Other Organization Updates
July 23, 2021
Weideman Group Weekly
Newsom’s Billions
In a campaign style tour around the state, Governor Newsom has been highlighting a series of budget investments he inked in the last few weeks.
Weideman COVID-19 Update
July 16, 2021
Health Information Exchange
The Legislature passed and sent to the Governor another round of budget “trailer bills” this week. One of the bills is AB 133, a measure that mandates the sharing of health information among health plans, health systems and providers.
Weideman COVID-19 Update
July 13, 2021
Drought Response
With drought conditions intensifying, Governor Gavin Newsom extended the state’s emergency drought declaration to an additional 9 counties – San Luis Obispo, Inyo, Marin, Mono, Monterey, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz – bringing the total to 50 out of 58 counties.
Weideman COVID-19 Update
July 1, 2021
Show Me the Money
The legislature passed a package of budget bills, some of which have already been signed by the Governor, just in time for the 2021-2022 fiscal year to begin. Highlights of the package include investments to fund universal school meals for all students, expansion of Medi-Cal coverage to all income eligible Californians 50 years or older regardless of immigration status, $6 billion for broadband infrastructure, and $8.1 billion in direct stimulus payments to Californians making under $75,000 a year.
Weideman COVID-19 Update
June 28, 2021
Capitol Access
The Legislature announced updated workplace COVID-19 rules designed to maintain safe access to the Capitol building. Legislators, staff, and the public are required to wear masks in shared spaces (elevators, hallways, committee rooms, restrooms) regardless of their vaccination status and are encouraged to maintain physical distance.
Weideman COVID-19 Update
June 18, 2021
Deal or No Deal
The Legislature passed a placeholder budget this week in order to meet the constitutional deadline of June 15th to pass a balanced budget. AB 128 (Ting) is the Legislature’s bicameral budget proposal, but it does not represent a budget deal with the Governor. Negotiations between the Governor and legislative leadership are ongoing around a final budget package that the Governor will actually sign.
Weideman COVID-19 Update
June 11, 2021
Reopen California
On Tuesday next week, California will move past the Blueprint for a Safer Economy and reopen after more than a year of restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While larger congregate events or mega events are still discouraged, most businesses and activities will be allowed to resume at full capacity with little or no restrictions. The Newsom administration will begin the process of winding down various executive orders that waive statutes and regulations.
Weideman COVID-19 Update
June 5, 2021
House of Origin Deadline
The Legislature dispensed with hundreds of bills ahead of today’s house of origin deadline. All bills that made it out of their house of origin by today will now move to the opposite house for consideration in the coming months. Bills that didn’t make it out of their house of origin by today will be eligible to move in January 2022, unless it is a measure that was defeated in committee.
Weideman COVID-19 Update
June 2, 2021
Vax for the Win
Governor Newsom announced Vax for the Win, a $116.5 million incentive program to help increase vaccination rates as the state approaches its June 15th reopening target date. Under the program, a lottery will award 10 lucky Californians that have at least had their first vaccine shot $1.5 million each and 30 people will win $50,000.
Weideman COVID-19 Update
May 21, 2021
Open Up that Golden State!
California health officials announced today that conditions have been met for the state to fully reopen on June 15th. Aligning with recommendations from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, businesses will be able to reopen without COVID-19 mitigation efforts and fully vaccinated individuals will not need to wear masks in most situations.
Weideman COVID-19 Update
May 14, 2021
Cup Runneth Over
Governor Newsom released his updated budget proposal for fiscal year 2021-2022, referred to as the May Revision, totaling $267.8 billion. The proposal reflects a $75.7 billion budget surplus and the largest tax rebate in American History, and takes into account the $27 billion in one-time funds the state is receiving from the federal American Rescue Plan.
Weideman COVID-19 Update
May 7, 2021
Governor’s Emergency Powers Upheld
In a unanimous decision, the 3rd District Court of Appeals ruled that Governor Newsom has the right to modify state laws during the COVID-19 declared state of emergency. This decision reverses a lower court’s ruling that favored the litigants that brought on the lawsuit, Republican Assemblymembers Kevin Kiley and James Gallagher, who argued that the Governor was overstepping his power on public health.
Weideman COVID-19 Update
April 30, 2021
California Loses a Congressional Seat
For the first time in the state’s history, California will lose a congressional seat following the results of the 2020 census. California will join 6 other states that lose a seat until the next reapportionment following the 2030 census. The independent California Citizens Redistricting Commission is tasked with drawing new congressional maps in CA with one fewer district. The Commission will release its first draft of the new districts on August 15th.
Weideman COVID-19 Update
April 24, 2021
Finally Some Good COVID-19 News
California has the lowest rates of new COVID-19 cases in the continental United States. To date, California has administered more than 26 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines, and no California county is currently in the most restrictive tier in the Blueprint for a Safer Economy. If this trend continues, the state is poised to reopen and drop the tier system by June 15.
Weideman COVID-19 Update
April 17, 2021
J&J Vaccine Put on Pause
As a result of a recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration, California has temporarily suspended the administration of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The suspension comes as the CDC and FDA identified six cases of a rare but severe type of blood clot in individuals who received the vaccine.
Weideman COVID-19 Update
April 9, 2021
Reopening and Recovery
Governor Newsom announced this week that California plans to end its use of the colored tier system for counties under the Blueprint for a Safer Economy on June 15 so long as there is a steady supply of COVID-19 vaccines and low COVID-19 hospitalizations. This would effectively open up California’s economy in time for summer. California continues to see a steady improvement in COVID numbers, including the lowest positivity rate in the nation and over 21 million doses of vaccine administered.
Weideman COVID-19 Update
April 2, 2021
American Jobs Plan
President Biden is seeking to build on the successful passage of the American Rescue Plan with a $2 trillion investment in infrastructure and jobs known as the American Jobs Plan. Among other things, the plan contains $621 billion for transportation infrastructure (roadways, railways, bridges and clean energy transportation); $650 billion for retrofitting affordable homes, school buildings, underground water infrastructure and broa
Weideman COVID-19 Update
March 26, 2021
Vaccines for All
Governor Newsom announced that the state will be dramatically expanding vaccine eligibility in the coming weeks. Beginning April 1st, all individuals aged 50+ will be eligible to make an appointment to receive their vaccination and individuals aged 16+ will be eligible starting April 15th. This expansion has been made possible by an increase in vaccination supply and is supported by an expanded capacity to administer vaccines that Blue Shield of California is spearheading.
Weideman COVID-19 Update
March 19, 2021
It’s Time for Some More Shots
California expanded eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine to include everyone over 16 that is deemed at a higher risk of COVID-19 morbidity by their healthcare provider. It is advised that individuals in this new category contact their health provider, work through myturn.ca.gov and check with their local county health department on the availability of the vaccine.
Weideman COVID-19 Update
March 12, 2021
Biden Takes Action on American Rescue Plan
President Biden signed the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan passed by Congress.