Mackenzie Royce

Media Perspectives! I’m always happy to provide perspectives and some analysis on local and regional policy issues. This particular issue, the California Supreme Court’s decision on the University of California vs the People’s Park, is important on both the public policy and higher education fronts. I was interviewed by ABC 7 News, San Francisco, for the story. You can see my comments in the broadcast and the accompanying written report. https://lnkd.in/gichf3ji

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Attorney Tanya Alsheikh – in the “Chain Cohn Clark Convos” video series – gives local residents some insight on the Middle Eastern population in Kern County. 🌍 Understanding the Community: Kern County is home to a vibrant Middle Eastern community with unique cultural and linguistic needs. Recognizing and respecting these differences is essential for effective legal representation. 🗣️ Language Matters: Communication is key in legal matters. When attorneys speak the same language as their clients, it fosters trust, clarity, and comfort, ensuring that clients fully understand their rights and legal options. 🤝 Building Trust: Clients are more likely to trust and confide in an attorney who understands their language and cultural background. This trust is vital for gathering accurate information and building a strong case. 📋 Effective Advocacy: Clear communication allows for precise documentation and argumentation, leading to better outcomes in legal proceedings. === If you or someone you know is injured in an accident at the fault of someone else, or injured on the job no matter whose fault it is, contact the attorneys at Chain | Cohn | Clark by calling (661) 323-4000, or fill out a free consultation form, text, or chat with us at chainlaw.com. === #Bakersfield #KernCounty #ChainCohnClark #BakersfieldCA #BakersfieldCalifornia #KernCountyCA #personalinjury #workerscomp #workerscompensation #workinjury #injurylaw #injurylawyer #injuryattorney #accidentlawyer #accidentattorney #accidentlaw #wrongfuldeath

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District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer is pleased with local efforts as the California Secretary of State announced that the Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act is eligible for the November 5, 2024 General Election ballot. Of the 546,651 necessary signatures needed to qualify the act, 22,559 came from Kern County voters. DA Zimmer stated, “Kern County has united to make a significant contribution toward qualifying the measure and demanding a safer California. Volunteers from the Kern County District Attorney’s Office and the community worked tirelessly in educating our community on the initiative and collecting petition signatures in the pursuit of making a true difference. Proposition 47 has significantly damaged our state as organized retail theft has soared and the homelessness and drug epidemic have ruined lives. Thanks to the strong push from our region and other counties throughout California, we are one step closer to taking back control of our state and demanding tougher consequences for criminals.” This measure will address these issues by reforming laws to: ☑️ Hold repeat thieves accountable with felony prosecution. ☑️ Allow treatment-mandated felony prosecution for 3rd time hard drug convictions. ☑️ Tackle the fentanyl crisis by going after fentanyl drug dealers. Although the act has had overwhelming bi-partisan support, challenges are on the horizon that can potentially hinder its progress. The “poison-pill” amendments currently being considered by the legislature and backed by Governor Newsom, aim to set back the effectiveness of the bill by allowing the Attorney General to amend the ballot’s proposed title and language on the November ballot, potentially causing confusion for voters. DA Zimmer commented on the foreseeable challenges, stating; “Californians showed strong support to reform Proposition 47 in the hopes of strengthening current drug and retail theft laws that we’ve experienced for far too many years. The poison pill amendments put a restraint on a safer future for California by deceiving voters with the possible alteration to the bill. Although we can be facing setbacks, District Attorneys across the state and I will continue to work to protect the people of California and fight crime for the protection and safety of our communities.” For more information, visit https://lnkd.in/eszrS5TP.

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Today, members of the NAPF will receive a MEMBER LEGAL ALERT on "City of Grants Pass, Oregon v. Johnson et al." This Supreme Court ruling clarifies that communities can enforce anti-camping laws in public places, including parks, waterfronts, trails, and open spaces, without violating the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition on cruel and unusual punishments, provided that the enforcement does not involve inhumane punishments. We'll break down the court history and decision in detail. We will also provide information on how municipalities should and should not respond to this ground breaking legal decision. #SCOTUS #CityOfGrantsPass #Homelessness #PublicCamping #EighthAmendment #LocalGovernance #HomelessRights #PublicSpaces #LegalUpdate #CommunityAction

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Over 1,000 organizations across California agree: We must #ProtectFURS Yesterday, through The Children’s Movement of California, over 1,000 organizations signed on and sent a letter to Governor Newsom urging him to keep the Family Urgent Response System in the state budget. The in-person helpline specifically designed to support foster youth and caregivers is currently proposed to be eliminated. This collective show of strength sends the clear message that California should never abandon foster kids to balance its budget. View the letter in its entirety here: https://bit.ly/4adlgcD We are hopeful tomorrow's release of the #CABudget May Revision will show FURS has been reinstated, and the collective voice of over 1,000 organizations has been heard. If it does not, we will remain vigilant and continue fighting for foster youth through all the final budget negotiations. You can still help and join us here: https://bit.ly/48lMAo2

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Oregon Consumer Justice commends the consumer attorneys, led by Stoll Berne, for filing cases against Pacific Power to secure justice for more than 1,350 survivors of the 2020 wildfires. With mediations falling short, it's time to hold Pacific Power accountable and provide these survivors, many older adults, the opportunity to rebuild their lives without further delay. Our courts must expedite legal resolutions to provide the justice these survivors deserve. For more: ocj.org/wildfire-cases #OCJ #OregonConsumerJustice #2020Wildfires #AccessToJustice #ConsumerAttorney #PacificPower #PacificCorp #Accountability

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What is the California Uniform Directed Trust Act? A trustee becomes a directed trustee who must carry out the trust director’s decisions within the scope of the trust director’s authority. We go over this in more detail on our blog: https://lnkd.in/gvt9UcFf

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I was very fortunate to attend the Sacramento County Bar Association’s  “Power Imbalance and Ethics” luncheon at Judicate West last week, hosted by Dispute Resolution section chair Melissa Blair Aliotti. International expert mediator Daniel Yamshon presented a very informative and thought provoking session on mediators' duty, if any, to address any “power” imbalances (eg, economic, education, strategic, cultural, etc) that might exist between the parties.  Standard VI A. of The Model Standards of Conduct for Mediators requires mediators to facilitate, among other things, a safe, respectful, and fair mediation process.  As a result, the mediators’ responsibility to minimize any such imbalances would seem clear.  At the same time, though, Section II A. of those same Standards also holds that mediators must be impartial, ie “free from favoritism, bias or prejudice.”  So, the challenge becomes whether and how a mediator assesses any power imbalances while, at the same time, maintaining their impartiality. Or, as Yamshon effectively stated: I) Do mediators have an obligation to identify instances where an agreement, while achievable, can lead to injustice?    II) Do mediators have an obligation to seek to avoid injustice although they were invited to facilitate an agreement (as opposed to rendering a decision on the merits of an issue)? Yamshon illustrated many of the ethical considerations, but refrained from providing his answer to either question. In doing so, he deftly equipped the attendees to be mindful of the issues, but to come to their own conclusions about how best to maintain impartiality but also “hold in care” the parties to their processes. Timing is everything: I also just had the chance to watch Aaron Casteel, Executive Director of Placer Dispute Resolution, very capably address a potential imbalance of power.  Aaron astutely identified the potential issue, and took steps to neutralize the concern. Seeing his adroit practical application of Yamshon’s important concept was a terrific lesson!

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Navigating California's government structure is essential for impactful public affairs. The state's governance involves a complex interplay between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. For instance, the legislative process, where bills are introduced, debated, and passed, presents opportunities for public affairs experts to engage with policymakers, advocate for client interests, and influence legislation. RCG leverages this understanding to develop targeted strategies that align with our clients' goals. Effective government relations require a deep understanding of these dynamics. Learn more about California's government workings here: shorturl.at/jKMN2 #publicaffairs #governmentrelations #RCGcommunications #legislation #policy #sacramento #california #lobbying #stakeholder #legislator

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The State Bar of California’s newly created public trust liaison had a busy first year, fielding 575 requests from members of the public seeking assistance on bar-related matters, according to a new report outlining its initial accomplishments and future plans. The bulk of those requests pertained to the state bar’s attorney discipline system, including questions about how to file a complaint against an attorney or the status of such a complaint, said the internal report, which is slated to be discussed by a state bar committee on May 10. Attorney admissions-related questions were the second most common. The state bar established the public trust liaison role in 2023 to handle complaints about the organization’s attorney discipline system and make recommendations for improvements. The state bar has come under mounting pressure to reform its attorney discipline system after years of audits identified large backlogs in attorney discipline cases, low rates of lawyer punishments and racial disparities in disciplinary actions. Of the 575 requests for help the office received in its inaugural year, 480 were successfully resolved, according to the report. Read the full story for more: https://reut.rs/4buD9ol 

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My latest publication! "(Re)riteing the Land: Sogorea Te’ Land Trust, Amah Mutsun Land Trust, and Indigenous Resurgence in California" published by American Indian Culture and Research Journal (UCLA American Indian Studies Center). Taken together, Sogorea Te’ Land Trust and Amah Mutsun Land Trust suggest that Indigenous land-based resurgence is both political and cultural, epistemological and cosmological, part of global movements toward dynamic Indigenous futures. https://lnkd.in/ggNPmWsS

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Last week, Governor Newsom signed AB 2288 and SB 92, amending California’s Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA). These changes, effective for PAGA notices sent on or after June 19, 2024, aim to provide relief to employers by introducing stricter standing requirements for plaintiffs, expanded cure opportunities, and reduced penalties for compliant employers. Key updates include limiting plaintiffs to pursue penalties only for violations they personally experienced, broader options for employers to cure past violations, and increased chances for early settlement. Employers should promptly review their wage and hour practices to mitigate potential PAGA claims. You can read the full update by attorneys Alexandra LaFountain, Cassandra Ferrannini, and Daria Gossett here: https://lnkd.in/gE9D3UXD #EmploymentLaw #PAGA #CaliforniaLaw #WageAndHour #CaliforniaEmployers #WorkplaceCompliance #LaborLaw #EmploymentRegulations

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Exciting news from the team at CPUC Communications Division! Today, staff issued the first in a series of recommendations for grant awards from the Last Mile Federal Funding Account (FFA) program. This program is part of a historic investment in digital equity envisioned by the Administration of Governor Newsom and the California Legislature under Senate Bill 156 (Budget Act of 2021). The $2 billion FFA program aims to connect communities to digital education, employment, and health services through the deployment of reliable fiber broadband infrastructure. Last year, the program received 484 applications totaling over $4.6 billion in grants from local governments, ISPs, Tribal Nations, and non-profits. The first two resolutions released today recommend projects for award in 6 counties, totaling over $88 million. Additionally, CPUC will award 3 projects via staff delegated authority for an extra $16 million. The foundation for this achievement was laid with 109 grants for technical assistance, totaling $50 million, provided to communities across the state by CPUC. Moving forward, recommendations for awards will be released on a rolling basis into the Fall. A vote of the Commission is required to approve award recommendations. A big shoutout to the team for their dedication in developing and launching this significant program. Collaborating with dedicated and talented colleagues has made this journey more enjoyable, and these wins even sweeter. #CPUC #DigitalEquity #GrantAwards #BroadbandInfrastructure #fiber Robert Osborn Michael Minkus Karen Eckersley Ravneet K. Lea Haro, PhD Christopher Poschl Nicholas Bui California Public Utilities Commission

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The experts at Best Best & Krieger LLP (BBK) analyze the legal reasoning behind the California Supreme Court's decision to remove the Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act measure from the November ballot. Get more expert legal insights for local government professionals at #PublicCEO bit.ly/4ePyznp

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The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 today that anti-camping laws in Grants Pass, Oregon, do not qualify as “cruel and unusual punishment” prohibited by the Eighth Amendment, in what some have called the most significant case involving homelessness in decades. The decision guides how #cities nationwide can respond to record-high #homelessness and #encampments. Read more at Smart Cities Dive:

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California Gov. Gavin Newsom, along with legislative leaders and labor and business groups have announced that they have reached an agreement on revisions to California's Labor Code Private Attorney General Act (PAGA). The agreement will stave off what would have been an expensive fight over a ballot initiative that, if approved by voters in November, would have gutted PAGA. The details are yet to be released, but, in a press release, Gov. Newsom touts the deal as strengthening worker protections, encouraging employer compliance, and streamlining litigation processes. More to come in the days and weeks ahead on this important development in California wage and hour litigation. https://lnkd.in/gynFtpfa

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#HappyPride2024 Close the Gap’s strategy to achieve gender parity in the California Legislature is to identify, encourage and coach a full spectrum of self-identified women– including and especially those who have been historically excluded– to run for targeted seats they can win. With 10 percent of our state legislators identifying as LGBTQ+ leaders, California is the first state in the nation to achieve LGBTQ+ parity ! Past Close the Gap recruiting contributed directly to that milestone, and right now, our Class of 2024 is positioned to keep up the momentum. 35% of CTG Class of 2024 members moving on to the general election this November identify as LGBTQ+, including one openly transgender candidate. Our mission to achieve gender parity doesn’t exist in a binary. When we fight for equitable representation in Sacramento, we help elect a body of values-driven leaders that represents every single corner of our community. And that’s a win for everyone.

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