THE BUZZ: Wherever the GOP goes, Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to be there. Coming off a tour of the deep south, Newsom sat down Sunday with former White House press secretary-turned MSNBC host Jen Psaki to talk about everything that he thinks is wrong with the country — and how Democrats can do something about it. He, unsurprisingly, spent much of it railing against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. “If I were offering political advice, I’d tell him to pack up and wait a few years,” Newsom said. “And actually do some of the hard work, which actually includes governing, not identity and culture wars.” Psaki gave the governor wide berth to repeat some of his favorite talking points about abortion and gun restrictions — noting the recent decision by Tennessee’s Republican-dominated statehouse to oust two Democratic Black representatives over their calls for gun reform. For Newsom, it was a chance to re-up the efforts of his newly launched Campaign for Democracy PAC, which he spent the last week promoting in Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida. Newsom said the campaign is about “meeting the moment,” and he felt compelled to act after last month’s shooting of three Tennessee school children. And, yes, Psaki did ask that question. “No, I’m not running,” Newsom said, addressing presidential rumors for the umpteenth time. “I know it’s the perfunctory question we have to ask anytime someone puts out a PAC. I get it. But I’m termed out, didn’t know what else to do with the money, and this is a way of amplifying good people all across the country.” We’ll certainly be bookmarking that one. WELCOME BACK — Lawmakers return to the Capitol today after a brief spring break, which, for some, included junket trips to places like Japan and Denmark. But it’s time to pack up the passports and put away the luggage because there’s plenty of work to be done here in Sacramento. Kicking off a week of policy hearings is a lengthy Senate appropriations committee meeting today where Chair Anthony Portantino has scheduled dozens of bills to be heard, including his own Senate Bill 2, the concealed carry legislation that was tailor-made to meet the U.S. Supreme Court’s new Second Amendment standards following last year’s Bruen decision. Remember, this is a fiscal committee, so don’t expect any fiery testimony on the policy aspects of the bills. As spring is a time for renewal and reflection, let’s re-up some of the other important legislation winding through the Capitol this year: MENTAL HEALTH — Sen. Susan Eggman’s conservatorship reform bill, SB 43, would expand the definition of “gravely disabled” related to the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act and make it easier to compel those with severe behavioral health issues into psychiatric care. We’re also waiting on legislation related to a ballot measure to reform the Mental Health Services Act, per Newsom’s request. The governor wants to ask Californians to redistribute some of those funds to pay for housing. HOUSING — Dual bills by Sen. Scott Wiener could just as well be called labor bills. Senate Bills 4 and 423 are both meant to expedite the construction of housing, but are being fiercely contested by the formidable State Building and Construction Trades Council, which is demanding that the bills require a “skilled and trained” workforce. CRIMINAL JUSTICE — Fentanyl is still top of mind. Efforts to establish more punitive measures around the highly-potent-and-often-fatal synthetic opioid have either been voted down in committee or are languishing. A bipartisan bill introduced by Republican Sen. Kelly Seyarto would establish an Anti-Fentanyl Abuse Task force. Senate Bill 19 will be heard in the appropriations committee today. Did we miss any of your top priorities? Send us an email or tweet. BUENOS DÍAS, good Monday morning. Looks like Newsom isn’t the only one crossing enemy lines lately. Kari Lake, last year’s Republican nominee for Arizona governor, is swinging by the San Diego Republican Party tonight. The city’s GOP will get the chance to network with and learn from Lake, one of the most vocal promoters of falsehoods regarding Covid-19 and the 2020 election. Got a tip or story idea for California Playbook? Hit us up at jwhite@politico.com and lkorte@politico.com or follow us on Twitter @JeremyBWhite and @Lara_Korte. WHERE’S GAVIN? Out of state, on personal travel until Wednesday. QUOTE OF THE DAY: “What you saw by that one judge in that one court in that one state — that's not America.” U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra on Sunday in reaction to a Texas judge’s ruling that the FDA’s approval of the abortion drug mifepristone wasn’t lawful. BONUS QOTD: “I was having to explain to my 11-year-old what a porn star is.” Newsom talking to Psaki about former President Donald Trump’s recent indictment. TWEET OF THE DAY:
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