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Presented by Californians for Solutions to Homelessness and Mental Health Support: Jeremy B. White and Lara Korte’s must-read briefing on politics and government in the Golden State | | | | |  | | By Lara Korte, Jeremy B. White, Juhi Doshi and Chris Ramirez | Presented by Californians for Solutions to Homelessness and Mental Health Support | THE BUZZ — YIMBY, NIMBY, SCHMIMBY: Today, San Franciscans on the east side of town will decide between two Democratic Assembly candidates with competing philosophies and records on affordable housing in one of the nation’s thorniest and most expensive real estate markets. David Campos and Matt Haney are facing off to take over the Assembly District 17, left vacant by David Chiu when he was appointed to serve as San Francisco city attorney last year. Haney and Campos were the top two vote-getters in the February primary, nearly tied with 36.4 percent and 35.7 percent of the vote, respectively. Housing is a crucial issue in the race for this seat, which covers the Mission and the Financial District, where residents have long complained about housing costs. The concerns in San Francisco mirror statewide issues around affordability and the slow pace of construction, and both Haney and Campos have vowed to bring solutions to Sacramento. Campos, who served on the Board of Supervisors until 2016 and is currently vice chair of the California Democratic Party, has caught some flak for opposing certain housing projects during his time in San Francisco City Hall. One Berkeley political science professor, David Broockman, recently authored a report on Campos’ alleged NIMBY (“not in my back yard”) tendencies, pointing out his district’s low rate of new housing construction (157 units per year) and that Campos has frequently repeated NIMBY talking points. Campos told The San Francisco Chronicle that the report was poorly done and biased, and that it failed to highlight his focus on keeping people in their homes and preventing no-fault evictions. Haney, on the other hand, was praised by the same professor for a faster rate of housing construction in his city district (2,255 per year). Though Haney now gets the mark of approval from California YIMBY, too, he has opposed certain housing measures in the past, like Senate Bill 35 , which streamlined housing construction in cities that couldn’t meet the stand-mandated minimum. Both Campos and Haney want more tenant protections and support greasing the construction tracks at the state level to get more houses built faster. Both want to extend the state’s eviction moratorium. And both want to overturn the 1995 Costa-Hawkins Act, which allows landlords to raise the rent on rent-controlled units when they become vacant. Haney also has the backing of Mayor London Breed , who will get to appoint his successor on the Board of Supervisors if he wins. Interest groups have bombarded voters with more than $1.8 million worth of outside spending since January, the bulk of it on Haney’s behalf, as organized labor and real estate interests spent heavily to promote Haney or diminish Campos — bolstering the perception, as does Breed’s nod, that Haney is the establishment pick. As the campaign unfolded, Haney’s fellow supervisors have beefed with him in public view. Polls close at 8 p.m. tonight — though with turnout expected to be low, we likely won’t have to wait long for a clear victor to emerge. Whoever it is will have to turn around and defend their seat in the newly-drawn District 17 on June 7. BUENOS DÍAS, good Tuesday morning. Closely-watched legislation to place guardrails around kids' social media use gets its first hearing today in the Assembly Privacy Committee — California’s contribution to a wider-ranging debate about protecting young people online. Got a tip or story idea for California Playbook? Hit us up jwhite@politico.com and lkorte@politico.com or follow us on Twitter @JeremyBWhite and @Lara_Korte . QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Yes, she’s a longtime friend, a proud public servant and someone he has long enjoyed serving with and working with.” White House press secretary Jen Psaki on whether President Joe Biden has trust in California Sen. Dianne Feinstein. TWEET OF THE DAY: Associated Press reporter Kathleen Ronayne @kronayne asks: “Is Tuolumne one of the most difficult words to spell in the world of California water? Or is that just for me?” BONUS TOTD: Rufus Jeffris @rufe3 answers: “The most difficult word in the world of CA Water? Compromise” WHERE’S GAVIN? In Butte County to highlight the state’s climate and drought response. CHECK THIS OUT: Ahead of the 2022 midterm elections, POLITICO predicted how every single midterm race will go — and things are looking good for the GOP. One of the most vulnerable GOP incumbents in the country is Rep. Mike Garcia in California’s 27th Congressional District. His district, north of Los Angeles, voted for President Joe Biden by 13 points. Want to see more on how California is looking ? Use our Election Forecast to see which races you need to watch this year — and who we think will win each one.
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| Later this week: Join us for a live discussion on California midterm races to watch. Tune into our Twitter Space on Thursday at 11:30 a.m. PT/ 2:30 p.m. ET as our reporters Lara Korte and Jeremy White break down the California midterm contests to keep an eye on this year. You can read their breakdown here.
| | | | A message from Californians for Solutions to Homelessness and Mental Health Support: Our initiative is the only one on the November ballot that will generate hundreds of millions of dollars each year to fight homelessness and fund mental health and addiction treatment in California. Nearly half of the country has legalized online sports betting, proving states can do so safely and responsibly - and generate significant tax revenue. Add your name to support a permanent funding solution to address California’s homelessness crisis. | | | |  | Top Talkers | | GOING ON STRIKE — “Fed-up nurses walk out at Sutter Health and prepare to strike at Stanford hospitals,” by S.F. Chronicle’s Nanette Asimov: “Hospital nurses across California say they’ve reached a boiling point two years into the pandemic. Despite being hailed as health care heroes, they say they are exhausted from understaffing and overwork, and angered by offers of raises they consider puny.” ABORTION — “Why I’m telling my abortion story now ,” writes Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California President Jodi Hicks in the LA Times: “The United States is facing the most consequential year for abortion rights since Roe vs. Wade was decided in 1973. And it isn’t just a matter of the pending Supreme Court decision in Dobbs vs. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the Mississippi case that is likely to overturn Roe.” NO MASKS REQUIRED — “ TSA won't enforce mask mandate for travel, following Florida ruling," by POLITICO's Alex Daugherty and Erin Banco. SEPARATION & SCANDAL — “ Sonoma State president announces separation from husband amid sexual harassment claims,” by the Press Democrat’s Martin Espinoza.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE — “ California man exonerated after 32 years in prison,” by the AP: “A California man who spent more than three decades behind bars for a murder he did not commit was exonerated of the crime Monday, clearing the way for his release from prison, officials said.”
| | | | DON'T MISS ANYTHING FROM THE 2022 MILKEN INSTITUTE GLOBAL CONFERENCE: POLITICO is excited to partner with the Milken Institute to produce a special edition "Global Insider" newsletter featuring exclusive coverage and insights from the 25th annual Global Conference. This year's event, May 1-4, brings together more than 3,000 of the world’s most influential leaders, including 700+ speakers representing more than 80 countries. "Celebrating the Power of Connection" is this year's theme, setting the stage to connect influencers with the resources to change the world with leading experts and thinkers whose insight and creativity can implement that change. Whether you're attending in person or following along from somewhere else in the world, keep up with this year's conference with POLITICO’s special edition “Global Insider” so you don't miss a beat. Subscribe today. | | | | | | | CAMPAIGN MODE | | SPOTTY RECORD — “Rick Caruso missed nearly 40% of meetings as LAPD commissioner,” by the LA Times’ James Rainey: “Businessman Rick Caruso missed nearly 40% of Los Angeles Police Commission meetings when he served on the volunteer panel two decades ago, an attendance record far worse than his fellow commissioners.” WHAT BASS CAN DO — “‘A metastasizing crisis’: can Karen Bass end street encampments in LA? ” by The Guardian’s Sam Levin: “Unveiling her homelessness platform in January, Bass made bold commitments: if elected, she would “end all street encampments”. She would provide housing to 15,000 unhoused people by the end of year one; rapidly get people off the street; convert empty properties into shelter; and build more permanent supportive housing.” CA-38 — “ Elections 2022: Get to know Rep. Linda Sánchez, two more candidates in 38th District race,” by the OC Register’s Brooke Staggs: “Sánchez is the heavy favorite to win an eleventh term in Congress this year, representing a solidly blue district.” DAHLE’S HOPES — “ What would Brian Dahle do as California governor?” by CalMatters’ Alexei Koseff: “After a decade in the GOP’s (super)minority in Sacramento, Dahle said he knows how to build relationships across the aisle and pass bipartisan legislation — inviting colleagues to his seed farm in Lassen County, bringing them fresh peaches from a neighbor and annually gifting them See’s candies, purchased through a fundraiser to help a local eighth grade class visit the state Capitol.” AHEAD OF THE PACK — “Mullin pulls ahead in money race in Peninsula congressional contest,” by SF Chronicle’s Tal Kopan: “Assembly Member Kevin Mullin significantly outpaced his competition in fundraising for the open congressional seat in the Peninsula in the first quarter this year, turning around what was an initially disappointing showing in the opening weeks of the race.” — “He spent 30 years in prison on a wrongful murder conviction. A Chesa Boudin campaign promise will free him,” by the SF Chronicle’s Joshua Sharpe. | | | | A message from Californians for Solutions to Homelessness and Mental Health Support:   | | | | | CALIFORNIA AND THE CAPITOL CORRIDOR | | PUBLIC PAIN — “A Rising Tally of Lonely Deaths on the Streets,” by NYT’s Thomas Fuller: “Across Los Angeles County last year, the unsheltered died in record numbers, an average of five homeless deaths a day, most in plain view of the world around them.” DROUGHT SEASON — “Sonoma County proposes first-ever fees for well water pumping,” by the Santa Rosa Press Democrat’s Guy Kovner: “In a dramatic shift from California’s history of allowing landowners to freely pump and consume water from their own wells, Sonoma County’s rural residents and many others will soon begin paying for the water drawn from beneath their feet.”
| | BIDEN, HARRIS AND THE HILL | | PADILLA’S TAKE — “Column: ‘It’s not as bad as it looks.’ Alex Padilla on life in the Senate, and spicing up Capitol Hill,” by LA Times’ Mark Z. Barabak: “Padilla will be on the ballot twice in June, seeking to finish Harris’ term, which ends in January, and, separately, to obtain his own six-year lease on the Senate seat through 2028. He’s strongly favored to win.” | | HOLLYWOODLAND | |
DEPP DRAMA — “Johnny Depp To Take The Stand Tomorrow In $50M Defamation Trial,” by Deadline’s Dominic Patten and Ted Johnson: “The already harsh and often explicit court clash between Depp and Heard, who divorced in 2016 amidst restraining orders and competing media narratives, started when the actor sued his Rum Diary co-star in March 2019 in Virginia for a late 2018 Washington Post op-ed about domestic abuse and the potential fallout for victims.”
| | | | INTRODUCING DIGITAL FUTURE DAILY - OUR TECHNOLOGY NEWSLETTER, RE-IMAGINED: Technology is always evolving, and our new tech-obsessed newsletter is too! Digital Future Daily unlocks the most important stories determining the future of technology, from Washington to Silicon Valley and innovation power centers around the world. Readers get an in-depth look at how the next wave of tech will reshape civic and political life, including activism, fundraising, lobbying and legislating. Go inside the minds of the biggest tech players, policymakers and regulators to learn how their decisions affect our lives. Don't miss out, subscribe today. | | | | | | | SILICON VALLEYLAND | | RAISING FEARS — “Silicon Valley’s COVID windfall raises alarms about region’s economy,” by The Mercury News’ Ethan Baron: “An unprecedented flow of riches is concentrating wealth among Silicon Valley companies that capitalized on the world’s locked-down lives amid the pandemic, raising fears that a dramatically lopsided recovery will warp the economic future for the Bay Area.” | | CANNABIS COUNTRY | |
— “California cannabis mega-factory eyes federal legalization of weed,” by Reuters’ Phil Lavelle: “The company behind a cannabis mega-factory in California is hoping federal legalization of the substance will allow it to expand distribution of joints, oils and edibles beyond the borders of the most populous U.S. state.”
INTERSTATE BUSINESS — “California bill would allow for interstate cannabis sales ,” by POLITICO’s Alexander Nieves: California cannabis businesses would be authorized to sell and transport products across state lines under a bill that cleared its first state policy committee hearing Monday.MEDIA MATTERS:
| | MIXTAPE | |
EEK — “Man, 56, dies after getting trapped in Southern California car wash, police say,” by NBC’s David K. Li.COVID CONFUSION
— “Why do some people never get COVID while others get it several times, even if vaccinated?” by the SF Chronicle’s Danielle Echeverria. — “ Sherri Papini pleads guilty in faked kidnapping, awaits sentencing in Sacramento court,” by Sac Bee’s Sam Stanton. BBQ TIME — “In West Oakland, Barbecue Is Back — With a Side of Fried Chicken ,” by NYT’s Tejal Rao. LOST IN TRANSLATION — “The quest to save Cantonese in a world dominated by Mandarin,” by the LA Times’ Anh Do. | | BIRTHDAYS | |
William Carter … Jonathan Levy of EVgo
| | | | A message from Californians for Solutions to Homelessness and Mental Health Support: Our initiative is the only one on the November ballot that will generate hundreds of millions of dollars each year to fight homelessness and fund mental health and addiction treatment in California. Nearly half of the country has legalized online sports betting, proving states can do so safely and responsibly - and generate significant tax revenue. Our initiative will also provide millions each year and new economic opportunities for California Tribal nations. Add your name to support a permanent funding solution to address California’s homelessness crisis. | | |
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.
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