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California Policy and Politics Saturday
California bill would block immigration agents near polling sites -- Two California lawmakers introduced legislation late Thursday that would ban federal immigration enforcement outside polling places, the latest maneuver in the state’s ongoing battles with the Trump administration over both immigration and elections administration. Nicole Norman and Dustin Gardiner Politico -- 2/21/26
What the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down tariffs means for L.A.’s trade-dependent economy -- The Supreme Court’s decision Friday to strike down the majority of tariffs imposed by President Trump could provide some relief to L.A.’s trade-reliant economy — but only if they are not reimposed again through other means. Laurence Darmiento in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/21/26
U.S. Supreme Court strikes down Trump’s tariffs. Here’s how they’ve affected California -- The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that President Trump does not have the authority to impose broad tariffs under the emergency act he has cited. Tariffs have affected California ports, farms, businesses, workers and consumers. Levi Sumagaysay Calmatters -- 2/21/26
SMUD assessing impact on costs as Supreme Court strikes down Trump tariffs -- “It’s a complex situation, and at this stage, we don’t yet have clear answers on specific outcomes,” Gamaliel Ortiz, a spokesperson for SMUD told The Sacramento Bee in an email, adding “Regardless of how federal policies or tariffs evolve, SMUD remains fully committed to our 2030 Zero Carbon Plan.” Chaewon Chung in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 2/21/26
Where death chamber once stood, Newsom shows off prison remodel emphasizing rehabilitation -- Gov. Gavin Newsom suspended the death penalty and ordered the dismantling of death row. He unveiled changes at San Quentin that include a new education center. Cayla Mihalovich Calmatters Stephen Hobbs in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 2/21/26
Confidential memo reveals how LAFD tried shielding Mayor Bass from fire fallout -- Shortly before releasing an after-action review report on the Palisades fire, the Los Angeles Fire Department issued a confidential memo detailing plans to protect Mayor Karen Bass and others from “reputational harm” in connection with the city’s handling of the catastrophic blaze, records obtained by The Times show. Paul Pringle, Alene Tchekmedyian in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/21/26
Democratic governor candidates pitch their affordability solutions -- The nine major Democratic candidates running for governor spoke about how they would tackle “affordability,” a shorthand term for tackling California’s ever-increasing rents, mortgages, utility prices and other topics as party faithful gathered for the state Democratic Party convention in San Francisco. Lia Russell in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 2/21/26
Workplace
Frito-Lay to close San Bernardino County warehouse, lay off 247 employees -- The vast warehouse will shut down in June. Frito-Lay announced last summer that manufacturing operations at the same location were coming to an end. The plant has been a major employer in the area since opening in 1970, staffing thousands over its 55-year run. Caroline Petrow-Cohen in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/21/26
Trump administration plan could restrict work permits for asylum seekers for years -- A proposed regulation would extend the waiting period for asylum seekers to apply for work permits from 150 days to one year. Advocates say the policy could pause work permits for years, causing economic harm and forcing working immigrants out of their jobs. Andrea Castillo in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/21/26
Disneyland Resort relies on local visitors as international tourism dips -- Disneyland Resort’s high percentage of California visitors has helped mitigate a dip in international tourists, an executive said Thursday. More than 50% of the Anaheim theme park’s audience has typically been from California, Thomas Mazloum, president of Disneyland Resort, told reporters during a media event at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa. Samantha Masunaga in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/21/26
Wildfire
Senators call for investigation into insurance department over handling of L.A. wildfire claims -- The calls follow a Los Angeles Times report Thursday that revealed a range of complaints among more than a dozen fire victims over how the state insurance department has handled their claims since the January wildfires. Paige St. John in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/21/26
Housing
State fire marshal misses deadline for apartment building safety report, angering housing advocates -- The state fire marshal was given until Jan. 1 to complete a safety report on the construction of apartment buildings with just one staircase Housing advocates say a change to the state building codes on single-stair apartments could lower some housing costs. Ben Christopher Calmatters in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/21/26
Education
Modern parenting means apps for sports, school and more. Where is the data going? -- California is a national leader in data privacy. Yet state law has gaps that allow companies to collect and sell students’ data. Adam Echelman Politico -- 2/21/26
POTUS 47
Trump calls justices ‘fools,’ announces new 10% global tariff after Supreme Court setback -- In a defiant appearance at the White House, Trump told reporters that his administration will impose new tariffs by using alternative legal means. He cast the ruling as a technical, not permanent, setback for his trade policy, insisting that the “end result is going to get us more money.” Ana Ceballos and Gavin J. Quinton in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/21/26
Trump signs order imposing ‘temporary’ 10 percent global tariff after Supreme Court ruling -- The tariff, issued under a different authority than the one the Supreme Court just struck down, can last for 150 days. Daniel Desrochers, Megan Messerly, Aaron Pellish and Ari Hawkins Politico Tony Romm and Tyler Pager in the New York Times$ Cat Zakrzewski, Isaac Arnsdorf and Michael Birnbaum in the Washington Post$ -- 2/21/26
Republicans quietly celebrate the demise of tariffs. That relief might not last -- Many in the GOP, especially those in battleground states, are happy to see the blanket tariffs go in a heated election year. Trump has already pledged to bring them back. Alec Hernandez and Samuel Benson Politico -- 2/21/26
With Tariff Changes, Consumers May Be Stuck in a Waiting Game -- But some economists cautioned that the ruling would probably not lower sticker prices right away, if at all. Businesses that raised prices to offset higher import taxes are likely to be reluctant to lower them as long as tariff rates remain uncertain. Sydney Ember and Jordyn Holman in the New York Times$ Inti Pacheco and Chao Deng in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 2/21/26
What happens to billions in tariff money already paid? Supreme Court leaves refunds unsettled -- The justices, in their 6-3 ruling, did not order the Trump administration to provide refunds to importers for the tariffs already paid, or spell out how repayment should work. Ari Hawkins Politico -- 2/21/26
Trump’s economy decelerated as shutdown, consumer spending drag on growth -- President Donald Trump was having a hard time selling Americans on his vision for the economy when it was expanding at a rapid clip. Now, growth is starting to decelerate. Sam Sutton Politico Harriet Torry in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 2/21/26
DOJ struggles as White House presses on voter fraud -- Efforts to prosecute noncitizen voters have been slowed by lack of evidence, officials say, while Trump aides push for a broader crackdown. Perry Stein, Patrick Marley and Isaac Arnsdorf in the Washington Post$ -- 2/21/26
Bondi claims win in ICE mask ban fight — but court ruled on different California case -- U.S. Atty. Gen. Pam Bondi posted on social media that the Trump administration received a favorable ruling from the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, which is true — just not in the case she referenced. Sonja Sharp in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/21/26
California Policy and Politics Friday
Trump says he’ll enact a 10% global tariff by executive order -- Furious about the defeat, Trump said he will impose a global 10% tariff as an alternative while pressing his trade policies by other means. The new tariffs would come under a law that restricts them to 150 days. Curtis Yee, Luena Rodriguez-Feo Vileira, Carley Petesch, Lisa Marie Pane Associated Press -- 2/20/26
Supreme Court strikes down Trump’s sweeping tariffs, upending central plank of economic agenda -- The Supreme Court struck down President Donald Trump’s far-reaching global tariffs on Friday, handing him a significant loss on an issue crucial to his economic agenda. The decision centers on tariffs imposed under an emergency powers law, including the sweeping “reciprocal” tariffs he levied on nearly every other country. Lindsay Whitehurst Associated Press David G. Savage in the Los Angeles Times$ James Romoser and Gavin Bade in the Wall Street Journal$ Ann E. Marimow in the New York Times$ Justin Jouvenal in the Washington Post$ Callum Jones in the Guardian -- 2/20/26
Supreme Court blocks Trump’s tariffs in rare rebuke. Here’s what it means for California -- Like most taxes, tariffs are ultimately paid by consumers and the businesses that sell affected products. In California, Attorney General Rob Bonta’s office said in a court filing, Trump’s tariffs would cost the state $25 billion and deprive 64,000 workers of their jobs. Bob Egelko, Alexei Koseff in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 2/20/26
Trump administration looks to join suit alleging LAUSD discriminates against white students -- The U.S. Department of Justice petitioned to join a lawsuit challenging LAUSD’s decades-old desegregation policy that provides extra resources and smaller classes to predominantly minority schools. Howard Blume in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/20/26
Trump administration drops appeal of order blocking it from UC funding cutoffs -- The Trump administration has agreed not to cut off federal funds to the University of California while it appeals a judge’s ruling that said it had improperly withdrawn $600 million from the schools based on claims that they unduly favored racial and gender minorities and allowed antisemitism on campus. Bob Egelko in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 2/20/26
One lawyer could take down California’s abortion shield. His star client is a convicted abuser -- Before he was the star plaintiff in an audacious lawsuit targeting a Bay Area doctor and interstate access to abortion medication, Jerry Hernandez Rodriguez was somewhere in Texas ducking a warrant for allegedly beating his girlfriend. Raheem Hosseini in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 2/20/26
Trump cuts imperil the Bay Area’s fight against HIV, S.F. groups warn -- President Donald Trump’s sweeping $600 million cuts to public health grants would especially cripple the Bay Area’s effort to lower HIV rates, public health officials warned at the San Francisco LGBTQ Center Thursday. Sara DiNatale in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 2/20/26
Transit
Newsom approves $590 million loan for struggling transit agencies -- Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday authorized a $590 million loan to bolster struggling transit agencies in the Bay Area, some of which could collapse without an economic life boat. Rachel Swan in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 2/20/26
Avalanche
Skiers in deadly Tahoe avalanche appear to have taken route rated most dangerous option -- The 11 skiers and four guides hit by a deadly avalanche after leaving backcountry huts near Donner Summit appear to have taken a route out of the wilderness that includes terrain that had been rated significantly more dangerous for such slides than that of a longer, slower exit route, interviews and documents show. Matthias Gafni in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 2/20/26
As Inquiries Begin in Avalanche Deaths, a Question Emerges: Was Anyone at Fault? -- Few laws govern backcountry skiing in California. Experts say that people engage in the sport at their own risk, but guides have responsibilities to keep clients safe. Christina Morales, Jill Cowan and Shawn Hubler in the New York Times$ -- 2/20/26
Tahoe avalanche victims’ names emerge as Marin community mourns -- Max Perrey, the mayor of Mill Valley, told media outlets that some of the clients on the trip — including at least one who died — were mothers from his city who had traveled together on the backcountry outing. Aidin Vaziri, Anna Bauman, Alyce McFadden in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 2/20/26
Newsom says ‘family friends’ were among 8 killed in Tahoe avalanche -- Gov. Gavin Newsom said Thursday that the deadly Castle Peak avalanche near Lake Tahoe had struck close to home, telling reporters that “family friends” were among the victims and urging Californians to heed avalanche warnings as another Sierra storm intensified. Aidin Vaziri in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 2/20/26
The perils and pleasures of backcountry skiing: why some take the risk -- For anyone who has stood freezing in an endless lift line at a ski resort, or flinched as some out-of-control “rad Brad” whooshes by like a Red Bull-and-vodka-fueled missile, the allure of backcountry skiing needs no explanation. Out there, far from the madding crowd, it can be just you and your friends, gliding through acres of untracked powder, surrounded by silent, untamed wilderness. Jack Dolan in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/20/26
LA Olympics
Trump and the Wasserman scandal jolt LA’s Olympics plans -- The frayed nerves over the Olympics are the product of a confluence of factors — from Donald Trump’s antagonistic posture abroad to deepening outrage over Casey Wasserman, the 2028 Olympics head under pressure to resign over his ties to Jeffrey Epstein. Daniel Miller Politico -- 2/20/26
Can a billionaire win over California’s left? Tom Steyer’s betting on it -- The candidate's progressive platform is generating some praise among union leaders as he works to break out of the crowded Democratic field of governor hopefuls. Tyler Katzenberger Politico -- 2/20/26
Bernie Sanders warns of ‘billionaire class’ as California wealth tax fight intensifies -- “They believe they have the divine right to rule,” U.S. Sen Bernie Sanders told a crowd in Los Angeles Wednesday night. A proposed ballot measure would tax billionaires’ net worth by 5% for health care and schools, but top Democrats say it will drive them away. Nigel Duara Calmatters Anabel Sosa SFGate -- 02/20/26
Sen. Elizabeth Warren endorses former Rep. Katie Porter for governor -- Warren and Porter met at Harvard Law School decades ago; their close bond is reflected in Warren being the namesake of one of Porter’s children. Seema Mehta in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/20/26
GOP lawmaker proposes measure to block key element of proposed California wealth tax -- Rep. Kevin Kiley says the proposed wealth tax would drive away California’s leading job creators. His proposal would bar states from taxing the assets of former residents retroactively. Ana Ceballos in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/20/26
Newsom appoints a new utilities regulator with a mandate to cut costs -- The state’s primary utility regulator is under new management. Gov. Gavin Newsom promoted Commissioner John Reynolds to president of the California Public Utilities Commission this week as part of a “new phase” of Newsom’s effort to address sky-high power bills. Malena Carollo Calmatters -- 2/20/26
Newsom backs social media restrictions for teens under 16 -- California Gov. Gavin Newsom stepped into the fight over age limits on social media Thursday, saying he wants state legislation that would restrict access to the powerful online platforms for teens under 16. Tyler Katzenberger and Christine Mui Politico -- 2/20/26
Walters: Silicon Valley flexes financial muscle in governor’s race and wealth tax battle -- Over the last half-century, digital technology has reshaped the daily lives of people everywhere and created vast new industries. But no spot on the globe has been more affected than its birthplace. Dan Walters Calmatters -- 2/20/26
Workplace
Sacramento City Unified Trustees Quietly Vote To Lay Off 400 Staff -- Alexander Goldberg, communication director for Sac Unified, said many of the classroom positions listed for removal are already vacant and most of the classroom positions that are filled are on the layoff list as part of their normal budget development process. Taylor Johnson The Observer -- 2/20/26
Largest supplier of wine in U.S. faces layoffs and closure of key Napa facility -- California wine giant Gallo is laying off more than 90 employees and closing a major Napa Valley wine-making facility. The Modesto company said Thursday the cuts are necessary to adapt to market dynamics and changing customer demands. Iris Kwok in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/20/26
LPL Financial announces layoffs at San Diego office -- Many positions are in middle and upper management, including five senior vice presidents, 11 vice presidents and 18 assistant vice presidents, according to the Feb. 13 filing. Losses also included 18 jobs with the title of analyst. The company provides models, fintech tools and other services to more than 32,000 financial advisers and around 1,200 institutions. Roxana Popescu in the San Diego Union Tribune -- 2/20/26
Twin Rivers superintendent steps down as teachers strike looms -- Twin Rivers Unified School District superintendent Steve Martinez announced his impending resignation at a board meeting Thursday night. His last day will be Oct. 31. Martinez, who has been with the district for 13 years, delivered the news of his resignation as the teachers union, Twin Rivers United Educators, readies to strike. Jennah Pendleton in the Sacramento Bee$ Savannah Kuchar KVIE Abridged -- 02/20/26
Immigration
CBP asked a California county for info on all of its property owners -- Customs and Border Protection has requested information on every parcel in San Diego County, including who owns each one, an official with the agency that handles the county’s property data confirmed to the Chronicle on Wednesday. Sophia Bollag in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 2/20/26
Wildfire
Long-awaited reports outline problems with Palisades infrastructure -- A long-awaited set of reports on how to build a fire-resilient Pacific Palisades, commissioned by Los Angeles city officials for $5 million, found that much of the hilly enclave remains out of compliance with standards for evacuating during a disaster. Noah Haggerty, Noah Goldberg and Ian James in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/20/26
Edison Edison updates payout plan for Eaton Fire victims. Here's what's new -- Southern California Edison announced this week that it’s updating its payout program for Eaton Fire survivors. Those who accept payments must waive their rights to sue the company over the fire. Erin Stone LAist -- 02/20/26
High Speed Rail
High-Speed Rail wants to capture taxes around stations, a big part of downtown Fresno -- Citing the need to deliver high-speed rail more efficiently, the state agency in charge of the California project is seeking control over land-use and tax revenues within a half-mile of its future stations — a radius that in Fresno would include the entire core of downtown and Chinatown. Erik Galicia in the Fresno Bee -- 2/20/26
Property Tax
A proposal to exempt South Bay homeowners ages 60 and older from property taxes could cost local governments billions -- The initiative has yet to qualify for the November ballot. Grace Hase in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 2/20/26
Street
After a Super Bowl sex trafficking crackdown, NorCal authorities gear up for the World Cup -- After the Super Bowl at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, a task force said 29 sex trafficking suspects were arrested and 73 trafficking victims were recovered. Law enforcement officials in Northern California are gearing up for a similar crackdown ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Cierra Morgan in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/20/26
Also
The last ‘no-no boy’ keeps alive history of Tule Lake internment camp resistance -- Jim Tanimoto remembers a lot from his 102 years of life, but not who took the photograph blown up on his office wall. The black-and-white picture shows 28 men of Japanese descent, American citizens, lined up on wooden stairs leading to a mess hall at Tule Lake, one of 10 internment camps in the western United States during World War II. Jake Goodrick in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 2/20/26
This California reptile closed down a Mojave Desert haven for off-road racing -- A federal judge ordered the Bureau of Land Management to close off-road vehicle trails that cut through tortoise habitat in the western Mojave Desert. The ruling follows years of legal battles between environmental groups and the BLM. Alex Wigglesworth in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/20/26
POTUS 47
Here’s how much tariffs are costing Californians, according to experts -- A pair of recent studies suggest the average American household is being subjected to a four-figure annual cost increase as a result of President Donald Trump’s tariff policies — and in California, economists say it’s even higher. Jessica Roy in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 2/20/26
Advisers Want Trump to Focus on the Economy. It’s Easier Said Than Done -- Foreign policy draws the president’s attention while voters raise concerns about the cost of living. Alex Leary in the Wall Street Journal$ Tyler Pager in the New York Times$ -- 2/20/26
As Trump Considers Second Iran Attack, It Could Be Deadlier Than the First -- Within days of the U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities last year, all sides agreed to a cease-fire. This time could be different. Mark Mazzetti and Helene Cooper in the New York Times$ -- 2/20/26
Majority of Americans think Trump’s deportation campaign is going too far -- Thirteen months into President Donald Trump’s second term, a growing majority of Americans have soured on his handling of immigration, with 58 percent saying he has gone too far deporting undocumented immigrants, a rise of eight points since last fall, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll. David Nakamura, Scott Clement and Isabelle Gibson in the Washington Post$ -- 2/20/26
Vietnam War veterans sue to block construction of Trump’s triumphal arch -- The lawsuit — filed by progressive watchdog group Public Citizen on behalf of the veterans — asks a judge to prohibit construction on the project, arguing President Donald Trump has not sought the necessary approval from Congress or independent government agencies. Jacob Wendler Politico -- 2/20/26
The U.S. Military Hardware Pouring Into the Middle East -- The U.S. military has deployed scores of combat aircraft across the Middle East and will soon have a second aircraft carrier within range of Iran if President Trump gives the order to strike. Over the past month, dozens of jet fighters and support aircraft have flown from the U.S. and Europe to bases in Jordan and Saudi Arabia, according to flight-tracking data. Roque Ruiz, Marcus Weisgerber and Carl Churchill in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 2/20/26