In this Must Know…
- Build Power: California Small Business Bills in Motion
- Help us advocate for MEHKOs in your community!
- Impact of Latino-Serving CDFIs
- Join the 2025 CAMEO Network Summit, “Leading in Uncertain Times: Meeting the Mission, Telling the Story, Promoting Policy” on May 28-29, 2025 in Sacramento
- CAMEO Network is hiring!
- This week’s Goodie Highlight is Recast City’s SPARK Scorecard, a tool that helps local leaders get started in building a small-scale manufacturing sector in their communities.
Build Power: California Small Business Bills in Motion
The 2025 California Legislative Session is underway, with CAMEO Network sponsoring two responsible small business lending bills. Our VP of Engagement and External Relations, Heidi Pickman, testified this week in support of SB 362 (Grayson), which tightens regulations on brokers and financing companies. The bill passed the committee with 100% bipartisan support!
Next week, Heidi will testify for SB 728 (Padilla), which establishes a licensing framework for brokers.
Please sign our letters of support for SB 362 and SB 728!
CAMEO Network also supports a number of bills that are currently making their way through the Legislature. Learn more about them in the CAMEO Network Blog!
- AB 380 (Gonzalez)
- AB 592 (Gabriel)
- AB 613 (Gonzalez)
- AB 801 (Bonta)
- SB 534 (Padilla)
- SB 635 (Durazo)
Advocate for MEHKOs in Your Community
CAMEO Network and COOK Alliance are offering grants ($500–$5,000) to support local advocacy for legalizing Micro Enterprise Home Kitchen Operations (MEHKOs) in California counties where they’re not yet allowed. Selected applicants will receive training and support to build effective campaigns.
Grant amounts will depend on the scale, impact, and scope of proposed advocacy efforts. Submit your proposal today!
Impact of Latino-serving CDFIs
A recent research article from the Urban Institute highlights how Latino-serving CDFIs are addressing challenges in Latino communities. While rigid underwriting criteria excludes many Latino borrowers from traditional financial systems, there’s a growing demand for financing products. Latino-led CDFIs innovate by providing culturally relevant, relationship-based lending and services. However, the industry lacks sufficient data on Latino subgroups to tailor solutions to their specific needs.
The Goodies
Professional Opportunities
- Register for the California Green Business Network Conference – Public Day on May 14, 2025 in San Francisco, CA.
- Join the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco for the California Rural Success Summit in Visalia, CA on May 14, 2025.
New Resources
- Public Counsel published an FAQ for California nonprofits that provides answers to common questions about the DEI Executive Orders.
- Recast City’s SPARK Scorecard is a tool that helps local leaders get started in building a small-scale manufacturing sector in their communities.
New Research
- Small Business For America’s Future released a snap poll of over 500 small business owners on the impact of tariffs on their businesses and decision making.
- The Kim Center for Social Balance released a report that provides helpful insights from both within and beyond the childcare sector.
Other Goodies
- For Your Clients: Small Business Majority’s recent Voice of Main Street survey looks at how small businesses approach access to capital.
- Jobs: California FarmLink, ICA Fund, Pacific Community Ventures, and The California State Assembly announced new jobs recently. See who else is hiring!