Kern

City of Bakersfield, Kern Coalitions — We met with about 40 residents, about half were Spanish-speaking, as well as Mayor Karen Goh and City Manager Christian Clegg. We heard about rents rising 50% and people only able to afford a single room as opposed to an apartment in the past.

We spoke with undocumented people who worked in the fields. They couldn’t get childcare so if they had young children only one person earned an income while the other remained at home. We heard about exposure to chemicals and struggles with cancer. 

We talked to high school students who watched their parents work hard their whole lives, have limited time with family, but are still unable to afford basic necessities. 

We heard about losing benefits just when you are advancing; years on the childcare waiting list and never getting a slot; a desire to remove red tape to obtain assistance as we did during the pandemic.

We heard about inequities—wealthier communities having nicer roads and parks; lack of afterschool activities in poorer schools.

There was a desire to continue this effort of identifying challenges and solutions through an ongoing conversation between residents and elected officials. 

Top Policy Ideas:
– Affordable housing
– Affordable childcare
– Access to transportation
– Farmworker working conditions
– Family-supporting wages
– Equity in school funding and programsEquity in neighborhood amenities
– Reform the safety net so benefits taper as you get ahead