Latest news with #Californians'
Los Angeles Times
6 days ago
- General
- Los Angeles Times
Opinion: California stores should ban all plastic bags
In 2016, California voters voted to uphold a ban on thin single-use plastic bags, which were what most stores offered. However, since this ban was passed, stores began passing out thicker plastic bags, which are supposed to be reusable and recyclable. This change has actually led to a substantial increase in plastic waste. This is because most recycling facilities don't recycle plastic bags, resulting in them being sent to landfills. A recent state study found that Californians' plastic bag waste has gone up from eight pounds per person per year in 2004 to 11 pounds per person per year in 2021 – at least in part due to the thicker plastic bags, which are substantially heavier. In order to prevent plastic bag waste from continuing to grow in California, we must ensure that all plastic shopping bags are banned in our state. In the state legislature, Democratic Senator Catherine Blakespear revealed a new bill that aims to ban all plastic shopping bags by 2026. Just as California was the first state to place any type of ban on plastic bags by banning the thin plastic bags, California should follow suit and get rid of plastic bags entirely. Instead of using plastic bags, people could switch to other reusable bags. While the thicker plastic bags can theoretically be reused, most people throw them away after a single use, as they don't look reusable. People should get bags that they are more likely to reuse, like cotton or canvas tote bags. In other states, plastic bag bans have worked. In Vermont, after a plastic bag ban, a survey estimated that the ban saves 191 million bags per year. California should use other states as an example and follow their lead in banning plastic bags. Another reason the new ban against plastic bags should be passed is that the original ban allowed for a loophole . The original law allowed stores to sell bags if they charged 10 cents, and they made the bags thicker and heavier. One of the reasons plastic bags are so harmful to the environment is that they never biodegrade, and while they can be recycled, they usually are not. Meanwhile, other types of bags, like cotton, could be more easily reused, while other options like paper bags are biodegradable and you can easily compost or recycle them. However, there are many advantages to plastic bags, which have helped them become so widespread. For example, it takes significantly less energy and solid waste to produce a plastic bag than to produce a paper bag. They are also much more convenient and cheaper, and after you use them, it is easy to just throw them away. Although plastic bags are cheaper and more convenient, due to their environmental impacts they should not be used. California should pass the bill to finally ban all plastic bags in stores in order to prevent more plastic waste in our world. Related
Los Angeles Times
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
California moves closer to ‘30x30' conservation goals as threats to public lands loom
California officials have moved closer to their goal of conserving 30% of lands and coastal waters by the target year of 2030, a revelation that arrives as the Trump administration advances directives that could claw back areas that were set aside. Nearly five years after the inception of the so-called 30x30 initiative, California has conserved 26.1% of its lands and 21.9% of its coastal waters — or roughly 41,000 square miles and 1,150 square miles, respectively — according to a California Natural Resources Agency report released Monday. In 2020, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order that set the 30x30 effort in motion. The initiative kicked off in earnest two years later when officials released a detailed road map for the plan. At that time, approximately 23.8% of lands and 16.2% of coastal waters were conserved. The stated goals of the 30x30 initiative extend beyond conservation. The plan also seeks to restore biodiversity, expand Californians' access to nature and help mitigate and build resilience to climate change. Now at the halfway point in the initiative, the state needs to protect less than 4 million acres of land and 283,000 acres of coastal waters to meet its goal. Wade Crowfoot, secretary of the CNRA, said the state is on track to hit its target — but could be stymied by the federal government, which owns nearly half of California's lands. Earlier this year, Trump terminated a national version of the 30x30 plan known as the America the Beautiful initiative. 'Federal attacks on public lands and environmental protections ... could impact our progress,' Crowfoot said, 'and we could actually see — if these federal attacks are successful — our acreage moving backwards.' In the past year, an additional 853,000 acres of land and 191,000 acres of water were conserved in California — representing an area the size of Glacier National Park in Montana, the report states. The majority of that land — roughly 685,000 acres — received enhanced protection through former President Biden's designation of two new national monuments early this year: Chuckwalla and Sáttítla Highlands. The monuments include vast swaths of land in the Southern California desert and Northern California forests that tribes consider sacred. The Trump administration has sent signals that it may seek to abolish both Chuckwalla and Sáttítla Highlands. In March, the Trump administration issued and then appeared to roll back an announcement implying the president had rescinded his predecessor's orders creating the monuments. Then, last month, the Justice Department released a legal opinion that concluded that Trump could undo his predecessor's creation of Chuckwalla and Sáttítla Highlands. As of today, the monuments still exist, though their subsistence seems at risk. Leaving the monuments aside, California's biggest 30x30 gains were on the sea, with the amount of coastal waters conserved jumping nearly 6% year over year. The Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary, off California's rugged Central Coast, represents nearly all of the newly conserved waters. Designated by the Biden administration last November, the 4,543-square-mile sanctuary marked the first such preserve in California to be managed in cooperation with Indigenous peoples. The designation prohibits new oil drilling and offers other protections, but some conservationists believe it falls short of meeting the criteria for inclusion in the 30x30 tally. 'California's national marine sanctuaries unfortunately do not limit damaging stressors on marine biodiversity,' said Sandy Aylesworth, director of the Pacific Initiative at the Natural Resources Defense Council. The Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary allows for the operation of an oil and gas pipeline as well industrial fishing, she said. 'So if this area is to count toward the goal, we'd like to see it meaningfully strengthen biodiversity protections in the sanctuary,' she said. Crowfoot, the state Natural Resources secretary, said a management plan that would do that is underway. If it doesn't materialize in a way that boosts environmental and biodiversity protections, he said, then the sanctuary could be removed from areas the state considers protected under the 30x30 plan. That would knock the figure for protected waters down. Looking ahead, Crowfoot said officials are focused on expanding California state parks by integrating private land nestled inside them as well as adjacent properties purchased by conservation groups. An estimated 30,000 acres of land could be added to the state park system for no additional cost because it's within a park or next to it, he said. Crowfoot called the 30x30 plan 'more important than ever' in light of worsening climate change, with the report stating that natural ecosystems conserved through the initiative capture and store greenhouse gases. Those areas are also expected to serve as refuges for animals as the climate shifts, as well as enhance biodiversity, which, the report states, 'supports the clean water and soil fertility essential for human survival and environmental stability.'
Time of India
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
On US Independence Day, 44% in California, the world's 4th largest economy, want to secede - is a breakaway vote next?
California independence: Is the Golden State ready to go its own way?- A new YouGov poll commissioned by the Independent California Institute has revealed striking numbers that reflect a growing sense of disconnection between Californians and the federal government. Conducted between June 11 and June 23, 2025, the poll shows a significant tilt toward California autonomy, with many residents favoring more control over borders, law enforcement, immigration, and even tax revenue. Do Californians trust Sacramento more than Washington? Yes—and by a big margin. According to the poll, 50% of Californians say they trust the state government in Sacramento more than the federal government in Washington, D.C. Only 23% said the opposite. The rest either trusted both equally or weren't sure. This marks a steep collapse in trust for the federal government, particularly since President Donald Trump took office earlier this year. Californians' identity has also shifted. More residents now say they feel "more Californian than American" than ever before. Though most still feel equally both, the shift toward a distinct Californian identity may be a sign of what's to come. Could California really become an autonomous state within the U.S.? That idea is gaining strong traction. A record-high 71% of Californians say they believe the state would be better off if it had 'special autonomous status' within the United States. This would mean more control over federal tax dollars paid by Californians and greater decision-making authority on key issues. Support for forming a state commission to push for that goal remains steady. Nearly two-thirds want this commission to focus on negotiations with Congress to achieve greater autonomy. However, with California underrepresented in the U.S. Senate and Electoral College, gaining such autonomy may require strong leverage in the House of Representatives. Live Events Are Californians seriously considering secession? Maybe not yet—but they're thinking about it. The poll shows 56% of respondents believe California would be better off as an independent country through peaceful secession. But when asked if they would vote for a ballot measure declaring California's intention to secede legally and peacefully, only 44% said yes, while 54% said no. Why the gap? Pollsters suggest that while people believe secession would improve life in California, fewer think it's actually possible. Many believe Congress would never approve such a move. Even so, support for peaceful secession is growing, especially among those who believe federal overreach is harming the state. Are Californians ready to control their own borders and law enforcement? In a surprising show of strength, 80% of Californians say the state should control its own borders 'like a country.' That includes using Border Control Stations to screen for illegal guns, drugs, and contraband—not just agricultural pests. Support for challenging federal authority is also high. A full 72% of Californians say state police should arrest federal immigration officers who act maliciously or exceed their legal authority. This is based on legal precedent, including the federal appellate case Clifton v. Cox, which ruled that federal agents aren't immune from state prosecution if they act outside the law. On immigration, 74% support state citizenship for long-term residents who aren't U.S. citizens. Meanwhile, 72% want to hold California officials civilly accountable if they help federal agents violate immigrants' due process rights. Is a California secession vote on the horizon? There is no formal ballot initiative, legislation, or scheduled vote to put secession on the ballot in California. The idea remains largely symbolic and protest-driven, fueled by deep political divides and increasing friction between Sacramento and Washington D.C. Legally, any attempt to secede would face immense constitutional barriers. The U.S. Supreme Court's 1869 ruling in Texas v. White made it clear: no U.S. state can unilaterally leave the Union. To legally secede, California would need: A constitutional amendment Two-thirds approval in Congress Ratification by at least 38 state legislatures In today's polarized political climate, this is nearly impossible. How Trump's actions are intensifying California's breakaway sentiment President Trump's ongoing confrontations with California Governor Gavin Newsom have only deepened the state's desire for autonomy. Most recently: Trump granted U.S. military control over a federally owned strip of land along California's border—part of his aggressive southern border policy. His administration continues to challenge California's environmental and immigration laws. Tensions peaked when Trump deployed the National Guard to Los Angeles during protests, prompting Newsom to push back on federal overreach. Though some critics claim Trump is 'taking land' from California, what's really happening is a federal assertion of authority over national lands and border zones—actions that are legal, but politically inflammatory. This dynamic is creating a narrative in California that Washington is increasingly at odds with the will of its people, especially on climate, immigration, and civil rights. Why California's economic power changes the secession conversation California isn't just any state—it's the world's fourth-largest economy, trailing only the U.S. as a whole, China, and Germany. With a GDP surpassing $4.3 trillion, California: Leads the U.S. in technology, agriculture, and entertainment exports Hosts more Fortune 500 companies than most countries Collects more federal tax revenue than it receives in return Secession advocates argue California could survive—even thrive—as an independent nation. But experts warn of serious challenges: Loss of access to federal defense and infrastructure funding Trade and border complications Legal fights over water rights, airspace, and currency So, while the economy gives California leverage, independence would still carry enormous risks. What do Californians think about reclaiming federal land and water? The poll also found strong support for taking back control of public land and water systems. About 63% of respondents want the state to gain authority over nearly all federal land and water infrastructure within California. This sentiment rose sharply after the Trump administration ordered the Army Corps of Engineers to waste over 2.2 billion gallons of water in January 2025—an incident many Californians saw as a political stunt. Supporters argue that state and local governments are more likely to preserve public land and manage resources efficiently. The idea isn't to sell off the land but to bring it under California's management, especially as the state faces recurring droughts and wildfires. How far are Californians willing to go on immigration policy? Very far. Here are some key findings from the poll's immigration section: 72% support arresting ICE agents who act with malice or outside legal limits. 76% want to give county boards power to remove sheriffs who violate state law. 57% want full non-cooperation with federal immigration authorities. 58% would support a government shutdown to stop mass deportations. 74% want a path to state citizenship for immigrants living in California long-term. These results show a deep desire for California to chart its own path on immigration, especially under a federal administration seen as hostile to immigrant communities. What economic policies are Californians backing for independence? If California were to stand more on its own, it would need financial tools to support its autonomy. The poll found strong support for several economic policies: 69% favor raising taxes on millionaires to recoup Trump-era tax cuts. 77% support expanding the state's Rainy Day Fund, possibly through a constitutional amendment (ACA 1). Many also support creating a sovereign wealth fund, similar to the Alaska Permanent Fund, to generate long-term state income. These measures show that Californians are thinking beyond ideology—they want concrete fiscal policies to support greater state self-reliance. Do Californians want to bypass the U.S. Supreme Court or stop flying the U.S. flag? Surprisingly, no. While many Californians support independence in practice, symbolic gestures are less popular. Only 28% favor removing the U.S. flag from government buildings. This suggests that while frustration with Washington is high, residents still see themselves as Americans—at least for now. On the legal front, Californians are split on whether their state Supreme Court should bypass federal court decisions they see as unconstitutional. This highlights a tension between legal realism and idealism in how far Californians want their state to go. What's next for the California independence movement? The poll results show clear support for greater autonomy and even soft secession—but full independence is still a step too far for most voters. However, the sentiment is growing. Californians are tired of federal interference, especially under Trump's administration, and want to take more control of their resources, immigration policy, and tax revenue. Whether through secession, autonomy, or just assertive state governance, California seems ready to redefine its relationship with Washington. FAQs: Q1. What is the California independence movement about in 2025? It's about Californians wanting more control over laws, borders, and federal funding. Q2. Do most Californians support California becoming an autonomous state? Yes, 71% support California negotiating special autonomous status within the U.S.
San Francisco Chronicle
03-07-2025
- Automotive
- San Francisco Chronicle
The GOP bill guts clean energy tax credits. Here are deadlines to use them
The massive tax and spending bill Republicans passed in Congress on Thursday phases out many of the clean energy credits and rebates from the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act. The credits and rebates for individuals weren't the only clean power cuts: Hard-line conservatives in the House told Politico their votes were swayed in part by promises from President Donald Trump to crack down on clean energy credits and large-scale projects for renewable energy like solar and wind power. Democrats and environmental groups have warned that the bill's clampdown on clean energy could increase people's power bills. Citing an analysis from think tank Energy Innovation, CNN reported that by 2035, Californians' electric bills could be 11% higher thanks to the changes in this bill. By contrast, China has made significant investments into clean energy in recent years, topping $940 billion in 2024. Clean energy made up 10% of China's GDP that year. Trump, who has repeatedly called climate change a 'hoax' and pulled the U.S. out of the Paris climate accords in his first term, is taking America down a different path. Here's what's going away and how long you have before it does. When do the electric vehicle credits end? Under the GOP bill, credits for electric vehicle purchases will no longer be available after Sept. 30 of this year. Married couples filing jointly earning less than $300,000 or single filers earning less than $150,000 are entitled to up to $7,500 off a new electric vehicle. For a used EV, the credit is $4,000 for married couples filing jointly earning $150,000 or less, heads of households earning $112,000 or less, or single filers earning $75,000 or less. Because of a loophole in the legislation, you can find good deals on lease for a lot of EVs and plug-in hybrids that utilize the credit as well. The end of this credit will particularly impact Californians. The state has the highest adoption rate of electric vehicles in America (6% of newly registered vehicles in the state between 2012 and 2022 were electric) and the best-selling new car in California has been the Tesla Model Y for several years. When will the clean energy credits and rebates end? Many clean energy credits and rebates are now set to sunset after Dec. 31, 2025. Here are some of the popular credits coming to an end: Up to $1,000 for electric chargers. People in certain rural or low-income areas can get up to $1,000 off chargers for electric vehicles. Up to $2,000 for heat pumps and heat pump water heaters. 30% off the cost of installing battery storage systems, geothermal heating and rooftop solar. These credit amounts are uncapped. Rewiring America says average credits are worth $4,800 for battery storage, $7,200 for geothermal and $4,600 for solar. People in low-income areas may be eligible for additional credits on solar. Up to $1,200 for weatherization. That can include projects like insulation and air sealing of doors and windows. Up to $600 for electrical panel upgrades. $150 off an energy audit. There are also a number of rebates that wound up on the chopping block. These will also end after Dec. 31, 2025. The Building Decarbonization Coalition maintains a list of rebates for which Californians are eligible at Switch Is On ( Like the tax credits, rebates may vary by your housing type (multifamily versus single family), income, filing status and other factors. Up to $8,000 off heat pumps. Up to $2,500 off electrical wiring. Up to $840 off electric stoves, cooktops, ovens, ranges and clothes dryers. Up to $1,750 off water heaters. Up to $1,500 off HVAC. Which credits are you eligible for? You can use this calculator from Rewiring America to find out which federal credits, discounts and rebates you're still eligible for, based on your ZIP code, utility provider, household income, tax filing status and household size.
Politico
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Politico
Fresh polling on Harris, Newsom after LA
Presented by California Environmental Voters POLLING PALOOZA — Gov. Gavin Newsom's favorability ratings are surging. Kamala Harris is still the clear favorite to be the next governor, if she decides to run. And voters want more action to fix the state's housing shortage. Those are the key takeaways of a new poll out today from researchers at the UC Irvine School of Social Ecology, which was shared first with Playbook. Among its findings: TALE OF TWO GAVINS: Two differently worded questions gauged Newsom's support before and after he took on President Donald Trump over immigration raids, protests and the deployment of the National Guard and Marines to Los Angeles last month. In early June, voters were asked whether they approved of Newsom's handling of his job as governor, and only 36 percent said yes. After Newsom's feud with the president exploded, voters were asked if they had a favorable impression of the governor, and 56 percent answered yes. The comparison, though not direct, may suggest a boost in Newsom's support at home since he became more vocal in confronting Trump. Meanwhile, Trump's approval in California barely budged, climbing from 33 percent to 34 percent in an apples-to-apples comparison of voters' impressions of him before and after he sent the Guard to Los Angeles. KAMALA'S LUKEWARM SPOT: Harris would be Californians' top choice for governor if she entered the race. That said, just 41 percent of those surveyed said they'd choose the former vice president over an unnamed Republican — and many voters say they are unsure whom they would support. Harris set an end-of-summer deadline for a decision about the contest. When asked to pick between Harris or an unnamed Republican, 29 percent of respondents chose the unnamed GOP candidate, according to the poll. About 16 percent said they didn't know, and 14 percent said they wouldn't vote. Harris has been intensifying her outreach to longtime supporters, even as some Democratic donors express a lack of enthusiasm and have told POLITICO that they fear her candidacy would be a reminder of her loss in 2024. BUILD, BABY, BUILD: California voters overwhelmingly listed the state's worsening housing shortage as the biggest problem leaders in Sacramento need to do more to address. Moreover, 33 percent of likely voters say housing is their single highest priority — almost twice as many as listed the No. 2 issue, health care. Public safety and road and bridge maintenance trailed as the third and fourth priority issues in the poll. The UCI-OC survey was conducted before state lawmakers and Newsom approved an aggressive plan to turbocharge housing construction by slashing environmental reviews that were previously required for many new projects. Now, most housing projects in urban areas will be exempt. GOOD MORNING. Happy Wednesday. Thanks for waking up with Playbook. You can text us at 916-562-0685 — save it as 'CA Playbook' in your contacts. Or drop us a line at dgardiner@ and bjones@ or on X — @DustinGardiner and @jonesblakej. WHERE'S GAVIN? In Los Angeles for a morning news conference touting California's expanded Hollywood film tax credit. CAMPAIGN YEAR(S) FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: GIBBS IN — Frontline Democratic freshman Rep. George Whitesides is getting a GOP challenger for his competitive northern LA County district: Jason Gibbs, a Santa Clarita city councilmember. Gibbs is launching his campaign today with the backing of former Republican Rep. Mike Garcia, who held the seat for five years before losing to Whitesides last November by just under three points. 'Washington is broken — it could use more problem solving and less political games,' Gibbs said in a statement. 'Families here are being crushed by rising costs, crime, and a political class that's completely out of touch. I'm a husband, an engineer, and a local leader who knows how to get results. That's what our district needs.' The contest will be among the most closely watched in California. The Cook Political Report ranks the seat as 'lean Democrat.' — Melanie Mason SAN DIEGO BALANCE OF POWER: The stakes were high but turnout was not in an election that will determine whether Republicans or Democrats control local government in California's second-largest county. A special election for the vacant seat on the San Diego County Board of Supervisors featured Chula Vista Mayor John McCann, a Republican, against Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre, a Democrat. Fewer than 20 percent of voters cast ballots, and Aguirre was up by about seven points, just a few thousand votes, in the early count. A seat on the five-member board is officially a nonpartisan office. But there are two Republicans and two Democrats on the board, and Tuesday's election will break a deadlock over how the county responds to Medicaid cuts under the megabill working its way through Congress as well as the sweeping deportation campaign under President Donald Trump. National politics has already intruded. The special election was called in the majority-Latino south county district to replace Nora Vargas, who abruptly resigned in December citing concerns about her personal safety after she backed an effort to prevent county resources from being used to support federal immigration enforcement. — Ben Fox ON THE HILL TRADING BLOWS — Democratic Reps. Dave Min and Linda Sánchez led a letter needling the Trump administration for not landing more trade deals ahead of the upcoming expiration of its 90-day freeze on sweeping tariffs. They pressed for information on the status of negotiations and benefits that Trump and his family members have received from foreign nationals, warning that gifts like the president's jet from Qatar could represent conflicts of interest. 'This dynamic has created an ongoing recipe for corruption in which President Trump personally stands to benefit from lavish gifts, business deals, and favors being showered upon him and his inner circle in exchange for tariff relief,' they wrote. The messaging likely foreshadows more Democrats pivoting back to talking about tariffs before Trump's pause on across-the-board import levies ends July 8, even as the focus of the minority party's attacks is on the congressional megabill to cut taxes and social safety net programs. The letter also infused conflict-of-interest allegations — which have been disputed by the White House — with more traditional economic arguments against protectionist policy. 'While we remain concerned that this trade strategy imposes immense uncertainty on businesses, workers, and consumers, including many that we represent, we have growing worries that it may also violate federal ethics laws—including the Constitution's Foreign Emoluments Clause,' the representatives wrote. TOP TALKERS PARAMOUNT SETTLES: Paramount Global will pay Trump $16 million to settle his lawsuit over edits to a '60 Minutes' interview last fall with Harris before the presidential election, money that will go to his future presidential library, the Los Angeles Times reports. Paramount did not offer an apology or express regret. The president had sought $20 billion in damages. OFF THE MARKET — The home of late Sen. Dianne Feinstein and her late husband, financier Richard Blum, has been sold to an unknown buyer for $19 million. But signs point to the buyer having a potential connection to New York as records show it was purchased by a limited liability company created in the Empire State this month, The San Francisco Chronicle reports. Charlie McCabe of San Francisco Capital Advisors said the home, which was previously valued at roughly $21 million based on reports from 2023, was paid for using 'all cash.' HOWLING START — COYOTE Media Collective, a newly announced, independent SF-based news outlet, hit its initial fundraising goal of $80,000 within one week and now hopes to raise an additional $70,000, Underscore SF reports. The total $150,000 would go toward wages for its 11 employees and freelancers, and to ramp up its publishing. CLIMATE AND ENERGY SILENCE IS GOLDEN — California regulators missed a key deadline Tuesday to finish their rules requiring businesses to report their greenhouse gas emissions — and that could save them in court. Read last night's California Climate to see how the delay is bolstering the state's argument against industry's request to immediately halt the laws. AROUND THE STATE — The Pentagon said it will pay San Diego's General Dynamics-NASSCO at least $72.6 million to develop submarine tenders. (The San Diego Union-Tribune) — The jury in the trial for Sean 'Diddy' Combs reached a partial verdict on four of five counts and will continue deliberating until it reaches a consensus on count one. (Los Angeles Times) — A new study that counts unsheltered populations in three neighborhoods in Los Angeles revealed a decrease in the population in 2024 overall compared to the year before. (LAist) Compiled by Juliann Ventura PLAYBOOKERS PEOPLE MOVES — Longtime political strategist Melanie V. Ramil has joined the California Democratic Party as deputy executive director. Ramil has served as an adviser to the party the last six months and was the California deputy state director for the Harris-Walz campaign. — Adrian Percer, previously a partner at Weil, Gotshal and Manges, has joined WilmerHale as a partner in the firm's Palo Alto office. — Samantha Kemp is now a director of government affairs at Target Corporation. She was previously at Albertsons Companies as a deputy director of government affairs. BIRTHDAYS — Rep. Doug LaMalfa … Assemblymember Dr. Jasmeet Bains (favorite treat: Chocoflan) … Graph Massara at SEMAFOR … Derek Gianino of Wells Fargo … Snap's Gina Woodworth … Brooke Oberwetter … Ethan Oberman … comedian Larry David … Rivka Dori WANT A SHOUT-OUT FEATURED? — Send us a birthday, career move or another special occasion to include in POLITICO's California Playbook. You can now submit a shout-out using this Google form.
