Rodriguez pushes bill to give pregnant women health coverage
Assemblywoman Celeste Rodriguez (D-San Fernando Valley) joined labor unions, Planned Parenthood, and educators at the Pacoima Community Center to urge Gov. Gavin Newsom to sign AB 2066, which would allow pregnant Californians to enroll in or change their health coverage as soon as they learn they’re pregnant.
Sponsored by the United Nurses Associations of California and a priority of the California Legislative Women’s Caucus, the bill passed the Legislature on Aug. 26 with bipartisan support and now awaits the governor’s signature.
It would recognize pregnancy as a qualifying life event, allowing enrollment outside the standard sign-up windows most health plans require. Research cited by advocates found that 26% of Black women and Latinas struggle to access obstetric and gynecological care, and 32% have difficulty accessing routine providers.
“As the youngest mother in the state legislature who just had a child, I can tell you what all of us know: pregnancy is a life-changing event. The notion that we live in a state that does not qualify it as that is unacceptable,” said Rodriguez. “With AB 2066, the Governor has an opportunity to recognize the dignity and worth of expectant mothers and the health of their unborn child. For the sake of the safety of pregnant people, babies and whole communities, we call on Governor Newsom to sign AB 2066.”
State Sen. Caroline Menjivar (D-Burbank, San Fernando, Van Nuys, Reseda, Northridge), vice chair of the Legislative Women’s Caucus, said California’s maternal mortality rates point to persistent inequities in access to care.
“We at the Legislative Women’s Caucus are proud to include this bill among our priority package legislation, as it will provide access to essential and often life-saving care to the women who need it most,” said Menjivar. “If signed into law, CA will join states like New York and Washington in recognizing pregnancy as a qualifying life event, strengthening healthcare access during one of the most critical moments of a woman’s life.”
Should Newsom sign the bill, California would join Colorado, Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington, D.C., in recognizing pregnancy as a qualifying life event for state-run health insurance exchanges.
Long Beach declares local emergency ahead of potentially historic El Niño season
The Long Beach City Council voted 9-0 to ratify a Proclamation of Local Emergency, giving the city expanded authority to prepare for the 2026-27 El Niño winter storm season following damage the city sustained from Hurricane Marie.
The proclamation follows Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Sept. 21 statewide state of emergency declaration, issued to strengthen preparedness ahead of what state officials describe as a potentially historic El Niño season.
Long Beach’s coastline, marinas and low-lying areas near Alamitos Bay and the LA and San Gabriel rivers leave it especially exposed to flooding, high surf and erosion. During Hurricane Marie, high surf overtopped portions of the Peninsula, allowed seawater into homes, and damaged the boardwalk and other coastal structures, prompting the city to build emergency sand berms and distribute sandbags.
“Long Beach is acting early so our residents, neighborhoods and critical infrastructure are as prepared as possible before severe weather arrives,” said Mayor Rex Richardson. “The proclamation gives our City the flexibility to coordinate resources, support vulnerable communities and respond quickly as conditions change.”
“We are asking the entire community to take this storm season seriously,” said City Manager Tom Modica. “This action will help City departments plan and deploy resources efficiently, maintain essential services and work with our regional and state partners to respond to a historic level of potential storm damage that may occur throughout the City and along the coast.”
The proclamation allows the city to quickly procure and stage equipment and supplies, enter emergency contracts, and coordinate directly with LA County, the state, the California Coastal Commission and federal agencies as conditions develop. City officials said the total cost of El Niño preparedness remains unknown, and a full report on Hurricane Marie response costs and boardwalk repair plans is expected within the next week.
Lieu secures $2 million for Miraleste Intermediate School infrastructure
U.S. Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Westside Los Angeles, South Bay, including Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Culver City, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, Torrance, Rancho Palos Verdes) joined Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District leaders to announce $2 million in federal funding he secured for infrastructure improvements at Miraleste Intermediate School.
The funding will go toward replacing and renovating aging utility infrastructure, including the school’s Central Kitchen, which prepares meals not just for Miraleste but for 10 elementary schools, three intermediate schools, two comprehensive high schools and one continuation school across the district.
“I’m pleased to have secured $2 million in federal funding for much-needed infrastructure improvements for Miraleste’s campus,” said Lieu. “At a time when public education funding has been cut by the Trump Administration, this is an important boost to community efforts to create safe and productive environments for learning.”
“These funds will help modernize the kitchen that helps provide meals for all Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District schools, will improve utility systems, and will strengthen building resilience in the event of earthquakes,” he added. “I am excited to see how this project will enhance PVPUSD’s service to its students and staff.”
Tran co-sponsors bill to make tip income tax deductions permanent
U.S. Rep. Derek Tran (D-Cerritos, Artesia, Hawaiian Gardens, Lakewood/Orange County) co-sponsored the Tipped Income Protection and Support Act, which would raise the maximum amount service workers can deduct in tips from their taxable income from $25,000 to $112,500, and make the increased deduction permanent.
The bill would apply to cosmetology, hospitality, food and beverage, parking and custodial service workers, benefiting an estimated 70,000 service industry professionals in Tran’s own 45th Congressional District. Unlike a similar provision in the 2025 federal tax and spending package, which is set to expire at the end of 2028, the TIPS Act would make the expanded deduction permanent.
“While prices skyrocket due to President Trump’s reckless war in Iran and irresponsible tariff policies, working families are under an immense amount of stress as they struggle to make ends meet,” said Tran. “For service workers, tips are essential to putting food on the table, handling everyday expenses, and providing for their loved ones. I’m a proud cosponsor of the TIPS Act because it creates a measurable economic impact for service workers and their families in Southern California.”
