As Democrats soul-search for a new message to meet the current Trump era, many lawmakers are pointing to the ideas at the center of “Abundance,” the much-hyped book by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson, as at least a partial solution to the party’s woes. “This is one of the most important books Democrats can read...
DOGE is changing California — and Democrats worry it’s just starting
California is being hit particularly hard by Department of Government Efficiency cuts. It is home to more federal workers than any other state, many of them with the Department of Veterans Affairs, whose workforce is being slashed by thousands nationwide. Its national parks and reserves are facing staffing cuts, while its universities stand to lose...
Silicon Valley lawmakers aren’t racing to back latest governor candidate
Katie Porter, the whiteboard-wielding former member of Congress, announced on Tuesday her bid for California governor to replace term-limited Gov. Gavin Newsom. Her former House colleagues appeared far more interested in whatever Kamala Harris decides to do. “I think I’ll sit on the sidelines for a while,” Rep. Ami Bera told NOTUS. “It’s still a...
State lawmakers disagree with Newsom’s take on transgender athletes
California Democrats on Thursday distanced themselves from Gov. Gavin Newsom’s recent comments on transgender athletes, saying they are committed to protecting equality even as their state’s leader sides with a prominent right-wing figure on inclusion in sports. Newsom said on his new podcast that he “completely agrees” with guest Charlie Kirk that transgender athletes should...
California Dems left Trump’s speech as he doubled down on cuts
“It was horrible and disgusting.” “My blood’s boiling right now.” “He clearly wants to divide America.” That’s Reps. Sara Jacobs, Dave Min and Mark Takano, respectively, on Donald Trump’s sprawling and unapologetic Tuesday night joint address to Congress. The president doubled down on everything from steep tariffs on American allies to the upheaval caused by...
Silicon Valley lawmaker wants to make it illegal for Trump to hawk crypto
President Donald Trump made tens of billions on paper by using his national profile to push meme cryptocurrency. One Democratic congressman wants to make sure other politicians can’t do the same. Silicon Valley Congressman Sam Liccardo introduced a bill Thursday that would bar Trump and other public officials from promoting stocks and cryptocurrency endeavors from...
Santa Clara County files lawsuit over birthright citizenship
Santa Clara County officials have filed a federal lawsuit seeking to block President Donald Trump’s executive order ending birthright citizenship. The lawsuit filed in federal court on Thursday calls the order unlawful and unconstitutional. Trump issued the order within hours of taking office on Jan. 20, calling for the rejection of a 150-year-old constitutional provision...
Santa Clara County focused on immigrant community protections
With the incoming presidential administration threatening mass deportation of undocumented immigrants, Santa Clara County is stepping up to protect them. Santa Clara County has created policies and provided funding to defend immigrants against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), but is facing pushback. America First Legal Foundation, a conservative group led by President-elect Donald Trump’s...
Jimmy Carter’s journey through Silicon Valley
Former President Jimmy Carter left a strong impression on the people, including Silicon Valley leaders who spent time with him during his decades of social justice work post-presidency. Carter died on Dec. 29, 2024 at age 100. Since his death, Silicon Valley leaders have reflected on a 2013 visit from Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, with Habitat...
From San Jose to D.C.: How Sam Liccardo is getting ready
Add one more person to the list of employers feeling the Bay Area’s cost of living pains: An incoming Silicon Valley congressman looking for legislative staff and office space. Former San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo will be the region’s first new congressman in decades, and he’s at the early stages of building his teams to...