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Catalyst California advocates for racial justice by building power and transforming public systems.

Our Priorities: Protect & Evolve Our Multiracial Democracy | Fight For Resources for Our People | Create Audacious Progressive Governance | Build A Vision for the Future

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The Biggest Bully on the Playground: How Trump Attacks Public Education to Destroy Democracy, and How We Resist

Since beginning its second term, the Trump administration has launched a full-scale effort to consolidate power, restructure our country along a far-right, white supremacist agenda, roll back hard-fought progress of our civil rights and civil liberties, and dismantle critical public systems that millions of American families depend on. This attempt came as no surprise, as Project 2025—a preview of the administration’s playbook—mapped out an explicit plan to sow division, undermine our democracy, and replace it with an authoritarian federal government that promotes policies that benefit the rich and embrace discriminatory practices that demonize any form of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts.  

Since beginning its second term, the Trump administration has launched a full-scale effort to consolidate power, restructure our country along a far-right, white supremacist agenda, roll back hard-fought progress of our civil rights and civil liberties, and dismantle critical public systems that millions of American families depend on. This attempt came as no surprise, as Project 2025—a preview of the administration’s playbook—mapped out an explicit plan to sow division, undermine our democracy, and replace it with an authoritarian federal government that promotes policies that benefit the rich and embrace discriminatory practices that demonize any form of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts.  

California at a Crossroads: Creating Long-Term Stability After H.R. 1

By 2028, Trump's H.R. 1 will have pushed roughly 2 million Californians off Medi-Cal and more than half a million off CalFresh. Catalyst California’s new policy brief examines likely damage from the bill, as well as efforts in the May Revise to head off the cuts with new revenue.

By 2028, Trump's H.R. 1 will have pushed roughly 2 million Californians off Medi-Cal and more than half a million off CalFresh. Catalyst California’s new policy brief examines likely damage from the bill, as well as efforts in the May Revise to head off the cuts with new revenue.

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05.20.26
Announcing Catalyst California's legislative priorities for 2026

As California navigates federal political threats to its communities and institutions, economic uncertainty, and recovery from climate-driven disasters, Catalyst California presents a legislative agenda centered on protecting our vulnerable communities. 

As California navigates federal political threats to its communities and institutions, economic uncertainty, and recovery from climate-driven disasters, Catalyst California presents a legislative agenda centered on protecting our vulnerable communities. 

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Stop the Stops: Ending Racially Biased and Ineffective LAPD Traffic Stops

All Angelenos deserve safe communities where they can commute to work, school, and other places without fear of being stopped, searched, and harassed by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). For many Black and Latine residents, this vision is far from a reality. 

All Angelenos deserve safe communities where they can commute to work, school, and other places without fear of being stopped, searched, and harassed by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). For many Black and Latine residents, this vision is far from a reality. 

2026 Focus: Elections & Democracy

Catalyst California believes that every vote should carry the same weight, and people should have a real say in the decisions that affect their lives. Democracy is only as strong as the number of people it actually lets in. Yet billionaire-backed interests are working to shrink the electorate, using race and gender as levers, in order to cement their own power over government. But California can protect and grow the vote by passing the strongest voting protections available; getting every registered Californian to the polls; and bolstering the vote defense infrastructure.

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2026 Focus: Budgets & Revenue

California should be a place working people can afford. Our state budget should strengthen the programs that working Californians have earned and pay into, not fund tax breaks and handouts for the wealthy. California can shield families from the onerous HR 1 cuts, but only if it makes corporations and the wealthy pay their share instead of cutting what working families need. Political leaders should advance fair-revenue measures and reject manufactured-scarcity cuts.

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