Tag: California
-
Schools May Benefit From Redevelopment Ruling
By Jose Luis Jiménez Richard Barrera sees the elimination of redevelopment agencies as a boon for public education. Not now, but in the future. Gov. Jerry Brown’s current state budget includes about $1.8 billion of redevelopment money, which is being used to help close the state’s multibillion-dollar deficit. That’s why Barrera says the court’s decision…
-
Gloria: Redevelopment Decision is ‘Worst Case’ for Neighborhoods
By Patty Lane, Katie Orr and Alison St John The California Supreme Court today upheld a new law that will abolish community redevelopment agencies, dealing a blow to San Diego city officials who tried to keep their agency open. The state’s high court also struck down a companion statute that would have allowed local governments to…
-
California’s English Language Learner Programs Criticized
By Ruxandra Guidi There are an estimated 1.6 million English learners in California. But only 1 in 10 reached proficiency levels in English last year. Children from multilingual homes are tested for English proficiency as they begin school, and if they score low, they are placed into English language classes. The problem is, there are…
-
Governor Approves State Dream Act, Nixes E-Verify for Private Employers
By Ruxandra Guidi The two bills faced Republican opposition and were passed right before the legislative deadline. Assembly Bill 1236, the Employment Acceleration Act of 2011, will not make it mandatory for private companies to use the federal employment verification system, or E-Verify. Assembly Bill 130, also known as the California Dream Act, will make…
-
Hate Crimes Against Latinos Rise
By Ruxandra Guidi By law, a hate crime is a criminal act targeting someone because of their race, religion, sexual orientation, or ethnicity. Last year in California, there were 119 documented hate crimes against ethnic Latinos or Latin American immigrants. In 2009, that number stood at 81 statewide. “Latinos are identified as one of the most…