I’m CalMatters politics reporter Yue Stella Yu, and I’m in for Lynn today.
With each batch of bill signings and vetoes by Gov. Gavin Newsom, it’s becoming more and more noticeable: He isn’t approving many bills authored by state senators.
Is he holding their legislation hostage to get the Senate to play ball on his special session on gas prices?
His office says “no.”
Newsom spokesperson Izzy Gardon: “We generally announce bills in the order in which the Governor reviews them. The timing of his actions is not tied to any broader legislative dynamics.”
Still, here are the numbers since the regular session ended Aug. 31: Newsom has signed 50 Assembly bills and vetoed six. He has signed just one Senate bill and vetoed another. Monday, the governor signed only one measure: Assembly Bill 2867, which is aimed at helping California residents recover art and other personal property stolen during the Holocaust.
Newsom called the special session just hours before lawmakers were supposed to adjourn for the year so he could push an energy bill package that failed to pass in the regular session. While the Assembly gaveled into session, Senate President Pro Tem Mike McGuire balked at the call and declined to convene his members, but later added he would only answer the call if the Assembly agreed on the bills first. The Assembly could vote on bills on Oct. 1.
When asked for comment on Newsom’s lack of action on Senate bills, McGuire spokesperson Kerrie Lindecker replied: “This question is best directed to the Governor’s Office.”
Sen. Scott Wiener has a couple of high-profile bills on Newsom’s desk, and he’s holding events to try to persuade the governor to sign them. Monday, the San Francisco Democrat joined doctors, pharmacists and patients in support of his bill that would tighten regulations on pharmacy benefit managers — intermediaries between drug manufacturers and insurance companies — in hopes of reducing prescription drug prices. And today, Wiener plans to gather with the National Organization for Women, youth groups and others to push his legislation on artificial intelligence safety that has drawn national attention and is strongly opposed by Big Tech.
Reminder: Newsom has hundreds of bills left to decide before his Sept. 30 deadline. CalMatters is tracking some of the most noteworthy.
CalMatters events: On Thursday, CalMatters economy reporter Levi Sumagaysay, who is covering the homeowners’ insurance crisis, interviews California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara. Register here to attend in person at our Sacramento offices or virtually.
VotingMatters: CalMatters is hosting a series of public events to inform and engage voters leading up to the November election. The next ones are tonight at North State Public Radio in Chico and Thursday at Lake Tahoe Community College. Sign up here, and find out more from strategic partnerships manager Dan Hu.
Other Stories You Should Know
Newsom warns another city on housing
From CalMatters homelessness reporter Marisa Kendall:
As the homelessness crisis continues to grow (CalMatters uncovered nearly 186,000 Californians now are unhoused), some cities are hurrying to build shelters and affordable housing.
Not Norwalk.
The small city in Los Angeles County last month approved a temporary ban on the “establishment, implementation or operation” of emergency shelters, single-room occupancy hotels, supportive housing and transitional housing. Today, its City Council is set to consider whether to extend that moratorium another 10-and-a-half months.
Gov. Newsom isn’t happy. On Monday, his office threatened legal action if the city doesn’t reverse course.
Newsom, in a statement: “It is counterproductive and immoral for any community to throw up their hands and say they’ve done enough while they still have people in need.”
A spokesperson for the city did not respond to CalMatters’ questions. But in a memo to council members, city staff wrote that shelters and homeless housing could have “detrimental effects” on the community, potentially causing “over proliferation,” noise and economic impacts, and harming property maintenance and security. The moratorium also bans liquor stores, discount stores, laundromats, car washes and payday loan establishments.
City staff recommended the city extend the moratorium to give staff more time to study the effects of these establishments and draft a permanent ordinance regulating them.
This is the latest attempt by Newsom to show that cities must build their fair share of shelters and housing — or else. Earlier this month, his administration settled a lawsuit against Elk Grove over the city’s denial of a housing project. In May, Newsom secured a court order forcing Huntington Beach to follow state housing law.
And lastly: Groundwater lawsuit
CalMatters water reporter Rachel Becker moderated a panel last week on the fight over groundwater in California. Now, a Kings County judge has ruled in a lawsuit filed by growers against the state. Find out what happened from Rachel.
California Voices
CalMatters columnist Dan Walters: Gov. Gavin Newsom is crusading against oil companies, but hasn’t offered compelling proof of price gouging.
Two views on Proposition 36, which would increase punishments for retail theft and fentanyl crimes:
Prop. 36 will hold fentanyl dealers accountable and lessen California’s crisis, argues Tom Wolf, West Coast initiatives director for the Foundation for Drug Policy Solutions.
Prop. 36 threatens rehabilitation programs and could lead to mass incarceration, argues Felix Valdez, a CalTrans equipment operator and former inmate.
Other things worth your time:
Gavin Newsom’s play against a November anti-crime initiative // Politico
Placer County calls on Newsom to take on insurance crisis // Sacramento Bee
GOP goes to war against U.S. House candidate Carl DeMaio // Voice of San Diego
UC Berkeley’s new, high-end dorm welcomes transfer students// EdSource
SF delays naming schools targeted for closure until October // San Francisco Chronicle
Breed has dodged SF City Hall scandal, but this one might stick // San Francisco Standard
SF Democratic Party accuses Farrell of misleading voters with campaign ad // KQED
Dreamforce back in SF and expecting biggest crowd in years // San Francisco Chronicle
SF narrowed college enrollment gap by giving kindergarteners $50 // KQED
City report recommends changes that would lower LA rent hikes // LAist