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- Rob Bonta Blows $500K on Lawyers, Newsom's Missing $24B, Voter ID & Proof of Citizenship, and More...
Rob Bonta Blows $500K on Lawyers, Newsom's Missing $24B, Voter ID & Proof of Citizenship, and More...
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First off… The Big News 👇
BREAKING NEWS
Rob Bonta’s Campaign Dumps Half a Million Into Lawyers Amid Bribery Scandal
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
Attorney General Rob Bonta’s reelection campaign spent nearly $500,000 on legal services this year, drawing scrutiny amid a growing federal bribery investigation centered on his office.
The significant legal outlay came while various investigations into campaign donations and potential conflicts of interest continued to swirl around Bonta.
The article notes that the campaign retained a high‑profile law firm to handle legal and compliance work while the wider bribery probe ramps up.
Critics say the timing and scale of the spending raise questions about whether the legal fees are related to investigations rather than standard campaign operations.
Supporters claim the spending merely reflects standard legal defense in the face of complex scrutiny, but transparency advocates say the public deserves to know how the funds were used.
Ultimately, the piece paints the situation as another example of an elected official using campaign funds during a legal cloud, raising trust and accountability concerns.
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Voter ID & Proof of Citizenship: The Lynchpin that Saves the Republic
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
The article argues that with Congress and the presidency hanging in the balance for the 2026 elections, ensuring accurate voter rolls and election integrity is critical to the republic’s survival.
It points out that public trust in elections has dropped dramatically—with only 28 % of Americans expressing confidence their vote is counted correctly.
The author contends that requiring voter ID and proof of U.S. citizenship is a simple and constitutionally sound solution to rebuild that trust.
Legislation such as the SAVE Act (H.R. 22/S. 128) is highlighted as a federal remedy that would mandate documentary proof of citizenship, bar non‑citizen registration, and allow citizens to sue non‑compliant election officials.
The article warns that without these safeguards, a single fraudulent district in a swing state could flip control of the House or Senate, turning election security into a national‑security issue.
In short, the piece frames voter ID and citizenship verification not as partisan maneuvers, but as foundational steps to protect America’s representative system.
Critics claim voter ID suppresses turnout – the data says otherwise.
@CaliforniaGlobe by @KatieZacharia
Monstrosity: Photographic Evidence of California’s State Capitol Building Project
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
The article reports that the California State Capitol Annex Project, originally estimated at about $543 million, has already ballooned to approximately $1.5 billion, and observers speculate the final cost could reach $4 to $5 billion.
The renovation involves demolishing the historic 325,000‑square‑foot Annex and replacing it with a much larger 525,000‑square‑foot glass‑and‑steel structure, including an underground visitor center and 200‑space parking garage.
Critics say the design is an eyesore overshadowing the original neoclassical Capitol building and accuse lawmakers of ignoring taxpayers while focusing on their own image.
Non‑disclosure agreements signed by thousands of project workers and repeated denials of public‑records requests have fueled accusations of secrecy and corruption.
The article argues this project exemplifies misaligned priorities in Sacramento—lavish construction amid budget deficits and unfunded pensions.
In short, the renovation is portrayed as a vanity project for the political class rather than a necessary public investment.
California faces $18B budget shortfall next year, LAO says
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
The state of California is facing a projected $18 billion budget deficit for the 2026‑2027 fiscal year, announced by the Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO).
This shortfall is about $5 billion larger than what state officials had anticipated. The LAO report highlights that the state is spending more than it brings in, with several programs costing roughly $6 billion more than expected.
Lawmakers and Governor Gavin Newsom are now under pressure to either cut spending or uncover new revenue sources to bridge the gap.
The analysis warns that structural budget issues and prior use of rainy‑day reserves will make future deficits worse — particularly if a recession hits.
In short, the state’s financial outlook is increasingly perilous and the window for meaningful fiscal reform is closing fast.
Missing Beds…
New film leaves no doubt: Gavin Newsom, Karen Bass abandoned LA as it burned
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
A documentary called Paradise Abandoned claims that during the deadly Palisades Fire in January, Gavin Newsom and Karen Bass appeared on the ground as the city burned, yet firefighters were positioned for photo‑ops instead of fighting the blaze.
The film alleges that while the fire consumed over 23,000 acres and destroyed nearly 7,000 structures, officials were engaged in staged tours with fire crews rather than deploying full firefighting resources.
Residents featured in the film say they watched in disbelief as their homes went up in flames while first‑responders were instructed to “stand down” or stay held in reserve.
The trailer suggests this was not mere mismanagement but a conscious decision to deprioritize real rescue efforts in favor of media appearances and political theater.
The timing is especially damaging because Newsom’s presidential ambitions and Bass’s re‑election campaign could both be derailed if public anger over the fire response grows.
Many fire victims say they feel betrayed — not by nature, but by the leaders entrusted to protect them.
California Fast-Tracks Hiring State Workers
With only 247,451 state employees, it’s obvious that the State of CA is running low on paid government workers
Aren’t other big employers unloading employees in anticipation of AI?
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
California is streamlining state hiring by consolidating similar job titles, removing outdated college‑credit requirements, and making it easier for both new applicants and current employees to advance within state agencies.
The reforms come via a new guide from the State Personnel Board, CalHR, and the Government Operations Agency, following an executive order from Gavin Newsom designed to boost efficiency, engagement, and effectiveness across the state workforce.
By cutting red tape and empowering hiring managers to tailor interviews around applicants’ strengths, the effort claims to both speed up hiring and reduce the cost of recruitment processes.
While touted publicly as a victory for merit‑based hiring, the article questions whether these changes will actually reduce bureaucracy or simply reshape it.
Critics warn that “streamlining” may lower standards or weaken oversight in a state already facing severe budget pressures and structural issues.
Ultimately, the move is framed as part of Newsom’s broader agenda to remake the civil service — but raises concerns about where priorities lie in an era of rising costs and declining performance.
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Very Nice Patriot Profile of Katy Grimes, Editor of California Globe by Jon Fleischman
"She jokes that she’s 'never a stenographer,' but the line reflects a deeper truth: she does not take government spin at face value. She reads bills, digs through documents, watches hearings, and uncovers what lawmakers hope the public doesn’t notice."
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
Katy Grimes, Editor‑in‑Chief of the California Globe, is celebrated as one of California’s most fearless investigative journalists, relentlessly exposing government failures and holding Sacramento’s political class to account.
For more than two decades she has dug deep—reading bills, attending hearings, analyzing documents—rather than simply parroting official lines; she insists, “I’m never a stenographer.”
Her work shines a light on hidden dysfunction: massive homelessness budgets with little measurable impact, wildfires mis‑managed by bureaucracies, energy mandates raising costs for consumers, and opaque wealth and power networks around the governor.
Despite a media environment that often aligns with the political establishment, Grimes refuses to back down—her reporting consistently surfaces stories legacy outlets either ignore or suppress.
Her reputation is so strong that her “enemies” within the corridors of power act as a badge of honor; her scrutiny keeps officials awake at night.
Ultimately, Grimes is portrayed not just as a journalist, but as a taxpayer’s ally in a state where accountability is too often absent.
Dana Williamson’s Indictment Reveals a Hidden World of Political Operatives
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
The indictment of Dana Williamson, former chief of staff to Gavin Newsom, has peeled back the curtain on a network of political operatives who rotate among campaign staff, lobbying gigs, and government posts.
It alleges Williamson funneled around $225,000 from a dormant campaign account into pay‑for‑no‑show jobs and concealed income via a consulting firm, while also claiming luxury items and vacations as business expenses.
The case illustrates how the revolving‑door “community” in Sacramento blurs the line between public service and profit, with little transparency around when campaign spending ends and consulting begins.
Two co‑conspirators, including a former aide to Xavier Becerra, have pleaded guilty, while Williamson insists on her innocence — yet the allegations mark the gravest Capitol scandal in decades.
Importantly, the article highlights that neither Newsom nor Becerra are charged, but the scandal raises questions about the influence of insider networks and whether financial trails lead closer to the top.
Finally, the piece warns that this culture of influence and secrecy doesn’t just harm public trust — it threatens the very integrity of the political system in California.
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The underbelly of California politics turned inside out this week.
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