ADL joined more than 100 Jewish community leaders from across California at the Jewish Public Affairs Committee’s (JPAC’s) annual Advocacy Day in Sacramento on May 8 and 9. After an opening reception honoring Senator Holly Mitchell, participants attended a dinner with the Legislative Jewish Caucus, including chair Assemblymember Marc Levine and ADL Glass Leadership Institute alum Senator Ben Allen.
The next day opened with a panel moderated by John Myers of the Los Angeles Times that addressed the implications of federal healthcare policy on California. This timely panel included Senator Dr. Richard Pan; Beth Parker, Chief Legal Counsel for Planned Parenthood in California; and Anthony Wright, Executive Director of Health Access.
The second panel discussed the impact of federal immigration policies on California and was moderated by Ronald Coleman of the CA Immigrant Policy Center. The panelists were Assemblymember Rob Bonta, ACLU Legislative Advocate Maya Ingram and MALDEF Legislative Staff Attorney Jeanette Zanipatin. This panel helped prepare attendees who would later be lobbying on a package of immigration-related bills at the Capitol.
During lunch, California Secretary of State Alex Padilla talked about his plans to expand voting accessibility throughout the state. California Attorney General Xavier Becerra also addressed the group, stressing that the leadership in California is committed to protecting the rights and liberties of all those who reside here.
During the lobbying visits, JPAC participants focused on three priorities: immigration, social services and protecting at-risk communities. Participants met with representatives on both sides of the aisle and stressed the importance of these issues in the California Jewish Community.