A Platform for California’s Next Governor:
8 Big Ideas to Build a Safe California
As Californians head to the polls in 2026 to elect a new governor, the stakes could not be higher. California has been targeted by a hostile federal government for protecting immigrants and working people—resulting in funding cuts, ICE raids, and military incursions into our communities. At the same time, our state faces serious internal challenges that demand bold leadership.
Despite being the fourth-largest economy in the world, California remains unaffordable and deeply inequitable for too many residents. Despite major declines, some categories of crime remain above pre-pandemic levels. Even as law enforcement continues to receive more funding, they are solving fewer crimes, emergency response times lag, homelessness is at record highs, overdoses remain unacceptably high, and prison spending continues to grow—even as the prison population shrinks—diverting funds from health, housing, and community safety.
The next governor must move beyond failed “tough-on-crime” approaches and fully invest in solutions that prevent harm before it happens: affordable housing, mental health and substance-use treatment, good jobs, education, and healthcare. This includes closing at least four state prisons and reinvesting those dollars into programs that actually keep communities safe.
True safety also requires centering the voices of those most impacted, such as survivors, families, and people with lived experience in the justice system, and continuing to appoint leaders who are closest to the challenges Californians face.
We all deserve to live in safe communities. That’s why the Ella Baker Center Action Fund and Vera Action came together to build an evidence-based public safety platform for the next governor.
The platform outlines concrete policy solutions across eight areas:
- Safekeeping our streets and quality of life
- Tackling gun violence
- Supporting strong mental health and de-escalating crisis
- Delivering accountable law enforcement
- Creating housing opportunities for everyone
- Strengthening support for crime survivors
- Ending the overdose epidemic and treating addiction
- Ensuring a fairer, more accountable justice system
To learn more about the platform, or if you have any questions, please email: Jose Bernal, Political Director, jose@ellabakercenteraction.org.
Early endorsers include:
California Alliance for Youth & Community Justice (CAYCJ), California Latinas for Reproductive Justice, California Partnership to End Domestic Violence, Communities United for Restorative Youth Justice, Courage California, Community Works, Democracy Beyond Bars, Disability Rights California, Fannie Lou Hamer Institute, Felony Murder Elimination Project, Friends Committee on Legislation of California, Initiate Justice, Initiate Justice Action, Rubicon Programs, San Francisco Pretrial Diversion Project, Western Center on Law and Poverty, ValorUS
To join our list of endorsers, fill out the form below: