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CalMatters
Kamala Harris and her California record
By Lynn La,
1 day ago
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Speaker after speaker at the Democratic National Convention has praised Kamala Harris’ record in California. And when the vice president delivers the biggest speech of her life tonight, she’ll likely lean into her home state accomplishments, even though some voters may still be skittish about her California-ness .
Long before the U.S. Supreme Court overturned federal protections for abortion in 2022, Harris was a staunch supporter of reproductive rights . As California attorney general, she oversaw a 2016 investigation of anti-abortion activist David Daleiden, which led to felony charges filed by Harris’ successor.
Harris also backed a bill to regulate crisis pregnancy centers. The measure directed these centers to post information about public programs that provided comprehensive family planning services, including abortion. Though the measure was signed into law, the country’s high court ruled it violated the First Amendment and overturned it.
From Sac to Chicago: California legislators arrived late Tuesday and early Wednesday to the Democratic convention — some a little bleary-eyed, but energized, reports CalMatters’ Sameea Kamal .
The 21 lawmakers missed the first couple of nights on legislative business as they near the end of their session, but made it in time to hear Harris’ acceptance speech.
Here’s what they’re amped up about this week:
Van Nuys Sen. Caroline Menjivar is excited to attend caucus meetings: “I want to connect with other leaders across the United States. I introduced ‘Make polluters pay’ this year. I had to shelve it. But Vermont passed it, New York, I think, is about to pass it, so I want to hear from delegates in other states, what did they do over on that that we can do in California?”
Los Angeles Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas on the speeches, which she watched at the airport: “It just set the tone for what’s at stake and what we deserve and why we have to come together and be here to elect this slate. This is an amazing, historic moment, and such a proud moment for California.”
Pasadena Assemblymember Chris Holden , on how the convention helps him represent constituents: “Vice President Harris, what she believes in, are the things that I fight for every day in Sacramento … I come from a district where the values line up accordingly, whether it’s fighting for the working men and women, trying to make sure that they are getting paid and respected on their job, environment, health insurance, everything that California does.”
Insurance crisis: The next CalMatters event is a one-on-one interview with California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara on Sept. 19. CalMatters economy reporter Levi Sumagaysay , who has been covering the ongoing crisis for homeowners’ insurance , will be asking the questions. Register here to attend in person at our Sacramento offices, or watch virtually.
Other Stories You Should Know
CA lawmakers cut a deal with Google
Assemblymember Buffy Wicks speaks during an Appropriations Committee hearing in the Capitol Annex Swing Space in Sacramento on Aug. 15, 2024. Photo by Fred Greaves for CalMatters
Instead on Wednesday, Democratic Assemblymember Buffy Wicks of Oakland, along with Gov. Gavin Newsom, announced a deal between the state, news outlets and the tech companies that strongly opposed the measure.
The deal promises $175 million to local news outlets over the next five years. The money will come from the state and Google, and will be administered by the UC Berkeley School of Journalism. In addition to $105 million for local newsrooms, Google will put $12.5 million a year into an artificial intelligence “accelerator” program to help businesses, nonprofits and researchers.
Wicks , in a statement: “This partnership represents a cross-sector commitment to supporting a free and vibrant press, empowering local news outlets up and down the state to continue in their essential work.”
But unions representing media workers blasted the deal, arguing it doesn’t go far enough to support the beleaguered news industry. They accused publishers and lawmakers of caving to Google’s demands.
Matt Pearce , president of the Media Guild of the West: “Google won, a monopoly won. … I don’t know of any journalist that asked for this.”
(Note: CalMatters CEO Neil Chase was involved in the deal as a board member for Local Independent Online News Publishers. His views do not necessarily reflect those of the organization, newsroom or its staff.)
Supporters of the bill say it could boost the region’s economy and create good jobs, but the biggest beneficiary at first could be luxury EV maker Karma Automotive. The company has an assembly plant in Moreno Valley, which the zone is likely to include. Read more about the EV bill in Deborah’s story.
Ballot props galore
A Department of Elections employee places scanned ballots into bins at City Hall in San Francisco on March 5, 2024. Photo by Juliana Yamada for CalMatters
Our latest coverage: Proposition 2 , a $10 billion bond to pay for school facility repairs. Most of the money, $8.5 billion, would go towards new construction and modernization of K-12 schools, while $1.5 billion would go to community colleges.
Unlike many other states, California does not have permanent funding for school repairs. Prop. 2 proponents say the money is desperately needed, especially since 38% of students attend schools that don’t meet the state’s minimum safety standards. Lower-income districts in particular have trouble raising bond money for repairs, and often rely on state bonds.
But opponents say the money for school repairs should come out of the state’s regular budget, not from taxpayers.
There’s another $10 billion bond on the ballot: Prop. 4 to fund climate and environmental projects. Backed by environmental groups, Cal Fire firefighters and the California Labor Federation, the measure would set aside $3.8 billion for water projects, including improving water quality and drought and flood protection. The rest would go towards wildfire and forest programs, addressing rising sea levels, clean energy projects and more.
Prop. 4 opponents, who include Republican legislative leaders, argue that “bonds are the most expensive way for the government to pay for things.” According to the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office , taxpayers could spend $16 billion over 40 years repaying the bond.
Dust from the exposed lakebed of the Salton Sea, agricultural fields and the open desert in North Shore, on July 17, 2024. Photo by Zoë Meyers for CalMatters
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