Political Playback: California Capitol News You Might Have Missed
News You Might Have Missed
By Bo Tefu | California Black Media
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California Leaders Mourn John Burton, Trailblazing Democratic Powerhouse Dead at 92
John Lowell Burton, an influential figure in California politics who served as State Assemblymember, U.S. Congressman, President pro Tempore of the State Senate, and Chair of the California Democratic Party, passed away of natural causes on Sept. 7.
Burton was 92.
Gov. Gavin Newsom honored his legacy: “There was no greater champion for the poor, the bullied, the disabled, and forgotten Californians than John Burton. He was a towering figure — a legendary force whose decades of service shaped our state and our politics for the better.”
Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee, a longtime friend, reflected on Burton’s determination.
“His life’s work reminds us that authentic leadership means having the courage to speak truth to power and never forgetting where you came from,” Lee said.
Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) said Burton was a guiding light and fierce defender of justice.
“John was a mentor to countless progressive leaders across California, including me,” said Padilla. “I’ll always be grateful for his counsel over our breakfasts at Delancey Street Restaurant in San Francisco, surrounded by residents working to rebuild their lives.”
Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis also paid tribute to Burton.
“John Burton left an indelible mark not only on California, but on all of us who were inspired by his example. He showed us what it means to lead with courage, to fight for the voiceless, and to speak truth without fear,” said Kounalakis.
Burton’s decades in office were marked by passionate advocacy for civil rights, environmental protection, education, healthcare, and foster youth. He overcame personal struggles — including addressing addiction in the 1980s — and returned to public service with renewed purpose. His work reshaped California’s political landscape and inspired generations of leaders.
U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (D-CA-11) remembered her friend.
“Today, working families have lost one of the most outspoken, ferocious and unyielding champions our nation has ever known,” said Pelosi in a statement, adding that Burton “was a progressive warrior and dear friend whose big heart, sharp mind and boundless fight for justice shaped California and America.”
According to Newsom and first partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, Burton will be posthumously inducted into the California Hall of Fame and flags will be flown at half-staff in his honor.
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California Payroll Report Highlights Top-Earning Public Workers as Controller Malia Cohen Publishes New Data
California State Controller Malia M. Cohen has released 2024 payroll data for special districts, spotlighting some of the state’s highest-paid government jobs. The report, published on the Government Compensation in California (GCC) website, offers a detailed look at wages and benefits for nearly 173,000 positions.
The self-reported data shows special district employees received more than $12.66 billion in wages last year, with an additional $3.38 billion in health and retirement benefits. A total of 3,100 special districts submitted reports, though 68 either failed to file or turned in noncompliant information.
Special districts are local government entities designed to provide targeted services such as healthcare, utilities, transportation, and fire protection. According to the 2024 report, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority led the state in total wages, paying more than $1.18 billion. It was followed by the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District with nearly $599 million and the Inland Empire Health Plan with $372 million. Other top-paying districts included Sacramento Municipal Utility District, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, and Orange County Fire Authority.
“Fiscal oversight and transparency are central to my responsibility as State Controller,” Cohen said in a statement. “Publishing the 2024 payroll data for California’s special districts allows the public to see how billions in wages and benefits are managed each year. The Government Compensation in California website is a critical accountability tool that helps taxpayers, policymakers, and local leaders track spending, evaluate priorities, and ensure that public resources are being used responsibly.”
California law requires cities, counties, and special districts to report compensation annually. The GCC site now hosts salary and benefit information for more than two million public jobs, including those in state government and the California State University system.
Website users can search pay by region, district, or job title, and export customized reports for analysis.
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A West Coast CDC? California Partners With Oregon, Washington and Hawaii to Form Regional Health Alliance
California, Oregon, and Washington have launched the West Coast Health Alliance, a regional initiative to provide unified, science-based guidance on immunizations and other public health policies. The alliance was created in response to federal actions that have undermined the independence of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and raised concerns about the politicization of science.
The alliance aims to ensure residents receive credible, evidence-based recommendations, free from political interference.
“President Trump’s mass firing of CDC doctors and scientists — and his blatant politicization of the agency — is a direct assault on the health and safety of the American people. California, Oregon, and Washington will not allow the people of our states to be put at risk,” said Governors Gavin Newsom, Tina Kotek, and Bob Ferguson in a joint statement.
State health leaders emphasized the importance of transparency and evidence-based communication.
California Department of Public Health Director Erica Pan said, “The dismantling of public health and dismissal of experienced and respected health leaders and advisors, along with the lack of using science, data, and evidence to improve our nation’s health are placing lives at risk.”
Oregon Health Authority Director Sejal Hathi backed the coalition saying, “Our communities deserve clear and transparent communication about vaccines — communication grounded in science, not ideology.” Washington State Secretary of Health Dennis Worsham noted, “Public health at its core is about prevention — preventing illness, preventing the spread of disease, and preventing early, avoidable deaths.”
Hawaii has joined the alliance, expanding the partnership to four states. “Hawaii is proud to stand with our West Coast partners to ensure public health decisions are grounded in science, not politics,” said Gov. Josh Green.
The alliance states will coordinate health guidelines using trusted national medical organizations, aligning immunization recommendations and public health strategies while respecting tribal sovereignty. Shared principles to strengthen public confidence in vaccines and other health measures will be finalized in the coming weeks.
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California’s Largest ICE Detention Center Reopens, Begins Receiving Detainees
California’s largest federal immigration detention facility has quietly reopened in Kern County and has started receiving detainees, according to the private prison operator CoreCivic. The facility, now known as the California City Immigration Processing Center, is a 2,560-bed U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) center.
“We have begun receiving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainees at our California City Correctional Facility (CCCF) in response to an immediate need from the federal government for safe, humane and appropriate housing and care for these individuals,” said Ryan Gustin, senior director for public affairs for CoreCivic.
The facility is the third privately-operated ICE detention center in Kern County and the seventh in California. It originally opened in the late 1990s as a federal facility, later becoming a state prison, and was closed in 2024 after California ended for-profit prison contracts. CoreCivic confirmed that the reopening will create roughly 500 jobs and generate more than $2 million in property taxes for California City.
The reopening has raised legal and community concerns. California law requires a 180-day public notice before opening or reusing detention facilities under SB29. City officials, including Mayor Marquette Hawkins and City Manager Christopher Lopez, did not respond to comment requests, and Lopez said he had “no information” on long-term agreements between ICE and the city.
Advocates warned during a June 24 city council meeting that reopening the facility could lead to increased local ICE arrests.
Nora Zaragoza-Yáñez, manager of the nonprofit Faith in the Valley, said, “We’re troubled by California City turning a deaf ear to the objections voiced by community members and advocates voiced at previous meetings.”
Faith in the Valley estimates that roughly 300 detainees have already been quietly transferred from nearby facilities Golden State Annex and Mesa Verde. City officials have raised safety concerns, citing insufficient emergency communications and building code issues in a July 29 letter to CoreCivic. Gustin said the company has addressed these concerns and maintains “an open line of communication” with city officials.
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California GOP Candidate Steve Hilton Files Lawsuit Challenging Redistricting, Citing “Partisan Power Grab”
Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton has filed a federal lawsuit challenging California’s proposed congressional redistricting plan, known as Proposition 50, arguing that it violates the 14th Amendment and equal protection rights for voters. The suit was filed Sept. 4 in the U.S. Central District Court of California’s Southern Division.
Hilton, a former Fox News commentator and prominent contender in the race to succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom, had warned last month he would take legal action if Democrats advanced redistricting plans that he claims would favor their party. The lawsuit names Newsom and Secretary of State Shirley Weber, whose office oversees elections in California.
“After Gavin Newsom’s Partisan Power Grab, a Democrat Vote in California Will be Worth Eight Times What a Republican Vote is Worth, a Grotesque Assault on our Democracy,” said Hilton in a campaign news release. He also described Proposition 50 as a “scheme” that ignores California’s constitutional requirement that redistricting occur only once every 10 years after a census.
“The Constitution does not say one person, one vote sometimes. It does not say one person, one vote, only for the majority party. It says one person, one vote for everyone. If this map is allowed to stand, millions of Californians will have their voices silenced and their votes devalued,” Hilton added.
If voters approve the newly proposed maps in a special election on Nov. 4, five Republican-held districts, including that of Kevin Kiley in Northern California, could be redrawn to include more Democratic-leaning areas. The new boundaries would make Kiley’s district smaller and add parts of urban Sacramento County.
Other Republicans have also pushed for a ban on mid-decade redistricting, but state courts have not acted, and the California Supreme Court has twice declined to intervene in related ballot measures. Kiley has appealed to U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson to support efforts to prevent mid-decade redistricting nationwide.
Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco are the two most prominent GOP candidates hoping to challenge a crowded Democratic field for governor as Newsom reaches his term limit next year.
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California Bill Requires Schools to Alert Families of Immigration Agents, Backed by Tony Thurmond
California lawmakers have passed a bill requiring K-12 schools, state universities, and community colleges to notify students, faculty, and families when immigration enforcement authorities are present on campuses. The legislation, known as the Safe Act, comes amid the Trump administration’s aggressive deportation efforts and increasing immigration enforcement activity near schools.
State Sen. Sasha Renée Pérez (D-Alhambra), who authored the bill, said it is modeled on early warning systems already used for other campus emergencies.
“With students returning to school, this legislation is more important than ever,” said Pérez. “In the face of mass deportations, raids and immigration enforcement authorities showing up at schools, the Safe Act can help inform and empower school communities to make the best decisions about their safety and their family’s safety.”
California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, who oversees the state’s public school system, strongly supported the bill.
“Our immigrant families are living in fear and our time to act is limited. The school year has begun, and now is the time to make decisive efforts to protect our communities and maintain schools as a safe place for learning,” said Thurmond.
Democratic Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi (D-Rolling Hill Estates) emphasized the need for safe learning environments.
“Students cannot learn unless they feel safe,” said Muratsuchi. “For decades we had a bipartisan agreement to keep educational institutions, schools, campuses, free from immigration enforcement activities.”
The bill now heads to Gov. Gavin Newsom, who has until Oct. 12 to sign it into law. If approved, it will take effect immediately and remain in place until 2031.
The Safe Act is part of a broader set of California proposals aimed at protecting immigrant communities, including measures to prevent enforcement officers from entering nonpublic areas of schools or hospitals without a warrant. The legislation follows high-profile incidents, such as the detention of a 15-year-old outside a Los Angeles high school in August, which drew widespread public outrage.
