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

This week is the final week of regular policy committee hearings for the year. Most measures that have not been heard in all the policy committees to which they’ve been referred will not move forward this year. Legislators will be on summer recess beginning July 19, returning August 18. When they return, they will focus on moving bills through fiscal committees and off of their respective floors on to the governor.

The county’s sponsored bill to exempt the proposed Gypsum Canyon Veterans Cemetery in Anaheim, Orange County from further review under the California Environmental Quality Act, AB 571, passed the Senate Military and Veterans Affairs Committee unanimously on Monday. It will be heard in the Senate Appropriation Committee on August 18.

Assessing California’s Fiscal Outlook Amid Federal and State Policy Shifts

The June 2025 state budget package, signed by Governor Gavin Newsom in two phases at the end of June, has now been summarized by the Department of Finance. These documents, along with an upcoming analysis from the Legislative Analyst’s Office, will serve as key references for understanding the state’s fiscal trajectory. While budget work continues, more budget-related bills are being finalized in the legislature, and the state is facing a longer-term challenge from Washington, D.C.

In early July, Congressional Republicans advanced H.R. 1, a sweeping federal tax and spending bill that could reshape the balance of fiscal responsibilities between the federal government and states like California. Though the full impact of H.R. 1 is not yet clear, it’s expected to include major tax cuts for high earners while rolling back investments in safety net programs, raising concerns about potential increases in the federal deficit and inflation. Some provisions are intended to stimulate the national economy, but others could squeeze states financially.

Fortunately for California, the timing of the federal action in early July allows the legislature to potentially respond within the normal legislative calendar, reducing the immediate need for a special session. However, the state will need time to interpret the full implications, especially as federal agencies begin issuing regulations. We may see initial responses proposed by the governor later this summer, with more comprehensive state actions likely in the 2026–2028 sessions, as the long-term effects become clearer.

All of this comes as Governor Newsom is doubling down on “government efficiency.” On Tuesday, the governor announced the launch of the California Breakthrough Project, a new advisory group composed of tech and innovation leaders, including prominent figures from Ripple, Snap Inc., Instacart, Coinbase, and others. Their goal is to identify ways to streamline state operations, particularly by leveraging AI and tech-driven solutions.

Newsom also issued a new executive order requiring every state agency to submit at least one low-cost or no-cost proposal for improving operations within 90 days. These efforts build on his prior AI and modernization initiatives and reflect a broader strategy to position California as a national leader in tech-informed governance.

As California assesses the potential impacts of recent federal fiscal changes, these new efficiency initiatives appear to be aimed at helping the state adapt its operations and maintain stability in the years ahead.

State Budget Activity

The legislature is planning to send a budget bill junior and 2 more trailer bills to Governor Gavin Newsom this week before departing for summer recess. AB 104/SB 104 includes primarily technical changes to the 2025 Budget Act, AB 138/SB 138 ratifies state employee bargaining units’ memoranda of understanding agreed upon after the June 30 deadline, and SB 119 is a second human services trailer bill.

The human services trailer bill will do the following:

• Makes implementation of the tiered rate structure for foster care subject to appropriation by the legislature in 2027.
• Makes various changes to streamline the CalWORKs program:
  • Repeals the requirement that any future federal Work Participation Rate penalties be passed on to counties.
  • Revises the sequence of activities for counties and CalWORKs participants upon enrollment in the CalWORKs program as follows: orientation and appraisal; initial engagement activities, such as family stabilization; assessment and welfare-to-work plan development; and work activities.
  • Requires the California Department of Social Services to develop an updated streamlined appraisal tool designed to improve efficiency while maintaining the ability to assess participant strengths and barriers, informed by a stakeholder workgroup.
  • Expands allowable activities under a CalWORKs welfare-to-work plan to include educational activities, and other activities that improve employment opportunities and family well-being.
  • Requires transportation costs included in a welfare-to-work plan to be advanced to CalWORKs participants.
  • Makes job club an optional program component.
  • Requires a county to verify a CalWORKs participant has secured child care prior to issuing a sanction.
  • Defers sanctions during the initial 90 days of CalWORKs program participation.
  • Simplifies the process for curing a sanction for individuals who are meeting federal work requirements.
• Extends the suspension of grantee dollar-for-dollar match requirements for counties and tribes offering services through the Home Safe program.
• Extends the suspension of grantee dollar-for-dollar match requirements for counties and tribes offering services through the Bringing Families Home program.
• Removes the sunset on the requirement for counties and tribes offering services through the Housing and Disability Advocacy Program to seek reimbursement of funds used for housing assistance, general assistance, or general relief from the Social Security program pursuant to an interim assistance reimbursement agreement.
• Initiates various changes related to mandated reporter training in child welfare, as follows:
  • Expresses legislative intent that training for mandated reporters include the definition of general neglect in the child welfare system.
  • Requires the California Child Welfare Council to establish a Mandated Reporting Advisory Committee, which includes representatives of county agencies, labor organizations, community-based organizations, and parents and youth directly impacted by the child welfare system.
  • Requires future county plans for prevention services to include the county’s plans to provide information for mandated reporters regarding the resources available to support families in their communities.
  • Requires the Department of Social Services, with participation of individuals with lived experience, county child welfare agencies, and other stakeholders, to develop a standardized curriculum for mandated reporters, by July 1, 2027.
  • Clarifies that county child welfare services departments do not need to substantiate or have allegations of abuse, neglect, or exploitation in order to provide voluntary services and stabilization support to families.
• Requires the Department of Social Services to develop a strategic plan for how the department’s methodology and outreach strategies may be implemented and executed to maximize benefits for those eligible for CalFresh.

Senate Subcommittee Hearing on LOSSAN Rail Corridor

The Senate Transportation Subcommittee on LOSSAN Rail Corridor Resiliency held an informational hearing last week, titled “Transforming Passenger Rail in Southern California: Progress, Challenges, and the Path Forward.” The Subcommittee last met in Los Angeles on May 30 to discuss train ridership when the region hosts the World Cup and then the Olympics in the coming years.

Chaired by Senator Catherine Blakespear (D-Encinitas), the hearing was also attended by Senator Tony Strickland (R-Huntington Beach). In her opening remarks Senator Blakespear emphasized that “for the rail corridor to endure and succeed, our rail services have to be reliable, primarily reliable. They have to be more frequent and they have to be competitive with driving.”

Senator Blakespear highlighted legislation she authored, SB 677 (Chapter 407, Statues 2023) which required resiliency planning to be incorporated into the LOSSAN’s annual business plan and SB 1098 (Chapter 777, Statutes 2024) which required California State Transportation Agency to submit a plan to the legislature by February of 2026 in partnership with corridor operators, track owners and the Coastal Commission, among others, on how to improve the performance, coordination, and day to day operations of passenger services.

She also shared an update on the tracks in San Clemente. The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) is continuing to deliver the emergency projects needed to stabilize the existing railroad tracks adjacent to the ocean. OCTA is hosting Coastal Rail Resiliency Study public meetings this month to continue identifying short to medium term solutions that protect the rail infrastructure and support coastal resources.

Paul Hubler, Chief Strategy Officer of the Southern California Regional Rail Authority (Metrolink); Dawn Vettese, Chief Financial Officer of the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG); and Frank Jimenez, Senior Fiscal & Policy Analyst of the Legislative Analyst’s Office all spoke on the issue of strengthening the foundations of the LOSSAN rail line including ridership, capital projects, services, and financial planning.

Mr. Hubler emphasized that the average trip of a Metrolink passenger is between 30 and 40 miles. These long trips have a substantial impact in terms of reducing vehicle miles traveled in what is one of the most congested regions in the country and one that suffers from severe air pollution.

Metrolink is attempting to capture new riders and increase ridership by increasing train frequency and service hours. This is in part because of the shift in demographics around ridership. Following the pandemic, the traditional commuter ridership is not expected to return to its previous levels. The aim is to increase service hours to attract riders who need to commute during the day and later into the evening.

In April of this year, Metrolink ridership reached a new post pandemic record with nearly 23,000 average weekday boardings. 23,000 boardings a day, up 7% from its previous high-water mark in November 2024. Metrolink ridership over the course of 2024-25, reached 7.78 million boardings.

Contingent on completed capital projects and more frequent service, Metrolink anticipates ridership growing over the next decade or so to a range of between 14 to 21 million riders per year - roughly two to three times of current ridership.

The next phase of the program will focus on the development of a mix of hourly and half hourly service on five lines, including three that are shared with LOSSAN including the Orange County Line and the Inland Empire Orange County line.

Metrolink relied heavily on federal funds during the pandemic, but those funds have been exhausted. Hubler emphasized the importance of state funding including renewal of funds from the state Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund.

Mr. Jimenez from the Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) outlined reasons the legislature could support additional funding for LOSSAN:

• The state has a key role in funding state-supported routes. LOSSAN services connect metropolitan regions—areas that typically fall beyond the scope of local agencies. Maintaining or even increasing state support aligns with the state’s historical role for these lines.
• State-supported routes and related infrastructure are an important component of the state’s transportation system and climate goals. State-supported routes enhance regional connectivity and improve access to economic opportunities. They also contribute to the state’s efforts to reduce emissions by shifting travel from personal vehicles to rail. These corridors also are important for moving goods throughout the state. Additional support to maintain or expand services and improve infrastructure could enhance these benefits.
• Funding challenges could result in increased fares and/or reduced services. Absent additional funding, state-supported routes may need either to reduce service levels or generate new revenues by raising fares. Such actions could make traveling by rail less convenient and/or less affordable for passengers. Riders may respond by shifting to other modes of transportation, leading to lower ridership levels and exacerbating funding challenges.

Cautioning that providing increased support to LOSSAN could compete with other state funding priorities, Mr. Jimenez also noted that if the state were to provide additional funding, it may want to consider how to ensure that the state-supported routes continue to be incentivized to provide cost-effective services. The current system incentivizes maximizing ridership. He also raised the issue of the complexity of rail lines being owned by a variety of public and private entities.

Ms. Vettese highlighted the dozens of projects SANDAG is undertaking to improve service reliability, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, help make travel times competitive with cars, and allow increases in operations in both directions throughout the day. The goal for  both the regional plan and the state rail plan is to increase train frequency to every 15 minutes by 2035. Since 2009, SANDAG has completed 20 rail capital projects and taken the San Diego section of the corridor from 50% double track to 75% to help meet this goal. Funding and local opposition to the projects have been the biggest impediments.

Senator Blakespear closed the hearing highlighting the need to act on opportunities to accelerate ridership and growth and to deliver critical projects.

Grant Opportunities

Below is a list of the latest grant opportunities released by the state. All opportunities for local jurisdictions may be found here.

Anticipated Open Date: August 11, 2025

Grant Title: California Community Reinvestment Grants Program

State Agency / Department: Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development

Match Funding? No

Estimated Total Funding: $48,000,000

Anticipated Open Date: October 6, 2025

Grant Title: Cannabis Equity Grants Program for Local Jurisdictions

State Agency / Department: Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development

Match Funding? No

Estimated Total Funding: $15,000,000

Deadline: 7/9/25 11:59

Grant Title: Restorative Practices Grant Program

State Agency / Department: CA Department of Education

Match Funding? No

Estimated Total Funding: $7,000,000

Deadline: 9/2/25 23:59

Grant Title: Redemption Innovation Grant Program

State Agency / Department: Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery

Match Funding? No

Estimated Total Funding: $55,397,124

Governor’s Press Releases

Below is a list of the governor’s press releases beginning July 9.

July 16: Following Trump cut to LGBTQ youth suicide hotline, California steps up to fill the gap

July 16: TODAY: Governor Newsom to provide update after visiting Los Angeles communities affected by immigration raids

July 15: And the Emmy goes to….California!

July 15: Governor Newsom announces new public outreach campaign with LA Rises and launch of new AI permitting tool

July 15: Fact: Trump lied — again. California gas prices remain lower than a week ago, month ago, and a year ago

July 15: Governor Newsom advances government effectiveness and efficiency with new executive order, launches task force with tech industry leaders

July 14: Governor Newsom signs tribal-state gaming compact 7.14.25

July 14: Governor Newsom signs legislation 7.14.25

July 14: In historic first, California powered by two-thirds clean energy – becoming largest economy in the world to achieve milestone

July 11: Governor Newsom statement on the court temporarily blocking the Trump Administration’s unlawful immigration tactics in the Los Angeles area

July 11: Governor Newsom urges Californians to take precautions as state endures triple digit heat, smoky conditions

July 11: Governor Newsom provides $11 million to organizations helping underserved job seekers find training and employment

July 11: Governor Newsom restructures state government to combat homelessness, boost housing and affordability

July 10: First Partner highlights apprenticeship program helping underrepresented youth break into careers in California’s iconic entertainment industry

July 10: Over the past three months, California seized $476 million worth of unlicensed cannabis products

July 10: California scores more clean energy records: 9 in 10 days this year partially powered by 100% clean energy

July 9: Governor Newsom announces additional deployment of California resources to support New Mexico following Texas and Oregon disaster response efforts

The House came back from recess this week to consider crypto legislation and pass an amended version of the recissions package rescinding foreign aid and public broadcasting funding appropriated by Congress. The Senate worked through the procedural votes to pass the recissions package and the whole of Congress centered on advancing the appropriations process this week.

The White House still pushed forward on trade deals and economic initiatives, along with an effort to further restrict undocumented immigrants from accessing public benefits.

LEGISLATIVE BRANCH ACTIVITY

Recissions Package Moves Towards Passage, Taking Funding from NPR, PBS, and Foreign Aid

The White House’s recissions package, a request by the President to rescind Congressionally appropriated funding that Congress is given 45 days to respond to, passed the Senate this week as HR 4, ahead of the July 18 deadline to pass it. The House voted on the measure on July 17.

The package was amended in the Senate to spare cuts to the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) after Senate Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Susan Collins struck a deal with leadership and the White House. The package still contains cuts to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which in part funds NPR and PBS, and other cuts to foreign aid programs formerly administered by USAID, which has now been absorbed into the Department of State after mass layoffs initiated by the Department of Government Efficiency Service (DOGE) reduced the agency to its statutory minimum of employees and closed its offices.

While negotiations on the package were ongoing during the long Senate debate and amendment process, Democrats argued the package will undermine negotiations for the FY26 appropriations process, which will require 60 votes in the Senate to pass. The White House is watching the recissions process closely, as if this effort is successful, Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought wants to send additional recissions packages to Congress further codifying the cuts made by DOGE with a simple majority in the Senate. Republican Lawmakers have expressed hesitation at this idea.

FY26 Appropriations Process Begins in Senate Without Many of the Administration’s Proposed Cuts

The appropriations process began in earnest in the Senate last week with a Senate Appropriations Committee markup of the Commerce, Justice, Science (CJS); Legislative Branch; and Agriculture, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies bills. While a disagreement over the future of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s headquarters held up the CJS bill, the others advanced on a bipartisan basis.

Senators noted during the markups how “normal” the bills were compared to what they were expecting after the President’s “skinny” budget request proposed comparatively large cuts to federal programming. The White House has yet to send a complete budget request for 8 of the 12 appropriations bills, but the House Appropriations Committee offered up their major program proposals as a starting point for negotiations during markups of the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development; Interior, Environment; Energy and Water, and National Security, Department of State, and Related Agencies bills this week. They also brought the defense spending bill to the floor on July 17.

House Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole noted that another continuing resolution (CR) is likely in place of a completed process by the end of September. Another CR would continue FY24 funding levels temporarily and not include community projects funding/congressionally directed spending requests. Last year’s FY25 appropriations process collapsed and Congress passed a full-year CR in the Spring.

Congress Holds “Crypto Week” Against Funding Backdrop

Congress worked on a number of cryptocurrency related bills this week against the backdrop of government funding. Cryptocurrency markets, largely by virtue of being currencies not tied to a Central Bank, have faced little regulation despite increased usage by criminals for their anonymity. House Republican Leadership argues these measures, HR 3633, the CLARITY Act, and the Senate-passed S 1582, the GENIUS Act, collectively establish a basic regulatory system and promote innovation in the crypto industry, while Democrats argue the bills do not satisfactorily protect consumers from fraud and criminal activity.

Conservative hardliners and others have stalled the bills on and off since the cryptocurrency lobby began pushing for the bills with the White House earlier this year. It remains unclear whether or not House and Senate Republicans agree on the legislation.

EXECUTIVE BRANCH ACTIVITY

Administration Works to Bar Undocumented Immigrants from Benefiting from Federal Programs

On July 10, the White House released a series of agency actions intended to curtail federal benefits sometimes utilized by undocumented immigrants. The Department of Health and Human Services listed 13 programs with new restrictions, including Head Start, community health services, substance abuse mitigation, homelessness transition, and others. The Department of Education ended an exemption from the Clinton Administration that allowed undocumented immigrants (and later DACA recipients) to access some forms of federal student aid, Pell grants, and postsecondary education programs. The Department of Agriculture reiterated prior guidance regarding undocumented immigrants not being allowed to receive federally funded nutrition benefits, and the Department of Justice is purported to have closed other loopholes.

The actions are part of the Administration’s efforts to ensure that undocumented immigrants do not benefit from federal funding, even if they are not the direct recipients of that funding. In March, the Department of Housing and Urban Development signed a memorandum of understanding with the Department of Homeland Security to share data on mixed-status families in public housing/receiving rental assistance to ensure undocumented immigrants were not living in federally subsidized housing, even if the recipient of the housing/voucher was a US citizen.

The Department of Justice this week also released a memo this week terminating previous requirements that government services be provided in multiple languages as part of the President’s March 1 Executive Order 14224 designating English as the official language of the United States. The Administration is expected to continue these kinds of actions after provisions seeking to codify these goals were struck from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act by the Senate Parliamentarian for noncompliance with the strict rules on what can be included in reconciliation packages. Implementation of these and future measures may place an additional administrative costs on local jurisdictions administering federal programs.  

Departments of Education and Labor Announced New Partnership for Education and Workforce Initiatives

On July 15, the Departments of Education (DOEd) and Labor (DOL) announced a new workforce development partnership aimed at creating an integrated federal education and workforce system. Under the agreement, DOL will take on a larger role in administering adult education and family literacy programs funded under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and career and technical education (CTE) programs funded by the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act (Perkins V).

The partnership follows an interagency agreement signed on May 21, 2025, which was temporarily halted by a preliminary injunction but later allowed to proceed by the Supreme Court. The agreement will enable DOL to manage these programs alongside its existing workforce initiatives, providing states with a unified state plan portal and consistent timelines for submitting required state plans. DOEd will maintain oversight and policy authority over these programs.

This initiative is part of a broader effort in DOEd to reduce the number of programs they administer as the Administration looks to dismantle DOEd to the maximum extent allowed under law. We expect DOEd to continue to transfer non-statutory programs/requirements to other agencies, reporting indicates Secretary of Education Linda McMahon is looking to formalize an agreement with the Department of the Treasury to assume administration of federal student loans after repayment systems were ordered to be consolidated under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Sec. McMahon in interviews has also suggested that special education programs could be shifted to the Department of Health and Human Services, and DOEd’s civil rights functions could be moved to the Department of Justice.

DOT Announces BUILD Grants Proceeding Ahead of Congressional Testimony, Duffy Testifies on Transportation Priorities in the Coming Year

On July 15, Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Sean Duffy released close to $500 million in previously unreleased Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (TIGER/BUILD) grants for 30 projects nationwide, including one project in Placer County, CA.  This follows a pattern of the Secretary announcing executed grant agreements shortly before testifying on Capitol Hill.

The funding represents some of the largest projects to proceed since the Administration paused funding disbursement to review compliance with their priorities and executive orders. DOT stated they are clearing a backlog awarded under the previous Administration but not obligated via grant agreement.

In his testimony before the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Sec. Duffy focused on DOT’s appropriations requests for supplemental funding for aviation security and air traffic control equipment modernization following the accidents and temporary air traffic control shutdowns on the east coast in the spring.

Health and Human Services Finalizes Layoffs After Supreme Court Decision

Following a Supreme Court stay on July 8 allowing the Administration to continue to reduce the number of federal employees through reductions in force (RIFs), the Department of Health and Human Service (HHS) formally laid off workers who coordinated travel for overseas drug facility inspectors, communications staffers, and medical research contract specialists among others.

10,000 layoffs were initially announced by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in late March, inclusive of cuts to the National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and other agencies, bringing the total planned and executed layoffs from January on to more than 20,000 federal workers. Some workers were rehired after core functions of HHS and its subsidiaries were negatively affected.

Orange County Delegation Press Releases

• Mike Levin – July 15, 2025: Rep. Mike Levin Joins Bipartisan Coalition to Reintroduce Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill: The Dignity Act | U.S. Congressman Mike Levin
• Lou Correa – July 15, 2025: PHOTOS: CORREA, BERGMAN MEET WITH VA SECY. COLLINS, DISCUSS PSYCHEDELIC-ASSISTED THERAPIES RESEARCH AND ACCESS FOR VETERANS | U.S. Congressman Lou Correa of California
• Lou Correa – July 15, 2025: CORREA, TRAN PRESS VA TO BUILD FIRST-EVER ORANGE COUNTY VETERAN CEMETERY | U.S. Congressman Lou Correa of California
• Lou Correa – July 15, 2025: CORREA, COLLEAGUES INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO SAFEGUARD CONSUMERS, SUPPORT CLICK-TO-CANCEL | U.S. Congressman Lou Correa of California
• Young Kim – July 15, 2025: Rep. Young Kim Pushes to Boost U.S. Critical Minerals Supply Chain - Congresswoman Young Kim
• Young Kim – July 15, 2025: Rep. Young Kim Leads Bipartisan Bill to Bolster Nursing Workforce - Congresswoman Young Kim
• Young Kim – July 15, 2025: Young Kim Holds Hearing on Breaking China’s Chokehold on Critical Mineral Supply Chains - Congresswoman Young Kim
• Young Kim – July 11, 2025: Mission Viejo Post Office Renamed in Honor of Fallen Hero Major Megan McClung - Congresswoman Young Kim
• Young Kim – July 10, 2025: Rep. Young Kim Leads Bipartisan Resolution to Drive Misophonia Awareness - Congresswoman Young Kim
• Young Kim – July 10, 2025: Reps. Kim, Kamlager-Dove Push to Strengthen U.S.-Africa Ties - Congresswoman Young Kim
• Dave Min – July 16, 2025: Representatives Dave Min and Sean Casten Call For Inquiries into the Potential Misconduct of U.S. Pardon Attorney Ed Martin and U.S. Principal Associate Attorney General Emil Bove | Representative Dave Min
• Dave Min – July 14, 2025: Reps. Dave Min, April McClain Delaney Call Out Law Firms Who Made Illegal Deals with Trump, Demand They Disavow Agreements | Representative Dave Min
• Dave Min – July 11, 2025: Representatives Dave Min, Yassamin Ansari Stand Up for Iranian Americans, Demand Answers From ICE | Representative Dave Min
• Dave Min – July 9, 2025: Reps. Min, Wittman, Sens. Baldwin, Murkowski Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation To Protect Our Coasts | Representative Dave Min
• Derek Tran – July 16, 2025: Representative Tran Advances Critical National Security Priorities in National Defense Authorization Act | Representative Derek Tran
• Derek Tran – July 15, 2025: Tran, Correa Press VA to Build First-Ever Orange County Veteran Cemetery | Representative Derek Tran
• Derek Tran – July 11, 2025: Representative Tran Cosponsors Legislation to Improve Transparency and Accountability in Immigration Enforcement Actions | Representative Derek Tran
• Derek Tran – July 10, 2025: Representative Tran Co-Leads Bipartisan Bill to Lower Prescription Drug Prices | Representative Derek Tran
• Derek Tran – July 10, 2025: Representative Tran Raises Alarm Over Proposed Cuts to Critical Anti-Drug Trafficking Efforts | Representative Derek Tran
• Linda Sánchez – July 15, 2025: Sánchez: Brazil trade investigation politically motivated, anti-democratic | Congresswoman Linda Sanchez
• Linda Sánchez – July 15, 2025: Bipartisan resolution introduced honoring journeyman lineworkers | Congresswoman Linda Sanchez
• Linda Sánchez – July 9, 2025: Sánchez: Trump’s Brazil tariff threat is clear abuse of power | Congresswoman Linda Sanchez
• Linda Sanchez – July 9, 2025: Trade Subcommittee Democrats: Trump failed to deliver 90 trade deals in 90 days | Congresswoman Linda Sanchez
• Alex Padilla – July 16, 2025: Padilla, Chu, Colleagues Join Union Workers to Announce Legislation to Protect Workers from Extreme Heat - Senator Alex Padilla
• Alex Padilla – July 15, 2025: Padilla, Peters, Merkley Sound Alarm on Potential Purging of Eligible Voters Through DHS Database - Senator Alex Padilla
• Alex Padilla – July 14, 2025: Padilla, Durbin, Kelly, Senate Democrats Press Trump Administration on Weaponization of Immigration Court Hearings to Trap, Arrest, Deport Immigrants - Senator Alex Padilla
• Alex Padilla – July 14, 2025: Padilla, Curtis, Schiff, Mullin Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Support America’s Olympic and Paralympic Games - Senator Alex Padilla
• Alex Padilla – July 13, 2025: WATCH: Padilla Slams Homan on California ICE Raids, Pushes for New Bill Demanding Immigration Agents Display ID on “State of the Union” - Senator Alex Padilla
• Alex Padilla – July 11, 2025: WATCH: “Sh*t that ain’t true” — Padilla, Booker Call Out Trump’s Lies and Attacks, Explain How VISIBLE Act Will Make Americans, Law Enforcement Safer - Senator Alex Padilla
• Alex Padilla – July 11, 2025: Padilla Statement on New Gallup Poll Showing Surge in Support for Immigration, Widespread Opposition to Trump’s Inhumane Policies - Senator Alex Padilla
• Alex Padilla – July 10, 2025: Padilla Grills Forest Service Chief on Trump’s Plan to Eliminate State Fire Assistance Funding - Senator Alex Padilla
• Alex Padilla – July 10, 2025: Padilla, Whitehouse Introduce Bills to Slash Emissions From Ocean Shipping - Senator Alex Padilla
• Alex Padilla – July 10, 2025: Padilla, Schiff, Booker, Vargas, Peters Announce Bicameral Bill to Clean Up Tijuana River - Senator Alex Padilla
• Alex Padilla – July 10, 2025: Ranking Member Padilla Welcomes New Capitol Police Chief - Senator Alex Padilla
• Alex Padilla – July 9, 2025: Padilla, Schiff Announce Over $81 Million to Upgrade California Airport Infrastructure - Senator Alex Padilla
• Adam Schiff – July 16, 2025: NEWS: Sen. Schiff, Judiciary Democrats Rebuke Justice Department Removal of Ethics Office Head
• Adam Schiff – July 16, 2025: WATCH: Sen. Schiff Raises Alarm on Emil Bove’s Nomination & Loyalty to Trump Over the Law
• Adam Schiff – July 16, 2025: WATCH: Sen. Schiff Reacts to Trump’s Threat of Prosecution, Latest Attacks
• Adam Schiff – July 15, 2025: NEWS: Sens. Schiff, Padilla Join Senate Judiciary Democrats in Requesting Hearing with Whistleblower Erez Reuveni Ahead of Bove Nomination Vote
• Adam Schiff – July 14, 2025: NEWS: Sen. Schiff Leads 30+ Senate Colleagues in Effort to Protect California’s Proposition 12 
• Adam Schiff – July 10, 2025: WATCH: Sen. Schiff Outlines 10 Ways Trump is Wrecking the Country, Redefining the Idea of America

Bills Introduced by the Orange County Delegation 

Friday 7/18

From green icon to housing villain: The fall of California’s landmark environmental law -- Democrats pared back one of the state's preeminent policies to restore trust with voters frustrated by the high cost of living. Jeremy B. White Politico -- 07/18/25

California lawmakers are quietly working to roll back criminal justice reforms -- California lawmakers are attempting to claw back reforms their colleagues approved in pursuit of making racial profiling less common, police agencies more transparent and juries more representative. Raheem Hosseini in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 07/18/25

Thursday 7/17

Orange Unified is weighing school consolidations amid enrollment declines -- Faced with falling enrollment, the Orange Unified School District is exploring a proposal to consolidate schools, with four campus pairings currently under consideration. Hanna Kang in the Orange County Register -- 07/17/25

Citing security threats, California lawmakers want to shield their addresses from public -- California lawmakers are advancing a measure that would curb journalists’ access to their home addresses and contact information through their voter registration records, an attempt watchdog groups say hinders the public’s ability to hold politicians accountable. Yue Stella Yu Calmatters -- 07/17/25

Wednesday 7/16

Are AI chatbots harming teenagers? California lawmakers think so -- Making an AI companion bot is easy. On the popular site Replika, it takes minutes to create an account. All a user needs to do is select a gender, name and look for their avatar. Once the avatar is personalized to a user’s liking, they can begin chatting. Kate Wolffe in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 07/16/25

CalPERS health premium rates to increase in 2026. Here’s how much they’ll cost -- Most state workers’ health insurance premiums will increase in 2026 following approval of the new rates by the California Public Employees Retirement System’s Board of Administration on Tuesday. Several of the most popular plans will see double digit hikes next year. William Melhado in the Sacramento Bee -- 07/16/25

Tuesday 7/15

USC signals layoffs as deficit surpasses $200 million amid ‘volatile external environment’ -- USC interim President Beong-Soo Kim says the university’s budget deficit surpasses $200 million. An undisclosed number of layoffs and other belt-tightening is ahead, he said. The university cites “significant shifts in federal support” for the difficult financial outlook. Daniel Miller in the Los Angeles Times -- 07/15/25

CalPERS recovers from tariff plunge and notches a big investment gain -- California’s biggest pension fund and markets around the world learned to live with President Trump’s tariff threats. CalPERS gained 11.6% on investments in 2024-25. Adam Ashton Calmatters -- 07/15/25

Monday 7/14

California reaches new record clean energy milestone -- California has hit a new record for clean energy. Solar, wind, hydropower and other carbon-free sources made up 67% of the state’s retail electricity supply in 2023, the most recent year that data is available, according to new statistics released Monday by the California Energy Commission. Paul Rogers in the San Jose Mercury -- 07/14/25

Weekend 7/13 – 7/12

State blasts Orange County Global for troubling practices that endangered patients -- Orange County Global Medical Center, one of three trauma centers serving a county of 3.2 million people, was castigated by state regulators for substandard care and practices that led to at least one patient death and put hundreds of others at grave risk, the Southern California News Group has learned. Scott Schwebke and Tony Saavedra in the Orange County Register -- 07/13/25

Deferral or default? In budget deal, California universities left to wait and hope -- California’s marquee public universities looked like clear-cut winners in the state’s recent budget deal. But behind the apparent triumph, nerves are fraying as higher education leaders have been left waiting to see if leading Democrats will be good for their word. Eric He Politico -- 07/12/25