California Policy and Politics Friday

Botched Altadena evacuations, dysfunction in Pacific Palisades: Long-awaited fire investigation identifies missteps -- Now, a long-awaited independent investigation commissioned by Gov. Gavin Newsom provides the most frank and in-depth review of the Jan. 7, 2025, catastrophes, and points out multiple shortcomings in governmental planning and response. Noah Haggerty, Grace Toohey, Terry Castleman and Alene Tchekmedyian in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 10/2/26

California leads lawsuit challenging Trump’s rollback of fuel economy rules -- The lawsuit, filed Friday by California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta and a group of 26 states, counties and cities, is one of at least three legal challenges this week to new rules from the U.S. Department of Transportation and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Hayley Smith in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 10/2/26

Doctors, insurers sue Newsom over health insurance premium increases -- In June, lawmakers passed a healthcare tax that could increase premiums in order to combat federal Medicaid cuts. The California Medical Association and California Association of Health Plans say in a new lawsuit that the tax violates Proposition 35, passed by voters in 2024. Kristen Hwang in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 10/2/26

As the public sours on AI, Newsom signs a host of regulations — including some he vetoed earlier -- In a significant shift, Gov. Gavin Newsom this year signed the vast majority of the tech and artificial intelligence regulations lawmakers sent to his desk, including versions of several bills he vetoed in prior years. Sophia Bollag in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 10/2/26

 

UC asks judge to dismiss DOJ antisemitism suit, calling it ‘political coercion’ -- UC is asking a Los Angeles judge to dismiss the Justice Department’s lawsuit accusing UCLA of tolerating antisemitic harassment and seeking repayment of $2 billion in research grants. UC calls the case “political coercion” in court documents and says UCLA has made substantial changes since 2024. Jaweed Kaleem in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 10/2/26

Justice Department accuses UCLA law school of illegally using race in admissions -- The Justice Department accused UCLA’s law school of illegally favoring Black and Latino applicants in admissions from 2023 to 2025, violating federal law and the Supreme Court’s affirmative-action ruling. The finding is part of a widening federal campaign targeting UC admissions. Jaweed Kaleem in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 10/2/26

 

Newsom vetoes bills to block federal immigration agents from state employment -- Days after signing a package of bills to rebuff aspects of federal immigration enforcement in California, Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed two bills from Los Angeles lawmakers that targeted public employment for federal agents. Nicole Nixon in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 10/2/26

Newsom vetoes high-speed rail oversight bill weeks after scathing audit of rail agency -- The measure would have allowed the Office of the Inspector General that oversees the high-speed rail authority to hire more highly trained workers for audits and investigations. Yue Stella Yu Calmatters -- 10/2/26

Big Oil and Gavin Newsom’s perilous, winding road -- But over the last eight years, as political headwinds have shifted, Newsom has sought a more nuanced, middle ground where he can continue to push California beyond its reliance on fossil fuels, while also accepting there would be disastrous consequences if the state’s oil and gas system suddenly collapsed. Noah Baustin Politico -- 10/2/26

Billionaire tax explained: What you need to know about Prop. 40 -- Proposition 40 would levy a one-time tax on billionaires. Some say the initiative opens the door to tax flight and more aggressive taxation. Others say there’s no way to predict the outcome. Jeanne Kuang and Kristen Hwang Calmatters -- 10/2/26

California’s Prop 45 may be the biggest reform to CEQA in decades. Critics say it goes too far -- Proposition 45, sponsored by the California Chamber of Commerce, would streamline the approval process for a wide range of development activities considered “essential,” from housing and highways to clean power projects and broadband internet. (Whether data centers are covered by the initiative remains a matter of legal debate.) Kurtis Alexander in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 10/2/26

California just changed the way you shop for food -- California is now on track to be the first state to create a front-of-package label to help consumers identify foods in grocery store aisles that are not ultraprocessed. Karen Garcia in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 10/2/26

Voter ID proponents accuse California Democrats of lying about Trump’s support for Prop. 39 -- Supporters of a high-profile Nov. 3 ballot measure that would require Californians to show identification when they vote accused state Democratic leaders of falsely stating that President Trump has endorsed the initiative. Dakota Smith in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 10/2/26

Would-be Pelosi successors debate who’s more progressive in San Francisco congressional race -- Regulating artificial intelligence emerged as a central issue in the first of two pre-election debates between the two Democrats vying to succeed former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Maya C. Miller Calmatters -- 10/2/26

California’s new used-car law takes effect today. Here’s how it helps buyers -- Starting today, Californians experiencing buyer’s remorse over a used car will get three days to change their minds. Jessica Roy in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 10/2/26

Water

Native tribes denied greater say in water decisions with Newsom veto -- Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed legislation that would have given Native tribes a greater role in California water policy decisions, saying the state is already making this a priority. Ian James in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 10/2/26

Workplace

California’s economic growth expected to continue, but slowly and with few jobs gains -- Boosted by investments in AI, a revitalized aerospace industry and a growing U.S. defense budget, California’s economic growth is expected to continue outpacing the nation, according to a forecast from the UCLA Anderson School of Management. Laurence Darmiento in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 10/2/26

Lyft to pay $272 million in record-breaking settlement over drivers’ compensation -- Lyft must pay $272.5 million in a historic settlement with the state of California and three cities over allegations that the company misclassified its drivers before it helped write a law that allowed it to consider them independent contractors. Levi Sumagaysay Calmatters -- 10/2/26

New California reparations law requires companies to disclose past profits from slavery -- Companies with more than $100 million in annual worldwide gross receipts will be required to search their records and submit sworn disclosures about slavery-related transactions. Wendy Fry Calmatters -- 10/2/26

Homeless

Copper theft, flooding and empty beds plague L.A. homeless housing, report finds -- A court-appointed review of Los Angeles’ homeless housing system found vacant units, flooding, elevator outages and copper-wire theft disrupting projects meant to shelter people. Doug Smith in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 10/2/26

Newton: Neither LA mayoral candidate has a compelling answer to the affordability crisis -- In Los Angeles, Karen Bass and Nithya Raman have both vowed that they would stress affordability if elected to serve as the city’s next mayor. Given their agreement, Los Angeles surely will be less expensive soon, no matter who wins, right? Probably not. Jim Newton Calmatters -- 10/2/26

Develop

Newsom signs bills providing environmental exemptions for San Diego stadium project -- Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a pair of bills this week designed to help a San Diego stadium and development project led by Los Angeles Rams owner Stan Kroenke sidestep environmental review hurdles. Dakota Smith in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 10/2/26

Education

Student math scores are abysmal. A new California law requires early testing for skill -- The new law, Senate Bill 1067, is an effort to reverse the state’s abysmal math scores, which have improved a bit the past few years but are still significantly below the national average. Carolyn Jones Calmatters -- 10/2/26

How California is creating a workaround to save defunded college programs -- Gov. Gavin Newsom signed two higher education bills into law this week aimed at shielding community colleges and universities from federal funding cuts, as the state’s clash with President Donald Trump over education policy continues to escalate. Molly Gibbs in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 10/2/26

California colleges don’t have enough housing for students. Will these 4 new laws help? -- Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed a package of bills to reduce barriers and incentivize building affordable student housing in California. He has also signed a bill giving on-campus housing priority to students experiencing homelessness or who have been in foster care. Aaron Friesen and Anahid Valencia Calmatters -- 10/2/26

Climate

California gets a new eye in the sky to track planet-warming methane -- California got its second satellite tuned to spot a powerful climate pollutant Thursday when it launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in Lompoc. Blanca Begert in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 10/2/26

AI

OpenAI Fires Researchers for Allegedly Sharing Information with AI Safety Group -- The startup, in the throes of responding to rogue AI incidents, said three employees violated policies for handling sensitive company data. Keach Hagey, Maxwell Zeff and Berber Jin in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 10/2/26

They’re the hottest new DJ duo on L.A. radio — except one of them isn’t human -- Coyotec, an AI co-host on Los Angeles’ José FM, has helped propel a Spanish-language morning show into weekday drive time, with the station reporting a surge in listeners. Built to banter about local news, sports and immigration raids, Coyotec now airs in English and is expanding to stations in Sacramento, Las Vegas and beyond. Nilesh Christopher in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 10/2/26

Street

New California law restricts undercover police operations targeting youth -- Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law to protect young people facing criminal allegations from deceptive law enforcement techniques by limiting how police use undercover agents. Cayla Mihalovich Calmatters -- 10/2/26

Also

A Political Backlash Is Rocking California’s Trumpiest Town Council -- The ‘Surf City Four’ is trying to dismantle MAGA control of Huntington Beach, where brawls and book bans have disrupted local politics. Jim Carlton, Roger Kisby in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 10/2/26

POTUS 47

U.S. Sending Third Aircraft Carrier, Up to 10,000 More Troops, to Middle East -- The deployments come as Trump weighs resuming bombing Iran after the midterms. Lara Seligman and Shelby Holliday in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 10/2/26

Campaign-style Trump ads use money meant for border security, memorials -- The Trump administration is airing campaign-style television ads using money Congress approved for border security upgrades, efforts to combat drug trafficking and memorials for officers killed in the line of duty, according to federal spending records. Isaac Arnsdorf in the Washington Post$ -- 10/2/26

Trump defies Democrats, diverts aid for Europe to Latin America instead -- The diverted funds include tens of millions of dollars that Congress approved for countries affected by the war in Ukraine. John Hudson in the Washington Post$ -- 10/2/26