Latest news with #RepublicanAssembly
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Gavin Newsom calls for special election to replace Assemblyman Bill Essayli
Gov. Gavin Newsom called Monday for a special election Aug. 26 to fill an assembly seat in Southern California after Bill Essayli resigned this month from the Legislature to become the Los Angeles area's top federal prosecutor. Essayli, R-Corona, said he would step down from his position representing the 63rd District after President Donald Trump appointed him the U.S. Department of Justice's lead prosecutor overseeing the Central District of California. The first Muslim to serve in the chamber, Essayli became known for his willingness to go toe-to-toe with Democrats on culture war issues, but less so for his legislative successes. The 63rd District covers Temescal Valley and parts of Riverside County, a conservative-leaning area that elected Trump over Kamala Harris last November by less than two percentage points, according to election data. Essayli handily rewon his election that month over Democratic opponent, Chris Shoults, by 15 points. The district leans Republican, which has a six-point advantage over Democrats, according to state voter affiliation data. Republican Assembly caucus leader James Gallagher, R-East Nicolaus, said he was 'confident' Essayli would be succeeded by another Republican. 'Californians know that the crime, homelessness, and high cost of living plaguing our state are a direct result of Gavin Newsom and his Democrat (sic) enablers in the Legislature,' he said in a statement. The Secretary of State's office did not respond to a request for comment about the candidate filing deadline for this election. Neither the California Democratic Party nor the California Republican Party immediately responded to questions about whether they were encouraging candidates to run for the district seat. After stepping down, Essayli endorsed Lake Elsinore city council member Natasha Johnson, the Press-Enterprise reported.
CBS News
03-04-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Newsom responds to questions on trans athletes after bills killed in California Assembly
SACRAMENTO — California Governor Gavin Newsom spoke to reporters for the first time since launching his podcast that features conservative guests and since revealing he opposes trans athletes competing in women's sports . Newsom arrived for an event at a fire training center at Modesto Junior College as burning questions remained about his revelation that the long-time LGBTQ+ supporter opposes trans athletes in women's sports. This presser came a day after Democratic lawmakers killed two bills that would have banned trans athletes from girls' and women's sports . "What's your response to that vote, and also, should there, from your position as governor, be a California state law that restricts trans athletes from playing in women's sports?" I asked Newsom. "These kids just want to survive," Newsom responded. "And so the question you're asking is the question we've been asking ourselves for months and haven't been able to answer — What is that? How can you make this fair? And I haven't been able to figure it out." Jorge Salinas is a spokesperson for Equality California, the nation's largest statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights organization. He said the organization is monitoring the governor's discussions. "Our reaction to what he said at the press conference, to what he said on the podcast, is still a reaction of disappointment," Salinas said. "Our relationship continues to be a respectful one. We still believe that he is an ally of the LGBTQ+ community until we see otherwise in action." Republican Assembly leader James Gallagher is calling for the governor to take action on his words. "If this was a real priority for him — fairness for young women in the state — you think he might have been here and you think he might have made some calls," Gallagher said. "To the extent someone can, and do it in a way that is respectful and responsible and can find a kind of balance, then I'm open to that discussion," Newsom said. "That said, this is not where all my energy flows." Newsom was in Modesto to announce a Master Plan for Career Education, which aims to connect Californians "to high-paying, fulfilling careers, with or without a college degree." The announcement included what is being called "career passports," which are digital tools combining academic records with verified experience from work like military service and training programs. The plan also invests in expanding credit for prior learning, allowing veterans and working Californians to turn real-world experience into college credit.
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Assembly Republicans unveil cost-of-living bills to tackle gas prices, taxes on tips
Republican lawmakers on Wednesday said providing Californians much-needed relief from the state's high cost of living will be a top priority this year, though their proposals face a difficult road in the Democratic-led state Legislature. The bills announced Wednesday morning will tackle prices at the gas pump, create tax credits for low-income renters, and make tips tax-exempt for workers such as bartenders and manicurists. 'This is the No. 1 issue for California voters, the cost of living,' said Republican Assembly leader James Gallagher of Yuba City. Gallagher introduced Assembly Bill 286, which would order the Public Utilities Commission to lower electricity rates by 30%. The bill is part of a slew of GOP legislation ground in conservative principles of lowering government-imposed costs and cutting taxes. Assemblymember Diane Dixon (R-Newport Beach) sponsored a measure, Assembly Bill 1443, that would make tips earned by those working in the service industry, barbers and rideshare drivers tax-exempt, an idea similar to proposals supported by President Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris during the 2024 election. Assembly Bill 12 authored by Assemblymember Tom Lackey (R-Palmdale) aims to repeal the low carbon fuel standard cost enacted by the California Air Resources Board. He and others have raised concerns over projections by the board last year that gasoline prices could go by up to 47 cents a gallon in 2025, an average of 65 cents a gallon between 2031 and 2035. "In the district I live in, we have over half our population that is in a commuter situation, many of them over a hundred miles a day," he said. Another bill in the package, Assembly Bill 838, introduced by Assemblymember Tri Ta (R-Westminster), will offer assistance to low- and middle-income renters. It will provide tax credits to those who are in certain income brackets, and will specifically account for those earning $25,000 and $50,000 annually or less. 'We all know that California is home to some of the most expensive rental markets in the country and due to the high cost of housing in the state,' said Ta. 'It is not uncommon for residents to spend a significant portion of their income on housing.' Assemblymember Greg Wallis (R-Bermuda Dunes) said he is "cautiously optimistic" that Democrats in the Legislature will move their package forward. "Everything should be on the table to make this state more affordable," he said. "I'm hopeful we can find bipartisan solutions." Wallis introduced Assembly Bill 121, which would be the largest tax cut to cut personal income tax, reducing it by 1%. The bill would revise the income tax rates and taxable income brackets by imposing an income tax rate of 3% instead of 4%, according to the bill. 'I live in Coachella Valley,' Wallis said. 'One of the reasons I ran for office was because too many friends and family were leaving the state.' Democrats have introduced an array of affordability bills including one proposal by Assemblymember Alex Lee (D-San José) to make CalFresh, the state's food stamp system, permanent. A bill by Assemblymember Isaac Bryan (D-Los Angeles) would increase access to free dental and vision screenings for thousands of housing-insecure students. Another bill package from Assemblymember Pilar Schiavo (D-Chatsworth) proposes plans to assist foster youth by improving housing stability and providing financial assistance to patients seeking medical care who already have medical debt or are already experiencing homelessness. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
27-02-2025
- Business
- Los Angeles Times
Assembly Republicans unveil cost-of-living bills to tackle gas prices, taxes on tips
SACRAMENTO — Republican lawmakers on Wednesday said providing Californians much-needed relief from the state's high cost of living will be a top priority this year, though their proposals face a difficult road in the Democratic-led state Legislature. The bills announced Wednesday morning will tackle prices at the gas pump, create tax credits for low-income renters, and make tips tax-exempt for workers such as bartenders and manicurists. 'This is the No. 1 issue for California voters, the cost of living,' said Republican Assembly leader James Gallagher of Yuba City. Gallagher introduced Assembly Bill 286, which would order the Public Utilities Commission to lower electricity rates by 30%. The bill is part of a slew of GOP legislation ground in conservative principles of lowering government-imposed costs and cutting taxes. Assemblymember Diane Dixon (R-Newport Beach) sponsored a measure, Assembly Bill 1443, that would make tips earned by those working in the service industry, barbers and rideshare drivers tax-exempt, an idea similar to proposals supported by President Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris during the 2024 election. Assembly Bill 12 authored by Assemblymember Tom Lackey (R-Palmdale) aims to repeal the low carbon fuel standard cost enacted by the California Air Resources Board. He and others have raised concerns over projections by the board last year that gasoline prices could go by up to 47 cents a gallon in 2025, an average of 65 cents a gallon between 2031 and 2035. 'In the district I live in, we have over half our population that is in a commuter situation, many of them over a hundred miles a day,' he said. Another bill in the package, Assembly Bill 838, introduced by Assemblymember Tri Ta (R-Westminster), will offer assistance to low- and middle-income renters. It will provide tax credits to those who are in certain income brackets, and will specifically account for those earning $25,000 and $50,000 annually or less. 'We all know that California is home to some of the most expensive rental markets in the country and due to the high cost of housing in the state,' said Ta. 'It is not uncommon for residents to spend a significant portion of their income on housing.' Assemblymember Greg Wallis (R-Bermuda Dunes) said he is 'cautiously optimistic' that Democrats in the Legislature will move their package forward. 'Everything should be on the table to make this state more affordable,' he said. 'I'm hopeful we can find bipartisan solutions.' Wallis introduced Assembly Bill 121, which would be the largest tax cut to cut personal income tax, reducing it by 1%. The bill would revise the income tax rates and taxable income brackets by imposing an income tax rate of 3% instead of 4%, according to the bill. 'I live in Coachella Valley,' Wallis said. 'One of the reasons I ran for office was because too many friends and family were leaving the state.' Democrats have introduced an array of affordability bills including one proposal by Assemblymember Alex Lee (D-San José) to make CalFresh, the state's food stamp system, permanent. A bill by Assemblymember Isaac Bryan (D-Los Angeles) would increase access to free dental and vision screenings for thousands of housing-insecure students. Another bill package from Assemblymember Pilar Schiavo (D-Chatsworth) proposes plans to assist foster youth by improving housing stability and providing financial assistance to patients seeking medical care who already have medical debt or are already experiencing homelessness.
Associated Press
18-02-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Wisconsin Republicans propose $10K income tax break for hurricane and wildfire relocations
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — People who lost their homes to Hurricane Helene or California wildfires could get a sizeable tax break to move to Wisconsin. Republican legislators in the Dairy State have proposed a bill that would give anyone who moves to Wisconsin from North Carolina or Los Angeles County because they were displaced by one of the disasters a $10,000 income tax credit for the 2025 tax year. People who have been convicted of felonies wouldn't be eligible. The bill's authors, state Rep. Cindi Duchow and state Sen. Dan Feyen, said in memo to their colleagues seeking co-sponsors that the tax credit could draw people to the state and help alleviate chronic workforce shortages, particularly in the health care sector. A task force that Democratic Gov. Tony Evers formed to study Wisconsin's worker shortage released a report in August showing a potential deficit of up to 19,000 registered nurses in the state by 2040 and nearly 32,000 annual openings in the health care field over the next five years. 'Hurricane Helene created massive flooding issues in Appalachia, and the devastating wildfires affecting Los Angeles County have displaced thousands of people from their homes,' the lawmakers wrote in their memo. 'Many have lost nearly all possessions and will need to rebuild in the wake of this tragedy. Some highly skilled workers may consider or be forced to leave North Carolina or California, so why not incentivize them to settle in Wisconsin?' The bill's prospects are unclear at best. Spokespeople for Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and Senate Republican Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu didn't immediately respond to emails inquiring about the bill's chances of getting a floor vote in either chamber. Evers' spokesperson, Britt Cudaback, also didn't immediately respond to an email asking what the governor might do with the proposal if it reaches his desk. It's unlikely he would sign it into law given the gaping rift that has developed between him and Republican legislative leaders since he first took office in in 2019. Helene caused widespread damage in parts of the southeastern U.S. in September. More than 230 people died, including at least 106 in North Carolina, according to that state's Department of Health and Human Services. Wildfires scorched thousands of homes, businesses and cars i n Los Angeles County last month. At least 29 people were killed.
