NextGen California Celebrates 2017 Victories, Looks Forward to 2018
Group will launch new advocacy efforts to support policies that put Californians first in 2018
SACRAMENTO — As 2017 comes to a close, NextGen California is celebrating key legislative and policy victories, including the cap-and-trade and air quality package, drug pricing transparency legislation, and the defeat of the proposed Puente Power Project, and looking forward to 2018. Expanding on the Fair Shake Commission report released in June, NextGen California supported and advocated for policies that protect our environment, address economic inequality and increase prosperity for all.
“In the face of the Trump Administration’s assault on our democracy and our values, Californians have stood together and made it clear that Washington, D.C. will not drag us backwards,” said NextGen America President Tom Steyer. “Now more than ever, it’s up to California to lead the way and show the rest of the country that there is a brighter path forward. We’ll double down on our efforts in 2018 to engage and organize Californians to support the kind of policies that will create a more inclusive and prosperous state.”
For some of the bills NextGen California supported, the fight will resume in 2018. Next year, NextGen will launch new advocacy efforts in support of key two-year bills like SB 10, SB 100, SB 623, and AB 1184. NextGen also plans to run an electoral program with the California Labor Federation — Uniting California — in seven key congressional districts to engage Californians and unseat members of Congress who have turned their back on their constituents.
A look back at NextGen California’s 2017 successes:
Cap-and-Trade and Air Quality
Alongside a bipartisan coalition, NextGen successfully backed efforts to extend California’s cap-and-trade program and pass air quality legislation through a six-figure grassroots and digital organizing campaign.Building off this success, NextGen America recently announced efforts to educate and mobilize Oregonians in support of the state’s proposed cap-and-trade legislation.
Drug Pricing Transparency
With a progressive coalition that included the California Labor Federation, health care advocates and small business leaders, NextGen California ran a six-figure grassroots campaign to support SB 17 (Hernandez), which included organizing Californians to deliver over 31,000 petition signatures in support of the bill to their members, running digital ads, and sending direct mail pieces across the state.
Puente Power Project Rejected
NextGen California ran a digital organizing campaign mobilizing Californians to voice opposition to the proposed Puente Power Project in Oxnard, CA. NextGen drove thousands of comments to the Energy Commission in opposition to the dirty fossil fuel project. Citing heavy public opposition, CEC commissioners recommended rejecting the plant in early October.
Progressive Legislation in Sacramento
NextGen also supported a broad range of successful legislation that puts Californians ahead of corporate interests, including bills to expand guaranteed family leave, secure funding that will help expand clean transportation, address the housing crisis, protect immigrant families and communities, reform mandatory minimum sentences, and give Californians the opportunity to approve a $4 billion parks and water bond.