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California Department of Justice – Office of the Attorney General sent this bulletin at 07/22/2022 04:30 PM PDT

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.Follow us: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTubeAs a father, I will do everything I can to protect and care for my children’s health, well-being, and future. If you are a parent or guardian, I know you feel the same way.Our children deserve a world where they can be safe, and one that will be here for them as they grow up.Whether it is protecting California’s natural resources, taking action against climate change, fighting big tobacco, or defending commonsense gun safety laws — we must protect our children’s future.You can count on us at the California Department of Justice to work day in and day out to do just that. Because our children deserve nothing less. Rob BontaCalifornia Attorney GeneralProtecting Our Kids from Gun ViolenceGun violence is the number one cause of death for children in America. This is unacceptable, especially when we know that solutions exist. Our state has the strongest gun safety laws in the nation. We have one of the lowest firearm mortality rates. The fact is: Our commonsense gun laws save lives. In California, we are providing new avenues to keep our families safe. Learn More →Helping Local Agencies Protect Our FamiliesIn California, over 400,000 children who are currently under the age of 18 will ultimately die prematurely from smoking. Local governments are one of our first lines of defense against the proliferation of tobacco consumption among children. My office is now accepting proposals for the 2022-2023 Tobacco Grant Program. The program aims to reduce the illegal sale of tobacco products, particularly to minors, by providing $22 million in grant funding to eligible local agencies. To date, the Tobacco Grant Program has distributed approximately $151 million in grant funding to approximately 330 grantees through a competitive process.Learn More →Safeguarding Children from CigarettesEvery day, hundreds of Californians will smoke their first cigarette and start down a dangerous path with devastating health consequences. There is no time to waste. This week, I urged the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to quickly finalize proposed regulations banning menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars, which predominantly harm young persons and people of color. Any further delay will only cost additional lives.Learn More →Fighting Racial Discrimination You can’t fix racial gerrymandering by pretending race doesn’t exist. This week we made our voices heard in the Supreme Court as we defend the voting rights of all Americans.Learn More →TWEET OF THE WEEKLearn More →TIK TOK OF THE WEEKLearn More →NEWS FLASHABC Bakersfield: Attorney General Rob Bonta issues abortion guidance for CaliforniaSacramento Bee: As ghost guns proliferate in California, Bonta joins defense of federal regulationNBC San Diego: Harris Jewelers ordered to pay millions to service membersNBC Bakersfield: California landlords warned against ‘self-help’ evictionsSacramento Observer: Attorney General Rob Bonta Takes Action to Protect Renters From Unlawful EvictionsRESOURCE CORNERREMINDER: Student loan repayments are scheduled to resume on August 31, 2022.If you are a public servant, you might qualify for loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. President Biden’s recent changes allow eligible borrowers to receive credit for past payments that would not otherwise qualify. These temporary changes expire in October 2022. Learn more →