California lawmakers are performing a balancing act as Donald Trump heads back to the White House, planning for clashes on immigration, healthcare and climate action, while trying to maintain lines of communication on federal funding.
Democratic politicians warn that Trump may threaten California’s healthcare, immigrant communities and disaster aid. He has vowed revenge against those he considers enemies, and some California leaders fear he’ll target blue states.
“Presidents historically have had systems that are fair to provide money to states regardless of their problems,” state Sen. Catherine Blakespear told me, adding that she’s concerned the “entire state would be disadvantaged” because of Trump’s conflicts with California leaders.
This week Gov. Gavin Newsom called a special legislative session to “safeguard Californians from potential federal overreach.” That’s code for “Trump-proofing” California.
“We will work with the incoming administration, and we want President Trump to succeed in serving all Americans,” Newsom said in a statement. “But when there is overreach, when lives are threatened, when rights and freedoms are targeted, we will take action.”
State Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones dismissed the special session as a publicity stunt.
“This governor is very good at getting a flashy headline with no substance,” Jones told me.
California Gears up for a Fight
Newsom dedicated $25 million to the California Department of Justice and other state agencies to resist Trump mandates that conflict with California’s priorities. That investment is intended to “protect billions of dollars in state funding” for disaster relief, healthcare and other services.
Trump has vowed to carry out mass deportations of undocumented immigrants, cut education funding and abolish the U.S. Department of Education. He has given conflicting messages about plans to revoke the Affordable Care Act and restrict abortion rights.
Blakespear said she’s concerned that Trump may seek to reverse California’s strict air quality laws and return the state to an era of frequent “smog days.” She said his threats to withhold education funding would be “disastrous.”
“If there’s funding cut off, or an effort to change the system so it’s all private school vouchers, that wouldn’t be consistent with our goals to have a robust public school system for people of all income levels,” she said.
State officials are betting that California, as the fifth largest economy in the world and bastion of blue state politics, can hold its own against those MAGA moves. During Trump’s first term “California developed a successful roadmap for fighting back and standing up for our state’s values and our people’s constitutional rights,” through more than 120 lawsuits, Newsom said.
Possible Points of Compromise
As they position California as the center of resistance, however, state officials are trying to keep diplomatic channels open with the future Trump White House.
Jones said he’ll consider Trump’s policies on a case-by-case basis.
“My focus is California,” he said. “I’m responsible for leading the Republican Caucus in the Senate for a better life for Californians. If that means working with the administration on particular issues, I will do that. If it means standing against a particular policy they’re proposing, I will do that.”
Although Newsom stated that Trump tried to “withhold federal funds from California and harm the state” during his first term, Jones said there were also periods of cooperation. Trump worked with Newsom on emergency aid for the Oroville Dam failure, the fentanyl crisis and the deadly Camp Fire in Paradise, Jones said.
Jones plans to seek funds from the new administration to repair numerous aging dams in San Diego County, and said efforts to deport undocumented people convicted of violent crimes could improve public safety in California.
Blakespear said California leaders might work with the Trump administration on comprehensive immigration reform that provides a path to citizenship.
“We have to have a system that’s compassionate and consistent and focused on border security,” she said.
And she sees opportunities for cooperation in the switch to renewable energy.
“Trump and Elon Musk have a clear bromance going,” she said. “Although we have conflicts with Elon Musk, he is building electric cars and the charging network. So, we’re looking at what we can do to supercharge that energy transition.”
Meanwhile, incoming Assemblymember Carl DeMaio is countering California’s Trump resistance with his own proposal to “Newsom-proof” the state.
DeMaio introduced a bill entitled “Stop politicians from violating our constitutional rights,” which would penalize state leaders for what DeMaio called violations of constitutional rights. Of course, he would have to pass it through Democratic supermajorities of both houses, and then get a signature from Newsom himself. And of course, he fundraised off the bill, shooting off texts asking supporters to donate to his anti-Newsom efforts.
To read more about efforts to Trump-proof California, check out these pieces in Politico and Cal Matters. In future Sacramento Reports I’ll highlight bills, lawsuits and other efforts to Trump-proof California.
Housing for the Missing Middle
Assemblymember Chris Ward wants to change California building standards to make it easier to build smaller housing developments aimed at middle income residents.
Ward, who chairs the Housing and Community Development Committee, introduced a bill calling for the legislature to streamline building requirements for developments of three to 10 units. Ward wants to place them under the California Residential Code, which governs single homes and duplexes, instead of the California Building Code, which covers high-density housing. Standards for bigger buildings can be too complicated or expensive for small developments, discouraging construction of badly needed homes, he said.
Ward said the state should use “every available efficiency and cost-saving measure that preserves health and safety in building more affordable housing.”
County Fire Wants to Boost Battery Storage Safety
After several high-profile battery storage fires, San Diego County Fire Protection District has drawn up guidelines for reducing battery fire risks. On. Dec. 10 the Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing on that safety plan. The meeting takes place at 9 a.m. at the County Administration Center, 1600 Pacific Highway, Room 310, San Diego.
California aims to reach net carbon zero – the point at which humans remove as much greenhouse gasses from the atmosphere as we emit – by 2045. It will take a lot more renewable energy sources and battery storage. I wrote about those plans and pitfalls in a story earlier this month.
The Sacramento Report runs every Friday and is part of a partnership with CalMatters. Do you have tips, ideas or questions? Send them to me at deborah@voiceofsandiego.org
