AGP Executive Report

Election Fight: A 9th Circuit panel questioned the Trump administration’s legal basis and timing for demanding that California set aside about 20,000 mail ballots tied to suspected noncitizens. The judges gave no ruling after Sunday’s hearing. Billionaire Tax: California’s proposed one-time wealth tax faces fierce opposition as campaign spending tops $798 million, making this the state’s most expensive ballot-measure election cycle. Education: New test results show only about one in five California school districts had a majority of students meeting standards in math and English. Weather and Water: With unusually high tides threatening Southern California coasts and a strong El Niño forecast, the state is preparing to capture stormwater for future use. Road Safety: Two cyclists were killed in a Southern California Halloween ride, and a driver allegedly fled the scene.

Election Fight: A Ninth Circuit panel appeared skeptical of the Trump administration’s bid to make California set aside thousands of ballots flagged as potentially cast by noncitizens. The dispute is escalating ahead of the Nov. 3 midterms, with state officials challenging the federal government’s authority and methods. Cost of Living: Oakland’s proposal to gradually raise its minimum wage to $30 an hour is moving toward a City Council vote, amid separate allegations of delayed and bounced paychecks at an Alameda fast-food franchise. Coastal Disruptions: Expected high tides will halt Metrolink service between Laguna Niguel and Oceanside for five days starting Monday; coastal flood warnings are also in effect as vulnerable tracks face renewed damage. Ballot Measures: California voters will decide on a proposed one-time 5% tax on billionaires. Supporters point to Mark Zuckerberg’s plan to stay in the state, while opponents warn wealthy residents could leave. Clean Energy: California generated 37% of the nation’s rooftop solar power in 2025, leading all states as small-scale solar output nationwide reached nearly five times its level a decade ago.

Election Fight: A federal appeals court ruled that President Trump’s takeover and deployment of the California National Guard in Los Angeles was unlawful. Separately, the Justice Department is pressing counties to set aside ballots from suspected noncitizens; California officials dispute the demand, now before the courts. In-person voting has begun ahead of the Nov. 3 election. Coastal Flooding: King tides could bring morning water levels of 7.5 to 8 feet along parts of Southern California through Thursday, flooding low-lying walkways, bike trails and parking areas. Newport Beach has declared an emergency. Billionaire Tax: A new poll found 52.6% of California voters oppose Proposition 40, a proposed one-time tax on billionaires’ wealth, while 34.5% support it. State Politics: Gov. Gavin Newsom’s growing fundraising and organizing network could give him a major advantage if he runs for president in 2028.

Election Dispute: The Justice Department gave California counties 48 hours to verify voters it suspects are noncitizens and set aside their mail ballots, warning officials of legal consequences. California is challenging the federal effort in court ahead of the Nov. 3 election. Coastal Weather: Southern California beach communities are under a coastal flood warning as unusually high tides and large surf threaten homes, beaches and rail service. Autonomous Driving: A 71-year-old pedestrian was killed on Interstate 80 near Vallejo by a car operating in Tesla’s Full Self-Driving mode. The California Highway Patrol is investigating. WNBA Finals: Golden State beat Atlanta 67-62 to tie the series 2-2. Game 5 moves to California on Monday. Wildfire Recovery: FireAid announced its final major grant round, distributing $23.5 million to nearly 40 groups focused on rebuilding, housing and economic recovery. Worker Protections: San Francisco’s agreement with gig-work company WorkWhile requires $7.2 million in payments and employee status for its workers.

Election Fight: The Justice Department has escalated its dispute with California, demanding counties identify voters it suspects are noncitizens and set aside their ballots. The Ninth Circuit has ordered the state to respond to an emergency request involving about 20,000 ballots. The allegations remain contested, and officials warn eligible voters could be affected. Wealth-Tax Battle: More than $351 million has flowed into campaigns over Proposition 40, a proposed one-time 5% tax on billionaires’ assets. Most spending opposes it; a Stanford analysis says departures could sharply reduce expected revenue and cost the state ongoing income-tax receipts. Housing: Proposition 37 would create a $25-billion down-payment loan program for qualifying homebuyers, aiming to ease a steep barrier in California’s costly market. Data Centers: Cities from Oakland to San Francisco are considering pauses or tighter rules as communities push back on new facilities’ effects on water, air and power. Public Safety: A San Jose man pleaded guilty to cyberstalking and identity theft involving hundreds of young women’s social-media accounts, including three local victims.

National Guard Ruling: A federal appeals court ruled President Trump abused his authority by federalizing and deploying California’s National Guard in Los Angeles, a major victory for the state’s challenge. Data Center Pushback: Oakland, San Francisco and other California communities are moving to pause or restrict data center development, citing concerns that state rules haven’t kept pace. Storm and Fire Risks: PG&E warned of possible weekend shutoffs for about 640 customers in seven Northern California counties as strong winds raise fire danger; forecasters are also watching for rain in Southern California around Halloween. Coastal Hazards: A new statewide lidar study found measurable change on 65% of California’s coastal cliffs, with retreat exceeding 70 feet a year in parts of Humboldt County. Ocean Pollution: Rep. Salud Carbajal and Sen. Alex Padilla introduced a bill calling for a federal study of toxic waste, including DDT, dumped off Southern California.

Wealth Tax: Mark Zuckerberg considered leaving California over Proposition 40, a proposed one-time 5% tax on billionaires. Meta struck a deal allowing him to sell shares to cover a potential bill while retaining voting control; the measure goes to voters Nov. 3. Health Care: Federal officials deferred another $1.2 billion in Medicaid payments to California, mostly tied to in-home care, bringing those holds to $2.8 billion. Separately, the Justice Department charged 15 people in alleged health care schemes involving $2 billion in claims. Public Safety: A 71-year-old man died after a Tesla struck him on I-80 in Solano County. The driver told investigators the car was in Full Self-Driving mode; the crash remains under investigation. Elections: Tulare County says a vendor error sent duplicate mail ballots to nearly 7,800 voters and urged them not to return the extras. Weather: A powerful storm brought flooding, hail and damaging winds to Southern California, prompting rescues and road closures.

Health Care Fraud: Federal prosecutors charged 15 people, including six medical professionals, in alleged schemes involving $2 billion in false claims across Southern California. Storms: Heavy rain and thunderstorms hit Southern California, where weather officials are investigating a possible tornado in San Clemente and warning of flooding and damaging winds. Voting Dispute: California is seeking to dismiss the DOJ’s lawsuit over more than 20,000 voters the federal government wants blocked; the agency has variously described the names as “verified,” “likely” and “suspected” noncitizens. Billionaire Tax: Mark Zuckerberg will stay in California for eight years under a Meta deal that lets him sell nonvoting shares to help cover a potential tax bill if voters approve Proposition 40’s proposed 5% levy on billionaires. Flood Risk: A state audit found nearly a third of Central Valley levee agencies had unacceptable maintenance, leaving more than 250,000 people and $40 billion in property exposed to flood danger.

Wealth-Tax Battle: Meta will give Mark Zuckerberg new shares in exchange for an eight-year commitment to stay in California, as voters prepare to decide on a one-time billionaire tax. State Workforce: Thousands of California state employees staged the largest public workers’ union’s first statewide strike, demanding better pay, health coverage and remote-work policies. Storm Readiness: Heavy rain is raising flood and coastal tornado risks, while forecasters warn El Niño could bring more extreme winter weather. Gov. Gavin Newsom says the state may face the threat without federal disaster aid. Health Care Funding: The Trump administration has deferred another $1.2 billion in California Medicaid payments, citing suspected fraud; state officials are challenging the move. Election Fight: California and the Justice Department are battling over voter rolls and citizenship checks, with a judge taking over the case involving roughly 20,000 voters.

State Workers: Thousands of California employees staged a one-day strike over pay, health costs and Gov. Gavin Newsom’s four-day return-to-office mandate. Election Fight: The Justice Department is seeking to set aside ballots from roughly 20,000 voters it suspects are noncitizens; California disputes the federal claims, and county officials say they cannot independently verify citizenship. Billionaire Tax: Stanford economists estimate Proposition 40 could raise about $30 billion, far below supporters’ projections, and warn departures could leave the state $39 billion worse off. Flood Risk: A state audit found poor levee maintenance by local agencies in parts of the Central Valley, potentially putting hundreds of thousands of residents at risk as wet weather approaches. Public Health: West Nile infections and deaths have climbed sharply in Los Angeles and Orange counties, which account for most reported California cases this year. Environment: A new hatchery near Fresno is raising spring-run Chinook salmon to help restore a run lost from the San Joaquin River for more than six decades.

ICE Scrutiny: Long Beach officials are seeking an independent probe after U.S. citizen Ricardo Gonzalez was injured during an ICE detention; video appears to show agents using Tasers and pinning him down. State Workers: California public employees are striking Wednesday over pay, health care and the return-to-office mandate, with DMV, parks and other services potentially affected. Election Fight: Federal prosecutors charged 28 people in alleged voting-related cases as the DOJ presses California to set aside ballots tied to roughly 20,000 suspected noncitizens; state officials dispute the federal push. Student Data: A breach at education contractor ETS exposed sensitive information on millions of California students, including names, home addresses and student identifiers. Health Funding: The federal government deferred another $1.2 billion in California Medicaid payments amid a fraud crackdown. Weather and Coasts: Storms could bring heavy rain to Southern California, while king-tide concerns have prompted emergency declarations in Newport Beach and Santa Clara County.

Election Fight: The Justice Department has charged 28 California residents with voting-related crimes and is asking a judge to block ballots from 20,000 people it suspects may be noncitizens. California says the federal government is using flawed data and the law to pressure election workers. Health Care Funding: The Trump administration is withholding another $1.2 billion in Medicaid reimbursements, citing concerns about California’s personal care program but offering no evidence of fraud. Student Privacy: A contractor breach exposed sensitive information belonging to millions of California students, including names, home addresses and student identifiers. Storm Readiness: Marin County is holding neighborhood sessions to prepare for possible El Niño flooding; officials caution that the pattern raises risks but doesn’t guarantee a wet winter. Workplace AI: California’s new law limits employers’ reliance on automated systems for discipline and termination, requiring human review. Juvenile Justice: Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law changing resentencing procedures for people who committed serious crimes as minors, allowing prosecutors to request transfer hearings for defendants who were under 16.

Election Fight: Federal prosecutors charged 28 California green-card holders with alleged voting-related crimes, arresting 11. The cases intensify a dispute over a federal list of 20,000 suspected noncitizen voters; California officials and voting experts challenge the administration’s claims of widespread fraud. Wildfire and Coast: San Clemente faces converging threats as erosion endangers beaches and rail lines, while nearby fires destroyed homes. Forecasters warn a strong El Niño could bring more coastal flooding this winter. Student Housing: Four new state laws aim to speed college housing construction, including by exempting some projects from environmental review and easing development barriers. Data Breach: A cyberattack exposed millions of California students’ records, including sensitive information, after hackers accessed testing files. Wealth Tax: Voters will decide on a proposed one-time 5% tax on billionaires; dozens of multimillionaires have endorsed it as wealthy opponents warn it could drive investment out of state.

Election Fight: Federal prosecutors charged 28 California green-card holders with voting-related crimes, while DOJ presses its broader challenge to state voter rolls. The cases cite roughly 25 to 27 allegedly illegal ballots among 45 million cast in the elections reviewed; defendants are presumed innocent. Road Safety: A 23-year-old Vacaville man died after his car crashed into a tree off I-80 near Cordelia early Sunday; alcohol may have contributed, CHP said. Wildfire Recovery: Southern California crews gained ground on a fast-moving fire that burned six homes and forced about 16,000 people to evacuate. Privacy: California secured a $6 million settlement over the 23andMe breach, which exposed personal and genetic data from 6.9 million customers. Separately, hackers stole millions of California students’ records, including disability information. ICE Scrutiny: A Long Beach man’s family alleges federal agents tased and restrained him after an e-bike crash, leaving him with a broken arm; he was hospitalized. State Workers: SEIU Local 1000 members plan a Wednesday strike amid a contract dispute, seeking better pay, health coverage and remote-work flexibility.

Wildfire Emergency: Southern California fires burned homes and forced about 16,000 people to evacuate as Santa Ana winds spread the flames; firefighters later gained ground, and some residents returned. Election Fight: The Justice Department sued California over roughly 20,000 voters it alleges may be noncitizens, while state officials say the federal data is unreliable. President Trump has also threatened election officials with jail, escalating the dispute weeks before the midterms. Ballot Battle: Proposition 40 would impose a one-time 5% tax on billionaires, with backers projecting $100 billion for healthcare. Opponents have spent heavily to defeat it, warning the measure could drive wealth out of the state. Student Data Breach: A hacker accessed California student testing files for months, exposing millions of records, including disability information. Governor’s Race: Xavier Becerra has stepped up public campaigning in the home stretch, after Republican rival Steve Hilton criticized his limited appearances. Northern California: Wailaki tribal members are challenging the planned Great Redwood Trail, saying it could cross ancestral graves and was approved without adequate consultation. Data Center Rules: New state laws aim to make data centers account for their demands on electricity and water, with regulators now tasked with preventing costs from landing on local residents.

Wildfires & Weather: Southern California crews gained ground on the Norte Fire after it burned about 570 acres, damaged or destroyed at least seven structures and prompted 16,000 people to evacuate; orders have since been lifted. Rain expected midweek could ease fire conditions but raise debris-flow risks near burn scars. Student Privacy: A hacker accessed files on millions of California students through a testing contractor’s system from May to September, exposing sensitive personal and education details. Election Fight: The Trump administration is suing California and Los Angeles County over roughly 20,000 ballots it says may be linked to noncitizens, while Gov. Gavin Newsom accused Trump of trying to rig the midterms. Wind Impacts: Santa Ana winds knocked a branch onto 13 children at a Whittier middle school and led Southern California Edison to cut power to more than 110,000 customers to reduce fire risk.