LGBT Activists Winning Textbook Revisions

LGBTQ activists are declaring victory, after a state education commission vote on standards for new public school textbooks. The Instructional Quality Commission voted Thursday on changes to proposed history and social science textbooks, approving revisions in order to reflect the contributions of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.
Christopher Martinez reports.

Trump Unveils Republican Tax Plan

President Donald Trump has unveiled his tax proposal, a plan he says will help the poor and middle class, boosting American jobs, American workers, American families, and American businesses. Democrats are blasting the proposal as a plan that would help the richest Americans and corporations at the expense of working families, while adding to the federal deficit.
Christopher Martinez files this report.

Obamacare Repeal Bill Gets Its Only Senate Hearing

The latest last-ditch effort to repeal Obamacare is looking more and more doomed, with a key third Republican now saying she will vote no on the Senate measure. But the Republican effort is still on the Senate agenda, with a hearing Monday in the Senate Committee on Finance.
Christopher Martinez reports.

Nurses Convention Considers Healthcare Proposals

Single-payer “Medicare for All” and Republican attempts to roll back Obamacare are among the top issues for nurses, as the California Nurses Association / National Nurses United gathers for its convention in San Francisco. The nurses are hearing from prominent supporters of “Medicare for All” at their meeting this week, culminating with a speech by Bernie Sanders Friday afternoon.
Christopher Martinez reports.

SF, Oakland Sue Corporations for Climate Change

San Francisco and Oakland are suing the world’s top investor-owned oil and gas companies, saying they should be held liable for the costs of climate change caused by their products. They say the companies deceived consumers about the dangers of fossil fuels, and should pay the costs for harm to life and property in Oakland and San Francisco. The move follow similar lawsuits filed in state court earlier this year by the counties of Marin and San Mateo, as well as the city of Long Beach, in moves to hold corporations accountable for global warming.
Christopher Martinez reports.

Immigrant Legislation Awaits Action by Governor

State lawmakers have passed a raft of bills aimed at protecting undocumented immigrants from actions by the Trump administration, including measures to limit immigration raids at workplaces and to protect undocumented tenants, as well as a measure to resist a possible “Muslim registry.”
Christopher Martinez reports.

Whistleblowers Uncover Illegal Federal Payments to Water Contractors

Californians were shocked last week by the revelation that some several of the state’s water districts secretly received over $100 million dollars in federal funds to pay for their share of the environmental review of the Bay-Delta tunnels project. The misappropriation of taxpayer money was uncovered by employees of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and others. State officials, including Governor Jerry Brown, have for years insisted that the entire funding of the tunnels project, known as California Water Fix, would come from water contractors and not the general public. KPFA’s Vic Bedoian looks at the possibly illegal transaction through the eyes of whistleblowers who brought the story to light.

Sanctuary State Bill SB54 Passes Assembly

A so-called “sanctuary state bill,” Senate Bill 54, has passed out of the state Assembly. The measure would bar local police and sheriffs from cooperating with federal immigration officials. The measure has been a top priority for immigrant rights activists, especially in the wake of the Trump administration’s actions and rhetoric on immigration.
Christopher Martinez reports.

Community College Students, Dreamers Could Get State Help

Community college students and undocumented Dreamers could be getting help from the state, under bills moving forward in the state legislature. One bill would provide free tuition for first-year community college students who attend full time. A separate budget proposal would provide financial aid and legal help for undocumented DACA recipients in state colleges and universities.
Christopher Martinez reports.

Bernie Sanders Introduces Medicare 4 All Bill

Independent senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont has unveiled his “Medicare for All” health care plan. The latest version of his single payor health care bill has support from 16 senators, boosting prospects for debate over the universal health care proposal, and possibly making the plan a key issue for Democratic candidates in the next presidential election.
Christopher Martinez reports.