Political Playback: California Capitol News You Might Have Missed
News You Might Have Missed
By Bo Tefu | California Black Media
__________
New California Law, Authored by Asm. McKinnor, Expands Workers’ Protections
On Oct. 3, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill (AB) 288, a new law designed to strengthen labor protections and give workers an alternative path to defend their rights when the federal government does not act.
The law, authored by Assemblymember Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood), allows employees to bring cases to the state’s Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) if the National Labor Relations Board fails to address unfair labor practices. Supporters say the measure is a direct response to what they see as a weakening of worker protections at the federal level.
“California is a proud labor state, and we will continue standing up for the workers that keep our state running and our economy booming,” said Newsom.
McKinnor called the law an essential safeguard for workers. “The current President is attempting to take a wrecking ball to public and private sector employees’ fundamental right to join a union and collectively bargain for fair wages, benefits and safe working conditions. This is unacceptable and frankly, un-American,” she said.
The measure also establishes a PERB Enforcement Fund, which will be supported by civil penalties collected from employers found to have violated labor laws. Backers say the fund ensures the board has the resources to enforce the law and hold employers accountable.
Labor leaders praised the move as historic. “We commend Governor Gavin Newsom for standing up for California workers and our fundamental right to collectively bargain,” said Lorena Gonzalez, president of the California Federation of Labor Unions, AFL-CIO, which represents 1,300 unions with 2.3 million members. “This is the most significant labor law reform in nearly a century. California workers will no longer be forced to rely on a failing federal agency when they join together to unionize.”
__________
California Leaders Respond to Fed Government Shutdown
Last week, California officials warned that the federal government shutdown threatens economic stability, and it will leave communities more exposed to wildfire risks as it slows disaster recovery efforts.
On Oct. 1, Gov. Gavin Newsom said thousands of federal employees in California have been furloughed, disrupting key programs for forest management, prescribed burns, and disaster grant disbursements. First responders remain active, but much of the supporting infrastructure is now stalled.
“Communities across our state are less safe because of Trump’s government shutdown,” said Newsom. “Thanks to Donald Trump, critical wildfire preparedness and disaster recovery programs are on pause. This can’t go on. Republicans need to act to end this shutdown.”
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass reinforced the role of local government in protecting vulnerable communities.
“The federal government has shut down, but our local government will not stop working. We will do what we can to insulate Angelenos from the impact of this Republican-led shutdown, but we know there are thousands now at risk of vindictive furloughs and layoffs led by the President,” said Bass.
Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA-43) added her voice, stating, “Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans have made the reckless and cruel decision to shut down the government because they don’t want to protect affordable healthcare for millions of hard-working American families. This decision has already thrown into chaos the lives and livelihoods of millions of hard-working American families and public servants.”
Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) criticized the GOP’s handling of the shutdown. “Republicans have control of Congress and the White House. But rather than negotiate with Democrats, Republicans have sent the House of Representatives home, canceled planned White House meetings until the eleventh hour … and posted a racist AI video of Democratic leaders trying to avoid a shutdown,” said Padilla in a statement.
State officials noted that the National Weather Service continues issuing essential forecasts, but long-term research and support functions at NOAA have paused. FEMA field teams remain active, but reimbursements, grants, and technical assistance to local governments are blocked. More than two-thirds of National Park Service staff are furloughed, reducing backup emergency capacity in California.
California has attempted to fill the void. CAL FIRE has expanded its workforce, nearly doubling staffing in recent years. Since 2019, the state has invested over $5 billion in wildfire resilience. This year, it allocated $135 million in prevention funding and fast-tracked more than 100 vegetation management projects across 25,000 acres.
State leaders warned that federal cuts and reorganizations, including those in the U.S. Forest Service, heighten the risk to wildfire readiness.
State agencies including CAL FIRE, the Office of Emergency Services, CHP, and the National Guard remain active and fully staffed. But without federal support, recovery efforts could stall, and future disaster planning may be weakened.
__________
Report: More Spending Has Not Solved California’s Teacher Crisis
Despite billions in increased funding over the past decade, California still faces a teacher shortage, especially in schools serving low-income and high-need students, a new Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) report finds.
The report finds that instructional spending per student has increased by nearly $2,000, or 42%, since 2012–13. However, other areas of school budgets, including benefits and non-instructional costs, have grown even faster. As a result, spending on instructional salaries has declined as a share of overall expenditures, dropping from 40% to 33%. Teachers remain the largest single staffing category, accounting for roughly 80% of district personnel costs, but increased funding has not fully addressed staffing challenges.
The brief highlights persistent disparities across schools. Roughly one in four students attends a school where at least 20% of teachers are not fully credentialed or are teaching subjects outside their qualifications. Math and science courses are particularly affected: fewer than half of middle and high school math teachers and under 41% of science teachers are correctly assigned and credentialed in schools with staffing challenges, compared with 60% in other subjects. Two-thirds of students in these schools are low-income.
“Targeted funding increases may not be enough to support teacher staffing in high-need districts,” the report notes. While districts with more high-need students have received additional funding through the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF), these increases have had limited effect on teacher staffing quality or class sizes.
The authors recommend policies that focus on schools that are persistently hard to staff, particularly those serving low-income students. “Efforts to address teacher staffing challenges should focus on specific schools that are persistently hard to staff,” the report states. Tailored interventions could better support recruitment and retention, especially in math and science.
The report also points to salaries as a key factor in retaining teachers. Inflation-adjusted starting pay has not improved since the early 2000s, and many teachers remain at the lower end of the pay scale. Increasing starting salaries could help strengthen recruitment and retention, though budget trade-offs remain.
__________
Why Toni Atkins Dropped Out of the Governor’s Race
Former California Assembly Speaker and State Senate President Pro Tempore Toni Atkins has ended her campaign for governor, citing the need for Democratic unity as the state prepares for the 2026 election.
In a message to supporters on Monday, Atkins said, “That’s why it’s with such a heavy heart that I’m stepping aside today as a candidate for governor. Despite the strong support we’ve received and all we’ve achieved; there is simply no viable path forward to victory. Though my campaign is ending, I will keep fighting for California’s future.”
Atkins, an LGBTQ+ trailblazer, was the lead author of California’s 2022 constitutional amendment enshrining the right to abortion. The California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus praised her, saying, “Toni Atkins’ run in this race is only the latest chapter in a career defined by trustworthy service and lifting up others – a legacy that will continue to shape California for generations to come. As the first openly LGBTQ+ individual and woman to lead both houses of our State Legislature, and as a proud member of our Caucus, Toni has shattered barriers once thought unbreakable and led with compassion, courage, and conviction.”
Her departure marks the second high-profile Democratic exit from the race, following Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis’ decision to drop out in August. It was reported that former U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris also considered a campaign but ultimately declined to run.
Despite Atkins’ exit, several Democrats remain in the contest, including former U.S. House Rep. Katie Porter, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary and former State Attorney General Xavier Becerra, former Los Angeles Mayor and former Assembly Speaker Antonio Villaraigosa, California Democratic Party Vice Chair and former State Controller Betty Yee, and former California Assembly Majority Leader Ian Calderon.
U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla has not ruled out a run for governor, even as his Senate term runs until 2029.
The Republican field currently includes Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco and former Fox News commentator Steve Hilton.
A Berkeley IGS Poll last month showed Porter holding a slight first-choice lead, but nearly twice as many voters remain undecided, signaling a competitive primary.
__________
California Officials Urge Early Voting Amid Postal Delays
California voters living 50 or more miles from six regional mail processing facilities risk having their November 4 ballots go uncounted due to U.S. Postal Service changes, state officials warned Oct 2.
Attorney General Rob Bonta and Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber held a press conference to remind Californians of their voting rights and encourage early ballot submission.
“Recent changes in the U.S. Postal mail service mean that your ballot may not be counted if you drop it off at a post office on Election Day,” said Bonta. “If you choose to drop off your ballot at a post office on Election Day, ask at the counter for a postmark to ensure you get credit for mailing your ballot on time. And remember, you have other options, like dropping your ballot off at a vote center or in a secure drop box.”
The affected facilities are in Los Angeles, Bell Gardens, San Diego, Santa Clarita, Richmond, and West Sacramento. Communities impacted include Bakersfield, the Central Valley, the Central Coast, and Palm Springs. In these areas, mail dropped on Election Day may not be postmarked until the following day, rendering ballots ineligible for counting.
Weber emphasized that voters have multiple options for ensuring their ballots are counted. “Vote-by-mail ballots will be mailed to all active registered voters no later than October 6, 2025, and voters have several options for returning their completed ballot early,” she said. “Voters can contact their county elections office for information about vote centers, drop boxes, and their voting options. Voters can also track their ballot online. Every Californian has the right to cast a ballot free from intimidation, harassment, or coercion.”
Officials also urged voters to be cautious about election misinformation online. Bonta noted, “Our election laws provide the backbone for a free and fair election, and as California’s top law enforcement officer, I will do everything in my power to protect your right to vote.”
Ballots can be mailed, dropped at a secure ballot box starting Oct. 7, or delivered to a vote center on Election Day. Californians are encouraged to submit ballots early, particularly those living far from mail processing hubs, to ensure their votes are counted. Eligible voters have until October 20 to register online, with same-day in-person registration available at county election offices.
