Tag

California Politics

All articles tagged with #california politics

california-politics15 days ago•11 min saved

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.

via Los Angeles Times|

#ballot-measure #budget-volatility #california

california-politics20 days ago•13 min saved

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.

via Los Angeles Times|

#behested-payments #california-politics #campaign-finance

politics21 days ago•5 min saved

Newsom Signals Tax-Return Release as DOJ Scrutiny Expands

Gov. Gavin Newsom says his office is preparing the governor’s current-term tax returns as the DOJ investigates his wife’s finances and others close to him; he has long pledged transparency and last released 2020 taxes, but no timeline for the new disclosures.

via New York Post|

#california-politics #doj-probe #gavin-newsom

politics22 days ago•11 min saved

Newsom faces riskier terrain as DOJ probes widen

Federal investigators are widening probes into Gavin Newsom and his wife Jennifer Siebel Newsom, examining taxes, finances and nonprofit work tied to their advocacy groups. Allies warn the investigations could force staff to seek legal representation and alter the governor’s political calculus, though officials say no charges are imminent. The escalation reflects a tougher, higher-stakes phase in the Newsoms’ feud with the White House, with potential implications for a future national bid while Newsom remains focused on California.

via Politico|

#behested-payments #california-politics #department-of-justice

politics23 days ago•7 min saved

Ultra-rich wealth tax aims for California ballot in November

A proposed one-time 5% wealth tax on Californians with more than $1 billion in assets would funnel roughly $100 billion mainly to healthcare programs (with some for food assistance and education) and could be paid over five years. The initiative cleared the signature threshold and is on track for the November ballot, though opponents including Gov. Gavin Newsom warn it could drive billionaires out and destabilize California’s economy amid volatile tax revenues. Revenue is uncertain due to stock market fluctuations, and wealthy donors have heavily funded groups on both sides as the measure advances to the ballot.

via Los Angeles Times|

#ballot-measure #billionaires #california-politics

california-politics23 days ago•5 min saved

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.

via Politico|

#ballot-measures #california #california-politics

politics23 days ago•5 min saved

Newsom’s $347 Million in Behested Donations Draw Ethics Scrutiny

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has reported more than $347 million in behested payments since 2011, with major donors like Blue Shield and Kaiser linking to no‑bid contracts and policy decisions. The practice, legal yet controversial, has renewed pay‑to‑play concerns as federal investigations into Newsom and his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, continue and as the California Partners Project receives donor funding; Newsom maintains donations don’t drive decisions and has paid a $31,500 ethics fine for late reporting.

via New York Post|

#behested-payments #california-politics #campaign-finance

politics24 days ago•9 min saved

Newsom weaponizes federal probe to boost 2028 presidential bid

As he eyes a 2028 run, Gov. Gavin Newsom frames a federal probe into him and his wife as a Trump-directed witch hunt, releasing a video to rally supporters and project resilience. The investigations, said to dating back about a year and originating with Sacramento prosecutors, focus on nonprofits tied to the couple and Siebel Newsom’s taxes, with questions also touching household records. Analysts say the tactic could raise his national profile but carries the risk of backfiring if wrongdoing is found.

via Los Angeles Times|

#2028-presidential-bid #california-politics #federal-investigation

politics24 days ago•3 min saved

Newsom allies frame DOJ probe as Trump-driven retaliation

Newsom’s team is urging congressional Democrats to portray the Justice Department’s investigation into the California governor as political retribution ordered by Donald Trump to derail his political ambitions. The memo frames the probe as driven by Trump and suggests there’s no credible evidence of illegal conduct, while noting that several probes touch people close to Newsom, including Jen Siebel Newsom and former aide Dana Williamson; the DOJ has not commented on the investigation.

via Axios|

#california-politics #democrats #doj-investigation

politics25 days ago•5 min saved

Newsom Claims Federal Probe Targets Him and His Wife Amid Trump DOJ Pressure

California Gov. Gavin Newsom said he and his wife are under federal investigation and accused Donald Trump of weaponizing the DOJ against his family, with reports noting probes into Jennifer Siebel Newsom’s nonprofit tax matters and a case involving his former chief of staff Dana Williamson; federal agents have contacted associates, while the DOJ declined comment and Newsom frames the investigations as political retaliation in the context of his potential 2028 presidential ambitions.

via The Washington Post|

#california-politics #doj-investigation #donald-trump

california-politics29 days ago•8 min saved

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.

via Politico|

#california-politics #karen-bass #la-mayoral-race

politics1 month ago•8 min saved

Steyer’s California exit dims climate spotlight in governor race

Tom Steyer’s third-place finish in the California Democratic primary ends his bid to center climate policy in the governor’s race, leaving Xavier Becerra to face Republican Steve Hilton. Environmentalists lament the loss of a climate hawk as Steyer—who spent about $213 million—endorses Becerra, signaling a potentially less aggressive climate debate in the general election while Becerra touts environmental credentials and affordability.

via Politico|

#california-politics #climate-policy #elections-2026

politics1 month ago•10 min saved

Steyer’s populist gamble in California fizzles after record spending

Tom Steyer spent over $200 million campaigning to succeed Gavin Newsom with an anti-corporate, populist platform, but his wealth-created narrative failed to win over pivotal progressive voters, who doubted his authenticity and viewed him through the baggage of his fortune and past investments. Despite targeting utilities, taxes on the rich, and single-payer health care, Steyer couldn’t overcome the paradox of railing against corporations while being a billionaire, and he finished behind Xavier Becerra and a Republican challenger, underscoring the limits of elite spending in a crowded, uninspiring race.

via Politico|

#becerra #california-politics #campaign-spending

politics1 month ago•16 min saved

Becerra vs. Hilton: California’s governor race narrows to a November duel

California’s top-two primary all but ensures a November showdown between Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton, with Tom Steyer fading; Hilton leans into MAGA rhetoric and voter-fraud claims, while Becerra must present a governing vision addressing deficits, disasters, and healthcare beyond anti-Trump campaigning. Steyer’s self-funded bid sparks debate—some see bold climate and healthcare ideas, others call it vanity. The columnists defend California’s slow ballot count as thorough and participation-driven, urge better funding for county election offices, and warn that money in politics will shape the race. In short, the blue tilt remains, but the next five months will hinge on policy clarity, governance plans, and how candidates handle big-money dynamics.

via Los Angeles Times|

#california #california-politics #campaign-finance

politics1 month ago•22 min saved

Becerra Moves Toward November California Governor Race

Democrat Xavier Becerra led the June 2 California primary with about 27% of the vote and will advance to the November governor race under the top-two system. His potential opponents include Republican Steve Hilton and Democrat Tom Steyer, making the outcome contingent on party dynamics and fundraising. If elected, he would be California’s first Latino governor in more than a century. He has run on his government experience and, in addressing affordability, suggested measured steps on costs, including examining utility and home-insurance rates and housing construction needs without signaling major shifts from current policy directions.

via CalMatters|

#california-governor-2026-election #california-politics #election-2026