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

 

Health inspectors granted limited access to immigration detention center, but lawmakers turned away -- Two county health officials set to perform a planned inspection of the Otay Mesa Detention Center were granted only limited access Friday, and two county supervisors who said they had prior written approval to also tour the facility were subsequently turned away. Alexandra Mendoza in the San Diego Union Tribune -- 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

Bay Area vehicle maker lays off hundreds -- Bay Area electric car maker Lucid Motors is laying off hundreds of employees in a 12% reduction of its workforce. Roland Li in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 2/21/26

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

Mike McGuire announces run in 1st Congressional District special election -- California state Sen. Mike McGuire, D-Healdsburg, said Friday night that he will run in the special election to succeed U.S. Rep. Doug LaMalfa, who died unexpectedly last month. Lia Russell in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 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

Mesa College gets permission to broaden its bachelor degree programs despite opposition from CSU -- Mesa College has gotten permission to offer a bachelor’s degree program for prospective physical therapy assistants despite opposition from California State University San Bernardino, which claimed that the San Diego community college was replicating one of its courses. Gary Robbins in the San Diego Union Tribune -- 2/21/26

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

For first time in its 110-year history, this California beach town is getting street addresses -- Along Carmel-by-the-Sea’s main commercial corridor of Ocean Avenue, passersby can see Swiss Alpine chalets and storybook English cottages with such whimsical monikers as “Merry Oaks,” “Bluebird Cottage” and “Oceans End.” Connor Letourneau in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 2/21/26

Also

Lopez: Frustrated by chronic homelessness and severe illness, they found an answer hiding in plain sight -- A psychiatrist and an attorney in San Diego say an existing statute could address severe mental illness and addiction. Steve Lopez in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 2/21/26

There’s been a huge surge in S.F. traffic tickets — and police aren’t the reason -- When San Francisco officials installed speed cameras at 33 roads and intersections last year, they said the goal was to nudge drivers to be more careful, not saddle them with tickets. Yet traffic citations quickly surged to a level the city hadn’t seen in a decade. Danielle Echeverria, Rachel Swan in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 2/21/26

POTUS 47

After Supreme Court defeat, Trump says he’ll increase new tariff to 15% from 10% -- After Supreme Court ruled his tariffs illegal, Trump raises a planned global import tax to 15%, up from a previously announced 10%. The temporary tariffs bypass Congress and are limited to 150 days unless lawmakers extend them, taking effect Feb. 24. Trump is pursuing additional tariffs through other federal law provisions. Michelle L. Price Associated Press Gavin Bade and Natalie Andrews in the Wall Street Journal$ Tony Romm and Ana Swanson in the New York Times$ David J. Lynch in the Washington Post$ -- 2/21/26

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