Political Playback: California Capitol News You Might Have Missed

By Bo Tefu | California Black Media 

Gov. Newsom Joins National Leaders at Rev. Jesse Jackson’s Funeral; Orders Flags at Half-Staff

Gov. Gavin Newsom traveled to Chicago last week to attend the funeral of Rev. Jesse Jackson, joining a gathering of prominent political leaders, clergy and civil rights figures paying tribute to one of the most influential voices in the modern civil rights movement. 

The memorial service, held March 6, brought together national figures from politics — including former Presidents Clinton, Obama and Biden and former Vice President Harris – as well as faith communities and social justice organizations. They honored Jackson’s decades-long fight for racial equality, voting rights and economic justice.

Earlier in the week, Newsom ordered flags at the State Capitol and all state buildings to be flown at half-staff in honor of the civil rights leader as the nation prepared to lay him to rest.

Public memorial service for Jackson was followed by a private ceremony on March 7. Flags across California remained lowered until sunset March 8, according to the governor’s office.

The order came as political leaders and civil rights advocates across the country remembered Jackson’s decades-long role in pushing the United States to address racial inequality and expand opportunities for marginalized communities.

“As we pay our final respects to Reverend Jesse Jackson before he is laid to rest this weekend, I am ordering flags to be flown at half-staff in his honor,” Newsom said in a statement. “Reverend Jackson paved the righteous path that we now must walk to fulfill his vision of a better world, and his lifetime of lessons and wisdom leaves us well-prepared to do so.”

Jackson spent more than half a century advocating for civil rights, economic justice and greater political representation for underserved communities. A prominent national figure, he helped organize voter registration drives, led protests and pushed policymakers to address systemic inequities.

Members of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) also praised Jackson’s legacy and influence on generations of activists and public servants.

“Reverend Jesse Jackson was a giant among us, who spent his life pushing America to live up to its promise,” said Sen. Akilah Weber Pierson (D-San Diego), chair of the caucus. “His commitment reminds us that real progress happens when people from every background stand together in the pursuit of dignity and equality.”

Black Judges Now 9.9% of California Bench, New Judicial Diversity Report Shows 

Black judges now make up 9.9% of California’s judiciary, more than double their share two decades ago, according to the 2026 Judicial Officer Demographic Data report released March 2, by the Judicial Council of California.

The annual report shows California’s bench continuing a long-term trend toward greater diversity. Data collected from judges and justices as of Dec. 31, 2025, indicate that the share of Black or African American judicial officers has increased from 4.4% in 2006 to 9.9% in 2025.

Overall, the report finds that the state’s judiciary has become steadily more representative of California’s population over the past 20 years. During that period, the percentage of Asian, Black, and Hispanic justices and judges combined has increased by more than 140%, while the share of women on the bench has grown significantly.

Women now make up 44.9% of California’s judges and justices, compared to 27.1% in 2006, an increase of 17.8 percentage points, according to the Judicial Council survey. The findings are based on voluntary demographic responses from judicial officers, with a response rate of 93%.

The report also shows growth among other racial and ethnic groups. Hispanic or Latino judges account for 13.1% of the bench, up from 6.3% in 2006, while Asian judges now make up 11.9%, compared with 4.4% two decades ago. White judges represent 55.8% of the judiciary, down from 70.1% in 2006.

Judicial branch leaders say increasing diversity remains a priority. Programs such as the Pathways to Judicial Diversity toolkit and statewide judicial mentorship initiatives encourage attorneys from underrepresented communities to pursue judicial careers.

Since taking office in 2019, Gov. Gavin Newsom has appointed 695 judges, with more than half identifying as women and more than half identifying as Asian, Black, Hispanic, or Pacific Islander, according to the report.

The Judicial Council is required by state law to release the demographic survey annually. This year marks the 20th edition of the report, which tracks long-term trends in gender, race and ethnicity, sexual orientation, and other characteristics among California’s justices and judges.

17 Small Businesses Receive $2 Million in State Funding; Applications Open for More Grants 

On March 5, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced more than $2 million in state funding for small businesses developing new technologies, while encouraging entrepreneurs to apply for additional grants through a statewide innovation program.

The funding, awarded through the California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA)Innovation Grant Awards, supports startups working in sectors such as health technology, clean energy, artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing. Officials said the program is designed to help early-stage companies grow and bring new products to market.

Entrepreneurs across California received grants ranging from $25,000 to $100,000 to help expand operations, develop technologies and move innovations closer to commercialization. Newsom’s office said the investments aim to strengthen local economies and maintain California’s reputation as a global hub for innovation.

“California continues to be a global leader in innovation and entrepreneurship,” said Newsom. “Today’s investments reflect the state’s commitment to help all, boosting local economies through new small businesses in our communities across the state.”

More than 70% of the companies receiving grants are pre-revenue startups, meaning they are still developing products before entering the marketplace. Several awardees have already secured patents or filed patent applications, highlighting the program’s focus on emerging technologies and research-driven innovation.

“Everyone knows that California is ground zero for innovative entrepreneurship,” said Elmy Bermejo, director of CalOSBA. “But our office is working to diversify the state’s innovation economy by recognizing early-stage businesses and founders from all backgrounds struggling to break through barriers to capital.”

The grants are part of the state’s Accelerate California initiative, which connects startups with mentorship, technical assistance and access to funding through regional innovation hubs.

Since 2023, the program has supported more than 29,000 startups and small businesses and helped create more than 3,200 jobs statewide, according to state officials.

Applications for future grants remain open to California entrepreneurs developing new technologies, products or services. Officials said interested business owners can connect with one of the program’s regional hubs to access mentorship, technical support and potential funding opportunities.

Carl Lewis, Terry McMillan, Arnold Schwarzenegger Among Next California Hall of Fame Inductees 

Last week, Gov. Gavin Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom announced the newest class of the California Hall of Fame, honoring prominent figures in sports, entertainment, literature and public service whose achievements have shaped the state’s culture and influence.

The inductees will be formally honored during a ceremony March 19 at the California Museum in Sacramento. State officials said the 19th class celebrates individuals whose work reflects California’s tradition of creativity, resilience and innovation.

Among the honorees is Olympic track and field legend Carl Lewis, widely regarded as one of the greatest American athletes. Lewis won 10 Olympic medals (nine gold, one silver) across four Olympic Games and dominated sprinting and long jump competitions during the 1980s and early 1990s.

Best-selling author Terry McMillan is also among the inductees. McMillan wrote influential novels including Waiting to Exhale and How Stella Got Her Groove Back, works that helped elevate stories centered on Black women and reshaped contemporary American literature.

Former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger will also be inducted. The Austrian-born bodybuilder rose to global fame as a Hollywood action star before serving as California’s 38th governor. He later became known for environmental advocacy and philanthropy.

Other members of the class include actor and humanitarian Jamie Lee Curtis, Olympic swimming champion Janet Evans, longtime California lawmaker John L. Burton, chef and restaurateur Nobuyuki Matsuhisa and author and systems scientist Riane Eisler. 

The all-female musical group Mariachi Reyna de Los Ángeles will also be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

“From the State Capitol to Los Angeles, from bestselling books to Olympic triumphs, the inductees of the 19th class of the California Hall of Fame have reshaped our culture and our communities,” said Newsom in a statement.

First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom said the group reflects California’s spirit of creativity and community, noting that many of the honorees have deep ties to Los Angeles, a city whose cultural influence reaches audiences around the world.

Launched in 2006, the California Hall of Fame recognizes individuals whose contributions have changed California and influenced the nation and the world.

Treatment Not Tents: Gov. Newsom Announces New Funding for Local Communities to Fight Homelessness

On March 2, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced $291 million in new funding to help local communities expand housing and behavioral health services for people experiencing homelessness, while introducing new accountability measures tied to the state’s mental health treatment program.

State officials said the funding will support supportive housing, treatment services and homelessness prevention efforts as California works to move more people off the streets and into care. The announcement comes as the state reports a 9% drop in unsheltered homelessness, the first statewide decline in more than 15 years.

The funding is part of California’s implementation of the Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment Act, known as the CARE Act, which allows courts to connect people living with untreated schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders with treatment plans, housing and social services.

“Care and accountability go hand in hand — full stop,” said Newsom in a statement. “Through CARE Court, we have seen inspirational stories of recovery and resilience, but many counties continue to lag behind their peers.”

Under the CARE Court system, family members, first responders or mental health professionals can petition a civil court to help individuals access treatment and housing services. The program began in several counties in 2023 and was expanded statewide by the end of 2024.

According to state officials, more than 3,800 CARE petitions have been filed, and more than 4,000 people have been connected with services through diversions that helped them access care without going through the court process.

As part of the announcement, Newsom recognized several counties as “CARE Champions” for strong implementation of the program, including Alameda County, Marin County and San Mateo County.

The governor also identified counties receiving additional support to improve implementation, including Los Angeles County, Orange County and San Francisco County.

The $291 million package includes $131.8 million through the state’s Homekey+ initiative to create 443 housing units for people experiencing homelessness and behavioral health challenges. Another $159 million will go to local governments through the state’s Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention program.

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