News : California puts a welcome sign on the door

Monday, June 27, 2022

California puts a welcome sign on the door

Jun 27, 2022

By Lara Korte, Jeremy B. White and Sakura Cannestra

Presented by the California Clean Cars Campaign

THE BUZZ: This morning across the U.S., abortion clinics are shuttering, canceling dozens, if not hundreds, of appointments throughout 13 states. In the coming weeks, the number of states that ban abortion could grow to as many as 26, leaving an estimated 40 million people without access in their state.

Friday's news of the Supreme Court striking down Roe v. Wade marked a dark day for California Democrats — one that left them wiping away tears and excoriating red state governors and politicians. It also marked a shift in California's role on the national stage. Prior to Friday, blue states had been bracing for the impact of the Supreme Court decision. But the Golden State, with its vast resources and deep blue politics, sees itself as the lead defender of a human right that no longer has the protection of the U.S. Constitution.

"I am very mindful that California can play an outsized role at this moment," Gov. Gavin Newsom said in an emotional press conference on Friday. "I want folks to know, all around the rest of the country, and in many parts of the globe, that I hope we're your antidote to fear or anxiety. Perhaps to the cynicism that many of you are feeling about fate and the future."

California has been preparing for this moment for months, along with a number of other Democratic strongholds around the country, as POLITICO's Victoria Colliver reports. But no other state has created such an aggressive strategy, including a bill package with more than a dozen proposals, new funding to expand abortion access and a proposed ballot measure that would make California the first in the nation to enshrine abortion in the state Constitution.

Newsom, along with Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood), introduced Senate Constitutional Amendment 10 earlier this spring after POLITICO first reported the draft Supreme Court decision. Senators passed SCA 10 by a 29-7 vote last week. The Assembly is expected to vote on it as early as today. If passed (a near certainty) it doesn't require Newsom's signature before heading to the November ballot for voters' approval.

California has few restrictions on who can get an abortion and when, meaning the main obstacles are financial and geographical, even for those living in the state. The goal of Democrats, now, is to shrink those barriers for everyone, especially now that thousands could be forced to travel outside of their home states.

It's unclear how many people will make the trek to California for abortions. A UCLA study, released earlier this month, estimates there could be an additional 8,000 to 16,000 patients each year. Jodi Hicks, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, said her "nightmare scenario" is that people come to California and are unable to get care because the state hasn't expanded services enough, or they're unable to travel here altogether.

Newsom has proposed the state spend $125 million to help clinics throughout the state prepare for an expected surge in patients from states hostile to abortion seeking care. Additional funding for some of the Legislature's proposals may end up in the final state budget by month's end.

There's also the matter of civil suits to contend with. Some states are seeking to go after those who get or help others get abortion, even when they travel out of state. Newsom on Friday signed AB 1666 by Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D-Orinda), which protects health care providers and patients from civil liability judgments for providing reproductive health care to patients when the claims are based on laws in other states.

Upon signing it, the governor said he hopes it sends a message to red state politicians who want to punish those who travel to California seeking reproductive care. "We will not aid, we will not abet, in their efforts to be punitive, to fine and create fear for those that seek that support," Newsom said. "We are proud to provide it."

BUENOS DÍAS, good Monday morning. We've got a state budget deal y'all. Newsom, Atkins and Rendon dropped the news late Sunday evening. The agreement includes $17 billion in inflation relief checks and a pause on the state diesel tax. The Senate budget committee meets at 10 a.m. today and the Assembly Budget committee at 11 a.m.

Got a tip or story idea for California Playbook? Hit us up: jwhite@politico.com and lkorte@politico.com or follow us on Twitter @JeremyBWhite and @Lara_Korte.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "I'll be honest with you, I am sick of this shit. They're trying to take democracy away from us." Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) speaking to a crowd of protestors Friday evening.

TWEET OF THE DAY: Political strategist Bill Wong, at 7:38 a.m. PDT Friday morning: "Is it too early to need a drink? Omfg. #scotus"

WHERE'S GAVIN? Nothing official announced.

A message from the California Clean Cars Campaign:

END OUR PAIN AT THE PUMP! Gas prices are as high as $7 a gallon, forcing many to choose between fuel and essentials like food and medicine. The California Air Resources Board is squandering its opportunity to support gas-free, pollution-free transportation. We need an Advanced Clean Cars program that achieves at least 75% electric car sales by 2030 to bring more and more affordable electric cars to market faster. Visit CleanCarStates.org to learn more.

TOP TALKERS

DEAL OR NO DEAL — California lawmakers reach a tentative deal to send families $9.5 billion in inflation relief , by POLITICO's Lara Korte: Under the plan, residents will receive direct deposits or debit cards from the state. How much money they receive is tied to dependents and the annual income in a household.

— "California imprisoned her for killing the abusive father of her unborn son. Now free, she fights for change ," by the Sacramento Bee's Jason Pohl: "Norma Cumpian is chatty and upbeat as the prison lieutenant leads her through the steel gate, under the guard tower and along the fences ringed with concertina wire."

— "Trump lawyer John Eastman's Jan. 6 notoriety was decades in the making in California ," by the Los Angeles Times' Melanie Mason: "An analysis of Eastman's profile in the nearly 40 years before he became President Trump's lawyer, along with interviews with more than a dozen friends and associates, reveal how Eastman's seemingly sudden notoriety was decades in the making."

CAMPAIGN MODE

— "Sacramento councilman's family claims tax exemption on Granite Bay house, records show," by the Sacramento Bee's Theresa Clift: "Under California law, property owners can only claim the exemption for one property at a time, indicating it is 'the principal place of residency.'"

— "How the abortion debate will impact California elections after the Roe decision," by the Mercury News' Maggie Angst, Shomik Mukherjee and Kayla Jimenez: "In the months leading up to California's November midterm election, Californians can expect to hear abortion rights employed as a mobilizing force for Democrats, as candidates like Gov. Gavin Newsom promote their involvement with women's advocacy organizations and Planned Parenthood and warn voters of cascading impacts that could take place if their opponents win."

STEP INSIDE THE WEST WING: What's really happening in West Wing offices? Find out who's up, who's down, and who really has the president's ear in our West Wing Playbook newsletter, the insider's guide to the Biden White House and Cabinet. For buzzy nuggets and details that you won't find anywhere else, subscribe today.

CALIFORNIA AND THE CAPITOL CORRIDOR

COLDER WATERS — "The Pacific Ocean near San Francisco has been the coldest it's been in more than a decade. Here's what that means," by the San Francisco Chronicle's Tara Duggan: "It's been so cold that some fish appear to have been staying in the warmer waters of the bay."

— "Column: In a chaotic post-Roe world, here's what it will take for women to still get abortions," by the Los Angeles Times' Erika D. Smith: "So, rather than abandon the thousands of Arizonans who need reproductive healthcare each year, merely handing them a list of out-of-state clinics to cold call as they tearfully realize they can't get an abortion, the Planned Parenthood affiliates have adopted a model that's more like a warm handoff."

— "How Disney, a new mayor and a secret 'cabal' gained power over Anaheim ," by the Los Angeles Times' Nathan Fenno, Adam Elmahrek and Gabriel San Román: "Left unspoken amid the applause, however, was that this November 2018 night also heralded the return of a small, secretive group of individuals who pulled the strings at Anaheim City Hall."

— " Chevron to Cut Back in California, Remain Based in State," by the Wall Street Journal Collin Eaton and Timothy Puko: "It said it is looking for a new, smaller space to lease in San Ramon, in the greater San Francisco Bay Area, and expects to move from its existing headquarters in late 2023."

— " Vast swaths of privately owned forestland will close to public on July 1 because of wildfire risk, drought," by the San Francisco's Kellie Hwang: "Sierra Pacific Industries, which owns more than 2 million acres of timberland in California, Oregon and Washington, will close its California forestlands starting July 1 because of "extreme drought conditions and increasing risk of wildfire," according to a news release."

A message from the California Clean Cars Campaign:

BIDEN, HARRIS AND THE HILL

— Abortion laws by state: Where abortions are illegal after Roe v. Wade overturned, by POLITICO's Megan Messerly: Only three states — South Dakota, Louisiana and Kentucky — have laws that immediately ban most abortions.

— The Supreme Court's Faux 'Originalism', by POLITICO Magazine's Joshua Zeitz: This week, what was once a fringe intellectual concept, confined to conservative legal circles, achieved its ultimate ascendance. In a decision that purports to rely on deep historic knowledge of the founding generation's views on gun control, the conservative majority on the Supreme Court knocked down a New York State law limiting the concealed carry of firearms.

— " GOP lawmaker calls Roe ruling 'victory for white life' as Trump rally cheers," by the Washington Post's Jennifer Hassan: "Her remark drew widespread condemnation on social media, and Miller's team swiftly issued an explanation for what it deemed to be 'a mix-up of words.'"

HOLLYWOODLAND

— "Jodie Sweetin says 'our activism will continue' after LAPD shoves her at Roe protest," by the Los Angeles Times' Christi Carras: "After hitting the pavement on a ramp beside the 101 freeway, the "Just Swipe" actor — dressed in all black and carrying a megaphone — got back up and continued demonstrating."

MEDIA MATTERS

— "How right-wing operatives took over my local California PBS station," by the San Francisco Chronicle's Howard V. Hendrix: "Conservatives, as former Corporation for Public Broadcasting ombudsman Joel Kaplan has noted, have long complained that public broadcasting is 'very liberal and they don't take the conservative point of view on anything.' As a consequence, it has traditionally been conservatives who have tried to eliminate funding for public broadcasting."

JOIN TUESDAY FOR A WOMEN RULE TALK ON THE ECONOMY: The U.S. economy is showing signs of slowing down after a period of robust growth last year. How would an economic slowdown affect women's economic security across socioeconomic, racial, and geographic lines? Join POLITICO's Women Rule for a conversation on what's ahead for the U.S. economy and how it will impact women's livelihoods and economic well-being. REGISTER HERE.

MIXTAPE

— DeSantis says Florida will 'expand pro-life protections' after Supreme Court ruling , by POLITICO's Arek Sarkissian.

— "PG&E fined $1.27 million for problems with corrosion protection in pipelines," by Bay City News Foundation's Olivia Wynkoop, published on Mercury News.

— "Montana woman accuses ex-Windsor mayor of raping her when she was 18," by the San Francisco Chronicle's Julie Johnson, Alexandria Bordas and Cynthia Dizikes.

— " Her illegal abortion paved the way for Roe. 56 years later she shares her story," by the Los Angeles Times' Brittny Mejia.

— " California could get a new national park honoring César Chávez," by the San Francisco Chronicle's Kurtis Alexander.

— "His Simple Solution to Staying Young? Swim Across Lake Tahoe," by the Wall Street Journal's Jen Murphy.

BIRTHDAYS

(was Sunday): Airbnb's Elizabeth Wilner … Laurent Crenshaw

A message from the California Clean Cars Campaign:

Electric vehicles are the key to freedom from expensive and volatile gas prices. Low-income communities and communities of color are hit from both sides, spending more of their income on fuel and breathing in more toxic tailpipe exhaust that shortens their lives. Strong, equitable electric car sales targets will cut health costs associated with chronic air pollution exposure, support the creation of good jobs in a key economic sector and help unburden family budgets that support local businesses.

Governor Newsom and the Air Resources Board California Air Resources Board cannot fail us in setting stronger electric car standards that save people money at the pump, protect public health, fight the climate crisis and create jobs.

We need electric car sales targets and mandatory equity provisions that achieve at least 75% pollution-free car sales by 2030. Click here to learn more about how we can improve the Advanced Clean Cars program.

CALIFORNIA POLICY IS ALWAYS CHANGING: Know your next move. From Sacramento to Silicon Valley, POLITICO California Pro provides policy professionals with the in-depth reporting and tools they need to get ahead of policy trends and political developments shaping the Golden State. To learn more about the exclusive insight and analysis this subscriber-only service offers, click here.

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