The California Legislative Jewish Caucus on Thursday released a list of its priorities for the legislative year, including a set of bills aimed at preventing hate crimes and improving Holocaust education in response to increased attacks targeting the Asian American community and a rise in antisemitic incidents.
Other bills focus on criminal justice reform, elimination of the death penalty, suicide prevention and increased services for the homeless, along with a slate of of “tikkun olam” measures meant to “bring our Jewish values into the policymaking process.”
The caucus, which has 18 members, is also pushing Gov. Gavin Newsom to approve $50 million in the 2021-22 budget toward the Nonprofit Security Grant Program, which helps houses of worship improve their security measures. Last year, no money was allocated because of the pandemic. The budget must be approved by June 15.