Countermeasure to Prop 47 on Nov. Ballot?

Republican leaders are accusing Governor Gavin Newsom and state Democrats of political maneuvering after they introduced a competing ballot measure to confuse voters and counter the Prop 47 reform initiative.

Late Sunday night, Newsom and the Democratic leaders unveiled a ballot measure to compete with the one the district attorneys are pushing.

The Countermeasure

The proposed ballot measure technically called Senate Bill 1381 

• Democrats say it will cut retail theft and punish those selling fentanyl-laced products.

• Police can add up stolen goods over three years; if over $950, it's grand theft, a felony.

• It calls for a special election on Nov. 5 and it will need just a simple majority to pass the bill.

Republican legislators call this second attempt to subvert the will of the people “shady”.

What’s Next:

The Assembly and Senate will vote on the measure Wednesday.

Lawmakers Chaotic Debate Over LGBTQ+ Student Bill

If you need any more evidence that the California Assembly is a chaotic disaster look no further. Here it is.

The debate over Assembly Bill 1955, the so-called “Safety Act”, a Democrat-sponsored law that would prevent public schools from outing LGBTQ+ students to their parents, went off the rails last week.

Republican Bill Essayli (Corona) was shut down when he tried to talk about his bill that would have put a stop to that controversial measure.

A democrat lawmaker from Corona, Assemblyman Corey Jackson, had to be physically restrained. More on that in just a second but first. Let’s catch you up.

Quick Catch Up

📌The Safety Act was introduced by San Diego Assemblymember Chris Ward, along with the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus back in May.

📌Under the proposed law, teachers would be forced to keep a student’s gender identity a secret from parents if there is no consent given from the student.

📌The proposed bill would students put a stop to what they call "forced outings" of LGBTQ+ students throughout schools throughout the state.

📌Essayli had tried to counter the measure with one of his own, but it failed to pass.

Chamber Chaos

Now back to the three-ring circus- Essayli and Jackson nearly had a physical confrontation on the Assembly floor during the debate Thursday over the parental notification policies.

The two men, both Riverside County lawmakers, exchanged angry words as the Assembly was preparing to vote. KCRA reporter Ashley Zavala captured the tense moments in the chamber

Quick Breakdown

📌 Democrats wouldn’t let Essayli speak about his failed measure let the Republican talk and cut his mic.

📌Essayli didn’t think that was cool, so he challenged the interruption.

📌But a vote to allow Essayli to continue with floor debate failed in the Democratic-controlled assembly.

📌 A Democrat from Hollywood began talking about his coming out as gay, Essayli pointed out that this was something personal, not about the bill.

📌Essayli mumbled something and that is when things got heated.  

📌This is when Assemblyman Corey Jackson got out of his seat, yelled, and aggressively lunged toward Essayli, saying he was offended.

📌Jackson had to be restrained by colleagues. They even formed a wall so he would stay in his seat.

📌Ultimately, things cooled down and they voted on the bill and you guessed it, the measure passed on party lines.

What’s Next

The bill now goes to Governor Newsom’s desk for final approval.

But judging by all the comments online from parents, I would think the Governor would want to get some feedback from parental groups and teachers on this controversial measure before making his decision that will impact potentially millions of families across the state.

PRESIDENTIAL RACE

The first major post-debate national poll is out and more and more Americans (including a majority of Democrats) think President Biden should step out of the race for President. You can see more of the CBS News poll here.  

IF IT COMES TO IT…

In the rare event, that President Biden decides to step away, experts say the odds are Democrats won’t replace him with Governor Newsom.

Recent polls show that Newsom doesn’t fare well when going head-to-head with President Trump.

His role as one of the Biden campaign's top surrogates has made him a target of Republicans who have repeatedly held up California as an example of Democrats' mismanagement, especially on the economy, homelessness, and crime.

Homeless Hat Trick

So this might explain Newsom’s State of the State last week, where he tried to say his track record on the homelessness issue was great.

During that often aggressive speech on YouTube, the Governor even claimed California should be a model for the nation.

Now, if he means, California has spent billions to try and fight the homelessness problem to no avail, he’s dead on.

Quick Catch Up

🔗Newsom’s administration has spent more than $24 billion on the crisis, with little to show for its efforts.

🔗In recent months, Newsom has blamed local leaders for the lack of progress in fighting the problem and threatened to withhold additional funds.

🔗California is home to nearly a third of the country’s homeless population.

🔗More than 180,000 are homeless in California

🔗 Of that 123,000 sleep in encampments or other places not meant for living.

HOT TAKES

🚨 PRESIDENTIAL IMMUNITY: We expect a ruling today from the Supreme Court on whether a president is immune from prosecution over acts conducted while in the White House (President Trump’s challenge to four felony cases over 2020 election interference).

🚨 RESTAURANT SURCHARGES: Surcharges are staying in California restaurants. Governor Gavin Newsom signed emergency legislation exempting restaurants from a new law eliminating "junk fees" starting July 1. This means hidden fees will remain.

🚨 NEW STATE LAWS: July first in California often means new laws take effect, here’s a link to read about the new laws that will go into effect at the beginning of next month.

🚨 SANTA MONICA VIOLENCE: A wave of violent incidents involving homeless and gangs has the city’s mayor asking for state assistance ahead of the 4th of July holiday. The latest occurred over the weekend during a massive brawl and stabbing on the historic pier.

🚨 INSIDE OUT 2: The animated hit “Inside Out 2” topped $1 Billion in global box office sales this weekend, becoming the first success for Disney/Pixar since 2019.

GOLDEN STATE GLOW

🌴Costco is hard at work on what could be considered its biggest new product launch in years: affordable housing.⁠

The company plans to open a new store in Southern California and will also build an 800-unit apartment complex with 184 units set aside for seniors and low-income people.

This will be in Baldwin Village, which is in South LA. This will also be the first Costco warehouse in that area as well. Details on the project are here.🌴
⁠

🌴 Remember this name…. Macklin Celebrini.

The San Jose Sharks selected the 17-year-old as the No. 1 pick in the NHL draft.

No worry, as the youngest player in Division 1 at Boston University he racked up 32 goals & 32 assists in 38 games as a freshman. He also won the Hobey Baker Award. The future is bright, Macklin Celebrini.