I hope everyone had a restful Thanksgiving break because the state Legislature is already raring to go. Today, the Assembly and Senate are swearing in lawmakers and kicking off a special session called by Gov. Gavin Newsom to prepare for the incoming Trump administration.
For the new two-year legislative cycle, Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas of Salinas and Senate President Pro Tem Mike McGuire of Santa Rosa told CalMatters Capitol reporter Alexei Koseff that their top concern is addressing the state’s rising cost of living. That includes advancing legislation to build more housing, lower energy prices and improve public infrastructure.
- Rivas: “Our only way forward is to acknowledge that we have to do better. It’s clear — we haven’t done enough.”
One issue that does not seem to be a major priority for Democratic leaders, however, is crime. Though the overwhelming approval of Proposition 36 appears to demonstrate voters’ frustrations with shoplifting and drug offenses, McGuire did not commit to any further legislation beyond the 10 retail theft measures lawmakers passed in August.
But perhaps the most notable difference between the new session and last year’s is that Donald Trump will return to the Oval Office on Jan. 20 — a Republican president with a history of holding antagonistic views toward California and making repeated threats to withhold emergency aid.
To “Trump-proof” the state, legislators at the special session will consider Newsom’s proposal to allocate as much as $25 million to California’s Department of Justice and other state agencies for potential legal battles against the Trump administration on issues related to abortion access, water resources and more.
- Newsom, in a statement: “We will work with the incoming administration and we want President Trump to succeed in serving all Americans. But when there is overreach, when lives are threatened, when rights and freedoms are targeted, we will take action.”
As a sanctuary state for immigrant communities, California is also expected to come to blows with Trump over his pledges to deport undocumented immigrants. Immigration advocates plan to rally today at the state Capitol to protest mass deportations and urge lawmakers to protect immigrant families.
Learn more about the top Democrats’ legislative priorities in Alexei’s story.
Legislative makeup: While Democrats again control a supermajority in both chambers — giving them the power to pass budgets without any Republican votes and control the flow of legislation — Republicans did increase their numbers.
In the state Senate, Democrats will control 30 seats, three more than a supermajority, but Republicans flipped a key seat. For the first time, the GOP caucus has a majority of women, with three of the six being Latina.
In the state Assembly, with one contest still up in the air, Democrats will win at least 60 seats again, seven more than a supermajority.
Election results: Follow all the final California results, including on the ballot propositions and toss-up U.S. House races. And keep up with CalMatters coverage by signing up for 2024 election emails.
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