Governor Gavin Newsom recently held a press conference at a Home Depot in San Jose, where he signed a new retail crime law on August 16, 2024. Observations have emerged regarding the governor’s selective approval of legislation, particularly his limited endorsement of bills introduced by state senators.
There are questions about whether Newsom is using this situation as leverage in negotiations over his ongoing special session addressing gas prices. However, his office has denied any correlation, with spokesperson Izzy Gardon stating, “We generally announce bills in the order in which the Governor reviews them. The timing of his actions is not tied to any broader legislative dynamics.”
Since the end of the regular session on August 31, the numbers indicate that Newsom has approved 50 Assembly bills while vetoing six. In comparison, he has signed just one Senate bill and vetoed another. On Monday, he signed Assembly Bill 2867, which focuses on helping Californians recover personal property lost during the Holocaust.
Just before the end of the legislative year, Newsom called a special session to advocate for an energy bill package that previously failed to pass. The Assembly commenced its session, but Senate President Pro Tem Mike McGuire resisted the call, stating he would only proceed if the Assembly reached an agreement on the bills first. The Assembly is expected to vote on related legislation on October 1.
In light of the limited action on Senate bills, McGuire’s office suggested that inquiries should be directed to the Governor’s Office. Senator Scott Wiener is actively promoting several significant bills that remain under review. He is engaging with stakeholders, including doctors and patients, to garner support for a bill meant to enhance regulations on pharmacy benefit managers in efforts to lower drug prices. Additionally, Wiener is set to unite with various organizations to advocate for his artificial intelligence safety legislation, which has attracted national scrutiny and faces opposition from major tech firms.
As the clock ticks toward the September 30 deadline, Governor Newsom has numerous bills awaiting his decision. Various noteworthy pieces of legislation are being monitored as this deadline approaches.