It’s a big week in the Golden State! The Governor signed a flurry of legislation and we’re highlighting the NCC-supported, pro-housing measures and California demolished a dam. But first…

POLITICS AND MEMORY IN THE CENTRAL VALLEY

Once the epicenter of the Chicano Movement, Central California is at risk of losing its Latino history amid broad political shifts and lack of preservation, Axios reports. In the ‘60s, labor icons like Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta rallied thousands in a fight against poverty, exploitation, and inequality in the agricultural Central Valley. But the political winds are fickle, and memories can be short. Today, the United Farm Workers union, once a titan of activism, is a shadow of its former self. Once 60,000 strong, the UFW’s ranks have dwindled nearly 90% from its apex. As younger Latinos navigate a region still mired in economic struggle, they’re questioning whether the old ways matter anymore. As the historic sites that once defined the farmworker rights movement softly fade from memory, a new generation of Central Valley Latinos is slowly losing touch with the stories that once defined the region. Saul Ayon, the mayor of McFarland, California, said that some Latinos today have become suspicious of some elected officials who promote that history but who failed to deliver as the region struggles with poverty and inequality. "My grandparents were Democrats, but they saw how the local Democratic players operated here over the years,” says Alex Dominguez, a Bakersfield Republican whose grandparents attended Cesar Chavez events. “And now, even they are moderate Republicans."

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🤫 Everything you should know

- Governor Newsom has signed two bills to alleviate the state’s high cost of living. The first streamlines the process for creating junior ADUs by exempting them from CEQA requirements and directly aligns with what we've been advocating at the New California Coalition. We've consistently highlighted how CEQA obstructs smart growth, so much that it was even called out in the White House’s recently released housing plan. The second bill allows local governments to convert hotels and motels into long-term housing for unhoused community members. These laws cut through red tape and provide communities with the tools needed to address the state's housing challenges more effectively. It's a win for common-sense reforms and a big step toward solving one of California's most pressing issues. KQED

- Disney’s Cotino project is a major new development that will bring nearly 2,000 homes to Rancho Mirage. (In case you hadn’t heard, we’re fans of projects that will help address our housing crunch.). While the project has stirred some local concerns about water use and environmental impact, it also represents a creative solution to the housing shortage. With Disney's signature attention to detail, and perhaps a little help from Mickey himself, Cotino could be a welcome addition to the Coachella Valley, offering new housing options in a state that desperately needs them. Los Angeles Times

- California’s landscape is about to change in a big way — quite literally. Four obsolete Klamath River dams are finally coming down in what is the largest dam removal project in U.S. history. It’s a win for salmon, tribes, fisherfolk, and environmentalists, but what does it mean for the rest of us? In short, the project represents an exciting blueprint for the future of water management in the Golden State. As we tackle our affordability crisis and push for more housing, it’s essential that our growth plans balance ecological health and human needs. If we can pull off a dam removal of this scale, who says we can’t also secure a water future that flows just as freely? Associated Press

🏠Federal Policy Watch

As the Presidential election heats up, the New California Coalition is closely monitoring how candidates address our key policy issues. Recently, the Harris-Walz campaign released an ad spotlighting the lack of affordable housing and proposing a plan to build 3 million new housing units. It’s a common-sense solution that echoes what NCC has championed since our founding. As politicians across the country start embracing our ideas, we’ll continue to track how candidates up and down the ballot address the issues that matter most to us. Watch the ad

🎓Central Valley Education Spotlight

The San Joaquin Valley is known for its fertile fields, but when it comes to college completion, the path is anything but smooth. A new report from the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) highlights the hurdles students face in this region, from high dropout rates to barriers in access to higher education. The good news? There are pathways to improve. By boosting college readiness, expanding support systems, and increasing access to financial aid, we can help cultivate a crop of graduates ready to contribute to California’s future. As we push for more affordable housing and job creation in the Valley, let’s also ensure that education—another key to unlocking opportunity—doesn’t get left behind.

🌊Coastal Commission for the People

Great highlight of an op-ed pressuring the California Coastal Commission to stop blocking the building of housing – for the people and the environment.