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Prop 1 Aims to Amend State Constitution to Protect Abortion Rights   
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Prop 1 Aims to Amend State Constitution to Protect Abortion Rights   

Edward Henderson, California Black Media  October 27, 2022

California voters are being asked to decide on whether or not language in the California Constitution should be changed to explicitly ensure the right to reproductive health. Proposition 1, proposed by Senate President Pro Tempore Toni Atkins (D-San Diego), amends the California constitution to prohibit the state from interfering with one’s right to choose to have an abortion or refuse contraceptives.

Cal Attorney General Wants FDA Standards for Menthol Cigarettes Finalized
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Cal Attorney General Wants FDA Standards for Menthol Cigarettes Finalized

Antonio Ray Harvey, California Black MediaAugust 25, 2022

Last year, a version of the ordinance that exempted menthol cigarettes was opposed by Black council members Mark Ridley-Thomas, Marqueece Harris Dawson and Curren Price. They argued that studies have found Black Americans are the racial/ethnic group most likely to use menthol cigarettes and are 25 times more likely than White Americans to do so.

Monkeypox Health Crisis: How California is Responding
Health

Monkeypox Health Crisis: How California is Responding

Tanu Henry, California Black MediaAugust 11, 2022

As the monkeypox virus outbreak spreads across the globe, Gov. Gavin Newsom says California will need to galvanize “forces” across regions and relax some state regulations and statutes to combat a disease that poses a threat greater than local authorities may be able to respond to effectively.

Groups Uniting to Oppose Landmark California Mental Health Legislation
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Groups Uniting to Oppose Landmark California Mental Health Legislation

Aldon Thomas Stiles, California Black MediaJune 23, 2022

Senate Bill (SB) 1338, also known as the CARE Court Program, is attracting growing resistance as it makes its way through the legislative process. Some legal advocacy and civil rights groups say the law would negatively Blacks and other minorities.

Advocates Pressure Gov. Newsom to Fund Health Equity, Racial Justice in Final Budget
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Advocates Pressure Gov. Newsom to Fund Health Equity, Racial Justice in Final Budget

Edward Henderson, California Black MediaJune 16, 2022

The initiative supports community-based organizations addressing the underlying social, environmental and economic factors that limit people’s opportunities to be healthy — such as poverty, violence and trauma, environmental hazards, and access to affordable housing and healthy food. Health advocates would also address longstanding California problems related to health equity and racial justice problems.

Four California Criminal Justice Reform Laws That Took Effect This Year
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Four California Criminal Justice Reform Laws That Took Effect This Year

Aldon Thomas Stiles, California Black MediaJune 9, 2022

Two weeks ago, President Joe Biden signed a federal policing accountability executive order based on the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021 authored by Rep. Karen Bass (D-CA-37). That action supplements other criminal justice reforms affecting Californians that took place this year. Several other criminal justice reforms at the state level went into effect in January.

Domestic Violence Orgs Request Prevention Funding in Final Budget
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Domestic Violence Orgs Request Prevention Funding in Final Budget

Edward Henderson, California Black MediaJune 9, 2022

Last month, Gov. Gavin Newsom released his May Revise of the state budget. Included in the whopping $300.6 billion budget proposal are generous allocations to fund initiatives in health, higher education, public safety, and other areas.