| | | | |  | | By Jeremy B. White, Dustin Gardiner and Lara Korte | Presented by the American Lung Association | CALLING ALL SF POLITICOS! We’re hosting team trivia night May 1 at Manny’s in San Francisco’s Mission district. Join Playbook co-authors Lara and Dustin for an evening of tough questions and adult beverages. Attendees are welcome to come with a team — or just bring yourself and meet fun people. Winners will receive a Manny’s gift card and POLITICO swag bag. The games run 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Space is limited, so reserve your ticket here while they last!
| 
Gov. Gavin Newsom is doubling down on his strategy to get more homes built. | Jeff Chiu/AP Photo | THE BUZZ: FIRST IN PLAYBOOK — Gov. Gavin Newsom has cracked down on cities that fall short on housing. Now he wants to do the same with homelessness. California’s housing enforcement unit will expand to encompass homelessness, the Newsom administration told Playbook ahead of an announcement today. The governor is effectively doubling down on his aggressive strategy to get more homes built, previously accusing local governments of exacerbating California’s housing shortfall (think lawsuits against places like Huntington Beach and an unprecedented San Francisco review). This latest step also comes amid heightened scrutiny of Newsom’s homelessness efforts: A damning audit last week found the state was not consistently tracking costs and outcomes of homelessness programs, and the narrow victory for Prop 1 — a $6.4 billion bond at the center of Newsom’s homelessness strategy — signaled wider voter skepticism about the state spending its way out of the crisis. The new move means more assistance for local governments and the threat of consequences like civil penalties or lost money — as when Newsom withheld hundreds of millions of dollars in 2022 — if cities and counties fail to meet obligations like approving shelters and funding outreach. The administration also wants to expand the terms of state-mandated housing plans to compel cities and counties to plan for the lowest-income Californians. The threat of state consequences has shifted “the political calculus around housing,” Newsom’s deputy chief of staff Jason Elliott said in an interview on Wednesday. “That was a huge sea change in California housing policy,” and “hopefully the same theory is going to prove true here with homelessness.” Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg, who has been an ally for Newsom on homelessness, said in an interview that compelling cities and counties to plan housing for their lowest-income residents should move the needle. “These proposals will move us farther toward a legal obligation to get more people off the streets and into housing,” Steinberg said. The governor’s pledge for deeper accountability speaks to mounting public frustration that California’s homelessness crisis shows no signs of abating despite the Newsom administration spending enormous sums to get people off the street. “The results are not what any of us want them to be,” Elliott said. The humanitarian and political stakes are high. Newsom devoted his first State of the State speech to allaying homelessness. California has allocated nearly $24 billion since 2018. Yet the numbers keep getting worse, rising by 6 percent last year as more than 180,000 Californians experienced homelessness — and the state has struggled to account for where all that money’s gone, as the audit showed. GOOD MORNING. Happy Thursday. Thanks for waking up with Playbook. 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 X — @DustinGardiner and @Lara_Korte. WHERE’S GAVIN? Nothing official announced. | | A message from the American Lung Association: Billions of state investment dollars for climate and clean air programs are being deferred. Doctors and Californians agree: cuts to the climate budget have health consequences. California’s vulnerable communities are counting on legislators to protect clean air programs that save lives and money! We’re asking them to protect public health by investing in clean cars and healthy homes, not fossil fuel subsidies and polluting highway expansions. Learn more from the American Lung Association in California. | | | |  | CAMPAIGN YEAR | | |  Michael Tubbs, the former Stockton mayor, is contemplating 2026 plans. | Nick Otto/AFP via Getty Images | LITE SCOOP: THE TUBBS EFFECT — Michael Tubbs, the wunderkind former Stockton mayor and leading advocate for universal basic income, has been mulling a run for California lieutenant governor in 2026, Democrats familiar with his deliberations whispered to Playbook. Tubbs, who lives with his family in Los Angeles, has had tongues (quietly) wagging around Sacramento’s Capitol in recent weeks as word of his interest in running statewide starts to spread. Tubbs would bring some star power to the so-far sedate race for the state’s No. 2 role, having starred in two documentaries before turning 30. Tubbs, with his national profile and large network of supporters that has included Barack Obama and Oprah Winfrey, was Stockton’s first African-American mayor, at 26, and one of the youngest in the nation when he won the office in 2016. He and his city won numerous accolades, but he lost his reelection bid in 2020. Since then, the now 33-year-old Tubbs has served as Newsom’s special adviser for economic mobility and opportunity as well as worked on poverty, universal basic income and baby bonds as both a nonprofit director and investor in social impact startups. State Treasurer Fiona Ma and state Sen. Steven Bradford are already running for the appropriately nicknamed “Lite Guv.” office. — Christopher Cadelago | | | | THE GOLD STANDARD OF POLICY REPORTING & INTELLIGENCE: POLITICO has more than 500 journalists delivering unrivaled reporting and illuminating the policy and regulatory landscape for those who need to know what’s next. Throughout the election and the legislative and regulatory pushes that will follow, POLITICO Pro is indispensable to those who need to make informed decisions fast. The Pro platform dives deeper into critical and quickly evolving sectors and industries—finance, defense, technology, healthcare, energy—equipping policymakers and those who shape legislation and regulation with essential news and intelligence from the world’s best politics and policy journalists.
Our newsroom is deeper, more experienced, and better sourced than any other—with teams embedded in the world’s most active legislative and regulatory power centers. From Brussels to Washington, New York to London, Sacramento to Paris, we bring subscribers inside the conversations that determine policy outcomes and the future of industries, providing insight that cannot be found anywhere else. Get the premier news and policy intelligence service, SUBSCRIBE TO POLITICO PRO TODAY. | | | | | | | FOR GOOD MEASURE | | PROP 47 SIGS INCOMING — The group seeking to overhaul California’s landmark 2014 criminal justice measure will announce this morning that it’s submitting 900,000 signatures in favor of its proposed ballot measure, putting the issue on track to go before voters in November. The measure, which has already raised millions of dollars from major retailers like Walmart and Target, would reform Proposition 47 by increasing penalties for repeat offenders in an effort to deter retail theft and drug use. Amid rising concerns about retail theft across the state, Newsom and other Democratic officials have echoed the desire to address crime and bolster public safety, but are pushing instead for changes in the Legislature, rather than sending the law back to voters. Given that the group is submitting far more than the required 546,651 signatures, it’s very likely to qualify for the ballot. But the question remains whether legislators could try to find a deal to keep it off the ballot.
— Emily Schultheis | | | | A message from the American Lung Association:   | | | | | STATE CAPITOL | | BIG GUNS — The California Labor Federation has joined the coalition of groups opposing Assemblymember Buffy Wicks’ Ticketmaster bill, jumping into the fray over concerns that it would outlaw some of the tools venues and artists can use to keep tickets affordable. Wicks earlier this year introduced a measure that would prohibit venues from entering into exclusive contracts with ticket sellers, hoping to open up ticket sales to more competition at the first point of purchase. The bill cleared its first committee hearing this week, but not without taking some major amendments — including removing a provision that would open the ticket manifest to multiple platforms and exempting professional and collegiate sports. Several labor groups, including the Union of Musician and Allied Workers and SAG-AFTRA, have been outspoken on the ticketing issue in Sacramento, but this is the first time the California Labor Federation has spoken on the bill, adding to the roster of political giants that Wicks is up against. In addition to Ticketmaster, artists, independent venues and major sports teams like the Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Rams have come out against it. In a letter to Chair Mike Gipson ahead of the hearing in the Assembly Arts, Entertainment, Sports and Tourism Committee, the federation urged members to vote "no," saying the bill would "unfortunately harm the artists actually creating the content and the fans who would inevitably continue to be priced out of popular live shows." Wicks, in a statement, said she looks forward to working with all stakeholders, Labor Fed included, to craft a bill that protects consumers from monopolistic practices as well as the relationship between artists and consumers. | | | | GROWING IN THE GOLDEN STATE: POLITICO California is growing, reinforcing our role as the indispensable insider source for reporting on politics, policy and power. From the corridors of power in Sacramento and Los Angeles to the players and innovation hubs in Silicon Valley, we're your go-to for navigating the political landscape across the state. Exclusive scoops, essential daily newsletters, unmatched policy reporting and insights — POLITICO California is your key to unlocking Golden State politics. LEARN MORE. | | | | | | | ON THE AGENDA | | FLOOR SESH — Both the Senate and the Assembly will convene at 9 a.m.
| | CLIMATE AND ENERGY | | SUPERFUND CRAZE — Maryland, Massachusetts, New York and Vermont are all considering legislation to retroactively bill fossil fuel companies for climate damages. Now California has its own “climate superfund” bill, modeled after the federal Superfund law for contaminated sites. The path ahead will be rocky. Read more about the bill and why it’s happening now in last night’s California Climate newsletter. | | Top Talkers | | — California remains the fifth largest economy in the world for the seventh straight year. Flexing a GDP of nearly $3.9 trillion, it sits between Japan ($4.2 trillion) and India ($3.7 trillion). (San Francisco Chronicle) — California’s public transit systems can’t afford to lose passengers due to harassment. The state’s largest public-transit agencies now have to collect data about harassment and publish their findings by the end of the year. (The American Prospect) — California home sales suffered a downturn in March, but their prices continued to climb. (HousingWire) | | A message from the American Lung Association: Investments in clean air save lives and make living in California more affordable.
Budget cuts threaten to completely zero out promised investments that directly support households and businesses struggling with high fuel prices, pollution, and a lack of affordable mobility options.
The Equitable Building Decarbonization Program is a vital part of California’s clean air safety net an important tool designed to provide relief to households impacted by indoor air pollution and energy bills.
Before the state even considers cuts to equitable clean air programs, we must expand the Governor’s proposed cuts to subsidies for big polluters and cut out infrastructure investments - like highway expansions – that increase pollution.
Join the American Lung Association in California in calling on Governor Gavin Newsom and the Legislature to deliver cleaner air and affordable clean energy solutions by protecting our climate budget! | | | | | AROUND THE STATE | | ANAHEIM: The Anaheim City Council greenlit a multi-billion-dollar project to expand Disneyland over the next 40 years. Newsom didn’t miss a chance to prod archrival Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis about the company choosing California for its expansion. (The Orange County Register) SHASTA: The majority of California’s reservoirs have surpassed their average levels. Shasta Lake is the latest one, with early April numbers hitting around 118 percent for the second year in a row. (The Sacramento Bee) SAN FRANCISCO: An unreported penguin death and grizzly bear mishap are among the San Francisco Zoo’s hushed safety blunders. (San Francisco Chronicle) — with help from Ariel Gans
| | PLAYBOOKERS | | PEOPLE MOVES — The Democratic National Convention Committee in Chicago is staffing up with a round of new hires, including several CA politicos: Joyce Kazadi will be deputy executive director of operations and previously was chief of staff to Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.). Alyssa Mensie will be deputy director for federal, state and local elected official outreach and previously was member services and outreach adviser for House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.). — Kyle Bligen, previously a policy adviser for Rep. Juan Vargas (D-Calif.), has joined the Chamber of Progress as director of financial policy. STORK ALERT — Taylor Bolhack, head of platform and community at Wonder Ventures in LA, and Benjamin Jacobs, managing partner at Scenius Capital, recently welcomed newborn Theodora Lily Jacobs. Pic ... Another pic PUT A RING ON IT — POLITICO's Lynn Fine got engaged on April 13 to Ryan Monaghan, a strategic finance professional and former rower for the U.S. National team. He surprised her with homemade signs held up by her niece and nephew on a bluff overlooking Tomales Bay. Pic… WEDDING WATCH — Gabrielle Howard, legislative director for Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Calif.), and Jordan Marshall, deputy director of policy and advocacy for Associations of Clinicians for the Underserved and a Chuck Schumer alum, got married April 13 in Dallas. Pic … Another pic … SPOTTED: Aleeke Spence, Tyler Smith, Tate Mitchell, Iyanla Kollock, Kyler Gilkey, Alivia Roberts, Halle Ewing, Kadara Marshall, Adrianna Williams, Gabrielle Thomas, André Earls and Angelica Mattox-Earls. BIRTHDAYS — Amazon’s Brian Huseman … Reuters tech correspondent Max Cherney SHARE YOUR B-DAY — Want us to feature a birthday — or another special occasion like a wedding or birth announcement — in POLITICO's California Playbook? You can now submit a shout-out using this Google form. Disclaimers: All information will be verified. 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 | | | | 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 | | | | |
No comments:
Post a Comment