined in the bill.

A new Pew report concerning gender and the workplace for millennial women finds that women ages 25-34 have the narrowest gender pay gap – 93 percent compared to an average 84 percent for all women workers age 16 and older. This is mainly due to increased education levels as well as more women participating in the workforce than ever before. However, there are still roadblocks to ending the gender pay gap for millennial women. The report suggests millennial women are less likely to ask for a raise or promotion and cites work/life balance as a factor that will increase the millennial gender pay gap over time.

The next meeting of Forum will be held on Thursday Jan 23th at @2: 30 pm at Cherubini’s in Alamo. Please join us for stimulating conversation on issues related to Public Policy.  Please RSVP Asha Bajaj.

(December 2013) Rep. George Miller has written a report entitled “Cuts To Nowhere” which lists the effect of the sequestration cuts on programs for the needy. Some of the impacts of the automatic spending cuts in Contra Cos-ta County include, but are not limited to:

• $46 million less in funding to Medicare providers
• 600 children in Head Start facing a nine-week reduction in the school year
• Meals on Wheels of Contra Costa County serving 200 fewer meals per day
• 50 fewer young adults receiving workforce experience through subsidized summer jobs for youth
• The West County Unified School District receiving $1.66 million less in funding
• 137 homeless individuals, or 50 families, losing access to emergency shelter housing

These cuts are in place while the well-off in our country continue to receive unfair preferences. With the new budget underway, there are additional cuts proposed. Please call your representatives to ask for a reasoned approach to budget cuts.

Governor Jerry Brown signed Senate Bill SB4 which allows for stricter control and tougher enforcement in exchange for rejuvenating aging oil wells, hydraulic fracturing and acid treatments allowing California to continue being a major player in the oil and gas industry.
Forum, our Public Policy special interest group, met on Oct. 16th and discussed a wide range of topics. Since a recent college graduate is a member of the group, the conversation included the prevalence of sexual assault and “rape culture” on the college campus. Nationwide, 1 in 4 women freshmen entering college will become a victim of rape or sexual assault. Although AAUW has done much to raise awareness of the topic, what is sadly lacking is a self-help tool guide. The group felt that there was a need for programs in the local school and community colleges which address this issue and include the following components:
1)  A module aimed at tweens in middle school to raise awareness, educate, and prepare them to withstand peer pressure
2)  A module aimed at high school girls and boys to train them about choices and consequences
3)  A module aimed at the college population to help them understand the insidious nature of “rape culture”, how to identify it, and how to protect themselves from the potential pitfalls of drinking and dating.

Alyssa Harkins and Asha Bajaj have agreed to work on this project. We are looking for more volunteers to help develop, promote and disseminate the program.

Joan and I held a voter registration drive at Walnut Creek BART station on Oct. 29th, 2013. We distributed 15 forms to potential registrants. It was refreshing to see that so many young people were already registered and engaged in the political process. Please go to aauw.org to review our public policy priorities for the year and sign up for the Two Minute Activist alerts.
The California Women’s Policy Summit is scheduled for Jan. 16th, 2014 at the Convention Center in Sacramento. Included is a program for young women who are interested in a career in Public Policy. Please go to www.ccrwf.org for details. AAUW is a co-sponsor and will feature our current president, Alicia Heitman, on their panel dealing with Title 1X.

(November 2013) Just as a divided House brought the federal government to a screeching halt and Congress was tied up with partisan debates, it was heartening to see the gears of government moving at the local level.

Governor Jerry Brown signed legislation Wednesday expanding the type of medical providers that can perform abortions in California. Assembly Bill 154, by Assemblywoman Toni Atkins, D-San Diego, will allow nurse practitioners, certified nurse-midwives and physician assistants to perform first-trimester abortions using a method called aspiration.

Proponents of the bill, including Democrats in the state Legislature, said it will address a shortage of abortion providers and the need for women to travel long distances for the procedure.

Governor Jerry Brown on Tuesday also signed a handful of bills designed to promote government transparency and vetoed one that would have required more training for people who manage finances for political campaigns. Assembly Bill 409 by Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva, D-Fullerton, creates an electronic filing system for public officials who report annual statements of economic interest allowing greater ability for the public to review the financial interests of hundreds of thousands of government officials.

Assembly Bill 552 by Assemblyman Paul Fong, D-Cupertino, gives the FPPC greater authority to collect the fines it levies on people who violate laws governing political campaigns, fundraising, lobbying and conflicts of interest for public officials by asking a court for a judgment to collect an unpaid penalty. Assembly Bill 1090, also by Fong, allows the FPPC to give advice on a category of conflict-of-interest laws that previously was under the authority of criminal prosecutors. Under the bill, government officials who have questions about Government Code section 1090, which deals with conflicts of interests in government contracts, may seek written or telephone advice from the FPPC.

The new site for implementation of the Affordable Care Act is up and running. Please go here see ‎your options for health insurance coverage.

This applies to people under 64 years of age who are not eligible for Medicare health coverage.

(October 2013) Welcome back to another year of public policy issues.  Here are some highlights of bills pending legislation:

The state Senate approved a bill Tuesday that would end traditional standardized testing of students in reading, math and social science and replaced it with the testing recommended for federal “common core standards for the curriculum.”

At the federal level, as Congress nears the September 30th deadline to pass a budget, attention has been refocused on the across-the-board cuts known as “sequestration.” These cuts will not begin if Congress chooses to continue funding the federal government at current levels. The impact on science teachers forced to close laboratory research due to layoffs and reduction of special education services are beginning to hurt the most important and vulnerable segments of society. Tell your members of congress that you expect them to end sequestration and find a more balanced alternative to balance the budget.

Please sign up for Forum, the public policy interest group. We have an interesting agenda of topics planned for the new year. For further information please contact us at ashakiran@gmail.com.  Our AAUW-CA lobbyist can be contacted here.

(September 2013) Just as a divided House brought the federal government to a screeching halt and Congress was tied up with partisan debates, it was heartening to see the gears of government moving at the local level.

Governor Jerry Brown signed legislation Wednesday expanding the type of medical providers that can perform abortions in California. Assembly Bill 154, by Assemblywoman Toni Atkins, D-San Diego, will allow nurse practitioners, certified nurse-midwives and physician assistants to perform first-trimester abortions using a method called aspiration.

Proponents of the bill, including Democrats in the state Legislature, said it will address a shortage of abortion providers and the need for women to travel long distances for the procedure.

Gov. Jerry Brown on Tuesday also signed a handful of bills designed to promote government transparency and vetoed one that would have required more training for people who manage finances for political campaigns. Assembly Bill 409 by Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva, D-Fullerton, creates an electronic filing system for public officials who report annual statements of economic interest allowing greater ability for the public to review the financial interests of hundreds of thousands of government officials.

Assembly Bill 552 by Assemblyman Paul Fong, D-Cupertino, gives the FPPC greater authority to collect the fines it levies on people who violate laws governing political campaigns, fundraising, lobbying and conflicts of interest for public officials by asking a court for a judgment to collect an unpaid penalty Assembly Bill 1090, also by Fong, allows the FPPC to give advice on a category of conflict-of-interest laws that previously was under the authority of criminal prosecutors. Under the bill, government officials who have questions about Government Code section 1090, which deals with conflicts of interests in government contracts, may seek written or telephone advice from the FPPC.

The new site for implementation of the Affordable Care Act is up and running. Please go here to see ‎your options for health insurance coverage.

This applies to people under 64 years of age who are not eligible for Medicare health coverage.

(June 2013) The Affordable Healthcare Act

by Asha Bajaj

Pat Snyder MSN, was the speaker at our recent Public Policy program. Pat represents an advocacy group that is pushing for a single-payer plan for universal healthcare at the state level in California.

Below are the highlights of the healthcare law: The new law affects people under 65 years of age.

The Affordable Healthcare law (ACA) offers coverage to everyone (except undocumented immigrants). It does this through employer coverage, expansion of Medicaid for people below the poverty line (raises the threshold of poverty line), and new state health insurance exchanges. It establishes insurance reform so that no one can be denied coverage for pre-­‐existing conditions. It also extends the parents’ benefits to all children up to 26 years of age.

The new plan offers comprehensive coverage by establishing a national benefits standard. It allows a choice of 4 different benefit levels with different levels of cost sharing. Total cost sharing is capped and annual and lifetime limits on benefits are eliminated.

To make the coverage affordable, the law limits the percentage of income spent on insurance and offers sliding scale subsidies to purchase insurance through the exchanges with incomes up to 400% of the poverty line.

The law eliminates insurance abuses by prohibiting denials and exclusions and discriminatory premium ratings. It increases transparency, accountability and mandates 80% of the premium to go for direct patient care. A new appeals process to challenge claims denials is included in the law.

Medicare, which is essentially a single-­‐ payer system, does not change. The law lowers the rate of increases in the reimbursement formula and implements a global cap on spending.

The ACA supports continued research for improvement in the delivery and outcomes of care. It increases prevention and wellness services.

Resources:

1. Health Reform
2. Covered California
3. Consumer Reports
4. Affordable Care Act Summary

 

PUBLIC POLICY PRINCIPLES FOR ACTION:

Basic to all of public policy efforts of AAUW is the understanding that true equity requires a balance between the rights of the individual and the needs of the community. We believe in the separation of church and state.

AAUW supports constitutional protection for the civil rights of all individuals, including the right to privacy. We oppose all forms of discrimination. We support affirmative action as a remedy for past discrimination. We affirm our commitment to passage and ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment.

AAUW believes that quality public education is the foundation of a democratic society. We advocate equity, academic freedom, protection from censorship, bias-free education, and responsible funding for all levels of education. We advocate increased access to higher education, especially for women in poverty.

AAUW promotes the economic, social, and physical well-being of all persons. Essential to that well-being are an economy that provides equitable employment opportunities, reduction of poverty, quality dependent care, decent housing, and quality affordable health care; freedom from violence; and a clean and healthful environment. We support public budgets that balance individual rights and responsibility to community.

AAUW values and is committed to the arts and humanities, which develop and enhance our pluralistic cultural heritage.

AAUW believes that global interdependence requires national and international policies that promote peace, justice, human rights, sustainable development, and mutual security for all people. We support a strengthened United Nations and its affiliated agencies. We advocate implementation of the Platform for Action from the 4th World Conference on Women.

BIENNIAL ACTION PRIORITIES

Biennial priorities for federal action are chosen according to the criteria of viability, critical need, strong member support, and potential for distinctive AAUW contribution.

To support a strong system of public education that promotes gender fairness, equity, and diversity, AAUW advocates

Adequate and equitable funding for quality public education for all students Opposition to the use of public funds for nonpublic elementary and secondary education

Vigorous enforcement of Title IX

Programs that meet the needs of girls in elementary and secondary education To achieve economic self-sufficiency for all women, AAUW advocates

Fairness in compensation

Equitable access and advancement in employment

Vigorous enforcement of employment anti-discrimination statutes

Access to quality, affordable dependent care

Programs that provide women with education, training, and support for success in the work force

Welfare reforms and other programs that improve postsecondary education access, career development, and earning potential

Social Security and Medicare reform that guarantees improved retirement security for women and all low-wage workers

To guarantee equality, individual rights, and social justice for a diverse society, AAUW advocates

Vigorous defense and expansion of civil and constitutional rights
Choice in the determination of one’s reproductive life
Freedom from violence and fear of violence in homes, schools, workplaces, and communities

Expansion of health rights for women, families, and children

Support for U.N. programs that address human rights and women’s and girls’ concerns