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California Policy and Politics Monday
Swalwell accuses Trump of trying to influence California governor’s race with old FBI files -- FBI Director Kash Patel is pushing to release files on a decade-old investigation into Rep. Swalwell’s ties to a Chinese spy. No charges resulted. Swalwell, now running for California governor, accuses the White House of targeting political opponents. Brittny Mejia and Seema Mehta in the Los Angeles Times$ Don Sweeney in the Sacramento Bee$ Melanie Mason Politico -- 3/30/26
California’s governor’s race has no frontrunner — but plenty of cash. See who has the most -- For the first time in decades, Californians are facing a governor’s race without a clear frontrunner, a situation that makes for a unique fundraising landscape. Christian Leonard and Sophia Bollag in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 3/30/26
Skelton: The time has come to discard California’s top-two open primary -- It’s probably time for California to reform the outdated “reform” that could be leading us into an absurd November election with no Democratic candidate for governor allowed on the ballot. George Skelton in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/30/26
San Francisco’s Mayor Funds Turnaround With Help From Old-Money Friends -- Democrat Daniel Lurie, a Levi Strauss heir, is tapping his Rolodex to raise private donations to fix homelessness, clean streets, fill vacant storefronts and more. Owen Tucker-Smith in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 3/30/26
Tech giants are spending more than ever to shape California politics -- Tech giants involved in AI and cryptocurrency spent $39 million last year to influence lawmakers and policy. It’s the start of what could be a spending blitz in the upcoming election. Jeremia Kimelman Calmatters -- 3/30/26
San Francisco comedian Rob Schneider urges U.S. to reinstate military draft -- Rob Schneider, the San Francisco-born comedian and actor known for his outspoken political views, is urging the United States to reinstate compulsory military service as the country remains engaged in a conflict in the Middle East. Aidin Vaziri in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 3/30/26
‘The Cult of Cesar’: Inside the Mountain Compound Led by Cesar Chavez -- In his remote headquarters, the United Farm Workers leader began to see himself as not just a union leader, but a visionary healer. Shawn Hubler, Sarah Hurtes and Manny Fernandez in the New York Times$ -- 3/30/26
No Kings may have broken national record, but Bay Area numbers appear to lag from earlier protests -- Locally, some 125,000 protesters joined 8 million nationwide, marking the largest single-day nationwide protest in modern American history. Caelyn Pender in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 3/30/26
From Pomona to the moon: Victor Glover pilots Artemis II -- No kid from Pomona has ever gone so far. “Pushing ourselves to explore is just core to who we are,” Victor Glover said in an April 2023 NASA video. “It’s part of being a human. We want to know what’s out there, just beyond the horizon.” Beau Yarbrough in the LA Daily News -- 3/30/26
Marketplace
Big change for California small businesses: No more SBA loans for non-citizens -- Green-card holders no longer qualify for loans from the Small Business Administration, eliminating a longtime source of financing for immigrants that advocates say will discourage job creation and harm the economy. Levi Sumagaysay Calmatters -- 3/30/26
Apple at 50: How a garage startup became a $3.5-trillion titan -- Celebrating its 50th anniversary this week, Apple has transformed from a 1976 project in a garage into a more than $3.5-trillion powerhouse with 2.5 billion active devices. The secret to Apple’s dominance: an almost cultish obsession with design, privacy and excellence that created fierce loyalty among customers. Queenie Wong in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/30/26
Rare Earth
Next to Joshua Tree National Park, a mining company is staking its claim for rare earth minerals -- Australian mining company Dateline Resources Ltd. has announced a rare earths project steps from Joshua Tree National Park. The project sits in desert tortoise critical habitat, prompting concern from conservationists. Alex Wigglesworth in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/30/26
Housing
Newsom issues ‘final warning’ to cities over housing law violations — only one is in the Bay Area -- Of the 15 cities Gov. Gavin Newsom threatened Wednesday with legal action over housing law violations, only one is in the Bay Area: Half Moon Bay. Ryan Macasero in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 3/30/26
Hunger
Changes in the world of free food could boost hunger in Orange County -- Rules from last year's One Big Beautiful Bill Act are about to shrink federal help. And AI is making less edible food waste. The result could be a squeeze for people in need. Andre Mouchard in the Orange County Register$ -- 3/30/26
‘We don’t have enough food’: Providers brace for thousands of San Diegans to lose SNAP benefits -- Starting April 1, new federal rules will bar many immigrants from getting CalFresh, the program also known as SNAP or food stamps. Maura Fox in the San Diego Union Tribune -- 3/30/26
Education
Its schools are falling apart, and voters won’t pass a bond. Could a little-used tactic help this district? -- The East County district is considering slicing itself up into smaller chunks and asking voters in each for money just for that area. Jemma Stephenson in the San Diego Union Tribune -- 3/30/26
Street
75 arrested in downtown LA at ‘No Kings’ protest; federal officers injured, authorities say -- Police on Sunday said 74 people were arrested for allegedly failing to disperse after Saturday’s “No Kings” demonstration in downtown Los Angeles turned violent, with some protesters throwing chunks of concrete at federal officers and one spray-painting a death threat near the Metropolitan Detention Center. The item is in the LA Daily News -- 3/30/26
Also
Speeders beware: 125 traffic cameras are coming to L.A., along with hefty fines. What you need to know -- The fines will range from $50 to $500 depend on how much motorists exceed the posted speed limit. Karen Garcia in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/30/26
CHP, SFPD thwart attempt by 85 bicyclists to enter Bay Bridge against traffic -- San Francisco police and California Highway Patrol officers thwarted a group of bicyclists who tried to take over the Bay Bridge on Saturday afternoon, confiscating 85 bicycles and issuing as many citations, authorities said. David Hernandez in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 3/30/26
POTUS 47
Trump Claims Progress in Talks to End War, Then Again Threatens Intense Attacks -- President Trump zigzagged from claims of diplomatic progress to renewed threats of destruction on Monday as he sought to pressure Iran to make a deal to end the monthlong war. The item is in the New York Times$ -- 3/30/26
Trump Weighs Military Operation to Extract Iran’s Uranium -- President Trump is weighing a military operation to extract nearly 1,000 pounds of uranium from Iran, according to U.S. officials, a complex and risky mission that would likely put American forces inside the country for days or longer. Alexander Ward, Lara Seligman, Annie Linskey and Michael R. Gordon in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 3/30/26
Trump Says That Iran Will Have to Give Up Uranium -- President Trump said Sunday night that Iran must give up its highly enriched uranium, emphasizing that it’s a key requirement for ending the war. Annie Linskey in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 3/30/26
A month into Iran, the GOP’s political reality sinks in -- In Nevada, a gallon of gas is approaching $5. In Pennsylvania, farmers are fretting about the prices of fertilizer. And in Michigan, supply chain woes are throwing a wrench into the manufacturing and auto industry operations. Samuel Benson and Liz Crampton Politico -- 3/30/26
U.S. Special Operations Forces Sent to Mideast as Trump Weighs Next Move -- But as specialized ground troops, they could be deployed to help safeguard the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has effectively closed. Or they could be deployed as part of a mission to try to seize Kharg Island, Iran’s oil hub in the northern Persian Gulf. Alternatively, they could be used in a mission aimed at Iran’s highly enriched uranium at the Isfahan nuclear site. Eric Schmitt and Helene Cooper in the New York Times$ -- 3/30/26
Israel targets Iran’s leaders with lethal expertise using new AI platform -- The division of responsibility has left Israel to hunt and kill Iranian leaders ruthlessly, using an intelligence apparatus built up to assassinate with lethal proficiency. Greg Miller in the Washington Post$ -- 3/30/26
U.S. Allows Russian Oil Tanker to Reach Cuba, Despite Blockade -- The tanker full of crude oil could reach its expected destination by Monday, providing a lifeline to the island amid intense U.S. pressure. Jack Nicas and Eric Schmitt in the New York Times$ -- 3/30/26
They’ve Been Accused of Running a ‘Covert’ Operation in Greenland. It’s No Secret -- Members of President Trump’s circle, working in plain sight, have caught the eye of Denmark’s intelligence services for trying to make friends and cut deals on the Danish territory. Jeffrey Gettleman and Maya Tekeli in the New York Times$ -- 3/30/26
Trump officials cite white supremacists in bid to end birthright citizenship -- An argument heading to the Supreme Court is built in part on a post-Civil War campaign that scholars say was steeped in anti-Black and anti-Chinese racism. Justin Jouvenal in the Washington Post$ -- 3/30/26
California Policy and Politics Sunday
California farmers were already struggling. Then came the Iran war -- The Iran war has disrupted California farm exports to the Middle East, tripling shipping costs and closing key markets. The war-fueled surge in diesel and fertilizer costs threatens farm profitability and will likely raise U.S. food prices. The conflict has further squeezed California farmers who were already stressed by global tariffs. Laurence Darmiento in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/29/26
Swalwell sees personal vendetta in FBI probe -- Rep. Eric Swalwell blasted the Trump administration as “laughable” and with a “ lack of imagination” for reportedly seeking to release a years-old investigative file about him that resulted in no criminal charges — a sign, he said, the president was threatened by the Democrat’s campaign for California governor. Melanie Mason Politico -- 3/29/26
Barabak: Will or won’t he? A lot rides on a Trump endorsement in California governor’s race -- A Trump anointment would be a huge boost for either of two Republicans, Chad Bianco or Steve Hilton It would also serve Democratic interests, which is why the president might abstain. Or endorse both. Mark Z. Barabak in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/29/26
Garofoli: Here’s why Democrats are in such a mess in the California governor’s race -- As the California Democratic Party faces the growing possibility of its candidates being locked out of the November election and a Republican becoming governor, some top Democrats are musing about their leaders orchestrating their version of a Joe Biden Reckoning Moment. Joe Garofoli in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 3/29/26
Silicon Valley Has Stopped Talking Politics—Except for This Google Executive -- AI pioneer Jeff Dean is a rare tech leader publicly criticizing Trump administration actions. Katherine Blunt in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 3/29/26
No Kings organizers tout record global turnout as Bay Area protests draw huge crowds -- Thousands of protesters took to the streets of San Francisco, Oakland and dozens of other Bay Area cities Saturday amid record global turnout for a familiar act of defiance against the Trump administration: No Kings Day. Laura Waxmann, Jessica Flores, Warren Pederson in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 3/29/26
Millions protest Trump globally during Saturday’s ‘No Kings’ rallies -- Los Angeles organizers expected more than 100,000 participants across the region. Organizers noted unprecedented participation from rural and Republican communities, with Trump’s approval ratings at their lowest since his second term began. Meg James, Jack Flemming, Connor Sheets and Nicole Macias Garibay in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/29/26
Dozens arrested after authorities fire tear gas at ‘No Kings’ protesters -- More than 70 protesters were arrested Saturday evening after authorities shot tear gas and pepper balls into the crowd, leaving at least one teen with an eye wound and others with skin burns, according to demonstrators and police. Connor Sheets and Alene Tchekmedyian in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/29/26
Kaiser made $9.3 billion last year. Critics say it has strayed from its charitable mission -- Some employees called it the “dash for cash.” Months after Kaiser Permanente doctors saw a patient, federal prosecutors said, administrators pushed the physicians to add new, false diagnoses to the medical record in a billion-dollar scheme to defraud the government. Kaiser in February paid $556 million to settle the allegations. Melody Petersen in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/29/26
Immigration
San Diego loses population as immigration nosedives. What are the consequences? -- For much of the last decade, a steady, often robust flow of immigrants into the county has been critical to bolstering San Diego’s sometimes sluggish population growth as more and more locals packed their bags and moved to other parts of the country. Not so anymore. Lori Weisberg, Alexandra Mendoza in the San Diego Union Tribune -- 3/29/26
Housing
This Tahoe town is losing the fight against ‘mushroom homes’ -- Tahoe locals call them “mushroom homes.” The vacation houses have sprouted up like a fungus from the woods to the waterfront, and many of them sit empty for much of the year — like nearly half of all housing in South Lake Tahoe, according to federal data. Brooke Park in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 3/29/26
Also
How rising gas prices are changing the math on owning an EV in California -- Given the higher gas prices, how does the California EV-vs.-gas math shake out now? On average, we found that EV drivers have significantly widened their savings advantage, to $166 a month. Jessica Roy in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 3/29/26
South Bay father arrested after repainting crosswalk, adding stop signs near children’s park -- A longtime El Segundo resident was arrested earlier this month after installing unauthorized stop signs at a neighborhood intersection he says has become increasingly dangerous for children. Cierra Morgan in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/29/26
Lopez: After COVID, raids and other blows, DTLA is hurting. But ‘Mr. Downtown’ believes it will rise again -- He wore a dark suit with a crisp white shirt and a burgundy necktie, and as he made his way toward me through the late-morning patrons at Grand Central Market, he paused, eyes at his feet. He bent down, picked up a straw wrapper and disposed of it in the nearest trash can, then kept walking. Steve Lopez in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/29/26
Morrison: The inspiring, infuriating, even comic tale of how we defeated L.A.’s smog and why we may have to again -- We achieved this sometimes by kicking and screaming, sometimes by the ballot box, sometimes by just following regulations that politicians and policy-makers created and enforced, like smog checks and carpool lanes, and sometimes by letting science and technology do their thing. Patt Morrison in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/29/26
POTUS 47
There Are Now Over 50,000 American Troops in the Mideast -- The arrival of 2,500 Marines and another 2,500 sailors is keeping the number of American troops in the region at roughly 10,000 more than usual. Helene Cooper in the New York Times$ -- 3/29/26
Pentagon prepares for weeks of ground operations in Iran -- If President Donald Trump approves the plans, such an effort would mark a new phase of the war that could be significantly more dangerous to U.S. troops than the first four weeks. Dan Lamothe in the Washington Post$ -- 3/29/26
Trump’s approval ratings just hit a new low. A Latino voter shift could reshape the midterms -- With the Iran war in its fifth week, support for President Trump is at its lowest point ever, with a growing body of recent polling showing him losing ground with key voting blocs that helped power his 2024 victory. Gavin J. Quinton in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 3/29/26
Iran Warns Against Invasion After Marine Unit Arrives -- Iran's military said it was eagerly awaiting a chance to destroy U.S. ground forces should President Trump order an invasion. The remarks came after the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit arrived in the Middle East, giving the president more options in a conflict now in its second month. The item is in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 3/29/26
Iran-backed Houthis enter the monthlong war and could further threaten global shipping -- Iranian-backed Houthi rebels entered the monthlong war in the Middle East on Saturday, claiming two missile launches at Israel. About 2,500 U.S. Marines arrived in the region. And Pakistan’s government said regional powers plan to meet Sunday to discuss how to end the fighting. Samy Magdy, Aamer Madhani Jon Gambrell Associated Press -- 3/29/26
Iran Threatens Strikes on American Universities in Mideast -- Iran threatened to attack U.S.-affiliated universities in neighboring Middle East nations, broadening its definition of legitimate targets. In a statement Sunday morning in Iran, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned all employees, professors and students of American universities in the region to stay at least a kilometer away from the schools. James T. Areddy in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 3/29/26
Trump ratchets up attacks on NATO, says U.S. no longer needs alliance -- President Donald Trump suggested the U.S. might move away from its commitment to defend NATO allies, criticizing them for not supporting the war in Iran. Michael Birnbaum in the Washington Post$ -- 3/29/26
Trump’s Ballroom Design Has Barely Been Scrutinized - Architects Say It Shows -- The hurried reviews, with construction cranes already swiveling above the White House grounds, are an abrupt departure from how new monuments, museums and even modest renovations have been designed and refined in the capital for decades. And the ballroom will be worse off for it, architects warn. Emily Badger, Junho Lee and Larry Buchanan in the New York Times$ -- 3/29/26
Blue-State Residents Are Reaping Big Refunds From Trump Tax Law’s SALT Cap -- That means people with high state income taxes and local property taxes can pay less to the federal government, and those people are concentrated in such states as New York, New Jersey and California. Richard Rubin and Ashlea Ebeling in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 3/29/26