On March 15, the Service Employees International Union, a union that represents thousands of workers in the Los Angeles Unified School District, announced that workers will be on strike for three days beginning March 21. According to Associated Press News, the United Teachers Los Angeles expressed its support for the workers taking action. 

The strike across LAUSD was announced after contract negotiations stalled. SEIU is negotiating for higher wages for workers, who are currently earning $25,000 annually. If the strike occurs, there is a possibility that LAUSD and schools within it will shut down. 

CALIFORNIA HOMELESSNESS FUNDING

Governor Gavin Newsom, along with other state and local officials, announced the fourth round of the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) grant. It will release $1 billion in funds to certain regions in California in hopes of lowering the number of homeless people by 15% within the next two years, according to the Los Angeles Times. 

Round 4 of the plan, according to a press release published by the Office of Governor Gavin Newsom, will provide “1,200 small homes to Los Angeles, San Diego County, San Jose and Sacramento to provide safe, interim housing for people experiencing homelessness.”

500 homes will be allocated to Los Angeles, 350 to Sacramento, 200 to San Jose and 150 to San Diego County. 

INSULIN AFFORDABILITY

On March 16, President Joe Biden announced that the top three insulin producers — Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly and Sanofi — will reduce prices in order to make their product more affordable. Eli Lilly will provide insulin for everyone in the United States for $35, the maximum price proposed by President Biden.