California Legislature returns: Let the gerrymandering begin!
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- California Legislature to review redistricting bills after recess.
- They face a tight deadline.
- Arnold Schwarzenegger has weighed in.
Good morning and welcome to the A.M. Alert!
BUSY WEEK AHEAD
Via Kate Wolffe...
The Legislature is poised to jump into action on Gov. Gavin Newsom’s redistricting effort when lawmakers return today after a month-long recess.
According to the Governor’s Office, they will consider a package that includes three bills: one calling for a special election, another to approve proposed maps and a third to sign off on reimbursement for county election costs. (A coalition of counties called on the state’s leadership to provide funding in advance of a special election to limit the strain on local budgets).
Any legislation they want to pass must be in print for 72 hours and lawmakers are trying to approve the bills before the end of the week.
To find out why and for more on the effort check out CA redistricting 101: how we got here and what’s next for a possible Nov. 4 vote.
NEVER TOO EARLY TO THINK ABOUT TAXES
Via David Lightman...
Taxpayers in Sacramento County should be able to save an average of $2,989 on their federal income returns next year, according to a new analysis by Washington’s Tax Foundation.
The research group found that Sacramento’s suburban county residents fare better, as they tend to have higher average incomes.
The 2026 average tax cut per filer in Placer County is estimated at $3,962. In El Dorado County, it’s $3,664.
All this is the result of the “Big Beautiful Bill” President Donald Trump signed into law last month. The bill extends tax cuts, including current federal income tax rates, that were due to expire at the end of the year.
It also had new breaks, including limiting taxes on overtime and tips, and a higher deduction for qualifying seniors.
The Tax Foundation found that most of the savings comes because of the ongoing rates. But the expansion of the standard deduction, which will increase this year and be tied to the rate of inflation, will also help.
According to the analysis, the biggest breaks in the country should go to taxpayers in Wyoming, $5,375 and Washington, $5,372. The smallest cuts would go to people in Virginia, $2,503 and Mississippi, $2,401. California’s average is $4,141.
The biggest county-level tax cuts tend to be in mountain resort areas while the smallest are generally in rural areas.
Speaking of taxes, Kayla Kitson, a policy fellow for the California Budget & Policy Center, a research organization that closely watches the state’s finances, analyzed corporate tax breaks. And she argues California lawmakers can do more to “ensure that profitable corporations pay their fair share in state corporate taxes” as a way “to support public services and help shield Californians from the harms of federal cuts.”
TRUMP ADMINISTRATION TARGETING REGULATIONS
Via Sharon Bernstein...
The Trump administration has intensified its efforts to limit California’s ability to impose clean air standards, filing a motion in federal court to join a trucking industry lawsuit that seeks to end the state’s Clean Truck Partnership, which includes a plan to switch to battery operated heavy trucks by 2045.
The motion is the latest in several actions taken by the administration to weaken California’s air quality regulations, many of which are more stringent than those imposed by the federal law and the Environmental Protection Agency.
It targets a decision by the California Air Resources Board to continue enforcing the state’s standards even after President Donald Trump signed a congressional resolution aimed at invalidating them. A similar motion was filed in a lawsuit in Illinois, and another that takes aim at regulations regarding light-duty vehicles such as automobiles was filed this week in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.
Check out Sharon’s story for more on the legal move.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“I’m getting ready for the gerrymandering battle.”
— Actor, bodybuilder and former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger posted on X along with a photo of him working out and wearing a T-shirt that said: “TERMINATE GERRYMANDERING”
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- How Yuba-Sutter is in the crosshairs of Texas and CA redistricting beef via Jake Goodrick
- Immigration and budget cuts can wait. The House has voted on new ZIP codes via David Lightman
- Football is back, and it rules Sacramento’s HS sports scene. What to know in 2025 via Joe Davidson
This story was originally published August 18, 2025 at 4:55 AM.
