SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Monday was the start of the California legislative session, and it was met with several demonstrations, including an immigration rally that led to blocked off streets around the state Capitol.
Inside the building, the tension was just as high between Democrats and Republicans as a Special Session took place to brace California for another presidency under Donald Trump.
The swearing-in ceremony took place Monday around noon.
Robert Rivas (D) was once again elected Speaker of the Assembly. His colleagues say they will need his strength.
Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria (D) supported Rivas’s nomination, noting that changes in Washington will test their shared California values.
Rivas said in his opening remarks that assembly members can introduce 35 bills this year, down from the previous limit of 50.
Rivas promised this session will focus on cost of living.
The day was also the start of a Special Session called by Governor Gavin Newsom, who said the session is meant to protect Californians from potential federal overreach ahead of the incoming Trump administration.
“If LGBTQ people come under attack, if hard working immigrants are targeted, women’s reproductive freedom threatened, we will fight back with everything we have,” Rivas said.
Newsom is working with lawmakers to establish a special $25 million litigation fund for the California Department of Justice.
During his last term, California sued the Trump administration 120 times.
Josh Lowenthal (D), now Speaker Pro Tem, shared his thoughts with ABC10 on the Special Session, emphasizing the state's funding priorities.
“California has a lot at stake. It has a checkered pass with the Trump administration, and we are deeply concerned about making sure we have funding available for things like emergencies,” Lowenthal said.
Newsom said he’s looking to safeguard reproductive rights, marriage equality, the climate crisis, wildfire relief and immigration.
California Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher, who was also nominated for speaker, said the special session amounts to posturing from Newsom.
“Gavin Newsom wants to run for president that’s what this is about. This I want to fight Trump, be a progressive darling. The real irony, here’s a Governor who his state is struggling with the highest cost in the nation, highest unemployment rate in the nation right now, insurance crisis, cost-of-living crisis and we call a Special Session to what? Pay more government lawyers to sue Trump. It’s tone deaf,” Gallagher said.
Political analyst Steve Swatt said Newsom is setting himself to be the leader of the national resistance against Trump, but he said Democrats will have some explaining to do to the tax payers for spending more in a budget deficit.
“They will say this is really a drop in the bucket when we are trying to protect the values and the programs most Californians hold dear,” Swatt said.
According to the governor’s office, the proposed new legislation is expected to make it to his desk to be signed into law before Jan. 20, 2025.
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