Here are the morning’s top stories on Tuesday, December 3, 2024…
- California lawmakers began both their new legislative session and a special session called by Governor Newsom on Monday, with Democrats introducing bills to prepare for another Trump presidency. But some leaders cautioned that a resistance to Trump’s policies had to be paired with a renewed focus on governing fundamentals and solving the daily challenges facing Californians.
- As California lawmakers strategize ways to Trump Proof the state’s liberal policies, a high priority is safeguarding access to abortions and reproductive care.
- Immigrants and community organizations rallied for stronger immigration protections at the State Capitol on Monday.
- Proposed state legislation could help speed up California’s notoriously slow ballot counting process.
California Democrats Prepare For Trump, But Vow Renewed Focus On Affordability
A new session of the state legislature kicked off Monday with a flurry of proposals by Democrats to position the state government as a bulwark against the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump.
Opening day ceremonies at the Capitol, marked by celebratory galas and oaths of office, shifted to announcements of legislation to fund future lawsuits against the Trump administration and protect abortion access. But humbled by the results of the November election, in which Republicans made small gains in both houses of the legislature, Democratic leaders vowed to renew their focus on increasing affordability.
“Our constituents told us two very important things in November,” Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Hollister) said. “First, they continue to believe deeply in California’s values of tolerance, of equality and of human rights. But second, our constituents — they don’t feel that the state of California is working for them.”
Rivas pushed lawmakers to focus their energy on ideas to reduce the price of housing, household goods, and the cost of starting a business. The speaker said he would enforce that focus by limiting the number of bills each member is allowed to introduce over the course of the two-year session from 50 to 35.
California Democrats Plan To Crack Down On Cities That Block Abortion Clinics
As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office, California Democrats are developing new plans to strengthen the state’s abortion protections.