Inspired by Community Legal Services in East Palo Alto and backed by more than a dozen legal aid and advocacy groups, legislation by Senator Josh Becker to improve access to civil justice was passed by the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday. Senate Bill 355 would update the eligibility criteria for low-income Californians seeking a waiver of filing fees and other costs associated with litigation. The current criteria for automatically qualifying for a waiver is tied to the federal poverty level, which does not accurately reflect the true cost of living for California residents.
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Key Senate policy committees approved three bills by State Senator Josh Becker today to ensure voter access and equity and to reduce barriers that make it difficult for low-income communities to access energy efficiency and distributed energy programs.
State Senator Josh Becker named Rayna Lehman, whose work for the San Mateo Central Labor Council has provided a lifeline to thousands of union members and their families, the 2021 Woman of the Year for the 13th Senate District.
“Kids, coaches and their parents called for a return of youth sports and Governor Newsom listened,” said State Senator Josh Becker, D-Peninsula. “The plan he outlined today allows for outdoor sports to resume safely with important precautions and requirements.
State Senator Josh Becker, D-Peninsula, wrote Governor Gavin Newsom today to ask for the immediate resumption of outdoor and low-contact indoor high school sports in California. Senator Becker wants outdoor and low-contact high school sports to resume now provided that other state-recommended safety protocols are in place. See his letter to the governor.
“As we cross the year threshold in this pandemic, we are losing a generation of students to distance learning because there is nothing that can replicate the classroom experience,” said Senator Becker. “By allowing teachers to receive COVID vaccinations now, we are creating a pathway that will make it easier for our students to return to the classroom.”
“Extending the eviction moratorium until this summer will greatly help tenants and small landlords who have been slammed by the pandemic. The protections currently in place were set to expire at the end of this month. The agreement announced by the Governor and legislative leaders today would extend the strongest eviction protections in our nation until June 30. This assistance is key in aiding people whose housing is threatened and who have been able to pay only a portion of their rent."
The events of the past year and recent days make the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. more precious to us as a nation than ever before. More than 50 years ago, the civil rights pioneer said:
“America is at a crossroads of history, and it is critically important for us, as a nation and a society, to choose a new path and move upon it with resolution and courage.”