Tax billionaires, cut rents and other takeaways from California’s first gubernatorial debate
LAT, SEEMA MEHTA/NICOLE NIXON: "Gov. Gavin Newsom, barred from running for reelection, still took heat Tuesday during the first debate in California’s 2026 race for governor.
Six Democrats and one Republican on the stage in Newsom’s hometown of San Francisco took direct aim at the governor’s record on homelessness, efforts to ban the sale of new gas-powered cars and opposition to an anti-crime ballot measure that Californians overwhelmingly passed two years ago."
Gavin Newsom touts high-speed rail during Central CA visit, blasts Donald Trump, Texas
SACBEE, ERIK GALICIA: "During a Tuesday visit to a California High-Speed Rail facility, Gov. Gavin Newsom touted the train’s investment in the Central Valley and said the Trump administration gave the region “the middle finger” when it decided to pull $4 billion of the project’s federal money last year.
The governor described President Donald Trump as “temporary” and also took shots at the state of Texas, which he said has been incapable of making any progress on its own high-speed rail plans."
A long-awaited California water policy promises balance. Opponents call it an ‘extinction plan’
CHRONICLE, KURTIS ALEXANDER: "California is on the cusp of adopting a sweeping plan to manage the ecologically stressed Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, a move that Gov. Gavin Newsom deems “critical” to protecting state water supplies but critics are calling a major environmental setback.
The state’s Bay Delta Plan, years in the making, aims to moderate the amount of water that cities and farms take out of rivers and creeks, from Fresno to the Oregon border, to ensure enough is left to flow downstream to the delta. As it stands, some upstream rivers at certain times of the year see as much as 90% of their water diverted."
Assembly speaker unveils accountability program to review laws lawmakers handpicked themselves
CALMATTERS, YUE STELLA YU: "Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas claims he has a new way to hold state government accountable: A series of legislative hearings to examine how well state laws are working.
But which laws? State lawmakers who volunteered to participate in the initiative handpicked 13 laws enacted in the last decade, often laws they wrote themselves. Rivas did not give specific criteria for the selection, stating only it was based on lawmakers’ voluntary participation."
A better way to tax billionaires (OP-ED)
CAPITOL WEEKLY, ANDREW SIDAMON-ERISTOFF: "Unions are working to place an initiative on the November ballot that would impose a one-time five percent tax on the net worth of California residents in excess of $1 billion. Although it’s uncertain whether the proposal will make it to the ballot or withstand legal challenge, the Billionaire Tax Act has generated furious debate. Advocates claim that the tax will raise $100 billion over several years in needed revenue from billionaires who should pay their “fair share” to make up for federal cuts to health care and nutrition assistance. Opponents including Gov. Gavin Newsom worry that the tax would be unworkable and, amid reports that the proposal has already sparked a billionaire exodus, fiscally counterproductive.
California voters: If you really want to tax billionaires, there’s a better way: shut down the “buy, borrow, die” tax planning strategy whereby the very wealthy use loan proceeds to support their lifestyles without paying income tax."
L.A. politicians call on Casey Wasserman to resign from Olympics committee
LAT, DAKOTA SMITH: "LA28 Olympics committee Chair Casey Wasserman faced calls from L.A. officials Tuesday to resign following revelations about racy emails he exchanged with convicted sex offender Ghislaine Maxwell.
“I think Casey Wasserman needs to step down,” said L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn, who along with other L.A. politicians is working with the LA28 Olympics organizing committee on planning the Games."
Daniel Lurie is still tapping into his personal wealth as S.F. mayor. Here’s why
CHRONICLE, J.D. MORRIS: "Mayor Daniel Lurie wants to keep San Francisco’s good vibes going — and he continues to spend large amounts of his own money in service of that goal.
A new disclosure from Lurie shows he contributed about $430,000 of his personal funds into his mayoral campaign committee during the second half of last year. He spent the bulk of that money on a group of outside consultants he’s enlisted to help boost his profile and promote the narrative that San Francisco is on the upswing again. Throughout 2025, Lurie contributed nearly $870,000 to his campaign committee, filings show."
New transit housing bill revives California’s Democratic divisions over local control
CALMATTERS, NADIA LATHAN: "Just months after lawmakers enacted major reforms to speed up home and apartment building, a new proposal seeks to force even more cities to allow housing near major transit hubs. It has reignited divisions among Democratic lawmakers who are wary of the state telling cities how and where to build.
San Francisco Democratic Sen. Scott Wiener’s Senate Bill 677 seeks to close a loophole that backers of the bill say some cities are using to get out of last year’s reforms intended to allow more apartments to be built near major bus and train stations."
Homan announces 700 immigration officers to immediately leave Minnesota
LAT, STEVE KARNOWSKI: "The Trump administration is reducing the number of immigration enforcement officers in Minnesota after state and local officials agreed to cooperate by turning over arrested immigrants, border policy advisor Tom Homan said Wednesday.
About 700 of the roughly 3,000 federal officers deployed around Minnesota will be withdrawn, Homan said. The immigration operations have upended the Twin Cities and escalated protests, especially since the killing of protester Alex Pretti, the second fatal shooting by federal officers in Minneapolis."
‘Defensive player of the year: ICE.’ Billboard sparks outrage in S.F. ahead of Super Bowl
CHRONICLE, JESSICA FLORES: "A pro-ICE billboard appeared in a heavily trafficked part of San Francisco this week ahead of the Super Bowl, prompting an outcry from immigrant rights advocates in the city.
The digital billboard, at Mason and Jefferson streets near Fisherman’s Wharf, displayed images of what appeared to be Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and messages that say “Cheering because the home team finally started investing in defense,” “Defensive player of the year: ICE,” and “They can’t win without defense. Neither can America.”"
Parents of trans kids ask: Does California really protect our rights?
CALMATTERS, KRISTEN HWANG: "On Friday evening, California Attorney General Rob Bonta filed a lawsuit against the state’s largest children’s health provider. The complaint accused Rady Children’s Health in San Diego of taking steps to illegally terminate gender-affirming care for transgender youth.
News of the lawsuit spread quickly through chat groups of parents of transgender kids, LGBTQ organizations and the broader transgender community. It was the first major action the state has taken against a hospital that had severely limited or ended transgender health services."
75 quakes in one day: Is this East Bay city among the most seismically active places on the planet?
CHRONICLE, SARAH RAVANI/JACK LEE: "Sue Wild was attempting to go back to sleep just before 6:30 a.m. Monday when she was jolted wide awake by intense shaking.
“It literally felt like a freight train was coming through the middle of the bed,” the San Ramon resident said."
This Bay Area suburb lost its main industry. Can it rebuild?
CHRONICLE, CONNOR LETOURNEAU: "Mike Orlando stood outside the shuttered steel mill where he’d worked for decades, gazing at chipped paint, faded signage and rust-covered fencing.
“It’s eerie being back here,” he said."
Eddie Bauer could close stores in Southern California and nationwide
LAT, IRIS KWOK: "Eddie Bauer stores nationwide, including in Southern California, may soon close amid reports that its operator is preparing to file for bankruptcy.
An employee at the Woodland Hills store confirmed it is closing, while a worker at the San Clemente outlet said that location remains open to their knowledge. In the Bay Area, a Gilroy outlet employee said they expect their store to close but have not received formal notice."