Elevate the 28th Newsletter – Oct/Nov Issue

Greetings Neighbor, 

I’m pleased to welcome you to our latest issue ⸺ a space where you can stay connected and informed about what’s happening in Sacramento and communities across our district.

In this issue, you’ll read about my progressive bill package that was recently signed by the Governor. You’ll also get a glimpse of our spectacular Hispanic Heritage Month event as well as our participation in this year’s Taste of Soul Family Festival.

We encourage you to reach out to our District or Capitol staff for assistance with accessing state services. Feel free to visit our website to get more updates, submit scheduling requests or read our recent media coverage.

Together, we’re making progress, and I’m excited for our path ahead. 

Warm Regards, 

Lola Smallwood-Cuevas
Senator, 28th District

Governor Gavin Newsom has signed my progressive bill package that empowers California’s workers, safeguards youth, and fosters revitalization in underserved communities.

My signed legislative package represents my commitment to better protecting our most vulnerable populations across our state. By addressing critical issues affecting working families, youth and underserved communities, we are creating a brighter future that all Californians deserve.

Here’s a list of my bills that were signed: 

• SB 1484 – Child Protection in Juvenile Courts
  Protects California’s children by completely limiting the juvenile court’s jurisdiction in cases involving youth under age 12.
• SB 1340 – Localizing Civil Rights Enforcement
  Gives a voice to all Californians who encounter discrimination by empowering them to file complaints within their own local regions.
• SB 1137 – Intersectionality in Anti-Discrimination Law
  Makes California the first state in the nation to recognize intersectionality (e.g., discrimination based on race and gender) within anti-discrimination laws.
• SB 1089 – Grocery Stores & Pharmacies to Provide Notice Before Closures
  Requires grocery stores and pharmacies to give notice about closures, and ensure that workers and surrounding communities have access to supportive information, such as employment resources, food supply sources, and prescription transfers.
• SB 572 – EDD Building Surplus Property
  Gives a community land trust preferential solicitation for their proposal on an unused state EDD building in the Crenshaw corridor to redevelop the property as an affordable housing or social housing model.

The California State Senate is seeking new Capital Fellows to start in Fall 2025! The Capital Fellows Programs are nationally recognized public policy fellowships that offer unique experiences in policy-making and development in each branch of California’s state government.

Capital Fellows spend 10-11 months as paid, full-time employees working in a Legislative, Executive or Judicial Branch office. Capital Fellows are placed at some of the highest levels of California state government and assist state legislators, senior-level executive staff, and court administrators with a broad range of public policy issues and projects, and are typically given assignments with a significant amount of responsibility and challenges.

All Fellows receive:
• Paid, full-time employment, as well as medical, dental and vision benefits
• One-time moving allowance of $875 (non-taxable)
• Paid university enrollment and earn six graduate units
• Student loan deferment and
• Upon successful completion of the fellowship, a Graduate Certificate in Applied Policy and Government

To apply, please submit an application no later than December 8 by clicking here: Senate Fellowship Program - Center for California Studies

It was a joy greeting the hundreds of folks who came out to our very first Annual Hispanic Heritage Month Community Festival! Held in October at the beautiful grounds of South Park Recreation Center, the event brought together South LA residents and their families to celebrate the rich heritage and culture of the Latinx community.

The crowd was treated to a live showcase of dance, musical and theatrical performances and could visit 25 booths to receive free resources, food, and arts and crafts. During the festival, the South Central Neighborhood Council was recognized for their dedicated community service.

Special thanks to our event co-host LA City Councilman Curren Price Jr. as well as our event sponsors ⸺ South Central Family Health Center and the Coalition for Responsible Community Development ⸺ for helping us make this cultural celebration possible!

It was fabulous to see the hundreds of thousands of attendees who came out to celebrate the recent Taste of Soul Family Festival! From the delicious food to the amazing vendors to the soulful performances, the annual festival was truly a celebration of community unity. 

Our SD 28 booth was one of the multitude of booths displayed along the Crenshaw corridor during the daylong event. Our district team engaged with attendees, provided resource materials, and addressed their questions.

Taste of Soul is more than a festival ⸺ it’s a powerful platform for building community unity, connecting with local leadership, and celebrating Black culture in South Los Angeles. We look forward to our participation in next year’s event!