By Yue Stella Yu and Jeanne Kuang, CalMatters
Just before the California legislative session ended, Sen. Lena Gonzalez proposed a bill to limit the “mansion tax” in Los Angeles. But only a day later, she pulled it back, saying they needed more time for discussion.
The final week of the session was chaotic. Lawmakers worked late into Saturday to pass important climate and energy legislation. This delay happened because key leaders didn’t reach a consensus on extending the state’s cap-and-trade program until well past the deadline.
Interest groups pushed hard for various measures during this frantic period. The legislature also approved budget measures that affect everything from child care centers to Olympic construction in Los Angeles.
Some Democrats voiced frustration over how things were handled. While they passed crucial bills, they felt that serious issues were rushed without proper discussion. Sen. John Laird noted, “This week had some of the biggest issues, but many saw light for the first time only at the end.”
Assembly Budget Chair Jesse Gabriel attributed the messy situation partly to earlier efforts to place a redistricting plan on the ballot. “It becomes a strategy to stall for leverage at the last minute,” he said.
Rivas, Assembly Speaker, mentioned various factors like wildfires and the structural budget deficit that added to their workload this year. He referred to it as the “most productive year over the past decade,” mainly because of major climate deals and alterations to environmental regulations.
This session also saw legislation that sparked considerable debate. Lawmakers approved measures aimed at countering federal immigration enforcement and enhancing labor rights. One was a bill enabling Uber and Lyft drivers to unionize. Another, Senate Bill 79, allows developers to bypass local zoning for housing near transit hubs.
In a notable move, lawmakers reserved $10 million annually for local news funding, with Google matching the same amount. They also advanced a controversial bill to curb antisemitism in schools. Despite support from the legislative Jewish Caucus, the legislation faced criticism for potentially censoring discussions about Palestine. Pro-Palestinian protesters disrupted the Assembly shortly after this bill passed, making their opposition clear.
Another significant bill competing for attention was set to track employer use of artificial intelligence for disciplinary actions. But various tech measures, including one on surveillance, were sidelined. This pattern shows persistent reluctance around tech regulation amid strong pushback from business groups.
Some measures, such as a push to limit property taxes in Los Angeles, did not make it through. Gonzalez plans to revisit this issue next year, citing the overwhelming priorities lawmakers faced.
An environmental review requirement for certain construction projects also stalled, despite assurances from leaders that it would be prioritized. Rivas expressed disappointment over the lack of resolution, promising to address it next year.
As legislators wrapped up the session, discontentment lingered. Last-minute decisions without adequate notice drew criticism from both parties. Lawmakers voiced concerns about the concentration of power and the lack of input offered on significant spending decisions.
As the frustrations boiled over, changes in leadership were initiated, with the incoming Senate leader, Sen. Monique Limon of Santa Barbara, taking over earlier than planned.
In many ways, this session illustrated the complexities of governance amid pressing social issues, a conundrum likely to persist in future sessions.
CalMatters’ Alexei Koseff and Ben Christopher contributed reporting.
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