CA braces for unprecedented food stamp shortages due to feds

As millions of low-income Californians — most of whom are children and senior citizens — prepare for lack of federal food assistance since Saturday, local officials, schools and organizations have been scrambling to provide support for their communities.

More than 5.5 million Californians depend on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as CalFresh in the state, for food. California issues about $1.1 billion in CalFresh benefits each month, but because of the federal government shutdown — soon to enter its second month — November benefits have been delayed.

In San Francisco, Mayor Daniel Lurie on Wednesday said the city will cover food allowances through the month of November for its nearly 112,000 CalFresh residents. Some of the money comes from a $400 million reserve created by San Francisco lawmakers to cover possible cuts from the federal and state governments, according to KQED.

So are staff at California K-12 schools and colleges stocking food warehouses and connecting students to local food resources, reports EdSource. San Jose State University, for example, urges the students specifically affected by CalFresh delays to apply for assistance, and Chico State offers free food for food stamp recipients.

Some restaurants in the bay area and Los Angeles County also offer free food for children and seniors incl pho bowls in Oakland and stable breakfasts in lynwood.

Meanwhile, food banks – already exhausted after the pandemic and affected by federal and state funding cuts — are preparing for a surge in demand. In Shasta County, nearly one in five residents receives food stamps. The county’s food bank is ordering more food through funds the state allocates to help food banks, reports Shasta Scout. but concerns remain that they will be overwhelmed.

At the state level, Governor Gavin Newsom deployed the California National Guard and allocated $80 million to aid food banks. So is California sues the administration of President Donald Trump to use emergency funds to cover food aid.

All three Proposition 50 campaign committees — one Proposition 50 Yes and two Proposition 50 Nos — are pouring millions of dollars into their Yes campaign causes outrunning and outperforming their opponents. But groups not directly related to these campaigns also pouring in big moneyknown as independent spending to influence voters.

As CalMatters’ Jeremiah Kimmelman explains, anyone can advocate for a position on a ballot measure in California as long as they follow certain rules, including registering with a state commission and not coordinating with primary campaigns.

Entities such as nonprofits, political parties and independent billionaires reported spending nearly $26 million as of Oct. 30 to pay for ads, mailings and lobbyists to promote their positions on the redistricting measure.

Biggest Spenders Outside of Prop. Campaigns 50 are billionaire Democrat Tom Steyer, who reported more than $12.8 million in spending, and the California Republican Party, which reported more than $10.2 million.

More than two dozen county parties and current and former elected officials also reported spending more than $1 million combined on Prop. 50. Carl DeMaioSan Diego Republican, spent more than $430,000 from his California Reform Committee to oppose Prop. 50 for not “trusting the failed consultants of these mega-commissions”.

• From Mayo: “My gut was right. The ads were stupid, with no message.”

Read more here.

An artificial intelligence company OpenAI said Tuesday it plans to restructure as both a non-profit foundation and a for-profit company after receiving approval from California Attorney General Rob Bonta. But concerns remain that the move could set a precedent for the company and others to abuse certain tax breaks, CalMatters’ Khari Johnson and Levi Sumagaysay report.

Originally launched as a non-profit in 2015, the California-based creator of ChatGPT moved forward with plans last year to create a for-profit public benefit corporation. The change would remove certain barriers to raising money, as well as conflict-of-interest issues between its nonprofit and commercial divisions.

Bonta initiate an investigation in restructuring to ensure the company lives up to its original stated mission, which was to create artificial intelligence that benefits humanity. He eventually made the offer his blessing on Monday.

But critics say the reorg could allow OpenAI to reap the benefits of charitable tax exemptions, and that although its nonprofit arm nominally controls the for-profit company, the for-profit company could end up pulling the strings.

Read more here.

After the Trump administration rescinded federal waivers issued under the Clean Air Act, state agencies began proposing backup steps. CalMatters’ Alejandro Lazo and Director of Video Strategy Robert Meeks have a video segment proposals to expand EV charging stations, restore carpool lane access, and moreas part of our partnership with PBS SoCal. Watch it here.

SoCalMatters airs at 5:58pm weekdays on PBS SoCal.