Attorney Laura Sheppard, PhD

05/06/2026

After passing the Assembly with strong bipartisan support, the AB 1645 HUGS Act (authored by Assemblymember Mark Gonzalez) is officially moving to the Senate! This bill will ensure California's prison visiting rooms are places of dignity and care, by ensuring that incarcerated people can have increased (appropriate) physical contact with their loved ones, rather than being over-policed and punished.
The coalition urgently needs letters of support to encourage Senators to vote for it!
Keep in mind, the legislature is a bunch of politicians, not necessarily supporters of inmates. In your letter, focus on why increased/improved family support (including contact-visits) for incarcerated folks is good for EVERYONE - the community, the taxpayers, the children of inmates who are innocent and deserve their incarcerated parent's love and affection! Share your personal story, but keep this messaging in mind.
Deadline for letters: Tuesday June 9 at 3:00 PM
Upload your signed letter to the Senate via the CA Legislative Portal: https://calegislation.lc.ca.gov/Advocates/

03/06/2026

I see clients and friends.

03/06/2026

Some stats from the Life Support Alliance: This year's overall parole grant rate is down to a disappointing 24%. Of those, women were only 5% but fared quite a bit better than men (38% of women versus 24% of men were granted).
Also considerably down in 2025: the number of hearings held versus scheduled. Out of 7,882 scheduled in 2025, only 2,626 or 44% of those hearings were held and decisions rendered (because of stipulations, postponements, etc). Who gets granted? Here, the stats were stable from 2024 to 2025; 5% of grants were for women. 51% of grants qualified for both YOPH and elderly parole. 53% of those with a low-risk rating on their CRA were granted, 41% of those with a low-moderate rating, 19% of those with a moderate, 7% of those with a high-moderate, and only 1% of those with a high-risk rating were granted. In other words, the panel's decisions are closely mapping with what the BPH's FAD decides.
Some good news: Gov. Newsom's reversal rate was quite low in 2025 - only 9 out of the 832 grants, or 0.1%, though a third of them were women, and a third were high-profile.
There's plenty more info to be learned in the details of the BPH's annual report, which can be downloaded by the public here:

Statistical Data Calendar Year 2026 Calendar Year 2025 Calendar Year 2024 Calendar Year 2023 Calendar Year 2022 Calendar Year 2021 Calenda

30/05/2026

If you are near Sacramento, I hope you'll come on June 30 to urge Gov. Newsom to take action before he leaves office. He can SAVE 550 lives by commuting all the death sentences to LWOP (and after that, they'll be eligible for C&R hearings, for a shot at freedom!) As a civilized state, we should never kill people, to try to show that killing people is wrong.
I wish I could be there, and I will be, in spirit!

28/05/2026

With Steyer's positions on single-payer healthcare and prison reform both being far superior to his opponent Becerra, Steyer has won my vote. This has been a hard race to decide how to vote, especially with the jungle primary creating the danger of a Republican contender. But we're safely out of that risk, and at this point, enough votes for Steyer will create a 2-democrat run-off. This is highly preferable for progressive voters even if you prefer Becerra, because Steyer will push Becerra to the left, whereas Hilton would push Becerra toward the center. BUT I strongly believe Steyer is the best candidate available at this point. Even though he is a billionaire (a wealth-hoarder), he seems to be spending his billions to try to make society a better place, and is advocating to TAX billionaires. Steyer has been consistent and stable in his progressive views, where as Becerra has dealt with some scandal, corruption, and changed his position on issues as important as single-payer healthcare.
Please vote , and don't forget to mail your ballot by May 28, or submit it in-person at a polling place by June 2.

28/05/2026

San Diego voters, here's my voter recommendations, aimed at fellow progressives:
(I'm sorry, I haven't formed a position on local races outside my own county.)

San Diego County Judicial Races:

Office 11: Leah Boucek is running unopposed, and is well-qualified according to the San Diego County Bar Association.

Office 18 and 34: I won't endorse the unopposed candidates, because they are prosecutors. We have enough of those in black robes already. Write in a name.

Office 31: Jodi Cleesattle is exceptionally well-qualified according to the SDCBA, and although she is a Deputy Attorney General, my research shows she hasn't worked in criminal prosecution, but in civil areas where the state is usually fighting on behalf of its citizens. She has a lot of legal experience and a commitment to the courts. She has my support, and I strongly urge a vote for her.

Office 32: I can't truly support any of the three candidates, but D'Ambrogi is the least objectionable.

US House of Representatives (52nd district): Juan Vargas is the incumbent Democrat, and he's not terrible But I'm writing in FRANCES YASMEEN MOTIWALLA, an activist and proponent of divesting from Israel. Plus, . She likely won't win on a write-in campaign, but she will build name recognition to take on Vargas in the future and push him to the left, maybe even get him to take a stronger stance. Democrats in Washington DC have FAILED to stand up to Trump, and deserve to be challenged.

State Board of Equalization, 4th District: Cody Peterson seems to be the best choice, and is endorsed by Courage California. Another leading Dem, Umberg, is just too corporate for my tastes.

State Assembly 79th District: The incumbent, LaShae Sharp-Collins is a RAD progressive! I recently met her at an Innocence Center event. She has my support all the way. Also,

County Board of Education, 3rd District: Alicia Munoz
County Treasurer-Tax Collector: Larry Cohen has solid Dem endorsements. Victor Roy is an independent. The other two are Republicans. The race is technically non-partisan, so party affiliations aren't on the ballot, you have to look them up. Now you know.

San Diego Measure A: Vote YES. This measure will charge a $8k-$10k tax to people who leave a home sitting empty for more than half a year, and even more for investor-owned homes. When housing affordability is in CRISIS, this is a strong financial incentive NOT to leave housing sitting empty while there are people unable to find a home. Don't listen to the scare tactics - the tax will NOT be due on your primary residence just because you travel, even if you travel for 6 mths or more. It is ONLY paid on a second home - extremely wealthy people who leave their beachfront "summer home" empty, for example. One gray area is whether taxes will be owed on whole-home AirBnB rental properties; but that may depend on whether they're left vacant more than half the year. The measure may not be perfect, but the more housing that's available, the more affordable it will be for everyone, and it's time the local gov't got involved in making sure that happens.
And yes, the super wealthy still won't rent out their summer home, but at least they'll pay a tax, which the city can use for ALL our needs, like libraries, potholes, and restoring free parking in Balboa Park. This can be a one small piece of the wealthy finally contributing more (remember most of them come up with tax shelters to actually pay a far smaller percentage of their income in taxes than the rest of us!)

28/05/2026

Statewide voter guide for fellow progressives:

Governor: I was originally with Katie Porter, but Steyer or Becerra are the only 2 viable non-Republican candidates, unfortunately. I'm going with Steyer, whose positions are consistently more progressive than Becerra's. He is for universal healthcare and prison reform (including eliminating LWOP), and Becerra is not solidly for either of these things. I understand those who distrust Steyer's wealth and background, but I think he's shown insight into his change. At this point though, neither Becerra nor Steyer will win outright in the primary, and with Becerra leading in the polls, a vote for Steyer has the possibility of icing Republican Hilton out of the runoff and pushing Becerra to the left. This MATTERS. Hence,

Ltnt Governor: I'm with Courage California (https://www.progressivevotersguide.com/california) in endorsing Michael Tubbs. As mayor of Stockton and as an advisor to Gov. Newsom, Tubbs has advanced a progressive policy including housing, worker rights, and exploring UBI which may become vital with the AI boom. Also because: support

Secretary of State: This role is in charge of elections, and Shirley Weber has done a good job. I got no problem letting her continue to lead.

Controller: Malia Cohen has done a fine job in this role as chief accountant for the state. Let her keep doing the job.

Treasurer: Courage California has endorsed all 3 Dems equally, and I find Tony Vazquez the least objectionable. The other two Dems (Caballero and Kounalakis) are endorsed by big business. But I'm entering an activist vote for Glenn Turner, a Green Party candidate who wants California to divest its state pension funds from Israel in protest of the genocide of Palestinians. She may not win, but , plus a Dem will undoubtedly win, and our votes can send a message to the winner about valuing Palestinian lives.

Attorney General: Rob Bonta has done a decent job opposing Trump on behalf of California, but he's not progressive enough on prison reform. Bonta will likely win, but I'm voting Marjorie Mikels, a Green party candidate and Justice Advocate, to express my values to

Insurance Commissioner: Courage CA says vote for any Dem. So I'm voting Jane Kim, a capable attorney and the only woman Democrat in the race, because

State Superintendent of Public Instruction: Courage California says vote for Nichelle Henderson or Richard Barrera. Both seem capable. So and vote

Please see another post for my San Diego-specific endorsements. I'm sorry, I haven't formed a position on local races outside my own county.

Get the facts before you vote!

27/05/2026

TLDR version of my voting recommendation: Vote STEYER for Governor because he's the only one who has a true commitment to prison reform. Even for those who vote Republican at the national level, if you have loved ones in California prison, it is VITAL that you vote for a Democrat here (Steyer or Becerra), or we will lose all the last 16 years of progress on prisons.

Timing: MAIL your ballot by tomorrow (Thurs May 28) or submit it in person to the election center or a polling place by June 2.
https://www.tomsteyer.com/issues?

Tom Steyer’s plans for housing, corporate tax reform, lower electric bills, education, immigration, climate, and healthcare in California.

27/05/2026

With Steyer's positions on single-payer healthcare and prison reform both being far superior to his opponent Becerra, Steyer has won my vote. This has been a hard race to decide how to vote, especially with the jungle primary creating the danger of a Republican contender. But we're safely out of that risk, and at this point, enough votes for Steyer will create a 2-democrat run-off. This is highly preferable for progressive voters even if you prefer Becerra, because Steyer will push Becerra to the left, whereas Hilton would push Becerra toward the center. BUT I strongly believe Steyer is the best candidate available at this point. Even though he is a billionaire (a wealth-hoarder), he seems to be spending his billions to try to make society a better place, and is advocating to TAX billionaires. Steyer has been consistent and stable in his progressive views, where as Becerra has dealt with some scandal, corruption, and changed his position on issues as important as single-payer healthcare.
Please vote , and don't forget to mail your ballot by May 28, or submit it in-person at a polling place by June 2.

Tom Steyer’s plans for housing, corporate tax reform, lower electric bills, education, immigration, climate, and healthcare in California.

27/05/2026

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