California Politics 360 Full Episode | Key vote that could impact future gas prices, utility bills
The Air Resources Board is expected to vote on proposed updates to the state’s Cap-and-Invest program.
THESE ARE ALL ABOUT AFFORDABILITY FOR CALIFORNIANS. ATTORNEY GENERAL ROB BONTA EXPLAINS THE LEGAL ACTION HE SAYS, WILL PROTECT CONSUMERS FROM UNFAIR PRICING. A KEY VOTE THAT WOULD SHAPE CALIFORNIA’S FUTURE CLIMATE GOALS. THE UPDATES THE AIR RESOURCES BOARD TOOK TO BALANCE AFFORDABILITY AND CLEAN ENERGY. SITTING DOWN WITH CANDIDATES FOR GOVERNOR. CALIFORNIA HAS TO CHANGE DIRECTION OR WE’RE NOT BE ABLE TO OFFER THE SAME BRIGHT FUTURE FOR THIS NEXT GENERATION OF CALIFORNIANS. DEMOCRAT KATIE PORTER ON HER VISION FOR CALIFORNIA. THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR CALIFORNIA POLITICS 360. I’M ASHLEY ZAVALA. THIS WEEK, CALIFORNIA’S ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICE IS ASKING FOR $14 MILLION TO CONTINUE FIGHTING COURT BATTLES RELATED TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION. THIS COMES AS GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM AND LAWMAKERS SPEND THE NEXT FEW WEEKS FINALIZING THE STATE SPENDING PLAN. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SAYS HIS DEPARTMENT NEEDS MORE HELP FIGHTING ANTITRUST ISSUES THAT HE SAYS ARE BAD FOR CONSUMERS. I SAT DOWN WITH ATTORNEY GENERAL ROB BONTA. HERE’S PART OF OUR CONVERSATION ON THE ANTITRUST COMPONENT. WHAT EXACTLY WHAT CASES ARE THE MOST CONCERNING TO YOU RIGHT NOW THAT THESE CASES THAT ARE SO EXPENSIVE AND THAT YOU SAY ARE REQUIRING A LOT OF MANPOWER? YEAH. YOU KNOW, IT’S REALLY INTERESTING RIGHT NOW WE HAVE A CONSTELLATION OF CASES THAT ARE KIND OF ALL HAPPENING AT ONCE AT DIFFERENT POINTS IN THE PROCESS, BUT THEY’RE ALL HAPPENING RIGHT NOW. LIKE WHAT? WE JUST HAD A MAJOR JURY VERDICT, VICTORY IN THE TICKETMASTER LIVE NATION CASE, A CASE ABOUT LIVE MUSIC, AND THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT PEOPLE PAY AND EXPERIENCE THAT THEY PAY FOR TICKETS AND THAT THEY HAVE ON TICKETMASTER. AND WE ARGUE THAT TICKETMASTER LIVE NATION WAS OPERATING AS AN ILLEGAL MONOPOLY. THEY WERE INVOLVED IN PROMOTING ARTISTS AS WELL AS REPRESENTING VENUES AND SELLING TICKETS, AND THEY HAD TYING ARRANGEMENTS AND THEY USED THEIR THEIR MARKET POWER TO INCREASE PRICES. AND THEY EVEN SAID THINGS LIKE, WE’RE ROBBING CONSUMERS BLIND AND THEY’RE SO STUPID. AND WE PRESENTED THAT TO A JURY AND WE, WE WON ON EVERY SINGLE QUESTION PRESENTED TO THE JURY. WE HAVE THE NEXSTAR TEGNA MERGER CASE, WHICH IS ABOUT A LOCAL BROADCAST, BROADCAST NEWS. AND WILL. IT IS PRESUMPTIVELY UNLAWFUL BASED ON THE MARKET SHARE THAT NEXSTAR TEGNA AS A MERGED ENTITY WOULD HAVE IN CERTAIN PLACES LIKE SACRAMENTO, SAN DIEGO. WE ALREADY HAVE A PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION IN THAT CASE, WE’RE LOOKING AT PARAMOUNT, WARNER BROTHERS AND THAT MERGER. WE HAVEN’T MADE A DECISION ABOUT WHAT WE’RE GOING TO DO YET, BUT THERE’S RED FLAGS IN THE AIR, AND WE’RE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THAT POTENTIAL MERGER. WE HAVE AN ONGOING CASE AGAINST AMAZON FOR MAKING PRICES HIGHER FOR EVERYDAY PEOPLE WHO SO MANY OF US USE AMAZON. AND THEY SAY THAT THEY PROVIDE A LOW PRICE OR THE LOWEST PRICE. BUT WE HAVE EVIDENCE THAT SHOWS THAT THEY ARE INVOLVED IN PRICE FIXING WITH OTHER RETAILERS THAT ACTUALLY RAISE THE PRICE AND MAKE IT HIGHER. SO THESE ARE ALL ABOUT AFFORDABILITY FOR CALIFORNIANS AND FOR AMERICANS. AND THESE CASES ARE ALL HAPPENING AT ONCE. AND NORMALLY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, THROUGH THE DOJ OR THE FTC, WOULD BE INVOLVED, MAYBE EVEN LEADING BECAUSE THEY HAVE HEAVY RESOURCES, BIG OFFICES, BUT THEY DON’T SEEM INTERESTED IN FAIRLY AND FIRMLY ENFORCING ANTITRUST LAW. THEY FEEL LIKE THEY’RE MORE INTERESTED IN PICKING WINNERS AND LOSERS, ALLOWING AND USHERING MERGERS THROUGH WHEN IT HELPS THEIR FRIENDS. AND THAT’S NOT WHAT THE PEOPLE OF THIS STATE AND THIS COUNTRY DESERVE. THEY DESERVE A FREE AND FAIR MARKET, NOT A RIGGED MARKET. IS IT YOUR ASSUMPTION THAT, I MEAN, ESSENTIALLY THAT’S WHERE THIS IS GOING WITH THIS BUDGET? ASK MORE ANTITRUST ISSUE WORK FOR YOUR OFFICE AS OPPOSED TO MAYBE THE WEEKLY LAWSUIT AGAINST THE NEW ORDERS THAT ARE COMING OUT FROM THE ADMINISTRATION. YEAH, WE EXPECT MORE ANTITRUST CASES AND US TO HAVE A MORE PROMINENT ROLE BECAUSE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS NOT DOING ITS TRADITIONAL JOB. WE’VE HAD CASES LIKE TICKETMASTER, LIVE NATION. THAT WAS A CASE WHERE WE BROUGHT THE SUIT WITH THE US DOJ. IT WAS UNDER BIDEN WHEN WE BROUGHT THE SUIT AND THEY THEY WERE LEADING. THEY USED A LOT OF THEIR RESOURCES, THEIR STAFF, THEIR BIG TEAM, AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. UNDER TRUMP SETTLED A COUPLE OF DAYS INTO TRIAL AND JUST BAILED. AND IT WAS A SLAP ON THE WRIST SWEETHEART DEAL, IN OUR VIEW, VERY INADEQUATE AND INAPPROPRIATE. SO THE STATES HAD TO FIGHT ON AND USE MORE OF OUR RESOURCES, OUR TEAM, OUR STAFF TO BE ABLE TO BRING THE CASE. SO THAT’S WHAT WE SEE. IT’S SORT OF A DIFFERENCE OF ROLES, A VACUUM CREATED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT NOT DOING ITS JOB, AND A NEED FOR THE STATES TO STEP INTO THAT VACUUM. CALIFORNIA, THE LARGEST STATE DOJ IN THE NATION. SO WE’RE GOING TO HAVE AN OUTSIZED ROLE, GIVEN OUR SIZE TO DO MORE. AND THAT REQUIRES MORE FUNDING TO GET THE JOB DONE. ATTORNEY GENERAL ROB BONTA AND I ALSO TALK ABOUT PREDICTIVE MARKETS AND WHY PEOPLE IN CALIFORNIA ARE ALLOWED TO BET ON POLITICS RIGHT NOW. PLUS, AN UPDATE ON WHERE HIS OFFICE STANDS ON ENFORCING LAWS AROUND E-BIKES. WHO WILL BE CALIFORNIA’S NEXT GOVERNOR? MY SIT DOWN CONVERSATION WITH DEMOCRAT KATIE PORTER. HER PLAN TO LOWER THE COST OF NEW LOCO TENDERS LET’S GET LOCO EL POLLO LOCO. THIS YEAR, CALIFORNIA VOTERS WILL CHOOSE THEIR NEXT GOVERNOR. SO EVERY WEEK LEADING UP TO THE JUNE PRIMARY, WE’LL HEAR FROM ONE OF THE TOP CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR THE STATE’S HIGHEST POSITION. THIS WEEK, I SAT DOWN WITH DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE KATIE PORTER TO GET HER THOUGHTS ON THE MAJOR ISSUES IMPACTING CALIFORNIANS. SITTING DOWN WITH KATIE PORTER IN SANTA ANA, THE DEMOCRAT AND FORMER CONGRESSWOMAN SAYS SHE’S READY TO CHANGE THE DIRECTION OF THE STATE IF ELECTED GOVERNOR. WE’VE BEEN HEADING IN ONE DIRECTION FOR A LONG TIME ON COST OF LIVING, AND WE NEED SOMEONE WHO’S WILLING TO PUSH AT THE STATUS QUO IN SACRAMENTO, BUT ALSO WHO UNDERSTANDS WHAT’S COMING AT US AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL TO HELP BRING DOWN THE COST OF LIVING. PORTER SAYS SHE WOULD ELIMINATE STATE INCOME TAXES FROM PEOPLE WHO MAKE $100,000 OR LESS PER YEAR. SHE SAYS SHE WOULD CREATE A NEW TAX ON CORPORATIONS, SPECIFICALLY ON THEIR PROFITS, TO HELP PAY FOR STATE PROGRAMS. BUSINESS GROUPS MIGHT LOOK AT THAT AND SAY, WELL, IT COSTS A LOT OF MONEY TO DO BUSINESS IN CALIFORNIA. AND THAT’S WHY I’M TAXING PROFITS, BECAUSE ITS PROFITS ARE AFTER YOUR EXPENSES. SO IT DOES COST MONEY TO DO BUSINESS IN CALIFORNIA. AND I’M NOT PUNISHING ONE INDUSTRY OR ANOTHER LIKE WE’VE SEEN SOME CANDIDATES DO. I’M NOT GOING AFTER BIG VERSUS SMALL. WHAT I’M SAYING IS YOU YOU SELL THINGS, YOU PUT THINGS OUT THERE, YOU GET REVENUE IN. YOU HAVE TO PAY YOUR EXPENSES. THAT INCLUDES YOUR EMPLOYEES. THAT INCLUDES COMPLIANCE COSTS. THESE COSTS ARE HIGH IN CALIFORNIA. TO YOUR POINT. AFTER THAT, WHAT YOU HAVE LEFT IS PROFITS. THAT’S WHAT WE’RE TAXING ON PUBLIC SCHOOLS. PORTER SAYS SHE WOULD PUSH FOR MORE OVERSIGHT AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN THE CLASSROOM TO MAKE SURE STUDENTS ARE SUCCEEDING IN BASIC SUBJECTS LIKE MATH, READING AND SCIENCE. ON HEALTH CARE, SHE SAYS SHE WOULD WORK TO ESTABLISH A UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE SYSTEM IN CALIFORNIA. NOW, I THINK WITH TRUMP IN OFFICE, IT’S PRETTY CLEAR THAT THE TRADITIONAL PATH TO CAL CARE TO CALIFORNIA HAVING ITS OWN SINGLE PAYER, WE’RE NOT GOING TO GET COOPERATION FROM DONALD TRUMP ON THIS. WHAT WE’RE GETTING ON HEALTH CARE IS THINGS LIKE THE REALITY THAT 25% OF OUR HOSPITALS MIGHT CLOSE UNDER THE H.R. ONE, TRUMP’S BIG BILL. SO I THINK THIS DOES PRESENT, THOUGH WE’RE NOT GOING TO HAVE THAT FEDERAL PARTNERSHIP. BUT IT DOES. AND THESE QUESTIONS ABOUT MEDI-CAL DO MAYBE FORCE US TO SAY, WHAT CAN WE DO AT THE STATE LEVEL TO CAPTURE EFFICIENCIES? AND THE ANSWER IS SINGLE PAYER. BECAUSE, LOOK, SINGLE PAYER AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, THEY SPEND $2 OUT OF EVERY $100 ON HEALTH CARE, ON INSURANCE CLAIMS, ON ADMINISTRATION, ON PAPERWORK, PRIVATE INSURANCE, 17 OR $18. THAT’S A LOT OF HEALTH CARE MONEY THAT WE NEED TO CAPTURE ON HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING. PORTER SAYS SHE WOULD PUT MORE STATE DOLLARS TOWARD HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION PROGRAMS AND TEMPORARY HOUSING TO TACKLE GOVERNMENT WASTE AND FRAUD. PORTER SAYS SHE WOULD START LISTENING TO RECOMMENDATIONS FROM EXPERTS LIKE THE STATE AUDITOR AND LEGISLATIVE ANALYST, AND THEY GET IGNORED EVERY YEAR AS A TAXPAYER, AS A MOM, THIS MAKES ME NUTS. WHEN I SAY TO CLEAN SOMETHING UP, I MEAN IT, AND I FOLLOW. I CHASE THAT KID RIGHT UP THE STEPS TO MAKE SURE THAT ROOM GETS PICKED UP. IT SHOULD BE THE SAME IN OUR LEVEL. SO THERE ARE, YOU KNOW, CONGRESS IS A COMPLICATED PLACE, AS YOU KNOW, AND I SERVED THERE FOR SIX YEARS. BUT ONE THING WE DID DO AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL IS IF OUR EQUIVALENT, THE GAO, IF THEY PUT OUT A REPORT, WE TOOK THAT SERIOUSLY. AND I THINK THAT NEEDS THAT ACCOUNT LEVEL. ACCOUNTABILITY NEEDS TO CHANGE IN CALIFORNIA. AND I THINK DEMOCRATS SHOULD LEAD THE CHARGE IN CHANGING IT. I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT THIS, THIS TEMPERAMENT QUESTION. YOU KEEP GETTING FIRST, JUST I MEAN, WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR REACTION TO THIS? YOU KNOW, THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL FOCUSING A LOT ON ONE OF YOUR INTERVIEWS WITH ANOTHER JOURNALIST WITH THIS VIDEO OF JUST YOU GETTING, YOU KNOW, THAT QUESTION CONSTANTLY, JUST WHAT HAVE YOU MADE OF THAT? YEAH. I MEAN, LOOK, THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THAT WE’VE SEEN WOMEN CANDIDATES ASKED ABOUT TEMPERAMENT. IT’S A WORD THAT ALSO GETS USED FOR, YOU KNOW, SHOW DOGS AND RACE HORSES. IT’S NOT ONE THAT EVER GETS USED FOR MALE CANDIDATES. AND SO I THINK TEMPERAMENT DOES MATTER. I THINK PERSONALITY MATTERS. I THINK LEADERSHIP STYLE MATTERS. I THINK INTELLIGENCE MATTERS. IT’S FINE TO ASK ABOUT IT. I JUST THINK IT’S A GOOD QUESTION TO PUT TO EVERYONE. EVERYBODY IN CALIFORNIA HAD A CHANCE TO SEE ME ON THE DEBATE STAGE WITH THE JOURNALIST, AND I WILL TELL YOU, I THINK WHEN YOU LOOK AT THOSE DEBATES, WHICH, AS YOU KNOW, CAN BE HIGH PRESSURE SITUATIONS, I SHOWED THAT I WAS COOL AND CALM UNDER PRESSURE. BUT I ALSO, UNLIKE SOME OTHERS WHO WERE COOL AND CALM. THE DIFFERENCE IS I ANSWERED THE QUESTIONS AND I THINK THAT IS THE RIGHT KIND OF TEMPERAMENT TO HAVE TO BE GOVERNOR. WHAT GRADE WOULD YOU GIVE GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM HIS LAST TWO TERMS? ARE YOU SITTING IN YOUR CHAIR FIRMLY? I, UNLIKE EVERY OTHER DEMOCRAT, I’M GOING TO GIVE A GRADE. I WATCHED YOU. WE’VE THANK YOU. SO I WOULD GIVE HIM AN A MINUS. THAT IS A PRETTY HIGH GRADE. I WILL GIVE YOU THAT. I THINK THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF THINGS THAT HAVE COME AT HIM. THERE IS WORK UNDONE, TO BE SURE, BUT THAT’S ALWAYS TRUE. PART OF THE JOB OF A GOVERNOR IS TO IS TO TRY TO SOLVE THINGS. YOU’RE NOT GOING TO SOLVE THEM ALL. WHAT ARE THREE WORDS YOU WOULD USE TO DESCRIBE CALIFORNIA UNDER GOVERNOR KATIE PORTER? YEAH, INNOVATIVE. WE HAVE TO BREAK THE STATUS QUO. IT ISN’T TAKING US TO THE RIGHT PLACE. EFFICIENT. WE SHOULD ALL EXPECT THAT FROM GOVERNMENT. DEMOCRATS NEED TO OWN THE ISSUE OF EFFICIENCY AND UNCORRUPTIBLE. I AM THE ONLY CANDIDATE IN THIS RACE THAT DOES NOT TAKE CORPORATE CONTRIBUTIONS. I HAVE BEEN WILLING TO STAND UP TO LABOR, TO CORPORATIONS, TO ALL KINDS OF SPECIAL INTERESTS IN MY ENTIRE CAREER AND IN THIS RACE RIGHT NOW. ON CAL POLITICS 360.COM, YOU CAN WATCH MY FULL 30 MINUTE CONVERSATION WITH KATIE PORTER. WELL, BALANCING CLIMATE GOALS WITH AFFORDABILITY. STATE REGULATORS WILL TAKE A KEY VOTE THIS WEEK. THE CHANGES THE CALIFORNIA AIR RESOURCES BOARD MADE TO A PROPOSAL THAT ATTEMPTS TO BALANCE CLEAN AIR AND STABLE GAS PRICES. CALIFORNIANS CONTINUE TO DEAL WITH HIGH GAS PRICES ENTERING THE UNOFFICIAL START OF THE SUMMER. A VOTE THIS WEEK COULD IMPACT FUTURE PRICES ON HOW MUCH YOU PAY AT THE PUMP, OR FOR YOUR UTILITY BILLS. THE CALIFORNIA AIR RESOURCES BOARD IS EXPECTED TO VOTE ON PROPOSED UPDATES TO THE STATE’S CAP AND INVEST PROGRAM. THIS POLICY REQUIRES MAJOR COMPANIES T CARBON EMISSIONS BY ALLOWANCES TO EMIT THOSE EMISSIONS, OR FUND STATE TRANSPORTATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS. TWO MONTHS AGO, THE ORIGINAL PROPOSAL FACED INTENSE PUSHBACK FROM THE OIL INDUSTRY, ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS AND SOME STATE LAWMAKERS. THE BOARD WAS SET TO SIGNIFICANTLY LIMIT THE AMOUNT OF ALLOWANCES COMPANIES CAN BUY TO EMIT CARBON. THE OIL AND GAS OFFICIALS WARNED THIS WOULD COLLAPSE THE INDUSTRY IN CALIFORNIA. SO WITH THAT FEEDBACK, HERE ARE THE MAJOR CHANGES THEY MADE. THE BOARD WILL HOLD OFF ON LIMITING THOSE ALLOWANCES AS MUCH AS ORIGINALLY PROPOSED BETWEEN NOW AND 2030. WITH THE MONEY COLLECTED THROUGH THIS PROGRAM OVERALL, THE BOARD IS ALSO PROPOSING TO ADD $10 BILLION IN CREDITS THROUGH 2030 FOR UTILITIES TO LOWER THOSE ELECTRICITY BILLS ACROSS THE STATE, PLUS, ANOTHER $800 MILLION WOULD SUPPORT INDUSTRIES LIKE REFINERIES, FOOD PROCESSORS AND STEEL COMPANIES TO ENSURE THAT NO ADDITIONAL COSTS MOVE TO THE CONSUMER AS THEY TRY TO ADAPT TO THESE UPDATED RULES. ALSO, A NEW FUND WOULD BE ESTABLISHED TO ALLOW COMPANIES TO INVEST IN THEIR FACILITIES TO DRIVE DOWN AIR POLLUTION OVERALL. I SAT DOWN WITH THE CHAIR OF THE CALIFORNIA AIR RESOURCES BOARD, LAWRENCE SANCHEZ. WE START WITH THE REACTION FROM THE OIL INDUSTRY. WE’RE IN THIS MOMENT WHERE THERE IS A LOT OF UNCERTAINTY AROUND OUR SUPPLY. SHOULD THE WAR IN IRAN PERSIST. THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ STAY CLOSED. I MEAN, IS THIS PROPOSAL A BAND AID BETWEEN NOW AND 2030? BECAUSE THE OIL INDUSTRY IS SAYING THAT SOME OF THESE CHANGES ARE ARE FINE FOR NOW. BUT FOUR YEARS LATER, THEY DON’T REALLY KNOW WHAT THE FUTURE LOOKS LIKE FOR THEM IN THE STATE. YEAH, AND I APPRECIATE THAT CONCERN. I THINK THERE’S A COUPLE OF THINGS TO HIGHLIGHT. THE PROPOSAL DOES OFFER THAT SHORT TERM RELIEF THAT WE HEARD FROM INDUSTRY IS NEEDED. YOU MENTIONED THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ. OBVIOUSLY, THE GLOBAL ENERGY DISRUPTION THAT IS HAPPENING, BUT ALSO FEDERAL TARIFFS, IMMIGRATION ISSUES. I MEAN, WE ARE IN A MOMENT OF ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTY, AND THAT’S WHY WE REALLY NEED TO TAKE TIME TO FIGURE OUT WHAT, BEYOND POST 2030, THOSE NUMBERS SHOULD BE. THAT AMOUNT OF SUPPORT. WE KNOW THAT WE NEED TO OFFER THAT SHORT TERM RELIEF WHILE WORKING ON THE LONGER TERM SOLUTIONS. AND I’LL TELL YOU, I APPRECIATE FROM THE OIL INDUSTRY, FRANKLY, THAT SOUNDS TO ME LIKE THEIR LONG TERM COMMITMENT TO THIS PROGRAM. THEY WANT TO KNOW WHAT THOSE NUMBERS ARE BEYOND 2030, AND WE’RE COMMITTED TO WORKING WITH THEM AND WITH ALL OF OUR STAKEHOLDERS, WITH MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE, TO FIGURE OUT THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF SUPPORT GOING FORWARD. CHAIR SANCHEZ SAYS THE AIR RESOURCES BOARD IS INVOLVED IN CONVERSATIONS WITH THE CALIFORNIA ENERGY COMMISSION TO KEEP ITS CURRENT REFINERIES TO KEEP REFINERIES IN STATE. ON THE OTHER SIDE, ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS SAY THIS PROPOSED PLAN IS A STEP BACK ON CALIFORNIA’S CLIMATE GOALS. CHAIR SANCHEZ SAYS THE STATE IS ALIGNED WITH THEIR FUTURE GOALS MOVING FORWARD. CALIFORNIA REMAINS COMMITTED. I PERSONALLY REMAIN COMMITTED TO OUR CLIMATE GOALS THERE. IN STATUTE, WE HAVE AMBITIOUS GOALS FOR 2030 AND 2045. SOME OF THE MOST AMBITIOUS IN THE COUNTRY, IF NOT THE WORLD, AND SOMETHING THAT’S REALLY IMPORTANT TO ME AS CHAIR IS MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE ON TRACK TO ACHIEVE THOSE GOALS WHILE ENSURING AFFORDABILITY AND COST EFFECTIVENESS OF OUR REGULATIONS AND BEING REALLY MINDFUL OF SOME OF THE CONCERNS THAT HAVE BEEN RAISED. SO WHAT I’VE SAID TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS IS THAT, YOU KNOW, WE ARE ALIGNED WITH OUR 2030 TARGETS MOVING FORWARD WITH THIS PROGRAM IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT IN THIS MOMENT WHEN CLIMATE POLICY IS AT A CROSSROADS WITH ALL OF THE FEDERAL ATTACKS THAT WE ARE FACING ON OUR PROGRAMS. BUT MOVING FORWARD WITH THIS, REALLY OUR SIGNATURE CLIMATE POLICY THAT IS ONE OF THE MOST COST EFFECTIVE TOOLS WE HAVE TO ACHIEVE THOSE TARGETS. IT’S ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS THE BOARD WILL DO THIS YEAR. CHAIR SANCHEZ AND I ALSO TALK ABOUT HOW THE AIR RESOURCES BOARD PLANS TO WORK WITH THE NEXT GOVERNOR, WHOEVER THAT MAY BE. PLUS, WITH THE WAR IN IRAN STRAINING OUR FUEL SUPPLY, I ASKED HER IF NOW IS THE RIGHT TIME TO DECIDE ON THIS MAJOR CHANGE TO THE CAP AND INVEST PROGRAM? WELL, CALIFORNIA’S TOURISM ECONOMY REACHING RECORDS, WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE IMPACT. THE GROWTH OF THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY IS HAVING ON CITIES FOR THE THIRD STRAIGHT YEAR, CALIFORNIA’S TOURISM ECONOMY HAS SURPASSED PREPANDEMIC TRAVEL SPENDING, AND IT KEEPS ON GROWING. IN 2025, NEARLY $159 BILLION WAS SPENT ON TRAVEL IN THE STATE, BOOSTING SUPPORT FOR BUSINESSES AND CITIES ACROSS CALIFORNIA. ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT IS LEADING THE WAY. ANDREA FLORES LOOKS AT THE IMPACT. CALIFORNIA’S TOURISM ECONOMY IS GROWING. CALIFORNIA IS STILL A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE DREAM OF VISITING. THAT’S ACCORDING TO A NEW STUDY BY VISIT CALIFORNIA. YOU’VE GOT THE MOUNTAINS, YOU’VE GOT THE BEACH. YOU’VE GOT THE AGRICULTURAL AREAS. YOU’VE GOT BIG CITIES. THERE’S STILL JUST A REALLY STRONG DEMAND IN CALIFORNIA, WHICH IS ENCOURAGING TO SEE. THE STUDY REVEALS TOURISM GENERATED JUST UNDER $160 BILLION IN 2025, AND SUPPORTED MORE THAN 1 MILLION JOBS. WHEN A LOT OF PEOPLE SAY THE WORD TOURISM, THEY THINK OF LAS VEGAS OR NEW YORK. BUT THE REALITY IS, A PLACE LIKE SACRAMENTO HAS MORE THAN 15 MILLION VISITORS ANNUALLY. THEY SPEND WELL OVER $4 BILLION INTO OUR ECONOMY. IT’S TENS OF THOUSANDS OF JOBS. SO IT’S NOT JUST ABOUT THE BIG DESTINATIONS. TOURISM HAVE HUGE IMPACTS ON SMALLER CITIES AS WELL. SACRAMENTO IS ONE OF THE CITIES SEEING BIG GAINS. THE CITY OF SACRAMENTO COLLECTS HOTEL TAXES, AND THOSE TAXES ARE UP 40% SINCE 2022. IF YOU LOOK AT TOURISM LIKE A STOCK MARKET PORTFOLIO, OUR OFFERINGS ARE VERY DIVERSE AND WE’RE SEEING THE RESULTS OF THAT. LAST YEAR, TRAVEL FELL ACROSS THE U.S., BUT VISITOR SPENDING WENT UP 1.7% IN CALIFORNIA, INCLUDING IN THE CAPITAL CITY, SACRAMENTO. THE AIRPORT CONTINUES TO EXPAND, SO THERE’S MORE AIRLINE CREW BUSINESS COMING INTO THE MARKET. CONVENTIONS CONTINUE TO BE VERY, VERY STRONG. BUSINESS TRAVEL IS PICKING UP. YOU KNOW, STILL A LITTLE CHALLENGES WITH DIFFERENT THINGS HAPPENING AT THE CAPITOL WITH THE RENOVATION AND WORKERS STAYING HOME. BRENDA KURIAN, DIRECTOR OF SALES AND MARKETING AT HYATT REGENCY SACRAMENTO, BELIEVES SACRAMENTO HAS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE. WE HAVE SO MANY DIFFERENT FESTIVALS AND CONCERTS. I KNOW X GAMES IS COMING UP. HAVING NCA HERE FOR THE BASKETBALL LAST MONTH WAS HUGE. IT’S JUST MORE EXPOSURE FOR THE CITY IN THE FALL IS BUSY AGAIN AND AGAIN. THAT’S WHEN WE HAVE IRON MAN AND AFTERSHOCK AND THE MARATHON IN DECEMBER. HAVING THE A’S HERE HAS REALLY HELPED US A LOT TO 55 OF CALIFORNIA’S 58 COUNTIES SAW AN INCREASE IN TOURISM. WHAT PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR WHEN THEY TRAVEL IS BEING DISCOVERED HERE IN THE GOLDEN STATE. PEOPLE BEFORE WERE LOOKING, JUST LOOKING FOR A DEAL. NOW I THINK PEOPLE ARE REALLY LOOKING FOR EXPERIENCES WHEN THEY COME TO A CITY AND THEY’RE FINDING IT HERE. ANDREA FLORES, CALIFORNIA POLITICS 360. IN 2025, VISITORS SPENT $4 BILLION IN SACRAMENTO COUNTY. BUT OVERALL, THE TOP PLACES FOR VISITORS IN CALIFORNIA WAS LOS ANGELES COUNTY. IT BROUGHT IN $35 BILLION IN TOURISM SPENDING. ORANGE COUNTY BROUGHT IN $17 BILLION. SAN DIEGO CLOSELY FOLLOWS WITH $16.6 BILLION. AND THEN SAN FRANCISCO ROUNDING OUT THE TOP FOUR, BRINGING IN $14 BILLION IN TRAVEL SPENDING RIGHT NOW ON CAL POLITICS 360.COM. YOU CAN WATCH THIS WEEK’S FULL INTERVIEWS. WE ALSO WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU. WHAT ISSUES DO YOU WANT US TO COVER? SEND US AN EMAIL AT CONTACT AT CAL POLITICS 360.COM. THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR THIS WEEK’S CALIFORNIA POLITICS 360. SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.
California Politics 360 Full Episode | Key vote that could impact future gas prices, utility bills
The Air Resources Board is expected to vote on proposed updates to the state’s Cap-and-Invest program.
This week, California’s Attorney General’s Office is asking for $14 million to continue fighting court battles related to the federal government and the Trump administration. This comes as Gov. Gavin Newsom and lawmakers will spend the next few weeks finalizing the state’s spending plan. Ashley Zavala sat down with Attorney General Rob Bonta to talk about several issues, including the rise in antitrust issues. This year, California voters will decide who they want to be their next governor. Every week leading up to the June primary, we will hear from one of the top candidates running for the state’s highest position. This week, Ashley Zavala sat down with Democrat Katie Porter to get her thoughts on the major issues impacting Californians. The California Air Resources Board is set to have a key vote this week that could impact future prices on how much you pay for gas or your utility bills. The Air Resources Board is expected to vote on proposed updates to the state’s Cap-and-Invest program. The policy requires major companies to limit their carbon emissions, buy credits to emit, or fund state transportation and environmental projects. Zavala checks in with Chair Lauren Sanchez about the changes made to the proposal and the reaction from key stakeholders. For the third straight year, California’s tourism economy has surpassed pre-pandemic travel spending. Andrea Flores looks at the state of the industry and the impact on local cities.KCRA 3 Political Director Ashley Zavala reports in-depth coverage of top California politics and policy issues. She is also the host of “California Politics 360.” Get informed each Sunday at 8:30 a.m. on KCRA 3.
This week, California’s Attorney General’s Office is asking for $14 million to continue fighting court battles related to the federal government and the Trump administration.
This comes as Gov. Gavin Newsom and lawmakers will spend the next few weeks finalizing the state’s spending plan.
Ashley Zavala sat down with Attorney General Rob Bonta to talk about several issues, including the rise in antitrust issues.
This year, California voters will decide who they want to be their next governor. Every week leading up to the June primary, we will hear from one of the top candidates running for the state’s highest position. This week, Ashley Zavala sat down with Democrat Katie Porter to get her thoughts on the major issues impacting Californians.
The California Air Resources Board is set to have a key vote this week that could impact future prices on how much you pay for gas or your utility bills. The Air Resources Board is expected to vote on proposed updates to the state’s Cap-and-Invest program.
The policy requires major companies to limit their carbon emissions, buy credits to emit, or fund state transportation and environmental projects. Zavala checks in with Chair Lauren Sanchez about the changes made to the proposal and the reaction from key stakeholders.
For the third straight year, California’s tourism economy has surpassed pre-pandemic travel spending. Andrea Flores looks at the state of the industry and the impact on local cities.
KCRA 3 Political Director Ashley Zavala reports in-depth coverage of top California politics and policy issues. She is also the host of “California Politics 360.” Get informed each Sunday at 8:30 a.m. on KCRA 3.
