California Policy and Politics Wednesday

Did the Trump administration just prove that voter fraud in California is a non-factor? -- “The arrest of 28 people for potentially registering or voting while noncitizens is tiny compared to the 23 million California voters,” UCLA Law School professor Rick Hasen, director of his school’s Safeguarding Democracy Project, wrote on his blog Monday. Raheem Hosseini in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 10/21/26

‘Borders on the absurd.’ California fights Trump lawsuit to set aside 20,000 ballots -- In a court filing Tuesday in federal court in Los Angeles, Attorney General Rob Bonta said the lawsuit the Trump administration filed last week “borders on the absurd.” Ryan Sabalow Calmatters -- 10/21/26

DOJ’s suspected non-citizens list includes ‘high percentage’ of those born in US, LA officials say -- The justice department’s list of suspected non-citizens in California includes a “high percentage” of people born in the United States, Los Angeles election officials said on Tuesday. Sam Levine in The Guardian -- 10/21/26

Thousands of California voters got duplicate vote-by-mail ballots. Here’s what happened -- Thousands of voters in a Central Valley town received two ballots in the mail. The county registrar said it was a printing error. Hailey Branson-Potts in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 10/21/26

 

Becerra’s time in Washington: Steady rise with a bumpy final ascent -- Xavier Becerra, the Democratic candidate for California governor, was part of a wave of young Latino lawmakers entering Congress in the 1990s and won a place on the influential Ways and Means Committee. He drew criticism on multiple fronts during his time as President Biden’s Health and Human Services secretary. Ben Wieder in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 10/21/26

Barabak: With a foot out the door, Nancy Pelosi tries one last flex -- The retiring speaker emerita has aggressively waded into the Democratic dogfight to choose her successor Is it resentment, sisterhood or the act of an operator schooled in machine politics? Mark Barabak in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 10/21/26

Why the Paramount deal might not hurt Bonta -- Progressive antitrust advocates hammered Rob Bonta for settling the fight over Paramount Skydance’s purchase of Warner Bros. Discovery. But the California attorney general may not pay a heavy price for it with voters. Daniel Miller Politico -- 10/21/26

Rick Caruso has ‘extreme concern’ over Raman, but declines to endorse in mayor’s race -- Former Los Angeles mayoral candidate Rick Caruso declined once again to endorse either incumbent Mayor Karen Bass or challenger Nithya Raman in the Nov. 3 runoff election, but expressed what he called “extreme concern” about Raman’s plans to remove Police Chief Jim McDonnell. Itzel Luna in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 10/21/26

Newsom’s death row mulling has support — though tempered — in California Legislature -- As Gov. Gavin Newsom mulls commuting the sentences of more than 500 people on California’s death row, he faces support — although not completely full-throated — from leaders in the Legislature. One of his firm backers is Assemblymember Nick Schultz, D-Burbank, who chairs the body’s public safety committee. Stephen Hobbs in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 10/21/26

The shadow contest between California’s three big 2028 hopefuls is well underway -- The next presidential election is still two years away, but this year’s midterms are providing a backdrop for the shadow campaigns of California’s biggest presidential contenders-in-waiting. Sophia Bollag in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 10/21/26

Workplace

‘Our strike is moving forward.’ SEIU Local 1000 doesn’t make last-minute deal -- A last-minute deal between the largest state worker union and the California Department of Human Resources didn’t come to fruition. Now thousands of state employees are expected to go on strike Wednesday. It’s slated to be the largest strike in state history. Corey Schmidt in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 10/21/26

Why are California state workers so mad at Gavin Newsom? Spoiler alert: Pay cuts -- The state workers who are planning the first-ever statewide walkout in 44 years this week once were on much better terms with their boss, Gov. Gavin Newsom. Adam Ashton Calmatters -- 10/21/26

ICE

ICE vehicle appears to strike person in Woodland, videos show. Police investigating -- Police are investigating after a vehicle driven by a federal immigration agent appeared to strike a person in a Woodland neighborhood Tuesday morning, the Woodland Police Department said, in an incident that has drawn condemnation from immigrants’ rights advocates and elected officials. Darrell Smith and Rosalio Ahumada in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 10/21/26

Climate

Major loss of California beaches predicted in latest climate forecast -- As ocean levels rise, waves crash farther inland and the coast continues to crumble, Southern California is on track to lose 30 to 70% of its beaches over the next several decades. Almost half of all beach cliffs are likely to retreat by 30 to 80 feet by 2100. Blanca Begert in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 10/21/26

‘It’s quite shocking’: Waves are destroying Long Beach’s peninsula. It’s about to get worse -- Repeated tropical storms and powerful waves have torn apart homes and Long Beach’s historic boardwalk, overwhelming years of sand replenishment along the peninsula. Fedor Zarkhin in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 10/21/26

Where are California’s dead trees going? A forest advocate turned detective to find out -- Forest advocates suspect that trees killed in a wildfire in Sequoia National Forest are being turned into wood chips and burned to generate electricity, a process they say is dirtier than burning coal. Doug Smith, Tomas Ovalle in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 10/21/26

California’s rainy season to arrive with flood threat, tornado risk and Sierra snow -- California’s wet season is starting off with a bang. The first significant storm of the season is forecast to bring heavy rain to vulnerable burn scars near Big Sur, coastal tornado risk to the Los Angeles area, and a half-foot of snow or more to high-elevation areas in the Sierra. Greg Porter, Anthony Edwards in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 10/21/26

Wildfire

FEMA tells states to handle disasters on their own -- The Trump administration plans to cut disaster aid in as few as six months and shift responsibility to states, FEMA's administrator said in remarks obtained by Politico. Thomas Frank Politico -- 10/21/26

Also

California’s ‘death discount’ puts a clock on this 89-year-old’s lawsuit -- An 89-year-old San Francisco woman who fell from her wheelchair in a city paratransit van and suffered multiple fractures is suing the city. But if Libby Thaler, a retired schoolteacher, dies before her trial ends, any damages a jury might award her family will be substantially limited by what her lawyers call California’s “death discount.” Bob Egelko in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 10/21/26

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Musk Ordered Starlink Slowdown That Blindsided Ukraine -- Musk and Trump discussed the Starlink decision in a call soon after the slowdown became public, while the president was campaigning last week, two of the people said. One of the people also claimed Musk and Trump discussed the matter prior to the decision to throttle Starlink. Alexander Ward, Natalie Andrews and Josh Dawsey in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 10/21/26

A Billionaire Wanted a Trump Pardon. His Family Gave Alina Habba a $50 Million Deal -- Julio Herrera Velutini, a prominent Venezuelan, was seeking clemency. He got it not long after his daughter gave Ms. Habba, a lawyer close to President Trump, an extraordinarily lucrative job. Tyler Pager in the New York Times$ -- 10/21/26

Trump Pushes to Evict the Press From the White House -- President Trump has talked about replacing the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room with an indoor swimming pool. Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan in the New York Times$ -- 10/21/26

 

California Policy and Politics Tuesday

‘Help me!’ Video of ICE violently detaining man who says he’s U.S. citizen sparks outrage -- “Help me! Help me! My arm is f— broken, it f— hurts!” screams a Long Beach man as he is pinned, face down in a gutter, and handcuffed by ICE agents. Clara Harter and Suhauna Hussain in the Los Angeles Times$ Madison Malone Kircher in the New York Times$ -- 10/20/26

 

California residents accused by feds of voter fraud react with shock, confusion and anger -- At the federal courthouse in downtown Los Angeles late Monday, several green card holders arrested in a crackdown on alleged California voter fraud expressed confusion over the charges — with some saying they had no recollection of registering to vote, as Trump administration officials accuse them of doing. Brittny Mejia and Kevin Rector in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 10/20/26

 

California billionaire tax falling short of majority support, poll finds -- Likely voters are essentially where they were a month ago, the survey found, with 46% in favor of Proposition 40 and 43% opposed — despite a recent push by backers of the measure, including Sen. Bernie Sanders, to rally support for the one-time, 5% tax on billionaires’ assets. Jeremy B. White Politico -- 10/20/26

'They’ve awakened him’: How a wealth tax fight made Brin a political force -- After years of sporadic giving, the Google co-founder has unleashed spending that spans from the billionaire tax to housing and environmental policy. Will McCarthy and Jeremy B. White Politico -- 10/20/26

Prop. 37 explained: Can a $25 billion bond make homeownership in California attainable? -- A clever solution or a confusing gimmick? Like it or hate it, almost everyone has questions about Proposition 37. Here are a few of the big ones — with the best available answers. Ben Christopher Calmatters -- 10/20/26

This institute could get $4 billion from a ballot measure. With just three workers, is it ready? -- One research institute will receive $4.2 billion in bond money if voters approve Proposition 38 in November. Currently only one institute in the state meets the criteria to qualify for the money. Mikhail Zinshteyn Calmatters -- 10/20/26

California voter ID measure falling short in new poll -- California’s voter ID measure is falling short of majority support, with likely voters deeply divided along party lines, according to a new Citrin-Politico poll. Lindsey Holden Politico -- 10/20/26

The tech industry has officially become Republican-coded -- American voters across the political spectrum now assume most top tech CEOs are conservative, according to new results from The Politico Poll. And a plurality of voters say they believe tech is the biggest financial backer of the Republican Party. Calder McHugh Politico -- 10/20/26

Where the California insurance commissioner candidates stand on 5 major issues -- The Chronicle asked Jane Kim and Ben Allen what they’d do about the FAIR Plan, insurance rates, smoke damage and other big issues in the race. Megan Fan Munce in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 10/20/26

Inside the ‘bad will’ for Nithya Raman at LA City Hall -- ithya Raman is facing “a full-on, multiple-person verbal assault” from her City Council colleagues, not one of whom has endorsed her. If Raman wins, her ambitious agenda may depend on her ability to persuade a council majority to go along. Liam Dillon and Melanie Mason Politico -- 10/20/26

Climate

‘We’re in crisis’: The California coastal town under siege from fires, high surf, El Niño -- San Clemente’s challenges demonstrate what more of California will probably face as the twin dangers of fire and coastal erosion converge this winter. Southern California is just entering its traditional fire season, and forecasters are predicting more coastal flooding and erosion from what is expected to be a severe El Niño winter. Hannah Fry and Noah Haggerty in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 10/20/26

Workplace

California state workers are about to strike. What that means for the DMV, EDD, parks and more -- California state government’s largest union is scheduled to strike this week. It could affect services at a number of offices that people visit every day, including the DMV. Lynn La Calmatters -- 10/20/26

Education

Supreme Court may strike down school policies that limit Asian students -- Magnet programs exist across the country, including in California and Los Angeles, and were conceived as a form of voluntary integration. Los Angeles Unified has an extensive magnet system, 66 whole-school magnets and 268 magnet centers within a larger campus. David G. Savage and Howard Blume in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 10/20/26

New immigrant student enrollment has taken a nosedive in California schools -- The number of new immigrant students has dropped by half in some districts since 2024-25, as border crossings have dropped. In Oakland, the drop forced the district to close almost two-thirds of their newcomer programs. The decrease impacts overall student enrollment, which is also on the decline statewide. Zaidee Stavely EdSource -- 10/20/26

How California is fast-tracking construction of much-needed college student housing -- Four new California laws aim to speed student housing construction by exempting projects from environmental review, curbing certain lawsuits and offering developer incentives. The changes come as many students face steep rents and crowded living conditions. Aaron Friesen and Anahid Valencia in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 10/20/26

How many University of California students fail introductory math classes? -- The percentage of University of California freshmen who fail introductory math classes has increased significantly since 2020-21. Michael Burke, Yuxuan Xie EdSource -- 10/20/26

Also

U.S. Supreme Court lets name change remain for S.F.’s 148-year-old law school -- The U.S. Supreme Court rejected a challenge Monday by Serranus C. Hastings’ descendants to the removal of his name from San Francisco’s 148-year-old law school after revelations that he ordered troops to slaughter thousands of Native Americans in the 1860s. Bob Egelko in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 10/20/26

Walters: Gavin Newsom’s legacy: Big promises undercut by costly mismanagement -- Whatever accomplishments Gavin Newsom might claim from his eight years as governor, he will also leave a legacy of mismanagement that has squandered untold billions of taxpayers’ dollars. Dan Walters Calmatters -- 10/20/26

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U.S. officials privately advise states fearing Trump election meddling -- A small group of U.S. national security officials has been discreetly advising state governments and congressional lawmakers on how to prepare for the possibility that the Trump administration will attempt to interfere in November’s midterm elections, according to people involved in the effort. Noah Robertson in the Washington Post$ -- 10/20/26

Trump Swings Through Deep-Red States Seeking To Reverse Lagging G.O.P. Enthusiasm -- The president’s swing is taking him to states including South Carolina and Kansas that were not seen as competitive just a few months ago. Emily Davies and Jonathan Swan in the New York Times$ -- 10/20/26

Trump Plans $8 Billion Bailout for Farmers -- The Trump administration plans to hand out another $8 billion in direct payments to U.S. farmers who face losses from market disruptions and high fuel costs. Patrick Thomas in the Wall Street Journal$ Kevin Draper in the New York Times$ -- 10/20/26

There’s Something Missing From Republican Ads as the Midterms Near -- Only a small fraction of recent G.O.P. broadcast and streaming ads mention the president, according to a Times analysis of ad data. Bayliss Wagner in the New York Times$ -- 10/20/26

Trump administration holds up Patriot missiles for Ukraine -- Delays in approving transfers from partner countries coincide with a worsening rupture between President Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky. Michael Birnbaum, Francesca Ebel and John Hudson in the Washington Post$ -- 10/20/26