DRIVING THE DAY: Gun violence survivors and safety advocates will rally on the steps of the Capitol this afternoon. They’re calling on Gov. Gavin Newsom to sign Assembly Bill 28, Jesse Gabriel’s measure that would put an 11 percent tax on firearm and ammunition sales in California — money that would be directed to school safety and violence prevention programs. THE BUZZ — California's LGBTQ lawmakers are taking a beat to fine-tune their response to school boards adopting policies that could out transgender kids. Members of the LGBTQ caucus plan to spend the next few months working with advocacy groups to strategize and conduct polling before introducing any legislation to counter what has become a pet cause of conservative school boards and their supporters. A growing number of school districts, under pressure from conservative groups, have adopted policies that contradict state guidance and require that parents be notified if their child identifies as transgender. The state’s guidance urges teachers to get a student's consent before revealing their gender identity. It’s a picture that has only gotten murkier with recent, conflicting court rulings. U.S. District Judge Roger Benitez ruled last week that the state policy violates parental rights. The decision challenges an earlier federal ruling that favored student privacy. California Attorney General Rob Bonta got involved last month — suing one of the districts for what the state sees as a violation of the privacy of trans students. Democratic lawmakers in Sacramento have not been as quick to act, recognizing that the path forward has potential pitfalls. Members of the LGBTQ Caucus considered introducing a bill during the most recent legislative session that would have banned school districts across California from revealing the gender identity of students to their parents without consent. The LGBTQ lawmakers pulled back at the last minute, and the Legislature adjourned for the year without touching the school board issue. The reason for their decision has been the subject of speculation around the Capitol. Lawmakers who spoke with Playbook said it was a mixture of factors, including wanting to ensure the measure is legally sound and that it’s combined with a strong public-messaging campaign. “We want to make sure that we’re prepared to engage in public education about this that’s effective and that helps people understand this isn’t about harming relationships with their kids,” said Assemblymember Rick Zbur, the former executive director of Equality California. Another factor in the decision was input from Newsom’s office, according to two members of the LGBTQ Caucus who were granted anonymity to speak about internal discussions. The lawmakers said the caucus had been divided between two factions: One that favored quick action and another that wanted to take a more measured approach. That’s when Newsom’s office intervened. Chief of Staff Dana Williamson and Legislative Affairs Secretary Christy Bouma held a conference call with leaders of the LGBTQ Caucus about pausing their effort, according to the two legislators who spoke on condition of anonymity and were briefed on the call. Days later, lawmakers opted to shelve the bill. From the perspective of Newsom’s administration, it was less of an ask to hold the bill and more of a conversation about how to approach the issue thoughtfully, according to an administration official with knowledge of the call who was granted anonymity to discuss a private meeting. The governor’s office responded to a request from Playbook with a statement: “It’s imperative we turn down the noise of the culture wars and approach this topic with grace and humility. The administration is proud to be working with the LGBTQ Caucus to ensure thoughtful policy solutions that uplift our state’s most vulnerable communities, protect children, and empower parents and families.” State Sen. Susan Eggman, who chairs the caucus, said Newsom’s advisers questioned if it was the right time for the bill or if it could explode into a rightwing media firestorm. She said the governor’s office never told them to hold the bill. “I never felt bossed,” Eggman added. The day Bonta sued Chino Valley Unified over its policy, Assemblymember Chris Ward, the caucus’ vice chair, told POLITICO he was holding the trans bill. “We want to make sure that we were including the governor's office and others in that conversation and needing a little bit more time,” he said in a follow-up interview. — with help from Blake Jones HAPPY THURSDAY. Thanks for waking up with Playbook.
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