CommentsTHIS IS WHAT I KNOW-California’s State Senate and Assembly have been busy writing and voting on legislation that would stall Trump’s agenda – or at least, protect Californians from fallout.
The Wall
On June 1, the California State Senate approved Senate Bill 30, which would prevent the state of California from entering or renewing any contract with a company that accepts a federal contract related to the construction of President Trump’s Border Wall.
Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens—photo above) who introduced the bill says, “Senate Bill 30 sends a clear message that we want our businesses to stand with us and support our core values. There is plenty of work to do in the state of California that is going to move us forward. It’s it not enough to simply oppose the wall in theory. Rhetoric can only go so far. It is time for us to act and be courageous.”
The bill lists the arguments against building a wall between the southern border of California and Mexico, which would present economic and environmental repercussions to the state. “President Trump’s wall will be a multi-billion dollar boondoggle dragging down California’s economy, hurting our environment, and separating our communities – without making us any safer,” Lara adds.
A border wall would threaten relations with California’s primary trading partner. In 2015, California’s exports to Mexico totaled over $26 billion or 17.4 percent of the state’s exports. The bill’s rationale states that commerce, tourism and direct investment from Mexico support over 200,000 jobs in the state.
Trump’s proposed border wall would also have environmental impact. The bill reads, “California’s border region is home to numerous threatened and endangered species of plant and animal life, including California’s official state amphibian, the California red-legged frog and the endangered arroyo toad.” Additionally, a “recent binational agreement between the United States and Mexico aims to address pollution, including sewage, waste tires, and polluted storm water in the Tijuana River water shed. The river flows through both California and Baja California, impacting bird and wildlife habitat and water quality at local beaches.”
With the passage through committee and state senate, SB 30 will now move to the Assembly.
Healthcare
Sen. Lara is one busy guy. Along with Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego), he introduced Senate Bill 562, which would create a publicly-run healthcare system in California. On June 1, the State Senate voted to approve the Healthy California Act (SB 562.)
“Despite the incredible progress California has made, millions still do not have access to health insurance and millions can’t afford the high deductibles and copays and often forgo care,” explains Lara. “For me, this issue is personal. This is the right fight and the right thing to do for California families, children, and seniors.”
Sen. Atkins says, “More and more Californians believe healthcare is a basic human right. The momentum to provide universal care is building and the moment is right to create a single-payer plan.” The senator acknowledges that there will be numerous hearings, input from interested parties and ample time to for the public to weigh in but he believes together, it’s possible to create a proposal that is less costly but covers all Californians.
How would The Healthy California Act work? The plan would cover all Californians, including more than 7 percent who are currently uninsured, as well as one-third of Californians who are underinsured, saving high out-of-pocket expenses and deductibles. The plan would permit Californians to choose their own doctor – and would include dental and mental health benefits.
Federal data concludes that almost 14 percent of the state’s gross domestic product goes to healthcare and per the Congressional Budget Office, under the House Republicans’ bill, 23 million would no longer be on the insurance rolls. The caveat? Once The Healthy California Act would go into effect pending approval of a financing plan by the Legislature, Governor and voters.
Climate Change
Although AB 378 by Cristina Garcia (D-Bell Gardens) failed to pass by three votes last Thursday, the bill be readdressed at a later date. AB 378 aims to reduce both local air pollution and climate-warming greenhouse gases by changing the cap and trade program. The bill was fought by the oil industry and other industry groups.
We can no doubt expect further legislation from state legislators in response to Trump Administration policies.
(Beth Cone Kramer is a Los Angeles writer and a columnist for CityWatch.) Prepped for CityWatch by Linda Abrams.
