WSSN Stories

By Tanu Henry and Joe W. Bowers Jr. | California Black Media  

Speaking in Las Vegas on Jan. 27, Vice President Kamala Harris announced a forthcoming federal rule that will extend access to Small Business Administration (SBA) loans to Americans who have been convicted of felonies but have served their time.

Small business owners typically apply for the SBA loans to start or sustain their businesses.

Harris thanked U.S. Rep. Steven Horsford (D-NV-04), the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, for the work he has done in Washington to support small businesses and to invest in people.

“He and I spent some time this afternoon with business leaders and small business leaders here in Nevada. The work you have been doing to invest in community and to invest in the ambition and natural capacity of communities has been exceptional,” Harris said, speaking to a crowd of a few hundred people at the Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Hall in East Las Vegas.

On her daylong trip, Harris was joined by Horford, SBA Administrator Isabella Guzman, Interim Under Secretary of Commerce for Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Eric Morrissette, and Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev).

“Formerly incarcerated individuals face significant barriers to economic opportunity once they leave prison and return to the community, with an unemployment rate among the population of more than 27%,” the White House press release continued.  “Today’s announcement builds on the Vice President’s work to increase access to capital. Research finds that entrepreneurship can reduce recidivism for unemployed formerly incarcerated individuals by as much as 30%.”

By Lou K. Coleman

I want to live and just worry about my everyday life. Well, you go right ahead Boo, Boo. Just know that you will have no one to blame but yourself. For the Bible makes it clear that men are responsible for how they respond to warnings. If you choose not to take interest in the way of escape, then you, and you alone, are responsible for your judgment. The choice is yours. But as a watchman, my job is to warn, that’s it and that’s all.

I have been given a very specific call. And it carries with it great consequences. Those consequences can be God honoring or can bring about death and eternal punishment. For I am reminded in [Ezekiel 33: 1-7] that, if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, and the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will be require at the watchman’s hand.” Well not on my watch! As God said to Joel, “Blow the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm….” You are hearing the sound of the trumpet blowing! Flee for safety without delay! [Jeremiah 4:5-6]. For we are standing on the threshold of great and solemn events. Many of the prophecies are about to be fulfilled in quick succession. No time to waste. Heed the warnings from God! Because past history will be repeated; old controversies will arouse to new life, and peril will beset God’s people on every side…Study Revelation in connection with Daniel, for history will be repeated…. Satan will employ the same policy, manifest the same spirit and work for the same end, as in all receding ages. Except that the coming struggle will be marked with a terrible intensity such as the world has never witnessed. As the Belarusian President said recently: the world is sounding the warning that time is running out for humanity. Do not be a despiser of warning. “Who can I speak to? Who will listen to my warning?” [Jeremiah 6:10].

They failed to listen to the warnings, and tragedies that might have been averted were not.

By Tanu Henry | California Black Media

The Hon. Margaret Richards-Bowers, 70, a retired registered nurse, community advocate, and former President of the Inglewood Unified School District (IUSD) Board of Education, passed away on Jan.16, 2024, following a prolonged illness.

Born on April 15, 1953, in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, an island nation in the eastern Caribbean, Margaret Mundus Richards was the eldest of seven children born to Vernon Richards and Enid Banfield Richards.

Richards-Bowers graduated from the prestigious St. Vincent Girls’ High School, where she served as class prefect in her senior year, a role held in high regard and viewed as second only to a teacher in terms of authority and respect. She was the first runner-up in the Miss St. Vincent Teenager contest, and she had the honor of having tea with the late Queen Elizabeth II of England.

In 1972, Richards-Bowers moved to Los Angeles. She worked part-time while studying for an Associate of Arts Degree in Nursing at East Los Angeles College. She later earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Service Management from the University of La Verne in Los Angeles County. Although she had interests in acting and singing, she chose a career in nursing for its stability. However, notably, she played a crucial role in the formation of the Pan African Film & Arts Festival, according to Ayuko Babu, the festival’s Executive Director.

“Margaret’s unique perspective, stemming from her Caribbean roots in St. Vincent, and her Los Angeles experiences enriched the festival’s Pan African outlook. Her contributions were pivotal to the festival’s development and will always be cherished,” Babu said.

After becoming a Registered Nurse, Richards-Bowers began her career as Nurse Manager at Pico Psychiatric Medical Clinic. She later joined Daniel Freeman Memorial Hospital in Inglewood, where she served in various roles, including Staff Registered Nurse in the Oncology Unit and Charge Nurse in the Coronary Care Unit. In 1990, she joined Kaiser Permanente, West Los Angeles, serving as a Staff Registered Nurse and Relief Charge Nurse in the Urgent Care Clinic.

While at Kaiser, Richards-Bowers served as the Chairperson of the Employee Congress Committee. She authored the committee’s mission statement and initiated “The Culture of Courtesy” program that promoted an environment of courtesy and respect. In 1998, Richards-Bowers left Kaiser to focus on raising her sons.

Richards-Bowers was deeply involved in volunteer activities. She served as a member of the Los Angeles County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), the Sheriff’s Community Advisory Committee and as a volunteer deputy at the Ladera Heights Sheriff Community Service Center. She was a director and Vice-President of the Ladera Heights Civil Association in unincorporated LA County, and was a member of the Tuskegee Airmen, Inc., and the National Council of Negro Women.

Richards-Bowers was a community health advocate and Board member of the Citizens Coalition for a Safe Community. She testified before the LA County Planning Commission on the Inglewood Oil Field Community Standards District. She also advocated for environmental considerations and community involvement in a school construction project before the IUSD School Board.

Richards-Bowers, who became a U.S. Citizen in 1996, was deeply involved in political activism even before she could vote. She helped elect local and national candidates that shared her values, like Mervyn Dymally, a fellow Caribbean immigrant, to Congress. Eventually, she became a deputy registrar of voters.

Richards-Bowers participated in several campaigns for former LA Police Chief and City Councilman Bernard Parks who admired her dedication, saying, “Margaret channeled her unwavering political passion into tangible actions. Her journey from grassroots campaigning to becoming a national delegate is a testament to her relentless advocacy. Her legacy will continue to inspire us.”

Furthermore, Richards-Bowers was a member of the New Frontier and Culver City Democratic Clubs, the National Women’s Political Caucus’ South Bay Chapter, and Organizing for America. In 2008, she served in various roles for the Obama for America Campaign, including Precinct Captain, and Volunteer and Resource Coordinator for the 33rd Congressional District. She was elected as a District Delegate for the 2008 Democratic National Convention held in Denver. She had the unique privilege of engaging in conversations with Presidents Clinton and Obama.

Richards-Bowers was a passionate advocate for public education. She held leadership roles, including Co-President of the Frank D. Parent School PTA, and was a member of the IUSD Budget Advisory Committee and Measure GG Bond Committee, which secured $90 million for school facility improvements. She co-founded the Education Equity Coalition when IUSD went into state receivership and advocated for an audit of district management, appearing before the State Legislature twice until the audit was approved.

Richards-Bowers also sought to effect change through elected office. Although her first attempt to join the IUSD School Board was unsuccessful, she persevered and won a seat, eventually serving as President of the Board. Unfortunately, health issues prevented her from running for re-election.

According to current IUSD Board President, Dr. Carliss McGhee, “Margaret Richards-Bowers was my soulmate on the Inglewood school board. Her tireless dedication, love for students, and her spirit and tenacity for progress in education reflect her genuine commitment to ensuring a brighter future for the students she served. Her absence will be felt, and she will be sorely missed.”

Richards-Bowers was not only a dedicated professional and community advocate, but also a published poet, runner, music enthusiast, and an art aficionado.

Richards-Bowers leaves behind a loving family. She is survived by her husband of 37 years, Joe William Bowers Jr., eldest son Shawki Haffar Jr., son Jason Takao Bowers and his wife Roslyn, and cherished grandchildren, Wolfgang and Sachiko. She is also survived by sisters Merlyn, Bernadette, and Jacqueline, and brothers Robert, Leon, Bernard, and Claudon.

The funeral for Richards-Bowers is scheduled for Feb. 5 at the Holy Cross Mortuary, located at 5835 West Slauson Ave, Culver City, CA 90230. The viewing will start at 10:30 AM, followed by services from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM.

By Rev. Dr. Barbara Reynolds

Not another King dying far too soon. This was the immediate reaction of many at the news that Dexter Scott King, the youngest son of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King had died from prostate cancer at age 62. In 2007 his sister Yolanda died at age 52.

At the time of his death, Dexter had served as both chairman of The King Center and President of the King Estate. In that capacity he engaged in legal intellectual property fights with corporations, federal agencies, and court suits with family members to protect his parents’ legacy. His strongest crusade, however, was his battle to bring to justice those responsible for his father’s murder.

Born in Atlanta on Jan. 30, 1961, he was named after Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama, where his father served in his first pastorate and helped launch the famous Montgomery Bus Boycott. He was the second-born son of Dr. King and Mrs. King and was only 7 years old when his father was assassinated in Memphis on April 4, 1968.

For years, Dexter King—who has an amazing resemblance to his globally acclaimed father, confessed that when he “looked in the mirror he saw his father’s face trapped in mine.” In his memoir “Growing Up King,” he spoke of gazing upon the writing on his father’s crypt, “Free At Last,” and feeling that same sense of freedom. Yet he was freed in a different way- not in death – but in the resolution of living his best life on his own terms and not becoming a prisoner of the King name.

As a journalist and later biographer of Coretta Scott King, I was in and out of the King household since the seventies watching their becoming years. As a teenager Dexter used to love talking about one day becoming a businessman and he started his first enterprise, a music company where he hired himself out as a disk jockey for weddings. In later years, his zest for business skills took root at the King Center, where he sometimes took the reins of the King Center with his siblings helping it to become a Beloved world house of peace and non-violence.

Coretta King said all four siblings—Martin III, Yolanda, Dexter, and Bernice had inherited specific qualities from her and their father. Yolanda had a love for the performing arts and became an actress. Martin III, a social justice activist; Bernice, a Call to ministry and pastoral and organizational leadership; and Dexter, a drive to master the complexities of life by pushing forward, overcoming the most difficult problems, even when at the very root he had to overcome himself.

Confronted with the fear of death, instead of running from it, he freed himself by running into it. At age 16, he started working at a funeral home, the same one that buried his father. The experiences in the mortuary he attributed to his quest to come to terms with death and dying. To understand the intricacies of the criminal justice system, in 1982, for a short spell, he became a police officer in Atlanta. His stance to wear a uniform with a sidearm shocked the principled non-violent, anti-gun workers at the King Center. But he was determined to understand the system from the inside out.

Dexter also wanted to test his acting abilities. With his uncanny resemblance to his father, he portrayed him in the 2002 television movie “The Rosa Parks Story.” His love for the creative arts drew him to relocate to California but he also continued his work with the King Center and commitment to the King family legacy,

As deftly as he helped free himself from fear and tradition, he also took responsibility for freeing his family, especially his mother, from digging their graves with their forks.  He became a strict vegetarian, giving up sugars and starches until his body craved natural foods. He said he was bothered that his grandfather, Daddy King, might have lived a longer life had he eaten differently. At her son’s insistence, Coretta, who had mastered the art of rich Southern style cooking, became a vegetarian. Once when I traveled with her to a Florida spa, I was dismayed that for a week, they served nothing but raw vegetables and veggie smoothies. Yet, she also believed her strict regimen eased her pain from gout and other discomforts prolonging her life. She died at the age of 78.

Both mother and son shared an intense determination to prove to the nation that James Earl Ray did not kill Martin Luther King Jr, that his murder was the result of a conspiracy involving the U.S. government and the assassins should be held accountable.

In the early 1990’s I picked Dexter up at the DC airport and took him to the National Press Club where I had helped arrange a briefing on the assassination. He spoke about his plans to meet with Ray and that he believed Ray’s claim of innocence and, based on other evidence, felt along with other family members that Ray was not the lone assassin.

On December 8, 1999, Dexter and Mrs. King, on behalf of the family, pursued a civil suit in Memphis. A jury of six Whites and six Blacks unanimously implicated U.S. government agencies in the wrongful death of Dr. King. The shocking evidence convinced the jury that Dr. King had been the victim of assassination by a conspiracy involving the Memphis Police Department as well as local, state, and federal government agencies, and the Mafia. The Jury also concluded, just as Dexter had argued all along, that Ray was not the shooter, but had been set up as a patsy to take the blame.

This news, where both Dexter and Mrs. King testified, should have rocked the world, but unfortunately it landed like the noise of a feather hitting the ground. The verdict and shocking testimony were virtually ignored by the media – as it is today.

Dexter was often criticized for his insistence on following up on details ignored by the press, but he argued that it was hard for him to believe looking into his father’s murder was somehow illogical.

Yet, even in this failure, Dexter believed as his mother did, that they had both freed themselves of the guilt of not pushing for the truth. So many times, they had heard their father and husband say, “Truth crushed to Earth Shall Rise Again.”

And they left this world believing that one day it would.

The Rev. Dr. Barbara Reynolds is co-author of the memoir, Coretta Scott King: My Life, My Love, My Legacy. 

By Congresswoman Barbara Lee | Special to California Black Media Partners

In the words of W. E. B. Du Bois, a trailblazer in the founding of the NAACP, “The power of the ballot we need in sheer self-defense — else what shall save us from a second slavery? Freedom, too, the long-sought, we still seek — the freedom of life and limb, the freedom to work and think, the freedom to love and aspire.”

These profound sentiments have been a guiding force throughout my journey, one that has taken me from an elected official in the California State Legislature to a member of Congress proudly representing the 12th Congressional District, to my current candidacy for the U.S. Senate. The NAACP’s commitment to justice and equality has been a constant influence, shaping my perspective on democracy and inspiring me to champion these principles at every stage of my career.

Born and raised in El Paso, Texas, the roots of my connection to the NAACP run deep. My late mother, Mildred Parish Massey, was a trailblazer herself, named as one of the first 12 students in the NAACP lawsuit to integrate Texas Western College, now known as the University of Texas at El Paso. My grandfather W.C. Parish was the first African American letter carrier in El Paso. He spoke fluent Spanish in order to better serve his community and was an active member of the NAACP.

Even as my family moved to the seemingly progressive San Fernando Valley in Southern California, the specter of racism persisted. High school, supposed to be a time of joy and growth, became a battleground for fairness. Seeking to become a cheerleader, I encountered an unfair selection process that excluded Black and Brown girls. Here, the NAACP once again intervened, successfully advocating for a policy change, shifting from a selection process to an election. Winning that election at the age of 15 marked my first tangible encounter with the transformative power of democracy. It was a victory not just for Black girls but for all, breaking down barriers and fostering inclusivity.

Just as my former intern and a former student in the Oakland branch of the NAACP’s ACT-SO program, Tennessee State Representative Justin Jones, continues to lift up the legacy of the NAACP, so do many young people. They stand up, make their voices heard, register to vote, run for office, and work to secure our planet for the next generation. The NAACP’s legacy lives on, inspiring a new generation to carry the torch of justice, equality, and democratic values forward.

The documentary, “Barbara Lee Speaks for Me,” created by filmmaker Abby Ginzberg, became an unexpected testament to my journey. Initially hesitant to participate due to my ceaseless commitment to serving constituents, Californians, and our planet, the documentary went on to win multiple awards, including the NAACP’s Best Documentary Film in 2022.

Our democracy is fragile. The January 6th attempted coup of our government threatened the peaceful transfer of power. We withstood this test and prevailed, but let me tell you how I personally experienced that day where five people died and many more were injured, including 138 Capitol Police Officers. Our brave officers fought the protestors to save lives. This included Black officers who were called the “N” word, spat upon, and treated in a manner that was bigoted, racist, and disgusting. Yet they stood up and fought to save our democracy.

I was sitting in the House Chambers, when we barely escaped. We went to the undisclosed location, in the midst of COVID, where many Republicans refused to wear a mask and several contracted this illness. Some Republicans, who would later vote against certifying the election of President Joe Biden, had the nerve to pray out loud. In the early morning, we returned to the Capitol when told it was safe. I was determined to stay until the end to witness the peaceful transfer of power. Tensions were high. Two members, a Republican and a Democratic Congressional Black Caucus member, almost threw hands and had to be restrained. The good news is–though the peaceful transfer of power was almost thwarted–our democracy survived. The House voted to certify Joe Biden as President and Kamala Harris, the first African American, the first Indian American, first woman—and yes—the first from Oakland, as our Vice President.

The trauma of that day was very real. That following weekend, I decided to stay in Washington, DC. I collect writing pens as a hobby and have a wonderful collection of about 400. To try and process my trauma, I wrote my name 400 times using my pens while listening to songs of empowerment. I found comfort in the music of Nina Simone, Sarah Vaughn, and Beyonce?. I was inspired and uplifted. Our community is accustomed to finding comfort in moments of extreme trauma. I knew I had to do more.

When the NAACP approached me to be a plaintiff in their lawsuit holding Donald Trump, the Oath Keepers, the Proud Boys, and Rudy Giuliani accountable for the attempted overthrow of our democracy, I enthusiastically said “YES!” Mind you, this was before the January 6th Committee had been formed. My colleague Congressman Bennie Thompson was initially the lead plaintiff, but once he became Chair of the January 6th committee, I was asked to take over.

In a pivotal moment, a federal appeals court decision now allows civil lawsuits against Donald Trump related to the Capitol riot — a significant step in upholding our freedoms. This decision represents a victory for accountability and a testament to the robustness of our democratic institutions. Simultaneously, the American Women Quarters Program, a result of my legislation, will feature Ida B. Wells on quarters in 2025—a fitting tribute to one of the founders of the NAACP and a pioneering journalist and anti-lynching activist.

As we navigate these challenges, the NAACP continues to be my North Star and, as a woman of faith, I say God always steps in right on time in my life, ordering my steps in his ways. I am grateful for the NAACP and grateful for the impact it’s had on all our lives.

About the Author

Congresswoman Barbara Lee has been representing California’s 12th District (formerly 13th) since 1998. She is the highest ranking African American woman appointed to Democratic Leadership, serving as Co-Chair of the Policy and Steering Committee. She also serves on the Budget Committee and the powerful Appropriations Committee, which oversees all federal government spending.

By Lou K. Coleman

And you are going about business as usual. Wake up and pay attention! For we are not on the ‘Brink’ of WWIII. We’re in It. Russia, China, and Iran are openly at war with the United States. And although this is not an all-out war but a decentralized one, do not be fool, soon, and very soon things are going to be full blown and the impact of the upheaval; devastation, destruction, and death that will be brought about on America cannot be overstated. So be alert! Be watchful! Be on your guard, as Jesus commanded. Because I tell you a full-blown disaster is lurking around the corner!

“Weapons of mass destruction. U.S. and Chinese warships battling at sea, firing everything from cannons to cruise missiles to lasers. Stealthy Russian and American fighter jets dogfight in the air, with robotic drones flying as their wingmen. Hackers in Shanghai and Silicon Valley duel in digital playgrounds. And fights in outer space decide who wins below on Earth. Are these scenes from a novel or what could actually take place in the real world the day after tomorrow? The answer is both.” [Peter Warren Singer]. So be alert! Be watchful! Be on your guard, as Jesus commanded. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. [Luke 21:26].

End time prophetic wars in their likely chronological sequence.

The War of Extermination [Psalm 83] – Read it. The First War of Gog & Magog [Ezekiel 38 and 39] – Read it. The Conventional War of the Tribulation [Revelation 6] – Read it. The Nuclear War of the Tribulation [Revelation 8 & 9] – Read it. Wars ??[Revelation ?13, Revelation ?12, ?and Revelation 16– ?[First ?War, ?Second ?War, ?Third ?War] – Read it!

God’s Warning! The Time is Near!

God did not just let them go into sin. He sent messenger after messenger, prophet after prophet, judge after judge, king after king—and they never listened. Maybe for a short time, they would put on a face of righteousness, but that was all it was. Because He loved them, God sent these men and women, but the people never listened. Even though God had compassion on them and wanted to save them from this, they were not willing. [2 Chronicles 36:15].

By Antonio Ray Harvey. | California Black Media

Since Gov. Gavin Newsom presented his 2024-25 budget to the State Legislature on Jan. 10, lawmakers — including members of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) — have been sharing their initial reactions to potential cuts.

Those stakeholders have also been examining the Governor’s  $291 billion spending plan to get a clearer sense of how funding adjustments may impact families as the state faces a deficit estimated at tens of billions of dollars.

At the top of the list of concerns for some lawmakers are cuts the governor is proposing to balance the budget, as required by California’s constitution.

A day after Newsom announced his budget, Assemblymember Corey Jackson (D-Moreno Valley), reacted with a post on his Facebook page.

“Yesterday’s budget proposal for human services programs causes me to be alarmed for our most vulnerable populations particularly in our CalWorks, Development Disability, and Foster Care programs,” wrote Jackson, who is a member of the CLBC.

“I will be using the next few months to review its impact from a social work lens. My priority is to ensure that this budget promotes stability and keeps people out of a state of crisis and on a path to thrive as the Governor has done for both the CalFresh and Childcare programs,” promised Jackson.

Assemblymember Akilah Weber (D-La Mesa), also a member CLBC hosted a 60-minute Budget Townhall Webinar on Jan. 17 to discuss the budget and the forecasted deficit.

The webinar was presented to give the public an idea of budget cuts, budget proposals, and potential tax increases.

“This is really the beginning of conversations in the legislature and our conversation with the governor,” Weber said. “Once the May revision comes out after taxes have been done, we’ll have a better sense of where we are and what the budget will be.”

Webinar participants submitted a variety of questions concerning the budget such as how education funding will be impacted, strategies to address the budget shortfall, and will the deficit lead to tax increases and undermine progress made in housing the homeless and other social services programs.

During the webinar, Christian Griffith, Chief Consultant of the Assembly Budget Committee – responsible for directing the Assembly’s state budget process – said Newsom’s proposal involves spending reduction, spending delays, usage of reserves borrowing, and usage of the “special fund.”

“Reduction usually gets the most attention,” Griffith said.

The LAO – a nonpartisan government agency that provides fiscal and policy advice to the California Legislature – said the state budget estimates based on tax revenue are imprecise due to the IRS delaying tax filings in California until Nov. 16, 2023, because of natural disasters the state faced last year.

Griffith said the “budget problem” could create a financial burden on the state for a few more years. It was assumed that the state had a surplus of “$100 million two years in a row” but actually had $60 billion,” Griffith said.

“The main thing, a really big problem here, is not only do we have this problem right now, but we also project for the next three or four years that every year we are going to be spending $30 billion more than we take in revenue. We have a structural problem,” he said. “The easy thing is trying to find one-time money to plug a hole. The hard thing is when you have that structural thing where you’re always paying on that credit card every year.”

Funding for state initiatives that are likely to be cut or delayed include some climate change programs, housing programs, school facilities, higher education student housing loans, UCLA Immunology Institute, Middle-Class Scholarship financial aid programs, and more.

Assemblymember Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood), who is a member of the CLBC, said, despite looming cuts she remains confident because the state has a cushion of nearly $18 billion in cash in its various reserves often called “rainy-day funds.”

“Thank God for California’s rainy-day fund! Kudos to former Governor Brown and current Governor Newsom for their foresight,” McKinnor posted on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. “They’ve been tucking away funds, and in 2024-2025, it’s going to pour! Ready to weather any budget shortfalls with our well-fed piggy bank!”

Last week, the California Budget and Policy Center (CBPC) analysis of Newsom’s budget was positive, stating that the budget “protected or maintained” programs that provide economic security, particularly for lower-income families.

“California has the wealth and state leaders have the tools and resources to further protect essential services and build upon earlier progress,” the CBPC report stated.

One of the questions posed during the webinar hosted by Weber involved Proposition 98, the minimum funding level for Schools, which guarantees funding for kindergarten through the 12 grades and community colleges. Griffin said they should not be any trimming of the total education allocation, which is expected to be $109 billion, according to the budget.

The day before Newsom presented his proposal, the California Pan-Ethnic Health Network, the American Civil Liberties Union, and the Ella Baker Center launched a campaign focused on protecting budget spending for their priority programs called #SmartSolutions.

At a news conference held on the grounds of the Capitol, members from those organizations called on state leaders to focus limited resources on solutions that address root causes of crime and to enhance public safety for all Californians. CLBC Assemblymembers Mia Bonta (D-Alameda) and Isaac Bryan (D-Ladera Heights) spoke about the danger of underfunding of housing, healthcare, criminal justice reform and other programs that are critical in Black and Brown communities.

“I like to remind you that every dollar we spend criminalizing poverty is a dollar we could’ve better spent ending it,” Bryan said.

Gov. Gavin Newsom presented a $291 billion spending plan to the California Legislature on Jan. 10. Despite a looming shortfall estimated at tens of billions of dollars, Newsom avoided making cuts to critical expenditures in education, public safety, curbing organized retail theft, housing for the homeless, mental health care reform, climate action, and other issues that are priorities.

During his speech, delivered at the auditorium of the Secretary of State building in Sacramento, Newsom clarified that he expects the state to have a $37.9 billion deficit. That figure is considerably lower than the nearly $68 billion deficit projected last month by the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst Office (LAO).

“Those of you who’ve been writing about a different number I hope you’re immediately correcting,” Newsom said moments into his presentation. “We’ve been pretty damn transparent with you by making the point publicly, not just privately that that was not the number, but it continues to be reported as the gospel.”

On Jan. 13, the LAO released an analysis of Newsom’s budget proposal that placed the amount of the budget deficit problem to about $58 billion, $10 billion lower than its original projection and nearly $20 million more than the Department of Finance calculations.

In addition to ordering a reduction on general fund spending last month, Newsom proposed a number of actions to bridge the budget gap during his presentation, including the possibility of declaring a budget emergency, which would allow him to borrow cash from the state’s reserves. He also suggested making “moderate cuts” totaling $8.5 billion in spending from some programs that support climate change initiatives, housing and other services; and reconsidering the healthcare wage increase.

“Our state is in a strong position to close this shortfall while protecting key priorities and programs that millions of Californians rely on,” Newsom remained upbeat about the state’s economic forecast. “I look forward to partnering with the Legislature to meet this moment with a balanced approach that meets the needs of Californians and safeguards our state’s future.”

During the Q&A session after his presentation, Newsom, in response to a question posed by California Black Media stated that he took deliberate steps to safeguard programs that the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) had identified as important. They included the state’s equity multiplier funding program designed to support schools with significant numbers of socioeconomically disadvantaged children – an initiative strongly advocated by Assemblymember Akilah Weber (D-La Mesa), and funding for the Ralph J.Bunche Center for African American Studies at UCLA.

In a statement released Jan. 11, State Controller Malia M. Cohen, who is responsible for accountability and disbursement of the state’s resources, says that she has faith in Newsom’s projections.

“While the Governor had difficult choices to make to address the budget shortfall, I’m confident that the budget announced (Jan. 10) will keep California moving forward and continue the work necessary to support vital public health and safety programs along with other core services,” Cohen stated. “As Controller, my office is prepared to provide the tools and resources necessary to ensure the state meets its financial obligations and maintains economic stability.”

Newsom’s budget plan reflects $18.4 billion in total budgetary reserves, including $11.1 billion in the Rainy Day Fund.

Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber thanked Newsom’s for keeping funding flat for programs that are central to the services her department delivers, including two new digital programs that promote transparency in political financing and provides electronic notarization of business documents.

 “The January Budget includes resources for the Secretary of State to maintain its core ongoing operations,” said Weber.

“In addition, the Budget includes funding to support the Help America Vote Act mandates and resources to continue the CAL-ACCESS Replacement System (CARS) Project and to support the continuation of the Notary Automation Program Replacement Project (NAP 2.0) which are mission critical and vital to the services the SOS provides to the public, Legislature, and its stakeholders,” Weber added.

Several Republican lawmakers expressed their disapproval of Newsom’s spending plan, including Assembly Minority Leader James Gallagher (R-Yuba City), who called the Governor’s budget “pure fantasyland.”

Senate Minority Leader Brian W. Jones (R-San Diego) and Vice Chair of the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee, Sen. Roger Niello (R-Fair Oaks) also shared their views on Newsom’s budget proposal.

Jones stated in a Jan. 10 statement that Newsom’s plan is “year six of ‘Gavinomics’ where his budgets turn surpluses into deficits and his policies push Californians to flee.”

Niello stated that the governor’s rhetoric is a way to weave “through a deficit of dollars.”

“As the governor pulls revenue gimmicks and accounting tricks, it’s impossible to bury the truth: California is bleeding because of a decade of Democrats’ one-party rule and reckless spending,” Niello stated.

Calling California’s economy, the “greatest wealth generator in the world,” Newsom said he is confident California will close its budget gap, continue on its overall path of prosperity while providing innovative solutions to address social and economic issues.

“This is a story of correction, a story of normalization after a period of a tremendous amount of distortion,” Newsom said.