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Presented by SEIU-UHW: Jeremy B. White and Lara Korte’s must-read briefing on politics and government in the Golden State | | | | |  | | By Lara Korte, Jeremy B. White, Matthew Brown and Ramon Castanos | Presented by SEIU-UHW | THE BUZZ: If you can’t beat ‘em — just start way, way earlier State Treasurer Fiona Ma on Wednesday announced her bid for lieutenant governor in 2026, taking a page out of current Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis’ book and launching her campaign well ahead of the traditional timeline. In 2019, Ma had expressed interest in running for governor, along with Kounalakis and former State Controller Betty Yee, but has since shifted her sights to the second-in-command gig. Ma's head start gives her a leg up in securing donations and building name ID, but it also makes her the first of more than a dozen of potential candidates to enter the race. When it comes to planning one’s political trajectory, flexibility is key. It's not unusual for lawmakers to keep several active campaign accounts for various posts as they progress along their chosen paths. In addition to Ma, more than 20 other current or former state officials have open accounts for lieutenant governor. An open account shouldn’t be taken as a surefire sign that a candidate is running, but it does give a good indication of who is keeping their options open — and where they’re parking their money. Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins, for instance, reported more than $1.2 million in her 2026 lieutenant governor account at the end of last year. Atkins has been coy about her next steps after she terms out in 2024, telling us earlier this year that she’s mostly interested in being a backup singer for Dolly Parton (We’re certainly not opposed.). In a statement Wednesday, the pro tem again demurred, saying she’s open to exploring opportunities that may arise in the future, but for now, is “laser-focused on leading the Senate.” Embattled Los Angeles City Councilmember Kevin de León has a robust $3 million in his 2026 lieutenant governor account, even as he considers running for reelection in his downtown district. Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon also had an LG account up until February, when he terminated the committee and transferred just over $2,500 to a 2026 treasurer account. It has since reported tens of thousands of dollars in contributions, including ones filed as recently as last week. Ma, for what it's worth, has $3.5 million across all her accounts, according to her campaign. Others keeping the LG option open include former legislators Frank Bigelow, Autumn Burke, Ian Calderon, Jordan Cunningham, Chad Mayes and Melissa Melendez. Also on the list are Mike Gatto; Reps. Robert Garcia and Jimmy Gomez; former State Treasurer Bill Lockyer; Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara; as well as current legislators Bill Dodd, Brian Dahle, Steven Bradford, Susan Eggman, Steve Glazer, Brian Jones. Reggie Jones-Saywer, Josh Newman, Patrick O’Donnell and Scott Wilk. BUENOS DÍAS, good Thursday morning. Happy Pride Month! After a long day in the Capitol on Wednesday, lawmakers are back on the floor this morning as they approach the deadline to pass bills out of their houses of origin. They’re expected to go late again this evening. Got a tip or story idea for California Playbook? Hit us up at jwhite@politico.com and lkorte@politico.com or follow us on Twitter @JeremyBWhite and @Lara_Korte.
| | | | A message from SEIU-UHW: The healthcare worker shortage has forced workers to work longer hours, under worse conditions. Many healthcare workers are paid barely enough to get by, driving many to leave the workforce. But there’s a better way: SB 525 would raise the minimum wage for healthcare workers to $25 an hour and ensure workers can afford to stay on the job. Tell lawmakers: Pass SB 525. | | | WHERE’S GAVIN? Nothing official announced. QUOTE OF THE DAY: "I learned a lot while in office, including that how people feel often matters more than data and facts." Chesa Boudin on why he won’t run again in 2024. WE’RE HIRING — POLITICO is embarking on an exciting expansion in the Golden State and looking for another journalist to join our growing team as a California Playbook author. More in the job description here.
| | | | PLAYBOOK TRIVIA NIGHT! Think you know a lot about politics? PROVE IT! Compete in California Playbook’s inaugural Trivia Night. Grab a drink, kick back, and put your knowledge on display! Join top political power players on Wednesday, June 21st at Fox & Goose Public House for a night of fun and competition that you won’t want to miss. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | |  | TOP TALKERS | | — “Homeless people fight to save lives, and stay alive, as L.A.'s fentanyl crisis worsens,” by the Los Angeles Times’ Ruben Vives: “On Skid Row, it’s a day-to-day crisis. It’s visible,” said Shoshanna Scholar, director of the harm reduction division at the Los Angeles County Health Services Department. “But it’s really a problem across the entire county.” — “State Farm won’t write new home policies in California. What's next?” by the San Francisco Chronicle’s Claire Hao and Carolyn Said: “Some insurance advocates say the news is not as catastrophic as it may appear, noting that there are more than 100 other insurers still doing business in the state, although at least two others, AIG and Chubb, which both cater to high-end homes, have made similar moves this year.”
| | CAMPAIGN MODE | | FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: GONZALEZ GETS IN — The chair of the Los Angeles Democratic Party is hoping to make his way up to Sacramento. Mark Gonzalez, elected to lead the county party in 2017, is looking to succeed his boss, Assemblymember Miguel Santiago, who earlier this year launched a campaign to unseat Kevin de León on the L.A. City Council. For years, Gonzalez has served as district director for Assembly District 54, and now enters the race with a slate of endorsements from lawmakers, including Santiago, Rep. Jimmy Gomez and former Assembly Speaker John Pérez.
| | | | A message from SEIU-UHW:   | | | | | CALIFORNIA AND THE CAPITOL CORRIDOR | | — “Tax on short-term rentals like Airbnb could fund California affordable housing,” by CalMatters’ Alexei Koseff: “Senate Bill 584 by state Sen. Monique Limón, a Santa Barbara Democrat, would impose a 15 percent tax on short-term rentals — the homes and rooms that owners rent out like hotels for 30 days or less at a time — starting in 2025. This statewide surcharge, an addition to the local transient occupancy taxes that most communities already require, could generate an estimated $150 million annually to build or rehabilitate low- and middle-income housing.” — “PG&E’s last pending criminal trial for California wildfires ends,” by the San Francisco Chronicle’s Julie Johnson: “The deal closes out the last pending criminal case against PG&E stemming from major wildfires, capping a years-long battle with destructive and deadly fires ignited by PG&E power lines that drove the utility to seek bankruptcy protection from billion-dollar liabilities and left communities across Northern California in ashes.” — “L.A. city attorney wins $5M settlement from biggest U.S. ghost gun manufacturer,” by The Orange County Register’s Linh Tat: “The settlement includes $5 million in payouts, according to City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto’s office, which made the announcement Tuesday, May 30. That includes $4 million in civil penalties to be paid by the gun manufacturer, Polymer80, and $1 million in civil penalties leveled against the company’s two founders, Feldstein Soto’s office said.” — “Health care coalition jockeys over Medi-Cal spending, eyes ballot initiative,” by California Healthline’s Angela Hart and Samantha Young: “The Coalition to Protect Access to Care, which includes groups representing doctors, hospitals, insurance companies and clinics, is lobbying Gov. Gavin Newsom and his fellow Democratic lawmakers on allocating proceeds from a tax on health insurance companies. The governor earlier this month proposed to spend nearly $820 million from renewing the Managed Care Organization, or MCO, tax to boost Medi-Cal reimbursement rates and divert $8.3 billion to the state general fund, leaving $10.3 billion up for grabs.”
| | | | DON’T MISS POLITICO’S HEALTH CARE SUMMIT: The Covid-19 pandemic helped spur innovation in health care, from the wide adoption of telemedicine, health apps and online pharmacies to mRNA vaccines. But what will the next health care innovations look like? Join POLITICO on Wednesday June 7 for our Health Care Summit to explore how tech and innovation are transforming care and the challenges ahead for access and delivery in the United States. REGISTER NOW. | | | | | | | MIXTAPE | |
— “WGA blasts studio executive pay in message to Comcast, Netflix shareholders,” by the Los Angeles Times’ Anousha Sakoui and Wendy Lee.
— “Delta Air Lines hit with lawsuit over claims of carbon neutrality,” by The Associated Press’ Ed Davey. — “S.F. wasn't the only city to see an exodus. These maps show the most detailed info on where people are moving,” by the San Francisco Chronicle’s Nami Sumida. University of Southern California’s Monica Millman … Google’s Sasha Moss
| | | | A message from SEIU-UHW: SB 525 would raise the minimum wage for healthcare workers to $25 an hour, ensuring that workers currently on the job can afford to stay in the industry, and helping to recruit new workers to the field. To combat the healthcare worker shortage, tell lawmakers to pass SB 525. | | | 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 | | | | |  |
