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Presented by Our Health California: Jeremy B. White’s must-read briefing on politics and government in the Golden State | | | | | |  | | By Jeremy B. White, Isabella Bloom and Graph Massara | Presented by Our Health California | THE BUZZ — MOVING THE HALLS OF POWER: The changes now altering California’s Legislature aren’t restricted to accelerating lawmaker turnover. The physical space of policymaking is also going to look different. It has been roughly 70 years since construction concluded on the State Capitol annex. Gov. Earl Warren was in charge, term limits were decades away and we hadn’t even gotten to the first Gov. Brown. Officials have concluded that the space has “reached a critical deterioration point,” as disability access and building code issues mount, asbestos and mold threaten public health and the warren of offices squeeze in staff while confusing the public — a critique that will resonate with anyone who has gotten lost navigating between the triple-digit and four-digit room numbers. So a $1.2 billion overhaul is now underway , courtesy of a budget outlay Gov. Jerry Brown signed in 2018. Staffers have been filling boxes as they prepare to move to a swing space on O Street. The “Bacteria Bear” statue — selfie fodder for visitors and a vigorously avoided germ incubator for regulars — no longer stands in front of the governor’s “horseshoe” office. The governor’s press room, where we’ve floated many a budget question, will be no more. Some of Sacramento’s historic preservationists are arguing the revamp will damage cherished public heritage; environmentalists have sued to block it. | 
Dan Savage, chief of staff for Assemblymember Adrin Nazarian, packs a box to be moved from his boss' Capitol Annex office in Sacramento, Calif. | AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli | It’s all injecting more uncertainty in an already turbulent time, with construction on the new annex set to finish in 2025. Logistical questions abound. Will staffers who need to fetch a document for lawmakers on the floor — a common occurrence at bill-vote crunch times — need to sprint the blocks from temporary offices to chambers? What adjustments will be required of the lobbyists who, until Covid banished them, were accustomed to influencing lawmakers from the backdoor-adjacent corridor? “Ultimately, it could be disruptive for everybody,” lobbyist Chris Micheli told us, particularly if folks have to ricochet between offices and hearing rooms. Few Sacramento denizens can appreciate the broader history than Assemblymember Ken Cooley, a former staffer for a lawmaker who oversaw a previous round of post-earthquake construction who has since done double duty as an unofficial Capitol tour guide. He noted that the extant building, fraught with fire hazards and lagging behind building standards, was created for a part-time Legislature; it’s a relic of another era that can’t accommodate governing America’s largest state. The structure is now “deficient in so many respects,” Cooley told Playbook, and particularly during fierce policy debates, “it just gets so slammed with people.” California is unusual for lodging both its legislative houses in one building, Cooley said. He suggested adapting to multiple locations will largely be a matter of scheduling, particularly when lawmakers have to shuttle between multiple concurrent hearings and “it’s not going to be a 90-second trip” between hearings. “They’re going to need to plan things,” Cooley said — but as in much of life, “you adapt.” BUENOS DÍAS, good Friday morning. Reporters will say their final goodbyes to the governor’s press room this afternoon, so count on some wistful tweets and reminiscing. Got a tip or story idea for California Playbook? Hit jwhite@politico.com or follow me on Twitter @jeremybwhite. QUOTE OF THE DAY: “This place is a slog. People maybe thought that being in the majority would solve all the problems, and it's hard, too.” Rep. Scott Peters (D-Calif.) on House doldrums driving Democrats to the exits, via POLITICO's Sarah Ferris, Heather Caygle and Ally Mutnick. TWEET OF THE DAY: Assemblymember @BuffyWicks offers a wrenching personal thread on abortion rights: “How do I begin to unpack how deeply disturbed I was by yesterday’s Supreme Court arguments? Justice Sotomayor spoke for so many of us with this question. She spoke for me. In September, I had a miscarriage requiring an emergency abortion procedure —” (You can read the full thread here). WHERE’S GAVIN? Nothing official announced. | | A message from Our Health California: Every person deserves access to high-quality, affordable health care when they need it.
Our Health California, a grassroots advocacy community with more than 1 million supporters, is dedicated to advancing access to health care in every corner of our state. We speak out to build healthier communities and ensure equitable care for all.
Our Health California is sponsored by hospitals, health systems, and the California Hospital Association. Learn more. | | | |  | TOP TALKERS | | — “California Failed to Protect Outdoor Workers from Wildfire Smoke Under Biden's New OSHA Chief,” by KQED’s Farida Jhabvala Romero: “As the state faced its largest wildfire seasons on record, employers were required to take steps to prevent millions of outdoor workers from breathing harmful levels of smoke. … But under the leadership of Douglas Parker, who joined the Biden administration last month, the California agency tasked with enforcing the smoke regulations rarely penalized employers for breaking the rules.” THE OTHER PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS — “ She set out to save her daughter from fentanyl. She had no idea what she would face on the streets of San Francisco,” by the SF Chronicle’s Heather Knight. | | | | BECOME A GLOBAL INSIDER: The world is more connected than ever. It has never been more essential to identify, unpack and analyze important news, trends and decisions shaping our future — and we’ve got you covered! Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Global Insider author Ryan Heath navigates the global news maze and connects you to power players and events changing our world. Don’t miss out on this influential global community. Subscribe now. | | | | | | | CALIFORNIA AND THE CAPITOL CORRIDOR | | — “Orange County Board of Education sues Newsom over COVID-19 state of emergency, again,” by the LA Times’ Gabriel San Román: “This time, attorneys for the board filed a Nov. 23 complaint with the Orange County Superior Court, which doesn’t share the state Supreme Court’s discretionary authority to decline cases.” — “California’s last nuclear plant will close soon. Why the Biden administration wants it open,” by The Sac Bee’s Dale Kasler: “Diablo Canyon produces about 9% of the state’s electricity supply, and state officials have warned that its planned shutdown in 2025 could undermine the state’s efforts to keep the lights on.” SEQUENCING SCRAMBLE — “‘You sure it’s the real thing?’ The dramatic story of S.F. scientists’ all-night race to sequence first U.S. omicron variant,” by the SF Chronicle’s Erin Allday: “The rapid discovery, made less than 48 hours after the person tested positive for the virus, was aided by a savvy patient who self-reported the case along with travel history, public health officials who quickly corralled the sample … and a small team of UCSF scientists who worked through the night.” — “California fines PG&E millions over Kincade Fire – the state’s worst wildfire of 2019,” by The Sac Bee’s Dale Kasler. POLLING SHIFT — “Facing housing crisis, L.A. voters back duplexes in single-family neighborhoods ,” by the LA Times’ Liam Dillon: A new poll “provides one of the first tests of public reaction to the new laws, which could bring about a dramatic change to California’s development landscape.” | | BIDEN, HARRIS AND THE HILL | | — Majority blues: House Dems not done limping for the exit, by POLITICO’s Sarah Ferris, Heather Caygle and Ally Mutnick: Joe Manchin once quipped that "Washington sucks." House Democrats are starting to come to the same conclusion. Their retirements are piling up, with Rep. Peter DeFazio the latest announced departure on Wednesday. Their landmark bills are getting neutered in the Senate. They've already started a brutal round of redistricting as President Joe Biden's approval ratings nosedive. — “ More than 40 House Democrats call for Boebert to be stripped of committee assignments over anti-Muslim attacks,” by The Washington Post’s Mariana Alfaro, Marianna Sotomayor and Felicia Sonmez: “The letter … also criticized House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), saying he has not properly disciplined [Rep. Lauren] Boebert for her attacks.” | | | | A message from Our Health California:   | | | | | CAMPAIGN MODE | | — California Supreme Court asked to force redistricting commission changes, by POLITICO’s Jeremy B. White: California’s redistricting process is facing a legal challenge just weeks before line-drawers are set to release the final maps of new legislative districts. Republican attorney and party activist Harmeet Dhillon has asked the California Supreme Court, on behalf of a group of GOP voters, to force the California Citizens Redistricting Commission to share more information and cut ties with its legal counsel. | | SILICON VALLEYLAND | | — “Uber agrees to pay $9-million California settlement on sexual assault reporting failure,” by the LA Times’ Suhauna Hussain: “Uber had previously argued that to comply with requests to turn over the names and contact information of victims of sexual assault without consent would violate their privacy rights.” OFFICE ON HOLD — “Google workers in U.S. won’t return to office as expected on Jan. 10,” by CNBC’s Jennifer Elias: “The new guidance comes after several previous delays and as most of the company’s employees were expected to return to physical offices three days a week. It also comes as a small but growing portion of the company’s employees fight the company’s vaccine mandate.” — “Apple’s Frontline Employees Are Struggling To Survive,” by The Verge’s Zoe Schiffer: “When something goes wrong — a bad manager, a missed paycheck, an untenable onslaught of work — many say they have no one to turn to for help. ‘Corporate makes decisions based on what they think will work in the stores without talking to people who work in the stores,’ a former colleague says.” | | HOLLYWOODLAND | | — “L.A. man, 29, arrested in Jacqueline Avant’s killing in Beverly Hills,” by the LA Times’ Richard Winton and Nathan Solis: “Beverly Hills police on Thursday arrested a 29-year-old Los Angeles man in connection with the killing of Jacqueline Avant, a prominent philanthropist and wife of music legend Clarence Avant, as more details emerged about the shocking crime. Authorities accused Aariel Maynor of entering the couple’s Trousdale Estates home early Wednesday and shooting Jacqueline Avant with an AR-15 rifle.” | | | | STEP INSIDE THE WEST WING: What's really happening in West Wing offices? Find out who's up, who's down, and who really has the president’s ear in our West Wing Playbook newsletter, the insider's guide to the Biden White House and Cabinet. For buzzy nuggets and details that you won't find anywhere else, subscribe today. | | | | | | | MIXTAPE | | — “King tides to swamp S.F. Bay Area coastlines. Here’s what to expect,” by the SF Chronicle’s Sam Whiting. MORE SMASH-AND-GRABS … “ Watch bears break into homes, cars and stores in California,” by The Sac Bee’s Joshua Bessex. — “6 years later, terror attack victims remembered at Cal State San Bernardino memorial,” by the OC Register’s Deepa Bharath. — “ Report finds Vallejo police detective violated policy in Sean Monterrosa shooting,” by The Vallejo Sun’s Scott Morris, Brian Krans, John Glidden. HOT DOG SCIENCE — “S.F.’s new hot dog spot has 27 wacky creations. We ranked them so you can know which one is best,” by the SF Chronicle’s Soleil Ho. OP-ED — “Sorry, Pete Buttigieg. It’s Fred Karger who belongs in the history books,” opines the LA Times’ Mark Z. Barabak. — “Ross Farca, Bay Area man who threatened to kill Jews, found guilty on five counts,” by The Jewish News of Northern California’s Gabe Stutman. | | IN MEMORIAM | | — “Driving force behind KDEE radio, the ‘Black voice of Sacramento,’ dies unexpectedly,” by The Sac Bee’s Marcus D. Smith. | | A message from Our Health California: Access to quality health care is a right and not a privilege for some – a service for all.
Our Health California, a grassroots advocacy community of more than 1 million people, is dedicated to building a healthier society. We champion equitable access to affordable, high-quality health care because every Californian deserves to get the care they need, when they need it.
Our Health California connects health care supporters and patients to their state and federal lawmakers. Working together, as one powerful voice, we advance care in every community – including health to behavioral health – because patients across the Golden State deserve access to greater control of their health and their future.
Our work is supported by our state's hospitals, health systems, and the California Hospital Association.
Visit ourhealthcalifornia.org to learn more about issues Our Health California supports. | | | CALIFORNIA POLICY IS ALWAYS CHANGING: Know your next move. From Sacramento to Silicon Valley, POLITICO California Pro provides policy professionals with the in-depth reporting and tools they need to get ahead of policy trends and political developments shaping the Golden State. To learn more about the exclusive insight and analysis this -only service offers, click here. Want to make an impact? POLITICO California has a variety of solutions available for partners looking to reach and activate the most influential people in the Golden State. Have a petition you want signed? A cause you’re promoting? Seeking to increase brand awareness amongst this key audience? Share your message with our influential readers to foster engagement and drive action. Contact Jesse Shapiro to find out how: jshapiro@politico.com.
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