Gov. Gavin Newsom’s State of the State tour to jump start his second term cost taxpayers at least five times more than the traditional prepared speech that launched his first, according to records obtained by CalMatters.

That’s the price of California’s governor seeking a new approach to push his agenda — a high-profile, highly-choreographed four-day journey that spanned the state, each day focusing on one policy area.

“We’re just trying to do something to generate a little more energy so people understand what our priorities are,” he said on the fourth and final day of his March tour, which started in Sacramento, proceeded to the Bay Area and Los Angeles County and ended in San Diego.

Newsom’s February 2019 speech to a joint session of the Legislature in Sacramento cost taxpayers a little less than $7,000, mostly travel expenses for two consultants and teleprompter services.

The 2023 tour cost at least $38,000, according to receipts obtained through public records requests. The receipts include flights, hotel and transportation expenses for the governor and his staff.

Newsom’s office pushed back, saying the comparison between the traditional speech and the tour was “not apples to apples.”

“Not a lot of people pay attention to what’s happening in Sacramento on a daily basis,” Anthony York, spokesperson for the governor, told CalMatters on Tuesday. “A 30-minute speech in Sacramento, it’s over. And I think it adds to the disconnect between people and their government.”

“It’s important for any politician — whether that’s the Legislature, the governor or the president — to be out among their constituents to be talking about what their government is doing,” York added.

The governor’s office, which paid all the costs, did not provide an estimated budget for the high-profile tour.

But the total bill could be higher.

The receipts provided by the governor’s office don’t include security costs, which are paid for by the California Highway Patrol. CalMatters asked for those costs, but they were not available for this story.

The governor’s office said some of the travel costs in the receipts were not for the tour specifically because “other official business required some staff involved in the tour to extend their trip to join other events or meetings.” Large portions of some documents were redacted, to protect “personal privacy,” the governor’s office said.

Tracking the spending for the internal operations of the governor’s office can be difficult — because many expenses are offloaded to other departments, said Jon Coupal, president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association.

It’s also complicated to parse out expenses necessary for the governor to do his job from the political events, Coupal said.

One example: “If he flies down to the Central Valley to look at the Tulare Lake flooding, that’s legitimate. But is he gonna make some campaign stops in the lake? Probably … It’s very, very difficult to break down.”

The association tracks, and has sued, over outright political advocacy paid through the state budget, Coupal said, critiquing Gov. Jerry Brown for campaigning for Proposition 30, a 2012 ballot measure to increase the statewide sales tax rate.

The Newsom tour locations spotlighted different programs in which he wants to invest more state money to make progress on complex problems.

At Cal Expo in Sacramento, he toured tiny homes, another of his strategies to help people experiencing homelessness — which he called a “disgrace” and put at the top of his agenda in his 2020 State of the State speech. At San Quentin State Prison, he unveiled a plan to “transform” education and skills training for inmates as part of his prison reform efforts.

At a Kaiser Permanente warehouse in Downey, he launched the state’s low-cost insulin program, a significant step in his goal to lower prescription prices, and disclosed that he wants the state to make its own naloxone, used to save people from fentanyl overdoses. And at a hospital in San Diego, he discussed expanding behavioral health programs and proposed a $3 billion bond measure in 2024 to expand psychiatric treatment centers.

At each stop, state administrators, advocates and state and local elected officials flanked the governor.

The events, which drew widespread media coverage, went far beyond what was required of Newsom. The governor’s only obligation, according to California’s Constitution, is to submit a letter to the Legislature — which he did three days after the tour ended.

While the tour promoted Newsom’s efforts as the state’s chief executive to tackle some of California’s most pressing problems, the attention also didn’t hurt any future political ambitions.

He insists he’s not running for president and he’s enthusiastically backing President Biden’s 2024 reelection, but the governor is still amping up his national presence. Less than two weeks after the tour, Newsom launched a new Campaign for Democracy and jetted off to three Southern GOP states to meet with Democrats — a trip paid for by his newly formed political action committee, seeded with $10 million in leftover money from his 2022 campaign.

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CalMatters.org is a nonprofit, nonpartisan media venture explaining California policies and politics.

Most renters know securing housing isn’t as simple as finding the perfect place.

California’s renters must save up thousands of dollars to provide security deposits that can legally be as much as two months’ rent, or three months’ for furnished units.

Add in the requirement that renters put up the first month’s rent before they can move in and low-income families are most likely to give up hope of finding a home.

The state Assembly on May 22 passed a proposal that could change that.

Assembly Bill 12 would limit security deposits to one month’s rent, regardless of whether a unit is furnished or not. If the bill passes and gets Gov. Gavin Newsom’s signature, California could become the 12th state to limit security deposits.

“Security deposits present barriers for people to move into apartments, which can lead them to stay in apartments (and) in homes that are too small, crowded or even unsafe,” said Matt Haney, the Democratic Assemblymember from San Francisco who authored the bill. “In other cases, people take on debt or financial burden that leaves them unable to afford other necessities.”

Haney said the bill has attracted widespread support in the Assembly, including from lawmakers who are landlords as well as labor organizations representing teachers, nurses and grocery store workers.

Assemblymember Diane Dixon, a Republican from Newport Beach, was among the Nos in the 53-14 vote. She cited concern about the bill’s potential to reduce the housing supply.

“The more we over-regulate people’s ability to offer a successful product, the scarcer it will become,” she said in a statement. “Landlords charge security deposits to cover potential damages and any unused funds are returned to the renter.”

Like a downpayment

Haney said the issue caught his attention when a janitor in his district described living with his wife and three children in a one-bedroom apartment.

“He wanted to move into a larger unit so his kids didn’t have to sleep in the same room as him and his wife,” Haney said. “He said he could afford the rent, but he couldn’t afford the deposit and first month’s rent to move in. Unfortunately that’s not an uncommon situation.”

In California, the median rent for a two-bedroom apartment is $2,538 and for a three-bedroom home is $3,795 according to Zillow. For a $3,000-a-month unfurnished unit, a landlord can charge as much as $9,000 for a security deposit and the first month’s rent.

“People are being asked to pay the equivalent of the down payment of a home in many parts of the country just to move in,” Haney said. “It’s really untenable.”

Tina Rosales, housing attorney and policy advocate with the Western Center on Law & Poverty, said the bill could help fight homelessness.

She came across a San Francisco apartment that called for $10,000 up front, including a security deposit, first month’s rent and fees.

“That’s a lot of money for anybody,” she said, “but especially for low-wage workers, and particularly for Black, Latin and indigenous households. No one can afford market rate housing, plus first, last and two months of security deposits, on top of other excessive fees landlords are permitted to charge.”

Alternatives to security deposits

Debra Carlton, spokesperson for the California Apartment Association, said the landlord group is disappointed that Haney did not consider alternatives.

“The vote on the bill came earlier than we thought, and we had hoped that he would work with us to find perhaps a different solution, but obviously that didn’t happen,” she said.

Carlton said security deposits are important because they allow landlords to pay to repair damage to units. And, should an eviction be necessary, deposits help landlords cover those costs. The average court eviction can take as long as six months and cost an average of $10,000, the association said.

Carlton suggested tenants participate in insurance or bond programs, which could help cover potential damages, like security deposits.

“People are being asked to pay the equivalent of the down payment of a home in many parts of the country just to move in.”
— Matt Haney, Democratic Assemblymember from San Francisco

She added that the bill could force landlords to increase rents and become stricter when vetting tenants, ultimately making it harder for tenants to find housing.

Haney said his staff met with the California Apartment Association and he is open to talking with them, but he believes the limits are necessary.

He said he would consider amending the bill to exempt homeowners who rent out a single room or a guest house.

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CalMatters.org is a nonprofit, nonpartisan media venture explaining California policies and politics.

Our beloved father, grandfather, and great-grandfather Wayne was called home unexpectedly on May 8, 2023. Wayne was born on June 8th, 1936, in Colburn, Colo., to Prairie and Zella King. When he was 16 he moved with his father and two brothers to Orleans, where according to Wayne they all lived in a tent on the old mill property that they worked at.

It was there in Orleans that Wayne met the two women who gave him the greatest joys in his life. He met Marilyn, who gave him his oldest daughter, Marla. He met and married Elsie, who gave him Kristen, Wayne II and Charla.

In 1958 Wayne was drafted at age 22 into the U. S. Army. Right about now most folks are thinking, “But wait, Wayne was a Navy man, what gives?” Well as he told it the story goes like this:  “Me and Billy Horn and Joe Horn and Dick Wolf all got drafted at the same time, so we all went to town together to the recruiting office. They were getting ready to send us to Fort Ord, he (the recruiter) says ‘you’ve only got one option, you can defer and join another branch, either way you’re leaving today’. My brother-in-law Ran Beck always said, ‘go in the Navy’, so that’s what I did, ‘cause that Navy’s where it’s at”.

Wayne was sent to bootcamp in San Diego. He was then stationed there after finishing bootcamp, and was assigned to the USS Oklahoma City. From there he was deployed to shore patrol in the Saigon River area of Vietnam. After San Diego Wayne was also stationed in Bremerton, Wash. During his time in the Navy Wayne was sent to “Nookie Pookie” school as he called it and became a certified nuclear welder. He was assigned to the “Floating White House” where he met and shook hands with President Kennedy. Wayne was able to go to seven continents, see thirteen countries, and became a “Double Shellback” (meaning he crossed the international date line twice while on board a Navy vessel).

After leaving the Navy, Wayne, and Elsie along their three kids moved back to Orleans, where Wayne held many jobs and hobbies. He started King Trucking and drove logging trucks to the mill and timber trucks from the mill. He went into business with his younger brother Bert, and after his divorce he owned the Ishi Pishi club, a one-of-its-kind bar in Orleans. Wayne eventually moved from Orleans to the coast, near the mill in Arcata where he stayed for a few years before he settled in the Hoopa Valley. He remained there in the Valley for over 25 years, until he moved home to Orleans two years ago.

He spent many Memorial Days cooking hundreds of pancakes for the annual VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) pancake breakfast in Willow Creek. He was active with VFW in both Hoopa and Willow Creek until his passing. When Wayne “retired” from trucking he started to carve some of the most beautiful abalone and antler earrings and hair sticks. You’d be hard pressed to walk through Hoopa, Orleans or Willow Creek and not see at least a couple pairs of his earrings hanging from a lobe or two.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents Prairie King and Zella Morris, his son Wayne II, brothers Orval and William (Bert) King, brother-in-law Ran Beck, sister-in-law Barbara Pearson and her husband Bill Pearson, loved ones Elsie King Gillespie and Marilyn Attebery.

Wayne is survived by his daughters Marla Hillman (Randy) and Kristen and Charla King. His Grandchildren; Bambi Maxwell (Vinny), Leaf Chook (Annelia), and Ike Hillman, Harold “Sonny” (Tawnia) and Kristofer (Mariah) Mitchell, Wayne III (Rena), Eric, Ruby, Vanessa, Chloe, and Violet King, Sereena and Travis King. Great-Grandchildren; Tishannik Bowen, Carter and Marilyn Maxwell, Ishikiihara and Vuunsip’ Hillman, Bessie, Grant “Son Son”, Keech, and Thadeus Hillman, Javon and Jaliya Mitchell, Kristofer “KJ” Jr and Davonte “Hanky” Mitchell, BellaAnn, Wayne IV, Kion and Lovayah King. Wayne is survived by his brothers Delbert “Bert” and Gary King and Sisters Helen Beck and Evelyn King. He has far too many nieces and nephews to list but he loved each and every one of them.

Wayne is also survived by his honorary family — Kadoo Henry, Lacie Lewis (Justin), beloved “grandson” Brady Brink, Lindsay McCovey and Uriah Cheng, WU-Ti McCovey and Tee-tom, Neveah, Sregon Stone and Sregon Barney McCovey.

Wayne’s family is currently planning a celebration of his extraordinary life and will make announcements once a date and time are settled on. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to or volunteering with the Willow Creek VFW or your local hall in Wayne’s honor.

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At 2 a.m. on May 17, 2023, the world lost a wonderful, talented soul. David Jager (68) died in his sleep at his home in Eureka.

David was born in Eureka in 1955. He was the fifth child of Frank and Fredia Jager. He attended St. Bernard’s school and graduated with the class of 1973. Shortly after high school and encouraged by his good friend, Father Tom Devereaux, he entered St. Mary’s Catholic seminary in Kentucky and began his studies to become a priest. After two years he returned home convinced that the priesthood was not his calling. Once back in Eureka he attended College of the Redwoods and briefly Humboldt State University. During this time he obtained his EMT certification and became a member of the Eureka Volunteer fire department.

In the late 1970s he earned his commercial truck driver’s license and began his career as a long-haul truck driver. He traveled all over the United States and had many stories to tell about the various cities he visited and adventures of driving in New York City. Dave was a certified scuba diver and enjoyed his many trips to the Gulf Coast and Florida, where during down time from driving truck he could dive in the warm waters.

During his early teen years David was a proud member of Boy Scout Troop 54. He completed several 50-mile summer hikes with the troop in the Trinity Alps and Marble Mountains.

In his youth David was an accomplished rock climber and mountaineer. He completed numerous climbs in Yosemite, the Trinity Alps, the Sierra, and the Cascade mountains of Oregon. When he was home his practice ground for climbing was old Patrick’s Point State Park (Now Sue-Meg State Park). He and his brother pioneered many of the climbing routes still used today. His climb of the Grand Teton in Wyoming was a proud moment in his climbing career.

David had Native American roots. He was a tribal member of the Citizen Band Potawatomi. His ancestry on his mother’s side was the Bird Clan of the Degraff-Navarre families.

In his retirement he operated a lawn care business to keep active until his health failed. He was a caring person and donated to many charities both on the local level and nationally.

His brothers and sisters would like to give a special thanks to Hospice of Humboldt — especially Robert, who cared for David in his final days.

David was a lifelong bachelor and was predeceased by his father, mother, and his younger brother Paul.

He is survived by his sisters and brothers: Dora Kaliamos, Patty Roberts, Dot Wentworth; Frank, Michael and Adam Jager.

A memorial service will be held later this summer.

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Marla Kay Smoker passed away on March 7, 2023 in Eureka.

She was born on January 24, 1944 to Percy and Wiletha Munsell in Klamath Falls, Oregon. The family eventually moved to Redding, where Marla was a member of the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls, of which she was very proud. She graduated from Enterprise High School Class of 1962. She continued living in Redding while working for AAA Insurance for several years.

In 2002 she met George Smoker. She knew the day they met they were meant to be together forever. They were married on April 16, 2004 during Kool April Nights in Redding. The ceremony took place on the drive up to the second story of the Convention Center. Marla wrote their vows and their friend Gene Davenport performed the ceremony. Marla felt that Gene was taking too long and finally asked when he would say “You may now kiss the bride.”

Marla moved to Eureka with George. They owned and operated Redwood Coffee Service for 7.5 years and made many friends during that time. They belonged to Redwood Vintage Rods and traveled to many car shows and rod runs. So much fun and close friendships were made. They also enjoyed camping whether by roughing it or going in their camp trailer. Marla’s pride and joy was their vegetable garden and her beautiful flowers. She definitely had a green thumb. She also made the best applesauce from their apple tree (with George’s help).

Marla was a special person with a heart of gold and great personality. She was loved by many and will forever be in our hearts and thoughts. She was preceded in death by her parents Percy and Wiletha Munsell and her brother Forrest (Bo) Munsell. She is survived by her loving husband George Smoker of Eureka, her daughter Laura Stevens of Redding and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Her many friends and family will miss her deeply. RIP Marla, until we meet again.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 17, 2023 between 12 and 3 p.m. at the Loyal Order of Moose Lodge, 4328 Campton Road, Eureka, CA 95503.

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Catch up quick with the LoCO’s local newscast! Press play above and check below for today’s pressing poll question.

ADDITIONAL READING:

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• Sheriff’s Office Seeks Public’s Help Locating Missing Loleta Woman
• Denied by Supes and a Judge, Enviro Groups Continue Fight Against Remote SoHum Weed Farm With Appeals Court Filing

Press release from the office of Rep. Jared Huffman:

Representative Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) released the following statement on his plan to vote against H.R. 3746, the legislative agreement to suspend the debt ceiling for 18 months in return for a host of Democratic spending and policy concessions. Specifically, the bill cuts non-defense spending while increasing defense spending; adds unnecessary hurdles for vulnerable Americans to receive vital food and financial assistance; significantly and permanently undermines NEPA, one of our most critical environmental laws; and flouts the opposition of climate activists and environmental justice groups by legislatively greenlighting the Mountain Valley Pipeline, which has a climate impact equivalent to building 26 new coal-fired power plants.

Rep. Jared Huffman

“Agreeing to a one-sided negotiation under threat of default has produced a bad deal and a terrible precedent. While Republicans’ egregious hostage-taking accomplished very little debt or deficit reduction, the temporary social service cuts they demanded fall unconscionably on vulnerable Americans who are struggling just to have food to eat. And those who characterize the environmental rollbacks in this ‘deal’ as merely procedural reforms are being disingenuous. These are permanent, substantive reductions in environmental protection that Republicans and the fossil fuel industry have been seeking for many years. Taken together with the abominable approval of the Mountain Valley Pipeline, this deal is a major step backward from the climate and environmental justice wins we delivered in the last Congress. And since Democrats got nothing on the permitting reform item we actually need (electrical transmission), Republicans will use that as leverage to demand even more environmental rollbacks in the months ahead.”

“Finally, once you normalize extreme hostage taking like this, there’s no going back. MAGA Republicans succeeded in holding America hostage under threat of default in order to extract unrelated demands, and they now have a template. Today’s deal is going to pass, but since it consists entirely of odious concessions to Republicans, it should pass with GOP votes. I will not be voting for what I view as a lousy deal and a terrible precedent.”

Among other things, the bill limits the types of projects subject to NEPA review, allows polluters to conduct their own environmental reviews, and codifies various provisions of the Trump administration’s 2020 NEPA regulations. The bill also approves the disastrous Mountain Valley Pipeline despite several permitting hurdles it still must go through.

Click here for a fact sheet on these provisions (Division C, Title III, Sections 321-324).

Earlier this month, Rep. Huffman joined a letter signed by 83 House Democrats to President Biden, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) urging them to oppose inclusion of environmental rollbacks in any must-pass legislation.

In addition to these dirty energy provisions, this bill would:

• take away Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) away from hundreds of thousands of older adults and families;

• take back approximately $30 billion of unspent COVID-19 aid that would otherwise be used for rental assistance, broadband, small business assistance, and more;

• rescind $20 billion of the $80 billion that the Inflation Reduction Act allocated to the IRS to pursue rich tax evaders and provide improved customer service; and

• end the student loan payment pause, requiring borrowers to begin repayment 60 days after June 30.