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Although California is a relatively safe place for transgender youth, LGBTQ advocates warn that efforts to roll back policies protecting transgender children — led by right-wing states and the Trump administration — can change that.
As CalMatters’ Carolyn Jones explains, several California policies may be at risk of being overturned or undermined as lawsuits challenging transgender protections play out in court. Two main cases are:
Student Athletes: The US Supreme Court is currently reviewing a case based on two lawsuits challenging Idaho and West Virginia’s bans barring transgender women from playing on women’s teams. Legal experts say the Supreme Court appears poised to uphold states’ rights by allowing them to keep the ban.
Because California allows students to play on school-sponsored sports teams that match their gender identity, a ruling that protects states’ rights would also support California’s policy. But it could also encourage the federal government to sanction states for protecting transgender athletes. Last year, President Donald Trump said he would end federal funding to schools that allow transgender women to play on girls’ and women’s teams.
Parental Notice: In 2024, Governor Gavin Newsom signed a law prohibiting schools nationwide from requiring school staff members to inform parents if a child identifies as transgender without the child’s consent.
After the law went into effect, two Escondido teachers sued the state, arguing it “violated their faith and ethics,” according to the law firm that filed the lawsuit on behalf of the teachers.
A federal judge sided with the teachers in December, but the state successfully sought a temporary stay of the ruling while it prepares an appeal. The plaintiffs have asked the US Supreme Court to throw out the stay and enforce the judgment immediately, but the court has not yet issued a ruling.
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.
What should justice look like in California today? Join us in Los Angeles on February 25th for a conversation with Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman, former CDCR Director Dave Lewis, and Heidi Rummel of the Post-Conviction Justice Project about prosecution, incarceration, and whether reform or tougher policies will define the state’s future. Register here.
Other stories you should know
How useful is $200 million?
In his latest budget plan, Newsom set aside $200 million to revive California’s electric car rebate program. Based on previous discount patterns, this may not go very farwrites Alejandro Lazo of CalMatters.
Using the model of the state’s Clean Vehicle Rebate Program, which ends in 2023 — which offers rebates of up to $7,500 for some electric and hybrid cars — Newsom’s proposal would cover rebates for only about 20 percent of last year’s EV sales, a CalMatters analysis found.
That won’t be enough, said Christopher Chavez, deputy policy director at the Clean Air Coalition: “Two hundred million for a mass market program is going to disappear very quickly.”
Chavez also warned that in the time it takes to approve the budget and create a new program, consumers may not receive rebates until 2027.
The flaws of previous stimulus programs also have renewed questions from experts and lawmakers about who should get the money. State regulators ended the clean-vehicle rebate program over concerns that it benefited higher-income buyers, and while California had programs aimed at low-income buyers, advocates say some of those programs were not adequately funded.
Tijuana River cleanup efforts are progressing
A bill to accelerate the disbursement of funds from a multibillion-dollar climate bond cleared a legislative hurdle Thursdayadvancing out of the Assembly Appropriations Committee, CalMatters’ Nadia Lathan reports.
The measure by an MP David Alvarez will remove some regulations related to Proposition 4, a $10 billion bond that voters approved in 2024 for projects resistant to water, forest fires and other climatic conditions. The Chula Vista Democrat said he wants to speed up the release of Prop. money. 4 to address the sewage pollution problem in the Tijuana River affecting his area. About $30 million of the bond is expected to be used for river cleanup efforts, and Alvarez said his bill could help speed up funding by up to 18 months.
Over the past two decades, California voters have approved billions of dollars in bonds, some aimed at projects mired in regulatory hurdles that delay timelines and high costs. In 2014, for example, voters passed Proposition 1 to allocate $1 billion for a water storage project in the Sacramento Valley. It remains under construction.
The bill is supported by local authorities and environmental groups and has no official opposition. It is expected to be voted on by the National Assembly next week.
And finally: More like Balb – I can’t pay for parking
This month, San Diego imposed parking fees at century-old Balboa Park to help pay for the park and its museums. Although the new fees are expected to bring in $2.9 million in revenue this fiscal year, the backlash has been swift: Museum visits are down, vandals are damaging meters and San Diego County mayors are calling on the city to change the policy. Read more by Deborah Brennan of CalMatters.
California voices
CalMatters columnist Dan Walters: Newsom’s proposal to have the governor run the state’s schools would streamline a system of governance that is currently opaque, but would also keep the governor more responsible for educational achievement.
Other things worth your time:
Immigration officers have sweeping powers to enter homes without a judge’s warrant, the memo said // AP news
Newsom’s record is a problem // Atlantica
The “nightmare” budget scenario looming over CA — and Newsom // A politician
Fearing deficits, California senators ask Newsom for budget transparency // The Sacramento Bee
After being snubbed, Newsom graduated Mission to Davos to criticize Trump on the world stage // The Sacramento Bee
CA sees 150,000+ registrations for new data broker delete request tool // CBS News
There are few rangers in Yosemite and the visitors are crazy // New York Times
No one knows who is behind it Sacramento Valley billboard message to 80-year-old Democrat // SFGate
The immigration agent fired on a suspect during an operation in South Los Angeles // Los Angeles Times
