July 2025 Newsletter
SB 590 moves forward with Bipartisan Support!
On July 9th, SB 590 (Durazo), Paid Family Leave for Chosen and Extended Family, passed out of the Assembly Insurance Committee with bipartisan support! Thank you to all the Coalition members and organizations that showed up for public support, we had a packed house and let the committee know that this issue impacts so many different communities. If you want to keep up the momentum, contact your legislator here!
Thank you to Eduardo Rubacalva, AARP CA, and Yvette Cervantes, Coalition Advocate, for their testimony on SB 590. This bill is especially important for caregivers and the LGBTQ+ community, updating the Paid Family Leave to reflect the reality of their care networks. To follow us for updates and to see a highlight of Yvette’s testimony, click here for our Instagram!
Coalition Members Take Part in a “Stop the Billionaire Giveaway” Rally in Bakersfield
On July 14th, Coalition Staff Natasha Castro, Katie Duberg, and Jenya Cassidy joined Fair Share America at their “Stop the Billionaire Giveaway” rally in Bakersfield. Fair Share and allied groups organized the bus tour to raise awareness of how the recently passed reconciliation bill will harm the most vulnerable local community members. Bakersfield parents, caregivers, and healthcare workers highlighted how the passage of this bill will take healthcare and food support away from children, families, survivors of violence, and disabled community members, while at the same time increasing funding for ICE and giving tax breaks to corporations and the extremely wealthy.
IAM Shop Stewards Learn to Navigate Paid Leave Laws
On Wednesday, July 9th, Coalition staff facilitated an in-person Paid Leave training for more than 45 shop stewards from IAM (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) Local 1781 at their headquarters in Burlingame. The training brought together shop stewards from United and Alaska Airlines for a hands-on session focused on understanding and using California’s family leave laws. Members appreciated the practical resources provided, like the Pregnancy/Parenting + My Job guide from Legal Aid at Work, which lays out a clear timeline of how disability, bonding leave, pay and job protections can align during and after pregnancy. We’re grateful to IAM Local 1781 for hosting this training and for their ongoing partnership in building worker power through education.
CAWFC Staff Attend the California Breastfeeding Coalition 2025 Lactation Impact Awards Gala
On June 28th, Coalition Political Organizing Director, Katie Duberg, attended the California Breastfeeding Coalition 2025 Lactation Impact Awards Gala. “It was amazing to connect with Coalition members and to hear about all the incredible work breastfeeding and human milk feeding advocates are doing to make sure that every family in California has the resources and support to make the infant feeding choice that’s right for them.” she said. “Several people shared with me that Paid Family Leave and Disability Insurance benefits increasing to 90% has made a difference for the families they work with.”
California Breastfeeding Coalition members have been key partners in our efforts to expand paid family and medical leave in California and we look forward to continuing the work!
Pictured Left to Right: Katie Duberg, CAWFC Staff, and Arissa Palmer, BreastfeedLA Executive Director
Coalition Issues in the News
In a new article from LAist, writer Elly Yu reports on a significant increase in Californians using Paid Family Leave since the wage replacement rates went into effect on January 1st, 2025. People earning up to 70% of the state’s average weekly wage (about $63,000 a year in 2025) will now get 90% of their regular income. Anyone earning more than that will receive 70% of their income up to a maximum weekly benefit amount.
Paid Family Leave should be accessible to everyone. We’re glad to see that claims for workers under $60,000 were up by 17%. Thank you to all the Coalition members who fought for this change and continue to work together to educate workers with their communities!
Welcome End Child Poverty, CA to the Coalition!
End Child Poverty, California has become the newest Coalition member! End Child Poverty, CA works with diverse partners to fight for a state where children are valued and thrive. We’re looking forward to continuing to collaborate with them on campaigns focused on economic justice, strengthening the social safety net, and shifting narratives around poverty and the need for systems change.
