Public Advocates
@publicadvocates.bsky.social
The "small but noisy" nonprofit law firm and advocacy organization making rights real for all Californians.
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⚖️ Job alert! ⚖️ Join Public Advocates in our work to defend—and transform—public education across the state as a Temporary Contract Attorney or Senior Staff Attorney for our Education Equity team.
Learn more: publicadvocates.org/get-involved...
Learn more: publicadvocates.org/get-involved...
We stand in unwavering solidarity with @chirla_org and every org defending immigrants, refugees, and working families. When you come for one of us, you come for all of us!
June 13, 2025 at 1:55 AM
We stand in unwavering solidarity with @chirla_org and every org defending immigrants, refugees, and working families. When you come for one of us, you come for all of us!
@potus gave Big Oil a huge gift in signing Congressional measures 2 overturn CA vehicle emission rules. @gavinnewsom.bsky.social outraged but #CALeg considering 20-year giveaway to Big Oil he proposed by extending Cap-&-Trade "as is." www.fresnobee.com/opinion/read...
@leadershipcounsel.bsky.social
@leadershipcounsel.bsky.social
June 13, 2025 at 1:52 AM
@potus gave Big Oil a huge gift in signing Congressional measures 2 overturn CA vehicle emission rules. @gavinnewsom.bsky.social outraged but #CALeg considering 20-year giveaway to Big Oil he proposed by extending Cap-&-Trade "as is." www.fresnobee.com/opinion/read...
@leadershipcounsel.bsky.social
@leadershipcounsel.bsky.social
Read our full statement on the May revision of the California budget at: publicadvocates.org/press-releas...
May 15, 2025 at 12:21 AM
Read our full statement on the May revision of the California budget at: publicadvocates.org/press-releas...
Though Teacher Appreciation Week is coming to an end, here are some ways to create safe, supportive environments for educators and students alike all year round. 🍎
May 9, 2025 at 7:43 PM
Though Teacher Appreciation Week is coming to an end, here are some ways to create safe, supportive environments for educators and students alike all year round. 🍎
We build stronger and more successful communities when everyone–students, parents, guardians, family members, and neighbors–is included in local decision making. This also applies within a school community, where students and families must be included in the process to recruit educators! 🍎
May 8, 2025 at 6:33 PM
We build stronger and more successful communities when everyone–students, parents, guardians, family members, and neighbors–is included in local decision making. This also applies within a school community, where students and families must be included in the process to recruit educators! 🍎
📢 Housing Policy Alert: Tenant Rights Under Threat
"Those forces are feeling emboldened, not just by the rhetoric coming out of the Trump administration, but the actual regulations," warns Liz Ryan Murray, director of strategic campaigns at Public Advocates.
"Those forces are feeling emboldened, not just by the rhetoric coming out of the Trump administration, but the actual regulations," warns Liz Ryan Murray, director of strategic campaigns at Public Advocates.
May 8, 2025 at 5:52 PM
📢 Housing Policy Alert: Tenant Rights Under Threat
"Those forces are feeling emboldened, not just by the rhetoric coming out of the Trump administration, but the actual regulations," warns Liz Ryan Murray, director of strategic campaigns at Public Advocates.
"Those forces are feeling emboldened, not just by the rhetoric coming out of the Trump administration, but the actual regulations," warns Liz Ryan Murray, director of strategic campaigns at Public Advocates.
👇Español abajo
🧵Our students—especially students of color and multilingual learners—need and deserve diverse, fully prepared teachers. It’s critical in ensuring that they feel safe, supported, and ready for success.
🧵Our students—especially students of color and multilingual learners—need and deserve diverse, fully prepared teachers. It’s critical in ensuring that they feel safe, supported, and ready for success.
May 7, 2025 at 5:01 PM
👇Español abajo
🧵Our students—especially students of color and multilingual learners—need and deserve diverse, fully prepared teachers. It’s critical in ensuring that they feel safe, supported, and ready for success.
🧵Our students—especially students of color and multilingual learners—need and deserve diverse, fully prepared teachers. It’s critical in ensuring that they feel safe, supported, and ready for success.
One way that we can create schools where every student feels belonging and joy is to have a teacher workforce that reflects the diversity of our state and a student’s local community. 🧵
Learn more about how we can create schools of belonging for all at: bit.ly/div_roadmap.
Learn more about how we can create schools of belonging for all at: bit.ly/div_roadmap.
May 6, 2025 at 7:45 PM
One way that we can create schools where every student feels belonging and joy is to have a teacher workforce that reflects the diversity of our state and a student’s local community. 🧵
Learn more about how we can create schools of belonging for all at: bit.ly/div_roadmap.
Learn more about how we can create schools of belonging for all at: bit.ly/div_roadmap.
Happy Teacher Appreciation Week, to existing teachers and all of the potential teachers in our communities. 🍎
May 5, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Happy Teacher Appreciation Week, to existing teachers and all of the potential teachers in our communities. 🍎
Students are set up for success when their teachers are set up for success.
Teachers are set up for success when they are assigned by their districts to teach the classes that they are trained for.
🧵:
Teachers are set up for success when they are assigned by their districts to teach the classes that they are trained for.
🧵:
May 2, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Students are set up for success when their teachers are set up for success.
Teachers are set up for success when they are assigned by their districts to teach the classes that they are trained for.
🧵:
Teachers are set up for success when they are assigned by their districts to teach the classes that they are trained for.
🧵:
Reposted by Public Advocates
Affordability starts by stopping handouts to Big Oil. 🛢️❌ $890M in free pollution allowances went to fossil fuel giants last year—while Californians face rising energy bills & dangerous wildfires! Tell @governor.ca.gov it's time to strengthen #CapAndTrade. ⤵️
go.nextgenpolicy.org/Wv7A
go.nextgenpolicy.org/Wv7A
April 30, 2025 at 8:57 PM
Affordability starts by stopping handouts to Big Oil. 🛢️❌ $890M in free pollution allowances went to fossil fuel giants last year—while Californians face rising energy bills & dangerous wildfires! Tell @governor.ca.gov it's time to strengthen #CapAndTrade. ⤵️
go.nextgenpolicy.org/Wv7A
go.nextgenpolicy.org/Wv7A
This Teacher Appreciation Week, read our Educator Diversity Policy Roadmap and learn how we can build our educator workforce to better support our students and our teachers! ➡️ bit.ly/div_roadmap
May 1, 2025 at 4:28 PM
This Teacher Appreciation Week, read our Educator Diversity Policy Roadmap and learn how we can build our educator workforce to better support our students and our teachers! ➡️ bit.ly/div_roadmap
Thanks to @spur-urbanist.bsky.social for hosting us today! 👇
🔍 🏠 Today @ 12:30p! Join SPUR, @4baysfuture.bsky.social, EBHO & @publicadvocates.bsky.social to explore how we track Housing Element progress—and ensure plans turn into real homes. 🎦 https://www.spur.org/events/2025-05-01/tracking-housing-elements-ensuring-cities-follow-through-their-plans
Tracking Housing Elements: Ensuring Cities Follow Through on Their Plans
With the vast majority of Bay Area cities now having certified Housing Elements—state-mandated plans outlining how they will meet local housing needs—the focus must now shift to implementation. How do we ensure these commitments translate into real action? Explore strategies for tracking cities’ progress, overcoming implementation barriers, and leveraging resources to support effective housing production and preservation. This discussion will cover enforcement mechanisms, support and technical assistance available to cities, and how advocates can engage in the process. Panelists will share insights on the challenges and opportunities ahead, offering a roadmap to ensure Housing Element goals lead to meaningful housing solutions across the region.
www.spur.org
May 1, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Thanks to @spur-urbanist.bsky.social for hosting us today! 👇
It is not illegal to simply have a racial disparity in discipline statistics, Affeldt notes. Instead, disparities serve as a red flag that triggers an investigation to examine whether certain policies or practices are discriminatory and violate civil rights.
Read more 👇
Read more 👇
The Trump administration said a focus on equity in discipline has harmed student safety while advocates say it’s an excuse to roll back civil rights protections.
edsource.org/2025/trump-a... by @emmagallegos.bsky.social & @jfensterwald.bsky.social @edsource.org
edsource.org/2025/trump-a... by @emmagallegos.bsky.social & @jfensterwald.bsky.social @edsource.org
Trump attacks a key strategy for California schools: Flagging racial disparities in discipline
Trump’s executive order, released Wednesday, attacks the concept of disparate impact — the idea that a policy that may seem neutral actually harms a racial or ethnic group.
edsource.org
April 30, 2025 at 9:35 PM
It is not illegal to simply have a racial disparity in discipline statistics, Affeldt notes. Instead, disparities serve as a red flag that triggers an investigation to examine whether certain policies or practices are discriminatory and violate civil rights.
Read more 👇
Read more 👇
Reposted by Public Advocates
The Trump administration said a focus on equity in discipline has harmed student safety while advocates say it’s an excuse to roll back civil rights protections.
edsource.org/2025/trump-a... by @emmagallegos.bsky.social & @jfensterwald.bsky.social @edsource.org
edsource.org/2025/trump-a... by @emmagallegos.bsky.social & @jfensterwald.bsky.social @edsource.org
Trump attacks a key strategy for California schools: Flagging racial disparities in discipline
Trump’s executive order, released Wednesday, attacks the concept of disparate impact — the idea that a policy that may seem neutral actually harms a racial or ethnic group.
edsource.org
April 25, 2025 at 3:36 PM
The Trump administration said a focus on equity in discipline has harmed student safety while advocates say it’s an excuse to roll back civil rights protections.
edsource.org/2025/trump-a... by @emmagallegos.bsky.social & @jfensterwald.bsky.social @edsource.org
edsource.org/2025/trump-a... by @emmagallegos.bsky.social & @jfensterwald.bsky.social @edsource.org
Reposted by Public Advocates
California's Cap-and-Trade Program must do more to reduce GHG emissions and help communities burdened by decades of toxic pollution.
Voice Your Support for Effective, Equitable Cap and Trade. Email your Assemblymember and Senator Today
transformca.org/cap-and-trade/
Voice Your Support for Effective, Equitable Cap and Trade. Email your Assemblymember and Senator Today
transformca.org/cap-and-trade/
Cap-and-Trade - Transform
California's Cap-and-Trade Program must do more to reduce GHG emissions and help communities burdened by decades of toxic pollution.
transformca.org
April 30, 2025 at 8:00 PM
California's Cap-and-Trade Program must do more to reduce GHG emissions and help communities burdened by decades of toxic pollution.
Voice Your Support for Effective, Equitable Cap and Trade. Email your Assemblymember and Senator Today
transformca.org/cap-and-trade/
Voice Your Support for Effective, Equitable Cap and Trade. Email your Assemblymember and Senator Today
transformca.org/cap-and-trade/
Imagine what CA could do with $890 million:
- Funding public transit
- Protect us from wildfires
- Build affordable housing
Instead, that money went to free pollution passes for Big Oil. Sign @nextgenpolicy.bsky.social's petition and help fix cap-and-trade to start investing in what really matters.
- Funding public transit
- Protect us from wildfires
- Build affordable housing
Instead, that money went to free pollution passes for Big Oil. Sign @nextgenpolicy.bsky.social's petition and help fix cap-and-trade to start investing in what really matters.
Protect California's Climate - NextGen Policy
www.nextgenpolicy.org
April 30, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Imagine what CA could do with $890 million:
- Funding public transit
- Protect us from wildfires
- Build affordable housing
Instead, that money went to free pollution passes for Big Oil. Sign @nextgenpolicy.bsky.social's petition and help fix cap-and-trade to start investing in what really matters.
- Funding public transit
- Protect us from wildfires
- Build affordable housing
Instead, that money went to free pollution passes for Big Oil. Sign @nextgenpolicy.bsky.social's petition and help fix cap-and-trade to start investing in what really matters.
California’s Cap-and-Trade program is supposed to help clean up our air, fight wildfires, and lower energy costs—and it can be used to fund transit and affordable housing, benefiting all Californians.
But instead, we’re giving nearly $1 billion in free allowances to Big Oil. 👎
Take action:
But instead, we’re giving nearly $1 billion in free allowances to Big Oil. 👎
Take action:
Protect California's Climate - NextGen Policy
www.nextgenpolicy.org
April 30, 2025 at 5:40 PM
California’s Cap-and-Trade program is supposed to help clean up our air, fight wildfires, and lower energy costs—and it can be used to fund transit and affordable housing, benefiting all Californians.
But instead, we’re giving nearly $1 billion in free allowances to Big Oil. 👎
Take action:
But instead, we’re giving nearly $1 billion in free allowances to Big Oil. 👎
Take action:
Affordability starts by stopping handouts to Big Oil.
$890M in free pollution allowances went to fossil fuel giants last year—while Californians face rising costs and dangerous wildfires. Tell @governor.ca.gov it's time to strengthen Cap-and-Trade and fund affordable housing and transit.
$890M in free pollution allowances went to fossil fuel giants last year—while Californians face rising costs and dangerous wildfires. Tell @governor.ca.gov it's time to strengthen Cap-and-Trade and fund affordable housing and transit.
April 30, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Affordability starts by stopping handouts to Big Oil.
$890M in free pollution allowances went to fossil fuel giants last year—while Californians face rising costs and dangerous wildfires. Tell @governor.ca.gov it's time to strengthen Cap-and-Trade and fund affordable housing and transit.
$890M in free pollution allowances went to fossil fuel giants last year—while Californians face rising costs and dangerous wildfires. Tell @governor.ca.gov it's time to strengthen Cap-and-Trade and fund affordable housing and transit.
Reposted by Public Advocates
Affordability starts by stopping handouts to Big Oil. $890M in free pollution allowances went to fossil fuel giants last year—while Californians face rising energy bills and dangerous wildfires. Tell @governor.ca.gov it's time to strengthen Cap-and-Trade.
www.nextgenpolicy.org/protect-cali...
www.nextgenpolicy.org/protect-cali...
Protect California's Climate - NextGen Policy
The cost of living is rising across California and more wildfire disasters and other extreme weather events are only adding to the strain on our families and communities.
www.nextgenpolicy.org
April 30, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Affordability starts by stopping handouts to Big Oil. $890M in free pollution allowances went to fossil fuel giants last year—while Californians face rising energy bills and dangerous wildfires. Tell @governor.ca.gov it's time to strengthen Cap-and-Trade.
www.nextgenpolicy.org/protect-cali...
www.nextgenpolicy.org/protect-cali...
Reposted by Public Advocates
Sign the petition with @nextgenpolicy.bsky.social ky.social to extend & strengthen Cap-and-Trade! www.nextgenpolicy.org/protect-cali...
Protect California's Climate - NextGen Policy
www.nextgenpolicy.org
April 30, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Sign the petition with @nextgenpolicy.bsky.social ky.social to extend & strengthen Cap-and-Trade! www.nextgenpolicy.org/protect-cali...
Reposted by Public Advocates
California’s Cap-and-Trade program is supposed to help clean up our air, fight wildfires, and lower energy costs. But instead, we’re giving nearly $1 billion in free allowances to Big Oil. @governor.ca.gov @isaacgbryan.bsky.social
April 30, 2025 at 5:06 PM
California’s Cap-and-Trade program is supposed to help clean up our air, fight wildfires, and lower energy costs. But instead, we’re giving nearly $1 billion in free allowances to Big Oil. @governor.ca.gov @isaacgbryan.bsky.social
“We are deeply disappointed in the Court’s decision to deny a new trial in the fight for fully staffed classrooms at Stege, Helms, and Kennedy. Our commitment to advocating for stable, well-supported public schools—especially for students most impacted by systemic neglect—remains unwavering.” 👇
Ruling means WCCUSD can keep using short-term subs to fill teaching spots
The plaintiffs, a group of teachers and parents, plan to appeal, saying use of temporary subs harms students.
richmondside.org
April 23, 2025 at 12:09 AM
“We are deeply disappointed in the Court’s decision to deny a new trial in the fight for fully staffed classrooms at Stege, Helms, and Kennedy. Our commitment to advocating for stable, well-supported public schools—especially for students most impacted by systemic neglect—remains unwavering.” 👇
Gov. Newsom essentially signaled that ethnic studies isn’t one of his top education priorities amid a statewide teacher shortage. He is seeking $300 million for teacher retention and recruitment in the budget, a similar price point to what ethnic studies would cost.
This high school course is dividing districts across California
The fight over ethnic studies is creating a quiet headache for Gov. Gavin Newsom.
www.politico.com
April 23, 2025 at 12:08 AM
Gov. Newsom essentially signaled that ethnic studies isn’t one of his top education priorities amid a statewide teacher shortage. He is seeking $300 million for teacher retention and recruitment in the budget, a similar price point to what ethnic studies would cost.
Reposted by Public Advocates
The evidence is clear: fines and jail time for homelessness cost more than housing and services. We must stop spending money to make homelessness worse.
SB 634 is common-sense fiscal policy.
@SenatorJohnLaird @scott_wiener @sencabaldon @JesseArreguin vote #YESonSB634
SB 634 is common-sense fiscal policy.
@SenatorJohnLaird @scott_wiener @sencabaldon @JesseArreguin vote #YESonSB634
April 22, 2025 at 3:04 AM
The evidence is clear: fines and jail time for homelessness cost more than housing and services. We must stop spending money to make homelessness worse.
SB 634 is common-sense fiscal policy.
@SenatorJohnLaird @scott_wiener @sencabaldon @JesseArreguin vote #YESonSB634
SB 634 is common-sense fiscal policy.
@SenatorJohnLaird @scott_wiener @sencabaldon @JesseArreguin vote #YESonSB634