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California Policy and Politics Wednesday
Nvidia CEO Says He Doesn’t Care About California’s Proposed Billionaire Tax -- Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said he wasn’t worried about a potential tax on billionaires in California, breaking from a cadre of ultrawealthy residents who have spoken out against the first-of-its-kind proposal. Victoria Albert in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 01/07/26
What Trump’s vow to withhold federal child-care funding means in California -- Gov. Gavin Newsom and other state Democratic leaders accused President Trump of unleashing a political vendetta after he announced plans to freeze roughly $10 billion in federal funding for child care and social services programs in California and four other Democrat-controlled states. Melody Gutierrez in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 01/07/26
California leaders urge public opposition to Trump’s offshore drilling plan -- Members of the California State Legislature and environmental advocates blasted the Trump administration on Tuesday over proposed offshore drilling expansion plans off the California coast, urging residents to oppose the proposal before the Jan. 23 deadline for public comments to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. Chaewon Chung in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 01/07/26
New California tool can stop brokers from selling your personal online data. Here’s how -- Starting this year, a single request form will allow Californians to demand that data brokers delete their personal information and refrain from collecting or selling it in the future. Karen Garcia in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 01/07/26
Paused: A court ruling that let teachers tell parents about a child’s ‘gender incongruity’ -- A federal judge ruled California teachers must disclose students’ gender identity to parents, but an appeals court has paused the decision. Howard Blume in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 01/07/26
Judge weighs whether First Amendment lawsuit against Trump officials can proceed -- Lawyers clashed Tuesday in a federal courtroom in San Jose over whether student newspaper The Stanford Daily can proceed with a First Amendment lawsuit alleging the Trump administration used immigration law to punish student speech — a case that could set a legal precedent for the constitutional rights of noncitizen journalists and students nationwide. Ryan Macasero in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 01/07/26
Caltech, a Science Powerhouse, Hires a Communicator as Its New President -- Ray Jayawardhana, the incoming president, is an astrophysicist, but leaders at the California Institute of Technology also praised his credentials as a communicator at a time when science is under attack. Vimal Patel in the New York Times$ -- 01/07/26
The House GOP confronts a shocking loss and a difficult road ahead -- Most members learned about California Rep. Doug LaMalfa’s overnight passing as they boarded buses outside the Capitol to head to the Kennedy Center for their annual policy meeting. That news — as well as word that another Republican, Rep. Jim Baird of Indiana, had been badly hurt in a car crash — cast an immediate pall. Meredith Lee Hill Politico -- 01/07/26
The Doug LaMalfa I covered: Authentic, cranky and deeply caring -- Love or hate his hardline, far-right Republican politics – President Donald Trump praised him Tuesday for voting “for me 100% of the time” — LaMalfa was as unique a political figure as you’ll find in Washington, D.C. or in Sacramento. When he said he was “one of us,” it wasn’t an act. LaMalfa, a fourth-generation rice farmer from Butte County, was as engaged with and emblematic of the people in his district as any politician I’ve known. Ryan Sabalow Calmatters -- 01/07/26
California bill increases penalties for fake liens used to harass politicians, businesses -- A California bill introduced Monday would increase penalties for fraudulent liens filed against politicians, businesses and court employees as a form of harassment. Fake filings cost just $5 to submit, but often cost thousands of dollars in court and legal fees to remove. The bill would make bad actors liable for triple court fees if their filings are found fraudulent. Melody Gutierrez in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 01/07/26
California bill would help renters lower electricity bills by easing rules for plug-in solar panels -- Widely used in Germany, portable solar panels plug into standard electrical outlets and can be hung from balconies or set up in backyards. Julie Johnson in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 01/07/26
When Bay Area PG&E substations caught fire, inspectors had already raised red flags -- The utility, which serves 16 million customers from Eureka to Bakersfield and made a record profit of $2.47 billion last year, has faced accusations for years that it has prioritized paying billions of dollars to shareholders over safety. Ethan Baron in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 01/07/26
Wildfire
House committee report questions distribution of FireAid’s $100 million for L.A. wildfire relief -- FireAid promptly released a comprehensive document detailing its fundraising and grant dispersals. After reaching out to every named nonprofit in the document, The Times reported that the groups who successfully applied for grants were quickly given money to spend in their areas of expertise, as outlined in FireAid’s public mission statements. A review conducted by an outside law firm confirmed the same. August Brown in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 01/07/26
LAFD chief admits Palisades fire report was watered down, says it won’t happen again -- Los Angeles Fire Chief Jaime Moore admitted Tuesday that his department’s after-action report on the Palisades fire was watered down to shield top brass from scrutiny. Noah Goldberg in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 01/07/26
Newsom Waives a Fire-Rebuilding Hurdle for Businesses in State Park -- The order targets leases and concessions in Topanga State Park, an 11,525-acre expanse of hills and canyons overlooking the Pacific Ocean that was home to several small businesses before the fire. Newsom’s order will let the state Department of Parks and Recreation extend contracts with businesses for up to 30 years without them having to go through a competitive bidding process. Paul Kiernan and Ruth Simon in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 01/07/26
This is for the other people’: Dawes hosts Eaton fire benefit with star lineup -- Exactly one year after the devastating Eaton fire broke out, the Los Angeles folk-rock band Dawes will present an all-star benefit concert on Wednesday night for victims of the blaze that killed 19 people and destroyed more than 9,000 structures in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. Mikael Wood in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 01/07/26
Street
Cars are vanishing from driveways. Mystery tow truck thefts leave SoCal drivers angry, uneasy -- At 6 a.m. in early December, an unlabeled white tow truck cruised into Jesse Roller’s Chino neighborhood. Roller had saved up for four years to buy his prized Cadillac CTS-V coupe, and in 30 seconds, it was gone. Katerina Portela in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 01/07/26
L.A. sees lowest homicide rate in decades — but why killings are down is up for debate -- The city of Los Angeles just recorded its lowest homicide total in more than half a century, mirroring precipitous drops in many other large cities nationwide last year — and sparking a range of theories about what’s going on. Libor Jany and Richard Winton in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 01/07/26
Also
Michael Reagan, the eldest son of President Ronald Reagan, dies at 80 -- The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute announced his death in a post on the social platform X on Tuesday, calling him “a steadfast guardian of his father’s legacy.” Associated Press -- 01/07/26
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Rubio Tells Lawmakers Trump Aims to Buy Greenland, Downplays Military Action -- Secretary of State Marco Rubio told lawmakers that recent administration threats against Greenland didn’t signal an imminent invasion and that the goal is to buy the island from Denmark, according to people familiar with the discussions. Alexander Ward, Lara Seligman and Dustin Volz in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 01/07/26
Stephen Miller Offers a Strongman’s View of the World -- President Trump’s trusted adviser is casting his hard-right gaze abroad, saying the world must be governed by “force.” Katie Rogers in the New York Times$ -- 01/07/26
Trump warns of third impeachment if House Republicans lose midterms -- The president urged GOP congressmen to focus on drug prices, transgender athletes in women’s sports and cracking down on violent crime to win the 2026 midterm elections. Emily Davies, Marianna Sotomayor and Cleve R. Wootson Jr. in the Washington Post$ -- 01/07/26
California Policy and Politics Tuesday
California Congressman Doug LaMalfa dies, GOP leadership confirms -- LaMalfa, 65, was a rice farmer from Oroville and staunch Trump supporter who had represented his Northern California district for the past 12 years. His seat was one of several that was in jeopardy under the state’s redrawn districts approved by voters with Prop 50. Joseph Serna in the Los Angeles Times$ David Lightman in the Sacramento Bee$ Meredith Lee Hill Politico Victor Mather in the New York Times$ Kadia Goba, Marianna Sotomayor and Maegan Vazquez in the Washington Post$ Alexei Koseff in the San Francisco Chronicle$ Maya C. Miller Calmatters -- 01/06/26
Health Dept. to Freeze $10 Billion in Funding to 5 Democratic States -- The funding pause could jeopardize child care and other programs that serve hundreds of thousands of households in California, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota and New York. Minho Kim in the New York Times$ -- 01/05/26
Avalanche near Truckee kills one, triggers large rescue response -- At least one person was killed Monday afternoon after an avalanche swept through a backcountry area near Truckee, prompting a large emergency response and warnings of ongoing danger in the region. Aidin Vaziri in the San Francisco Chronicle$ Daniel Hunt in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 01/05/26
California’s largest reservoir rises 36 feet as rains boost water supply statewide -- Since Dec. 16, the state’s largest reservoir — Shasta, a massive 35-mile-long lake near Redding — has risen by 36 feet. On Monday, it was 77% full, at 129% of its historical average for this time of year and still rising. Paul Rogers in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 01/06/26
‘Caught off guard’: Storm, king tides flood hundreds of Marin County homes, businesses -- Flooding was more widespread than anticipated by forecasters, catching many residents off guard from Sausalito to San Rafael, said Rep. Jared Huffman, D-San Rafael, who on Monday toured parts of southern Marin County that were hit hard. Anna Bauman in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 01/06/26
Weekend storms boost California water, but thin snowpack poses risk -- Northern California saw a wet weekend that solidified the region’s water supply, but experts urged caution, noting that snowpack and reservoir levels still remain below average. Chaewon Chung in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 01/06/26
San Francisco’s potential PG&E breakup is on ‘a very difficult road.’ -- San Francisco might someday realize its long-sought goal of breaking up with PG&E and assuming control of the city’s electric grid. But it’s unlikely to happen anytime soon — if it happens at all. J.D. Morris in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 01/06/26
Newsom’s final year in office begins with an $18 billion deficit. How will he address it? -- As Gov. Gavin Newsom prepares to release his spending plan this Friday, a projected $18 billion deficit awaits. Will he raise taxes or cut spending? Either could spell trouble for Newsom’s legacy. Yue Stella Yu Calmatters -- 01/06/26
These are the biggest challenges facing California’s economy in 2026 -- A weak job market, concerns over federal policies and an artificial intelligence bubble could spell trouble for the California and the Bay Area economies in 2026, experts said. Roland Li in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 01/06/26
Amid California politicos and family, Monique Limón takes Senate’s top role -- As California’s new Senate President pro tem, Monique Limón, D-Goleta. began to address reporters ahead of her swearing-in ceremony Monday, a sports-style chant came through from the adjoining room: “Monique! Monique! Rah! Rah! Rah!” “And that would be my family,” Limon said. “Leave it to a good family to do a porra, which is a cheer.” Kate Wolffe in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 01/06/26
Venezuelans from Bay Area cheer Maduro’s capture, while some worry about possible deportation -- Some Bay Area Venezuelans are thrilled by the move but worry about nation’s future. Julia Prodis Sulek in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 01/06/26
This immigrant survived the Eaton fire. Can she also escape Trump’s deportation surge? -- A woman who survived the deadly Eaton fire now faces deportation despite 28 years in the U.S. and a husband and daughter who are citizens. Masuma Khan was detained by ICE during a routine check-in, was held in a facility and denied medications with no access to a lawyer, she said. Ruben Vives in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 01/06/26
This startup’s concept promises to snuff out California’s wildfires with sound -- Sonic Fire's suppression technology is catching the attention of California utilities, regulators and insurers looking for innovative ways to extinguish fires. Pat Maio in the Orange County Register$ -- 01/06/26
Workplace
Ang Lee set to shoot Gold Rush epic in Northern California -- The production is expected to shoot extensively in Sacramento County, making it one of the most significant out-of-zone commitments under the current tax credit cycle. Aidin Vaziri in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 01/06/26
Wildfire
Utility blamed for Eaton fire only compensated 82 victims two months into program -- Southern California Edison received 1,500 applications for its Eaton fire compensation program and only paid out 82 after close to two months. Malena Carollo Calmatters -- 01/06/26
The first book about the L.A. fires is really about ‘America’s new age of disaster’ -- If journalism is the first draft of history, TV news is a rough, improbable sketch. As last year’s wildfires multiplied, still 0% contained, field reporters — tasked with articulating the unintelligible on camera — grieved alongside Los Angeles in real time. Mariella Rudi in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 01/06/26
Pacific Palisades businesses slowly return to work with ‘a lot of people gone’ -- Even after a year, the faint smell of burnt wood still wafts through the air along the Sunset Boulevard business district in the Pacific Palisades. Pat Maio in the Los Angeles Daily News -- 01/06/26
A Year After Fires, L.A.’s Rocky Recovery Is Shaped by Wealth, Insurance and Red Tape -- Wildfire disaster caused billions in losses, and many homeowners are still waiting for insurance payouts and permits to rebuild. Jim Carlton, Shane Shifflett and Rebecca Picciotto in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 01/06/26
Gas
Trump administration sues Morgan Hill, Petaluma over natural gas bans -- The Trump administration on Monday sued the cities of Morgan Hill and Petaluma, asking a judge to block local laws that ban natural gas infrastructure in new buildings. The item is in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 01/06/26
Also
Walters: California’s urgent issues loom over Newsom campaign and his would-be successors -- Political California cranked up for the New Year Monday. The Legislature reconvened after a 114-day recess, Gov. Gavin Newsom renewed his nascent campaign for president and the dozen or so men and women who covet his job continued to seek ways to reach a so-far-uninterested electorate. Dan Walters Calmatters -- 01/06/26
The Robot Cars Have Come for the Kids -- Because families have complicated schedules. Corina Knoll, Mark Abramson in the New York Times$ -- 01/06/26
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Trump’s Hint to Oil Executives Weeks Before Maduro Ouster: ‘Get Ready’ -- President Trump hinted at major changes in Venezuela to a couple of oil executives a month before Nicolás Maduro’s capture. Collin Eaton and Alex Leary in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 01/05/26
Stephen Miller Asserts U.S. Has Right to Take Greenland -- Stephen Miller, a top aide to President Trump, asserted on Monday that Greenland rightfully belonged to the United States and that the Trump administration could seize the semiautonomous Danish territory if it wanted. Chris Cameron in the New York Times$ -- 01/05/26
‘Mexico should indeed be concerned’: Trump’s threats rattle Mexican officials, businesses -- Trump’s rhetoric, including his suggestion over the weekend that Washington may have to “do something” about cartels that are “running Mexico,” is reviving fears in Mexico City. Megan Messerly Politico -- 01/06/26
Mexico’s president slams Trump’s attack on Venezuela, says it destabilizes the hemisphere -- Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Monday again condemned the U.S. capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, criticizing the Trump administration’s aggressive foreign policy in Latin America for threatening the stability of the hemisphere. Kate Linthicum in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 01/06/26
An Emboldened Trump Looks Beyond Venezuela -- In the days since Maduro’s capture, Trump has renewed threats against Colombia, criticized Mexico’s leadership, predicted Cuba’s government would fall and reiterated his desire to take over Greenland. Annie Linskey and Meridith McGraw in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 01/06/26
For Many Jan. 6 Rioters, a Pardon From Trump Wasn’t Enough -- Some pardoned rioters have been rearrested. Others returned to poverty and mental health challenges. And many became consumed by resentment and demands for payback. Alan Feuer and Dan Barry in the New York Times$ -- 01/05/26
Trump May Have Accidentally Pardoned the Jan. 6 Pipe Bomber -- The Justice Department has touted the arrest, but he might still walk free. Ankush Khardori Politico -- 01/06/26