Newsletter: Essential Politics: Budget, Brexit, ballot

Pick any scale you like – state, national, global – and a good argument can be made that this is going to be a fascinating week to watch the intersection of policy and politics in California.

Good morning from the state capital, I’m Sacramento Bureau Chief John Myers.

While we could easily begin overseas, let’s start here at home as Gov. Jerry Brown prepares to sign into law California’s new state budget.

Most of it, at least.

LATE ACTION ON STATE BUDGET SIDE DEALS

Brown is expected to sign the overarching blueprint of the state budget as soon as today, four days before the start of California’s new fiscal year. But there are unresolved issues, contained in some of the “trailer” bills that actually implement the budget plan.

One issue looks as if it was quietly resolved late last week, with the expansion of a major homeless assistance program to include help for veterans and young people who are on the streets. Assembly GOP Leader Chad Mayes (R-Yucca Valley) on Saturday offered praise for those efforts as well as what he called new “accountability” mandates in the doling out of proceeds from a $2-billion bond to help the homeless who suffer from mental illness.

Even if disagreements over homeless help are over, a few other items remain – some of them, like a new statewide ban on keeping orcas in captivity – that seemingly have very little connection to the budget.

Keep track of this week’s final budget moves on our Essential Politics news feed.

CALIFORNIA BRACES FOR BREXIT IMPACT

The British bombshell of economic independence last week is being closely examined for its effect on the Golden State.

California’s annual exports to Britain add up to about $5 billion – not one of the state’s biggest trade partners, but a relationship that’s been growing in recent years. And from technology to tourism, California officials are wondering what happens next.

THIS IS THE WEEK TO WATCH NOVEMBER’S BALLOT

On Thursday, California’s secretary of state will certify the list of Nov. 8 ballot measures. As we’ve been reporting now for several months, it’s expected to be the longest list of statewide propositions in 16 years.

So far, 10 measures have earned a spot on the ballot, and voter signatures gathered on eight more are expected to receive their final check in the next 96 hours.

One proposed initiative ran into trouble last week in a Sacramento courtroom: an effort to cap the salaries of hospital executives, pushed by a healthcare workers union but apparently a no-no under a complicated peace treaty (of sorts) the union and hospitals signed in 2014.

TRUMP’S BAJA BUST

It sounded perfect: A Baja resort with all the amenities, backed by a real estate mogul who promised the ultimate in luxury.

It wasn’t. Some 250 Southern Californians invested in what they thought were the ocean condo plans of Donald Trump, which were never built. In fact, it turned out to not even be a Trump project.

Michael Finnegan takes a closer look at the legal fight that followed and how Trump’s political opponents have made it a top talking point when it comes to the GOP candidate’s business record.

CLIMATE CHANGE PLAN MARCHES ON -- WITHOUT MONEY

Late last week, the state agency in charge of combating climate change in California passed a $500-million plan to help consumers purchase electric cars and fund other efforts to fight global warming and clean up the air.

But as Liam Dillon reports, the approval doesn’t actually do anything. Regulators are still waiting on Brown and lawmakers to reach a deal on releasing the money. Until that happens, nothing will get spent.

WILL TOM STEYER BREAK THE STREAK?

Quick: Can you name the last super-wealthy Californian who won a regularly scheduled election as governor? Neither can we.

Tom Steyer could be that guy, should he decide to run in 2018. Cathleen Decker caught up with the billionaire Democratic activist, who’s been funding the party’s candidates and causes in the past two election cycles. If he’s made up his mind about running for governor, he’s not saying.

(By the way, “regularly scheduled election” is a nod to the fact that Arnold Schwarzenegger won in the unprecedented recall race in 2003.)

TODAY’S ESSENTIALS

-- The historic domed Capitol in Sacramento was locked down, with staffers and tourists inside, for much of Sunday afternoon after at least seven people were stabbed in clashes between white nationalists, skinheads and hundreds of protesters denouncing “Nazi scum.”

-- With all but a few ballots left uncounted, Rep. Mike Honda (D-San Jose) is trailing behind Democratic challenger Ro Khanna by about 2,200 votes. It’s a big reversal from 2014, when Honda beat Khanna by more than 20 points in the primary and went on to defeat him by four points that fall.

-- Citing her experience with gun laws, the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence endorsed Atty. Gen. Kamala Harris in the U.S. Senate race on Friday.

-- State lawmakers have resurrected a controversial bill that could allow developers to erect several giant electronic billboards around the $1-billion Metropolis high-rise project in downtown Los Angeles.

-- In a closely watched race for Los Angeles County supervisor, Democrat Darrell Park maintains his thin lead over state Sen. Bob Huff (R-Diamond Bar) for the second and final spot on the November ballot to replace retiring Supervisor Mike Antonovich.

LOGISTICS

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