We’ve just officially ended our 2022-23 legislative session! I’m amazed at what we’ve been able to accomplish during our first year in Sacramento. My bill package to better protect working families was passed, and my district staff and I have had the pleasure of meeting many of you over the year.
In this issue, you’ll read about the passage of legislation that I introduced to empower and protect workers across our state. You’ll also learn how I spent Labor Day standing in solidarity with frontline workers and labor leaders. In my District Update, I’ve highlighted a couple of district events that do a tremendous job at uniting our communities.
As always, feel free reach out to our District or Capitol staff with any questions or assistance with accessing state services. And you’re welcome to submit your inquiries or requests by visiting our website here.
Warm Regards,
Lola Smallwood-Cuevas
Senator, 28th District
Transformative Bills on Way to Governor’s Desk
The State Legislature has passed a package of transformative bills that I introduced this year and are now headed to the Governor’s desk! Shout out to all of our bill sponsors, town hall attendees and oversight hearing advocates who showed up, called in and emailed letters in support of our bills. Your commitment made it possible to get these bills over the finish line. Together, we are building a New Moral Majority for justice and opportunity that turns our economy right side up and creates a better future that the 28th District and all Californians deserve.
Here are my bills that are ready for the Governor’s signature:
SB 497 creates a rebuttable presumption that retaliation occurred when the employer punishes or terminates a worker within 90 days of the worker’s complaint of wage theft or unequal pay.
SB 521 requires a “good cause” exemption from CalWORKs sanctions imposed on pregnant, parenting and lactating students who are not being adequately accommodated under Title IX.
SB 627 requires large chain employers to give advance notice to workers so they can prepare for a store closure. Also requires employers to give transfer rights to workers at the closed store for any job that becomes open at a chain location within 25 miles.
SB 725 requires a grocery establishment that conducts a mass layoff due to a merger or acquisition to provide their workers with at least one week of severance pay for every year of service.
SB 749 allows counties to use Proposition 47’s original more streamlined process for qualified individuals to file petitions to seek records reclassification or resentencing that lapsed this past year.
Marching with Workers on Labor Day
On Labor Day, I stood side-by-side with thousands of workers and leaders in the labor movement! I started off the morning marching with SEIU-UHW and the Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions in their stand for a better, more equitable healthcare industry that patients and healthcare workers deserve.
Then I headed to Wilmington to join the Los Angeles/Long Beach Harbor Labor Coalition at its 44th Annual Labor Day Parade & Picnic Rally to celebrate how the labor movement has helped build the middle class.
In Solidarity.
Celebrating Young Parents
What a beautiful time I had with young parents and their families last month for California Young Parents Day! The outdoor celebration was held by California Latinas for Reproductive Justice to uplift the needs and contributions of young parents and their children through a special day of recognition.
During the special event, I joined Rep. Sydney Kamlager and Senator Susan Rubio in greeting local young mothers and handing them certificates of recognition.
Young parents in our communities need our support – not shame and stigma. When young parents do well economically, socially and educationally, their children do better – and so do our communities.
Fiesta La Ballona Unites Culver City Community
It’s always great coming out to Fiesta La Ballona, Culver City’s annual three-day festival featuring entertainment, carnival rides and good food. While there’s so much to see, what’s best about Fiesta La Ballona is how it unites the community in such a way that residents get the opportunity to know their neighbors better.
To kick off the event, I appeared on stage at the festival’s opening ceremony to share remarks along with several other elected officials and community leaders. It was also a joy to visit many of the booths and festival organizers to thank them for their participation.
Engaged communities are a fundamental part of our social connections, as they help us feel a stronger sense of belonging. So I’m proud that this event continues to grow each year, and I look forward to the next festival!
