california-politics4.79 min read
Newsom signs bill placing $7.5B science bond on 2028 ballot
8 days ago•Source: Los Angeles Times
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9.685 min•9 days ago
Newsom Signs Historic Tax Credit to Stabilize California's Local Newsrooms
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 2222, creating a refundable tax credit to support local news employment. The law offers $20,000 per journalist for the first five hires and $15,000 for additional staff, aiming to reverse a 12,000-journalist decline since 2002. While supporters call it a vital lifeline, critics warn of uncapped state liability and argue it subsidizes wealthy owners rather than struggling outlets.
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Wahab Clinches East Bay Seat to Finish Swalwell’s Term
Los Angeles Times•1 month ago
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California voters split on billionaire wealth tax and voter-ID ballot measures, poll shows
Los Angeles Times•1 month ago
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California Democrats Back Billionaire Wealth Tax, Splitting From Newsom and Unions
California’s Democratic Party executive board endorsed a November ballot measure to tax billionaire wealth with a one-time 5% levy, moving in line with progressive advocates like Rep. Maxine Waters and Bernie Sanders but clashing with Gov. Gavin Newsom and major unions; supporters argue it would fund healthcare and public services, while opponents warn it could hurt budgets and drive the ultrawealthy out of state, and rivals are mounting efforts to undercut Prop 40.
California Billionaire Tax Heads to November Ballot Amid Budget Worries
A labor-union–backed, one-time 5% tax on California billionaires’ assets is headed to the November ballot to offset federal healthcare funding cuts, drawing strong opposition from Gov. Newsom and major business/healthcare groups who warn it could destabilize the state’s budget and spur billionaire exit; two rival “poison pill” measures could void the proposal even if voters approve, and supporters gathered about 1.6 million signatures to qualify.
Behested payments: legal but ethically murky in California politics
A Los Angeles Times column argues that California’s behested payments—donations politicians solicit for nonprofits—are legal but ethically murky, especially when funds go to groups tied to a public official’s family. Gov. Gavin Newsom faces federal scrutiny while the state’s FPPC fined him for late reporting on about $5.5 million in such donations. The practice is widespread across parties and can fund worthwhile programs, but it invites questions of influence and conflicts of interest, and reform seems unlikely amid partisan dynamics; some observers see it as transparent and preferable to opaque fundraising, while others warn it creates vulnerability and public distrust.
California ballot duel: Uber liability cap vs. safety crackdown
Two California ballot measures qualified for November: Uber seeks to cap auto-collision payouts and attorneys’ fees, while the Consumer Attorneys of California aim to hold Uber liable for driver sexual misconduct and impose tighter safety standards; the high-stakes, multimillion-dollar campaign could be avoided if the sides strike a deal before June 25.
LA Dems Brace for Bruising Bass–Raman Runoff After Pratt Exit
Los Angeles’ mayoral runoff between incumbent Karen Bass and council member Nithya Raman is shaping into a high-stakes intra-Democratic showdown five months after Spencer Pratt’s controversial candidacy dominated headlines. While Raman surpassed Pratt to reach the runoff, operatives warn the contest could fracture Democratic support in the nation’s second-largest city, with Bass seeking a broad coalition and Raman riding progressive energy. Pratt’s exit may ease some pressure, but his supporters’ attacks and questions about election integrity signal a contentious, expensive race that will define LA politics for months to come.
Xavier Becerra’s Patience-Paced Playbook Shapes California’s Governor Bid
A detailed profile of Xavier Becerra tracing his methodical, debate-first leadership style from a 1990s freshman challenging the Ways and Means chair to a gubernatorial frontrunner, highlighting his policy stances on immigration and health care, his tenure as California attorney general and HHS secretary, and the tensions with Pelosi and the White House that have shaped his career and current bid.
California’s 2026 governor race grapples with immigration and housing costs
With the June 2 primary looming, candidates outline markedly different strategies on immigration, housing and affordability: Xavier Becerra champions immigrant protections and housing affordability measures; Chad Bianco pushes hardline immigration enforcement and deregulation of building rules; Steve Hilton backs CEQA reform and tax relief to accelerate housing; Tom Steyer seeks to curb ICE’s power and overhaul housing regulations; Katie Porter supports sanctuary policies and aggressive housing incentives; Matt Mahan promotes cheaper, faster construction; Tony Thurmond envisions millions of new homes on surplus land plus homelessness services; Antonio Villaraigosa pushes CEQA reform and expanded permanent supportive housing via Homekey; alongside varied approaches to entertainment-industry incentives and data transparency, the race highlights California’s ongoing tradeoffs between immigrant protections, housing supply and cost of living.
TMZ founder backs Spencer Pratt in Los Angeles mayoral bid
Harvey Levin, TMZ’s founder, is boosting Spencer Pratt’s bid for Los Angeles mayor, signaling a potential new dimension of Levin’s political influence as Pratt rises in a tight primary race. A Berkeley poll shows Bass 26%, Raman 25%, Pratt 22% among likely voters, with Levin’s media push—alongside endorsements from celebrities and conservatives—fuelling Pratt’s insurgent campaign amid LA’s homelessness and wildfire crises. Analysts caution that Levin’s clout may be ephemeral, and Hollywood skepticism remains about Pratt’s viability.
Becerra widens lead in CA governor primary as ballot battles loom
A new PPIC poll shows Xavier Becerra leading the California Democratic primary with 23% to Steve Hilton’s 20% and Tom Steyer’s 15%, signaling a likely nomination and a possible November matchup against Hilton. The survey also highlights two ballot fights: a proposed one-time wealth tax leading 54–45 but facing a well-funded opposition, and a Republican-backed voter ID measure that only 49% support, with Democrats and independents largely opposed. Neither measure is yet qualified for November, while 59% of Californians favor the state’s top-two primary, a factor that could influence the race’s dynamics even before the primary.
Newsom Threatens 100% Tax on Trump Fund Payouts to Californians
California Gov. Gavin Newsom said he would tax 100% of any money Californians receive from President Trump’s $1.776‑billion “anti-weaponization” fund, a move that would require legislative action and could face legal challenges. He spoke as he signed Senate Bill 73, which bars law enforcement from seizing ballots and imposes fines and up to three years in jail for violations, and he warned federal agencies like ICE/Border Patrol against intimidating voters near Dodger Stadium. Newsom argued Trump will continue to interfere with elections, signaling a broader fight over election security and political funding.