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California Policy and Politics Thursday
Trump expected to select Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead HHS -- The choice will roil many public health experts after his years of touting debunked claims that vaccines cause autism. Meridith McGraw and Chelsea Cirruzzo Politico -- 11/14/24
Palm Springs strikes tentative $27M deal on landmark reparations settlement -- The Southern California resort town of Palm Springs is set to approve a $27 million reparations agreement with Black and Latino families who were forced out of their homes in the 1960s, making it one of the first cities in the country to do so. Eric He Politico Audra D. S. Burch in the New York Times$ -- 11/14/24
This climate sector’s seeing a silver lining in Trump -- There’s one part of climate world that’s not panicking about President-elect Donald Trump. California’s tech bros who’ve taken on one of the state’s most intractable and dramatic problems — its catastrophic wildfires — see a possible in with a Trump 2.0 even as their climate-focused allies languish. Camille von Kaenel Politico -- 11/14/24
Newton: New LA police chief’s resistance to Trump deportation plans has little to do with liberal politics -- Ballots in Los Angeles were still being counted last week when the resistance to President-elect Donald Trump began to take shape. By Friday, the city’s incoming police chief, Jim McDonnell, was promising the Los Angeles Police Department would refuse support for Trump’s much-ballyhooed deportation schemes. Jim Newton CalMatters -- 11/14/24
Democrats wrestle with transgender rights as election hand-wringing continues -- The day after the national election, a prominent Texas Democrat, speaking to local media, blamed his party’s resounding losses in his home state and beyond largely on two issues: immigration, and Democrats’ commitment to transgender rights. Erin Allday in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/14/24
S.F. Muni faces ‘terrifying’ cuts, possible cable car closures due to deficit -- The agency’s fiscal outlook darkened in the past week with the failure of Proposition L, which would have taxed ride-hailing services to generate an estimated $25 million annually for transit. Roland Li in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/14/24
Republicans fend off Democratic challengers in three key Inland Empire races -- Republican candidates in three high-profile Inland Empire races for Congress and the state Legislature were either leading or able to fend off Democratic challengers as officials keep counting votes. Deborah Brennan CalMatters -- 11/14/24
How does Rep. David Valadao keep winning? -- The House GOP incumbent’s successful record in his purple California district is, to quote one former Democratic pollster, “ridiculous.” Melanie Mason Politico -- 11/14/24
Trump’s ‘border czar’ pick makes clear: Project 2025 is happening -- Former acting ICE director Thomas Homan is a contributor to the far-right agenda and a fellow with the conservative think tank that engineered it. Ko Lyn Cheang, Raheem Hosseini in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/14/24
Walters: Let the games begin: 2026 campaign for California governor now looms -- California has a lengthy — very lengthy — list of critical economic, social and policy issues that are very likely to remain unresolved when Gavin Newsom vacates the governorship 26 months hence. Dan Walters CalMatters -- 11/14/24
Workplace
Top execs get $1 million paydays at California public pension funds -- It’s bonus season for California’s public pension funds, and a few years of strong investment returns contributed to lucrative payouts for top executives. Adam Ashton CalMatters -- 11/14/24
Silicon Valley eyes a windfall from Trump’s plans to gut regulation -- Some tech start-ups and investors anticipate a golden era when Donald Trump returns to office, thanks to government contracts and deregulation. Gerrit De Vynck and Nitasha Tiku in the Washington Post$ -- 11/14/24
Wildfire
‘Truly random’ or sealed fate? Why some homes survived the Mountain fire while others burned -- Experts still disagree over whether homes can be completely fireproofed in a wind-driven ember fire. Noah Haggerty in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/14/24
Offshore wind
Trump promised to ‘end’ offshore wind. What will that mean for California’s big bet? -- Trump’s promise to block the offshore wind industry could threaten CA’s renewable energy goals, potentially cutting off federal funding. Julie Cart CalMatters -- 11/14/24
Water
Los Angeles set to build facility to transform wastewater into clean drinking water -- Los Angeles is set to build a facility in the San Fernando Valley that will transform wastewater into enough pure drinking water for about 250,000 people. Ian James in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/14/24
Housing
How a Trump administration could affect California’s housing crisis -- President-elect Donald Trump’s housing policy for his second term is vague at best. But based on available information, many California housing experts are not optimistic about what it could mean for the state’s crisis. Felicia Mello CalMatters -- 11/14/24
Could L.A.’s rezoning plan to boost housing supply cause more tenant displacement? -- The city of Los Angeles is proposing to supercharge its housing development incentive plan to meet state mandates. Some advocates worry the proposal will lead to too much displacement as older apartments are redeveloped. Andrew Khouri in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/14/24
Education
UC faces half-billion-dollar budget shortfall and eyes tuition increase for new nonresident students -- The University of California anticipates more than a $500 million budget gap next summer, so It’s considering a $3,402 jump in tuition for new nonresident students next fall. Meanwhile, the system is planning billions in construction projects. Mikhail Zinshteyn CalMatters -- 11/14/24
UC wants to enroll 3,600 more Californians next year, but funding shortfalls threaten plan -- UC officials told regents Wednesday that the 10-campus university system could face a $504.7-million financial shortfall in 2025-26 if the state makes good on warnings earlier this year to reduce higher education funding as it grapples with a budget deficit. Teresa Watanabe in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/14/24
California schools brace for Trump’s attacks on immigrants, trans students and ‘woke’ curriculum -- More than 115,000 children in California were undocumented in the most recent census count, and it’s estimated almost half of California children have at least one immigrant parent. Carolyn Jones CalMatters -- 11/14/24
Street
LAPD ‘SWAT mafia’ trial set to begin; elite unit’s leaders said to ‘glamorize’ killings -- A former LAPD sergeant has sued the city of Los Angeles, alleging he faced retaliation after calling out senior members of the department’s SWAT unit over a culture of violence, secrecy and cover-ups. Libor Jany in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/14/24
Is California Back to Tough-on-Crime Policies? Not Necessarily -- Supporters of criminal justice reform in California suffered major losses in last week’s election. Yet, even those who pushed to rein in the state’s progressive movement warn against seeing the election as a repudiation of those reforms entirely. Marisa Lagos KQED -- 11/14/24
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Trump Plans to Install His Book Publisher as Head of Personnel -- Sergio Gor, who has helped run the publishing company that produces the president-elect’s books, has been tapped to run the presidential personnel office, people briefed on the matter said. Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan in the New York Times$ -- 11/14/24
Senate Republicans Alarmed by Gaetz Pick as Attorney General Nominee -- Many Republican senators were stunned that Representative Matt Gaetz, Republican of Florida, had been chosen as the nominee, and expressed skepticism that he could secure enough votes for confirmation. Karoun Demirjian in the New York Times$ -- 11/14/24
Gaetz resigned days before ethics investigation report expected -- The House Ethics Committee was set to vote this week on releasing a report about Matt Gaetz (R-Florida), who resigned from Congress on Wednesday after being picked as President-elect Donald Trump’s attorney general, according to four people familiar with the matter. Marianna Sotomayor, Jacqueline Alemany and Marianne LeVine in the Washington Post$ Robert Draper, Luke Broadwater and Maya C. Miller in the New York Times$ Olivia Beavers and Jordain Carney Politico -- 11/14/24
You thought DOJ staffers were in full-blown freakout before … -- Donald Trump’s decision to nominate Rep. Matt Gaetz for attorney general has Justice Department veterans petrified and warning of a crisis in the department marked by chaos and revenge. Kyle Cheney, Josh Gerstein, Erica Orden and Betsy Woodruff Swan Politico -- 11/14/24
Pete Hegseth has said exactly how he will shake up the Pentagon -- Trump’s nominee for defense secretary has called for a war on what he calls the “woke” military, including potentially firing top brass. Missy Ryan, Dan Lamothe, John Hudson and Alex Horton CalMatters -- 11/14/24
‘Left turn and off the bridge’: Trump’s spy pick stuns intel world -- Donald Trump was expected to pick an outsider to lead the U.S. intelligence community. He exceeded expectations by choosing Tulsi Gabbard. John Sakellariadis Politico -- 11/14/24
At Mar-a-Lago, ‘Uncle’ Elon Musk Puts His Imprint on the Trump Transition -- He’s on the patio. He’s on the golf course. Everywhere Donald Trump looks, there is the world’s richest man. Theodore Schleifer in the New York Times$ Brian Schwartz, Dana Mattioli, Rebecca Ballhaus and Emily Glazer in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 11/14/24
Trump aides explore plans to boost Musk effort by wresting control from Congress -- The White House could challenge or seek to change a 1974 law that blocks presidents from choosing which programs to fund. Jeff Stein, Elizabeth Dwoskin, Cat Zakrzewski and Jacob Bogage in the Washington Post$ -- 11/14/24
Trump pledged to gut Biden’s AI rules, as OpenAI eyes landmark infusion -- A policy proposal presented by the AI start-up warns that if the United States doesn’t invest in the technology it will lose its technological edge to China. Pranshu Verma and Gerrit De Vynck in the Washington Post$ -- 11/14/24
Elon Musk’s ties to Trump pose potential conflicts for his businesses. Here’s a look at his federal contracts -- Elon Musk is easily the world’s wealthiest man, with a net worth topping $300 billion. But even he stands to make more money from his association with the federal government after placing a winning bet on Donald Trump’s election to the presidency. Laurence Darmiento and Queenie Wong in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/14/24
Senate Republicans squirm over Trump's tariff plans -- Lawmakers who represent top agriculture-producing states are more hesitant to support any sweeping tariffs that could hurt farmers. Ari Hawkins and Gavin Bade Politico -- 11/14/24
Go bags, passports, foreign assets: Preparing to be a target of Trump’s revenge -- Some prominent critics of Donald Trump, and those he has vilified as “deep state” saboteurs, are taking seriously his vow of retribution. Isaac Stanley-Becker and Ellen Nakashima in the Washington Post$ -- 11/14/24
Also
Want to Network in Silicon Valley? Bring a Bathing Suit -- Instead of bars and restaurants, saunas are the new place for investors and founders to socialize and raise money. Angel Au-Yeung in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 11/14/24
California Policy and Politics Wednesday
Trump says he will nominate Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida to be attorney general -- President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday said he will nominate Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida to serve as his attorney general, putting a loyalist in the role of the nation’s top prosecutor. In selecting the congressman, Trump passed over some of the more established attorneys whose names had been mentioned as being contenders for the job. Michelle L. Price, Adriana Gomez Licon, Jill Colvin and Zeke Miller Associated Press -- 11/13/24
Trump taps dark horse Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence -- The surprise nomination of the former Democrat and fervent anti-interventionist is likely to meet stiff resistance in the Senate. John Sakellariadis Politico -- 11/13/24
Republican Rep. Ken Calvert reelected in Riverside County, beating Democratic challenger Will Rollins -- Calvert’s win brought the House of Representatives within one vote of Republican control, according to the Associated Press. Hailey Branson-Potts in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/13/24
GOP Rep. Valadao holds Central Valley, California, swing seat -- Valadao was a top target for Democrats, who were hoping an uptick in voter turnout this year could finally clinch the district they’ve been eyeing for several cycles. Lara Korte Politico -- 11/13/24
Democrat Dave Min keeps Katie Porter’s House seat blue -- Min, a state senator from Irvine, defeated Scott Baugh, a two-time candidate who had narrowly lost the seat two years ago to Porter. Melanie Mason Politico -- 11/13/24
Decisive election waits for California’s results. What’s the hold-up? -- It’s been nearly a week since election day, and California is still counting ballots, imposing an agonizing wait on a nation wondering who will lead the next U.S. House of Representatives. Karen Garcia in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/13/24
Trump’s proposed tariffs, especially on China and Mexico, could hit California hard -- Trump has threatened new, higher tariffs on two of California’s biggest trade partners, China and Mexico. The state’s workers and economy could feel the most impact. Levi Sumagaysay CalMatters -- 11/13/24
Can Newsom’s California Still Lead the Trump Resistance? -- The Democratic governor tries to rally the nation around his state’s liberal values—even as many Democrats are moving in the opposite direction. Zusha Elinson and Sara Randazzo in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 11/13/24
Newsom’s Hail Mary to defend California from Trump -- There are 68 days left for California to insulate its nation-leading pollution rules as best it can from President-elect Donald Trump — and Gov. Gavin Newsom is feeling the heat. Alex Nieves Politico -- 11/13/24
A guide to Gavin Newsom’s Trump-proofing efforts by Politico’s California bureau -- Gov. Gavin Newsom is pleading with his Democratic friends in Washington to help the Golden State prepare its defenses for Trump 2.0. Dustin Gardiner Politico -- 11/13/24
California AG Rob Bonta is eyeing a run for governor. Fighting Trump will boost his profile -- Two days after Donald Trump’s election as president, California Attorney General Rob Bonta, who typically addresses reporters from under the fluorescent lights of government buildings, held a press conference in a San Francisco park with a clear political message. Sophia Bollag in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/13/24
California Gov. Kamala Harris? New poll finds she’d have a clear advantage -- If Vice President Kamala Harris were to run for governor in California in 2026, she would have a major advantage over the crowded field of candidates vying to succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom, new polling shows. Laura J. Nelson in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/13/24
Why no one spent more than Google to lobby California officials this summer -- The tech giant spent $10.7 million lobbying the Legislature and governor from July through September during a media bill fight. It also showered elected officials with $107,500 in campaign cash on one day in September. Alexei Koseff and Jeremia Kimelman CalMatters -- 11/13/24
California Senate leader calls union ‘morally bankrupt’ for opposing a vulnerable Democrat -- In California, Democrats rarely criticize organized labor, one of their biggest and wealthiest allies, so it’s remarkable that Democrats have harsh words against a union for attacking a vulnerable Democratic senator in a close race. Ryan Sabalow CalMatters -- 11/13/24
Arellano: We now live in a Prop. 187 America. What’s next? --We tell ourselves stories in order to live, Joan Didion famously wrote, and the one Democrats in California repeated for decades was Proposition 187. Gustavo Arellano in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/13/24
Judge blocks Oakland airport name change, says it ‘damages the goodwill and value’ of SFO’s brand -- A federal magistrate on Tuesday blocked Oakland’s plan to add San Francisco to the name of its airport, saying the renaming would falsely tell travelers the airport was affiliated with San Francisco. Bob Egelko in the San Francisco Chronicle$ Caelyn Pender in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 11/13/24
Walters: Democrats still dominate California, but their voters have drifted to the right -- Several decades ago, when Republicans had rough parity with Democrats as they dueled over California’s presidential electoral votes and other offices high and low, GOP strategists counted on what they called “the fishhook.” Dan Walters CalMatters -- 11/13/24
Workplace
Hollywood intimacy coordinators unanimously vote to unionize under SAG-AFTRA -- Members of the bargaining unit voted 100% in favor of unionization in an official election overseen by the National Labor Relations board, the union announced Tuesday. Christi Carras in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/13/24
NASA’s JPL to cut 325 positions amid budget tightening -- Layoffs begin Wednesday, across several sectors at the La Cañada Flintridge facility. Teresa Liu in the Orange County Register -- 11/13/24
Water
The Trump-California water wars are about to begin. Here’s what’s at stake -- In a social media post days after the election, President-elect Donald Trump made clear that California’s water wars are top of his agenda – and he’s firmly on the side of big water users, not fish. Kurtis Alexander in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/13/24
Medicare
Medicare premiums are going up in 2025. Here’s what to know and how much more you’ll pay -- In 2025, premiums for Medicare Part B will rise by 6% — up $10.30 from 2024 for the standard monthly premium. Meanwhile, the annual cost-of-living adjustment for Social Security recipients for 2025, announced in October, will be 2.5%, an average of about $50 extra per month. Jessica Roy in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/13/24
Climate
S.F.’s Ocean Beach could be transformed with massive seawall. Surfers are not happy -- On Thursday, the California Coastal Commission will vote on the approval of a $175 million climate-related project that would transform the southern portion of San Francisco’s Ocean Beach. Tara Duggan in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/13/24
Housing
What happens when Bay Area politicians can’t afford to live in the places they represent? -- Mike Bucci was supposed to be preparing for a run at his dream job: mayor of Newark, the East Bay city he has called home almost his entire life. Connor Letourneau in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/13/24
Can Daniel Lurie deliver on his promises to build more S.F. housing? -- In a city where housing politics can be a blood sport, Daniel Lurie seems to have pulled off an unusual feat: winning the mayor’s race without alienating any of the groups so often bitterly divided over development. J.K. Dineen, St. John Barned-Smith in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/13/24
Education
‘Turned off and stored.’ LAUSD reveals details on school cellphone ban to begin Feb. 18 -- LAUSD says its student cellphone ban will start Feb. 18. Schools will decide how to restrict phones, from telling students to put them in backpacks to using magnetically sealed pouches. Jaweed Kaleem in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/13/24
Street
S.F.’s new weapon against the drug crisis: Billboards urging users to seek treatment -- The campaign, dubbed “Living Proof,” features San Franciscans who have benefited from the city’s addiction treatment and recovery services. It cost $500,000, funded by a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Maggie Angst in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/13/24
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Jack Smith Plans to Step Down as Special Counsel Before Trump Takes Office -- The prosecutor who investigated and charged Donald J. Trump plans to finish his report and leave the job before he can be fired. Devlin Barrett and Glenn Thrush in the New York Times$ -- 11/13/24
Trump Draft Executive Order Would Create Board to Purge Generals -- The Trump transition team is considering a draft executive order that establishes a “warrior board” of retired senior military personnel with the power to review three- and four-star officers and to recommend removals of any deemed unfit for leadership. Vivian Salama, Nancy A. Youssef and Lara Seligman in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 11/13/24
‘Who the f--k is this guy?’: Defense world reacts to Trump’s surprise Pentagon pick -- President-elect Donald Trump’s Tuesday night surprise pick of a conservative commentator and television host as his Pentagon chief shocked Washington, which had expected the nominee to be a seasoned lawmaker or someone with defense policy experience. Joe Gould, Robbie Gramer, Paul McLeary, Connor O’Brien and Jack Detsch Politico Alexander Ward and Vivian Salama in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 11/13/24
Pete Hegseth has said exactly how he will shake up the Pentagon -- Trump’s nominee for defense secretary has called for a war on what he calls the ‘woke’ military, including potentially firing top brass. Missy Ryan, Dan Lamothe, John Hudson and Alex Horton in the Washington Post$ -- 11/13/24
Pete Hegseth has said exactly how he will shake up the Pentagon Trump’s -- Trump’s nominee for defense secretary has called for a war on what he calls the ‘woke’ military, including potentially firing top brass. Missy Ryan, Dan Lamothe, John Hudson and Alex Horton in the Washington Post$ -- 11/13/24
Trump taps Musk, Ramaswamy to oversee ‘drastic’ changes to U.S. government -- The president-elect described the new commission as a “Manhattan Project” to dramatically slash regulations, cut staff and “restructure” federal agencies. It is unclear how such an effort would be funded or run. Jeff Stein and Elizabeth Dwoskin in the Washington Post$ Michael D. Shear and Eric Lipton in the New York Times$ -- 11/13/24
Trump appoints John Ratcliffe CIA director -- John Ratcliffe, the former Texas congressman and director of national intelligence in Trump’s first term, is in line to head the premier all-source spy agency. Joby Warrick and Ellen Nakashima in the Washington Post$ Michael D. Shear and Julian E. Barnes in the New York Times$ -- 11/13/24
The biggest clue about the Democrats’ post-election future starts with this race -- Only one week after losing the White House, the battle for the next chair of the Democratic National Committee is underway — with members of the party’s political class boosting their favorite potential candidates for the job on social media and knifing their opponents behind the scenes. Holly Otterbein and Elena Schneider Politico -- 11/13/24
Lighthizer and his allies lay groundwork for Trump’s massive new tariffs -- President-elect Donald Trump’s former trade chief and those close to him are preparing to aggressively sell their plans for massive new tariffs on imports that will go far beyond anything seen in Trump’s first term. Gavin Bade Politico -- 11/13/24
Trump’s Immigration Plans Could Bring an Economic Toll -- Expelling noncitizens on a mass scale is likely to raise prices on goods and services and lower employment rates for U.S. workers, many economists say. Lydia DePillis in the New York Times$ -- 11/13/24
Trump appoints real estate investor, golf partner as Middle East peace envoy -- President-elect Donald Trump announced Tuesday that he will name real estate investor and philanthropist Steven Witkoff to be a special envoy to the Middle East. Eric Bazail-Eimil Politico -- 11/13/24
Trump Picks Kristi Noem for Homeland Security Secretary -- Ms. Noem, the governor of South Dakota, would play a major role in carrying out the president-elect’s promises to crack down on the border and deport millions of people. Hamed Aleaziz in the New York Times$ -- 11/13/24
Also
After bear cub climbs tree outside school, all the kids are stuck inside -- When the ranger’s away, the bear cub will play — and the kids will stay locked in school. Andrew J. Campa in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/13/24
Surfboard lights might deter shark attacks — but don’t bet your life on it -- Australian researchers, who spent years towing seal-shaped decoys through waters infested with great white sharks, have determined that wrapping the lures in very bright lights — sort of like aquatic Christmas trees — seems to turn sharks away. Jack Dolan in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/13/24