Elevate the 28th May Recap Newsletter
WELCOME
Greetings Neighbor,
Welcome to the latest edition of our newsletter! As always, it’s my privilege to connect with you to share the latest updates about our work at the Capitol and across our district.
Over the past few weeks, we’ve made significant strides on important legislation that you’ll learn about in this issue. You’ll also get a glimpse of some of the wonderful district events that we’ve recently participated in.
Your feedback and engagement are valuable to us. Please reach our District or Capitol staff if you need assistance with accessing state services. Also feel free to visit our website to get more updates, submit scheduling requests or read our recent media coverage.
Warm Regards,
Lola Smallwood-Cuevas
Senator, 28th District
Pivotal Legislation Passes in Senate
I’m pleased to share that this month the Senate passed a number of our bills that will impact the lives of residents in our district and across the state. These bills are now headed to the Assembly for their vote, so your input and engagement are more important than ever. I encourage you to reach out to legislators in Sacramento to voice your support of our bill package. Also feel free to reach my Capitol or District Offices with any questions or comments. Together, we can ensure that the legislation we pass reflects our shared values and priorities.
SB 1067 – Expedited Licensure Process for Healing Arts Professionals
Expedites licensure for the healing arts boards for practitioners who intend to work in a medically underserved area.
Huge thanks to our bill sponsor CA Primary Care Association.
SB 1089 – Grocery Stores & Pharmacies to Provide Notice Before Closures
Requires grocery stores and pharmacies to give 60-day notice about closures to surrounding communities while providing employees with unemployment services information.
Sincere appreciation for our bill sponsor UFCW.
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.
In gratitude to our bill sponsors CA Employment Lawyers Association, Equal Rights Advocates, and Legal Aid at Work.
SB 1340 – Local Civil Rights Enforcement & Equitable Hiring Compliance
Authorizes the state’s Civil Rights Department to strategically partner with local agencies to address discrimination complaints. Also requires state-funded contractors to comply with equitable hiring and reporting measures.
Special thanks to our bill sponsor Southern California Black Worker Hub.
SB 1446 – Retail Theft Prevention and Safe Staffing Act
Creates regulations on self-checkout stations in large grocery and drug retail stores.
Big thanks to our bill sponsors CA Labor Federation, CA Prosecutor’s Alliance, and UFCW.
SB 1484 – Child Protections from Court Appearances
Protects California’s children under 12 from appearing in informal juvenile or traffic court.
Deep appreciation for our bill sponsor, Office of the State Attorney General.
(From top left, clockwise: Our bill sponsors and witnesses pictured at the State Capitol represent SB 1067; SB 1089; SB 1137; SB 1484; and SB 1340.)
Westside Neighbors Gather for Pick Pico Street Fair
We had an amazing time visiting the Pick Pico Street Fair held in May. Now in its 10th year, the annual street fair drew thousands of Westside neighbors who came out to enjoy the event’s festivities and local culture.
Pick Pico featured about 150 booths that lined the streets while a center stage presented local artists. The event booths represented Westside businesses, nonprofits, regional leadership and schools.
Special thanks to the Westside Neighborhood Council for bringing together our community members for this engaging event. Let’s continue to support our local businesses and each other.
South LA Café Hosts Mental Health Block Party
It was a joy greeting local community members and leaders at South LA Café’s Mental Health Block Party held during the Memorial Day weekend. The community event was organized in celebration of Mental Health Awareness Month.
South LA Café provides a great community space and health food options to our South LA neighbors. Through their South LA Community Foundation, they distribute free grocery bags weekly to local residents in need.
South LA Café also runs the Café Academy that aims to train, hire and promote people of color.
CalWORKs Students Celebrated at Mother’s Day Event
In recognition of the hardworking student mothers putting themselves through school, we hosted a special Mother’s Day Paint & Lunch event for local CalWORKs students. CalWORKs is a statewide program that provides services to low-income families in need.
Held at West LA College in our district, the event treated CalWORKs student mothers and their families to a delicious lunch and fun painting tutorial session. Following the painting lesson, the students gathered on a scenic patio to display their art for a group photo.
Also during the event, we shared that my bill SB 521 – that provides campus protections for pregnant and parenting CalWORKs students – was signed into law last year.
