Buffy Wicks

25 Nov, 12 tweets, 6 min read

2020 was a year of historic significance. A global pandemic. Economic hardship. Racial reckoning.

But it’s in these moments of consequence that we’re reminded govt *does* have a role to play. We need good public policy that actually *helps* people.

So what comes next? (Thread—)

First and foremost in my mind: we need policies that support our working families — who are struggling to keep their heads above water just trying to make it work. Particularly working parents.

And being hit the hardest right now? Working moms—who are having to take on so much all at once. So much that too many are finding it impossible to keep their balance, much less “lean in.” That’s why many are dropping out of the workforce. We must fix this.nytimes.com/2020/11/17/bus…

We must finally create workplaces that work for people w/caregiving responsibilities.

Where to start? W/policies that support working moms—like paid leave & affordable childcare.

More on what this could (& should) look like in my op-ed w/@tammyduckworth👇🏼marieclaire.com/politics/a3454…

Of course these family-friendly policies benefit everyone, not just women. Nearly everybody cares for family at some point. Caregiving is critical to restarting our economy— it can’t fully reopen without it. We need policies that reflect this basic reality.nytimes.com/2020/07/23/ups…

And when moms—or anyone for that matter—get forced out of the workplace, they deserve easy access to unemployment. That didn’t happen when this crisis began b/c our unemployment systems were stuck in the past. It’s time we bring them into the 21st century. marketplace.org/2020/11/18/une…

Another way to make life easier for working families? Ensuring that all our kids have the tools they need in order to do their school work at home. 14% of households with school-aged children lack broadband at home. Bridging the digital divide is essential.brookings.edu/research/bridg…

As we reopen our economy & #BuildBackBetter, we must place greater emphasis on supporting our small businesses—or we risk permanently losing the sense of community they provide us. A new federal relief package must guarantee that all small businesses who need help, can access it.

And above all these efforts is required something far more basic: that families have a roof over their head. As this @Harvard_JCHS report shows—far too many of our most vulnerable are falling behind on rent. We need policies to keep families in their homes.jchs.harvard.edu/state-nations-…

Underlying all these issues is a common thread that we *must* address: people of color—esp. women of color—are being hit the hardest. Being forced out of the workforce in greater numbers. Going w/out broadband. Experiencing job disruption due to childcare. Falling behind on rent.

We must bring a racial justice lens to all these discussions.

And as @itsafronomics writes "w/the appointment of Dr. Lisa Cook to the #BidenHarrisTransition, the admin can show how they’ll make good on rhetoric around centering Black women in econ policy.”teenvogue.com/story/economis…

Those are just a few of the many things we must begin to address. I’m committed to doing my part in the CA legislature— as are my colleagues & the incoming #BidenHarris administration.

How about you? I’d love to hear which issues & solutions are on your mind. Share them below!👇🏻

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More from @BuffyWicks

Buffy Wicks

@BuffyWicks

21 Nov

Every day in CA, nearly 550,000 fast food workers serve more than 10M customers. Yet, at the height of a pandemic, fast food workers face pressure to work while sick, are fired for calling in sick, get denied sick pay & a living wage — & lack access to PPE.mercurynews.com/2020/05/26/all…

Fast food workers are treated as expendable — and yet, time and again, they prove to be critically essential.

It’s long past time we hold these billion-dollar fast food companies accountable for any unsafe — and unfair — working conditions at their restaurants.

Together, we must all do more to protect our fast food workers from unsafe and dangerous working conditions.

Fast food workers are fighters.

Fast food workers are resilient.

They ARE essential workers.

And they deserve safe work places.

Read 4 tweets

Buffy Wicks

@BuffyWicks

19 Nov

Yesterday brought w/it sobering pandemic news: A record number of #COVID cases. A record number of hospitalizations. And almost 2,000 lives lost. It’s especially disheartening when you consider this is all coming *before* people congregate to celebrate the holiday season. Thread—

In light of this news I wanted to take a moment to share w/you the most up-to-date moves by our state and county to limit the spread of the virus here at home — as well as tips from @CAPublicHealth @CoCoHealth & @Dare2BWell for how we can all celebrate the holiday season safely.

First and foremost, our county health officers are always reminding us that the most simple—most effective—way that we can prevent the spread is to always wear face coverings when going out. If we all did just that, we’d make incredible progress combating this pandemic.

If only.

Read 7 tweets

Buffy Wicks

@BuffyWicks

1 Sep

It’s been a busy last few days in the California Legislature as we come up against our end-of-session deadlines.

I’m so proud & excited to share that, in addition to #AB725, we’ve been able to move six more of my bills to Governor @GavinNewsom’s desk!

(Thread—)

https://twitter.com/buffywicks/status/1300316177437089795

✅ HEALTHCARE ACCESS

#AB2037 — with the Governor’s signature, our communities will have more time to respond to, or plan around, the closure of a hospital or the loss of healthcare services.

With the #COVID19 pandemic, this is as vital as ever.

✅ JUSTICE FOR SURVIVORS

#AB3092 will give more than 200 women who were sexually assaulted by ex-UCLA physician Dr. Heaps one additional year to seek justice (after years of having their cases time-barred by the statute of limitations).

They deserve this pathway to justice.

Read 7 tweets

Buffy Wicks

@BuffyWicks

19 Jul

I know this goes w/out saying: but this man should not be leading our nation's efforts against #COVID19.

Holding hostage fed funding for schools—which largely go to vulnerable students & those w/disabilities—unless they fully reopen b/c @realDonaldTrump "says so," is a disgrace.

https://twitter.com/atrupar/status/1284842429540192256

ADDENDUM: It's pretty incredible that we're ~ 6 months since our 1st #COVID19 case—& @realDonaldTrump is *still* incapable of understanding that the most important thing we must get right w/kids in schools, is minimizing how they spread the virus to adults.usatoday.com/story/news/hea…

Kids are also more likely to be asymptomatic—which heightens the potential for spread—ESPECIALLY when tests aren't avail for those w/no symptoms.

We must be safe & deliberate.

The "just do it" approach is *precisely* why the pandemic is raging once again.waff.com/2020/07/08/chi…

Read 4 tweets

Buffy Wicks

@BuffyWicks

23 Jun

In recognition of #Pride month, I want to share & celebrate the story of the trailblazing Black woman in these photos: Ernestine Eckstein.

These photos of her picketing w/a sign reading
"Denial of Equality of Opportunity is Immoral" were taken in Oct of 1965 in front of the WH.

These picket lines were organized by Frank Kameny to protest the ban on #LGBTQ people from serving in the federal govt. These were early gay rights demonstrations — at a time when being gay was still considered a "mental illness.”

They were risking their jobs.

They were BRAVE.

Ernestine Eckstein was just 24 at the time — serving as VP of the NY chapter of the Daughter of Billitis, a lesbian rights organization.

In 1966, Ernestine posed for the cover of the DOB magazine, The Ladder. She posed in profile, so as to make identifying her more difficult.

Read 10 tweets

Buffy Wicks

@BuffyWicks

17 Apr

CA's #nonprofits⁠—our clinics, shelters, food banks, senior centers & more⁠—are on the #COVID19 frontlines. Their services are needed now more than ever.

But they're struggling to raise what they need to serve.

Thread on why #DAFs must step up to help —nytimes.com/reuters/2020/0…

What's a donor-advised fund (#DAF)?

As @hasanminhaj explains—they're one of the fastest growing vehicles for charitable giving in the US.

They're appealing bc when you give to a DAF, you take the tax break now—w/out any legal requirement of $ to go to nonprofits. Indefinitely.

DAFs are exploding in popularity—almost *tripling* in total assets since 07.

A *huge* sum of donations go to DAFs. But unlike donations to private foundations, DAFs are *not* legally required to donate a min amount to charities—they get a tax break, w/out having to spend a dime.

Read 10 tweets