California Policy and Politics Wednesday

Newsom escalates clash with Trump in State of the State, declares California under siege -- Gov. Gavin Newsom used his written State of the State address Tuesday to cast California as a bulwark against a menacing Trump administration he accused of dismantling public services, flouting the rule of law and using extortion to bully businesses and universities. Melody Gutierrez in the Los Angeles Times$ Lia Russell in the Sacramento Bee$ Robert Mackey The Guardian -- 09/10/25

California leaders negotiate major policy changes in secret as legislative session ends -- With just days until the legislative session wraps, California’s top Democrats are discussing a series of climate, energy and transit measures in backrooms. Details are so scant that even veteran lobbyists and advocates say they are confused and frustrated. Yue Stella Yu Calmatters -- 09/10/25

California leaders race toward deadline for cap-and-trade deal -- California lawmakers are running down the clock to craft a deal to renew the state’s influential cap-and-trade climate policy. Kate Wolffe in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 09/10/25

Sacramento's most powerful puppet master is causing climate chaos -- Kip Lipper is a name rarely uttered outside inner circles of Sacramento, but the powerful Senate adviser is at the center of this session’s climate logjam — and people are ready to point fingers if Gov. Gavin Newsom and lawmakers’ ambitious package doesn’t get done. Alex Nieves and Camille von Kaenel Politico -- 09/10/25

Budget carveout appears to stymie apartment construction in powerful Democrat’s district -- A bill released in the final days of the legislative session creates a carve-out from more permissive building rules and appears to target just one project: a proposed apartment building in Sen. Monique Limón’s district. Ben Christopher Calmatters -- 09/10/25

Schiff lawyer told Justice Department it should investigate Pulte for probing mortgages of Trump opponents -- Three days after President Trump publicly accused Sen. Adam Schiff of committing mortgage fraud, an attorney for Schiff wrote privately to the Department of Justice that there was “no factual basis” for the claims — but “ample basis” to launch an investigation into Bill Pulte, the Trump administration official digging into the mortgage records of the president’s most prominent political opponents. Kevin Rector in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 09/10/25

 

Harris: Reluctance to pressure Biden out of 2024 was ‘recklessness’ -- “‘It’s Joe and Jill’s decision.’ We all said that, like a mantra, as if we’d all been hypnotized,” the former vice president wrote in an excerpt of her book published by The Atlantic Wednesday morning. Gregory Svirnovskiy Politico Michelle L. Price Associated Press -- Joseph De Avila in the Wall Street Journal$ Patrick Svitek in the Washington Post$ -- 09/10/25

Barabak: Should Kamala Harris be protected? At what cost? -- The revocation of the former vice president’s Secret Service detail has turned the question of Harris’ safety into a political issue. There’s bad faith aplenty. Mark Barabak in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 09/10/25

 

Plane to purgatory: how Trump’s deportation program shuttles immigrants into lawless limbo -- 44,000 immigrants, 1,700 flights, 100 days: a Guardian investigation of leaked flight data and government detention data reveals the inhumane journey of immigrants shuttled around and outside the US. Maanvi Singh and Will Craft The Guardian -- 09/10/25

Critics fault Supreme Court for allowing immigration stops that consider race and ethnicity -- Fifty years ago, the Supreme Court ruled unanimously that U.S. Border Patrol agents violated the Constitution when they stopped a car on a freeway near San Clemente because its occupants appeared to be “of Mexican ancestry.” David G. Savage, Michael Wilner and Andrea Castillo in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 09/10/25

‘We All Thought the Raids Were Over’: Fears Return for Immigrants in L.A. -- Los Angeles residents are anxious once again following a Supreme Court ruling that allowed aggressive immigration raids to resume. Jill Cowan and Ana Facio-Krajcer in the New York Times$ -- 09/10/25

In rural California, a grave echoes another era of forced removal of immigrants -- After Del Norte County in Northern California kicked out its Chinese immigrants in the late 1800s, Dock Rigg stayed behind. Hailey Branson-Potts in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 09/10/25

Amid growing backlash to masked ICE agents, San Jose could be the next city to try prohibiting federal agents from concealing their identities -- While legislators have pushed new bills at local and state levels, questions have swirled over whether they will have any impact. Devan Patel in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 09/10/25

Supervisors vote to include immigrant children in county’s legal services program -- Federal funding to represent unaccompanied migrant children in immigration proceedings ends next month. Alexandra Mendoza in the San Diego Union Tribune$ -- 09/10/25

 

California breaks from CDC, endorses COVID vaccine guidance from medical groups -- In a break from the past, California is endorsing COVID-19 vaccine recommendations from national medical professional organizations rather than federal health officials. Catherine Ho in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 09/10/25

California has a strict vaccine mandate. Will it survive the Trump administration? -- California is one of five states with laws that do not allow religious exemptions to school vaccines. The Trump administration is moving to expand parents’ right to opt out. Jenny Gold in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 09/10/25

Valero

California lawmakers could bail out Bay Area oil refinery to stave off closure -- California could pay hundreds of millions of dollars to cover maintenance costs at Valero Energy Co.’s refinery in Benicia in an effort to stave off the plant’s closure, according to Bloomberg. Aldo Toledo in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 09/10/25

Workplace

Bid to repeal L.A.’s $30 hotel minimum wage fails to qualify for the ballot -- The referendum needed about 93,000 signatures to qualify for the ballot but fell short by about 9,000, according to a statement from interim City Clerk Petty Santos. David Zahniser and Suhauna Hussain in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 09/10/25

California’s Great America chops jobs as uncertainty looms -- As uncertainty looms over how long it will keep its doors open, California’s Great America theme park has decided to cut 184 jobs, according to a WARN notice filed with the state Employment Development Department. George Avalos in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 09/10/25

Walmart will shut East Bay store and eliminate scores of jobs -- Walmart has decided to close its store in Pleasanton in a move that will affect nearly 100 jobs. George Avalos in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 09/10/25

Children’s Hospital LA laying off 439 healthcare workers by late October -- The hospital cited declining healthcare funding, policy changes and the rising cost of providing healthcare. Pat Maio in the LA Daily News -- 09/10/25

California pledges millions of dollars to study firefighter health -- Cal Fire will spend $9.7 million on research into how worsening wildfires and other exposures may be increasing the risk for cancer among California firefighters, the governor’s office announced Tuesday. Julie Johnson in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 09/10/25

L.A. County employee charged with alleged hate crimes against Asian co-worker -- A Los Angeles County employee has been charged with felony hate crimes after allegedly breaking into the government’s downtown headquarters three times in the last two weeks and placing death threats on the desk of an Asian co-worker. Rebecca Ellis in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 09/10/25

Open AI

OpenAI installs parental controls following California teen’s death -- Weeks after a Rancho Santa Margarita family sued over ChatGPT’s role in their teenager’s death, OpenAI has announced that parental controls are coming to the company’s generative artificial intelligence model. Corinne Purtill in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 09/10/25

OpenAI denies report that it could move out California: ‘No plans to leave’ -- OpenAI denied a Wall Street Journal report that stated the company could potentially leave California in a “last ditch effort” to convert itself into a new for-profit company, calling the story false. Roland Li in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 09/10/25

Wildfire

Ancient California sequoia trees appear to survive wildfire -- The Garnet Fire has been burning the Sierra National Forest, and flames entered the McKinley Grove — home to hundreds of beloved sequoia trees — on Monday. Vivian Ho and Joshua Partlow in the Washington Post$ -- 09/10/25

Garnet Fire enters southern edge of McKinley Grove, home to giant Sequoia trees -- Around-the-clock efforts are underway to protect giant Sequoias within the McKinley Grove that are being threatened by the raging wild fire burning nearby and continuing to grow in eastern Fresno County. Bryant-Jon Anteola in the Fresno Bee -- 09/10/25

Older California homes for sale now must come with wildfire warnings -- The state is the first to require sellers in high-risk areas to disclose what they’ve done to protect houses. Todd Woody, Bloomberg in the Orange County Register$ -- 09/10/25

Wildfire threats to California water resources demand attention, group warns -- Proactive fuel mitigation measures near watersheds are a vital step toward protecting water quality as California wildfires grow in intensity and frequency, experts warn. Sierra Lopez in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 09/10/25

COVID

COVID vaccine chaos: Even pharmacists are confused, but here’s who can get one -- Just weeks after the federal government dramatically reduced eligibility for COVID-19 vaccinations, people trying to get an updated booster shot in California are reporting confusion and frustration, with access, policies and availability all over the map. Jessica Roy in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 09/10/25

Housing

‘The Garbage Boyfriend of the World’ Is Tanking the YIMBY Dream -- Will former reality TV villain Spencer Pratt win the battle over housing in California? Debra Kahn Politico -- 09/10/25

Hydrogen Sulfide

The rotten egg smell at the Salton Sea isn’t just a nuisance. It can make people sick -- UCLA researchers have found that hydrogen sulfide emissions at the Salton Sea are at elevated levels and can cause serious health effects to those that live near the lake. Deborah Brennan Calmatters -- 09/10/25

Wave Power

First onshore wave energy project in the U.S. launches in Los Angeles -- It produces little power yet, but could scale along the port’s breakwater to supply as many as 60,000 households. Unlike wind and solar energy, wave power operates continuously and could help L.A. reach its 100% clean energy goal by 2035. Hayley Smith in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 09/10/25

Street

LAPD touts 2024 dip in police shootings, but officers already firing more this year -- Los Angeles police have opened fire at least 31 times in the first nine months of 2025, more than they did all of last year, according to data released by the department. Libor Jany in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 09/10/25

San Jose: Homeless people will be paid $15 an hour to pick up trash in ‘hotspots’ -- San Jose is home to some beautiful architecture and brilliant art, but also to freeway on-ramps and creek embankments that are littered with ugly trash and debris. Now, the city is launching a new effort to clean up dirty parts of town, and it’ll help dozens of homeless people get back on their feet at the same time. Emily DeRuy in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 09/10/25

Downtown Streets Team to end homeless outreach efforts across Bay Area -- A Bay Area nonprofit that helps homeless people across the region find jobs and housing in exchange for volunteering to clean up local streets is abruptly shutting down, citing a loss of millions of dollars in public funding amid a financial and political environment that has “shifted dramatically in recent months.” Ethan Varian in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 09/10/25

Also

Walters: Gavin Newsom’s snark attacks on Trump boost his national standing — at least for now -- Gov. Gavin Newsom has been waging a media war against President Donald Trump — particularly with uber-snarky social media posts — while promoting a ballot measure aimed at increasing Democrats’ congressional seats, portraying it as a way to blunt Trump’s lust for power. Dan Walters Calmatters -- 09/10/25

POTUS 47

Supreme Court agrees to hear Trump tariff case this fall -- The high court will determine the fate of Trump's sweeping tariffs on countries around the world, which have brought in tens of billions of dollars. Doug Palmer and Josh Gerstein Politico Justin Jouvenal in the Washington Post$ -- 09/10/25

Tariff Case Could Give Trump Massive New Fiscal Powers -- If Supreme Court rules in president’s favor on tariffs, it could greenlight his raising other new tax revenue without Congress. Greg Ip in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 09/10/25

Trump Warns of Doom if Tariffs Are Ruled Illegal. Others See a Tax Cut -- Many American companies have had to shoulder at least some of the costs of tariffs, biting into earnings the same way a corporate tax increase would, analysts say. Andrew Duehren in the New York Times$ -- 09/10/25

Judge blocks Trump’s bid to fire Lisa Cook from Federal Reserve board -- Federal law gives Trump the power to fire members of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors “for cause,” which typically means serious misconduct or malfeasance on the job. Kyle Cheney and Josh Gerstein Politico Lydia Wheeler in the Wall Street Journal$ Colby Smith and Tony Romm in the New York Times$ Andrew Ackerman in the Washington Post$ -- 09/10/25

Hyundai ICE raid in Georgia leaves Asian executives shaken by Trump’s mixed signals -- The immigration raid that snatched up hundreds of South Koreans last week sent a disconcerting message to companies in South Korea and elsewhere: America wants your investment, but don’t expect special treatment. Max Kim and Nilesh Christopher in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 09/10/25

Trump is keeping RFK Jr. in his tent and on a leash -- President Donald Trump believes his alliance with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. created a political tent too big for the Democrats to beat. Trump is now trying to make sure Kennedy doesn’t push traditional GOP allies out. Carmen Paun, Grace Yarrow and Megan Messerly Politico Sheryl Gay Stolberg and Maggie Haberman in the New York Times$ -- 09/10/25

Kennedy commission child health report ignores gun violence, the leading cause of child death -- The Make America Healthy Again Commission, led by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has released its Make Our Children Healthy Again Strategy, a 20-page report the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services described as a “sweeping plan” to “reverse the failed policies that fueled America’s childhood chronic disease epidemic.” Corinne Purtill in the Los Angeles Times$ Dani Blum, Benjamin Mueller and Maggie Astor in the New York Times$ -- 09/10/25

U.S. Drugmakers Warn White House of Chaos as Trump Weighs Curbs on China -- Behind the scenes, major pharmaceutical companies and Trump-tied billionaires are furiously lobbying in opposite directions over proposed anti-China measures. Rob Copeland and Rebecca Robbins in the New York Times$ -- 09/10/25

 

A Phony Trump Check and a ‘Depreciated’ Woman in Epstein’s Birthday Book -- A photo in Jeffrey Epstein’s birthday book shows the disgraced financier holding a novelty check with a signature of “DJ TRUMP.” It includes a woman who dated both men in the 1990s. Matthew Goldstein, Jessica Silver-Greenberg and Steve Eder in the New York Times$ -- 09/10/25

Latest Revelations Complicate Trump’s Sweeping Denials About Epstein -- President Trump often succeeds in pivoting the national conversation, but he is finding that more difficult when it comes to Jeffrey Epstein. Luke Broadwater in the New York Times$ -- 09/10/25

What Note? On Epstein Sketch, Republicans Revert to Shrugs -- The Republican response to the release of a suggestive note to Jeffrey Epstein apparently signed by President Trump followed a familiar pattern of deflection. Annie Karni in the New York Times$ -- 09/10/25