Political Playback: California Capitol News You Might Have Missed 

Bo Tefu and Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media
August 18, 2025

California to Mark 60th Anniversary of Voting Rights Act with Public Event in Sacramento

California Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber will host an event on Aug. 25 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 – landmark federal legislation that outlawed discriminatory voting practices and expanded ballot access nationwide.

The program will feature a panel discussion examining both the historic passage of the act and its modern-day impact on elections, with particular attention to California’s role in advancing voting rights. The event will also include a special exhibit curated by the California State Archives, a division of the Secretary of State’s office.

Organizers said the commemoration will provide an opportunity to reflect on how far the nation has come since 1965 while acknowledging that the work of ensuring equal access to the ballot continues.

Civic leaders, scholars, and community advocates are expected to attend.

The in-person gathering will be held from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the California Secretary of State Auditorium, 1500 11th St. in Sacramento.
Registration is open to the public at http://bit.ly/3IICCGh.

The Voting Rights Act, signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson, prohibited literacy tests, poll taxes, and other measures that suppressed voter participation, particularly among Black Americans in the South. Its enforcement provisions reshaped voting protections in states such as California, which later expanded access through reforms like early voting, same-day registration, and automatic voter registration.

This anniversary comes as several states have enacted new voting laws that critics say disenfranchise voters.

California officials, however, have reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining broad access to the polls, emphasizing that the principles of the 1965 law remain vital to democracy.
For additional information or to request assistance, email SOSOutreach@sos.ca.gov.

California Black Health Network to Spotlight Black Maternal Health in Sacramento Briefing

On Aug. 27, the California Black Health Network CBHN) will present a legislative briefing on the State of Black Maternal Health in California at the California Museum in Sacramento.

The event will run from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Hosted by the CBHN in partnership with the office of Sen. Akilah Weber Pierson (D-La Mesa), the event will feature medical professionals, legislative advocates and champions, and community leaders who will highlight relevant data, lived experiences, and policy solutions directed at eliminating maternal health disparities.

Panelists who will participate in the briefing include Sandra Poole, Health Policy advocate for the Western Center on Law and Poverty; Adjoa Jones, Chief Director of African American Infant and Maternal Mortality Prevention Initiative at L.A. County DPH; Brittany Chambers, Associate Professor for the Department of Human Ecology at the University of California at Davis; Palav Babaria, Deputy Director for California Department of Health Care Services; and Zea Malawa, Director of Expecting Justice.

According to CBHN, Black women are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than their White counterparts. The disparity is not due to biology, but systemic racism, inequitable access to care, and the chronic stress of navigating bias often faced when interacting with the healthcare system.

The event will spotlight current legislative efforts, identify gaps in maternal health equity, and offer a roadmap for policymakers, advocates, and providers to create meaningful change.

Organizers say the briefing is an opportunity to hear directly from birth workers, researchers, and community experts who are considered leading the charge for justice in maternal health.

California-Hawaii NAACP Enters Partnership With Black American-Owned African Coffee Company

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) California-Hawaii State Conference entered a transatlantic partnership with Roots Java to raise funds for local branches through the “Caffeinating the Cause” initiative.

Roots Java is a coffee brand, specifically focused on Rwandan coffee, created by the African Bean Company, which distributes high-quality coffee beans. About 20% of each bag goes towards the NAACP’s advocacy efforts.

The members of the Los Angeles Branch of the NAACP presented samples of Roots Java at its General Membership meeting on Aug. 17 at Westfield Culver City Mall.

According to President Latricia Mitchell, NAACP Los Angeles was selected out of six branches to beta test for the ongoing fundraising. African Bean Company is the first nationally certified, African American-owned coffee supply company providing national distribution.

Gov. Newsom’s Office Disputes Auditor Report on State Telework Savings
California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office pushed back Tuesday against a state auditor’s report that estimated keeping state employees remote for three days a week could save the state $225 million annually in real estate costs.

The report, issued by State Auditor Grant Parks, found that the state could reduce office space by roughly 30% across seven large buildings totaling 5.5 million square feet. The buildings include 455 Golden Gate Ave. in San Francisco, 1515 Clay St. in Oakland, one building in Los Angeles, and four in Sacramento.

Parks said the savings would not be achievable under Newsom’s March order requiring employees to return to the office four days per week, an increase from the two-day directive issued in 2024. Each worker under the four-day plan would need a dedicated workspace, limiting potential reductions in office space.

Newsom has delayed implementing the four-day order until next year while negotiating with worker unions.

Tara Gallegos, a spokesperson for the governor, said the report’s figures are inaccurate.

“This audit on state telework is not a scientific study, nor does it paint a complete picture of the state workforce or the benefits of working in person. While we appreciate the auditor’s time in collecting this information, we respectfully disagree with the auditor’s findings, which are based on estimates and as noted throughout the audit, hypothetical theories and incomplete information,” she said.

“While the auditor found potential cost savings, these calculations are based on estimates and require a set of assumptions that are unlikely to occur. We will take the audit’s recommendations into consideration, but the budget savings identified should be treated as hypothetical and incomplete,” Gallegos added.

The report also criticized the governor’s office for failing to gather data on office space needs and benefits of in-person work and noted that the Department of General Services had not provided guidance on evaluating telework effectiveness. It recommended the Legislature consider amending state law to allow certain jobs to work remotely three or more days per week, potentially reducing office space costs.

The state workers’ union SEIU Local 1000 opposes the four-day order. President Anica Wells said the report “confirms what we’ve been saying all along: telework works. It saves the state hundreds of millions of dollars, reduces traffic and pollution, and helps recruit and retain the best workers.”

As the debate over remote work continues, California policymakers, unions, and state agencies will weigh both cost savings and operational needs, balancing efficiency with workforce flexibility as they plan for the coming year.

California Leaders Join 2nd Annual Black August Commemoration Honoring Black Workers
California State Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (D-Los Angeles) and Assemblymember Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood) joined the Southern California Black Worker Hub for Regional Organizing’s 2nd Annual Black August Commemoration, a program that highlighted the legacy of Black resistance and the contributions of California’s Black workforce.

The event, held Aug. 13, featured remarks from both Smallwood-Cuevas and McKinnor, live cultural performances, worker testimonials, and community tributes. Organizers said the evening elevated the voices of Black workers while showcasing the Hub’s ongoing efforts to advance labor rights, reduce wage gaps, and combat systemic discrimination across Los Angeles, the Inland Empire, and San Diego.

Smallwood-Cuevas, co-founder of the Los Angeles Black Worker Center and a longtime labor organizer, spoke about the importance of honoring historical struggles while advocating for modern worker protections. Assemblymember McKinnor, an advocate for equity and inclusive economic policies, highlighted legislative efforts aimed at improving workplace fairness and opportunity.

Dawn Modkins, director of the Southern California Black Worker Hub for Regional Organizing, said the commemoration provided an important platform for recognizing the resilience and achievements of Black workers in the region. Cultural performers and community leaders contributed personal stories and tributes that underscored the ongoing impact of Black labor activism.

The event reflected broader initiatives across California to support economic inclusion, workplace equity, and social justice. By spotlighting both historical and current challenges faced by Black workers, organizers hoped to inspire community engagement and policy solutions that strengthened protections and opportunities for underserved communities.

The program drew activists, labor organizers, elected officials, and community members, all gathering to celebrate the contributions and persistence of Black workers while advocating for systemic change.