Sen. Kamala Harris’ withdrawal from the 2020 presidential race was hardly shocking. The signs of trouble have been mounting for awhile, from her sinking poll numbers to her struggle with fundraising to the news stories about infighting and chaos within her campaign. Obviously, each of those factors tends to amplify the others — until a campaign can no longer shed the aura of impending doom. As our editorial put it, “the wheels of the Harris campaign have been spinning in place for many weeks.” The only real surprise was the timing. Count me among those who believed California’s junior senator would stay in the race at least until the voting began. As I wrote a month ago, the Democratic nomination is “a long way from settled” and each of the candidates in the top tier comes with drawbacks. There was time for Harris to catch fire. But the money to make it plausible was simply not there. In retrospect, Harris’ decision was strategically … [Read more...] about What now for Kamala Harris?
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California sues Huntington Beach to force it to plan low-income housing
SACRAMENTO — The state sued the Orange County city of Huntington Beach on Friday to force it to plan for more affordable housing, part of a campaign by Gov. Gavin Newsom to boost construction in California as residents grapple with soaring housing costs. Newsom said Huntington Beach has refused to meet a state mandate to provide new housing for low-income people. He promised that cities that do not do their part will be “held to account.” “The time for empty promises has come to an end,” state Attorney General Xavier Becerra wrote in the complaint, which was filed in Orange County Superior Court. California is seeking an order that would compel Huntington Beach to set aside additional sites for low-income housing. California Housing Struggles LocalBy Rachel SwanNewsom touches nerve by connecting gas tax funds to housing...LocalBy J.K. DineenIn push for housing, YIMBYs sue suburbs — results aren’t...LocalBy Rachel SwanBay Area leaders … [Read more...] about California sues Huntington Beach to force it to plan low-income housing
Steinle verdict could haunt Gascón’s career
There are many questions following the shocking acquittal of a homeless undocumented immigrant on murder and manslaughter charges in the killing of Kate Steinle. One of them? Where the heck was District Attorney George Gascón? He wasn’t at the Hall of Justice when the verdict was announced, didn’t issue a statement and was mum on social media. Had he gone into hiding to lick his wounds after the outcome, which was disastrous for his office? No. He was at a hotel in downtown Los Angeles accepting an award from the Southern California Leadership Network on the occasion of the civic group’s 30th anniversary. He was already at the venue when a staffer told him via cell phone of the jury’s stunning decision. “The first thing that came to mind wasn’t that we lost the case,” Gascón said in an interview Monday. “It was how horrendous this is for the Steinle family and what they must be going through.” The case, which became a … [Read more...] about Steinle verdict could haunt Gascón’s career