Policy makes the possible plausible
To create systemic change, REDF and its community of entrepreneurs informs and influences policymakers on the federal, state, and local levels to invest in employment social enterprise as key to building a more inclusive economy. We do so through national and California-based coalitions called Resourcing Employment Social Enterprises Together (or RESET), unlocking the wisdom of our collective (with a national membership at 70+ strong) to expand our reach to folks hit hardest by systemic and structural barriers to employment.
Policy Highlights
Policy Advancements
ESE Codified Into Law
- Ensures the workforce system is more inclusive and equitable, and names ESEs to the Breaking Barriers to Employment Initiative – AB-628 (September 28, 2021)
- Defines and names ESEs and worker cooperatives among the recognized “earn and learn” programs under the Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act – SB-799 (September 24, 2021)
- LA County Certification
- Expands contracting preferences to include Social Enterprises and Disabled Veterans Businesses – AB-2762 (September 28, 2018)
- Expands use of CalFresh for education and training to contract directly with ESEs – AB-415 (September 28, 2017)
State Impact
- Nation’s first statewide investment of $25M to scale ESEs – CA RISE (2023)
- Creates an estimated 15,000 jobs including for ESEs – Clean California Initiative (2021-2022)
Local Impact
- Procurement Policies and Contract Preferences to Include ESEs (2018)
- Connects employment social enterprises to the workforce system, supportive services, and employers in Los Angeles – LA:RISE (2016)
Tax Credits
- Allows a tax credit for qualified taxpayers that employ an eligible individual during the taxable year – AB-150 (July 16, 2021)
- Expanded the EITC to include free tax preparation services – CalEITC Expansion (2021-2022)
- Expands CalEITC to young adults and seniors – CalEITC (2017-2018)
- Establishes a tax credit between $2,500 and $10,000 per qualified homeless individual hired – CalEITC Expansion (2019-2020)
Equity
- Increases awareness of the employee-ownership business model – SB-1407 (October 3, 2022)
- Removes barriers for individuals on parole or probation to access job training – SB-990 (October 3, 2022)
- Ensures survivors of domestic violence and women experiencing homelessness have access to services – SB-914 (September 29, 2022)
- Removes licensing barriers for individuals with a criminal record to operate or manage facilities – AB-1720 (September 28, 2022)
- Addresses issues related to the participation of homeless and foster youth in apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships – AB-565 (September 22, 2021)
- Encourages the US Department of Transportation to lean into their racial equity and workforce goals – 3684 (September 15, 2021)
- Automates arrest and conviction relief by dismissing eligible convictions for individuals who have completed their probation – AB-1076 (October 9, 2019)
- Improves equity and access to workforce development and quality jobs for all Californians – ACR-50 (September 9, 2019)
- Reduces barriers to occupational licensing for people with a prior conviction – AB-2138 (October 1, 2018)
- Supports partnerships to prepare people with barriers to enter and complete postsecondary credential attainment programs – AB-1111 (October 16, 2017)
More Policy Highlights
Expanded the EITC to include free tax preparation services
Included in the 2021-22 budget. Expands CalEITC by increasing funding for Free Tax Preparation, Outreach, and Education to $20M annually for two years and $10M ongoing. This will provide funding to support free tax preparation services and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance programs so Californians can access the credits they are due.
Four ESE supportive priorities
The bill’s final appropriations package included four REDF priorities: Reentry Employment Opportunities (REO) — The agreement provides $115M for the REO program at the Department of Labor. Of this amount, $30M is set aside for competitive grants to national and regional intermediaries for activities that prepare for employment young adults with criminal legal histories, young …
Nation’s first statewide investment of $25M to scale employment social enterprises
The funding was requested by Assemblymember Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento) and supported by REDF. Learn more about the work to secure this budgetary win in our CA RISE Case Study.
Amends the LA County’s certification, procurement policies and contract preferences to to include social enterprises
Authors: Supervisors Mark Ridley-Thomas and Chair Hilda Solis. Adopted January 12, 2016
Supports partnerships to prepare people with barriers to enter and complete postsecondary credential attainment programs
Author: Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia. Signed into law October 15, 2017
Extends the Ban the Box law in California to private employers
Author: Assemblymember Kevin McCarty. Signed into law October 14, 2017
Authorizes California Conservations Corps to serve people who have been involved with the justice system
Author: Assemblymember David Chiu. Signed into law on September 30, 2018.
Expands use of CalFresh for education and training to contract directly with ESEs
Author: Assemblymember David Chiu. Signed into law on September 30, 2018.
Reduces barriers to occupational licensing for people with a prior conviction
Author: Assemblymember David Chiu. Signed into law on September 30, 2018.
Senator Josh BeckerD-Peninsula
Supervisor Hilda SolisLA County Board of Supervisors, First District
Mayor Karen BassCity of Los Angeles