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Public Advocates

@publicadvocates.bsky.social
536 followers 27 following 99 posts

The "small but noisy" nonprofit law firm and advocacy organization making rights real for all Californians.

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Reposted by Public Advocates
Alliance for Housing Justice @aforhj.org · 12/06/2026
"We know from the data that when the government invests in housing & health care, fewer people end up on the streets." progressive.org/op-eds/dont-ax-prov…
progressive.org
Don’t Ax Proven Ways to End Homelessness
The Trump Administration is attacking the programs that helped Americans like me.
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Laurel in Transit @laurelintransit.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
🧵 Thread of how, in addition to the Oakland example in the article, Title VI disparate impact complaints have been used as a tool by communities to push back on disproportionate impacts of transportation decisions
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Laurel in Transit @laurelintransit.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
In 2022 residents of Shiloh Alabama filed a complaint with FHWA due to the flooding of a historically Black community caused by a highway expansion project. In 2024 Alabama DOT signed a Voluntary Compliance Agreement to install mitigation to the flooding.
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Laurel in Transit @laurelintransit.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
From a 2021 disparate impact complaint on displacement and pollution on Black and Latino neighborhoods from a North Houston highway project TX DOT signed a Voluntary Resolution Agreement for design changes, funding for affordable housing in impacted neighborhoods, and flood and pollution mitigation.
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Laurel in Transit @laurelintransit.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
It is part of this Administration attack on civil rights. But we don't have to accept it! Transit agencies can still do the analysis. State and local governments that fund transportation can require it. Coverage in KQED: www.kqed.org/news/1208711...
kqed.org
Trump Transit Secretary Rescinds Key Civil Rights Law Once Used to Challenge BART Project | KQED
Title VI prohibits transportation agencies that receive federal funding from implementing programs or activities that unintentionally and disproportionately impact people who are protected by the nati...
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Laurel in Transit @laurelintransit.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
Today US DOT rescinded regulations on disparate-impact liability. Sounds wonky but it's a critical way Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 has protected communities of color from disproportionate harms from transportation decisions and required proactive analysis on the fairness of benefits
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Sarah Syed @sarahsyed.bsky.social · 08/12/2025
New Clipper benefits provide incredible savings if you can access them. 👏 👏👏 But many riders who rely on AC Transit 🚌 pay cash 💵 and miss out. I'm pushing for a fairer system because everyone deserves the same access to savings. #FairFares
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Public Advocates @publicadvocates.bsky.social · 13/06/2025
We stand in unwavering solidarity with @chirla_org and every org defending immigrants, refugees, and working families. When you come for one of us, you come for all of us!
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Public Advocates @publicadvocates.bsky.social · 13/06/2025
@potus gave Big Oil a huge gift in signing Congressional measures 2 overturn CA vehicle emission rules. @gavinnewsom.bsky.social outraged but #CALeg considering 20-year giveaway to Big Oil he proposed by extending Cap-&-Trade "as is." www.fresnobee.com/opinion/read... @leadershipcounsel.bsky.social
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Public Advocates @publicadvocates.bsky.social · 15/05/2025
Read our full statement on the May revision of the California budget at: publicadvocates.org/press-releas...
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Public Advocates @publicadvocates.bsky.social · 09/05/2025
Though Teacher Appreciation Week is coming to an end, here are some ways to create safe, supportive environments for educators and students alike all year round. 🍎
Promote a Safer and More Inclusive School Culture! State level: Allocate funding for professional development on equitable and antiracist practices, including implicit bias, positive school climate, restorative practices, and positive behavioral supports.
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Public Advocates @publicadvocates.bsky.social · 08/05/2025
We build stronger and more successful communities when everyone–students, parents, guardians, family members, and neighbors–is included in local decision making. This also applies within a school community, where students and families must be included in the process to recruit educators! 🍎
Include Community in Hiring Processes! Local level: Include students and families in hiring processes and invite students and families of color to participate in onboarding training for new teachers. Learn more: bit.ly/div_roadmap
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Public Advocates @publicadvocates.bsky.social · 08/05/2025
📢 Housing Policy Alert: Tenant Rights Under Threat "Those forces are feeling emboldened, not just by the rhetoric coming out of the Trump administration, but the actual regulations," warns Liz Ryan Murray, director of strategic campaigns at Public Advocates.
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Public Advocates @publicadvocates.bsky.social · 07/05/2025
👇Español abajo 🧵Our students—especially students of color and multilingual learners—need and deserve diverse, fully prepared teachers. It’s critical in ensuring that they feel safe, supported, and ready for success.
Improve Educator Diversity Data! State level: Collect annual data on languages spoken by educators. Local level: Share disaggregated staff demographic data. Use educator diversity data as part of LCAP goal-setting process.
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Public Advocates @publicadvocates.bsky.social · 06/05/2025
One way that we can create schools where every student feels belonging and joy is to have a teacher workforce that reflects the diversity of our state and a student’s local community. 🧵 Learn more about how we can create schools of belonging for all at: bit.ly/div_roadmap.
Reduce Barriers for Diverse Teacher Candidates! On the state level: Invest in a coordinated outreach and recruitment campaign and Design and implement educator apprenticeship programs.
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Public Advocates @publicadvocates.bsky.social · 05/05/2025
Happy Teacher Appreciation Week, to existing teachers and all of the potential teachers in our communities. 🍎
Expand Educator Pathways! CA: Provide funding and infrastructure for partnerships between teacher preparation programs, local colleges, school districts, and community partners that support new educator preparation and training. CA: Increase stipend sizes for Teacher Residency Grant Program. Learn more:
bit.ly/div_roadmap
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Public Advocates @publicadvocates.bsky.social · 02/05/2025
Students are set up for success when their teachers are set up for success. Teachers are set up for success when they are assigned by their districts to teach the classes that they are trained for. 🧵:
Increase Educator Compensation! State level:
Update Minimum Beginning Teacher Salary legislation (currently set at $32,000) and create incentive program for teachers of color serving in high-need schools (grants, loan repayments, tax credits)
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NextGen Policy @nextgenpolicy.bsky.social · 30/04/2025
Affordability starts by stopping handouts to Big Oil. 🛢️❌ $890M in free pollution allowances went to fossil fuel giants last year—while Californians face rising energy bills & dangerous wildfires! Tell @governor.ca.gov it's time to strengthen #CapAndTrade. ⤵️ go.nextgenpolicy.org/Wv7A
Logo of NextGen California. Affordability starts with stopping handouts to big oil. Join us!
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Public Advocates @publicadvocates.bsky.social · 01/05/2025
This Teacher Appreciation Week, read our Educator Diversity Policy Roadmap and learn how we can build our educator workforce to better support our students and our teachers! ➡️ bit.ly/div_roadmap
Improve Educator Diversity!
1. Increase compensation
2. Expand educator pathways in high schools and community colleges
3. Reduce barriers for diverse teacher candidates
4. Track and report educator diversity data
5. Promote a safer and more inclusive school culture
6. Include community in hiring processes

Learn more: bit.ly/div_roadmap
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Public Advocates @publicadvocates.bsky.social · 01/05/2025
Thanks to @spur-urbanist.bsky.social for hosting us today! 👇
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Public Advocates @publicadvocates.bsky.social · 30/04/2025
It is not illegal to simply have a racial disparity in discipline statistics, Affeldt notes. Instead, disparities serve as a red flag that triggers an investigation to examine whether certain policies or practices are discriminatory and violate civil rights. Read more 👇
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Lasherica Thornton @lashericat.bsky.social · 25/04/2025
The Trump administration said a focus on equity in discipline has harmed student safety while advocates say it’s an excuse to roll back civil rights protections. edsource.org/2025/trump-a... by @emmagallegos.bsky.social & @jfensterwald.bsky.social @edsource.org
edsource.org
Trump attacks a key strategy for California schools: Flagging racial disparities in discipline
Trump’s executive order, released Wednesday, attacks the concept of disparate impact — the idea that a policy that may seem neutral actually harms a racial or ethnic group.
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Transform California @transformca.bsky.social · 30/04/2025
California's Cap-and-Trade Program must do more to reduce GHG emissions and help communities burdened by decades of toxic pollution. Voice Your Support for Effective, Equitable Cap and Trade. Email your Assemblymember and Senator Today transformca.org/cap-and-trade/
transformca.org
Cap-and-Trade - Transform
California's Cap-and-Trade Program must do more to reduce GHG emissions and help communities burdened by decades of toxic pollution.
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Public Advocates @publicadvocates.bsky.social · 30/04/2025
Imagine what CA could do with $890 million: - Funding public transit - Protect us from wildfires - Build affordable housing Instead, that money went to free pollution passes for Big Oil. Sign @nextgenpolicy.bsky.social's petition and help fix cap-and-trade to start investing in what really matters.
nextgenpolicy.org
Protect California's Climate - NextGen Policy
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Public Advocates @publicadvocates.bsky.social · 30/04/2025
California’s Cap-and-Trade program is supposed to help clean up our air, fight wildfires, and lower energy costs—and it can be used to fund transit and affordable housing, benefiting all Californians. But instead, we’re giving nearly $1 billion in free allowances to Big Oil. 👎 Take action:
nextgenpolicy.org
Protect California's Climate - NextGen Policy
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Public Advocates @publicadvocates.bsky.social · 30/04/2025
Affordability starts by stopping handouts to Big Oil. $890M in free pollution allowances went to fossil fuel giants last year—while Californians face rising costs and dangerous wildfires. Tell @governor.ca.gov it's time to strengthen Cap-and-Trade and fund affordable housing and transit.
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Transform California @transformca.bsky.social · 30/04/2025
Affordability starts by stopping handouts to Big Oil. $890M in free pollution allowances went to fossil fuel giants last year—while Californians face rising energy bills and dangerous wildfires. Tell @governor.ca.gov it's time to strengthen Cap-and-Trade. www.nextgenpolicy.org/protect-cali...
nextgenpolicy.org
Protect California's Climate - NextGen Policy
The cost of living is rising across California and more wildfire disasters and other extreme weather events are only adding to the strain on our families and communities.
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Center for Food Safety @cfstruefood.bsky.social · 30/04/2025
Sign the petition with @nextgenpolicy.bsky.social ky.social to extend & strengthen Cap-and-Trade! www.nextgenpolicy.org/protect-cali...
nextgenpolicy.org
Protect California's Climate - NextGen Policy
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Center for Food Safety @cfstruefood.bsky.social · 30/04/2025
California’s Cap-and-Trade program is supposed to help clean up our air, fight wildfires, and lower energy costs. But instead, we’re giving nearly $1 billion in free allowances to Big Oil. @governor.ca.gov @isaacgbryan.bsky.social
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Public Advocates @publicadvocates.bsky.social · 23/04/2025
“We are deeply disappointed in the Court’s decision to deny a new trial in the fight for fully staffed classrooms at Stege, Helms, and Kennedy. Our commitment to advocating for stable, well-supported public schools—especially for students most impacted by systemic neglect—remains unwavering.” 👇
richmondside.org
Ruling means WCCUSD can keep using short-term subs to fill teaching spots
The plaintiffs, a group of teachers and parents, plan to appeal, saying use of temporary subs harms students.
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Public Advocates @publicadvocates.bsky.social · 23/04/2025
Gov. Newsom essentially signaled that ethnic studies isn’t one of his top education priorities amid a statewide teacher shortage. He is seeking $300 million for teacher retention and recruitment in the budget, a similar price point to what ethnic studies would cost.
politico.com
This high school course is dividing districts across California
The fight over ethnic studies is creating a quiet headache for Gov. Gavin Newsom.
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Western Center on Law & Poverty @westerncenter.bsky.social · 22/04/2025
The evidence is clear: fines and jail time for homelessness cost more than housing and services. We must stop spending money to make homelessness worse. SB 634 is common-sense fiscal policy. @SenatorJohnLaird @scott_wiener @sencabaldon @JesseArreguin vote #YESonSB634
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ACLU California Action @aclucalaction.bsky.social · 22/04/2025
Fines, fees, and arrests for being unable to pay rent undermines real progress on homelessness. Senator John Laird, @scottwiener.bsky.social, @senatorcabaldon.bsky.social, @jessearreguin.bsky.social — vote #YESonSB634 to support real solutions, not punishment.
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Public Advocates @publicadvocates.bsky.social · 22/04/2025
It’s National Fair Housing Month and our Housing Justice advocates are getting the word out on ways the state and communities can get more affordable housing though CA’s Housing Element Process which includes some fair housing requirements!
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ACLU California Action @aclucalaction.bsky.social · 21/04/2025
We can’t punish our way out of a housing crisis. Senator John Laird, @scottwiener.bsky.social, @senatorcabaldon.bsky.social, @jessearreguin.bsky.social, vote #YESonSB634 to stop persecuting people for being unhoused.
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Public Advocates @publicadvocates.bsky.social · 20/04/2025
The evidence is clear: fines/jail for homelessness cost more than housing/services. We must stop spending $ to make homelessness worse @scottwiener.bsky.social @senatorcabaldon.bsky.social @jessearreguin.bsky.social vote #YESonSB634 @michellepariset.bsky.social @naehomelessness.bsky.social
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Public Advocates @publicadvocates.bsky.social · 17/04/2025
The California Apartment Association's political influence extends throughout state. On the local level, the CAA has fought municipal ordinances on rent control, both openly and behind the scenes, throughout California, including in Concord: sfstandard.com/2025/04/16/l...
sfstandard.com
Revealed: Landlord group hired paid protesters to oppose rent control
Hiring fake “activists” is becoming a standard tactic for lobbying groups seeking to influence legislators.
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Public Advocates @publicadvocates.bsky.social · 17/04/2025
Today, a court has continued to allow the West Contra Costa Unified School District to use caretakers with 30-day substitute permits to fill permanent, year-long teaching positions—which will continue to harm the district's most vulnerable students. Learn more: publicadvocates.org/press-releas...
publicadvocates.org
Press Release: Court Ruling Allows WCCUSD to Use Unlicensed Teachers - Public Advocates
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 16, 2025 Media Contact: Sumeet Bal, Director of Communications, 917.647.1952, sbal@publicadvocates.org ... Read more
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Public Advocates @publicadvocates.bsky.social · 16/04/2025
⚖️ Job alert! ⚖️ Join Public Advocates in our work to defend—and transform—public education across the state as our Senior Staff Attorney for our Education Equity team. The priority application deadline is Friday, May 2. Apply now at: publicadvocates.org/get-involved...
A photo of four Public Advocates staff members. They are holding up a piece of art and smiling at the camera. The text reads: Join our team! Senior Staff Attorney for the Education Equity team. Remote in California, Los Angeles preferred, exempt, full-time, ninety thousand to one hundred twenty thousand dependent on experience.
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Kenny Uong @kennyuong.bsky.social · 16/04/2025
Daily reminder to fund transit! 🚌
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The Mercury News @mercurynews.com · 14/04/2025
As the Bay Area looks to increase its housing stock, is there any room for community college students?
mercurynews.com
As the Bay Area looks to increase its housing stock, is there any room for community college students?
Several community college districts are taking steps to provide students with on-campus housing.
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Public Advocates @publicadvocates.bsky.social · 15/04/2025
Residents across California face struggles to find safe, healthy, affordable housing. Community college students are one population facing this struggle—roughly half are housing insecure, while a quarter are homeless. Students, advocates, and colleges are working together address this issue:
eastbaytimes.com
As the Bay Area looks to increase its housing stock, is there any room for community college students?
Several community college districts are taking steps to provide students with on-campus housing.
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The Oaklandside @oaklandside.org · 09/04/2025
Michael Hursh applied for a new position in Oregon before negotiating with the agency for a cushy adviser role. Now he has both jobs.
oaklandside.org
Documents show former AC Transit GM had a foot out the door before negotiating $500k role
Michael Hursh applied for a new position in Oregon before negotiating with the agency for a cushy adviser role. Now he has both jobs.
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Jose Fermoso @fermoso.bsky.social · 24/03/2025
Former AC Transit GM Michael Hursh started a new job in Oregon as the Lane County Lane Transit District's new chief operating officer. But he's still operating as a consultant for AC Transit making more than $500K a year, raising eyebrows. oaklandside.org/2025/03/24/a...
oaklandside.org
AC Transit's former GM has a new job in Oregon. He's still making $500k as an agency consultant
A local has threatened litigation against the agency for potential public disclosure violations around Hursh’s settlement agreement.
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Jose Fermoso @fermoso.bsky.social · 12/12/2024
AC Transit director Sarah Syed alleges other directors agreed to a fraudulent “sweetheart” deal with outgoing GM Michael Hursh to keep him on at his same salary (~$500k with benefits), for an advisor role without work time specifications. New: oaklandside.org/2024/12/12/a...
oaklandside.org
AC Transit director decries 'sweetheart deal' for outgoing general manager
Ward 3 Director Sarah Syed said other board directors approved the agreement in a closed session to avoid public scrutiny.
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Transbay Coalition @transbaycoalition.bsky.social · 25/03/2025
"If community-led bench efforts, like SFBA Bench Collective, can install dozens of benches while operating in this quasi-legal space, imagine how much they can do if it were fully legalized?”
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Laurel in Transit @laurelintransit.bsky.social · 06/04/2025
Great to see advocate installed benches in use after today's Hands Off protest in downtown Oakland! Bus stops need benches.
Five elders sitting on a handmade bench at a bus stop in Oakland
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Public Advocates @publicadvocates.bsky.social · 20/03/2025
⚖️ Job alert! ⚖️ Join Public Advocates in our work to defend—and transform—public education across the state as a Temporary Contract Attorney or Senior Staff Attorney for our Education Equity team. Learn more: publicadvocates.org/get-involved...
A photo of four Public Advocates team members. They are holding up a piece of art and smiling. The text reads: Join our team! Temporary Contract Attorney for the Education Equity team. Remote in California with limited travel, $125 hourly, 20 hours per week (April through June). The second job opportunity is for Senior Staff Attorney for the Education Equity team. The job is remote in California, Los Angeles preferred, with limited travel. Exempt, full-time, 90 thousand to 120 thousand annually dependent on experience.
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Public Advocates @publicadvocates.bsky.social · 05/04/2025
Residents of Concord have been fighting for 8+ years for renter protections. Recently, 'activists' attended a City Council meeting and called for these protections to be scaled back. It turns out that they were paid by the California Apartment Association 👇 www.mercurynews.com/2025/04/04/l...
mercurynews.com
Landlord group pays ‘activists’ to oppose Bay Area rent control measure
“It was purely astroturf,” one worker said.
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Public Advocates @publicadvocates.bsky.social · 05/04/2025
Teacher grants are critical to support a prepared and diverse educator workforce. This legal challenge is being sent back to the lower courts to be resolved and as members of the legal community, we have faith that the courts will ultimately rule for plaintiffs that the cuts are not legal. 🏫✊
The Public Advocates logo. There is a black and white image of the Supreme Court in the background. The quote, attributed to John Affeldt who is the Managing Attorney and Director of Education Equity for Public Advocates, reads: While the recent news about teacher grants may seem disappointing, the Supreme Court's opinion today allowing the administration to suspend teacher grant funds is a temporary setback. There is an emphasis overlaid on the phrase "temporary setback".
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