By Bo Tefu and Antonio Ray Harvey, California Black Media 

No Taxes on Reparations Payments: Asm. Tina McKinnor’s Bill Moves Closer to Becoming State Law  

A California bill that would prevent reparations payments from being taxed by the state is moving closer to becoming law after advancing out of the Assembly with bipartisan support.

Assembly Bill (AB) 2186, introduced by Assemblymember Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood), would exempt future reparations benefits from California personal income taxes if the payments are approved through federal, state or local reparations programs. The measure now heads to the California Senate for further consideration.

The bill would apply to taxable years beginning Jan. 1, 2027, through Jan. 1, 2032. Under the proposal, reparations benefits could include direct cash payments, grants, trust distributions, debt forgiveness and other forms of financial compensation tied to reparations efforts.

“For generations, descendants of formerly enslaved people have been denied both justice and economic opportunity,” McKinnor said in a statement announcing the bill. “Reparations are meant to repair harm, not be partially taken back through taxation.”

Supporters say the legislation is intended to ensure recipients receive the full value of any reparations payments approved in the future. Under current California law, some reparations-related payments could potentially be treated as taxable income.

The proposal comes as California continues examining recommendations from the state’s Reparations Task Force, which studied the lasting impacts of slavery and discrimination on Black Californians. The task force released recommendations in 2023 that included proposals related to housing discrimination, education, economic inequality and financial compensation.

McKinnor said California should prepare for future reparations programs by establishing tax protections ahead of time.

“California is actively preparing for the implementation of reparations programs,” McKinnor said. “We must ensure that recipients receive the full benefit of these efforts.”

The Assemblymember also framed the measure as part of a broader effort to provide tax relief for Californians facing economic pressures and high living costs.

The bill received bipartisan support on the Assembly Floor, passing with a 58-17 vote, before advancing to the Senate, where lawmakers will debate the proposal. 

If the Senate passes AB 2186, the bill will be sent to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk for final approval.

Gov. Newsom Signs Election Security Bill; Asm. Bryan Praises Move

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation on May 29 aimed at strengthening protections for California elections, arguing that the measure is necessary to guard against voter intimidation, election interference and unauthorized access to voting systems.

The new law, Senate Bill (SB) 73, authored by state Sens. Sabrina Cervantes (D-Riverside) and Tom Umberg (D-Santa Ana), expands existing safeguards for election workers, ballots, voter rolls and election infrastructure. The legislation comes amid ongoing national debates over election administration and voting security.

“California will not allow our elections to be commandeered by political intimidation, abuse of power, or chaotic interference from extremists chasing conspiracy theories. This law protects voters, election workers, and the integrity of the democratic process from election-deniers who want to undermine democracy,” Newsom said.

Under SB 73, unauthorized access to voter rolls, voter lists and certified voting technology by law enforcement agencies — including federal authorities — is prohibited unless authorized by a court order or tied to a specific investigation under California election law. The measure also restricts peace officers from interfering with election administration except during public safety emergencies and requires the California Department of Justice to issue guidance to county election officials on responding to law enforcement requests involving ballot-processing locations.

Assemblymember Isaac Bryan (D-Ladera Heights), vice chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC), praised Newsom for signing into law legislation that protects state elections, ballots, and election workers from political and federal interference.

“We have seen Republicans steal ballots and intimidate voters. Here in California, we believe in the power of the people, and voter suppression efforts will not work here. We will fight to protect Democracy at all costs,” Bryan told California Black Media (CBM).

The law further increases penalties for the unlawful removal or seizure of voted ballots. Individuals who knowingly take voted ballots from election officials can face fines, imprisonment, or both.

“Senate Bill 73 is a direct response to efforts by officials in the Trump Administration and local elected leaders to undermine our democracy piece by piece,” Cervantes said. “The enactment of SB 73 protects Californians’ sacred right to vote free from fear of intimidation or interference, and safeguards the essential integrity of elections in California.”

Supporters, including the League of Women Voters of California, praised the measure as a safeguard against federal interference in election administration. 

“This landmark law erects essential barriers against unauthorized federal access to voting systems, voter rolls, and polling places – protections that are more vital now than ever,” said Dora Rose, deputy director of the organization.

The legislation builds on a series of election-related measures California has enacted since 2019, including universal vote-by-mail, expanded protections against voter intimidation, and cybersecurity investments designed to protect election infrastructure.

In Wake of San Diego Shooting, Gov. Newson Announces $300 Million to Protect Non-Profits, Faith-Based Orgs

California is investing more than $300 million to help protect nonprofit organizations and places of worship from hate crimes and violent attacks, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced May 28. 

The new funding comes in the wake of the recent tragic shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego.

The governor’s office said the state is awarding an additional $80 million through the California Nonprofit Security Grant Program to strengthen safety measures at 343 nonprofit organizations statewide, including 228 faith-based groups. The latest funding round brings California’s total investment in nonprofit and faith-based security programs to more than $300 million since the initiative launched in 2015.

The announcement comes after the May 18 shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego, which prompted renewed concerns about rising threats targeting religious and community organizations across the country.

“Hate and violence have no place in California,” said Newsom in a statement. “By investing in critical security upgrades, we are leading the nation in protecting places of worship and high-risk communities, strengthening preparedness, and ensuring every Californian can gather safely and without fear.”

Most of the new funding, approximately $76 million, will go directly toward security improvements, including reinforced doors and gates, alarm systems, surveillance systems, high-intensity lighting and emergency preparedness enhancements. The remaining $4 million will support technical assistance and program administration through the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, known as Cal OES.

State officials said the grant program has expanded in recent years as nonprofits, cultural institutions and faith communities face increasing threats of hate-motivated violence. The program is now the largest grant initiative administered by Cal OES.

Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D-Encino), who authored legislation establishing the program, said the grants are an important tool for protecting vulnerable communities.

“At a moment of rising threats, we are doubling down on our commitment to protect our most vulnerable communities,” Gabriel said.

California officials also announced victim support services for individuals and families impacted by the San Diego mosque shooting. The California Victim Compensation Board said eligible victims and witnesses may qualify for assistance covering medical costs, mental health treatment, lost wages and funeral expenses.

The state’s revised budget proposal also includes an additional $40 million to continue supporting organizations facing heightened threats and hate-related violence.

Asm. Isaac Bryan’s Environmental Reparations Bill Passes on Assembly Floor 

On May 26, the California State Assembly passed legislation aimed at providing direct financial assistance to families harmed by pollution tied to a major urban oil field in South Los Angeles.

Assembly Bill (AB) 1661, introduced by Assemblymember Isaac Bryan (D-Ladera Heights), cleared the Assembly floor with a 44-10 vote after lawmakers concluded debate on the measure.

The bill would direct money from a community repair fund toward families who suffered negative health effects from living near what Bryan described as the state’s largest toxic urban oil field. The repair fund was created under legislation approved two years ago that shut down the oil field and required polluters to contribute financially to community recovery efforts.

“All this bill does is allocate resources from that repair fund and direct cash assistance to families that have had negative health impacts as a result of living next to that oil field,” said Bryan during remarks on the Assembly floor.

Bryan called the proposal “the largest environmental reparations opportunity for South LA” and told lawmakers the bill had not received opposition during the legislative process.

The legislation is part of California’s broader push to address environmental justice concerns in communities historically exposed to industrial pollution. South Los Angeles residents and environmental advocates have long raised concerns about health risks linked to oil drilling operations located near homes, schools and parks.

Supporters say the measure represents a new approach to environmental accountability by ensuring that communities affected by pollution directly benefit from funds collected from responsible companies.

After debate concluded, Assembly leadership opened the roll call vote, and the measure passed with majority support from lawmakers.

AB 1661 now moves to the Senate for further review. 

Sen. Akilah Weber Pierson’s Bill to Label Sugary Drinks Passes Senate 

The California State Senate has passed legislation that would require chain restaurants to identify beverages containing high levels of added sugar, advancing a measure supporters say is aimed at improving consumer awareness and public health.

Senate Bill 869, introduced by Sen. Akilah Weber Pierson (D-San Diego), would require restaurants to clearly label drinks containing more than 50 percent of the recommended daily value of added sugars on menus and menu boards.

The bill now heads to the California Assembly for further consideration.

“Consumers deserve clear and honest information about what they are putting into their bodies,” said Weber Pierson in a statement following the Senate vote.

Weber Pierson, who is a medical doctor, said many sugary beverages contain excessive levels of added sugar that contribute to serious long-term health conditions, including diabetes, obesity and heart disease.

Supporters of the proposal say the labeling requirements would help customers make more informed decisions when ordering drinks at restaurants and fast-food establishments.

Public health advocates have increasingly focused on sugar-sweetened beverages as a major contributor to diet-related illnesses in the United States. Research has linked excessive sugar intake to higher risks of Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, fatty liver disease and dental problems.

According to advocates backing the measure, some restaurant beverages contain more than an entire day’s recommended amount of added sugar in a single serving.

The legislation is sponsored by the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), which says states are increasingly stepping in to strengthen food safety and nutrition transparency policies as federal regulatory efforts slow.

“California lawmakers are continuing to lead on food safety and nutrition transparency,” said Dr. DeAnna Nara, campaign manager for CSPI. 

California Birth Rate Falls Below “Replacement Level”

California’s birth rate has fallen to its lowest level on record, dropping well below the threshold needed to maintain population growth and signaling a major demographic shift that could reshape the state’s economy, schools, workforce and political influence in the decades ahead.

A new report from the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) found that the state’s total fertility rate declined from 2.21 children per woman in 2007 to 1.48 in 2023 — far below the “replacement level” of 2.1 children per woman needed to sustain a population without migration.

“The significance of falling so far below replacement level cannot be overstated,” the report states. “It signals a fundamental shift in the state’s demographic trajectory.”

Researchers project that by 2038, deaths will outnumber births in California, ending a long period in which natural population growth helped drive the state’s expansion. Without increased immigration or a rebound in birth rates, population growth could stagnate or decline.
The report found that declining birth rates among younger women are largely responsible for the trend. Birth rates among women ages 20 to 24 fell by 54% between 2008 and 2023, while teen birth rates dropped nearly 90% since 1991. Researchers described the decline in teen births as a major public health success.

Birth rates declined across all racial and ethnic groups, with the steepest drops occurring among Latina women, particularly those born outside the United States.

The phenomenon is not unique to California. Birth rates have fallen in all 50 states, and every state now has fertility rates below replacement level.

“The decline in birth rates is one of the most important developments of recent decades and will structure policy debates for decades to come,” the report concludes.

Among the most immediate impacts could be shrinking school enrollment. PPIC projects California’s public school population will decline by roughly 630,000 students by 2038, while longer-term concerns include labor shortages, an aging population and the potential loss of congressional representation.