Californians are one step closer to being able to sue federal officials — including federal immigration enforcement agents — over violations of their constitutional rights after a bill advanced in the state Senate Tuesday.
In a floor speech advocating for his bill, Sen. Scott Wiener cited the recent deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, two U.S. citizens who were shot and killed by federal agents in Minneapolis. The San Francisco Democrat, who is also running for Congress, argued that residents’ inability, under current law, to hold federal officials accountable is “unfair and deeply harmful.” It also makes it harder for local law enforcement to carry out their jobs, Wiener said.
The proposal passed on a partyline vote, with all 10 GOP senators voting “no.” In her opposition to the bill, Sen. Shannon Grove of Bakersfield said that pulling back California’s sanctuary policies by allowing cooperation between local law enforcement and federal authorities would help mitigate the issue.
- Grove: “This (federal) administration inherited a complete disaster when it comes to the immigration issue. … Both parties are at fault for the disaster that we’re facing here today.”
More on California and federal immigration activity:
- ICE funding: Following Pretti’s death, at least 50 Democratic California legislators are calling for their colleagues in Congress to block further funding for immigration enforcement. The spending package, which would fund the departments of Homeland Security, Defense and others, is currently before the U.S. Senate. California lawmakers are concerned that Senate Democrats in battleground states might give the package enough votes to send it to President Donald Trump’s desk for approval. Read more from CalMatters’ Maya C. Miller.
- San Diego sues the feds: Earlier this month the city of San Diego filed a lawsuit against the federal administration over razor wire fencing on city land near the Mexican border. The city claims that U.S. Marines illegally trespassed to put up the fence, and that the fence harms sensitive habitats. Read more from CalMatters’ Deborah Brennan.
Focus on Inland Empire: Each Wednesday, CalMatters Inland Empire reporter Aidan McGloin surveys the big stories from that part of California. Read his newsletter and sign up here to receive it.
Other Stories You Should Know
CA colleges renew fight over degrees
A California bill that would allow a Chula Vista community college to expand its bachelor’s programs is setting off a wider dispute among the state’s public higher education systems, writes CalMatters’ Mikhail Zinshteyn.
Assembly Bill 664 — which is before the Senate after clearing the Assembly Monday — would enable Southwestern College to create up to four additional bachelor’s programs in applied disciplines, such as teaching English to non-English speakers and designing websites. Assemblymember David Alvarez, a Chula Vista Democrat and the bill’s author, said his proposal aims to develop programs to fill labor force needs in his district.
Both the University of California and California State University oppose the bill, arguing that it would undermine a 2021 state law by paving the way for more community colleges to duplicate baccalaureate programs that the university systems already offer.
‘Mansion tax’ stays as is, for now
Los Angeles’ city council voted Tuesday to reject a proposal that would have potentially resulted in the city changing its 2022 tax on high-value real estate sales, reports CalMatters’ Ben Christopher.
The failed motion would have placed a measure on the June 2026 local ballot asking voters to approve some exceptions to the city’s “mansion tax,” which so far has raised more than $1 billion in revenue for affordable housing development and rental assistance for low-income tenants. Real estate developers, commercial landlords and pro-housing policymakers say the tax stifles housing production and investment.
A growing number of state and local lawmakers, like the failed proposal’s author Councilmember Nithya Raman, fear that local opposition to the tax will help fuel a statewide ballot measure campaign underway by the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association. That potential measure could have dire consequences for municipal budgets. Raman’s proposal sought to allay local concerns so as to head off potential allies of the Howard Jarvis initiative.
And lastly: CA delays psychiatric hospital staffing rules
The California Department of Public Health is delaying its proposed rules increasing the required number of health workers at acute psychiatric hospitals. The move comes after hospitals, nurses and law enforcement raised alarm that the state’s aggressive one-month timeline to implement the new policies would lead to a wave of psychiatric bed closures. Read more from CalMatters’ Kristen Hwang.
California Voices
CalMatters columnist Dan Walters: State budget hearings are renewing concerns over the volatility of personal income tax, a major revenue source for the state, and the prospect of California’s artificial intelligence industry going bust.
California Latinos help drive the state’s labor force, business growth and GDP, and the state would be much poorer and less economically competitive without them, writes David Hayes-Bautista, professor of medicine at UCLA and co-author of Latino GDP Reports.
Other things worth your time:
US judge orders ICE chief to appear in court, threatens contempt ruling // The Washington Post
Newsom to probe claims of Trump-critical censorship at TikTok // Politico
Is social media harmful for kids? Meta and YouTube face trial after TikTok settles suit // Los Angeles Times
OpenAI exec becomes top Trump donor with $25M gift // SFGATE
CA launches portal to expedite conversion of state buildings to housing, businesses // The Sacramento Bee
CA lawmakers ignore most state audit warnings, costing billions // CBS News
CA Asm. Haney introduces bill that would tax 50% of profits from private ICE detention centers in CA // The Mercury News
CA Sen. Strickland wants the Legislature to OK regulatory rules with massive price tags // The Orange County Register