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Presented by Southern California Edison: Jeremy B. White and Lara Korte’s must-read briefing on politics and government in the Golden State | | | | |  | | By Jeremy B. White, Lara Korte and Sakura Cannestra | Presented by Southern California Edison | THE BUZZ: Resistance to a new environmental bill package is heating up Sacramento’s political climate. Gov. Gavin Newsom’s late-session push for goals like carbon neutrality and oil well buffer zones has perennial opponents mobilizing. That most prominently includes oil companies and labor unions who are warning of higher energy prices and lost jobs – a message they’re hammering in the Capitol and through ads and mailers around the state. A new Western States Petroleum Association mailer circulating in dozens of districts warns voters that new energy policies would “cost us billions and put hundreds of thousands out of work.” Targeted digital ads encourage constituents to pressure their representatives to vote against the new legislation. This comes after WSPA t ook the fight to Newsom in Florida – a broadside the governor noticed, decrying “big oil companies” that were “running ads to try and trip this up.” Those appeals echo a 2015 brawl in which the industry dealt then-Gov. Jerry Brown a landmark defeat, blocking legislation enabling the California Air Resources Board to order a 50 percent cut in petroleum use. Foes bombarded the constituents of moderate Democrats with ads warning of catastrophic consequences. WSPA poured a monumental $6.7 million into a mere three months of lobbying. Last year, an industry-funded group ran ads attacking Newsom’s efforts to phase out fossil fuels. We’ll see how vigorously industry foes engage in this year’s end-of-session showdown. | 
People walk near the state Capitol in Sacramento, Calif., Wednesday, March 18, 2020. | AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli |
We’re also watching organized labor. The State Building and Construction Trades Council of California, an influential union umbrella group, vehemently denounced Newsom’s “anti-worker” climate plan in a formal opposition letter that warned the bills would eviscerate “thousands of high-wage industrial union jobs” and outsource energy production. That extends the Trades’ past opposition to bills instituting the same policies Newsom is again seeking.
But not all unions agree. A group that includes Trades members – electrical workers, utility employees, and pipe laborers – has come out in strong support of a package that they say would generate tens of thousands of construction jobs. That divergence demonstrates that not all energy employment is the same. It could also affect the outcome. FIRST IN PLAYBOOK — FAST FOOD FURIOUS: More broadly, ‘tis the season to spend mightily on derailing major legislation. A fast food industry workplace standards bill looks to be one of the major end-of-session battles. Business foes are digging deep, as evidenced by the seven-figure ad buy the International Franchise Association and the California Restaurant Association are launching today. There are two TV ads in English , one assailing a new “food tax,” and one in Spanish in addition to radio and digital buys. BUENOS DÍAS, good Thursday morning. California water woes should remain in the spotlight today as Rep. Katie Porter is set to hold a drought-focused press conference in Irvine with Interior Secretary Deb Haaland and Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Camille Touton. This comes after the feds spared California painful Colorado River cuts — for now, with Touton warning states hadn’t produced a plan of “sufficient magnitude that would stabilize the system." 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: “When you’re a minority party, like Republicans in California … you have to think, ‘Well, what can we do as a party to make a big difference?’ You see the schools are just in great freefall and chaos. Parents don’t want to send their kids there. So this is the time to get people that are otherwise angst-ridden, upset, powerless.” California GOP official Shawn Steel tells CalMatters about focusing on school board races. TWEET OF THE DAY: Democrat Jackie Speier @RepSpeier lauds a soon-to-be-former GOP colleague: “Down but never out, @RepLizCheney is the epitome of a true American patriot, someone who has put country before party and who is fighting for truth and the future of our country and democracy.” WHERE’S GAVIN? In Fresno County to talk about children’s mental health. | | | | A message from Southern California Edison: Southern California Edison is taking steps every day to protect the safety of our customers and communities. By installing covered power lines, upgrading our electric infrastructure, investing in new technologies and strengthening our partnerships with fire agencies, we can prevent wildfires before they happen, better predict when they may occur and respond quickly if one starts. Protecting 32 million acres in Southern California and the people that live here is a job we take seriously. | | | |  | TOP TALKERS | | — “This former L.A. politician took cash in envelopes. Now he’s been fined $79,830,” by the Los Angeles Times’ David Zahniser: “Ethics Commissioner Jeffery Daar described the agency’s agreement with [former LA City Councilman Mitchell] Englander as “very significant,” since it includes not only a fine but also an admission from Englander that he committed the various violations identified by city investigators.” | | CAMPAIGN MODE | | ANTI-ABORTION RIGHTS: Opponents of a ballot initiative enshrining abortion rights in California’s constitution are certain to be outspent, with Proposition One backers accumulating $1.2 million so far. The “no” side lacks comparably well-funded institutional support, but it reported its first contribution this week: $1,000 from Sacramento Bishop Jaime Soto. — “Back to school: California Republicans bet big on local board races,” by CalMatters’ Sameea Kamal: “Shut out from winning statewide offices, the state GOP is seeking to capitalize on parents’ anger to win local school board races in 2022 and motivate Republican voters. The party’s ‘Parent Revolt’ program is its most ambitious school board candidate recruitment and training program ever.” — “Proud Boy files to run for a Sacramento-area school board. The GOP isn’t supporting him ,” by the Sacramento Bee’s Sawsan Morrar: “[Jeffrey Erik] Perrine, a San Juan Unified alumnus who has two elementary school children in the district, said he is running to bring conservative values to the board and ‘fight cultural Marxism.’” — “ Conservative groups that successfully challenged San Francisco’s noncitizen voting law files suit against Oakland,” by the San Francisco Chronicle’s Bob Egelko: “The Oakland City Council voted 6-0 on June 21 to place a measure on the ballot that would enable the city to authorize about 13,000 noncitizen parents or guardians of school-age children to vote in elections for the city’s seven school board members. “ — “ San Francisco ‘Amazon Tax’ Backers Want To Axe It As Amazon May Not Be Affected,” by the San Francisco Standard’s Anna Tong: “According to its campaign literature, Prop K sought to tax e-commerce giants like Amazon to benefit at-risk populations such as pregnant Black women and transgender people, in addition to small businesses.” | | | | 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. | | | | | | | CALIFORNIA AND THE CAPITOL CORRIDOR | | — “California has been in a megadrought for more than a decade, scientists say. When it will end?” by the Sacramento Bee’s Dale Kasler: “The drought is just three years old, by official reckoning. But the reality is likely worse.” — “SFUSD is still facing big challenges as students return to school: ‘Everybody is ready for a new beginning’,” by the San Francisco Chronicle’s Jill Tucker and Annie Vainshtein: “Health teacher Ben Borelli said, despite recent controversies and struggles facing the district, none of that mattered when the students showed up. ‘Certainly during the school day when the kids are here, the focus is on the learning and the kids,’ he said.” HAVING FAITH — “Commitment (The Woo Woo Issue) ,” by the Los Angeles Times: “And so, August is the month where we show you “Commitment.” This one’s for the Woo Woo among us. In this issue, we unpack what it means to live out your truth. Faith is so multifaceted, with so many points of entry.” — “ S.F.’s highest-paid employee makes $600K. Here’s what every city worker gets paid,” by the San Francisco Chronicle’s Nami Sumida: “The government of San Francisco employs tens of thousands of workers across its 50 city and county departments.” — “ Sacramento County says no widespread sweeps planned, despite ban on homeless encampments,” by CapRadio’s Chris Nichols: “While wide-scale enforcement might not take place right away, several unhoused people who camp along the American River Parkway expressed fear, anger and frustration over the new laws.” — “ Good pay can’t keep workers in this California state job. Is it too dangerous for the money?” by the Sacramento Bee’s Wes Venteicher: “That’s the takeaway from a recent analysis published by the Legislative Analyst’s Office, which recommended lawmakers dig deeper into hiring and retention struggles at the Department of State Hospitals.” | | | | A message from Southern California Edison:   | | | | | SILICON VALLEYLAND | | THE CYCLE CONTINUES — “How data from period-tracking and pregnancy apps could be used to prosecute pregnant people,” by the Los Angeles Times’ Samantha Masunaga: “After studying 20 of the most popular period-tracking and pregnancy-tracking apps, researchers from the nonprofit Mozilla Foundation found that 18 of them had data collection practices that raised privacy or security concerns.” — “TikTok vows to close loophole letting users skirt ban on political ads ,” by Ars Technica’s Ashley Belanger: “TikTok has always left it up to content creators to self-disclose when they conduct deals with business partners off-site. However, in June 2021, the company made it easier to flag posts as ads (or ‘branded content’) in an effort to encourage more self-disclosure.” | | HOLLYWOODLAND | | — “Ex-employees of shuttered agency raise questions about jobs for CEO’s stepsons and housekeeper,” by the Los Angeles Times’ Wendy Lee: “The payments have drawn scrutiny among many of the roughly 90 employees who lost their jobs when the company, which handled advertising campaigns for Netflix and other prominent clients, abruptly shut down after citing cash flow problems.” | | | | INTRODUCING POWER SWITCH: The energy landscape is profoundly transforming. Power Switch is a daily newsletter that unlocks the most important stories driving the energy sector and the political forces shaping critical decisions about your energy future, from production to storage, distribution to consumption. Don’t miss out on Power Switch, your guide to the politics of energy transformation in America and around the world. SUBSCRIBE TODAY. | | | | | | | MIXTAPE | | — “Oroville rebranding to be ‘much more fun than Bakersfield’,” by Chicoer’s Michael Weber. — “LeBron James agrees to extension with Lakers that makes him highest-earning NBA player,” by the Los Angeles Times’ Dan Woike. KEY TO THE KINGDOM — “ Disneyland Raises Annual Pass Prices. And You’re Still Out Of Luck If You Don’t Already Have One,” by LAist’s Mike Roe. | | TRANSITIONS | | MOVING ON UP — Former finance director Keely Bosler, who stepped aside after this budget cycle, will stay in government on the Central Valley Flood Protection Board after Newsom appointed her to the $54,114-a-year gig. | | BIRTHDAYS | | Rep. Jay Obernolte (R-Calif.) | | | | A message from Southern California Edison: Evolving climate conditions throughout California have made wildfires a year-round concern to many communities. With safety as our number one priority, we are working to protect our customers and communities. Our engineers, field crews and fire science experts are developing and implementing industry-leading technologies and operational practices to reduce the risk of electrical equipment igniting wildfires. We’ve invested $1.3 billion in 2020 and are on track to spend an additional $3.5 billion in 2021-2022 to continue to prevent wildfires and act quickly when they occur. This includes installing covered power lines, strengthening situational awareness capabilities, and expanding operational practices like enhanced overhead inspections and vegetation management. We’re also improving fire agencies’ ability to detect and respond to emerging fires using satellite imagery and providing aerial fire suppression resources. | | | 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. | | | | Follow us on Twitter | | | | Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook | Playbook PM | California Playbook | Florida Playbook | Illinois Playbook | Massachusetts Playbook | New Jersey Playbook | New York Playbook | Ottawa Playbook | Brussels Playbook | London Playbook View all our political and policy newsletters | | Follow us | | | | |  |
