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From The Mercury News: California Democrats in the state Legislature were poised Thursday to approve $50 million to fund fresh and anticipated lawsuits against the Trump administration and fund legal defenses for immigrants facing deportation as part of a splashy special session called by Gov. Gavin Newsom.
But when members of the state Assembly gathered in Sacramento on Thursday morning, Democrats broke into a private huddle for 45 minutes. When they emerged, they declined to vote on the proposal. The state Senate approved the plans last week, and Democrats have said for months that the funding package is urgent.
Democrats and Republicans proceeded to offer wildly different explanations for the delay.
A spokesperson for Democratic Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas said lawmakers needed more time to respond to a sweeping spending freeze attempted this week by the new administration of President Donald Trump, which is causing widespread confusion and chaos even after a federal judge paused the plan. The White House has since rescinded the freeze memo but said the policies behind its proposed funding cuts remain in place.
Republicans, meanwhile, said that some Democrats had cold feet over a provision dealing with immigration. Assembly Bill 2 would provide $25 million to nonprofits that defend immigrants from deportation. State Republicans have blasted the bill and contend that it would fund the legal defenses of immigrants convicted of crimes.
The $50 million legislation was touted as a needed package to “Trump-proof” the state, including taking $25 million in taxpayer money for a fund to help illegal aliens fight against deportation. Another $25 million was intended to be set aside for legal fees for potential lawsuits Gov. Newsom expects to file against the Trump administration.
Meanwhile, Trump traveled to California last week to tour the damage left behind by the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, and participated in a roundtable discussion with LA Mayor Karen Bass and other local leaders.
Suddenly, Democrats have ‘delayed’ the vote on the $50 million package intended to fight the Trump administration.
READ MORE from the Mercury News.
California Democrats delay vote to “Trump-proof” the state and protect immigrants https://t.co/FpCBZlSBVn
— Mercury News (@mercnews) January 30, 2025
California’s far-left Attorney General Rob Bonta, a Democrat expected to run for governor of the state in 2026, has touted that he sued the prior Trump administration 123 times, and won over two-thirds of those cases.
Bonta has vowed to keep fighting Trump’s immigration policies, and has alrady joined two lawsuits this month, over birthright citizenship and potential freezes in federal spending.
In Bonta’s latest attack, he is vowing to fight against Trump’s recent executive order which restricts ‘chemical and surgical’ sex-change procedures for minors.
“President Trump’s attempt to prevent transgender youth from accessing medically necessary healthcare is cruel and irresponsible. Denying this care would jeopardize youths’ wellbeing. This vital care remains available in CA, and we will continue to defend all who seek it,” Bonta fumed in a statement.
Read more: https://t.co/CuptE3VBew
— Rob Bonta (@AGRobBonta) January 30, 2025
NEWS ALERT: Newsom and state Dems strike $50 million deal to ‘Trump-proof’ California
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