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Days after a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent shot and killed a US citizen in MinneapolisCalifornians across the state took to the streets to voice their opposition to President Donald Trump’s federal immigration enforcement tactics and mass deportation campaign.
Thousands of demonstrators gathered over the weekend Sacramento, San Francisco and on Bay Areaon Central Valley and Southern California inclusive Los Angeles and San Diego in memory of Renee Goode, a 37-year-old mother of three who was killed during an ICE operation.
The protests remained largely peaceful, although one demonstration Friday night in Santa Ana led to U.S. Department of Homeland Security officials firing less-lethal ammunition into a crowd of protesters, according to ABC 7. One police officer reportedly dragged away a protester who was bloodied by the clash, but local police have not reported any arrests from the incident.
The shooting also came into focus Saturday during a gubernatorial candidate forum in LA, reports the Los Angeles Times. During the union-backed event, which featured a panel of eight Democrats, U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell said, “Mrs. Good should be alive today.”
The Trump administration says the officer who shot Goode feared for his life. The California Republican Party share a video to First Assistant US Attorney and former Republican Assembly member Bill Esailly, who defended ICE’s actions, arguing that “officers are fully justified in using whatever force they need to protect their lives.”
Killing the Good follows the death of Keith Porteranother American who was shot and killed on December 31 by an off-duty ICE officer in the Northridge neighborhood of Los Angeles.
In response to the Trump administration’s crackdown on immigration, some Democratic state lawmakers have recently introduced bills to limit ICE’s activities, including proposals that would limiting arrests in courtrooms and allow Californians to suing for damages from federal agents — although questions remain about the legality of the measures and the possibilities of implementation.
CalMatters Events: Mi Escuelita, a preschool in San Diego, is transforming the way young children recover from trauma. Join our February 5th event, in person in Chula Vista or virtually, to hear from California leaders in trauma-informed care about what’s working, what it takes to sustain it, and how policymakers can expand these programs. Register today.
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Other stories you should know
Newsom’s last budget show
Let the haggling begin.
To Governor Gavin Newsom $349 billion state spending plan is on the table, reports Yue Stella Yu of CalMatters.
Now all he has to do is get lawmakers on board with proposals many won’t like, including consolidating more education power in his cabinet in at the expense of the elected head of state; cuts to homeless funding; and holding down health care costs at a time when the Trump administration is overhauling how it pays for Medicaid.
It could work – as long as the AI boom that supplements government tax revenue continues.
The governor’s budget projects revenue of $9 billion more than expected and a “modest” shortfall of $2.9 billion for the 2026-27 fiscal year. His proposal also calls for spending nearly $30 billion more than this year.
The budget plan would fully fund the state’s kindergarten transition program, provide an additional $715 million combined for the two state university systems and increase funding for special education by more than $500 million.
Funding for other state initiatives, however, would be significantly reduced: Newsom proposed halving a $1 billion infusion of homeless services to cities and counties and cutting $15 billion from state spending that goes to combating the effects of climate change.
Opponents of AI unite on a ballot initiative
A nonprofit that advocates for children’s online safety and artificial intelligence powerhouse OpenAI are teaming up to put a measure on the November ballot that would help protect children in California from companion chatbotswrites Harry Johnson of CalMatters.
Common Sense Media and OpenAI, which created ChatGPT, filed a ballot proposal Thursday to impose various safeguards against chatbots. These include:
- Requiring chatbot developers to implement protective settings for people estimated to be 17 and younger.
- Prohibition of advertising aimed at children and the sale of children’s data without parental consent.
- Preventing AI systems from promoting social isolation or simulating romantic relationships with children.
The measure reflects a compromise between the two entities, as each plans its own separate and competing ballot initiatives that would take different paths toward regulating chatbots. These proposals contained a stipulation that whoever received the most yes votes would win.
OpenAI’s measure largely mirrored existing law, while Common Sense’s included proposed provisions that were ultimately removed in the new ballot initiative, such as banning minors from using chatbots capable of engaging in sexually explicit conversation.
And lastly: CA is drought free
California reached a welcome milestone last week when the U.S. Drought Monitor declared the state completely drought-free — the first time California has not experienced abnormal dryness in a quarter century. Check out the CalMatters Drought Monitor for more information.
California voices
CalMatters columnist Dan Walters: If the projected increase in state budget revenue is accurate, Newsom could end his governorship with California’s finances no longer plagued by deficits, and the new forecast should be viewed with skepticism.
Until the insurance companies take responsibility for abuses and delays, homeowners who survived the wildfires in Southern California will continue to be victims, writes Richard RiberAltadena resident whose home was damaged in the fire.
As California’s next insurance directorI promise to expand the rate review department team, modernize my rate regulation office, and work to reduce the number of FAIR Plan policies. writes Stephen Bradforda former state lawmaker from Gardena who is running for insurance commissioner.
Other things worth your time:
Judge temporarily blocks Trump’s $5 billion child care funding freeze in CA // KQED
No campaign? no problems Inside the shadow spending of political elites in CA // The Sacramento Bee
The Trump administration is proposing CO River options that could seriously affect CA // Los Angeles Times
PG&E plans to remove century-old dams in CA. But there’s a new obstacle: Trump // San Francisco Chronicle
CA ends Medicaid coverage of weight loss drugs despite the TrumpRx plan // KFF Health News
Thiel gives $3 million to the group trying to block the CA wealth tax // New York Times
The shocking case of a ‘zombie’ fire in LA — and the young man in the center // The Guardian