Over the course of the month, Gov. Gavin Newsom has moved to sign multiple bills into action. On Sept. 5, Newsom signed a bill to improve worker conditions and raise fast food workers’ minimum wage to $22 an hour. 

“Today’s action gives hard working fast-food workers a stronger voice and seat at the table to set fair wages and critical health and safety standards across the industry,” Newsom said in a video message. 

On Sept. 14, Newsom signed the CARE Court Act, which will take effect statewide, into law. This act will provide assistance to individuals with mental health and substance abuse disorders. 

Newsom also introduced a bill to support California Native communities. The legislation covers three varying issues in the Native community. First, AB 1314 will enact a statewide alert system for missing people within the Native community. Second, AB 1936 “re-designates UC Hastings College of the Law and advances restorative justice efforts for Native peoples who suffered mass killings orchestrated by the college’s founder.” Lastly, AB 2022 will eliminate racist and sexual slurs from geographical and place-names around the state. 

More information on California legislation can be found on Newsom’s website. 

U.S. AIDS UKRAINE

The U.S. will continue providing financial relief during the Russia-Ukraine war by sending an extra $1.1 billion to Ukraine. Under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, the U.S. will provide Ukraine with rocket systems and weapons to counter attacks from Russia. The aid provided includes an array of supplies from the U.S. Department of Defense including tactical vehicles and explosives. 

The U.S. is preparing a new round of sanctions which include penalties on those in support of the annexation of Ukraine territories — Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. Currently, all four regions are under Russian control.