DRIVING THE DAY — Things are about to get very real for Robert Rivas, who in two short weeks will inherit control of a Democrat caucus still healing from the fights of last year. Jeremy recently spent time with the speaker-to-be in his district, learning about how his upbringing in tiny Paicines shaped his vision for the California Assembly and how he plans to smooth over any still-lingering resentments amongst members. His story is here. THE BUZZ: — Every state budget includes policy changes, but this year, some legislators think Gov. Gavin Newsom may be taking it too far. Lawmakers on Thursday passed the budget bill, meeting a key deadline and putting the official stamp on the agreement between the Assembly and Senate. As with past budgets, this is not the final word on state spending — the spotlight now lands on negotiations with Newsom, who is looking to shoehorn his own set of sweeping policy changes into budget trailer bills. That’s not sitting well with some lawmakers, including Democrats, who feel like the governor is bypassing typical legislative oversight and using the speedier budget process to expedite his own agenda. Historically, a governor might identify an issue early in the legislative session and partner with an author to pass a bill. Newsom instead has come in at the end of the process with a slate of demands related to streamlining infrastructure. That’s making some of his fellow Democrats queasy, especially the policy chairs who would normally get much more say. “Look, we’re a co-equal branch of government,” Assemblymember Ash Kalra said in an informational hearing earlier this month. “We’re being asked now to not go through a more deliberative legislative process. That’s where I think the understandable concern and questions come from.” The Newsom administration argues there’s good reason for moving quickly. If the state doesn’t pass some of the measures he’s proposing in a timely manner, it could lose out on federal funds — “$180 billion and 400,000 jobs are on the line,” said Newsom spokesperson Daniel Villaseñor. And using the budget bill for policy changes is nothing new, said H.D. Palmer, spokesperson for the administration’s Department of Finance who has worked under four governors. “Arguably, the single most significant policy bill any governor or legislator will weigh in on in any given year is the budget,” he said. Nevertheless, Newsom’s budget ask is pressing on some long-held sore spots with the Legislature. It’s no secret that the executive leader of the nation’s largest state likes to move fast and challenge norms. But it’s a habit that has often left lawmakers feeling discarded and disregarded — sentiments that have only grown stronger as the governor increasingly shifts his focus to the national stage. And let’s not forget Newsom’s assessment of last year’s budget process, where he proudly recounted how he had to “jam” his bills through “my own Democratic Legislature.” What’s next — Newsom has until June 27 to sign the budget bill, and it’s likely he’ll want to have the deal with the legislature wrapped up by then. Assembly Budget Chair Phil Ting didn’t get into specifics on Thursday, but said a resolution is nigh. “I think we’re really close,” he said. BUENOS DÍAS, good Friday morning. Presidential politics are converging on California — at least the fundraising part. Both President Joe Biden and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis will be collecting cash here on Monday (And no, DeSantis is not going to be arrested, Gov. Gavin Newsom said after threatening prosecution,). PROGRAMMING NOTE: California Playbook will be off Monday for Juneteenth. We'll be back Tuesday. 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.
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