What's behind the strikes in Oakland?

Managing Attorney John Affeldt joined a panel on KALW to discuss what's behind the teachers strikes across California. John singles out the decades of underfunding by the state which has resulted in California ranking 41st in per-pupil spending nationwide and near last in adults per pupil. Take a listen to the roundtable discussion! 

Fighting for Rosa Park's legacy

Reliable bus service plays a major in the lives of those most affected by gentrification and displacement. When our systems are unreliable and underfunded, that hurts low-income people of color the most. That's why on Rosa Parks' birthday, which coincides with Transit Equity Day, we produced this short video that highlights the importance of equitable transit systems in ensuring racial justice.

Suing cities that won't build affordable housing

Shocker! Many wealthy cities don't want to allow affordable housing production. The state has sued Huntington Beach , where the city council reduced the amount of housing allowed along two major streets by more than 2,000 units. Our lawsuit against Pleasanton, which settled in 2010, was the wake-up call to cities around the state. We got the city to lift its cap on new housing and to zone for affordable homes near transit. We're glad to see the impact of this case continue.

Want to make the world a better place?

Public Advocates is currently hiring summer policy interns for both the Education and Metro Equity teams. Please share this opportunity with any friends or family who are interested in working for social justice!

Public Advocates in the News

Policy Advocate Michelle Pariset is mentioned in a Sacramento News Review article covering a tenants' town hall in Sacramento.....Deputy Managing Attorney Sam Tepperman-Gelfant is mentioned in a Mercury News article that details the resegregation of Bay Area neighborhoods..... Mother Jones names Public Advocates as a key organization that serves as "the liberal equivalent" of the Federalist Society.....The San Gabriel Valley Tribune and the Daily Bulletin cover a participatory budgeting project in the Pomona Unified School District..... EdSource mentions Public Advocates in articles about budget cuts in the Oakland Unified School District , the recent Los Angeles Unified School District contract , districts fixing their lowest performing schools , Governor Brown's education legacy , and what Governor Brown's successor will have to do for education .