California lawmakers and state clinics unveiled a plan Wednesday to make the state a “sanctuary” for those seeking abortions, The Associated Press reported . The new initiative comes as 12 U.S. states are poised to outlaw abortions within their borders if the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade next year. The California Future of Abortion Council released a report that lists up to 45 recommendations for the state to consider if Roe v Wade is overturned, allowing states to restrict abortions before "viability," which is usually around 24 weeks into pregnancy. ADVERTISEMENT The report recommends public funding for travel expenses for patients seeking abortion, as well as reimbursing abortion providers for services for those who can’t afford to pay. State Sen. Toni Atkins (D), who attended multiple council meetings, helped draft the recommendations for the council, according to The AP. California Gov. Gavin Newsom Gavin Newsom California … [Read more...]

California ’s attorney general has launched an independent review of a Los Angeles County police department after "deeply concerning allegations of excessive force, racist text messages, and other discriminatory misconduct" were brought to light. In a press release on Wednesday , Attorney General Rob Bonta 's office said the review into the Torrance Police Department would be conducted by the California Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Enforcement Section with the assistance of the DOJ’s Division of Law Enforcement. “Our communities deserve to know they can get equal justice under the law,” Bonta said in a statement. “Police departments are on the front lines of that fight every day as they work to protect the people of our state,” he said. “However, where there is evidence of potentially pervasive bias or discrimination, it can undermine the trust that is critical for public safety and our justice system.” The announcement came hours after the Los Angeles … [Read more...]

When Rob Bonta learned he was tapped to be California’s next attorney general, he headed to the International Hotel in San Francisco for a press conference to announce the news — the same location where his mother had stood more than 40 years ago to protest the eviction of Filipino elders. March 24 was an overwhelming and emotional day for Bonta, 49, who became the state’s first Filipino American legislator in 2012 and has now become its first Filipino American attorney general. “I thought about where I came from,” he told NBC News of the day he was appointed by California Gov. Gavin Newsom. “Born in the Philippines, coming to this country as a 2-month-old baby, being raised in Sacramento most of my life after being in the Central Valley with the United Farmers of America, dreaming about how I could help others and being inspired about what my parents did — what they taught me, the values that instilled in me.” The International Hotel was a meaningful location for the … [Read more...]

LOS ANGELES — A new California law is expected to speed up the state’s criminal pardon process in a move that advocates hope will offer relief for some facing the possibility of deportation. California Gov. Jerry Brown on Thursday signed into law a bill that requires the state parole board to consider an expedited review of pardon applications from individuals at risk of deportation. The law also requires the board to issue recommendations within a year of receiving a pardon application and to notify individuals when their application is received and when a recommendation is issued. There are currently no statutory requirements for how long the parole board has to review or issue recommendations for pardon and commutation applications. The law is slated to go into effect on Jan. 1, 2019. The legislation, called the Pardon and Commutation Reform Act of 2018, was introduced in the California legislature earlier this year by Assembly Member Rob Bonta, a Democrat representing … [Read more...]

LOS ANGELES — Even when John Chiang was in law school, his mother asked him if he would still consider going to medical school. “My mom wanted four surgeons,” Chiang, the oldest of four, told NBC News, laughing. “She’s a worrywart, but she’s fine with [my career] now.” That career is one of public office that began in 1997 when he was appointed to the California Board of Equalization, and then elected the following year to the same position. Chiang won re-election in 2002, and then went on to serve two terms as California state controller. In 2014, he was elected California state treasurer. It’s been a steady path through state government, and now the 55-year-old Democrat has his sights set on a new office: governor of California. But before he can even make it to the November 2018 election, Chiang will have to get past California’s “top two” primary system in June, in which the two candidates who receive the most votes — regardless of party affiliation — will go … [Read more...]

Presented by Uber Welcome to The Hill’s Morning Report. It is Thursday! We get you up to speed on the most important developments in politics and policy, plus trends to watch. Alexis Simendinger and Al Weaver are the co-creators. Readers can find us on Twitter @asimendinger and @alweaver22. Please recommend the Morning Report to friends and let us know what you think. CLICK HERE to subscribe! Total U.S. coronavirus deaths each morning this week : Monday, 788,364; Tuesday, 789,745; Wednesday, 791,514; Thursday, 793,228. Senate Democrats are in the midst of a waiting game as they push to pass President Biden Joe Biden Pharma lobby eyes parliamentarian Demand for US workers reaches historic high Biden to award Medal of Honor to three soldiers who fought in Iraq, Afghanistan: report MORE ’s Build Back Better agenda by the end of the year but could be forced to wait until 2022 as they blame Sen. Joe Manchin … [Read more...]