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San Francisco Chronicle
4 days ago
- Politics
- San Francisco Chronicle
Silicon Valley lawmakers want to decriminalize homelessness
As cities across California ban homeless encampments and Gov. Gavin Newsom encourages more sweeps, San Jose lawmakers are standing up against criminalizing homelessness. State Sen. Sasha Perez along with Assemblymembers Ash Kalra, Alex Lee and Matt Haney have co-authored a bill that would make it illegal for cities to prohibit organizations or people from helping homeless residents. Senate Bill 643 has passed the Senate and is being considered in the Assembly. 'Providing for those that are in need is a value we should uphold and celebrate, not criminalize,' Kalra, whose district includes parts of San Jose, Morgan Hill and Gilroy, told San José Spotlight. He wants the bill to pass, but acknowledges there will be pressure from cities to prevent it from going through. Lee, whose district includes North San Jose, Milpitas and Fremont, said homelessness is a societal failure, not a personal choice — and preventing criminalization is necessary to alleviate the crisis. 'What cities like Fremont and San Jose have done only exacerbate the housing crisis and serve as political theater with no real long-term results to show for,' Lee told San José Spotlight. Last year's Grants Pass Supreme Court ruling made it possible for jurisdictions to ban homeless encampments on public property, even if there's an insufficient number of shelter beds. Since then, Fremont leaders have attempted to prohibit groups from providing aid to homeless people and San Jose enacted a policy in June to arrest homeless people who repeatedly refuse shelter. Yet homelessness in Santa Clara County has continued to rise. According to this year's count, homelessness has skyrocketed to more than 10,700 people, of which 7,472 are unsheltered. San Jose's homeless population experienced an increase of 237 homeless people from two years ago, up to 6,503 residents. About 60% are unsheltered, or 3,959 people. San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan said each city should have the ability to tackle homelessness the way it sees fit. He's focused on building tiny homes and converting motels into temporary homeless housing as the solution to ending people sleeping on streets. Over the past year, San Jose has built 524 shelter beds or spaces, with more coming online later this year. The city has ramped up its encampment sweeps, clearing more than 500 camps last fiscal year. 'No one-size-fits-all solution exists for homelessness — just as each individual facing homelessness has unique needs, so does each city,' Mahan told San José Spotlight. 'While we support compassionate efforts to help those in need, we believe local governments must maintain the authority to manage services in ways that balance public safety with effective support.' Monica Porter Gilbert, senior mental health policy advocate from Disability Rights California, said there's not enough shelter beds or affordable housing for people who want it when addressing San Jose's policy to arrest those who refuse shelter. According to a San José Spotlight's exclusive compilation of data, there is only one shelter bed for every three homeless people across the county. Most of the bed space is in San Jose, which has 2,989 beds. In addition, the city and county are lagging far behind on affordable housing production. San Jose is mandated by the state to build 62,200 homes by 2031, of which 34,486 must be affordable. So far, San Jose has completed 3,586 homes in the current cycle, which runs from 2023 to 2031. 'What that means is that no matter what an individual or family does, there are still going to be hundreds of thousands of Californians forced to live outside until the government actually addresses the need,' Gilbert told San José Spotlight. Although San Jose does not prohibit groups from providing assistance to homeless people, Kalra said any city under the federal ruling could enact legislation to further criminalize homelessness. 'Sweeping encampments and arresting people in a community where you don't have enough housing for everyone is cruelty,' Kalra said. 'It's both intellectually and morally lazy to just revert to what might be politically popular, to clear out those (whom) folks may not want to see. But it takes real compassion and thoughtfulness to think of how we can actually uplift those who are struggling the most.'
Politico
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Politico
Guns in the Statehouse?
Good Wednesday morning! We've seen some talk about elected officials' safety following the assassination of a Minnesota state lawmaker — the latest but far from the only case of elected officials being targeted with violence.n Recently, New Jersey lawmakers revived the idea of hiding elected officials' addresses on public documents, this time through Daniel's Law. And now there's another proposal: Let New Jersey elected officials and their top staffers carry guns pretty much anywhere they go. A bill introduced by Assemblymembers Bob Auth and Greg Myhre, A5958, would add elected officials and their chiefs of staff to the list of occupations not subject to New Jersey's strictest laws on carrying and possessing firearms. This would have perhaps held more meaning before the Supreme Court's Bruen decision, which basically tossed New Jersey's longstanding ban on concealed carry for everyone but law enforcement, retired law enforcement, military and a select group of other officials. However, gun rights activists have complained that police are still hesitant to grant many carry permits. 'It has more has to do with access to certain places. It maybe could make it a bit easier,' Myhre told me in a phone interview. Does this mean lawmakers could carry guns in the Statehouse under this proposal? Myrhe said he wasn't sure but thought that would be a good idea. From my read on it, it would. The bill's statement says the officials could carry the firearms 'at all times,' though their chiefs of staff could only do so on duty. They'd all have to take a training course. While the chances of this bill going anywhere are all but nil, if the 2021 and 2024 elections weren't an aberration and New Jersey really is tilting red, it may not be a fantasy. FEEDBACK? Reach me at mfriedman@ WHERE'S MURPHY — In Atlantic City for the New Jersey Building Trades convention. Media: 'Ask Governor Murphy' on your local NPR affiliate at 7 p.m. QUOTE OF THE DAY: 'The independence and credibility of the federal judiciary depend on the nomination and confirmation of individuals who demonstrate unwavering respect for the law and the institutions that uphold it. Elevating a nominee whose record reflects a pattern of misconduct, disregard for lawful authority, and political entanglement would not only compromise the integrity of the cfourts, it would set a dangerous precedent that judicial power may be wielded in service of personal fealty rather than constitutional duty.' — A joint letter by more than 75 former judges opposing Emil Bove's nomination to a New Jersey seat on the Third Circuit. HAPPY BIRTHDAY — David Danzis, Stephen De Luca, Leonard Zax WHAT TRENTON MADE STORM AFTERMATH — Nearly four years after Gov. Phil Murphy promised to 'sharpen' his storm warnings, he didn't issue a state of emergency for storms that killed two people until after rain began falling on Monday night. The governor defended his actions at a Tuesday morning press conference, saying he and chief of staff Tim Hillman were 'cranking out warnings' on social media and that alerts did go out. But the formal state of emergency, which covered all 21 counties, wasn't declared until 8 p.m. — by which time the state had already experienced severe weather. And though he posted about it at 7:30, it wasn't sent out to the media until after 8 p.m. The governor, who has previously taken to the air waves ahead of other storms, also did not have such appearances on his public schedule Monday. 'We put out a pretty aggressive amount of social media yesterday afternoon,' Murphy said in Berkeley Heights on Tuesday morning. He was there to tour some modest storm damage, including a road near some businesses that was busted up and muddy but still passable. Other parts of the state experienced worse. Two died in their cars in Plainfield, he said, after their vehicle was swept away. 'Had we called it an hour earlier, I'm not sure that would have impacted things,' the governor said about the emergency declaration. Murphy said water has killed more people in his time as governor than any other sort of weather event. In late summer 2021, critics questioned why Murphy hadn't declared a state of emergency before the remnants of Hurricane Ida triggered massive flooding that killed dozens of people statewide. His emergency declaration then came only after the storm's damage was clear and contrasted with a state of emergency declared by Pennsylvania's governor the night before. After that, Murphy began declaring emergencies ahead of even more modest storms, like one that hit just weeks after Ida. — Ry Rivard —'Union County animal shelter inundated by floodwaters: 'We lost everything'' —'House explodes, dozens rescued from rising water in chaotic night of flooding in N.J.' —'How much rain did NJ get on July 14? See rain totals' AND THE POLITICS — Mikie Sherrill hit Jack Ciattarelli for a jokey Instagram post that showed one of his campaign signs above a flooded street over Elton John's 'I'm Still Standing.' '. @Jack4NJ thinks the flooding is a joke,' she tweeted. The post no longer appears on Ciattarelli's Instagram rampage. The Ciattarelli campaign on Tuesday morning did send out an email about the flooding linking to the Delaware River Basin Commission's flood resources page. 'Jack and the team are closely monitoring this situation, and we're here to support every New Jerseyan affected,' the email read. THE LEAVE SOME CHILDREN BEHIND ACT — Future of 'Cover All Kids' unclear with Murphy leaving office, by POLITICO's Daniel Han:, by POLITICO's Daniel Han: Gov. Phil Murphy expanded Medicaid coverage to children regardless of immigration status during his governorship. It's unclear if that program will survive once he leaves office. Republican Jack Ciattarelli has signaled he doesn't support 'welfare for illegal immigrants' and Rep. Mikie Sherrill has declined to directly answer if she would continue providing health care for immigrant children — leaving the program's fate in the air as the Trump administration continues to target pro-immigrant policies. Now, pro-immigrant groups are worried whether the program, known as Cover All Kids, will continue with a new governor in office next year. 'For either candidate to not be prepared to answer this is a real indictment and worries me just how serious they are in policies in the lead-up to November,' Amy Torres executive director of New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice, said in an interview. THAT ENDLESS SKYWAY: THIS PLAN WAS PAID BY YOU AND ME — 'Why the massive Pulaski Skyway rehab project is years away from being finished,' by NJ Advance Media's Larry Higgs: 'The massive Pulaski Skyway rehabilitation project that started in April 2014 now ranks as New Jersey's most expensive highway project, at over $1.7 billion spent, and it isn't done yet … Of the 13 current projects, seven are complete, three are under construction and three are in final design, said New Jersey Department of Transportation spokesperson Stephen Schapiro … Of a $1.785 billion running total for the project, $664 million has been spent on the seven completed projects. Another $1.12 billion has been awarded in three construction contracts that are underway. The original price tag in April 2014 was estimated at $1 billion. No cost information was available about the three projects that are in the design phase. That puts the Pulaski Skyway rehabilitation as the most expensive and longest-running state highway construction project.' POLICE SHOOTING — 'State grand jury declines to file criminal charges in 2024 police shooting of Victoria Lee,' by The Record's Amanda Wallace: 'A state grand jury has voted not to file criminal charges in the fatal police-involved shooting of 25-year-old Victoria Lee in Fort Lee last July, the state Office of the Attorney General announced July 15. This announcement comes nearly one year after the Attorney General's Office said Lee was fatally shot by Fort Lee Police Officer Tony Pickens, Jr. at The Pinnacle apartment complex on Main Street. On July 14, the state grand jury, after reviewing evidence including 911 calls, body camera and taser footage, interviews, photos, ballistics reports and autopsy results, voted 'no bill,' concluding no criminal charges should be filed against Pickens, the Attorney General's Office said.' — 'Why NJ's ranking among states is so up and down" —'Housing advocates push for more money for NJ affordable housing fund' —'State agency can't be sued for harassment by municipal court staff, N.J. court rules' —'Judge denies full recount in 39th District Assembly race' TRUMP ERA BACK AT IT — Grewal defending 'sanctuary' cities in Trump DOJ lawsuit, by POLITICO's Daniel Han: The architect of New Jersey's 'sanctuary' state policy is defending New Jersey cities that are under scrutiny for their own pro-immigrant policies, according to new court filings. Former Attorney General Gurbir Grewal is representing Hoboken and Newark in the lawsuit from the Trump administration's Department of Justice, which seeks to invalidate 'sanctuary' policies in four New Jersey cities. READY, AIM, MISFIRE — David Austin, a young activist from Somers Point who last year founded the $22 million 'Forward Blue' super PAC is at it again. FEC records show Austin in June founded a new super PAC called 'Fire Fetterman,' presumably to oust Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman, whose rightward shift since his 2022 election has upset a lot of Democrats, especially in the party's pro-Palestinian flank. But Austin within days got a letter back from the FEC saying his super PAC's name isn't allowed, since they can't include a candidates' name in them. So Austin re-named it 'Fire the Hoodie,' presumably referring to Fetterman's notorious informal wardrobe. LOCAL BULL HAYDEN — 'Sussex County Commissioner indicted in stolen valor scandal,' by New Jersey Globe's David Wildstein: 'Sussex County Commissioner Bill Hayden, whose stolen valor scandal prompted demands for his resignation from officials of both parties, was indicted for filing fraudulent tax returns claiming a veteran's exemption he wasn't entitled to. 'Our tax system relies on everyone filing a true and accurate tax return,' said Attorney General Matt Platkin. 'Fraudulently claiming an exemption reserved for military veterans is something we will not tolerate.' The indictment alleges that he illegally received a $6,000 tax exemption that resulted in his avoiding $382 in state income taxes.' The stolen valor scandal, first reported by the New Jersey Globe in February 2024, detailed Hayden's representation that he had served as a Navy SEAL and took the veterans' tax exemption. … Other statements obtained by the New Jersey Globe state that Hayden had told them he was a Navy SEAL, suggesting that he was involved in the killing of drug cartel boss Pablo Escobar and that he was shot multiple times.' REALTY BITES — 'FBI subpoenas seek records from city officials in alleged Paterson bribery case,' by The Paterson Press' Joe Malinconico: 'FBI agents handed subpoenas to at least six Paterson officials last week as part of an ongoing investigation into a notorious real estate influencer accused of making $50,000 in bribes to try to get city approvals for a housing development. … A federal indictment unsealed last week claimed Pina engaged in real estate fraud, laundering drug money, and bribing an unnamed Paterson official for help in a failed attempt to get city zoning board approval to convert a vacant schoolhouse into 60 housing units … The indictment said Pina's property at 523 Park Avenue in Paterson was one of those he used in his alleged Ponzi scheme … The building, at the corner of East 33rd Street, is still adorned with a long wrap-around banner urging Paterson's 3rd Ward voters to re-elect Councilman Alex Mendez in May 2024. Mendez' opponents in that election said the councilman used the building as his makeshift campaign headquarters. But the campaign finance reports Mendez filed with the state make no mention of him paying rent for the property. … Two officials — Councilman Michael Jackson and Paterson zoning officer Jesus Castro — acknowledged on the record that they received subpoenas from the FBI .. Jackson said there's only one Paterson official 'who is constantly bragging about being in real estate.' That official, Jackson said, is Mendez.' UNDER PRESSURE — 'Water pressure: Battle over Trenton utility reignites fears of privatization and loss of control,' by The Jersey VIndicator's Jeff Pillets: 'Over the past two decades, the Trenton Water Works has lurched from crisis to crisis while struggling to supply clean water to more than 220,000 customers in Mercer County. State investigators have documented treatment problems, equipment failures, management disarray, and outright corruption. Human pathogens like Legionella, found breeding in Trenton's urban reservoir, have been linked to the deaths of at least three people. Consultants hired by the state Department of Environmental Protection reported in January that the water utility might fail altogether without new leadership, possibly in the form of a regional authority sanctioned by the state. But a vocal contingent of Trenton residents, who say they have no real problem with the water, is pushing back. The Trentonians for Trenton Water Works Committee claims to have collected more than 4,000 signatures opposing any plan to regionalize the troubled utility.' THE PATH TOO OFTEN TAKEN — 'O'Dea pledges to fix PATH train: 'We need real accountability & real solutions',' by Hudson County View's John Heinis: 'Hudson County Commissioner Bill O'Dea (D-2), a Jersey City mayoral candidate, is pledging to fix PATH train service after another weekend with long delays: 'We need real accountability and real solutions.' … O'Dea's plan includes requiring PATH capacity studies and mitigation plans for all large-scale developments near PATH stations. He also wants conditioning zoning variances, payment in lieu of taxes (PILOTs), and planning board approvals on developer commitments to help relieve transit pressure — whether through funding for shuttles, bike infrastructure, or PATH station improvements.' COULD THIS BE CONSIDERED A MASTER PLAN? — 'CRDA moves Bader Field development plan forward; City Council vote expected Wednesday,' by The Press of Atlantic City's Bill Barlow: 'A multibillion-dollar proposal to develop Bader Field took a step forward Tuesday with a vote from the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority. City Council is expected to vote on the redevelopment plan Wednesday at a meeting starting at 5 p.m. in City Hall, 1301 Bacharach Blvd. DEEM Enterprises has proposed extensive development at the former airport, to include waterfront housing, a luxury hotel, retail space and a 2.4-mile vehicle track. CRDA officials said Tuesday it would not be used for car races.' DEAD RABBITS — A square meal in the Mile Square City led to some strange controversy this week. Councilmember Tiffanie Fisher in a press release Monday called out fellow councilmember Joe Quintero for sending her a photo with the words 'Fuck you Tiffanie!!!' and an emoji middle finger over a plate over risotto. Upon investigation, Fisher — who has two rabbits as pets — came to believe that this was a $32 plate of rabbit risotto at Anthony David's in Hoboken. Quintero, who doesn't get along with Fisher and is running for reelection on a rival slate, had apparently intended the text making fun of Fisher for someone else. 'We've seen what happens when politics becomes cruel for sport. When decency gives way to spectacle, and personal attacks replace honest debate. We can't let that become normal here. Hoboken is better than that,' Fisher wrote. —'NJ affordable housing mandate is a 'bitter pill,' a Hawthorne councilman says' —'Legendary N.J. raceway may soon be replaced by 600 affordable housing units' —'Jersey City fights new allegations in fired aide's lawsuit' —'Religious teacher sexually abused teen in [Elmwood Park] mosque parking lot, cops say' —'Hoboken Mayor Bhalla rejoins Florio Perrucci' EVERYTHING ELSE DOOB AC — 'High time: Weed lounges are finally opening in New Jersey — and they're coming this month,' by The Philadelphia Inquirer's Henry Savage: 'On Tuesday, July 15, the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission voted to approve the state's first cannabis consumption lounges. The four lounges — which include two in Atlantic City — can open as soon as they pass site inspections. Most are already through that stage. 'This is a long time coming. I know a lot of people were eager to see cannabis consumption areas open up here in New Jersey,' said Commission Chair Dianna Houenou before announcing the endorsement of four cannabis lounges.' —''Jeopardy!' fans react after Scott Riccardi stops rival from advancing to final round' — 'Impaled Asbury Park lifeguard is back on the job without fear'
Politico
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Politico
Unmasking ICE agents
SHOW YOUR FACE: New York Democrats are itching to ban masks again. A group of state lawmakers and city officials want to bar ICE agents from wearing face coverings during immigration raids. And Mayor Eric Adams is pushing for a citywide regulation on masks that targets menacing protesters. The two pushes — one from a mayor aligned with President Donald Trump and another from a throng of Democrats who abhor him — are playing out just months after Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a state spending plan that included new mask-wearing restrictions, which were significantly weakened during budget negotiations. Videos of masked ICE agents rounding up people they believe to be undocumented have gone viral, and the agency says the use of masks ensures their officers' safety from criminals who may target them. On Friday, ICE agents were allegedly ambushed by 10 people who shot at them. The agency has been under pressure to detain more undocumented immigrants as the Trump administration set an unprecedented goal of 1 million deportations a year, leading to more aggressive tactics that critics say are extreme. City Comptroller Brad Lander, Borough President Mark Levine and Assemblymembers Tony Simone, Grace Lee and Jo Anne Simon were in downtown Manhattan today lobbying for a bill that restricts law enforcement from wearing masks. The bill, which will be introduced by Simone, was inspired by a similar state law proposed in California. It's called the 'MELT Act' and would require 'all law enforcement' — not just ICE — to wear clear identification with names and badge numbers. 'When the enforcement agents mask themselves and don't wear badges — so you have no idea who they are, what agency they work for, what authority they operate under — then it becomes impossible to hold them accountable for their actions,' said Lander, who spoke outside the federal courthouse where he was arrested last month by ICE agents while escorting an immigrant. (ICE claims Lander was arrested because he 'assaulted our brave law enforcement,' though video of the incident does not support that claim.) Lander said agents wear masks 'for the purpose of striking fear into asylum seekers and immigrants in the hope that they will be terrorized by masked gangs who seek to grab and abduct them.' In a statement, ICE responded to Lander and the proposed legislation. 'Our agents are being assaulted by rioters with rocks and Molotov cocktails thrown at them and shot at, these sanctuary politicians must tone down their rhetoric,' said Tricia McLaughlin, an assistant secretary at the Department of Homeland Security. 'This despicable rhetoric about our brave law enforcement has contributed to a 700 percent increase in assaults against them. 'Additionally, Comptroller Lander has clearly never been on an ICE operation because he would see our officers verbally identify themselves, wear vests that say ICE/ERO or Homeland Security, and are flanked by vehicles that also say the name of the department. When our heroic law enforcement officers conduct operations, they clearly identify themselves as law enforcement. These arguments are getting a little desperate.' The legislation includes broad exceptions for medical masks 'to prevent the transmission of airborne diseases' and 'masks that protect officers from the cold.' Law enforcement would be allowed to don masks in special circumstances like narcotics operations or SWAT raids, Simone said. Hochul initially wanted to make it a crime for New Yorkers to wear masks with the intent to menace and harass others — an idea inspired by a viral video of masked pro-Palestinian protesters harassing subway riders. But the legislation was defanged after opposition from left-leaning lawmakers and the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic & Asian Legislative Caucus. The law that passed only allows for individuals to be charged with wearing a mask if it was used to conceal their identity in the commission of a separate crime. The mask restrictions had been one of Hochul's budget priorities and allowed her to stake out a tough-on-crime position while appealing to pro-Israel New Yorkers rattled by masked pro-Palestinian protesters on college campuses. In the coming weeks, Adams is now expected to introduce legislation in the City Council that aims to pick up where Hochul's mask proposal fell flat. 'Mayor Adams has been clear that while we will always protect everyone's right to peacefully protest, cowards who hide behind masks to harass and threaten others are unacceptable and should be illegal once again,' Adams' spokesperson Kayla Mamelak Altus said in a statement. 'Mayor Adams also called on the state to pass legislation that would make this illegal — just as it was prior to the COVID-19 pandemic — and while some changes were made, he has said that the legislation does not go far enough. We are examining ways to work with the City Council to pass further legislation on the local level.' — Jason Beeferman From the Capitol JESS ON JESS: Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas' 'phone's been ringing off the hook' about a potential primary challenge to state Sen. Jessica Ramos, and she's 'taking this all into consideration.' Left-leaning Democrats were furious at Ramos for endorsing Andrew Cuomo in the mayoral primary, with many seeing it as a betrayal of the progressive movement that helped her unseat former state Sen. Jose Peralta in 2018. Peralta was a member of the breakaway Independent Democratic Conference, which often aligned with Republican lawmakers. González-Rojas, a Democrat who reps western Queens, was speaking on the Max Politics podcast Tuesday. 'A lot of conversations are happening, no decisions are made,' said González-Rojas, who endorsed both Zohran Mamdani and Brad Lander in the primary. She said she'll have to make a decision this year, ahead of what would be a June 2026 primary. Meanwhile, Mamdani supporters are dreaming of backing primary challengers against Congress members like Hakeem Jeffries, Ritchie Torres, Jerry Nadler, Dan Goldman and Yvette Clarke, CNN reported, and Democratic City Council Member Justin Brannan is weighing a run against Republican Rep. Nicole Malliotakis. Brannan's longtime aide Chris McCreight is also planning a 2026 rematch after losing to GOP Assemblymember Alec Brook-Krasny last year, City & State reports. — Jeff Coltin ALBANY'S OUTSIDE INCOME: At least 23 members of the state Legislature will be forced to retire from either their public or private jobs if a Republican lawsuit challenging new outside income rules is unsuccessful. They're part of a group of 54 state legislators who earned outside income last year, according to financial disclosure forms recently posted by the Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government. Lawmakers holding private sector jobs has been one of the most contentious issues in the Capitol for decades. While some legislators have argued the jobs are an essential part of maintaining a government whose officials understand regular people's struggles, they've been at the center of a long list of scandals that have brought down lawmakers like former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver. The side gigs now face an uncertain future. Legislators imposed a cap of $35,000 on outside earnings as part of a 2022 deal to raise their state salaries. Republicans challenged that cap as part of what is turning into a multiyear legal battle, and the new rules are currently on stay pending appellate court arguments. A total of 30 of the 62 Republicans in the state Legislature who served in 2024 and were still in office to file financial disclosure forms this spring reported making at least some outside income last year. That compares with only 24 of the 124 Democrats. Of the 23 legislators who definitely made more than $35,000 from these jobs and would be affected by the new rules, there were 17 Republicans and six Democrats. A failure to permanently block the new law in the courts raises the possibility of a GOP exodus from Albany or many members being forced to give up lucrative side gigs. The highest-earning legislator in 2024 earned over a half-million dollars in outside income. Find out who they are — and how much outside dough they brought in — in a POLITICO Pro report from Bill Mahoney. FROM THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL POLL ALERT: Mamdani holds a 10-point lead over Cuomo in the general election for New York City mayor, while Adams trails in fourth place behind Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa, according to a new Slingshot Strategies poll, POLITICO reports. Mamdani gets support from 35 percent of registered voters, followed by Cuomo with 25, Sliwa with 14, Adams at 11 and attorney Jim Walden at 1 percent. Thirteen percent of respondents said they weren't sure, while 1 percent picked another candidate. The survey of 1,036 registered New York City voters was conducted between July 2-6 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.2 percentage points. It comes as Cuomo weighs whether to mount a serious campaign on his independent 'Fight and Deliver' line — and while the former governor and the current mayor publicly bicker and call on the other one to drop out in order to best consolidate opposition to Mamdani. Adams in particular is in a bad spot. His net approval rating is at -34, with 28 percent of respondents expressing a favorable view and 62 percent unfavorable. By comparison, Mamdani is at +4 and Cuomo is at -2. Adams trails Mamdani among every single subset of voters — including Black voters — except one: Republicans, where Adams picks up 26 percent to Mamdani's 7 percent. Sliwa leads among Republicans however, with 43 percent, while Cuomo gets 16 percent. — Jeff Coltin IN OTHER NEWS — HOCHUL STOPS WATCHDOG FROM WATCHING: The state agency tasked with overseeing New York's prisons has been kept out of the facilities for the past five months under the direction of Hochul's office. (Capitol Pressroom) — 'THEY'RE KILLING US': Immigrants complain of inhumane conditions while being held in the office building at 26 Federal Plaza for days at a time. (Gothamist) — U.S. ATTORNEY PUNISHES PRESS: Interim U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III told his staff to remove the Times-Union from his office's media list after the newspaper revealed the high-profile official listed an abandoned building as his residence. (Times Union) — MAMDANI'S MAYORAL CONTROL: The head of the city's teachers' union said he was open to tweaks to mayoral control after Mamdani said he wants to get rid of it. (POLITICO Pro) Missed this morning's New York Playbook? We forgive you. Read it here.
Politico
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Politico
Why Sacramento is fighting over antisemitism in schools
Presented by SCHOOL SKIRMISH: California educators and Jewish advocates are publicly bashing each other over legislation meant to prevent antisemitism in schools, exposing deepening divisions over the fraught issue. With the two sides far apart, Assemblymembers Rick Chavez Zbur and Dawn Addis yanked their bill — which would penalize schools for creating antisemitic learning environments and restrict what they teach about the Israel-Gaza conflict — from today's Senate Education Committee agenda. Now, they must scramble to ease forceful opposition from progressive groups, school administrators and the powerful California Teachers Association during their month-long summer break before bringing a revised proposal back during the last weeks of session. More than a year after campus protests over the war in Gaza rocked the state, Jewish lawmakers continue to raise the alarm about rising rates of antisemitic incidents at schools. The debate over such legislation in the Capitol has been very personal and at times raw — particularly for members of the Legislative Jewish Caucus, as their proposals run into concerns about educational censorship. Progressive groups — including Indivisible California and various chapters of the Democratic Socialists of America and Jewish Voice for Peace — called the legislation 'dangerous and unnecessary' in a letter to the committee. They argue it's meant to 'repress and censor educational content and protect the state of Israel from criticism, rather than address the real problem of antisemitism.' In spite of the impasse, leaders insist they want to 'send an antisemitism bill to the Governor by the end of this year's legislative session in September.' The lawmakers only recently unveiled their latest version of the proposal, which would punish schools found to be hostile toward Jewish students and restrict how schools teach about Israel, such as banning messaging 'directly or indirectly denying the right of Israel to exist or saying that Jewish people don't belong to a country or community.' It would also create a statewide antisemitism coordinator position, another point of contention with the teachers' union because it would focus on just one group. The legislation advanced from the Assembly last month with vague placeholder language after CTA shut down an earlier version that would have limited lessons about the Gaza war in ethnic studies classes. It prompted an emotional floor discussion about antisemitism, with Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan saying through tears that 'students are being taught to hate my children … because they're Jewish in the public schools in California.' Progressives framed the delay as a win, but remained wary. Theresa Montaño, who serves on leadership of the California Faculty Association, said that the bill's crafters went from 'multiple perspectives' to 'one perspective' as they got closer to releasing the language. 'The intended motivation around this bill was particularly chilling from the beginning, when it started with ethnic studies, to this policing of classroom teachers, to now — 'We're going to come up with something, we just don't know what it is,'' Montaño said. 'That's still kind of scary to me.' The Jewish Public Affairs Committee, the main group behind the legislation, blasted the teachers union earlier in the week when the proposal's fate was in serious doubt. David Bocarsly, JPAC's executive director, said the group agreed to focus broadly on antisemitism at CTA's request, so he was dismayed that the union's opposition pointed to the antisemitism prevention coordinator position and proposed curriculum restrictions, arguing it is 'something that we don't do for any other active conflict in the world.' 'The hypocrisy is so clear — when we only have this bill in this version because they suggested it,' Bocarsly said. CTA's opposition has created tension inside and outside the union, including with its Jewish Affairs Caucus. Addis, who was a public school teacher for two decades and had 'very, very positive relationships' with CTA, said the union's position caused her to do 'quite a bit of soul searching.' She called it 'hurtful and harmful,' though she said she remains open to collaborating. 'It's really important to continue the conversation and that they look for ways to engage more constructively and bring forward ideas so that, as this bill moves forward, they can be seen as a partner with the Jewish community,' Addis said. 'That's my biggest hope.' IT'S WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON. This is California Playbook PM, a POLITICO newsletter that serves as an afternoon temperature check on California politics and a look at what our policy reporters are watching. Got tips or suggestions? Shoot an email to lholden@ WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TODAY LAWSUIT WATCH: Gov. Gavin Newsom hinted that California may file yet another lawsuit against Donald Trump's administration over federal immigration action in Los Angeles' MacArthur Park. 'Yes, in fact, one of the first texts I'm going to send back is to Rob Bonta, 'cause he just reached out to me right before I jumped in here,' Newsom told reporters today in response to a question about potential legal action over the incident. 'And we've got the city one, the local ones, at the state, so there's a lot of different levers that we could pull,' the governor added. Rifle-toting agents went to the park on Monday, seemingly to create an intimidating display rather than arrest undocumented residents. The move sparked an appearance from Mayor Karen Bass, who later described the scene she encountered when she pulled up. 'I got alerted that there was an ICE operation, military intervention — who knows — at MacArthur Park. I turned around. We went to the park,' Bass said. 'I could see a helicopter in the air. I think it was a Black Hawk helicopter. And I saw military tanks.' Los Angeles city and county joined a federal class-action lawsuit on Tuesday, and California and other blue states also weighed in on the case this week, asking the court to intervene. ON THE (CAMPAIGN?) TRAIL FANCY SEEING YOU HERE: Newsom's visit to rural South Carolina today became an impromptu reunion for Republican expats eager to harp on the liberal boogeyman from their former state. The one-time Californians, braving the muggy Southern weather in MAGA gear, traded former hometowns like call signs and displayed placards — 'CA -> SC Refugees' and 'UHAUL Salesman of the YEAR' — while protesting Newsom's two morning stops in small towns nestled among rolling hills in the state's northwest corner. They were quick to mention favorite conservative talking points (gas prices, pandemic lockdowns, the French Laundry controversy) to reporters and Democrats walking in to see the governor. 'He's the governor there, yet he's here, what, running for president?' 49-year-old Brad Beach, a former school board member in Cerritos who moved to South Carolina last month, told Playbook. 'It's ridiculous. He should stay home and fix the problems there.' Newsom — who's used to being a conservative punching bag — brushed off the protests with a few cheeky remarks to 100 or so friendly attendees at both stops. 'I'm proud to be here in a county that probably doesn't overwhelmingly support some guy from California, is that about right? That's what I'm being told,' Newsom told the crowd at his first stop in Seneca, near the Georgia border. 'I mean, I can test the theory by walking the streets with you, but I don't know if you've got enough security.' — Tyler Katzenberger IN OTHER NEWS SPORTS SUIT: The Trump administration sued the state Department of Education today over a policy allowing transgender athletes to compete in girls' sports, repeating a threat to withhold billions of dollars in school funding over California's policy. The lawsuit, filed in the Central District of California, alleges that California's transgender athlete law violates Title IX, the federal civil rights law that bans sex-based discrimination. It cites Newsom's comment earlier this year that it was 'deeply unfair' for transgender athletes to compete in girls sports. 'The Governor of California has previously admitted that it is 'deeply unfair' to force women and girls to compete with men and boys in competitive sports,' Attorney General Pamela Bondi said in a statement. 'But not only is it 'deeply unfair,' it is also illegal under federal law. This Department of Justice will continue its fight to protect equal opportunities for women and girls in sports.' A spokesperson for Newsom said that both the state's Department of Education and CIF are independent from his administration and are following state law. Newsom is not named as a party in the suit. 'No court has adopted the interpretation of Title IX that is being advanced by the federal government, and neither the Governor, nor they, get to wave a magic wand and override it — unlike Donald Trump, California follows the law,' spokesperson Izzy Gardon said in a statement. X-ED OUT: Linda Yaccarino announced she is stepping down from her role as CEO of X in a post on the website today, our Aaron Pellish reports. 'After two incredible years, I've decided to step down as CEO of X,' she wrote. 'I'm incredibly proud of the X team - the historic business turn around we have accomplished together has been nothing short of remarkable.' The former NBC Universal executive joined X in 2023 shortly after Elon Musk took ownership of the social media platform. Musk and Yaccarino had spearheaded an initiative to totally remake the company — which was then known as Twitter — with the tech titan warning the platform was too 'woke.' Yaccarino praised the company and its owner in her post, and touted the features the company unveiled under her watch — including xAI. xAI is the engine behind its chatbot, Grok, which posted antisemitic content on X on Tuesday. But Yaccarino's resignation was unrelated to the Grok incident, according to a person familiar with her departure who was granted anonymity to speak freely. In response to her resignation post, Musk replied: 'Thank you for your contributions.' He has not yet indicated who would replace Yaccarino. WHAT WE'RE READING TODAY — A program that allows homeless people in Los Angeles County to earn gift cards each week they pass a drug test has gained traction in the region. (LAist) — State workers from a number of unions are approving tentative agreements after a monthslong battle to strike a deal. (Sacramento Bee) AROUND THE STATE — Los Angeles is on track to end 2025 with the lowest homicide total in almost 60 years, an LAPD tally shows. (Los Angeles Times) — San Diego has relaxed its first-in-the-nation mandate banning digital-only grocery coupons after facing pushback from grocery stores and business groups. (San Diego Union-Tribune) — A bishop in San Bernardino issued a decree exempting churchgoers from attending Sunday Mass amid heightened immigration enforcement in the region. (OC Register) — compiled by Juliann Ventura
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Attorney general blasts governor's veto of bill to rein in price fixing
Attorney General Aaron Ford and Gov. Joe Lombardo. (Photo: Richard Bednarski/Nevada Current) Democratic Attorney General Aaron Ford said Monday that Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo's veto of Ford's legislation to crack down on price fixing 'means fewer protections for your wallet.' Lombardo, in his veto message last week, blasted the bill as 'a striking case of government overreach' and 'inherently broad and open to wide interpretation, likely making enforcement subjective and inconsistent.' Assembly Bill 44 sought to expand the state's existing Unfair Trade Practice Act to include knowingly deceptive price fixing of essential goods and services, defining those goods as things 'needed on a daily or recurring basis for the livelihood of a person.' The list of essential goods defined by the bill included housing, food, internet service, ground transportation, and pharmaceutical and other medical products. 'Let's be clear about what this veto means,' said Ford, who has indicated he hopes to take Lombardo's job away from him in next year's election, in a statement Monday. 'It means fewer tools to hold bad corporations accountable. It means fewer protections for your wallet. And it means more power for the people who rig the rules against all of us in the Nevada family.' During his presentations of AB 44, Ford told lawmakers the legislation was designed to bolster consumer protections and wouldn't apply to businesses if they weren't engaging in fraudulent practices. The legislation passed the Assembly 24-18 in April with three Democrats, Assemblymembers Joe Dalia, Duy Nguyen and Venise Karris, joining Republicans in opposing the measure. AB 44 passed the Senate 14-7 in late May, with Republican state Sen. John Steinbeck joining Democrats. The veto showed Lombardo sided 'with corporations that cheat and deceive to make a buck,' Ford said Monday, adding that Lombardo's decision was 'disappointing, but not surprising.' While the bill encompassed several categories of goods and services, perhaps its most notable feature was an attempt to rein in price fixing in the rental market. Landlords and property owners across the country, including in Nevada, have come under fire in recent years for using rent-fixing software to artificially raise the price of rents. Real estate software companies, like RealPage, have been sued by several state attorneys general and the federal government in the last year, though the companyRealPage has denied wrongdoing in these cases. During the legislative session, rental property owners and real estate groups likened the bill's efforts to address price fixing as 'rent control.' 'This bill does not cap in any kind of way how much someone can charge for something as long as they aren't knowingly, fraudulently or deceptively engaging in conduct,' Ford said in a March bill hearing. 'You can charge what you want to charge.'
