California
What Kamala Harris’ record in California tells us about her political future
Key parts of Harris’ in-state record pulled from political and policy reporters.
California Playbook
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- California Republicans revel in the RNC
- A last-ditch push to boost Biden from Gavin Newsom
California Climate
Sign Up | Read the latest edition- Biden’s still got this labor heavyweight in his corner
- EPA gets more time on California’s indirect source rule for warehouse trucks
- Stocktake on Oregon’s effort to map wildfire risk
State Politics
California abortion rights advocate sweats Biden drag on House races
Jodi Hicks, president of Planned Parenthood California, indicated Democrats were taking a big risk in losing the House if they stuck with President Joe Biden.
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Elections
Millennial politician Michael Tubbs steps up in California
The 33-year-old former Stockton mayor is running for statewide office on generational change even as he stands in solidarity with his party’s aging standard-bearer.
California Ballot Initiatives
Can a ballot initiative transform Richmond from a refinery town?
The bayside city of Richmond is the latest in a string of local governments attempting to make polluting industries pay more for the right to operate in their communities.
Climate
2 governors confronting extreme heat take opposite approaches to safety rules
Florida and California both suffer from a high number of heat-related fatalities, but their approaches to protecting workers are vastly different.
More from POLITICO California
Elon Musk vows to move X, SpaceX headquarters out of California, citing trans privacy law
The tech billionaire has made similar threats over political differences in the past.
Tech investor trashes San Francisco at the RNC
David Sacks, a prominent Silicon Valley donor, used his moment in the spotlight to rail on California Democrats — and Biden’s foreign policy.
Newsom withdraws $10M tiny homes grant for San Diego
The California governor argued the county has moved too slowly on the project meant to alleviate homelessness.
California bans school districts from outing trans kids
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the legislation, which is sure to infuriate conservative activists.
How Hollywood quickly turned on Joe Biden
A month after throwing the president a major LA fundraiser, stars like George Clooney are calling on him to step aside.
Newsom deals new blow to progressive DA Pamela Price over Oakland crime
The move comes as Alameda County’s Pamela Price faces a recall election over her crime approach.
Gavin Newsom’s latest media play? A podcast with an NFL legend
The California governor says the show isn’t about politics. It’s debuting just months before the presidential election.
Gavin Newsom travels to Washington to ‘stand with’ Biden amid calls to step down
The California governor is both a staunch defender of the president and frequently mentioned as a potential successor should Biden decide not to run again.
Loopholes kill California plan to restrict CLEAR at airports
The decision came as CLEAR flipped its position on the measure following amendments.
Supreme Court makes it easier for cities to clear homeless encampments
The ruling centered on a determination that fining or arresting people for camping outdoors did not constitute “cruel and unusual punishment.”
Ethics questions dog Democrat running for California governor
Democrat Toni Atkins, a former legislative leader, may have violated campaign finance rules, according to a former watchdog.
California lawmakers reject benefits for striking workers over Gaza protests
A legislator teared up recounting her family’s experience in the Holocaust. “They’re marching across our beautiful UC campuses, yelling ‘Kill one more’ in reference to the Jews,” she said.
Newsom warns of ‘forces of darkness’ ahead of presidential debate
The California governor repeatedly blasted Republicans and suggested the country is on the brink of fascism.
Gavin Newsom is moving his children back to Marin County schools
The Democratic California governor and his wife, first partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, are enrolling their four children in schools in the wealthy Bay Area enclave but keeping their Sacramento-area home.
Push to let noncitizens vote in this California city hinges on 7 words
The effort to extend voting rights to noncitizens in Santa Ana comes amid a countermove by national and state-level Republicans to explicitly ban the practice.
‘Antisemitic, and un-American’: Biden condemns violence outside LA synagogue
Police said “physical altercations” between protest groups resulted in two reported batteries, while one person was arrested.
‘Safe, legal and rare’: A California Republican’s Clintonian approach to abortion
Matt Gunderson’s position as a GOP candidate puts him in a vanishingly small club.
Labor emerges as a clear winner from California Supreme Court’s tax ruling
The organizations suddenly have a pile of cash to play with between now and November.
FBI raids home of embattled Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao
Neighbors say they awoke to loud banging early Thursday.
California reaches $15 million settlement with Snapchat over alleged sex discrimination
Women who worked for the company in the last decade may be eligible for compensation.
Watch out Stanford. California is eyeing a new legacy admission ban.
A state bill would penalize schools that continue offering preference to legacy applicants.
Rishi Sunak’s California escape hatch: His $7.2 million beach home
The UK leader’s luxe penthouse and deep California ties have fueled speculation about where he could land if he winds up out of office.
Newsom and DeSantis agree on swiping smartphones from school kids — but they’re still sniping
Gavin Newsom and Ron DeSantis are suddenly on the same side of an issue.
4 takeaways from POLITICO California’s transportation event
State officials, lawmakers and industry leaders broke down policy challenges around the decline of gas taxes and the rise of autonomous vehicles.
Gavin Newsom wants to take smartphones out of schools
The Democratic California governor told POLITICO of his plans hours after Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy argued Congress should compel tech companies to include warning labels similar to cigarettes and alcohol.
LA’s top water chief on leave after harassment claims — and environmentalists see a conspiracy
Some environmentalists see darker forces behind Metropolitan Water District’s decision to put its general manager on administrative leave following harassment allegations.
The scrappy resistance looking to block Big Tech’s urbanist utopia
Residents of Solano County have lots of reasons to dislike California Forever’s plans. Can they come together on a campaign to defeat it?
California’s biggest water agency places leader on administrative leave
The board of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California acted after a senior official accused Adel Hagekhalil of harassment, retaliation and creating a hostile work environment.
Top Newsom adviser steps away from health care initiative amid standoff with allies
The California governor’s distaste for the so-called MCO tax measure is creating tension among his political allies.
California’s largest water agency to consider firing general manager
The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California’s board will meet Thursday after the agency’s chief financial officer accused its general manager of harassment.