Restorative Justice, Opposing Assisted Suicide, Helping Teachers

SB 128 Passes Committee, But List of Disability Rights Groups Opposing Grows

The controversial physician-assisted suicide bill (SB128) passed the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday.  The development was widely anticipated since four co-authors of the dangerous legislation serve on the seven-member panel.  (See who has voted for or against the bill so far.)  The bill now moves to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

While the bill passed its second committee, the list of those opposing assisted suicide continues to grow with the Silicon Valley Independent Living Center and Communities United in Defense of Olmstead joining disability rights organizations like The Arc CA, United Cerebral Palsy, Autism Self-Advocacy Network, California Foundation of Independent Living Centers and others opposing SB 128. (Click here for a complete list.)

The medical community also continues to oppose the legalization of physician-assisted suicide.  Dr. Aaron Kheriaty, associate professor of psychiatry and director of the Medical Ethics program at UC Irvine School of Medicine, outlined the concerns of doctors and health professioanls in his testimony before the Senate Health Committee.  You can read Dr. Kheriaty’s testimony here.

An action alert opposing  SB 128 is available on our Take Action page.

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The Church Leads Restorative Justice Work across California

A new video from the California Catholic Conference shows people coming together across the state to address the needs of victims and their families, reduce crime, and provide offenders with an appropriate way to make amends. The actions and programs in the video are based on the principles of restorative justice.  During National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, April 19-25, the video will receive wide distribution.

Restorative justice is a response to crime and violence that shifts the focus from punishment to responsibility, rehabilitation and restoration.  It addresses the needs of everyone impacted by crime—victims, offenders, families, communities, and those who work in the criminal justice system.

“Restorative justice is really about reaching out to everyone with the merciful love of our God,” says the Most Reverend Richard Garcia, bishop of Monterey and co-chair of the restorative justice committee for the California Catholic Conference. 

Nine Catholic dioceses and the CCC have received a two-year, $1 million grant from the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) to expand local and statewide restorative justice efforts. Each diocese receives a portion of the grant to address needs identified by people living in their communities. Activities range from support for families of murder victims, to Ceasefire walks in at-risk neighborhoods, to victim-offender mediation programs. Concrete change is happening, and the video tells the story.

Continue reading or view resources to commemorate National Crime Victims Week in your parish  (April 19-25, 2015)

Out-of-Pocket Expenses for Teachers Are a Given in Today’s Schools

The teaching profession is one that demands dedication, commitment, and sacrifice.  Indeed, most teachers, whether in a public or private school setting, often go beyond the “call of duty”, motivated by their desire to create a stimulating learning environment and to ensure their students’ success. 

Working long hours outside the regular school day preparing special projects, decorating their classroom, and spending one-on-one time with a student to help them master a subject are just a few ways in which teachers frequently apply themselves beyond their fundamental responsibilities.

Unfortunately, fiscal realities challenging both our California public and private school communities are compelling K-12 teachers to make an additional sacrifice for their students. 

Most teachers are using their own personal funds to pay for education resources and materials.  By digging deep into their own pockets, teachers are funding vital education resources that are unaffordable for many, yet essential to those children entrusted to their care.     Continue Reading

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You can do something about these out-of-pocket expenses for our teachers by telling your legislator to vote yes on AB 337.  Click here to take action now?

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Next week in Insights:  A rundown of the upcoming U.S. Supreme Court case on same-sex unions.

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April 10, 2015, Vol. 8, No. 14, En Español

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