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Presented by CVS Health: Jeremy B. White’s must-read briefing on politics and government in the Golden State | | | | |  | | By Jeremy B. White, Chris Ramirez, Juhi Doshi and Graph Massara | Presented by CVS Health | THE BUZZ — LATE BLOOMERS: It’s crunch time for ballot initiative campaigns — and some hugely consequential proposals are just getting started. While some campaigns have been collecting signatures for months or have already gathered enough to get on the ballot, others are ramping up with mere months to go. Unless you have a volunteer army at your disposal, it takes some serious resources to secure the requisite support on a compressed timeline — petition-circulating firms obey the laws of supply and demand too, so the market sets the per-signature price. And money is moving. A pair of late-surfacing proposals from opposite ends of the political spectrum could dramatically alter the dynamics of this ballot. On the right, a coalition of business and anti-tax organizations are looking to raise the bar for tax increases. On the left, deep-pocketed progressive Joe Sandberg is questing to push California’s minimum wage to $18 and beyond. The minimum wage proposal was cleared to start collecting signatures this week. Sandberg has said he will spend what it takes to get the measure on the November ballot, arguing the pandemic has exacerbated financial strain on low-income Californians. He also appears to have the powerful California Labor Federation in his corner, with Executive Secretary-Treasurer Art Pulaski releasing a statement lauding a wage boost as “an absolute necessity.” Labor was instrumental in putting California on its current $15 minimum wage trajectory. Meanwhile, the California Business Roundtable channeled $1.6 million toward qualifying a proposal that would throw up barriers to new or higher taxes. It would require voter approval when the Legislature raises or enacts taxes — fortifying the already-tough 2/3 legislative vote requirement — while broadening the definition of what counts as a tax and upping the threshold for local voter-passed taxes to two-thirds. Apotent coalition of labor and local government groups has already mobilized against this effort. If it gets enough signatures, that could give supporters leverage to win concessions from Sacramento, as happened with a 2018 dealdisarming local governments on soda taxes . And don’t forget about sports betting. A Native American coalition has already qualified a measure authorizing bets on tribal land. But after DraftKings and FanDuel launched a push to run online bets, some tribes upped the pot with another measure that would cement tribal control of online wagers. That one is on the street. At the same time, tribes have launched a $100 million-plus counterattack to the platforms’ campaign, and they’re still funding the initial tribal measure: Yocha Dehe Wintun dropped another $5 million this week. In other words: the potential 2022 ballot has shrunk, and some campaigns have pulled out. But we’re still a long way from knowing the final lineup of initiatives — and it could be a long one, depending how many dollars and signatures pile up between now and April. BUENOS DÍAS, good Thursday morning. Republicans are trying yet again today to force a vote in the Legislature on ending the state of emergency that has endured since Gov. Gavin Newsom declared it at the start of the pandemic — a gambit that is likely to fail and all but certain to inform GOP campaign messaging. Got a tip or story idea for California Playbook? Hit jwhite@politico.com or follow me on Twitter @jeremybwhite. QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Their world view, on even the case of the death penalty, ultimately come down to 100 feet in front of and to both sides of their front door. … Tomorrow morning, something could go down in any one of these neighborhoods that becomes a punching bag for the opposition.” State Sen. Dave Cortese on how colleagues weightough crime bill votes, via CalMatters’ Alexei Koseff. BONUS QOTD: "It's disturbing to see that the Republican leader of the House ran — actually, literally refused to condemn that resolution of ‘legitimate political discourse.’ He literally ran away from the press when he was asked about his position.” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, remarking on a viral clip of House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy avoiding a reporter’s questions. TWEET OF THE DAY:Assemblyman @Alex_Lee on undercompensated Capitol staff, as part of a thread : “CULTURE There's a pervasive myth that if you are a public servant you should not be fairly compensated. Doubly so in the capitol bc there is no union AND there's this toxic 'right of passage' mentality that you HAVE to suffer to earn your place” WHERE’S GAVIN? Nothing official announced. WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! In 2018, California enacted a law requiring at least one woman on the board of every company based in the state. Did this law affect you? If yes, let us know via the form here. We want to hear from readers who have had personal experiences with the law and how it changed business and women’s careers in the state. | | A message from CVS Health: Throughout the pandemic, in communities across the country, CVS Health has been there. We’ve opened more than 4,800 COVID-19 test sites, administered 41 million tests and given 50 million vaccines. We’ve expanded access to prenatal and postpartum care via telemedicine, increased remote access to mental health services and invested in affordable housing to help build healthier communities. We’ve been on the frontlines, making health care easier to access and afford. Learn more. | | | |  | Top Talkers | | STILL WAITING — Newsom says kids' low vaccination rates are holding up school mask changes, by POLITICO’s Susannah Luthi and Victoria Colliver: This was the first time Newsom hinted at the discussions playing out behind the scenes on school mask wearing as blue states nationwide reconsider or revise their requirements. The governor said teachers' unions have asked for "just a little bit more time" before the state relaxes its mask wearing rules in schools. THREE STRIKES, YOU’RE OUT — “Will Trevor Bauer ever pitch again? What's next for him, the Los Angeles Dodgers and MLB ,” by ESPN’s Jeff Passan: “Now that the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office has declined to charge Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer with a crime after investigating an alleged sexual assault, the 31-year-old right-hander's future in baseball will come into focus.” — “ DA opens criminal probe into Contra Costa Sheriff volunteer who was allowed to take gun parts, ammo from department gun range,” by the Mercury News’ Nate Gartrell: “[DA authorities] found two assault weapons, extended magazines and a .22 caliber rifle with no serial number, all of which are illegal under California law, a DA inspector wrote in court records.”
| | | | HAPPENING TODAY – A LONG GAME CONVERSATION ON THE CLIMATE CRISIS : Join POLITICO for back-to-back conversations on climate and sustainability action, starting with a panel led by Global Insider author Ryan Heath focused on insights gleaned from our POLITICO/Morning Consult Global Sustainability Poll of citizens from 13 countries on five continents about how their governments should respond to climate change. Following the panel, join a discussion with POLITICO White House Correspondent Laura Barrón-López and Gina McCarthy, White House national climate advisor, about the Biden administration’s climate and sustainability agenda. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | | | CAMPAIGN MODE | | STAFF STANDOFF: The race to replace former Assemblymember Autumn Burke is turning into a clash of former staffers. AD-62 special election contenders Tina McKinnor and Robert Pullen-Miles have both worked for Burke, who resigned her Los Angeles seat last week — Pullen-Miles as district director and McKinnor as chief of staff and campaign manager. Burkle has endorsed Pullen-Miles; it’s fascinating to contemplate which candidate will get the votes of current Burke staffers.
COOPER COMPETES — “ Jim Cooper is running to succeed Scott Jones as Sacramento sheriff. Could he make history?” by the Sac Bee’s Marcos Brentón: “In this high-profile run, which he admits his own family opposes, Cooper would give up the final four years of a safe Assembly upon which he has built a reputation as a moderate Democrat often at odds with his progressive colleagues.”
ICYMI — “In 2022, Intense Clashes Between Criminal Justice Reformers and Tough-On-Crime Foes,” by Bolts Magazine’s Daniel Nichanian: “As more candidates win these offices on outsider platforms that involve reducing incarceration and ending cash bail, they are chipping away at the isolation that greeted their initial wins, and building on each other’s successes.” — “Rick Caruso appears poised to jump into L.A. mayor’s race,” by the LA Times’ Benjamin Oreskes: “The billionaire developer has made a Friday afternoon appointment to file a declaration of his intent to run, the city clerk’s office said Wednesday, in the clearest sign yet that he will join the crowded field of candidates hoping to succeed Mayor Eric Garcetti.” | | CALIFORNIA AND THE CAPITOL CORRIDOR | | — “‘Somebody Is Gonna Die’: Medi-Cal Patients Struggle to Fill Prescriptions,” by Kaiser Health News’ Samantha Young: “ A month into its debut, California’s new Medicaid prescription drug program is riddled with problems, leaving thousands of patients without medications — often after languishing on hold for up to eight hours on call center phone lines.” THIRD TIME’S A CHARM — “Why is a tenant protection bill failing in the California Legislature, again?” by CalMatters’ Manuela Tobias: “Proponents of the longtime progressive priority — which promised to preserve the stock of affordable apartments amid a historic shortage — point to an aggressive campaign mounted by the deep-pocketed real estate industry.” MAYORAL MAYHEM — “Violent crime to labor shortages: Mayors say Covid's toll on cities is far-reaching, ” by POLITICO’s Liz Crampton and Lisa Kashinsky: “Many said they would rather see the federal government wire money directly to local governments.” MASKS OFF — “All Bay Area counties except one will lift indoor mask mandate next week,” by SF Chronicle’s Aidin Vaziri and Erin Allday: “Health officials from Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Solano and Sonoma counties, along with the City of Berkeley, said in a joint statement they will align with the California Department of Public Health on letting the mandate, which requires everyone to wear face coverings indoors regardless of vaccination status, expire next week.” OH, HOW THE TURNTABLES … “ DA Boudin Turns Tables on Police Chief, Accuses SFPD of Violating Reform Agreement,” by the SF Standard’s Michael Barba: “Despite these violations, Boudin said, the District Attorney’s Office has not pulled out of the partnership and wants to continue investigating police shootings under the agreement.” ALL TALK, NO ACTION — “ Gavin Newsom hasn’t delivered single-payer health care in California. Does it matter?” by the Sac Bee’s Sophia Bollag: “In theory, failure to endorse single-payer legislation could present a challenge to Newsom politically, said Melissa Michelson, a political science professor at Menlo College.” ESCANDALO — “S.F. City Hall corruption scandal: Union alleges retaliation for whistleblowing in lawsuit,” by the SF Chronicle’s J.D. Morris and Mallory Moench: “Laborers International Union Local 261 said in a lawsuit being filed Wednesday in San Francisco Superior Court that its workers were harassed, ostracized and deprived of sanitary and safe restrooms after the union blew the whistle on unsavory activities by city agencies and elected leaders.” SHUTDOWN — “Oakland school board votes to close seven schools over the next two years, ” by The Oaklandside’s Ashley McBride: “Opponents also noted that the closures will disproportionately impact Black and brown students, and they questioned why OUSD did not give the community more time to deliberate.” — “ ‘We’re dwindling in numbers’: Big Sur volunteer firefighters feel pinch of housing prices, growing responsibilities,” by SFGATE’s Andrew Pridgen: “From 10 founding members to more than 50 members in the ’80s and ’90s back down to the low-20s in recent years, the Big Sur firefighters are also fighting a war of attrition.”
| | | |   | | | | | BIDEN, HARRIS AND THE HILL | |
GOING ABROAD — “ U.S. VP Harris to attend Munich Conference, rally allies to defuse Ukraine crisis,” by Reuters’ Nandita Bose: “Biden has regularly urged his vice president to engage with foreign leaders directly and develop her own rapport with key U.S. partners, White House sources say, and the Munich trip is likely to be a major diplomatic test of her vice presidency and her highest-profile foreign trip yet.”
LEFT OR CENTER … Left splits over Supreme Court pick pushed by top Biden ally , by POLITICO’s Burgess Everett and Laura Barrón-López: Biden could pick Childs, the perceived moderate candidate, and court GOP votes at risk of fracturing Democrats. Or he could nominate someone whom Republicans may be more likely to oppose but may unite Democrats, such as D.C. Circuit Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson or California Supreme Court Justice Leondra Kruger. | | | | 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. | | | | | | | SILICON VALLEYLAND | |
LONE STAR NO MORE — “Silicon Valley’s tech monopoly is over. Is the future in Austin, Texas?” by the LA Times’ Don Lee: “For years, California has suffered a net out-migration of people to Texas. But the losses in population tended to be at the lower end of the socioeconomic scale and the state has grown steadily richer despite the large outflows of people.”
OOPS …“ Tesla recalls over 26,600 cars over windshield defroster software error,” by CNBC’s Sarah Alessandrini: “The issue could increase the risk of crash and fails to comply with federal requirements, the NHTSA said.”
| | MIXTAPE | |
DO YOU HAVE THE TIME TO LISTEN TO ME WHINE? — “ Billie Joe Armstrong's car was stolen. Here's what happened,” by SFGATE's Amy Graff.
HIKE — “ ‘A crisis for renters’: Football sent Inglewood home prices and rents skyrocketing,” by the LA Times’ Jack Flemming. — “The Sacramento Bee’s Top 25 Black Change Makers,” via The Sac Bee. — “S.F.’s Great Highway food truck experiment ends after outcry from nearby business owners,” by the SF Chronicle’s Elena Kadvany. — “ He mapped every crosswalk in S.F. The results show a startling safety gap for some neighborhoods,” by the SF Chronicle’s Heather Knight. — “Why Piedmont’s academically elite schools are opening seats to students outside the wealthy city, ” by the SF Chronicle’s Jill Tucker.
| | Transitions | | FIRST IN PLAYBOOK — Teddy Tanzer is joining Airbnb as a public policy manager. He previously was an attorney adviser to U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Commissioner Peter Feldman.
| | IN MEMORIAM | | — “ Former A’s outfielder Jeremy Giambi dies at 47,” by the SF Chronicle’s Susan Slusser and Matt Kawahara.
| | BIRTHDAYS | | Bob Iger … POLITICO’s Margy Slattery … L.A. Times’ Erin Logan … Kevin Duewel
| | A message from CVS Health: At CVS Health, we’re more than 300,000 caring employees ensuring millions of Americans can access health care services.
We're offering COVID-19 vaccines at more than 9,600 CVS Pharmacy locations nationwide.
Nothing should stand in the way of mental health and well-being, so we’re increasing remote access to mental health services.
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Recognizing the strong connection between housing and health, we’re investing in affordable housing to support underserved populations and build healthier communities.
Every day, CVS Health works to bring quality, affordable health care into neighborhoods, homes and hands—so it’s never out of reach for anyone.
Healthier Happens Together. Learn more. | | | 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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