Event Description

What does 2022 have in store for public policy in California?

As we enter the third year of the COVID pandemic, relief and stimulus funds continue to flow from state and federal coffers. New redistricting lines are reshaping legislatures as lawmakers introduce bills that will impact the social sector.

The 2022 legislative session is in full swing, and the Governor’s proposed budget outlines new investments to respond to many of the pressing issues Californians face and nonprofits address, including housing, behavioral health, early childhood education, emergency response, and many others. The budget includes more resources for the CA Small Business (and Nonprofit) COVID-19 Relief Grant Program and for a new Office of Community Partnerships. What do the legislative session and the proposed budget mean for California’s social sector?

We invite you to join your fellow California nonprofits and funders to explore:

  • What does the Governor’s proposed budget say about the State’s approach to supporting and partnering with our sector? How is the legislature responding to his proposed budget? What is the Gann Limit and why does it matter?
  • Which bills could have the biggest impact on your work?
  • How can you find, track, and influence bills that will affect your organization?
  • How can your organization advocate for your community through the state’s legislative and budgetary processes?

The California Policy Forum is a partnership of CalNonprofits, Philanthropy California (Catalyst of San Diego & Imperial Counties, Northern California Grantmakers, and Southern California Grantmakers), and the League of California Community Foundations. The California Policy Forum provides a platform to bring together the voice of nonprofits and philanthropy in our state and amplifies the sector's significance and priorities to policymakers and experts.

You can find recordings from previous California Policy Forum webinars here.

Speakers

Profile photo of Jennifer Fearing

Jennifer Fearing

Principal, Fearless Advocacy, Sacramento-Based Advocate for CalNonprofits

Jennifer Fearing opened Fearless Advocacy -- a Sacramento-based advocacy firm specializing in advancing the policy agendas of mission-based and cause-oriented organizations -- in November 2014, after serving for six years as the lead state advocate for a major national nonprofit advocacy organization. Jennifer has helped pursue more than one hundred positive state and local legislative and regulatory outcomes and has led - with creativity and tenacity - many high-profile successes. She maintains deep relationships and broad networks with key decisionmakers in the legislature, the executive branch and with key stakeholders. Jennifer has led efforts to recruit and activate citizen advocates, developed a new legislative caucus, prepared multiple voter scorecards, produced myriad lobby days, and helped with the formation of a new Assembly select committee on the nonprofit sector.
Profile photo of Julian Y. Cuevas

Julian Cuevas

Director of Policy & Governmental Affairs, Inland Empire Community Foundation

Julian is an executive level government, nonprofit, and community relations professional with experience in federal, state and local government advocacy. In 2013, he joined the Hispanic Foundation of Silicon Valley as the Education Programs Manager, and later the Director of Education Programs, where his work primarily focused on developing and implementing equitable education interventions, including family engagement, in partnership with local school districts. In 2015, his work was recognized by The White House for the development of the Latinos In Technology Initiative; an effort designed to help students get to and through college, and address the lack of diversity within the hi-tech industry.

In 2017, Julian was appointed as the Legislative Policy Representative at the California Department of Education by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction. In this role, his policy portfolio included early childhood education, curriculum, and state standards. He was later appointed to Director of Government Affairs in 2019 where he oversaw the legislative and budget priorities impacting California’s 6 million students and 300,000 teachers. He now sits as the Director of Policy & Governmental Affairs for the Inland Empire Community Foundation where he is leading the development and implementation of strategically lifting community voices around regional policy and budget priorities that include education equity, inclusive economic development, housing, health, and environment. Work that has since been recognized by the California State Legislature.

Julian was elected to the Board of Trustees of the Dixon Unified School District in 2022. He received his bachelors degree from the University of California San Diego in Political Science/American Politics and his masters degree from American University in Public Administration and Policy. Julian and his wife, Jessica, a Speech Language Pathologist, live in Dixon and have 3 children, Mateo, Sofia, and Camila.
Mary Collins profile photo

Mary Collins

Program Manager, Just Transition

Esi Hutchful profile photo

Esi Hutchful

Policy Analyst, California Budget & Policy Center

Esi Hutchful, Policy Analyst, supports the Budget Center’s work by conducting research, writing, and presenting on how the social safety net serves Californians, particularly through cash assistance. She also researches the racial wealth gap in California. Through her analyses, Esi develops recommendations for state policies that strengthen the safety net, ensure economic security, and help create a more equitable California.

Presented By

Related Events

View More