Housing Fix or Data Center Loophole? This Ballot Measure Would Overhaul CEQA

Proposition 45 on the November ballot would reform the California Environmental Quality Act, also known as CEQA. Proponents argue the measure would help with the state’s affordability crisis by speeding up housing construction.  However, public polling shows support for the measure has tanked in the last few months as critics argue the measure would make it easier to build data centers, which are deeply unpopular with voters.  Marisa talks to Jennifer Barrera, CEO of the California Chamber of Commerce, a group leading the campaign in support of Prop. 45. Tune in next week to hear the opposition side of the initiative.  Check out Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gov. Gavin Newsom this week told CNN he would not run for president in 2028 if former Vice President Kamala Harris runs. Marisa, Guy and Scott make sense of the governor’s promise.  Then, one of California’s most competitive congressional races runs through the 48th District in Riverside and San Diego counties. Guy has been reporting from the district and walks through the candidates and the issues driving voters. They also unpack the slipping support for Proposition 45, the November ballot measure that would reform the California Environmental Quality Act. Support for the measure was at 73% in July according to the Public Policy Institute of California. This week, it fell to 49%.  Check out Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former San Francisco Supervisor Jane Kim is one of two Democrats running to be California’s next insurance commissioner, a powerful position that regulates insurance rates and acts as a consumer advocate. Kim’s biggest proposal is a single-payer disaster insurance policy, but critics say she won’t be able to deliver on that promise. She joins Marisa in studio to explain her vision.  You can listen to last week’s interview with the other candidate in this race, state Sen. Ben Allen.  Check out Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

California Attorney General Rob Bonta filed the office’s 92nd lawsuit against the Trump administration yesterday to block a rule change that would make it harder for immigrants to qualify for green cards and for their kids to receive public benefits. Bonta joins Marisa in studio to discuss the latest legal challenge. Plus, they talk about the U.S. Supreme Court’s rejection of the president’s mail-in voting restrictions, Bonta’s investigation into the summer’s OpenAI hack and the $17 billion settlement his office led against Meta. Check out Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rep. Nancy Pelosi is retiring from Congress, but as State Senator Scott Wiener and San Francisco Supervisor Connie Chan compete for her seat, Pelosi continues to draw the spotlight. Marisa, Scott and Guy break down the latest accusations, alliances and drama in the increasingly heated race. Check out Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Listen to The Speaker: How Nancy Pelosi Changed the Face of Power wherever you get your podcasts! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the first time, voters in California will decide between two Democrats for insurance commissioner, a powerful position that regulates insurance rates and acts as a consumer advocate. The race comes as the state faces increasingly destructive wildfires, rising energy prices and a volatile insurance market. Marisa sits down with state Sen. Ben Allen, who said his experience in Sacramento makes him the best candidate for the job.  Tune in next week to hear from the other candidate, former San Francisco Board of Supervisors member Jane Kim. Check out Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee, also known as AIPAC, has emerged as one of the biggest spenders in this year’s midterm elections. The pro-Israel lobbying group isn’t just weighing in on swing districts. It’s jumping in on Democrat-on-Democrat races as well, including the East Bay special election to replace former Rep. Eric Swalwell. Despite spending millions against Aisha Wahab, AIPAC failed to keep her from winning last month’s contest.  Marisa talks to David Dayen, executive editor of The American Prospect, about AIPAC’s agenda, how the group has tried to hide its spending by transferring donations through other PACs and whether AIPAC spending hurts or helps campaigns.  Check out Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Governor Gavin Newsom failed to strike a deal on wildfire liability with lawmakers in the state legislature this week after months of negotiations that pitted California utilities against insurance companies. Marisa and Guy break down how the deal collapsed and what it means for Newsom as he enters his final months in office.  Then, they turn to the few dozen bill on the governor’s desk aiming to regulate the state’s burgeoning Artificial Intelligence industry. The sector has cozied up to politicians like Newsom, but its products and plans are increasingly facing voter backlash.  Check out Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Republican candidate for governor Steve Hilton is campaigning to break Democrats’ iron clad grip on state governance. It’s a steep challenge, but Hilton remains bullish that his message of change can win over independent and Democratic voters while his conservative credentials and endorsement by President Donald Trump help him maintain Republican support.  He joins Marisa in studio to discuss his views on inequality in the state, how he would regulate AI and the backlash to data centers. He split with Trump, disagreeing with the president's attempts to limit mail-in voting. Hilton also said he is not concerned about the integrity of the November election and would accept the results. Check out Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stanford University Professor Joshua Rauh argues that the proposed billionaire tax on California’s November ballot would face legal challenges, raise far less than proponents claim and push wealthy residents out of the state. Rauh, a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution, recently authored a study examining the potential effects of the tax if voters approve it this fall. Marisa sits down with Rauh to discuss the case against Proposition 40, which would impose a one-time, five percent tax on the overall wealth of California’s billionaires.  Check out Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices