Here we are in the middle of January 2021 - COVID-19 continues to rage across the state and more than half of California remains in lock down. Where there was hope for some relief with the vaccine, the rollout has been slow, and California still lacks the availability of enough vaccine to just get through the first tier, which focuses on our Health Care providers. Yet again, California has moved into a piecemeal approach with each county using their own systems to vaccinate their residents. The new federal guidance has put an additional strain on the system with recommendations that not only long-term care residents be inoculated, but also the hardest hit population- those over 65 years of age- who have the highest numbers in the ICU and lowest recovery rates. CRA continues to advocate for a safe, equitable and efficient rollout of the vaccine and partnership with the Administration on removing regulatory obstacles to ensure California has enough pharmacy professionals to administer the vaccine, especially as new vaccines come to market.
Not only is CRA focused on COVID-19, but the State Legislature resumed session in Sacramento on January 11th, a week later than scheduled, adding to our priorities other policy issues important to our members. Democrats continue to maintain a supermajority in both houses and just this week the Senate GOP ousted the previous leader, Shannon Grove, and replaced her with moderate Scott Wilk. We continue our legislative session like we ended last year – very controlled access to the Capitol with limited staff and even more limits on direct public participation. The policies from last year continue – offices can have one staff person per day, no direct meetings can be held in a legislative office and all other lobbying and advocacy will be done via video conference.
CRA is sponsoring several bills in the upcoming session that include extending the sunset on the ORC criminal statute that was passed in 2018, ensuring the CHP ORC Task force continues to receive funding in the State Budget and, to help with the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, a bill to place in statue to allow pharmacists and pharmacy technicians to continue to administer COVID-19 tests as well as provide the vaccine. We are also looking at other sponsored bill ideas and have had very productive meetings with members of the Legislature.
As a reminder, the bill introduction deadline is February 19. Things will not really get moving in terms of policy committee hearings until late March. So far, our expectation is that policy committees will have only two hearings and, while leadership in both houses have not limited the number of bills a member can introduce, fewer committee hearings will automatically lead to a reduced number of bills being heard and moving through the process. While California still grapples with COVID-19, a rough vaccine rollout and stay at home orders, we still expect thousands of bills to be introduced.
Earlier this month, Governor Newsom rolled out his proposed $227 billion budget for 2021-22. We expected the budget to focus heavily on COVID-19 and it does include budget allocations for opening schools, assisting small businesses, and supporting Californians impacted by COVID-19. Surprisingly, however, despite statewide shutdowns and the impact of COVID-19, California reported a budget SURPLUS. While this budget news was a welcome relief after months of business shutdowns in the state, California budget analysts do not expect the windfall to continue and anticipate that the full financial impact of COVID-19 will be felt on the state’s coffers for many years to come. As a reminder, the state budget is passed by a simple majority in both houses by June 15th and must be signed by the Governor before the July 1st start of the new fiscal year.
I would be remiss to mention the exciting political changes effecting California. First, what an honor to see one of California’s own, Kamala Harris, being sworn in as the first woman to serve as Vice-President of the United States. CRA looks forward to working with her as we have in California for many years. Her election started a ripple effect that included California sending to the United States Senate our first Latino Senator Alex Padilla. Upon his appointment, Governor Newsom appointed Assemblywoman Shirley Weber to fill the vacant Secretary of State role. In addition, California will shortly see a new appointment to Attorney General as our current AG, Xavier Becerra, has been nominated by President Biden to head HHS. Not only are we proud of these amazing California leaders who will be leading in the Biden Administration, but we look forward to working with many other Californians who have been appointed by the new President. California is certainly well represented in the new Biden Administration and CRA is ready to work with all of them on issues important to our members.
Continuing the California political theme – it has been nationally reported that the campaign to recall Governor Newsom is gaining momentum and raising money. Supporters of the recall must collect 1.5 million signatures by March 17th to qualify. Things appear to be heating up, especially with the rocky vaccine rollout and the delay in school openings. Only time will tell if California faces a recall decision in the fall.
As always, never a dull moment in California, but rest assured the CRA team is plugged in to provide our members the most effective insight and representation in the state.
Rachel
