The elephant not in the room

Your afternoon must-read briefing on politics and government in the Golden State

Sep 27, 2023 View in browser   By Sejal Govindarao and Camille von Kaenel Republican presidential hopefuls stand on a debate stage in August. | Morry Gash/AP Photo TRUMP SNUB: Donald Trump is thumbing his nose at the Reagan library debate in Simi Valley. California Republicans aren’t just OK with that. They support him ditching tonight’s affair. Trump has a seemingly insurmountable lead over his GOP rivals in the state. That, coupled with newly imposed delegate rules, is making for a chilly reception in California for the GOP candidates taking part in the debate, as POLITICO’s Christopher Cadelago reports. With Trump’s commanding frontrunner status all but cemented in California, Republicans in the state’s congressional delegation told POLITICO they supported the former president’s decision to sit out the debate. “Trump is riding high, he's a mile ahead of the rest of them,” said Rep. Doug LaMalfa, a loyal Trump ally. “Why would he go out there and let the other seven dwarfs take a shot at him?” Rep. John Duarte said he thinks Trump’s absence will be a good opportunity for his competitors to raise their profiles. And Rep. Mike Garcia added that debating would be bad politics given the “universe of space” between Trump and his competitors. If Trump’s California reign holds through Super Tuesday, he’d be shifting the brand for Republicans in the state who are often encouraged to stray from the MAGA brand to appeal to moderates and conservative-leaning independents. Trump’s decision aside, Garcia said he would like to see a real Republican campaign in California to help rebuild the party in the state. “You shouldn't just use California as an ATM machine to come and raise money and then go campaign in Florida or Pennsylvania wherever the swing states are,” he said. “Because there is an opportunity for bringing the pendulum back in California." HAPPY WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON! Welcome to California Playbook PM, a POLITICO newsletter that serves as an afternoon temperature check of California politics and a look at what our policy reporters are watching. Got tips or suggestions? Shoot an email to cvonkaenel@politico.com or send a shout on Twitter. DMs are open! WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TODAY STATE VISIT: President Joe Biden stopped at the home today of Tom Steyer in the Sea Cliff neighborhood of San Francisco during a fundraising swing through the Bay Area. Steyer and Biden talked about the importance of addressing climate change before about 20 guests at the home with expansive views of the Golden Gate Bridge. It was the second and final day of the president’s visit to California, and came as a group of Republicans seeking to replace him were getting ready to hold a debate in Simi Valley. Biden’s arrival had a campaign feel, with a small crowd cheering as he descended from Air Force One at Moffett Field and headed to a campaign fundraiser in Atherton at the home of Liz Simons and Mark Heising. Biden was expected to head to Phoenix next. — Lauren Egan  President Joe Biden arrives at Moffett Federal Field for a campaign fundraising event, Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023, in Mountain View, Calif. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) | AP ON THE BEATS LOW-CARBON SHOWDOWN: The California Air Resources Board on Thursday will hear an update on amendments being considered for the Low Carbon Fuel Standard, a state program that seeks to incentivize electric vehicle infrastructure and alternative fuels. Environmental and environmental justice groups have argued against the ongoing crediting of biofuel produced from livestock and dairy manure and from crop-based feedstocks. They say incentivizing the production and burning of these and other combustible fuels, which make up 80 percent of the credits generated by the $4 billion-a-year program, increases air pollution in low-income communities. They have pushed for the board to realign the program incentives to boost electric vehicle infrastructure. Representatives from the dairy, renewable gas and other alternative fuel industries will be out in force to keep the credits long into the future. — Blanca Begert COUNTDOWN TO CARE: Gov. Gavin Newsom’s highly anticipated CARE Courts program will launch in seven counties next week, providing the first look at the state’s effort to treat people with serious mental illness. In the initial counties, including Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego, family members and doctors will be able to refer people with severe psychotic disorders to a civil court for a mandatory treatment plan. “There has always been the capability to deliver this set of services,” Secretary of Health and Human Services Mark Ghaly told reporters today. “But too often we don't see that set of services actually coming together.” The state estimates that up to 3,100 people would be eligible for the CARE Court system in the first seven counties over the next year. Ghaly said he will evaluate the rollout, including for any signs of racial or ethnic bias.  — Rachel Bluth ROUND TWO: After siding with Big Tech with a veto of an autonomous trucking bill, Newsom is facing pressure to sign a proposal that would put guardrails on artificial intelligence in public transit. Assemblymember Ash Kalra's Assembly Bill 96 would require public transit agencies to give 10 months notice if they intend to procure or deploy autonomous transit vehicle technology. The company would then be required to enter into bargaining with the union over the development and implementation of the technology. The bill has the backing of a slate of California labor giants, including the California Labor Federation, State Building and Construction Trades Council, and the California Teamsters Public Affairs Council. — Lara Korte WHAT WE'RE READING TODAY ON THE BORDER: California is starting to show some of the same strains from the increasing number of migrants as other states, with San Diego County unanimously declaring a humanitarian crisis and requesting federal help. More than 8,000 people have arrived in the San Diego area in recent weeks, overwhelming local aid organizations who generally provide short-term housing for people seeking asylum. (The San Diego Union-Tribune) CAMPAIGN SETBACK: Omar Navarro, who has run four times as a Republican against Rep. Maxine Waters in southern Los Angeles County, was arrested today by the FBI today along with his mother and a friend. He is accused of misusing campaign funds for personal use and has been charged in a 43-count indictment. (Los Angeles Times) AS THE CONDOR FLIES: Scientists tracked six California Condors east of Mount Diablo, the first time a flock of the endangered raptors has flown through Contra Costa County in more than a century - though individuals have made appearances in 2021 and 2022. The six didn’t stay in the East Bay and eventually commuted back to a roosting area near Mount Oso in Stanislaus County. (San Francisco Chronicle)   Follow us on Twitter Katy Murphy @katymurphy POLITICO California @politicoca   Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook  |  Playbook PM  |  California Playbook  |  Florida Playbook  |  Illinois Playbook  |  Massachusetts Playbook  |  New Jersey Playbook  |  New York Playbook  |  Ottawa Playbook  |  Brussels Playbook  |  London Playbook View all our political and policy newsletters Follow us

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