California Policy and Politics Thursday

Federal officials arrived, denied entry at L.A. schools amid immigration enforcement fears -- Federal officials were denied entry at two L.A. Unified elementary schools this week, district officials confirmed Wednesday. Parents at the schools received messages from school officials stating the district’s “unwavering commitment to the well-being and education of all students.” Howard Blume and Melissa Gomez in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 4/10/25

China retaliates against San Diego’s Shield AI in tariff war -- Shield AI, one of San Diego’s most valuable venture-backed organizations, was among six companies added to China’s Unreliable Entities List. The distinction from China’s commerce ministry prevents companies from sourcing parts, operating, investing or visiting the country. Phillip Molnar in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 4/10/25

Tariffs chill Southern California’s vast industrial property market -- Demand for warehouses used to move goods through Los Angeles County ports is expected to fall if widespread tariffs take effect, potentially damaging the economic vitality of one of the world’s largest industrial real estate markets. Roger Vincent in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 4/10/25

‘It’s going to hurt a lot.’ How L.A.’s importers are navigating Trump’s shifting tariffs -- Business owners across Los Angeles who rely on imported goods are bracing for higher prices as Trump imposes steep taxes on products from several countries. Caroline Petrow-Cohen and Malia Mendez in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 4/10/25

He spent decades researching dementia. Trump’s DEI purge killed his grant, and dozens more -- This researcher’s project joins at least 30 others across the University of California system that have been terminated by the National Institutes of Health. Those multi-year awards were worth more than $173 million. Mikhail Zinshteyn CalMatters -- 4/10/25

Garafoli: Trump’s tariff pause proves he’s consistent on one thing: Backing down -- Something is becoming clear in Donald Trump’s first 100 days of his second term: He’s weak. Sure, he talks tough. Roars on social media or when the cameras are on. Always has. Always will. But when he’s confronted with even the most token of resistance, he backs down. Joe Garafoli in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 4/10/25

Trump makes sweeping move to undercut state climate laws, including California’s -- President Trump issued a sweeping executive order aimed at undermining states’ ability to set their own environmental policies. The order directs Attorney General Pam Bondi to identify and “stop the enforcement” of state laws that address climate change and other environmental initiatives. Hayley Smith in the Los Angeles Times$ Alejandro Lazo CalMatters -- 4/10/25

Another victim of Trump’s tariffs: California’s electric vehicle ambitions -- Experts expect Trump’s new tariffs will increase the price of electric trucks and buses, imperiling California climate goals. Tony Briscoe in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 4/10/25

‘We have no idea what’s coming’: Amid federal cuts, effort to push back county budget approval fails -- An effort to delay approval of San Diego County’s 2025-26 budget failed at the Board of Supervisors — meaning county leaders will need to devise a spending plan by June 30 amid uncertainty over how the state’s budget deficit and federal funding cuts will impact county programs. Kelly Davis in the San Diego Union-Tribune$ -- 4/10/25

 

Sidelined and Still Processing Her Defeat, Harris Looks for a Way Back In -- A successful campaign for governor of California in 2026, Kamala Harris has told allies, would give her a prominent perch from which to push back against President Trump and defend Democratic priorities. Lisa Lerer, Tyler Pager, Shane Goldmacher and Erica L. Green in the New York Times$ -- 4/10/25

Bernie Sanders, AOC move ‘Fighting Oligarchy’ tour to Folsom -- Sanders spokesperson Anna Bahr said in an email the event moved to accommodate a larger-than-expected crowd as the tour has drawn tens of thousands of attendees. The duo was originally slated to speak at the Gold Country Fairgrounds. Lia Russell in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 4/10/25

Democrats running for California governor take digs at Kamala Harris’ delayed decision on the race -- Democrats running for governor of California are sniping at former Vice President Kamala Harris’ delay in announcing whether she plans to run for the seat. Harris plans to make a decision about whether to run for governor over the summer, according to a source close to the Californian. Seema Mehta in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 4/10/25

Kamala Harris believes Biden is to blame for her loss, new book says -- Following a six-day vacation in Hawaii and after returning to Washington for her final month as vice president, Kamala Harris came to a counterintuitive conclusion about her 2024 presidential election loss: She just needed more time. David Catanese in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 4/10/25

How will Trump tariffs affect California Republicans’ congressional races? -- It’s unclear, and Northern and Central California Republican House members are carefully describing their views on President Donald Trump’s tariff policies, policies that have sent financial markets reeling and triggering warnings about economic chaos. David Lightman in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 4/10/25

Faced with $1-billion budget crunch, L.A. officials seek major trash fee increases -- The L.A. City Council is weighing a plan to increase trash fees by 56% for single-family homes and duplexes, while doubling the fee for apartments with three or four units. David Zahniser and Dakota Smith in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 4/10/25

Walters: Other states do housing better than California; a new study shows how they do it -- Overwhelmingly Californians rate the intertwined issues of housing supply, living costs and homelessness as the state’s most pressing issues, as a recent poll by the Public Policy Institute of California confirms. Dan Walters CalMatters -- 4/10/25

Workplace

Uber and Lyft drivers could unionize under new California bill -- A handful of California Democratic lawmakers announced legislation Tuesday to allow drivers for rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft — who are classified as independent contractors — to join a union. Nicole Nixon in the Sacramento Bee$ Yue Stella Yu CalMatters -- 4/10/25

One year in, California’s $20 minimum wage for fast food workers is lifting boats but still debated -- Employees at fast food chains like Wendy’s are enjoying the pay raise while economists trade barbs over potential downsides. Grant Stringer in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 4/10/25

Wildfire

Secret changes Edison imposed after Eaton fire remain shrouded in mystery -- Just weeks after the deadly Eaton fire ignited near three Southern California Edison transmission towers, the utility quietly changed an internal policy on how crews should ground idle electrical pylons. Salvador Hernandez in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 4/10/25

Could utility gear set your neighborhood on fire? California risk maps are 8 years old -- California’s Public Advocate has been pressing for new utility fire maps since 2023. Utilities are on board — but regulators turned them down. Malena Carollo CalMatters -- 4/10/25

Will Congress give Californians tax breaks for disaster-proofing their homes? -- Upgrading a roof, air filtration or other items that will help protect your home against fires, storms and other disasters? Republicans and Democrats are proposing a tax break for the projects. David Lightman in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 4/10/25

Education

Guns, knives and fentanyl overdoses: Safety worries spike at Bay Area school district -- The spate of jarring incidents at schools in Sonoma County’s largest school district over the last two years — and the district’s response to them — has prompted some parents to call for stricter security, more transparency from district officials and additional resources for students. Jessica Flores in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 4/10/25

Sacramento State president announces job cuts, proposes new student fee -- As a result of the “grim” financial outlook for the upcoming fiscal year, Sacramento State President Luke Wood announced the elimination of 28 management positions and proposed a new student fee to help offset the deficit. Jennah Pendleton in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 4/10/25

Housing

Coastal ‘builder’s remedy’ housing project could bring 1,000 affordable homes to Pacifica -- For decades, developers have been eyeing a vacant 86-acre former quarry in Pacifica wedged between the Pacific Ocean and Highway 1. Nora Mishanec in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 4/10/25

Street

San Francisco crime is going through an incredible and rare change -- Crime in San Francisco plummeted last year at a far faster pace than in other cities of the same size. And even after last year’s major decline brought the city to historically low numbers, San Francisco’s crime continued to fall across all categories in the first three months of this year, according to police data. Danielle Echeverria in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 4/10/25

LAPD tactics faulted in shooting of mentally ill K-town man — but killing ruled justified -- A Los Angeles police officer who killed a mentally ill man last year in Koreatown employed questionable tactics but was justified in using deadly force, the department’s oversight body ruled Tuesday. Libor Jany in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 4/10/25

Also

Giant sculpture of a naked woman arrives near Ferry Building on S.F. Embarcadero -- At night she will be lit from within and an interior mechanism will be activated at random to cause her chest to rise and fall as if breathing. Sam Whiting in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 4/10/25

The battle over the Great Highway might drag on now that S.F. supervisor wants to send it back to voters -- The battle over the Upper Great Highway may not be over yet. A San Francisco supervisor said she’s considering a ballot measure to reopen the two-mile stretch of the highway now closed to cars if the recall of District 4 Supervisor Joel Engardio qualifies for the ballot. Aldo Toledo, Ko Lyn Cheang in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 4/10/25

Garofoli: As weed celebrations approach, California’s cannabis industry is still far from flying high -- San Francisco Space Walk — a weeklong, adults-only music, art and cannabis celebration — launches April 13, but the mood behind the scenes is somber this year. Joe Garofoli in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 4/10/25

POTUS 47

Dow falls 1,300 points as tariff sell-off resumes after historic rally: Live updates -- Stocks fell Thursday, giving back some of the historic rally seen in the previous session after President Donald Trump announced a 90-day reprieve on some of his “reciprocal” tariffs. Hakyung Kim, Sean Conlon CNBC -- 4/10/25

After Tariff Climbdown, World Asks: Is it Method or Madness? -- Relief spread around the world on Thursday after President Trump suspended enforcement of some of his global tariffs, but the U-turn left governments pondering how to approach a U.S. that has become nearly impossible to predict. Bertrand Benoit and Kim Mackrael in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 4/10/25

Trump’s Tariff Man Peter Navarro Is Down but Not Out -- Musk calls trade hawk a ‘moron,’ but president values his loyalty and hard-line stances. Gavin Bade, Alex Leary and Lindsay Wise in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 4/10/25

The United States and China are locked in a faceoff over tariffs. No one wants to blink first -- The tariff fight between the world’s two largest economies spiraled into greater peril Wednesday as President Donald Trump tried to narrow his global trade war into a direct — and risky — faceoff with Beijing. Didi Tang and Zeke Miller Associated Press Lingling Wei, Alex Leary and Jared Malsin in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 4/10/25

No reprieve for the economy: Trump’s surging China tariffs will upend billions in trade -- President Donald Trump stepped back from an all-out global trade war on Wednesday, but his soaring tariffs on China remain a major risk for the U.S. and world economies. Doug Palmer Politico -- 4/10/25

Trump’s Last-Minute U-Turn on Tariffs Left Advisers in the Dark -- Economic turmoil, particularly a rapid rise in government bond yields, caused President Trump to suddenly reverse course on his steep tariffs. Tyler Pager, Maggie Haberman, Ana Swanson and Jonathan Swan in the New York Times$ -- 4/10/25

The 18 hours that changed Trump’s mind on trade -- From Tuesday evening to Wednesday afternoon, Trump and his trade advisors spoke to several Republican lawmakers and top foreign leaders who raised concerns about the faltering global markets. Michael Birnbaum, Natalie Allison and Cat Zakrzewski in the Washington Post$ -- 4/10/25

Trump’s tariffs pushed the U.S. uncomfortably close to a financial crisis before pause -- The speed of such moves in the normally placid Treasury market raised fears that some investors, perhaps including foreign central banks, were ditching U.S. government bonds amid a gathering panic over the unintended consequences of Trump’s 360-degree assault on global trade. That would mean the end of a century of U.S. financial supremacy and leave markets unsure of the values of stocks, bonds and other assets around the world. David J. Lynch in the Washington Post$ -- 4/10/25

Trump’s Encouragement of Stock Investors Draws Scrutiny -- “BE COOL,” Mr. Trump told his followers on social media after the markets opened. Just a couple of minutes later he wrote, “THIS IS A GREAT TIME TO BUY!!!” Hours after that, Mr. Trump sent the markets soaring when he paused the levies for 90 days. Zolan Kanno-Youngs in the New York Times$ -- 4/10/25

Social Security abandons DOGE-led phone service cuts amid chaos, backlash -- The shift amounts to a wholesale retreat by Musk’s team and the Social Security leadership in their bid to dramatically curtail telephone access to services. Hannah Natanson and Lisa Rein in the Washington Post$ -- 4/10/25

Trump Signs Orders Punishing Those Who Opposed His 2020 Election Lies -- President Trump on Wednesday signed executive orders punishing two officials from his first administration and an elite law firm, continuing a campaign of retribution that he has gleefully carried out since his inauguration. Chris Cameron in the New York Times$ -- 4/10/25