Welcome to the Newsomverse

Presented by CCIA: Lara Korte and Dustin Gardiner’s must-read briefing on politics and government in the Golden State

Jul 10, 2023 View in browser   By Lara Korte, Dustin Gardiner and Jeremy B. White Presented by CCIA NEW PLAYBOOK: As part of POLITICO's exciting expansion in the Golden State, we're revamping our must-read morning newsletter. We'll still be here to bring you all the latest happenings in Sacramento and beyond, but expect more stories, more analysis and — most importantly — more scoops. It's been eight years since we launched California Playbook, and, in the time since, our team has grown to more than a dozen journalists. We're thrilled to embark on this next iteration, and hope you'll come along with us. And, as always, thanks for reading. THE BUZZ: Oh, to be in Gavin Newsom's orbit. The governor has been known to cast a wide net for advice, but his inner circle is much smaller. California's chief executive relies on a close circle of advisers, staffers and confidants to guide his policy and political strategy. Understanding Newsom's network is key to understanding one of the most influential figures in American politics, and today, we're laying out all the important players. From his days in San Francisco City Hall to stumping for Joe Biden, here are the folks who help make the governor the governor. Welcome to the Newsomverse. Take a scroll through Newsom's contact list and you'll find a wide array of business executives, lawmakers and policy experts that he's known to text on a regular basis. But there are some he keeps closer than others. Like Wade Crowfoot, California's natural resources secretary and one of Newsom's top environmental officials. Their relationship stretches back to Newsom’s San Francisco days, when Crowfoot rose through the ranks by serving as the mayor’s liaison to the board of supervisors. Crowfoot eventually became the governor’s top climate aide. Or Jason Kinney, the longtime friend and adviser who caused Newsom a good deal of trouble in 2020 when the governor attended his swanky 50th birthday party at the French Laundry while encouraging Californians to avoid gatherings. That misstep follows Newsom to this day (especially in Fox News circles), but it hasn't been enough to sever ties. Then there's Lindsey Cobia, his longtime former deputy chief of staff who was known to stick with Newsom like a shadow, often seen darting around press events and major announcements. Cobia has now moved onto Newsom's next big venture — she's listed as treasurer for his "Campaign for Democracy" committee that is helping him venture into red states. These are the counselors who have helped guide Newsom’s emergence over the past two decades as a national Democratic figure, and they will likely be there should he launch a long-anticipated presidential run. Explore the Newsomverse yourself. HAPPY MONDAY. Thanks for waking up with Playbook. Speaking of astrology, did you know Newsom is a Libra? PLAYBOOK TIP LINE — Are YOU running for governor, or for another statewide office or know someone who is? Get in touch! We want all your hot tips, photos and story ideas.  Now you can text us at ‪916-562-0685‬‪ — save it as “CA Playbook” in your contacts now. Or drop us a line at lkorte@politico.com and dgardiner@politico.com, or on Twitter — @DustinGardiner and @Lara_Korte  WHERE’S GAVIN? Back from vacay and signing infrastructure bills this afternoon.   A message from CCIA: A link tax is the last thing California needs. Oppose AB886.   FRESH INK FIRST IN PLAYBOOK — CHEN TAKES A BEAT: One of California's more visible Republican candidates is taking his name out of contention for 2024. Lanhee Chen, a prominent GOP policy adviser and former candidate for state controller, today is launching the Golden State Watchdog PAC, a hybrid state and federal committee that he'll use to promote ideas and support candidates that he hopes will "help to fix California." “I see this vehicle as an opportunity for me to stay engaged and involved on the political side,” Chen told us. “There’s not really an office this cycle that I felt strongly compelled to run for.” It's not exactly a fundraising vehicle — though Chen could certainly use it to spend the several thousand dollars he has left in his controller committee — but rather a way to maintain relevance in a challenging election cycle. California Republicans are almost always at a disadvantage in statewide races and the Democratic turnout is expected to be even higher in a presidential election year. Chen says, rather than spending time running for office himself, he wants to lend his voice and expertise to areas where it will matter. The races where Republicans, including Chen, could have a shot at moving the needle in 2024 are most likely in competitive congressional districts — like Katie Porter's purple Orange County seat. But don't count out Chen for good — especially if conditions improve for Republicans after this cycle. He told us he's still open to running at some point. FIRST IN PLAYBOOK — MA’S MONEY: California State Treasurer Fiona Ma raised $1 million in the last quarter for her bid for lieutenant governor. Combined with funds from other accounts, Ma has a total of $3.7 million in her war chest, according to her campaign. Ma had been planning to run for governor in 2026, but pivoted to LG as that field started to crowd. Several others have parked money in LG accounts — something that happens every cycle. Her nearly $4 million appears to give her a head-start for an office with little in the way of political power or responsibility but that’s historically been a stepping-stone to the governorship. Senate President Pro Tem Toni G. Atkins had $1.2 million tucked away for lieutenant governor at the end of 2022, and nodded to that committee just last week when she signed some bills in Newsom’s absence, though she hasn’t committed to running. — ROLLINS MONEY: Democratic congressional challenger Will Rollins will report raising over $875,000 in the six weeks since announcing his rematch with GOP Rep. Ken Calvert, dean of the California Republican delegation. Rollins’ haul is the largest in an off-year for a challenger’s first quarter, according to his campaign. HISTORY MARKER — The grieving father who helped enact one of California’s most consequential sentencing laws died on Sunday at 79, leaving behind a complicated legacy that continues to shape state politics today. Mike Reynolds was the driving force behind California’s 1994 Three-Strikes law, which targeted repeat offenders by mandating longer sentences for people with two prior convictions. Reynolds became a champion for the law after his daughter, Kimber, was shot and killed in an attempted robbery in 1992. Dan Morain, who covered the evolution of the law for the Los Angeles Times and has followed it through numerous other outlets, spoke often with Reynolds — a wedding photographer from Fresno. “Mike Reynolds sponsored a measure in the Legislature and on the ballot that changed how California sentenced criminals, and that remained in effect for 15 years,” Morain said. “This was by far the harshest three strikes laws of any state in the nation.” The law has long been the subject of outrage among criminal justice reform advocates who say it has led to unwarranted life sentences for minor crimes and worsened mass incarceration. Voters amended the law in 2012 to only apply to serious or violent felonies. Despite the criticism, Morain said Reynolds never acknowledged any unintended consequences: “They were fully intended, as far as he was concerned,” Morain said. “Never, in my experience, did he ever have any second thoughts. He was a grieving father,” he added. INFLUENCERS Taylor Swift performs May 5, 2023, at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn. | AP Photo/George Walker IV MUSIC MACHINE — The bad blood between frustrated Taylor Swift fans and Ticketmaster has provided a feeding frenzy for Sacramento lobbyists. Furor over a run on Swift tickets inspired Assembly Bill 8 by Laura Friedman, D-Burbank, to provide more transparency over ticket fees and give buyers more rights to resell tickets. But the bill has faced a gauntlet of opposition from Live Nation Entertainment, Ticketmaster’s parent company, professional sports teams and artists. Amid it all, a key sponsor of Friedman’s bill, the Consumer Federation of California, recently yanked its support. In a letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee last week, the federation wrote that “given the current state of play CFC must step back and ensure that long run, meaningful and comprehensive reforms happen in California.” The federation backed out after the bill was watered down with what they said were industry-friendly amendments. For example, a requirement that companies disclose the total number of tickets available for an event was removed. Robert Herrell, executive director of the Consumer Federation of California, called it “a bonanza for lobbyists.” He added, “It’s kind of classic David v. Goliath stuff." Combined, the ticketing industry spent just over $123,000 on lobbying in the First Quarter. The spending is likely to soar when they’re required to report Second Quarter activity.   A message from CCIA:   WHAT WE'RE READING TODAY DOWN-BALLOT BATTLES — Our colleague Blake Jones spent time in Southern California last month digging into a fascinating microcosm of national clashes over race, religion, and gender. His just-published dispatch from the Temecula Valley Unified School District is a captivating look at the perils of local officials leaning too heavily on culture wars. Attorney General Rob Bonta and Newsom were quick to rebuke the district for rejecting a social studies curriculum that included a reference to Harvey Milk. But, as Blake writes, it’s the parents who are fed up with the board’s focus on conservative talking points. ”The religious right saw an opening to jump into the parental rights movement amid intense backlash about pandemic-era school closures and mask mandates,” Blake writes. “But those policies have all but disappeared in schools, and it’s proving harder to sustain that level of outrage over teachings on race and gender.” A recall effort is underway to remove the three far-right members who won their seats last year. But Temecula is by no means a one-off. Low-turnout school board races have become a target of California Republican Party officials in recent years, and Blake advises keeping an eye on similar battles brewing in Orange County and San Diego. Read Blake’s story here.  STATE OF GRACE — Rep. Grace Napolitano’s retirement from Congress is already setting off a feeding frenzy for her San Gabriel Valley seat. As the Los Angeles Times reported on Friday, Napolitano, the body’s eldest member at 86, is retiring from office next year. That creates a path forward for ambitious Democrats in CA-31 who are eager for the chance to seize a solidly-blue district. Napolitano made the announcement Saturday morning at a ceremony honoring her career. Within hours, candidates lined up to replace her. Like we’ve seen with the race for Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s seat, Napolitano’s retirement is likely to have a domino effect across California politics. It’s an obvious stepping stone for state Sens. Bob Archuleta and Susan Rubio, who both confirmed their candidates to the Times. (Archuleta, however, has added the benefit of an endorsement from Napolitano herself.) Their absence in the Legislature’s upper chamber will, in turn, open up new avenues for Los Angeles County Democrats looking to get into the state Senate. AROUND THE STATE — “Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass Is Trying to Get Homeless People Off the Street Fast,” by the Wall Street Journal’s Christine Mai-Duc. — “‘We're going to wake up the world': San Francisco's bold reparations plan has a revolutionary spirit,” by the San Francisco Chronicle’s Justin Phillips. — “Major landslide forces at least 12 homes to evacuate in Rolling Hills Estates,” by ABC7’s Shayla Girardin. BIRTHDAYS Mercury’s Kirill Goncharenko… Rep. Tom McClintock (R-Calif.) … POLITICO’s Chris Cadelago (was Sunday): Drew Hammill … Jake Kalish ... Kenny Rosenberg (was Saturday): Marianne Williamson … Bill Hinkle … Akiva Goldsman   A message from CCIA: Lawmakers are proposing a bill that would charge websites every time they link to a news article. A new tax is the last thing CA needs. Oppose AB886.   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. Want to make an impact? POLITICO California has a variety of solutions available for partners looking to reach and activate the most influential people in the Golden State. Have a petition you want signed? A cause you’re promoting? Seeking to increase brand awareness amongst this key audience? Share your message with our influential readers to foster engagement and drive action. Contact Jesse Shapiro to find out how: jshapiro@politico.com.   Follow us on Twitter Dustin Gardiner @dustingardiner Lara Korte @lara_korte POLITICO California @politicoca   Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook  |  Playbook PM  |  California Playbook  |  Florida Playbook  |  Illinois Playbook  |  Massachusetts Playbook  |  New Jersey Playbook  |  New York Playbook  |  Ottawa Playbook  |  Brussels Playbook  |  London Playbook View all our political and policy newsletters Follow us

To change your alert settings, please log in at https://www.politico.com/_login?base=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.politico.com/settings This email was sent to edwardlorilla1986.paxforex@blogger.com by: POLITICO, LLC 1000 Wilson Blvd. Arlington, VA, 22209, USA Please click here and follow the steps to unsubscribe.