News
Legislation Advances to Governor Newsom that will Increase Higher Education Opportunities for Parolees
Introduced by State Senator Ben Hueso and co-sponsored by the Michelson Center for Public Policy, Root & Rebound, and the Underground Scholars Initiative, SB 990 would reduce recidivism and prioritize educational opportunities.
Textbook Price Transparency Bill Passes Major Legislative Hurdle
AB 2624, authored by Assemblymember Ash Kalra, will empower students to make informed choices by requiring the California State Universities (CSU) and California Community Colleges (CCC) and encouraging the University of California (UC), to display the estimated cost of course materials for 75% of courses offered on the online course schedule platform.
In Tribal Nations, Broadband Is More Than Just Internet, It’s a Pathway to a Better Life
Broadband is not just about internet access but about a pathway to obtaining an education, improving health, and acquiring economic resources necessary to thrive, write Dr. Traci Morris and Dr. Gary Michelson. Native nations are taking matters into their own hands and creating solutions.
Spurred by Devastating Wildfires and a Shortage of Qualified Firefighters, California Is Creating a Pathway for Incarcerated Firefighters to Continue Their Career Post Release
Dr. Gary K. Michelson, founder and co-chair of Michelson Philanthropies and the Michelson Center for Public Policy, has joined a growing coalition working to provide a career pathway and a fresh start for incarcerated firefighters.
Governor Signs SB 416, Making California Nation’s Leader in Prioritizing Education Access
“We are deeply grateful to our elected leaders, who recognize how critical education is to empower these individuals to uplift themselves and their families post-incarceration,” said Gary K. Michelson, M.D., founder and co-chair of MCPP and Michelson Philanthropies.
Education Leaders, Students Praise Bold Action to Expand College Affordability and Lower Textbook Costs
On July 27, Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 132 which provides more than $47 billion for higher education in California, including the University of California, California State University, and California Community Colleges, including ZTC degree pathways.
Opinion: Attention, College Students. California’s New Budget Can Help You with Food and Housing
Dr. Rashida Crutchfield, associate professor in the School of Social Work at California State University, and Dr. Gary Michelson’s featured op-ed on why the State’s higher education budget can make huge strides in supporting student basic needs.
Growing Coalition of Academic Leaders, Policy Experts, and Students Calls for Full Funding of Governor Newsom’s Proposal to Cut Textbook Costs
A coalition of leading educators, students, and policy experts are calling on legislators to fully fund Governor Gavin Newsom’s historic proposal for Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) degree pathways for California students.
A Transformational Investment in California's Future
Gary K. Michelson, M.D., founder and co-chair of the Michelson Center for Public Policy, issues a statement on Gov. Newsom’s revised budget proposal for 2021-22 which would provide a total of $115 million one-time investment to develop, implement and expand ZTC degrees and open educational resources to reduce the overall cost education for students attending community college.
Statement on Appointment of Assemblymember Rob Bonta as California Attorney General
Gary K. Michelson, M.D., founder and co-chair of the Michelson Center for Public Policy and the Michelson 20MM Foundation, today issued the following statement on the appointment of Assemblymember Rob Bonta as California Attorney General.
MCPP Joins in Support of Governor Newsom’s $15 Million Zero-Textbook Cost Degree Proposal
We are writing in support of Governor Newsom’s proposed $15 million one-time allocation of Proposition 98 funds for the California Community College (CCC) System’s Zero-Textbook Cost (ZTC) Degree program.
Senator Hueso Legislation Would Protect Incarcerated Students’ Access to Higher Education
Senator Ben Hueso (D-San Diego) is joined by Project Rebound Consortium and Michelson Center for Public Policy in announcing the introduction of SB 416, a bill that would amend California Penal Code to protect incarcerated students’ access to face-to-face instruction provided by quality nonprofit and regionally-accredited higher education providers.
California Assemblymember Ash Kalra Introduces Bill to Make Textbooks More Affordable
Joint authors, Assemblymembers Ash Kalra (D-San Jose), Rudy Salas (D-Bakersfield), and Rob Bonta (D-Oakland), and bill co-sponsors, Michelson Center for Public Policy and the California Public Interest Research Group (CALPIRG), today announced the introduction of AB 403, the Fair Access to College Textbooks Act. The Act requires that higher education institutions entering into automatic billing agreements include consumer protection provisions for students.
State Superintendent Tony Thurmond Announces $1 Million Innovation Competition
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond today announced the new “California Digital Divide Innovation Challenge,” a global competition that will award up to $1 million to the boldest, most revolutionary proposals to eliminate the digital divide and expand high-speed internet access to all Californians.