(CBM) – Last week, Assemblymember David Chiu (D-San Francisco) introduced the Economic Equity First Act of 2021, also known as Assembly Bill 915. The legislation is proposing measures to ensure fair opportunities for minority-owned small businesses in state contracting and procurement.
Under AB 915, all state agencies, departments, boards, and commissions would be mandated to achieve a minimum goal of 25% participation for minority businesses, which include Black-owned, women-owned and disabled veteran-owned firms in state procurement and contracts.
“Our small businesses, particularly minority-owned small businesses, have been hit especially hard by the pandemic,” said Assemblymember David Chiu (D-San Francisco). “This bill uses the state’s enormous purchasing power to help uplift our small businesses when they need it most.”
A group of Democratic state lawmakers introduced legislation Friday to create a single-payer health care system to cover all Californians, immediately defining the biggest health policy debate of the year and putting enormous political pressure on Gov. Gavin Newsom.
(AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (CN) Still sparring with lawmakers and unions over school reopening plans, California Governor Gavin Newsom said Friday the state will nonetheless start reserving 10% of future Covid-19 vaccines for teachers and child care workers.
Beginning March 1, a minimum of 75,000 doses will be reserved for employees at school districts prepping to resume in-person instruction as infections and hospitalizations continue to decline across the Golden State. While most counties are already prioritizing teachers for vaccinations, Newsom said the mandate is necessary to speed up the reopening process.
“There’s momentum on reopening schools, and I want to continue seeing that momentum,” Newsom said from a vaccination site in Oakland. “That’s why we’re setting aside 10% of new first dose allocations for our teachers.”
Governor Newsom and legislative leaders announce COVID relief payments for low-income Californians - State of Reform stateofreform.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from stateofreform.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Millions of low-income Californians will receive $600 checks if the California Legislature approves plans to spend $9.6 billion in new pandemic relief.