The challenges facing California in 2026 are not abstract or distant. They are already shaping daily life: from rising antisemitism and threats to LGBTQ+ safety, to housing insecurity, healthcare interference, climate disasters, and difficult budget decisions that test our values.
At the Jewish Center for Justice, we know that this is a moment for serious, values-driven leadership. Our work is grounded in a simple but demanding principle: a just society protects the vulnerable, defends rights, and builds systems strong enough to endure crisis. That principle guides our legislative priorities for the year ahead.
Confronting antisemitism.
Antisemitic incidents continue to rise in schools, workplaces, and public spaces. Too often, institutions lack the tools or the will to respond effectively. California must lead by confronting antisemitism directly and protecting Jewish life with clarity and resolve.
Defending LGBTQ+ rights and healthcare autonomy.
Across the country, political efforts are interfering in personal medical decisions, especially for transgender youth and their families. In California, healthcare decisions must remain where they belong: with patients, families, and medical professionals, not politicians.
Addressing housing affordability.
California’s housing crisis continues to strain families and communities. Safe, stable housing is foundational to dignity and opportunity, and meaningful solutions must reduce barriers, expand access, and reflect the scale of the problem.
Strengthening climate resilience and infrastructure.
From wildfires to floods, climate-related threats are no longer theoretical. The choices lawmakers make today will determine how safely we live tomorrow. California needs solutions that reduce risk and strengthen systems, not policies that make existing dangers worse.
Facing fiscal reality without abandoning values.
Budget constraints are real. But obligations to safety, dignity, and opportunity cannot be the first things cut. A fair budget reflects who we are and what we believe.
JCJ approaches this work not as a reaction to crisis, but as a commitment to the long-term health of our democracy and our communities. The urgency of this moment demands focus, discipline, and action — and that is the work we are committed to doing in 2026.