California Policy and Politics Wednesday

Garden Grove crisis exposes Southern California’s hidden industrial risks -- The near-disaster in Garden Grove serves as a reminder of the widespread but overlooked industrial risks embedded in Southern California neighborhoods. Experts warn that fast-tracked housing development near industrial sites is raising the odds of more chemical emergencies, often in low-income communities already burdened by pollution. Hayley Smith in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/27/26

Industry knew about chemical ‘runaway’ dangers for years. Then came near-catastrophe in O.C. -- The chemical industry has been well aware of the risks of the type of thermal runaway reaction that forced 50,000 people from their homes in Orange County last weekend, reviving years of warnings from researchers about the potential dangers. Hannah Fry and Rong-Gong Lin II in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/27/26

Community frustrations, concerns about lack of preparation aired at contentious Garden Grove meeting -- Having endured a turbulent weekend of evacuations prompted by a chemical scare, hundreds of Garden Grove residents packed the City’s Council Chambers Tuesday night, May 26, to make clear their mounting outrage and concerns and to demand answers from elected officials and the company at the center of it all. Victoria Le and Claire Wang in the Orange County Register$ -- 5/27/26

 

Billionaire Tom Steyer’s ad spending breaks records in California governor’s race -- Win or lose, billionaire Democrat Tom Steyer will leave a mark in the history books in his bid to become California’s next governor — he’s running the most expensive political advertising campaign in the country this year. Michael R. Blood Associated Press -- 5/27/26

PG&E goes after gubernatorial candidate Tom Steyer. He welcomes the fight -- PG&E is backing a committee that’s attacking Tom Steyer, while propping up Xavier Becerra. Steyer, a billionaire climate activist, frames the attacks as proof of his plans to reform the utilities. The California Chamber of Commerce PAC is also spending money to support the anti-Steyer campaign after receiving millions from the three major utilities. Dakota Smith in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/27/26

Mayor Karen Bass is in the toughest reelection fight of her career. She says she intends to win it -- Mayor Karen Bass’ campaign has acknowledged she will be pushed into a runoff. She says she will ultimately win the race. Elected on a promise to tackle street homelessness, Bass now faces criticism that her Inside Safe program is too costly and not effective. David Zahniser in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/27/26

In San Francisco's bruising House race, even Pelosi is a target -- Democrats in San Francisco have talked about Nancy Pelosi with a sense of reverence for the better part of 40 years. Saikat Chakrabarti is testing whether he can win a primary by flaming her instead. Dustin Gardiner Politico -- 5/27/26

Big name Democrats steer clear of endorsements in messy governor’s race -- Democratic consultant Steven Maviglio said there’s a simple reason they’re not weighing in: “They don’t want to be a loser.” For Newsom in particular, backing a losing candidate could be a mark against him as he ramps up a probable run for president in 2028, Maviglio said. Ben Paviour in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 5/27/26

Workplace

Meta plans to cut more than 600 Bay Area jobs; NetApp will eliminate dozens -- Meta Platforms revealed plans to slash well over 600 jobs in the Bay Area, while NetApp will trim dozens more positions, as downsizing in the Bay Area tech sector continues. George Avalos in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 5/27/26

Supreme Court Rejects Lawsuit Over Commercial Driver’s Licenses for Migrants -- The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected a bid by officials in Florida to sue California and Washington over claims that those states have allowed undocumented immigrants to receive commercial trucking licenses. Officials in the two states deny the allegation. Abbie VanSickle in the New York Times$ -- 5/27/26

‘Easily discarded’: Processing delays leave DACA recipients jobless and fearing deportation -- Recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, are facing months-long delays for work permit renewals. The immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children are losing paychecks and bracing for possible deportation. Andrea Castillo and Brittny Mejia in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/27/26

Go Ask Alice Why Tech Start-Ups Are Spending Big on Hype Videos -- A Mad Hatter and a giant rabbit sit around a table discussing an A.I. start-up. This is normal behavior around the Bay Area these days. Natallie Rocha, Mike Kai Chen in the New York Times$ -- 5/27/26

Housing

San Jose launches workforce housing effort at downtown housing tower -- A program designed to bring middle-income households into a prominent San Jose housing tower is officially underway, an effort that could lead to hundreds more residents downtown. George Avalos in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 5/27/26

Homeless

San Francisco faces a budget crisis. Its homelessness fund is flush with cash -- The Our City, Our Home Fund — financed by a voter-approved tax on large businesses — has exceeded forecasts and is expected to bring in more than $900 million over the next two years. That’s in addition to a $450 million fund balance. Maggie Angst in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 5/27/26

Education

Justice Department sues UCLA for the third time, alleges antisemitism against students -- The complaint centers on a 2024 pro-Palestinian encampment and pro-Palestinian rallies through the current year. Federal officials seek repayment of potentially hundreds of millions in grant dollars, as well as outside monitoring and policy reforms. Jaweed Kaleem in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/27/26

California education groups demand state legislature reject Newsom’s plan to withhold school funding -- Newsom’s plan, included in his revised 2026-27 budget proposal, would temporarily withhold $3.9 billion in school funding. Molly Gibbs in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 5/27/26

AI

At the Epicenter of A.I., Pope Leo’s Warnings Are Dismissed -- Pope Leo XIV’s spiritual message on artificial intelligence arrived as Silicon Valley’s A.I. enthusiasts pursue their own spirituality through technology. Cade Metz in the New York Times$ -- 5/27/26

Privacy

The form asked my permission to share my health data. Then it wouldn’t let me say no -- To experience what patients have to do to opt-out of having their data shared, I went to doctor’s appointments in seven states. One clinic showed me how easily dark patterns force patients to share their data with big healthcare networks, even when the privacy form they’re signing explicitly says they can opt-out. Alex Rosenblat Calmatters -- 5/27/26

Tijuana River

A small fix could make a big difference in Tijuana River pollution: When will it happen? -- As the U.S. and Mexico pursue $800 million in upgrades to wastewater facilities on the border, local officials are working on a smaller fix to improve conditions as soon as next year. Deborah Brennan Calmatters -- 5/27/26

Also

The $400 Million Showdown Between a Billionaire and a California Mayor -- The owner of the Los Angeles Rams and the City of Inglewood are in a dispute over Hollywood Park and SoFi Stadium, which is about to host World Cup matches. Matt Stevens, Ken Belson and Emmanuel Morgan in the New York Times$ -- 5/27/26

Walters: Newsom’s unbalanced budget faces strong pushback for spending cuts. Will lawmakers back him? -- Gavin Newsom is trying to finish his governorship on a high note, claiming he has written “a balanced budget structurally for 18 months” that would give his successor some breathing room. Dan Walters Calmatters -- 5/27/26

Heading to the Sierra? Leaving food unsecured could cost you $5,000 -- Campers and backpackers heading into the Sierra National Forest this summer have a new reason to double-check where they stash their snacks, trash and toothpaste: Leaving them where a bear can get them could carry a hefty fine. Aidin Vaziri in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 5/27/26

POTUS 47

Iran Pursues Deal That Brings Economic Relief Without Handing Trump Victory -- Iran is pursuing two intertwining goals in its negotiating strategy with the U.S., say Iranian officials and Arab mediators: securing financial relief for an economy that is under severe strain without giving enough ground on its nuclear program to allow President Trump to claim victory. Summer Said, Benoit Faucon and Alexander Ward in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 5/27/26

Trump Declares Himself in Good Health After Physical Exam at Walter Reed -- President Trump, the oldest man to be inaugurated as president, had a physical exam at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Tuesday, and said that his doctors had given him a clean bill of health. Karoun Demirjian in the New York Times$ -- 5/27/26

Cornyn’s Defeat Fuels Tensions With President Trump in Senate G.O.P. -- Senators are angry President Trump turned on a respected former leader whom they consider a loyal Republican. Now Mr. Trump faces resistance from his own embittered ranks. Carl Hulse in the New York Times$ -- 5/27/26

Barabak: Texas is where Democratic dreams die. Did Trump change that with his Senate pick? -- Ken Paxton’s primary win has buoyed Democratic hopes of an upset by the viral sensation James Talarico. But touted Democrats have a history of falling flat. Mark Z. Barabak in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 5/27/26