Office of Legislative Affairs - "The Friday Wrap-Up"

Assembly Hearing on the Impacts of Potential Federal Funding Cuts

The Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 7 on Accountability and Oversight held a hearing last week on federal funding and what could be at risk for spending cuts under the Trump administration. Chaired by Assembly Member Gregg Hart (D-Santa Barbara), the hearing was attended by Assembly Members Heath Flora (R-Ripon), Jesse Gabriel (D-Encino), Patrick Ahrens (D-Cupertino), Rhodesia Ransom (D-Stockton), Sharon Quirk-Silva (D-La Palma), Dawn Addis (D-San Luis Obispo), Joe Patterson (R-Rocklin), Heather Hadwick (R-Grass Valley), Jessica Caloza (D-Los Angeles), and Darshana Patel (D-San Diego).

Panelists included: Ann Hollingshead and Carolyn Chu, Legislative Analyst’s Office; Mary Halterman, Department of Finance; Dr. Sevet Johnson, Ventura County; Dr. Katherine Newman, University of California; and Scott Graves, California Budget and Policy Center.

The Legislative Analysts’ Office (LAO) provided a background paper on federal funding that flows to California. In general, California is considered a “donor state” receiving an estimated 90 cents in federal funding for every tax dollar sent to Washington. California sends about $80 billion more than it receives in federal spending. This excess contribution is larger than the combined state budgets of Alaska, Arkansas, Delaware, Idaho, Iowa, Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wyoming.

Panelists and committee members expressed widespread concern over potential federal funding cuts that could cripple California’s state budget and many key programs that residents rely on. The 2025-26 state budget relies on $170.6 billion in federal funds. The largest piece of the pie when it comes to federal funds that the state receives is health and human services funding, with 80% of the total ($134 billion) going to Medi-Cal.

Panelists covered a laundry list of programs that are funded at least in part by federal dollars including: in-home supportive services, developmental services, public health programs, child support and child welfare, the unemployment insurance program, school meal programs, high poverty school districts, wildfire prevention, and students with disabilities. $7.3 billion for higher education (UC and CSU campuses), $6.7 billion in transportation, and $2.5 billion largely for the Office of Emergency Services and Disaster Response and Recovery are also areas of significant federal spending. 

Many individual Californians also benefit from direct payments via social security and medicare programs, as well as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), student loans, and tax credits. Defense and non-defense grants and contracts, as well as wages and salaries to federal employees all have a significant impact on the state’s economy and its residents.

President Trump’s recent executive orders have called into question the future availability of a number of federal programs including those related to diversity, equity, and inclusion and those funded by the Infrastructure, Investment, and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act.

Millions of Californians could be impacted by cuts to these programs. State drawdowns of Medi-Cal funding alone average between $6 and $9 billion monthly. Up to 15 million Californians would be impacted by decreased spending in the Medi-Cal program.

Dr. Sevet Johnson, CEO of Ventura County, characterized potential cuts to healthcare as being devastating to counties. She also detailed programs at risk that support everything from transportation infrastructure to social services.

Legislators noted the need to make tough budget choices in the face of federal spending cuts, a discussion which included raising taxes as a potential option. Assembly Member Quirk-Silva called the potential cuts “horrifying”.

When asked what the state’s options are for withholding federal tax dollars, Carolyn Chu from the Legislative Analysts’ Office responded that it would take a mass collective action on the part of the individual Californians to not file their taxes.

In preparation for the state’s May budget revision, Chair Hart summarized the broad impacts that federal cuts could have on nearly every aspect of California’s economy, and asked the Department of Finance to provide a full assessment report on the potential impacts of federal cuts by April 1.

Governor Announces New Funds for Housing and Homelessness Services with Strings Attached

Governor Gavin Newsom held a press conference on Monday, announcing new funding and with increased accountability measures for local governments to address homelessness in their communities. The governor also previewed a new accountability and transparency website that he plans to expand across other state departments. The site seemed in part, a response to federal demands to show how and where tax dollars are being spent, and how California is making progress in addressing homelessness and the housing crisis.

As part of the funding announced, the state is providing local governments with $118.7 million in Encampment Resolution Funding to support 14 projects intended to move people out of encampments and into shelters and housing. Additionally, the state is releasing nearly $42 million of Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention (HHAP) Round 5 funding for five regions including Orange County, as well as announcing the availability of more than $760 million for HHAP Round 6. Key priorities for HHAP Round 6 include preserving, developing, and supporting permanent housing solutions; ensuring interim housing and outreach services have sustainable funding structures; aligning funding with strong regional partnerships that make notable progress on homelessness solutions; and ensuring meaningful engagement with tribal governments and people with lived experience of homelessness.

Orange County HHAP Funding

Santa Ana, Anaheim/Orange County CoC HHAP Funding

During the press conference, Governor Newsom reviewed various counties’ information on the new accountability website including statistics on housing, homelessness, and behavioral health. He characterized the website as a carrot and stick approach that aggregates statewide information and allows users to compare different jurisdictions. In reference to the website’s color coded system, Newsom said “if we continue to see red, we just can’t fund red. Because that’s funding failure.” He also referenced the need for “claw back” provisions for state funds if local targets are not being met.

The site specifically highlights whether jurisdictions are in compliance with state housing law. On Orange County’s page, for example, the website shows the county housing plan as being in compliance with state standards (green), but lists Anaheim, Costa Mesa, Fullerton, Huntington Beach, Seal Beach, and Villa Park as being out of compliance (red). It lists the city of Brea as being a “prohousing jurisdiction”. Newsom emphasized that the website would be updated and improved as more information becomes available.

In response to the release of the data tool and press conference, California State Association of Counties CEO Graham Knaus issued the following statement:

“Governor Newsom’s latest in a long series of websites is just spin without the substance to back it up. Counties aren’t the bottleneck to addressing housing and homelessness. The real barriers to progress are the state-mandated bureaucratic hurdles that slow local governments down, forcing them to navigate a maze to get resources on the ground.

 Counties believe in accountability, and we welcome HHAP Rounds 5 and 6 funding. But nothing the governor announced today moves California any closer to tackling the problem. The money going out the door today is two years overdue. And the governor’s threat to block future funding for local governments puts headlines above solutions.

 Progress will remain frustratingly slow until we work together to address the gaps in responsibility at all levels of government – including the state. Blaming local governments won’t alleviate the homelessness crisis. Real partnership and long-term investments will.”

Upcoming Hearings

Agendas are typically posted on the committee websites in the Assembly and Senate a few days prior to the hearings. To view hearings after they take place, you may access them in the Assembly or Senate media archives where they are generally available within a few hours of committee adjournment.

Monday, March 03, 2025, 2:30 p.m.

Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 1 on Health

State Capitol, Room 126

Informational Hearing

Item No. Description

4800 California Health Benefit Exchange

• Department Update: Federal Enhanced Subsidies

4150 Department of Managed Health Care

• Budget Change Proposals

4140 Department of Health Care Access and Information

• Oversight Issue: Office of Health Care Affordability and Health
• Care Payments Data
• Oversight Issue: CalRX
• Oversight Issue: Health Workforce Development

0977 California Health Facilities Financing Authority

• Department Updates

Monday, March 03, 2025, 2:30 p.m.

Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 6 on Public Safety

State Capitol, Room 447

Informational Hearing

Item No. Description

5225 Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation

7870 California Victim Compensation Board

Monday, March 03, 2025, 2:30 P.M. or upon adjournment of Assembly and Senate Floor Sessions

Assembly Joint Hearing Assembly Transportation and Senate Transportation

1021 O Street, Room 1100

Informational Hearing: Declining Gas Tax Revenues

Tuesday, March 04, 2025, 9:00 a.m.

Assembly Joint Hearing Assembly Business and Professions and Senate Business, Professions, and Economic Development

1021 O Street, Room 1100

Sunset Review Oversight Hearing

1. Bureau of Real Estate Appraisers
2. California Department of Real Estate
3. Veterinary Medical Board
4. California Board of Optometry

Tuesday, March 04, 2025, 1:30 p.m.

Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 5 on State Administration

State Capitol, Room 447

Informational Hearing: California Film Tax Credit

Item No. Description

0509 Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development

Tuesday, March 04, 2025, 1:30 p.m.

Assembly Health

1021 O Street, Room 1100

Informational Hearing: The State's Behavioral Health Transformation: Implementation and Planning Updates

Wednesday, March 05, 2025, 8:00 a.m. Upon adjournment of Joint Legislative Audit

Assembly Joint Hearing Joint Legislative Audit and Joint Legislative Committee on Emergency Management and Assembly Emergency Management

1021 O Street, Room 1100

Oversight Hearing: California Is Not Adequately Prepared to Protect Its Most Vulnerable Residents From Natural Disasters (Report 2019–103)

Wednesday, March 05, 2025, 9:30 a.m.

Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 4 on Climate Crisis, Resources, Energy, and Transportation

State Capitol, Room 447

Informational Hearing

Item No. Description

3940 State Water Resources Control Board

3860 Department of Water Resources

Various Prop. 4 - Safe Drinking Water, Drought, Flood, and Water Resilience Spending Plan

Various Prop. 4 - Coastal Resilience Spending Plan

Wednesday, March 05, 2025, 1:30 p.m.

Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 3 on Education Finance

State Capitol, Room 444

Informational Hearing: Proposition 98 Overview: All Departments

Wednesday, March 05, 2025, 1:30 p.m.

Assembly Utilities and Energy

1:30 p.m. - State Capitol, Room 437 

Oversight Hearing: Utility Wildfire Spending

Wednesday, March 05, 2025, 1:30 p.m.

Senate Joint Hearing Health and Agriculture

1:30 p.m. - 1021 O Street, Room 1200 

Informational Hearing: Response to the Avian Flu: Looking at Biosecurity and Disease Monitoring Systems in California

Thursday, March 06, 2025, 9:30 a.m. Or upon adjournment of Session

Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 2 On Resources, Environmental Protection, and Energy

9:30 a.m. - 1021 O Street, Room 2200

Item Description

0540 Natural Resources Agency

3110 Special Resources Programs

Tahoe Regional Planning Agency

3125 California Tahoe Conservancy

3340 California Conservation Corps

3480 Department of Conservation

3540 Department of Forestry and Fire Protection

3600 Department of Fish and Wildlife

3720 California Coastal Commission

3790 Department of Parks and Recreation

Thursday, March 06, 2025, 9:30 a.m. Or upon adjournment of Session

Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 3 on Health and Human Services

1021 O Street, Room 1200

Item Description

5180 Department of Social Services

CalFresh and Food Programs

CalWORKs

SUN Bucks

Automation

Thursday, March 06, 2025, 9:30 a.m. Or upon adjournment of Session

Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 4 on State Administration and General Government

State Capitol, Room 113

Item Description

0890 Secretary of State

0950 State Treasurer

0840 State Controller

0981 California Achieving a Better Life Experience Act Board

Thursday, March 06, 2025, 9:30 a.m. Or upon adjournment of Session

Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 5 on Corrections, Public Safety, Judiciary, Labor, and Transportation

State Capitol, Room 112

Item Description

5225 Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation

Governor’s Press Releases

Below is a list of the governor’s press releases beginning February 19.

February 26: Governor Newsom grants executive clemency

February 26: Governor Newsom announces statewide plan for economic growth, $245 million for more jobs — with additional investment for LA’s recovery

February 25: Governor Newsom issues statement on federal investments in Sites Reservoir

February 25: Los Angeles wildfire hazardous debris cleanup reaches substantial completion in record time

February 25: Governor Newsom expands first-in-the-nation program to transform underutilized state land into affordable housing

February 24: Governor Newsom announces stronger accountability measures, launches new tool measuring local progress in tackling homelessness

February 23: California to launch first-in-the-nation digital democracy effort to improve public engagement

February 21: Governor Newsom announces appointments 2.21.25

• Bhavana Prakash, of San Jose, has been appointed to the Physician Assistant Board
• Joanne Pacheco, of Fresno, has been appointed to the Dental Hygiene Board of California
• Mark Apostolon, of Stockton, has been appointed to the 2nd District Agricultural Association San Joaquin Fair Board
• Kevin Alto, of McKinleyville, has been appointed to the 9th District Agricultural Association Redwood Acres Fair Board
• Norma Rojas-Mora, of Bakerfield, has been appointed to the 15th District Agricultural Association Kern County Fair Board
• Emily Schoeder, of Dixon, has been appointed to the 36th District Agricultural Association Dixon May Board
• Elizabeth Lincoln, of Kelseyville, has been appointed to the 49th District Agricultural Association Lake County Fair Board

February 20: Governor Newsom announces appointments 2.20.25

• Mayumi Kimura, of Temecula, has been appointed Deputy Secretary of Woman Veterans at the California Department of Veterans Affairs
• Justin Turner, of Sacramento, has been appointed Chief Counsel at the California Department of Conservation
• Anthony “Tony” Marino, of Sacramento, has been appointed Deputy Director of Energy at the Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety
• Travis Nichols, of Sacramento, has been appointed Cyber Incident Response Manager at the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services
• Lynda Hopkins, of Sebastopol, has been appointed to the California Air Resources Board
• Dawn Ortiz-Legg, of San Luis Obispo, has been appointed to the California Air Resources Board
• Tina Thomas, of Sacramento, has been appointed to the Wildlife Conservation Board
• Frances “Fran” Pavley, of Agoura Hills, has been reappointed to the Wildlife Conservation Board, where she has served since 2018
• Travis Clausen, of Garden Grove, has been appointed to the Underground Safe Excavation Board

February 19: Governor Newsom announces appointments 2.19.25

• Andrew “Andy” Nakahata, of San Francisco, has been appointed Chief Deputy Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer at the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank
• Diane Lydon, of Sacramento, has been appointed Assistant Deputy Director and Northern California Regional Advisor at the Office of the Small Business Advocate
• Brian Lin Walsh, of Rocklin, has been appointed Principal Labor Relations Officer at the California Department of Human Resources
• Joseph Tuggle, of Placerville, has been appointed Warden of Folsom State Prison
• Kelly DeRoss, of Sacramento, has been appointed Labor Relations Officer at the California Department of Human Resources
• Jennifer Haley, of Rancho Palos Verdes, has been appointed to the California Workforce Development Board
• Amelia Tyagi, of Los Angeles, has been appointed to the California Workforce Development Board

February 19: Lawsuit against Norwalk for unlawful ban on homeless shelters moves forward

February 19: California nominates Steve Jobs for its American Innovation Coin, $1 coin to be produced by U.S. Mint

LEGISLATIVE BRANCH ACTIVITY 

House Passes their Budget Resolution 

House Republicans narrowly approved a budget framework this week supporting President Donald Trump’s domestic policy agenda, marking a significant win for Speaker Mike Johnson. The measure passed 217-215 along party lines, with all Democrats opposing it and GOP Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky joining them. The budget sets up the opportunity for Congress to craft policy on border security, taxes, and energy, aligning with Trump’s campaign promises. The House plan differs significantly from a competing Senate version, requiring reconciliation between the two chambers in the days and weeks ahead. 

The vote followed intense negotiations as Speaker Johnson and President Trump worked to secure support from key GOP holdouts concerned about insufficient spending cuts. Representatives Tim Burchett, Warren Davidson, Victoria Spartz, and Massie initially opposed the plan, but the President’s direct involvement helped sway most of them. Only Massie maintained his opposition. Moderate Republicans had concerns about Medicaid cuts but ultimately supported the measure after House leadership presentations. 

The approval sets up complex negotiations between House and Senate Republicans, who must align on key issues like Medicaid cuts and the extension of President Trump’s 2017 tax cuts. Senate Majority Leader John Thune praised the House’s progress but emphasized the need for permanent tax cuts, which could challenge the House plan’s fragile support. The two chambers must agree on an identical budget resolution to use reconciliation, allowing them to pass major policy changes along party lines. 

As shared in a previous update, the House budget resolution would instruct the standing committees of the House to draft legislation cutting between $1.5 trillion and $2 trillion in federal spending. Once the House and Senate agree on a budget framework the committees will begin working on this legislation, providing details on the proposed cuts.

Among the potential cuts proposed by the House budget resolution are $880 billion to programs under the jurisdiction of the House Energy and Commerce Committee which includes Medicaid and other health programs. The Chairman of the Committee, Kentucky Republican Representative Brett Guthrie provided some insight into what these cuts could look like, saying he was targeting eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse, repealing Biden-era Medicaid rules and regulations, and limiting Medicaid provider taxes.

Some states, including the State of California increase the amount of federal Medicaid funding they receive by levying taxes on providers and then increasing their reimbursement rates. Current law provides for a 6 percent Medicaid provider tax safe harbor. The House Budget Committee estimates that lowering this safe harbor from 6 percent to 3 percent could cut federal spending by $175 billion over ten years. If enacted, the State of California would face a federal Medicaid matching funds shortfall and would need to identify other sources of Medicaid matching funds in order to maintain existing reimbursement rates.  

Additional changes to federal funding contained in the budget resolution include:

• $230 billion in cuts to programs within the jurisdiction of the Agriculture Committee, which includes programs like SNAP and farm programs.
• $330 billion in cuts to programs within the jurisdiction of the Education and Workforce Committee which includes school meal programs, Pell grants, and other education expenditures.
• $110 billion in additional spending to programs within the jurisdiction of the Judiciary Committee which includes programs focused on the U.S. immigration system.
• $100 billion in additional spending for the Armed Services Committee.
• $90 billion for the Homeland Security Committee which includes immigration enforcement agencies and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

FY2025 Appropriations Update 

On Monday, House Appropriations Committee Chair Tom Cole said that negotiators are still trading offers as both sides seek a compromise to keep the government funded, but he cautioned a stopgap is becoming more likely the longer Congress goes without a deal. Chairman Cole and House Speaker Mike Johnson are considering a full-year stopgap to keep the government funded through the end of the fiscal year on September 30, 2025.  

The Department of Government Efficiency’s effort to shrink the size of government and implement funding cuts without approval from Congress has complicated negotiations. Congressional Democrats see the upcoming March 14 shutdown deadline as a way to counter some of those efforts. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer also said earlier this month that Democrats will push for language to unwind the recent measures by the Trump administration. 

Orange County is tracking several provisions included in Fiscal Year 2025 appropriations bills, including direct funding for several county projects. Enactment into law of these funding priorities will remain on hold while congressional negotiators work to finalize FY25 appropriations bills in the coming weeks.

House Moves to Undo Biden Era Energy Rules 

The House recently voted to repeal two key regulations from the Biden administration, leveraging the Congressional Review Act (CRA), which allows Congress to overturn federal rules with a joint resolution of disapproval. The CRA process requires passage in both chambers and is subject to a presidential veto, making it more effective when Congress and the White House are controlled by the same party. 

First, the House voted to repeal the methane fee, a provision established under the Inflation Reduction Act that imposes penalties on methane emissions exceeding a set threshold. The fee is scheduled to begin at $900 per metric ton in 2024 and rise to $1,500 by 2026. Republicans and oil industry groups have criticized the fee as a tax on natural gas and have filed lawsuits to block its implementation. Additionally, Republicans have discussed repealing the methane fee as part of a broader reconciliation package. 

The House also voted to block a 2024 regulation from the Biden administration requiring higher energy efficiency standards for gas-burning tankless water heaters, set to take effect in December 2029. The rule, issued by the Department of Energy under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act, aims to reduce carbon emissions and lower consumer gas bills. However, opponents argue that it would limit consumer choice and raise prices by eliminating more affordable models. The Trump administration announced a postponement of this rule in February 2025. 

Governor Newsom Requests $40 Billion in Aid for LA Fires 

On February 21, Governor Gavin Newsom sent a letter to congressional leaders requesting $40 billion in federal funding to cover the long-term recovery and rebuilding effort for the Los Angeles fires. In the letter, Governor Newsom wrote that as the state continues to assess the damage while conducting active response and recovery efforts, officials expect to identify additional funding needs beyond the $40 billion. Senators Adam Schiff and Alex Padilla came out in support of the Governor’s latest request. 

Governor Newsom outlined $16.8 billion for public assistance emergency work, $9.9 billion to repair houses and businesses, $5.3 billion for business loans, $4.32 billion for business grants, $2 billion for low-income housing tax credits and hundreds of millions more for transportation, water infrastructure, and other programs. 

The letter comes amid weeks of debate centered around whether the anticipated disaster aid for California would come with conditions. President Donald Trump, congressional Republicans and presidential allies contended the money for California should come with strings attached. 

EXECUTIVE BRANCH ACTIVITY 

Federal Buildings to Shut Off EV Chargers  

The Trump administration is set to remove electric vehicle charging stations at federal buildings nationwide. In a recent email to agencies, the General Services Administration outlined the plan stating that federally owned chargers—used for both government fleets and employees' personal vehicles—will no longer be classified as mission-critical. 

This move aligns with President Trump’s broader efforts to scale back electric vehicle policies introduced by the Biden Administration. Previously. The Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration announced it would suspend federal funding for electric vehicle charging stations along U.S. highways. 

LEGISLATION INTRODUCED BY ORANGE COUNTY DELEGATION SINCE 2/20 

Friday 02/28

California insurance regulators urge State Farm to expand coverage in exchange for rate hikes -- After meeting with State Farm executives in Oakland on Wednesday, California’s top insurance regulator said he expects to decide within two weeks whether to approve the insurer’s emergency request for a steep rate hike while also promising to press company officials for guarantees of expanded coverage should it be allowed to charge higher premiums. Ethan Varian in the San Jose Mercury Levi Sumagaysay CalMatters -- 2/27/25

Californians approved $1.5 billion for wildfire prevention. How will the state spend it? -- The governor has proposed spending climate bond money dedicated to wildfire mitigation in various ways. Some lawmakers think a focused strategy would be more effective. Sameea Kamal CalMatters -- 2/28/25

2/27/2025

Thousands of UC healthcare and research employees go on strike -- Thousands of University of California healthcare, research and technical employees walked off the job Wednesday, urging the university to address staffing shortages and end what they describe as restrictions on employees’ ability to raise concerns about workplace conditions. Suhauna Hussain in the Los Angeles Times -- 2/27/25

Trump administration releases $315 million in blocked funding for two new California reservoir projects -- After Trump was sworn in on Jan. 20, he blocked the funding as part of a sweeping, government-wide prohibition on spending billions of dollars of federal grants. Critics have called Trump’s move illegal and have sued to overturn it. The move to release the reservoir funding was described Wednesday as a positive one by California water planners. Paul Rogers in the San Jose Mercury -- 2/27/25

2/26/2025

California and federal government set to increase water deliveries after storms -- Cities in Southern California and other agencies that depend on water delivered from Northern California via the State Water Project are projected to receive 35% of requested water supplies, up from an estimated 20% last month, the state Department of Water Resources said Tuesday. Ian James in the Los Angeles Times -- 2/26/25

Lack of funds is weakening California’s tough-on-crime law, local officials say -- Almost two months in, the footprint of California’s new tough-on-crime law has been uneven. In Alameda County, just one repeat drug offender has been ordered to receive treatment. In much-smaller Stanislaus County, 140 people have been ordered to receive treatment. Kate Wolffe in the Sacramento Bee -- 2/26/25

2/25/2025

Newsom again threatens to withhold homelessness money from cities failing to move people off street -- In a virtual news conference on Monday, Newsom announced that cities and counties that do not meet certain benchmarks — such as closing more encampments and finalizing plans to build more housing — could lose out on their share of hundreds of millions of dollars in future homelessness grants. Ethan Varian in the San Jose Mercury -- 2/25/25

Cal Fire's new fire risk maps mean big changes for California homeowners -- Cal Fire on Monday published updated fire maps for 125 cities from the Bay Area north to the Oregon border. Julie Johnson and Harsha Devulapalli in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 2/25/25

2/24/2025

HUD cuts expected to worsen America’s housing crisis, staffers say -- The Department of Housing and Urban Development is expected to be slashed in half, according to an internal memo obtained by The Washington Post. Rachel Siegel in the Washington Post -- 2/24/25

Weekend (2/22 – 2/23/2025)

More than 900 Californians, including 15 children, have died from the flu this season -- It is shaping up to be one of the deadliest flu seasons in recent memory. Harriet Blair Rowan in the San Jose Mercury -- 2/22/25

Newsom asks Congress for nearly $40 billion for L.A. wildfire relief -- Gov. Gavin Newsom is asking Congress to approve an additional $39.7 billion in aid to help Los Angeles recover from the catastrophic damage wreaked by the January firestorm, which he warns could become the costliest natural disaster in U.S. history. Clara Harter in the Los Angeles Times Molly Burke in the San Francisco Chronicle Christopher Cadelago Politico -- 2/22/25