Abortion rights are coloring California’s midterms

From: POLITICO California Playbook - Thursday Apr 21,2022 01:30 pm

Apr 21, 2022

By Lara Korte, Jeremy B. White, Juhi Doshi and Chris Ramirez

Presented by Californians for Solutions to Homelessness and Mental Health Support

THE BUZZ: There’s not a lot for California Democrats to capitalize on this year, but the fight for abortion rights is one of them.

At a time when the state’s voters are increasingly frustrated about persistent homelessness, affordability, rising crime and gas prices, the party in power needs to convince constituents that life will be better with them in office. Or at the very least, they need to convince voters that life will get worse with their opponents in office.

Abortion rights aren’t topping voters’ wish lists this year, but it is one of the issues Californians, in general, agree upon. A PPIC survey in July found 79 percent of likely voters do not want to overturn Roe v. Wade . Support for the federal protection was, unsurprisingly, strongest among Democrats, but even 77 percent of independents and 59 percent of Republicans said they want to keep the landmark decision.

It’s widely assumed that the Supreme Court will overturn some or all of Roe's protections in the coming months, meaning it will be up to states to decide if abortion is legal or not. Plans to tighten restrictions (or ban the procedure altogether) in Texas, Oklahoma and more than 20 other states are already raising alarms among abortion rights advocates and prompting lawmakers in the Golden State to double down on their convictions, an issue POLITICO’s Victoria Colliver has covered extensively. Democrats in the Legislature earlier this year introduced a slate of bills to strengthen access, and Gov. Gavin Newsom last month signed a bill that will eliminate out-of-pocket costs for abortions. Just this week, five other bills passed through their respective committees.

Democrats now have a prime opportunity to position themselves as champions of reproductive rights. And there’s evidence that it works. During last year’s recall, Republican Larry Elder’s anti-abortion views provided a convenient foil for Newsom in the final weeks of campaigning. He’s singing the same tune this year. While other states work to criminalize it, California will be a “sanctuary” for abortion, Newsom declared in January.

Newsom is also championing a gun control bill modeled off the Texas abortion law. He’s been promoting it in fundraising emails, arguing that “if Texas can use this scheme to ban a woman’s right to choose…, we can use that same scheme to save lives and protect Californians from gun violence.”

Abortion is also cropping up in the attorney general’s race, where Democrats warn that a Republican (or unaffiliated) AG would weaken California’s currently robust defense of abortion rights across the country.

Democratic incumbent Rob Bonta has been keen to make his reproductive rights advocacy a point of contrast with his foes. In interviews with POLITICO, Sacramento District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert and former U.S. attorney Nathan Hochman both said they would uphold California’s robust abortion laws. “The personal belief of the California attorney general should be that he should enforce the laws on the books of the state of California,” Hochman said. Schubert’s view: “I support a woman’s right to choose. That right is enshrined in our constitution,” and “I’m going to defend California law, whatever that law is.”

BUENOS DÍAS, good Thursday morning. Some heavy hitters are in the Bay today: Vice President Kamala Harris is visiting UCSF to talk about maternal health care. SGOTUS Douglas Emhoff will be speaking at a pair of DNC fundraisers. And former President Barack Obama will be speaking about disinformation at Stanford.

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: “There’s more to be done and I would be honored to be part of that work moving forward.” Matt Haney’s chief of staff Honey Mahogany on being a potential successor to his Board of Supervisors spot, which would make her San Francisco’s first transgender supervisor. Via the Chron’s J.D. Morris.

TWEET OF THE DAY: Internet cat sensation and fierce defender of organized labor @JortsTheCat taking a swipe at Newsom (it’s a thing, apparently.) “Don’t forget @GavinNewsom hasn’t supported #AB2183, a bill to give California farm workers choices to vote in union elections without being intimidated by bosses like him.”

WHERE’S GAVIN? Nothing official announced.

TODAY: Join us for a live discussion on California midterm races to watch. Tune into our Twitter Space today at 12:00 p.m. PT/3:00 p.m. ET as Lara and Jeremy 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

— “California will close its central COVID-19 lab, cancel $1.7 billion contract with PerkinElmer,” by CapRadio’s Scott Rodd. “ The Newsom administration has quietly ordered the closure of its central COVID-19 testing laboratory, cutting short a controversial no-bid contract worth up to $1.7 billion with global health care giant PerkinElmer.”

BUFFETT OUT? —” Calpers Plans to Vote to Replace Warren Buffett as Berkshire Hathaway’s Chairman ,” by the WSJ’s Heather Gillers: “The $470 billion California Public Employees’ Retirement System, known as Calpers, said in a regulatory filing that it would support a proposal by the National Legal and Policy Center that Berkshire Hathaway’s board chair be independent.”

‘RUST’ SHOOTING — “New Mexico agency hands ‘Rust’ production maximum fine for safety violations,” by the Los Angeles Times’ Anousha Sakoui: “‘Our investigation found that this tragic incident never would have happened if Rust Movie Productions, LLC had followed national film industry standards for firearm safety,’ New Mexico Environment Cabinet Secretary James Kenney said in a statement.”

AGAINST THE GRAIN — “ COVID in California: UCSF’s Wachter slams op-ed by colleagues questioning the value of masks,” by the SF Chronicle’s Dominic Fracassa and Aidin Vaziri: “‘Posing this as an ‘or’ vs an ‘and’ makes no more sense than saying you can choose seatbelts or airbags, but not both.’”

“ California lawmaker hurls f-bomb at speaker during hearing on COVID misinformation bill,” by the SFGATE’s Eric Ting: “The Tuesday hearing saw several speakers make public comment against the legislation, and one such speaker drew Berman's ire after apparently speaking over his allotted time.”

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CAMPAIGN MODE

FIRST IN PLAYBOOK — PROGRESSIVE POWER: The nascent California Working Families Party is pledging at least $400,000 to boost some of the 14 Democrats that comprise the progressive organization’s “squad” — including Democrats running in deep-blue open seats and incumbent Assembly member Alex Lee, who is facing a challenge from Democratic former Assembly member Kansen Chu. (WFP’s slate of candidates also includes a pair of challengers to incumbent Democrats who are not getting funding in this round: Fatima Iqbal-Zubair seeks to depose Assembly member Mike Gipson, and Bryan Osorio is challenging Sen. Melissa Hurtado in the new SD-16, to which Hurtado moved post-redistricting).

THE SENIOR SENATOR — “Column: Amid clamor for Sen. Dianne Feinstein to quit, California has no great options,” by the LA Times’ Mark Z. Barabak: “California faces a choice between a geriatric senator who some describe as half gone and a younger senator who would be gone half the time. Not great options. But there you have it.”

CITY OF ABOLITIONISTS? — “They called for defunding the LAPD. Now they’re looking to defeat City Council members,” by the LA Times’ David Zahniser: “Two years after the city erupted in protest over police killings, those candidates — and several others — will test the public’s appetite for reining in law enforcement spending.”

LESS TALK — “Angelenos are alarmed by air pollution and extreme heat. Poll finds they want action, ” by the LA Times’ Sammy Roth: “Of the two leading candidates for mayor, Rep. Karen Bass only briefly mentions the climate crisis on her campaign website, and billionaire real estate developer Rick Caruso doesn’t mention it at all.”

— “Endorsement: Kenneth Mejia for L.A. City Controller, ” by the LA Times Editorial Board.

— “Rumors Swirl Around Matt Haney’s Replacement—Honey Mahogany Could Make History in a Fast-Changing District,” by the SF Standard’s Mike Ege: “Haney told The Standard on Wednesday that he ‘can’t think of anyone more qualified’ than Mahogany to assume his seat.”

A message from Californians for Solutions to Homelessness and Mental Health Support:

CALIFORNIA AND THE CAPITOL CORRIDOR

— “Stillbirths and the law: Bill would end coroner investigations of lost pregnancies,” by CalMatters’ Nigel Duara: “In 48 of 58 California counties, the sheriff is also the coroner, which means that law enforcement becomes involved and the person who is pregnant could face potential prosecution.”

— “Inflation brings California food banks a surge in first-time users on ‘razor’s edge,’” by the LA Times’ Mackenzie Mays: “In December, Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services paid a wholesale price of 93 cents per dozen for eggs. Last week, they paid $2.20 per dozen.”

NEED FOR SPEED — “‘It’s not tenable’: California bill aims to erase permits delays that hold up housing projects,” by the SF Chronicle’s Dustin Gardiner: “AB2234 would require local governments to approve or deny various building permits within a strict timeline: 30 days for small housing projects, with 25 or fewer units, and within 60 days for large projects, with 26 or more units.”

— “Sacramento teacher who attended Jan. 6 rally sues school district, alleging wrongful termination, ” by the Sac Bee’s Sawsan Morrar: “The lawsuit states that [Dustin Watson] left the area when the disruption began and did not enter the Capitol. Watson did not face charges in the incident and was not arrested.”

— “Debt-free college: California’s on the verge of spending over a half-billion dollars to help 360,000 students, ” by CalMatters’ Mikhail Zinshteyn: “Students in higher-income households will typically get the larger amounts to make up for the lack of aid they receive from other state and federal grants.”

— “How America’s Farmers Got Cut Out of the Supply Chain, ” by the NY Times’ Peter S. Goodman: “Throughout California, more than 1.1 billion pounds of almonds from last year’s harvest are sitting in warehouses, a volume roughly one-third larger than this time last year, according to the Almond Alliance of California, an industry trade group.”

BIDEN, HARRIS AND THE HILL

SHARING IS CARING? — “Harris snags top national security aide from Biden's team,” by POLITICO’s Daniel Lippman:” It’s a move that instantly puts more foreign policy heft on Harris’ staff at a time when she faces persistent questioning about her influence over the administration’s national security decisions.”

— “Barack Obama Takes On a New Role: Fighting Disinformation ,” by the New York Times’ Steven Lee Myers and Cecilia Kang:”In private meetings and public appearances over the last year, the former president has waded deeply into the public fray over misinformation and disinformation, warning that the scourge of falsehoods online has eroded the foundations of democracy at home and abroad.”

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HOLLYWOODLAND

ROCKY SITUATION — “Rapper ASAP Rocky arrested at LAX in connection with 2021 shooting in Hollywood,” by the LA Times’ Nardine Saad and Richard Winton: “[Rakim Mayers], 33, was previously convicted of assault in Sweden when he was there for a festival performance in the summer of 2019.”

SILICON VALLEYLAND

— “Netflix Stock Skids 35% on Decline in s,” by the WSJ’s Caitlin Ostroff and Gunjan Banerji: “Netflix Inc. shares fell 35.1% on Wednesday, recording their worst day since 2004, after the streaming giant reported that it lost s in the first quarter.”

CANNABIS COUNTRY

— “Cannabis sinks amid weed glut, Congress' inaction,” by POLITICO’s Paul Demko: “The latest blow: Last week’s announcement by Senate Democrats that they’re delaying the introduction of comprehensive cannabis legalization legislation, perhaps until August.”

MIXTAPE

— “Joaquin Ciria Set Free After Being Exonerated in 1990 SF Homicide; 'It Is a Happy Moment'”

— “Food fight over olive oil sparks larger debate about the California brand,” by the LA Times’ Evan Halper.

— “ Sacramento woman ‘running wild’ opens emergency exit on plane, NY officials say,” by the Sac Bee’s Don Sweeney.

— “How Jada Pinkett Smith and ‘Red Table Talk’ handled Will Smith’s Oscars slap, ” by the LA Times’ Christi Carras.

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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