Juliet Williams
@jwilliamsjourno.bsky.social
📤 202
📥 241
📝 43
Politics Editor, CalMatters. First Amendment champion. Former @AP.
No one told California's superintendent of public instruction about Gavin Newsom's plan to slash his job:
calmatters.org/education/k-...
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Schools chief was caught off guard by Newsom’s plan to pare down the future scope of his job
Newsom’s proposal for California schools would shift more power to the governor and pare down the state superintendent’s role.
https://calmatters.org/education/k-12-education/2026/01/california-schools/
21 days ago
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Gavin Newsom will go after Big Landlord in Thursday's State of the State address, report
@frombenc.bsky.social
and
@jeannereporter.bsky.social
:
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Newsom and Trump agree on something: Blame Wall Street for the housing crisis
Political foes Newsom and Trump are both targeting corporate landlords this week. Newsom plans to address the issue during Thursday’s State of the State.
https://calmatters.org/housing/2026/01/newsom-private-equity-housing/
22 days ago
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[email protected]
reporter Ryan Sabalow knew Doug LaMalfa, as did his constituents in the North State. A remembrance:
calmatters.org/politics/202...
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I’ve covered Doug LaMalfa for 20 years. I’m going to miss him
A longtime North State reporter reflects on the life of Doug LaMalfa, a politician unlike any other.
https://calmatters.org/politics/2026/01/lamalfa-death-remembrance/
23 days ago
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reposted by
Juliet Williams
Alejandro Lazo
23 days ago
Newsom’s final year in office begins with an $18 billion deficit. How will he address it?
calmatters.org/politics/202...
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Newsom is set to unveil his last budget. An $18 billion deficit looms
The budget hole calls for sustainable revenue increases or serious spending cuts, the Legislature’s analysts say. But either would be unpopular with top Democrats.
https://calmatters.org/politics/2026/01/gavin-newsom-politics-budget-deficit/
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reposted by
Juliet Williams
First Amendment Coalition
about 1 month ago
When you become a Democracy Watchdog Member, your monthly donation helps us shine a light on those who would silence dissent and keep the public in the dark. Become a monthly donor today — stand with us in the fight for an open and just society!
firstamendmentcoalition.org?form=FACDece...
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reposted by
Juliet Williams
CalMatters
2 months ago
California’s independent legislative analyst is warning that the state faces a nearly $18 billion deficit. It is “critical” for lawmakers to rein in spending and increase revenues long term, he said. 📸 Fred Greaves
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reposted by
Juliet Williams
CalMatters
3 months ago
CalMatters exclusive:
@mayacmiller.bsky.social
has confirmed the identity of another co-conspirator, Alexis Podesta. Her attorney says she isn't charged and is cooperating with investigators.
calmatters.org/politics/202...
add a skeleton here at some point
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reposted by
Juliet Williams
3 months ago
🗓️ Planning your week ahead? Don't forget to get your ticket for our "Election Preview 2026" with top @CA_Dem, @CAGOP pollsters & strategists. Wednesday, 12-1 pm @UCCenterSac. Tickets 🎟️:
sacpressclub.org/events/upcom...
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reposted by
Juliet Williams
Luke LeBrun
3 months ago
Hi Bluesky 👋 Small life update: I’m at the centre of a multimillion dollar lawsuit in Alberta launched by a failed candidate for Jason Kenney’s UCP It may be the longest and most expensive media trial in Canadian history I’m ready to go public about it and I want to share more details with you 🧵
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calmatters.org/politics/202...
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Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi will retire from Congress at the end of her term
The San Francisco representative, who’s best known for her political prowess and leader of national Democrats, won’t run for reelection.
https://calmatters.org/politics/2025/11/california-nancy-pelosi-retirement/
3 months ago
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reposted by
Juliet Williams
3 months ago
Don't miss this! Next Wednesday's @sacpressclub lunch @UCCenterSac 12-1 pm w/ CA's top political pundits & pollsters talking
#Prop50
and what's ahead in the 2026 elections. Tickets🎟️🎟️🎟️:
sacpressclub.org/events/upcom...
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reposted by
Juliet Williams
CalMatters
3 months ago
Breaking: It’s a yes for Prop. 50. California voters approved the measure to temporarily suspend the state’s nonpartisan citizens redistricting commission until 2030. bit.ly/3WAJfhI 📝
@mayacmiller.bsky.social
&
@jeannereporter.bsky.social
📸 Ted Soqui
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The story behind the long, messy legislative fight this year over a bill meant to address teaching about antisemitism in California schools.
@bystellayu.bsky.social
and
@mzinshteyn.bsky.social
:
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Censorship or protection? Inside California’s ‘hardest’ fight of the year over antisemitism
In the fight over preventing antisemitism in schools, no one disputes the need to protect Jewish students. Lawmakers and critics diverged sharply on how to do it.
https://calmatters.org/politics/2025/10/school-antisemitism-bill-signed/
4 months ago
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reposted by
Juliet Williams
Capitol Weekly
4 months ago
Proposition 50 would require CA to use new congressional district maps. On October 14, proponents from each side will offer arguments in a debate moderated by
@wordsmith24.bsky.social
of Capitol Weekly &
@jwilliamsjourno.bsky.social
of
@calmatters.org
capitolweekly.net/events/calif...
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California Votes: Proposition 50 - October 14, 2025 - Capitol Weekly
Join Capitol Weekly, CalMatters, and the University of California Student and Policy Center for: . California Votes: Proposition 50 Should Californians support mid-decade redistricting? . October 14, ...
https://capitolweekly.net/events/california-votes-proposition-50-october-14-2025/
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reposted by
Juliet Williams
CalMatters
4 months ago
Gavin Newsom's Democratic redistricting plan would merge conservative rural Modoc County with liberal Marin County, angering ranchers.
https://cal.news/46cOw4J
📷 Miguel Gutierrez Jr.
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California lawmakers pushed through hundreds of bills in the final days of the Legislative session. Here are some we're watching for Gov. Newsom's action:
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Which of these 2025 bills will Gavin Newsom sign?
California lawmakers sent Newsom hundreds of bills to sign or veto by Oct. 12. Here's a look at some of the most high-profile ones.
https://calmatters.org/explainers/california-gavin-newsom-bills-signing/
5 months ago
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Well, that's a wrap on this year's legislative session. Kudos to my
@calmatters.org
colleagues, who were all over every move.
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California Democrats end legislative session with climate deal – and infighting
The session stretched into Saturday, prolonged by last-minute backroom deals on climate and energy, sparking deep frustration among some lawmakers.
https://calmatters.org/politics/2025/09/california-legislature-end-of-session-2/
5 months ago
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reposted by
Juliet Williams
Ben Christopher
5 months ago
The passage of this bill, nearly a decade in the making, slaps a symbolic bow on what has already been a banger of a year for controversial and ambitious housing production legislation in California.
calmatters.org/housing/2025...
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Your neighborhood could get seven-story buildings if it's near a train station
A bill California lawmakers approved allows dense apartments near transit stations, overriding local zoning to address the housing crisis.
https://calmatters.org/housing/2025/09/neighborhood-transit-upzoning/
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Politics palate cleanser
add a skeleton here at some point
5 months ago
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Congratulations
@akoseff.bsky.social
! We will miss you.
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5 months ago
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Negotiations that could have a major effect on California's air quality, gas supply, transportation networks and the future of Medi-Cal are all taking place behind closed doors, with virtually no input from the public.
@bystellayu.bsky.social
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California’s top Democrats rush key policies in secret talks
Major climate and energy reforms hang in the balance as California leaders talk in private to reach last-minute deals. The secrecy leaves little time for the public to weigh in.
https://calmatters.org/politics/2025/09/california-end-of-session-secret-deals/
5 months ago
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reposted by
Juliet Williams
CalMatters
5 months ago
California lawmakers are scrambling to finalize a last-minute deal that would extend the state’s landmark greenhouse gas reduction program – known as cap and trade – through 2045.
https://cal.news/4ptq6LU
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The secret negotiations that could reshape California's climate policy
Lawmakers, oil industry leaders and environmental justice groups are meeting behind closed doors to try to reach a deal to extend California’s landmark cap-and-trade program.
https://cal.news/4ptq6LU
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Gavin Newsom is their biggest foil, but California Republicans are shying away from making him the center of attention in their campaign against Proposition 50.
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Why Republicans are avoiding their favorite target in California’s redistricting fight
Gavin Newsom wants the campaign for Proposition 50 to be a battle between him and Donald Trump. The GOP says it needs another way to win over voters.
https://calmatters.org/politics/2025/09/california-gop-proposition-50-campaign/
5 months ago
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@jeannereporter.bsky.social
's story on soaring temperatures in California prisons and the new, tiny, step toward addressing them will make you exasperated and sad for the people affected.
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Will officials finally address California's shocking prison cell temperatures?
After years of complaints from inmates and advocates, California is finally embarking on a plan to cool some cells. But it’s only a test, and there’s no indication the state will take broad action.
https://calmatters.org/politics/2025/09/california-prison-heat-death-pilot/
5 months ago
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Will California’s high-speed rail project be delayed even further?
California lawmakers rejected a plan to roll back permitting rules for high-speed rail amid strong opposition from local governments and utilities.
https://calmatters.org/politics/2025/08/high-speed-rail-fails-suspense-file/
5 months ago
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Beating Trump to the punch in California?
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Newsom deploys 'crime suppression' teams statewide while mocking Trump's threats
The governor is making the first move in his battle with Trump over crime, sending CHP officers into six California cities.
https://calmatters.org/politics/2025/08/newsom-crime-chp-deployment/
5 months ago
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Find out if your vote could be affected by Newsom's redistricting plans with these cool maps comparing before & after. Great work by
@jeremiak.com
&
@akoseff.bsky.social
!
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How Newsom’s California redistricting plan might impact your vote
Here's how your vote could change in 2026 if voters approve Gov. Gavin Newsom's congressional redistricting proposal.
https://calmatters.org/politics/2025/08/find-out-if-your-vote-could-be-affected-by-newsoms-redistricting-plans/
6 months ago
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reposted by
Juliet Williams
CalMatters
6 months ago
If she were elected governor, former Senate leader Toni Atkins would oversee contracts with her spouse's many consulting firms.
cal.news/4mBgKeI
📸 AP
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reposted by
Juliet Williams
Alexei Koseff
6 months ago
Half a dozen Democratic lawmakers who fled Texas to stop a Republican-led redistricting scheme met Friday with top California Democrats as they draw their own new congressional lines
calmatters.org/politics/202...
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Redistricting rebuttal: Texas Democrats cheer Newsom’s map-drawing plans
A half dozen Texas Democrats met with Gov. Gavin Newsom, Rep. Nancy Pelosi and other top Democrats in Sacramento as they draw new House seats for California.
https://calmatters.org/politics/2025/08/newsom-redistricting-texas-democrats/
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reposted by
Juliet Williams
Alexei Koseff
6 months ago
“At this moment, I believe I can make the greatest impact by focusing on California’s financial future,”
@eleniforca.bsky.social
said in a statement
calmatters.org/politics/202...
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California's second-in-command drops bid for governor in 2026
Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis says she'll instead seek to become state treasurer in 2026. Kounalakis was trailing in a fielded crowd of Democrats seeking to become governor
https://calmatters.org/politics/2025/08/california-governors-race-kounalakis/
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reposted by
Juliet Williams
Ned Resnikoff
6 months ago
Next Democratic president should expropriate Trump's wealth to pay for scraping all this Temu shit off the walls of the White House.
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Huge props to
@gauchoesque.bsky.social
and
@jeannereporter.bsky.social
for giving me the layperson's understanding of a proposed shared power network in the West:
calmatters.org/politics/202...
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Could California prevent more blackouts by joining a Western power market?
The state built a clean grid. Now lawmakers are eyeing opening its market to states that rely on coal. Critics say it’s a risky bet.
https://calmatters.org/politics/2025/08/western-regional-power-market/
6 months ago
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The time for a decision has finally come. Let the governor's race begin!
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Kamala Harris announces she won't run for California governor
Conjecture about whether Harris would run for governor began almost immediately after she lost the November election to President Donald Trump.
https://calmatters.org/politics/2025/07/kamala-harris-governor-california/
6 months ago
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Powerful story today by
@akoseff.bsky.social
on the Afghans in California who are caught in legal limbo as the Trump administration changes policies:
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They worked with the U.S. in Afghanistan. Now Trump could return them to the Taliban
Afghans who fled the Taliban and resettled in California have lost legal protections and financial support in President Trump's second term.
https://calmatters.org/politics/2025/07/afghan-refugees-california-trump/
6 months ago
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reposted by
Juliet Williams
Angus Johnston
7 months ago
Spokane politician arrested by feds at his home for protesting ICE kidnapping of two immigrants at check-in appointment. "Former Spokane City Council President Ben Stuckart … was indicted by a federal grand jury and [will] be charged with conspiracy to impede or injure law enforcement."
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Spokane ICE protesters, including Stuckart, arrested by federal agents
Federal agents on Tuesday morning arrested and searched the homes of multiple people who took part in a June 11 mass protest against immigration enforcement in Spokane.
https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2025/jul/15/spokane-ice-protesters-including-stuckart-arrested/
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The Carpenters Union is "a pariah" among California construction trades unions,
@jeannereporter.bsky.social
and
@frombenc.bsky.social
report. Yet the Carpenters struck the deal for the biggest overhaul of California's environmental law in a generation. Here's the backstory:
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With carpenters’ help, California eases housing rules—and sparks labor clash
California’s new environmental reform law, backed by carpenters, eases housing construction rules but deepens divisions within the labor movement.
https://calmatters.org/politics/2025/07/california-construction-unions-housing/
7 months ago
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reposted by
Juliet Williams
Alexei Koseff
7 months ago
Earlier this year, the governor demanded that state workers return to the office four days a week — then he negotiated away the requirement in return for other savings in union contracts,
@mayacmiller.bsky.social
reports:
calmatters.org/politics/202...
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Gavin Newsom ordered state workers back to the office. Why he backtracked
Newsom argued state employees needed to boost productivity and rebuild public trust by working in-office nearly full-time. Why delay? Politics, critics say.
https://calmatters.org/politics/2025/07/state-workers-return-to-office/
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reposted by
Juliet Williams
CalMatters
7 months ago
For months, a plan to create an infrastructure financing agency largely shielded from the public eye sailed smoothly through the state Senate. Lawmakers only backtracked when transparency advocates sounded the alarm.
cal.news/44cKpEP
📝 Martin do Nascimento
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Lawmakers continue to try to keep documents that belong to the public secret and unsearchable.
@bystellayu.bsky.social
is keeping them accountable for
@calmatters.org
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Lawmakers backtrack on plan to keep infrastructure agency's business secretive
A plan to create a secretive infrastructure entity glided through the state Senate. Lawmakers are now backtracking after transparency advocates sounded the alarm.
https://calmatters.org/politics/2025/07/california-infrastructure-nonprofit-transparency/
7 months ago
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An excellent explanation by
@frombenc.bsky.social
of the Legislature's vote to claw black a longstanding environmental regulation often used to block housing.
#CalMatters
add a skeleton here at some point
7 months ago
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Beautiful storytelling. The people’s business.
add a skeleton here at some point
7 months ago
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reposted by
Juliet Williams
Levi Sumagaysay
7 months ago
The House wants to raise the SALT deduction cap, while the Senate wants to keep it at $10,000, the limit first established in 2017 to help pay for tax cuts for big corporations. Here's my look at how the outcome could affect millions of high-income California taxpayers.
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Congress is fighting over this tax deduction. Here’s how it affects Californians
The House wants to raise the SALT deduction cap, which would help wealthy Californians pay less in federal taxes. The Senate disagrees.
https://calmatters.org/economy/2025/06/salt-deduction-taxes-california/
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reposted by
Juliet Williams
First Amendment Coalition
7 months ago
FAC has sued the CIty of San Diego to force the city to disclose records about SDPD officers' use of force against Marcus Evans. Evans had his hands in the air when he was shot with beanbag rounds and mauled by a police dog.
firstamendmentcoalition.org/news/post/fa...
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FAC Sues San Diego for Public Records About Controversial Use of Force Against Marcus Evans
Police Officers Shot Evans with Beanbag Rounds and Deployed a Police Dog that Mauled His Arm
https://firstamendmentcoalition.org/news/post/fac-sues-san-diego-for-public-records-about-controversial-use-of-force-against-marcus-evans/
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reposted by
Juliet Williams
Mikhail Zinshteyn
7 months ago
California voted to bar immigrants from schools and social services in 1994. Now most Californians see immigrants as a benefit to the state. Read this story of the last 30 years that
@frombenc.bsky.social
and I reported. Smart editing by
@jwilliamsjourno.bsky.social
calmatters.org/politics/202...
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reposted by
Juliet Williams
First Amendment Coalition
8 months ago
The First Amendment gives the press and reporters the right to observe, document, and record protests in public from a reasonable and safe distance. If you are a reporter with questions about your right to cover protests, reach out to our free legal hotline:
bit.ly/FACLegalHotl...
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reposted by
Juliet Williams
Alexei Koseff
8 months ago
The California Legislature passed a state budget today that relies more on borrowing than spending cuts to close a projected $12 billion deficit, aiming to push off difficult decisions about priorities even as that gap is only expected to grow in future years.
calmatters.org/politics/202...
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Democrats resisted some of Gavin Newsom’s budget cuts, but left tough choices for later
The budget state lawmakers approved rejects some Medi-Cal cuts, and pays for public transit and higher education. Now the real negotiations with Newsom begin.
https://calmatters.org/politics/2025/06/california-budget-legislature-approves/
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Law enforcement agencies across Southern California violated state law more than 100 times last month by sharing information from automated license plate readers with federal agents... From my colleagues at
@calmatters.org
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California police are illegally sharing license plate data with ICE and Border Patrol
LAPD and the counties of San Diego, Orange, and Riverside have repeatedly shared automated license plate reader data to federal agencies
https://calmatters.org/economy/technology/2025/06/california-police-sharing-license-plate-reader-data/
8 months ago
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reposted by
Juliet Williams
Ben Christopher
8 months ago
“The president is of course limited to his authority,” Breyer said. “That’s the difference between a constitutional government and King George.”
calmatters.org/justice/2025...
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Can Trump deploy troops in LA? A federal judge hears Newsom's case today
Gov. Newsom argues Los Angeles does not need the military to keep the peace: "To put it bluntly, there is no invasion or rebellion in Los Angeles; there is civil unrest that is no different from episo...
https://calmatters.org/justice/2025/06/los-angeles-marines-newsom-lawsuit/
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reposted by
Juliet Williams
Alexei Koseff
8 months ago
A carefully calibrated truce between
@gavinnewsom.bsky.social
and Donald Trump, forged in the wake of January’s devastating wildfires across Los Angeles, collapsed over the weekend — putting both the governor and California at increasing risk of reprisal
calmatters.org/politics/202...
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The quiet truce between Gavin Newsom and Donald Trump is over
Newsom’s anger is escalating after Trump called in the National Guard to Los Angeles without his consent. Newsom is questioning the president’s mental fitness and called him a “stone cold liar.”
https://calmatters.org/politics/2025/06/california-newsom-trump-national-guard/
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Juliet Williams
First Amendment Coalition
8 months ago
With 24 other orgs, FAC condemns the treatment of journalists covering the protests against ICE raids in LA. Targeting journalists violates the First Amendment.
firstamendmentcoalition.org/2025/06/09/c...
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Coalition Condemns Harm to Journalists Covering Protests Against ICE Raids in Los Angeles
See the 2024 Impact Report >>
https://firstamendmentcoalition.org/2025/06/09/coalition-condemns-harm-to-journalists-covering-protests-against-ice-raids-in-los-angeles/
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