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Presented by SEIU United Healthcare Workers West: 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 SEIU United Healthcare Workers West | THE BUZZ: Gov. Gavin Newsom staked some serious political capital on a capstone climate push — and in the end, his vision largely prevailed. Lawmakers were encouraged but skeptical when Newsom launched a late-in-session environmental play in early August, making a rare appearance at both Democratic caucuses to push for an ambitious green package. Wary legislators noted some of the policies Newsom wanted were political challenges that had already failed with the governor on the sidelines. Frustration simmered over Newsom’s push for a backup electricity supply that could extend both Diablo Canyon nuclear plant and fossil fuel plants. Now Newsom can tout victories. Lawmakers spent the final days of the legislative session sending Newsom a flurry of bills he’d championed. New oil wells will need to be separated from homes and schools as an environmental justice policy that’s faltered twice in recent years, succumbing to oil industry and labor opposition, succeeded under Newsom’s aegis. Also heading to Newsom’s desk: a requirement that the state achieve carbon neutrality by 2045, which stalled a year earlier; new targets on the road to 100 percent renewable electricity; and frameworks for carbon capture technology and carbon sequestration. It wasn’t a clean sweep: a mandate to cut emissions more deeply by 2030 fell four votes short on the Assembly floor. But Newsom and lawmakers overcame fierce oil industry opposition on the successful legislation, with administration officials stressing that the governor’s plan would slash California’s oil consumption by more than 90 percent (which could cut into the political budget that funded anti-Newsom spots). That transition creates some vulnerability to insufficient energy supplies. Which gets us to Diablo Canyon. The debate over California’s last nuclear plant was quite contentious, so it was appropriate that the session culminated in a post-midnight Diablo decision. Leading up to the vote, Assembly Democrats — unhappy that Newsom had reneged on a promise to shutter the plant — had floated an alternate plan to channel extension funds to renewable energy. A Newsom official derided the plan as “fairy dust” and negotiations with Assembly leadership fell apart, leaving top Newsom staffers to work individual Assembly members. It passed overwhelmingly. With Republican Jordan Cunningham jockeying and members of both parties warning about the catastrophic consequences of not keeping the lights on — recalled former Gov. Gray Davis was repeatedly invoked — the measure cleared the floor on a bipartisan vote. There was heavy Republican support, allowing numerous Democrats to not vote in favor. The Senate vote was more party-line. Electricity reliability — and the role of older plants like Diablo — shadowed the debate as a heat wave threatened to stress California’s grid. With soaring temperatures prompting an energy conservation flex alert, Newsom yesterday declared a state of emergency and delivered an address calling Diablo’s continued operation essential for short-term reliability. This followed California’s grid operator warning not to retire Diablo before new clean sources are online and exhorting Californians to not charge the electric vehicles that must comprise most new sales by 2035.
| | | | A message from SEIU United Healthcare Workers West: Healthcare workers have been through hell during the pandemic. Before the vaccines, as COVID-19 infection and death rates soared, healthcare workers continued to go to work–sometimes without the proper equipment to keep them safe. They put their lives on the line for as little as $15 an hour. They were there for us. Now, it’s time we are there for them. Tell lawmakers to increase the minimum wage to $25 for healthcare workers. | | | Other end-of-session nuggets: — VAX POPULI: Ambitious coronavirus vaccine bills ultimately fizzled this year. Authors had long ago pulled measures to require shots for students and employees. The final blow came yesterday, when Sen. Scott Wiener halted his bill letting teens get vaccinated without parental consent, saying the Assembly votes weren’t there and faulting “months of harassment and misinformation.” But a bill penalizing doctors for disseminating Covid disinformation made it to Newsom. — STAFF SETBACK: A Legislature staff unionization bill faltered in a whirlwind Assembly Public Employment and Retirement Committee hearing yesterday. Chair Jim Cooper initially pulled AB 1577 from the agenda before a vote, prompting boos and hisses from staffers who had filled the hearing room. Then the speaker’s office pushed Cooper to hear the bill — but the measure failed anyway. Only two Democrats voted in favor, although one of them vowed to bring it back next year. As some lawmakers lamented the failure, sniping ensued among others. — GUN SHY: California’s response to a Supreme Court decision expanding concealed carry rights fell short. A measure expanding background checks and barring concealed firearms in sensitive locations couldn’t get the needed two-thirds vote on the Assembly floor, despite Attorney General Rob Bonta working it throughout the day. — RIP: Other bills that died: measures requiring corporations to disclose their greenhouse gas emissions; requiring bail refunds when charges are dropped; removing Proposition 47 resentencing deadlines ; defining public works that draw prevailing wages; and barring local law enforcement from cooperating with ICE. BUENOS DÍAS, good Thursday morning. A Legislature turns its lonely eyes now to Newsom, who has until the end of the month to enact or reject hundreds of bills — including high-profile labor bills to unionize farmworkers and regulate fast food employment. In the meantime, U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm will be in southern California today and tomorrow to tour clean energy economy sites and meet with Reps. Pete Aguilar, Katie Porter and Norma Torres. 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: “I’m not a proponent of the Diablo Canyon power plant. But I am a proponent of keeping the lights on.” Assembly member Chris Holden sums up the energy conundrum. BONUS QOTD: “One of the reasons I held this is not to make these folks take a hard vote. That’s the bottom line. I believe in protecting my members on the committee, 100 percent. That’s what leaders do.” Assembly member Jim Cooper on trying to spare colleagues from taking public stances on staff unionization. TWEET OF THE DAY: Newsom climate adviser Lauren Sanchez @LSanchez020 on the day’s defining action: “One last day of #CAleg to pass ambitious climate, equity & clean energy legislation for Californians. Later is too late.” WHERE’S GAVIN? Nothing official announced.
| | | | 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. | | | | | |  | TOP TALKERS | | HOUSING — “The latest S.F. housing failure: Thousands of units delayed for a study that never happened,” by the San Francisco Chronicle’s Heather Knight: “Planning officials have long wanted to rezone the area, dubbed the Hub, to allow taller, denser apartment buildings in an area well suited for them and in a city that famously needs them. The housing would be near transit, and the projects would create union jobs while not displacing any residents.” GIRARDI UNRAVELING — “ A judge’s affair with Tom Girardi, a beachfront condo and a $300,000 wire from his firm,” by the Los Angeles Times’ Harriet Ryan and Matt Hamilton: “To pay the substantial price tag, she did not have to rely on her judicial salary alone. Tom Girardi, the powerful attorney with whom she was having an affair, wired her $300,000 in the week she closed on the Ocean Avenue property, according to financial records filed in a state court lawsuit.”
| | CAMPAIGN MODE | | HOUSING HURDLES: It’s never too early to think about the next election cycle. The Legislature last night sent to the 2024 ballot a constitutional amendment that would repeal a requirement (Article 34) that voters approve publicly-funded “low-rent” housing projects. TAX ATTACK: Wealthy Californians would be most affected by Proposition 30, which would raise high earners’ income taxes to fund electric vehicles. So it stands to reason that affluent individuals have begun pouring money into the opposition committee, led by venture capitalists Leonard G. Baker ($488,000) and Jeffrey Bird ($100,000). — “ Angelique Ashby calls herself a ‘Women’s Advocate.’ A judge says she can’t use it on ballot,” by the Sacramento Bee’s Jenavieve Hatch: “Dave Jones filed a petition Tuesday night challenging his opponent, Sacramento City Councilwoman Angelique Ashby, after she changed her ballot designation to ‘Councilmember/Women’s Advocate.’” RAISE OR CHECK — “ Sports betting: How California casino tribes and online gambling firms are vying for your votes,” by the Sacramento Bee’s Dale Kasler: “The competitors have contributed roughly $370 million to their campaigns, making this already the costliest ballot-initiative fight in California history. And it’s not even Labor Day. Get ready for a lot more advertising.”
| | | | A message from SEIU United Healthcare Workers West:   | | | | | CALIFORNIA AND THE CAPITOL CORRIDOR | | ELECTRIC GRIDLOCK — “Two years after blackouts, heat wave exposes California’s continued vulnerability. Here’s why,” by the Sacramento Bee’s Dale Kasler: “Temperatures were expected to hit the high 90s Wednesday and soar to as high as 115 degrees Monday in parts of the Sacramento Valley, sending state officials scrambling to avoid a repeat of the rolling blackouts of 2020.” — “L.A. plans end to COVID-19 protections against evictions, rent hikes ,” by the Los Angeles Times’ Liam Dillon: “Starting in 2023, landlords will once again be allowed to evict tenants for not paying their rent even if they’ve fallen behind for COVID-19-related circumstances, under a proposal released by the city housing department last week.” — “ Fast-Food Operators Mobilize Against California Wage Bill,” by the Wall Street Journal’s Heather Haddon and Christine Mai-Duc: “Groups representing restaurant companies and owners said they plan to launch an advertising campaign and deploy franchisees and business leaders to attempt to persuade Mr. Newsom, a Democrat, to veto the bill, which they say is the latest evidence of California making it difficult for businesses to thrive.” — “ California heat waves are getting worse. Blame the vicious ‘heat dome’,” by the Los Angeles Times’ Grace Toohey and Alexandra E. Petri: “From San Diego to Sacramento, the National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning or watch through Labor Day, cautioning about the health risks of sustained high temperatures.”
| | BIDEN, HARRIS AND THE HILL | | — Harris brings on a veteran of the Reid political machine, by POLITICO’s Christopher Cadelago and Sam Stein: Megan Jones, a longtime aide to the former Senate leader, is joining the vice president’s office ahead of the midterm elections, three people familiar with the hire tell POLITICO. — Democrat Peltola beats Palin in Alaska special election upset, by POLITICO’s Joseph Gedeon: The Democrat finished first in the initial tally and then won enough second-choice votes from Begich’s supporters to see off Palin, who had former President Donald Trump’s endorsement and previously won a statewide campaign in 2006.
| | | | 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. | | | | | | | SILICON VALLEYLAND | | — “‘It’s an epidemic’: Drivers and passengers sue Lyft after sexual assaults and attacks,” by the Sacramento Bee’s Rosalio Ahumada: “The emotional testimonials were shared during a news conference hosted by the Peiffer Wolf Carr Kane Conway & Wise law firm, which announced 17 new lawsuits and arbitrations against Lyft.”
| | HOLLYWOODLAND | | — “Leonardo DiCaprio, 47, and Camila Morrone, [take a guess], have reportedly split,” by the Los Angeles Times’ Christi Carras: “If the People magazine and E! News reports are true, Morrone is now the fourth woman to stop dating DiCaprio after her 25th birthday as the Oscar winner’s age continues to rise like water on the Titanic.”
| | MIXTAPE | | — “Judge tosses lawsuit launched by George Gascon and Chesa Boudin accusing law firm of baseless disability claims,” by the San Francisco Chronicle’s Bob Egelko. — “California bill to make vasectomies cheaper goes to governor,” by the Associated Press’ Adam Beam. — “ 3 Mission Viejo council members ordered removed from office,” by the Orange County Register’s Tess Sheets. — “ Fire near Castaic explodes to more than 4,600 acres as 8 firefighters suffer heat-related injuries,” by the Los Angeles Times’ Christian Martinez and Gregory Yee. | | TRANSITIONS | | CNA CHANGE — Stephanie Roberson, who has served as the California Nurses Association’s director of government relations for more than four years and its lead lobbyist for 11 years before that, has stepped down as of Wednesday. | | | | A message from SEIU United Healthcare Workers West: During the height of the pandemic, with COVID-19 infections and deaths on the rise, schools and businesses across California were closing. But healthcare workers continued to go to work, risking their lives to care for their patients. Even when protective equipment was scarce and there were no vaccines to slow the spread, they showed up for us and our communities. For many healthcare workers, they put their lives on the line for as little as $15 an hour.
These heroes deserve better. Together, we can make a difference. Contact your state lawmakers. Tell them to increase the minimum wage to $25 an hour for California’s healthcare workers. | | | 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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