United in Spirit! 🎉

 

Cheers to the New Year!

As we step into a brand-new year, I'm wishing you fresh beginnings, exciting opportunities, and plenty of reasons to celebrate. Thank you for being part of our community. Here’s to a wonderful year ahead!

The Policy Nexus: When Commerce Erases Community

Metanoia, Maps, and the Courage to Save 2,200 Homes in San Jacinto.

We often speak of the housing crisis as if it is a weather event—something that just happens to us, driven by market forces we cannot control. We see the encampments in the San Jacinto riverbed, we cheer for the $12 million grants to clear them, and we think we are solving the problem. But while we are looking at the riverbed, we are missing the map. In my work as a Doctor of Public Administration student, I study the gap between digital governance (the paperwork) and on-the-ground reality (the people). Recently, I found a gap so wide it threatens to swallow the future of our city. It is called the Stoneridge Commerce Center. 

The Fear Equation: Why We Freeze. Before I explain the project, I want to talk about why we usually ignore these things. Harvard Business School professor Ranjay Gulati argues that fear = uncertainty + loss of control. When developers drop a 500-page Environmental Impact Report on a community, they are counting on that fear. The jargon creates uncertainty. The bureaucratic process makes us feel a loss of control. The result? We freeze. We assume the deal is done. We stay silent because the "Submerged State"—the invisible machinery of government—feels too big to fight. But today, I am choosing to handle that fear. I am choosing metanoia—a profound transformation of heart and mind—to stop freezing and start speaking. The Great Erasure. For years, the original StoneRidge Specific Plan (SP 239) was on the books in San Jacinto. 

It was a promise: a plan to build 2,236 homes, including parks and open space, and to dedicate land to the Housing Authority for affordable units. It was a blueprint for a neighborhood. But a new proposal, currently moving through the Riverside County Planning Department, seeks to erase that neighborhood entirely. According to documents I have reviewed, the new "Stoneridge Commerce Center" (Amendment No. 1 to SP 239) proposes replacing those 2,236 homes with 7,350,000 square feet of light-industrial land uses—essentially, massive warehouses—on 388.5 acres. The trade-off is stark: Old Plan: Over 2,000 families get a home. New Plan: We get 7.3 million square feet of concrete tilt-ups. And the invisible cost? By rezoning this land from residential to industrial, we are quietly deleting the affordable housing set-aside that was part of the original deal. We are trading a future community for a logistics hub. 

The Spring Watch.

The developers likely hope this change happens quietly. The public comment period for the environmental report ended back in March 2024. They are currently in the quiet period, responding to comments and preparing for a final hearing. But we have learned that this project is tentatively scheduled to go before the Planning Commission in the spring of 2026. 

This is not a dead end; it is a head start. We have three months. Three months to ask the uncomfortable questions. Three months to demand that the city and county explain how they plan to meet our state-mandated housing goals if they delete 2,200 planned units from the map. 

Choosing to Speak Anyway, I am sharing this not to scare you, but to empower you. The "Fear Equation" only works if we remain uncertain and passive. I am walking into a space that wasn't built for me—the complex world of Specific Plan Amendments and TEFRA hearings—and I am choosing to speak anyway. I am asking you to look at the map with me. If we want a San Jacinto that houses its seniors, its families, and its future, we cannot just sweep the riverbed. We have to save the neighborhood. 

Season's Greetings & Gratitude - Here's to a Brighter 2026!

 

As 2025 draws to a close, I express my deepest gratitude for your partnership and trust. You are an invaluable part of this community, and your support is the engine that drives our work to protect, educate, and advocate for California’s most underserved populations—including older adults, diverse communities, and those navigating economic challenges or limited English proficiency.

While 2025 brought its share of uncertainty, it also proved the power of collective resilience. As we look toward 2026, we know significant challenges remain in the fight for equity. I invite you to stay engaged in the coming year as we work to turn policy into progress. Together, we can meet these challenges with expertise, compassion, and unwavering dedication. Thank you for believing in this mission.

With gratitude and appreciation, 

Eric

The Invisible Safety Net: Why We See the Homeless, But Never the Solution

 From $13 Billion to One Senior: Unmasking the 'Submerged State' in Housing Policy

photo by Don Leach

This isn't a shelter, it's a permanent home for people like Robert Taylor—a small business owner who paid taxes for 40 years before getting sick. The funding we are voting on today (TEFRA/Bonds) is what allows 'Robert' to move out of his truck and back into our community. If we vote 'No' on this bond, we aren't stopping 'homelessness'—we are keeping Robert in his truck.

We often speak of housing policy in the abstract language of liquidity, collateralized advances, and z-scores. A new report from the Urban Institute estimates that the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLBank) system generates between $13.2 and $21.4 billion in economic stability annually. But what does $21 billion actually look like? It seems like Robert Taylor. A former motorcycle shop owner in Huntington Beach, Robert spent years sleeping in his truck until a complex web of invisible government financing—tax credits, bond issuances, and FHLBank advances—built the Pelican Harbor community where he now lives. In cities like San Jacinto, we cheer for the visible emergency grants to clear riverbeds, yet we often ignore the administrative machinery that builds the permanent homes. It is time to close the gap between our digital governance and our on-the-ground reality: if we want more Robert Taylors, we must stop ignoring the "invisible" government that saves them.

Read the full article here

Waiting is a Weapon: How Administrative Time Creates a Hidden Caste

 We often think of time as neutral. A waiting list is just a list; a deadline is just a standard; business hours are just a convention. But in my research as a Doctor of Public Administration student, I’ve come to a different conclusion: Administrative time is rarely neutral—it is often a weapon.

I recently read Judith Dangerfield’s profound analysis of the 14th Amendment, 'The Fourteenth Amendment: Our Constitutional Promise Against Caste.' She argues that the Constitution imposes an affirmative duty on the government to dismantle systems that rank people as superior or inferior.

This framework immediately struck a chord with my current research on a concept I call administrative chrononormativity.

What is administrative chrononormativity? Sociologist Elizabeth Freeman describes chrononormativity as the way society uses time to organize bodies for maximum productivity. There is a correct timeline we are all expected to follow: School. Marriage. Mortgage. Kids. Retirement.

Administrative Chrononormativity occurs when the government embeds that timeline into the state's architecture. It assumes every citizen lives a linear life.

• It assumes you have a stable address to receive mail within 10 days.

• It assumes you have a "standard" family structure to qualify for benefits.

• It assumes your medical needs fit into a fiscal year.

The Temporal Caste System—When you fit the normative timeline, the system works. But for queer bodies, foster youth, and those in poverty, life is rarely linear. It is often interrupted, circular, or delayed.

• Example: A trans individual facing wait times for care that hinge on living as a gender for a set period, ignoring the reality of their lived experience.

• Example: A former foster youth attempting to access aid but missing an age cutoff because their path to independence took longer than the state's "standard" allowed.

If Dangerfield’s "Anti-Caste Principle" holds true, then these administrative timelines are unconstitutional. They rank the linear, normative life as "primary" and the complex, non-normative life as secondary.

The Duty to Disrupt— As public administrators, we cannot hide behind the excuse of standard procedure. If the procedure enforces a caste system based on time, the 14th Amendment demands we dismantle it. We don't just need to open the doors; we need to change the clocks.

Figure 1: Administrative Chrononormativity in Action. Top: A linear life path that aligns with government expectations passes through administrative checkpoints easily. Bottom: A non-normative life path (common in queer and marginalized communities) clashes with rigid timelines. Under the Dangerfield (2025) framework, this "Time Wall" creates a constitutional caste system by treating the bottom group as inferior.

Why Are We Waiting? My New DPA Research on "Administrative Chrononormativity"

As many of you know, alongside my community advocacy work, I am currently a Doctor of Public Administration (DPA) student at the University of La Verne. My goal in this program is to research how our institutions actually work—and often, how they don't work for the communities facing the most significant hurdles.

Here is a sneak peek into my latest research focus. It centers on a concept that sounds complicated but is something many of us have experienced: Administrative Chrononormativity.

In simple terms, this is the idea that our institutions set rigid timelines (like the "9-to-5" standard) that prioritize their own convenience over the reality of people's lives.

When a clinic has limited hours, forms take weeks to process, or appointments have indefinite waiting periods, "time" becomes an invisible barrier to healthcare access—especially for marginalized groups like the Queer community, gig workers, or parents with rigid schedules.

Below is the abstract of the research paper I am developing on this topic, which examines these barriers and highlights organizations such as the Black Researchers Collective that are challenging these delays.

Research Abstract:

Public administration and health policy traditionally operate on straight time—a linear, standardized temporal logic that prioritizes institutional efficiency over community responsiveness. This review argues that this "administrative chrononormativity" creates systematic barriers for populations with non-normative life cycles, effectively trapping marginalized communities in a perpetual "waiting room" while health crises escalate.

To illustrate this temporal conflict, this analysis contrasts the administrative gatekeeping of gender-affirming care against the "informed consent" model. Where traditional policies impose linear waiting periods—forcing patients to prove their identity over time—informed consent models operate on queer time, synchronizing medical access with the patient’s immediate urgency. The former prioritizes risk management; the latter prioritizes survival.

Furthermore, this review presents the Black Researchers Collective (BRC) as a critical case study in resisting administrative delay. Through their methodological pillar, the "Power of Story," the BRC challenges the "ivory tower" timeline of data extraction and delayed analysis. By validating lived experience and narrative ownership as immediate, actionable policy data, the BRC demonstrates how communities can refuse the administrative imperative to wait for external quantitative validation.

The review concludes that achieving health equity requires a fundamental shift in the public administrator's role: from a temporal gatekeeper to a community synchronizer. Policy timelines must be restructured to value qualitative, nonlinear realities. If administrative processes are legally "on time" but communities remain in crisis, the timeline itself is a policy failure. Administrators must learn to set their watches to the community's time, ensuring that support keeps pace with the need.

---

Closing Thoughts

I believe that to achieve accurate health equity, we need policies that are "chronologically inclusive"—systems designed for real lives, not just standard business hours.

I would love to hear your thoughts. Have you experienced "time" as a barrier to accessing care or services in our community?

A New Era: Welcome to Devezin Public Policy Analytics

Welcome to the newly rebranded home of Public Policy. 

Long-time readers will notice a significant change in our visual identity. We have retired the previous branding to make way for a look that reflects the evolution of this platform. This is no longer just a space for casual observation; it is a space for critical analysis.

As a Doctor of Public Administration (DPA) student and an Equity Fellow, my work has shifted toward a deeper interrogation of the systems that govern us. I am interested in the gaps between legislative intent and lived reality—specifically, how administrative timelines and digital governance often exclude non-normative life cycles and underserved communities.

Here, we will explore:

• The Digital Divide: How policies on the web differ from the realities of daily life.

• Health Equity: Analyzing the "administrative chrononormativity" that impacts queer health and marginalized groups.

• Governance: Insights from my work with the Graduate and Adult Student Government (GASG) and local commissions.

Thank you for joining me as we peel back the layers of public administration to find the human stories underneath.

Eric A. Devezin 

DPA Student & Editor-in-Chief 

 

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Beyond Buzzwords: Operationalizing Equity in Riverside County Policy

In public service today, "equity" is a word we hear constantly. It finds its way into mission statements, strategic plans, and political speeches. But for a resident struggling to make ends meet in Riverside County, a word on a page does not pay the rent or keep the lights on.

As a Community Action Partnership (CAP) Commissioner and, currently, a doctoral student in public administration, my focus isn't just on saying the word—it's on operationalizing it. We need to move beyond equity as a buzzword and toward equity as a measurable outcome.

To do that, we must understand the crucial difference between equality and equity.

The View Over the Fence

The simplest way to understand this difference is the classic illustration of three people of different heights trying to watch a game over a fence.

• Equality is giving everyone the exact same size box to stand on. It sounds fair on the surface. But the tallest person didn't need the box, and the shortest person still can't see over the fence.

• Equity is recognizing those differences. It means giving the shortest person two boxes, the middle person one, and the tallest person none, so they all share the same view.

Why This Matters in County Policy

In the context of local government, "equality" often looks like a standardized, one-size-fits-all program. It is efficient to administer, but it ignores the reality that our residents start from vastly different places due to systemic barriers, generational poverty, or geographic isolation.

If we treat unequal situations equally, we simply perpetuate the status quo.

At the Community Action Partnership, our mandate is to fight the causes and effects of poverty. This requires an equity lens. It means asking tough questions: Are our application processes accessible to a single parent working two jobs without a reliable car? Are we targeting resources to the neighborhoods with the highest historic underinvestment?

Advancing equity is complicated, demanding work. It requires moving beyond good intentions and looking at hard data on outcomes. As your Commissioner, I am committed to ensuring that Riverside County’s resources are used not just efficiently, but justly, to build real ladders of opportunity for our low-income residents. We aren't just trying to hand out boxes; we are working to lower the fence.

Analyzing Electorate Engagement: Open California's Latest Survey

🔍 Policy Insight: November 2025 Electorate Data

For those interested in public administration and policy analysis: Access the November 2025 Ballot Return Survey results, conducted by Open California / Capitol Weekly.

The full report, which includes detailed charts and demographic information on participants, offers a valuable, non-partisan look at voter engagement and profile in California. Use this data to inform your understanding of administrative timelines, policy reception, and community representation.

Review the detailed breakdown here: LINK

 

Why Equity and Sustainability Need Your Policy Expertise

[Image description: Diagram demonstrating intersectionality. In the center is a figure of a person. Multiple, brightly colored arrows point out from the central figure, each pointing to a different phrase. The phrases are, starting from the top and working clockwise: socio-economic status, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, age, gender, and culture. Attribution: Higher Education Digest (2024).

⏰ 5-Minute Favor, HUGE Impact! My DPA survey on equity and public policy is open. If you work in governance, nonprofits, or public administration, I need your voice. Let's make policy work for everyone. Participate! https://forms.gle/nTnmHcqckopxunkJ6

Teaching Slavery: Not Just History, It's Public Policy.

Photo courtesy of Amazon

A recent article from The Conversation highlights a vital point: effectively teaching the history of slavery is a critical issue in public administration and social equity.

Key takeaways for educators:

1. Use actual records.

2. Examine diverse historical arguments.

3. Prioritize lived experiences.

4. Connect to modern relevance.

This directly impacts our curriculum development, historical preservation efforts, and our collective journey towards social justice. In San Jacinto, California, and everywhere, empowering teachers with these strategies is essential for building a truly informed citizenry capable of creating equitable policy.

#PublicAdmin #Education #Equity #History #SanJacinto

Our Voices, Our Maps: Why Your Input is Crucial for California's Future.

Photo courtesy of Politico

As a Doctor of Public Administration student, I am dedicated to creating equitable policies that improve community health. That's why I'm submitting a comment on the Election Rigging Response Act maps to the California State Assembly. 🏛️

My experience working with vulnerable families reminds me that every policy decision has a real human impact. We can't let abstract debate overshadow the needs of the people.

Join me in making your voice heard on this critical issue. https://aelc.assembly.ca.gov/redistricting-public-comment 

#CommunityFirst #PolicyAdvocacy #SocialJustice #CAleg #VoicesForChildren

Check out this article: Data & Insights on the Caregiver Experience in the U.S.

Why We Need Proactive Leadership on Redistricting: A Call to Action for AD 60

This week, the Riverside County Democratic Party, led by Chair Joy Silver, announced its strong support for Governor Newsom’s redistricting proposal. This is not just a political headline; it's a critical moment for our democracy. It highlights the need for leaders who are not only prepared to react to challenges but are proactive in building a more equitable and sustainable future. This is precisely the kind of work I am committed to doing if elected a delegate for Assembly District 60.

Chair Silver’s statement is a clear warning: we cannot stand by while other states manipulate congressional maps to serve a partisan agenda. The governor’s proposal to allow California’s independent citizens commission to revise our maps in response is a crucial safeguard. It's a strategic move to ensure that our representation remains fair and proportional, reflecting the will of the people, not the whims of political opportunists.

This issue resonates deeply with my work as a Doctor of Public Administration student at the University of La Verne. My research is focused on developing unbiased and long-term policies that enhance community health. Partisan gerrymandering is fundamentally an act of inequity—it dilutes the voice of communities, particularly those that are underserved, and prevents their needs from being addressed by their representatives. It's a challenge to the very foundation of fair representation that our party is built upon.

As an equity fellow, my focus is on translating complex issues into actionable policy. This isn't just theory for me. My experience on governance bodies like the IHSS Public Authority Advisory Committee and as a Commissioner for the Community Action Partnership has given me a deep understanding of how to navigate complicated systems to create change. I have a proven track record of working within these bodies to ensure that policy reflects our shared values of equity and social justice.

When it comes to redistricting, this means more than just supporting a ballot measure. It means being a delegate who understands the policy implications, who can communicate the importance of a fair process to diverse audiences, and who is ready to be a productive partner in the ongoing work of protecting our democracy.

With the AD 60 delegate election voting closing tomorrow, this is a vital time to choose a representative who is prepared for these challenges. I am running to bring a voice that understands the policy-making process from a community-first perspective. I will work to ensure the DSCC's decisions are not only politically sound but also directly improve the lives of the people we represent. My candidacy is about bringing a unique blend of academic expertise and practical, on-the-ground experience to our district’s leadership.

I am ready to get to work for the party and for our district.

 Thank you for your consideration.  Visit my site.

Why the "Big Beautiful Bill" Could Entrench Disparities

As a doctoral student of public administration, I believe equitable policy is essential for community health. Damon Freeman's article on the "Big Beautiful Bill" powerfully illustrates how seemingly broad legislation can have disproportionate, negative impacts, especially on Black communities already navigating systemic barriers.

Consider these points:

• Wealth Gap: The Black-white median wealth gap reached $240,120 in 2022, meaning Black households hold only $15 for every $100 held by white households. Policies that don't address this reality will only deepen it.

• Job Inequities: While the Black unemployment rate has fluctuated, it consistently remains higher than the national average, often double the rate for white Americans (e.g., 6.80% for Black Americans in June 2025). Cuts to job training programs will hit hard.

• Criminal Justice: Increased policing funding without reform, coupled with the fact that Black individuals are arrested at 2.5 times the rate of Whites despite similar criminal activity rates, could lead to increased criminalization.

Understanding these complex issues is vital for true national progress. Read the full analysis: https://huffity.com/big-beautiful-bill-black-community-impact/

#PublicPolicy #Equity #SystemicInequality #DPA #CommunityDevelopment #BigBeautifulBill

What are the consequences as the federal government dismantles inequity and more?

Courtesy Photo

 That’s the question we’ve been talking about for a while now. 

• Jail vs. Prison: On any given day, over two-thirds of people in jail (more than 400,000 individuals) are awaiting trial and are incarcerated simply because they cannot afford bail. Even two days in jail can significantly increase the likelihood of losing a job, housing, or child custody.

• In 2021, Black children were arrested at a rate of 1 in 3 child arrests, despite making up only 15% of the nation's youth population. Black youth are more likely to be in custody than white youth in every state except Hawaii, with a national placement rate of 315 per 100,000 for Black youth compared to 72 per 100,000 for white youth.

• Transfer to Adult Court: Black youth are significantly more likely to be transferred to adult court compared to white children for the same or lesser offenses. In 2016, Black youth made up 67.7% of mandatory and discretionary direct file transfers to adult court in Florida, despite being only 21% of the youth population.

These statistics highlight the significant and persistent racial disparities present at every stage of the U.S. criminal justice system. Read more.

Silence in the Airwaves: The Growing Threat to Public Broadcasting

Many communities, particularly those in rural and underserved areas, rely on public media as their primary or sole source of local news and information. Funding cuts would accelerate the closure of these outlets, leaving residents without access to critical local journalism and civic engagement opportunities. Read more here.

In essence, the threat to public media is not just about budget cuts; it's about diminishing a vital public good that provides accessible, reliable information, strengthens community ties, and fosters an informed citizenry.

Let's push for policies that are both fair and practical.

Photo courtesy of the net

My take on the Army's shaving policy & PFB: Laser hair removal worked for me. Yes, costly, but worth it for the health and relief.

Crucial: Find a specialist experienced with #BlackSkin!

If an effective solution exists, why isn't the military offering it or using it as a waiver? Policies must prioritize health & equity for all service members. #ArmyPolicy #PFB #HealthEquity #RacialJustice

Read the article here. New Army Shaving Policy Will Allow Soldiers with Skin Condition that Affects Mostly Black Men to Be Kicked Out

When "Team Player" Means More Than Just Showing Up

Reading about Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett's reflections on her political journey struck a deep chord with me. Her words about putting in immense effort and still feeling labeled "not a team player" highlight a frustration that many of us deeply invested in social progress can understand.

It's a powerful reminder that for many, especially those from marginalized communities, engagement goes far beyond casting a vote. We dedicate our time, energy, and voices, driven by a profound commitment to seeing our communities thrive. Yet, sometimes it feels like the expectation is simply participation, rather than genuine integration into leadership and strategic work.

My truth is, I'm doing everything I can to stay engaged, because the mission of creating a more just and equitable society is too critical. But authentic inclusion means being put to work, leveraging our unique experiences and skills to build impactful programs and policies. It means being seen as an indispensable part of the solution, not just a necessary demographic.

If you're someone who believes in building capacity from within diverse communities and truly putting passion to work for social good, I'd love to connect. I'm always seeking collaborative opportunities to drive meaningful change.

#Inclusion #CommunityEngagement #SocialImpact #EquityNow #PolicyChange #AuthenticLeadership

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BIG NEWS for family caregivers! ❤️

BIG NEWS for family caregivers! ❤️ The 211 Caregiver Support Program (AARP + United Way Worldwide) is expanding to more states & Puerto Rico!

This means millions more caregivers can access vital, free, 24/7 support through the 211 helpline for resources such as local assistance, emotional support, and more. No caregiver should ever feel alone.

Let's celebrate and share this crucial expansion! If you or someone you know is a caregiver, remember 211 is there for you.

#CaregiverSupport #211Helpline #FamilyCaregivers #CommunityHealth #MakingADifference #SupportLocal #AARP #UnitedWay #Caregiving

Are you a Preservationist: a tool guide for your next project

Placemaking is a multifaceted approach to planning, designing, and managing public spaces that puts people at the center. It's about capitalizing on a local community's assets, inspiration, and potential to create public spaces that promote health, happiness, well-being, and a sense of belonging.

The concept originated in the 1960s with thinkers such as Jane Jacobs and William H. Whyte, who emphasized the importance of lively neighborhoods and inviting public spaces designed for people rather than just cars or commerce. The term itself gained more common usage in the mid-1990s.

In essence, placemaking is about creating public spaces that are not just functional but also meaningful, engaging, and reflective of the communities they serve. It's a dynamic and evolving field that emphasizes a bottom-up, human-centered approach to shaping the built environment. Read more: https://savingplaces.org/stories/sojourner-truth-legacy-plaza-placemaking-toolkit?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&utm_campaign=weekly

In Riverside County, Potential Medi-Cal Cuts Cause Distress - California Health Care Foundation

As a member of the Riverside County IHSS Advisory Committee, I read articles like this one and am reminded daily of the critical importance of the IHSS program right here in our community.

Kristine's story from Desert Hot Springs is a powerful example of how IHSS allows our neighbors with disabilities and seniors to live with dignity and independence in their own homes.

Evanne from Rancho Mirage rightly points out the need for continued support and respect for our elders and those with disabilities.

We on the Advisory Committee are committed to advocating for substantial IHSS funding and policies that support both recipients and caregivers in Riverside County.

#IHSS #RiversideCounty #HomeCare #DisabilityRights #SeniorCare

 

U.S. Food Loss and Waste 2030 Champions | Analysis

As an MPA graduate student, I always look at policy in action. "The National Goal for Reducing Food Loss and Waste" is an excellent example of how government can partner with the private sector to address complex problems. This initiative, led by the USDA and EPA, relies on voluntary commitments from "2030 Champions" to reduce food waste by 50% by 2030. It showcases multi-stakeholder collaboration, goal setting, and public-private partnerships – all crucial concepts in public administration.

What are your thoughts on this approach?

#MPA #PublicPolicy #FoodWaste #Sustainability #PublicPrivatePartnership Read more

 

Supreme Court sides with San Francisco, requiring EPA to set specific targets in water pollution permits

The Supreme Court's recent decision on the Clean Water Act requires further analysis as it impacts how the EPA enforces its permit requirements.

The Supreme Court decision regarding the EPA's regulatory power under the Clean Water Act prompted extensive debate. The decision effectively restricted the application of expansive narrative permit requirements that broadly instruct facilities to "do not violate water quality standards."

The Court analyzed the San Francisco Oceanside plant case and determined that the EPA's requirements were unclear.  Despite the Court's ruling, the decision preserved the EPA's authority to regulate water pollution. Regulatory authorities have the ability to establish exact numeric effluent limitations as well as non-numeric requirements, including time- or weather-based restrictions.

The judgment requires that regulatory bodies write permits with greater precision.  The effect of the ruling will hinge on how regulatory bodies apply their existing powers.  Regulatory bodies maintain the authority to enforce strict effluent restrictions based on water quality and additional regulatory actions.

My research focuses on understanding the effects of this ruling on upcoming permit renewals and how water quality standards will be enforced moving forward. The Court's decision represents a recalibration rather than a full dismantling of the Clean Water Act, despite its reputation for opposing regulation. 

Let’s Support Healthy Options for Kids!

Hey everyone! This legislative session, we're thrilled to support Senator Weber Pierson's SB 764 policy. SB 764 requires restaurant chains to offer healthy meal choices for children. Studying for my MPA degree has sparked my deep interest in understanding the potential real-world effects of public health policies.

Think about it: Numerous restaurant kids' meal options contain excessive calories, sodium, and sugar, which we know is harmful to children.  My experience as a research assistant has shown me research demonstrating that these eating habits can result in serious health complications later in life.


But here's the thing: Our goal is to assist families in choosing better options. Through my family experiences, I understand how difficult it is to locate healthy food choices during restaurant meals.  My little cousin enjoys fresh veggies and fruit, but kids' menus often lack these healthy options.

So, here's where you come in! Parents and community members throughout California should provide their feedback. Can you tell me which healthy items you expect to find on children's menus? Is your family faced with children who prefer fresh produce and nutritious options over traditional fried foods when dining out?

 We must demonstrate to government officials the significance of nutritional balance in children's meals for our family and community.  Seriously, let us know! We must show lawmakers why nutritionally balanced kids' meals are vital to us and our families. For example, I’d love to see more whole grain options, grilled protein, and fresh fruit and veggie sides as the default, not the exception. And I’d like water or milk as the default drink options. Together, we can take action to create meaningful improvements for our children's well-being. What do you think? Which healthy choices would you prefer to become available?