California Policy and Politics Friday

UC asks judge to dismiss DOJ antisemitism suit, calling it ‘political coercion’ -- UC is asking a Los Angeles judge to dismiss the Justice Department’s lawsuit accusing UCLA of tolerating antisemitic harassment and seeking repayment of $2 billion in research grants. UC calls the case “political coercion” in court documents and says UCLA has made substantial changes since 2024. Jaweed Kaleem in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 10/2/26

Justice Department accuses UCLA law school of illegally using race in admissions -- The Justice Department accused UCLA’s law school of illegally favoring Black and Latino applicants in admissions from 2023 to 2025, violating federal law and the Supreme Court’s affirmative-action ruling. The finding is part of a widening federal campaign targeting UC admissions. Jaweed Kaleem in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 10/2/26

 

Newsom vetoes bills to block federal immigration agents from state employment -- Days after signing a package of bills to rebuff aspects of federal immigration enforcement in California, Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed two bills from Los Angeles lawmakers that targeted public employment for federal agents. Nicole Nixon in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 10/2/26

Newsom vetoes high-speed rail oversight bill weeks after scathing audit of rail agency -- The measure would have allowed the Office of the Inspector General that oversees the high-speed rail authority to hire more highly trained workers for audits and investigations. Yue Stella Yu Calmatters -- 10/2/26

Big Oil and Gavin Newsom’s perilous, winding road -- But over the last eight years, as political headwinds have shifted, Newsom has sought a more nuanced, middle ground where he can continue to push California beyond its reliance on fossil fuels, while also accepting there would be disastrous consequences if the state’s oil and gas system suddenly collapsed. Noah Baustin Politico -- 10/2/26

Billionaire tax explained: What you need to know about Prop. 40 -- Proposition 40 would levy a one-time tax on billionaires. Some say the initiative opens the door to tax flight and more aggressive taxation. Others say there’s no way to predict the outcome. Jeanne Kuang and Kristen Hwang Calmatters -- 10/2/26

California’s Prop 45 may be the biggest reform to CEQA in decades. Critics say it goes too far -- Proposition 45, sponsored by the California Chamber of Commerce, would streamline the approval process for a wide range of development activities considered “essential,” from housing and highways to clean power projects and broadband internet. (Whether data centers are covered by the initiative remains a matter of legal debate.) Kurtis Alexander in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 10/2/26

California just changed the way you shop for food -- California is now on track to be the first state to create a front-of-package label to help consumers identify foods in grocery store aisles that are not ultraprocessed. Karen Garcia in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 10/2/26

Voter ID proponents accuse California Democrats of lying about Trump’s support for Prop. 39 -- Supporters of a high-profile Nov. 3 ballot measure that would require Californians to show identification when they vote accused state Democratic leaders of falsely stating that President Trump has endorsed the initiative. Dakota Smith in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 10/2/26

Would-be Pelosi successors debate who’s more progressive in San Francisco congressional race -- Regulating artificial intelligence emerged as a central issue in the first of two pre-election debates between the two Democrats vying to succeed former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Maya C. Miller Calmatters -- 10/2/26

California’s new used-car law takes effect today. Here’s how it helps buyers -- Starting today, Californians experiencing buyer’s remorse over a used car will get three days to change their minds. Jessica Roy in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 10/2/26

Water

Native tribes denied greater say in water decisions with Newsom veto -- Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed legislation that would have given Native tribes a greater role in California water policy decisions, saying the state is already making this a priority. Ian James in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 10/2/26

Workplace

California’s economic growth expected to continue, but slowly and with few jobs gains -- Boosted by investments in AI, a revitalized aerospace industry and a growing U.S. defense budget, California’s economic growth is expected to continue outpacing the nation, according to a forecast from the UCLA Anderson School of Management. Laurence Darmiento in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 10/2/26

Lyft to pay $272 million in record-breaking settlement over drivers’ compensation -- Lyft must pay $272.5 million in a historic settlement with the state of California and three cities over allegations that the company misclassified its drivers before it helped write a law that allowed it to consider them independent contractors. Levi Sumagaysay Calmatters -- 10/2/26

New California reparations law requires companies to disclose past profits from slavery -- Companies with more than $100 million in annual worldwide gross receipts will be required to search their records and submit sworn disclosures about slavery-related transactions. Wendy Fry Calmatters -- 10/2/26

Homeless

Copper theft, flooding and empty beds plague L.A. homeless housing, report finds -- A court-appointed review of Los Angeles’ homeless housing system found vacant units, flooding, elevator outages and copper-wire theft disrupting projects meant to shelter people. Doug Smith in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 10/2/26

Newton: Neither LA mayoral candidate has a compelling answer to the affordability crisis -- In Los Angeles, Karen Bass and Nithya Raman have both vowed that they would stress affordability if elected to serve as the city’s next mayor. Given their agreement, Los Angeles surely will be less expensive soon, no matter who wins, right? Probably not. Jim Newton Calmatters -- 10/2/26

Develop

Newsom signs bills providing environmental exemptions for San Diego stadium project -- Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a pair of bills this week designed to help a San Diego stadium and development project led by Los Angeles Rams owner Stan Kroenke sidestep environmental review hurdles. Dakota Smith in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 10/2/26

Education

Student math scores are abysmal. A new California law requires early testing for skill -- The new law, Senate Bill 1067, is an effort to reverse the state’s abysmal math scores, which have improved a bit the past few years but are still significantly below the national average. Carolyn Jones Calmatters -- 10/2/26

How California is creating a workaround to save defunded college programs -- Gov. Gavin Newsom signed two higher education bills into law this week aimed at shielding community colleges and universities from federal funding cuts, as the state’s clash with President Donald Trump over education policy continues to escalate. Molly Gibbs in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 10/2/26

California colleges don’t have enough housing for students. Will these 4 new laws help? -- Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed a package of bills to reduce barriers and incentivize building affordable student housing in California. He has also signed a bill giving on-campus housing priority to students experiencing homelessness or who have been in foster care. Aaron Friesen and Anahid Valencia Calmatters -- 10/2/26

Climate

California gets a new eye in the sky to track planet-warming methane -- California got its second satellite tuned to spot a powerful climate pollutant Thursday when it launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in Lompoc. Blanca Begert in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 10/2/26

AI

OpenAI Fires Researchers for Allegedly Sharing Information with AI Safety Group -- The startup, in the throes of responding to rogue AI incidents, said three employees violated policies for handling sensitive company data. Keach Hagey, Maxwell Zeff and Berber Jin in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 10/2/26

They’re the hottest new DJ duo on L.A. radio — except one of them isn’t human -- Coyotec, an AI co-host on Los Angeles’ José FM, has helped propel a Spanish-language morning show into weekday drive time, with the station reporting a surge in listeners. Built to banter about local news, sports and immigration raids, Coyotec now airs in English and is expanding to stations in Sacramento, Las Vegas and beyond. Nilesh Christopher in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 10/2/26

Street

New California law restricts undercover police operations targeting youth -- Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law to protect young people facing criminal allegations from deceptive law enforcement techniques by limiting how police use undercover agents. Cayla Mihalovich Calmatters -- 10/2/26

Also

A Political Backlash Is Rocking California’s Trumpiest Town Council -- The ‘Surf City Four’ is trying to dismantle MAGA control of Huntington Beach, where brawls and book bans have disrupted local politics. Jim Carlton, Roger Kisby in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 10/2/26

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U.S. Sending Third Aircraft Carrier, Up to 10,000 More Troops, to Middle East -- The deployments come as Trump weighs resuming bombing Iran after the midterms. Lara Seligman and Shelby Holliday in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 10/2/26

Campaign-style Trump ads use money meant for border security, memorials -- The Trump administration is airing campaign-style television ads using money Congress approved for border security upgrades, efforts to combat drug trafficking and memorials for officers killed in the line of duty, according to federal spending records. Isaac Arnsdorf in the Washington Post$ -- 10/2/26

Trump defies Democrats, diverts aid for Europe to Latin America instead -- The diverted funds include tens of millions of dollars that Congress approved for countries affected by the war in Ukraine. John Hudson in the Washington Post$ -- 10/2/26

 

California Policy and Politics Thursday

Gas prices, AI data centers and Trump’s long shadow: Top takeaways from the governor’s race debate -- The two candidates to become California’s next governor painted vastly different portraits of the state they want to lead during a televised CNN debate Wednesday night — though they both agreed the state faces tremendous challenges. Kevin Rector, Seema Mehta, Nicole Nixon and Dakota Smith in the Los Angeles Times$ Jeremy B. White and Blake Jones Politico Jeanne Kuang Calmatters Laurel Rosenhall and Soumya Karlamangla in the New York Times$ Michael R. Blood, Sophie Austin Associated Press -- 10/1/26

‘Blowout’: Here’s who won the Hilton-Becerra debate for California governor -- Arellano: ‘Hilton debated like someone already preparing to launch a podcast or beg for his old Fox News job back after he gets walloped.’ Chabria: ‘Please, for the love of God, Hilton, button that shirt. This is not a casino. ‘ Barabak: Becerra was ‘authoritative, crisp and kept on the offense most of the night, which raises the question of why his campaign handlers have been sheltering him up to now.’ Gustavo Arellano, Mark Z. Barabak and Anita Chabria in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 10/1/26

Walters: Hilton blames Democrats. Becerra blames Trump. Little was learned in governor’s race debate -- “All you say is Trump, Trump, Trump,” Hilton said when the issue was immigration. “Trump, Trump, Trump,” Becerra responded. So it went for an hour and a dozen issues. Dan Walters Calmatters -- 10/1/26

 

Billionaire tax explained: What you need to know about Prop. 40 -- Proposition 40 would levy a one-time tax on billionaires. Some say the initiative opens the door to tax flight and more aggressive taxation. Others say there’s no way to predict the outcome. Jeanne Kuang and Kristen Hwang Calmatters -- 10/1/26

California restricts parole for sex offenders after near-release of 2 convicted of molestation -- People convicted of serious sex offenses must serve at least 25 years in prison and cannot receive parole until age 65 under a new California law. Previously, some could earn parole at 50. Nigel Duara Calmatters -- 10/1/26

Newsom signs bill to rein in sexual assault lawsuits poised to bankrupt local governments -- Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday sought to rein in a wave of legal claims that have pushed some local governments and school districts to the brink of bankruptcy, after earlier laws made it much easier to sue over child sexual abuse. Sophia Bollag in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 10/1/26

$7.5-billion mini-NIH plan goes to California voters under bill signed by Newsom -- California voters will decide whether to establish a $7.5-billion state scientific research arm — similar to the National Institutes of Health — after Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill that will put the proposal on the March 2028 ballot. Andrew Khouri in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 10/1/26

Newsom signs bill stripping MAGA sheriff of his coroner title -- In what amounts to a laser-focused rebuke to a Republican sheriff who has dismissed concerns about deaths inside his jails, California’s Democratic leaders have stripped Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco of his duties as coroner. Raheem Hosseini in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 10/1/26

Newsom signs first-in-the-nation law to bolster struggling local news organizations -- Gov. Gavin Newsom approved a novel tax plan to keep California’s shrinking newsrooms afloat. It provides incentives for companies to hire journalists. Nadia Lathan Calmatters Sophia Bollag in the San Francisco Chronicle$ Paul Rogers in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 10/1/26

Newsom vetoes measure that would have penalized the use of smart glasses to secretly record people -- The legislation also would have required companies making smart glasses or other wearable devices, starting in 2028, to include a light or some other feature that indicates that the person is video or audio recording. Sophie Austin Associated Press -- 10/1/26

Newsom signs anti-monopoly bill after bruising legislative battle -- Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 1776 on Wednesday, modernizing state antitrust legislation. However, former supporters argue the bill was defanged after a multimillion-dollar lobbying effort by business groups. Kate Wolffe Calmatters -- 10/1/26

California bans child marriage after 9-year fight to outlaw the practice -- Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law a measure to ban anyone from marrying anyone under the age of 18, making California the 18th state to do so in a decade-long nationwide push to outlaw the practice. Lynn La and Nadia Lathan Calmatters Raheem Hosseini in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 10/1/26

 

Newsom on 2028 timeline: ‘There’s no such thing as a deadline’ -- Gavin Newsom says his children will have the final say on a 2028 presidential run — and that he’s leaving the timing to “fate.” “That moment will arrive when it arrives. You’ll know it,” the California governor told reporters on Wednesday. “There’s no such thing as a deadline.” Blake Jones Politico -- 10/1/26

Garofoli: Why Bernie Sanders is California Democrats’ campaign closer -- Sen. Bernie Sanders represents a tiny state on the opposite coast, but continues to be one of the most powerful messengers in California politics. Joe Garofoli in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 10/1/26

Education

Schools were confused about K-12 arts funding. A new law adds clarity -- Schools seeking to spend their windfall of Proposition 28 arts education money will have more clarity and guidelines under a law Gov. Gavin Newsom signed over the weekend. Carolyn Jones Calmatters -- 10/1/26

These 7 new California laws will have a big impact on schools and students -- Young children will now be assessed on their math skills. English learners will have an easier path toward reclassifying as fluent and proficient. Schools may feel more encouraged to spend billions in funds for arts education. And schools may deploy long-term emergency substitutes in classrooms for longer periods with fewer onboarding requirements. Zaidee Stavely EdSource -- 10/1/26

The California colleges where popular majors deliver top pay -- Federal data show wide income gaps among California graduates with the same major. Selectivity, career services, family connections and local job markets may help explain the differences, but higher earnings do not necessarily mean a better financial return after college costs, experts said. Andrew Khouri in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 10/1/26

Workplace

Sen. Tim Scott touts federal film tax credit as a blue-collar jobs bill -- Touting his love for movies, Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) said he decided to co-sponsor legislation to create a federal film and television tax credit because it would help boost U.S. blue-collar jobs and provide more diversity in how America is portrayed on screen. Samantha Masunaga in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 10/1/26

New S.F. plan could limit self-checkout. Grocers warn of longer lines, higher prices -- A new proposal in San Francisco seeks to create safeguards around technology that some advocates say is already killing jobs: self-checkout kiosks in grocery stores. Alyce McFadden in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 10/1/26

Native American Day is new paid state holiday in California -- Native American Day is now a paid state holiday in California, thanks to a bill proposed by an Inland Empire lawmaker. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the bill to create the holiday, which will be the fourth Friday of September. Allyson Vergara in the LA Daily News -- 10/1/26

Marketplace

After ban threats, TikTok touts a $12-billion boost to California businesses -- A report commissioned by TikTok says the platform helped generate $12 billion in advertising and merchandise sales for nearly 920,000 California businesses in 2025, supporting 52,000 jobs. Cerys Davies in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 10/1/26

AI

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signs laws to protect workers from AI risks -- The laws ban employers from using the technology to predict a worker’s emotional state by using their biometric data, require employers to send written notices to workers if AI is responsible for mass layoffs and ban employers from relying on AI to decide to fire someone. Sophie Austin Associated Press -- 10/1/26

Anthropic says its AI models could manipulate, blackmail and harm humans -- Anthropic disclosed that its advanced artificial intelligence technology poses “existential risks to humanity” in an initial public offering document. Nilesh Christopher in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 10/1/26

War of words: Newsom orders California to say AI after Trump’s ‘superintelligence’ decree -- Donald Trump’s quest to rebrand AI has a new opponent. California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order Wednesday requiring state agencies to refer to the technology only as “artificial intelligence” or AI. Tyler Katzenberger Politico -- 10/1/26

Environment

New bill in Congress seeks to investigate toxic dump off California coast -- The bill was prompted by Los Angeles Times reporting that revealed as many as half a million barrels of toxic waste had been dumped into the ocean off the coast of Southern California. Rosanna Xia in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 10/1/26

Street

DA says grandparents were ‘lying in wait’ to shoot N.Y. Times employee son-in-law at Dublin park -- Security cameras and multiple witnesses saw an East Bay couple in their late 70s shoot their son-in-law together Saturday afternoon in the crowded parking lot of a suburban park, police said. Anna Bauman, Brooke Park in the San Francisco Chronicle$ Nate Gartrell and Jakob Rodgers in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 10/1/26

Also

Newsom, Eager for a Higher Perch, Climbs the Golden Gate Bridge -- Gavin Newsom does not do subtle. So when Mr. Newsom, the California governor, pondered where to sign one of his final bills, he apparently figured his desk in Sacramento simply would not do. Heather Knight in the New York Times$ -- 10/1/26

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Trump’s Voluntary A.I. Policing Echoes What Biden Did. But Is It Enough Today? -- President Trump’s plan to let A.I. companies police themselves comes amid mounting examples that they are failing to put safeguards on the technology. David E. Sanger in the New York Times$ -- 10/1/26

Trump Sending $500 Checks With Letter Touting Healthcare Record -- President Trump began sending $500 checks to nearly one million people and enclosed a letter touting his record on cutting healthcare costs, just a month before voters go to the polls for the midterm elections. Natalie Andrews in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 10/1/26

Supreme Court agrees to review mandatory ICE detention policy for immigrants -- The case promises to be among the most consequential of the Supreme Court term that officially begins next week. Julian Mark in the Washington Post$ -- 10/1/26