SEAL BEACH UPDATES

California's 34th State Senate 

California's 34th State Senate district is one of 40 California State Senate districts. It is currently represented by Republican Janet Nguyen of Fountain Valley.

The California State Senate is the upper house of the California State Legislature. Due to the state's large population and relatively small legislature, the State Senate has the largest population per representative ratio of any state legislative house. In the United States House of Representatives, California is apportioned 53 representatives, each representing approximately 704,566 people,^[1] while in the State Senate, each of the 40 Senators represents approximately 931,349 people,^[2] with the result that California state senators each actually represent more voters than California's representatives to the United States Congress do. Each member roughly represents a population equivalent to the state of Delaware. As a result of Proposition 140 in 1990 and Proposition 28 in 2012, members elected to the legislature prior to 2012 are restricted by term limits to two four-year terms (eight years), while those elected in or after 2012 are allowed to serve 12 years in the legislature in any combination of four-year state senate or two-year state assembly terms.^[3]

The State Senate convenes at the California State Capitol in Sacramento.

In the current session, Democrats control 27 seats, comprising a two-thirds supermajority of the chamber. Republicanscontrol 13 seats.

History

Prior to 1968, state senate districts were drawn so that each county had at most one state senator. This led to the situation of a populous county such as Los Angeles County being accorded the same number of state senators (1) as less populous counties such as Humboldt County. In Reynolds v. Sims, the United States Supreme Court compelled all states to draw up districts with equal population. As such, boundaries were changed to comply with the ruling.

Leadership

The Lieutenant Governor is the ex officio President of the Senate and may break a tied vote. The President pro tempore is elected by the majority party caucus, followed by confirmation of the full senate. Other leaders, such as themajority and minority leaders, are elected by their respective party caucuses according to each party's strength in the chamber.

The current president pro tem is Democrat Kevin de León (24th–Los Angeles). The minority leader is RepublicanPatricia Bates (36th–Laguna Niguel).

Meeting chamber

The red tones of the California State Senate Chamber are based on the British House of Lords, which is outfitted in a similar color. The dais rests along a wall shaped like an "E", with its central projection housing the rostrum. The Lower tier dais runs across the entire chamber, there are several chairs and computers used by the senate officers, the most prominent seat is reserved for the secretary who calls the roll. The higher tier is smaller, with three chairs, the two largest and most ornate chairs are used by the President Pro Tempore (right chair) and the Lieutenant Governor (left chair). The third and smallest chair, placed in the center, is used by the presiding officer (acting in place of the Pro Tem) and is rarely sat in as the president is expected to stand. There are four other chairs flanking the dais used by the highest non-member officials attending the senate, a foreign dignitary or state officer for example. Each of the 40 senators is provided a desk, microphone and two chairs, one for the senator, another for guests or legislative aides. Almost every decorating element is identical to the Assembly Chamber. Along the cornice appears a portrait of George Washington and the Latin quotation: senatoris est civitatis libertatem tueri ("It is a senator's duty to protect the liberty of the people").

Officers

The Secretary, the Sergeant-at-Arms, and the Chaplain are not members of the Legislature.

Composition

27	13
Democratic	Republican

COUNTY AND STATE UPDATES

By Carla Marinucci (cmarinucci@politico.com) and David Siders (dsiders@politico.com) with Diamond Naga Siu (dnagasiu@politico.com)

FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: KDL MAKES PLAYBOOK POWER LIST 2018: POLITICO Playbook's look at "the 18 politicians, activists and players poised to have a big year in 2018'' includes de León as one to watch. Read the whole Power List here.

-- From the profile by POLITICO's David Siders: "Kevin de León couldn't have hoped for a cleaner opening when Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) told an audience this summer it could be possible for Donald Trump to become "a good president." Feinstein got booed by a hometown crowd, and de León, sensing a break in California's Democratic old guard, soon mounted a campaign to unseat her." Story.

-- Also of interest, profiled by POLITICO's Carla Marinucci: Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), the first Indian-American woman elected to Congress, and a leader of the Democratic Progressive caucus: "Take the day California Republican Rep. Darrell Issa accused Jayapal - born in India, raised in Indonesia and Singapore - of "naiveté" on the issue of immigration on the House floor. Jayapal's pointed tweet: "Thank goodness we have so many men in Congress to mansplain our naiveté. Here's to you, @DarrellIssa." Story.

LONG SHOT NO MORE -- "Kamala the Inevitable?" -- The Inevitability of Kamala Harris: The freshman Democratic senator from California carefully navigates expectations she'll morph into a 2020 contender,'' By USNews & World Report's David Catanese, Senior Politics Writer: " For a couple of hours on a recentThursday, Sen. Kamala Harris of California became the favorite to win the Democratic Party's 2020 presidential nomination. According to the oddsmakers, that is. ... PredictIt, a website that allows election junkies to place real money behind their political prognostications, has been asking thousands of its traders who they think will be the party's next White House standard-bearer. Harris, just entering her 12th month as a senator, has remained among the top three candidates since the market openedAug. 30." Story.

CALIFORNIA AND THE CAPITOL CORRIDOR:

JERRY BROWN MAKES THE BLOOMBERG 50 -- 50 people who "changed the world" in 2017: by Bloomberg's Esmé E. Deprez: "If any doubt lingered about who would lead states' opposition against President Trump, Brown quashed it within hours of the White House's June announcement that the U.S. will be withdrawing from the Paris climate agreement. "This is an insane move," the 79-year-old Democrat said. Story.

-- "California Assembly hearing on sexual harassment policies leaves unanswered questions,'' by LATimes Jazmine Ulloa: Story.

-- Exclusive: Pentagon Evaluating U.S. West Coast Missile Defense Sites-Officials,'' via Reuters in Simi Valley: "The U.S. agency tasked with protecting the country from missile attacks is scouting the West Coast for places to deploy new anti-missile defenses, two Congressmen said on Saturday, as North Korea's missile tests raise concerns about how the United States would defend itself from an attack. Story.

-- "Could California be seeing onset of recession?,'' by Dan Walters in CALMatters: "Twice each year, once in January and again in May, Gov. Jerry Brown warns Californians that the economic prosperity their state has enjoyed in recent years won't last forever. Brown attaches his admonishments to the budgets he proposes to the Legislature - the initial one in January and a revised version four months later." Story.

-- 'In Mexico, they made a new American dream - minus their kids,'' by LATimes' Kate Linthicum: "For decades, millions of Mexicans crossed into the U.S. in one of the largest mass migrations in modern history. But stricter immigration enforcement and new opportunities in Mexico have reversed the trend. Now, many are returning to towns like Malinalco, a rural community southwest of Mexico City. But coming home, it turns out, can be complicated. Story.

-- "She begged him not to leave Mexico again. But the lure of America was powerful, and deadly,'' by LATimes' Kate Linthicum: Story.

-- "Elon Musk releases plans for tunnel transportation system: Long Beach to Valley at 125 mph," via LADailyNews' Sandy Mazza: The three-dimensional tunnel network, called Loop, would run from Long Beach Airport to Sherman Oaks, parallel to the 405 Freeway. Short complementary routes from Los Angeles International Airport to Dodger Stadium, and out to the beaches in Santa Monica and the South Bay beach cities, also are in the plans. Story.

CAMPAIGNS 2018 AND BEYOND:

-- "De León pressured as sexual misconduct scandal creeps into U.S. Senate race,'' by SFChronicle's Melody Gutierrez and John Wildermuth: "Two days after state Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de León announced he would challenge fellow Democrat U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein in next year's election, a sexual harassment scandal broke under his roof. Story.

-- Gubernatorial candidates -- all of them -- meet up for the first time in San Diego, via Jerry Roberts' Newsmakers, Laura Capps reporting: "Six months before the June primary, the session was significant, not only as evidence of how crucial the public school community is to California Democrats who campaign for statewide office, but also as a benchmark of some small but important differences between the four on education policy. As the latest public opinion polls show the two Republicans running far behind the leaders, it also was a demonstration of the difficulty a GOP candidate faces in finishing in the top two in June, and qualifying for a November run-off next year." Story.

-- These maps show why some California Republicans are nervous about changes to the tax code,'' by LATimes Jon Schleuss: "California taxpayers would be hit disproportionately hard under the Republican tax plan because of changes to two popular tax breaks. Story.

-- "The major parties just aren't cutting it for California voters,'' by LATimes' John Myers: "A statewide survey by the nonpartisan Public Policy Institute of California found 64% of likely voters agreed with the statement that the Democratic and Republican parties are doing "such a poor job that a third major party is needed." Story.

-- "Maria Shriver for Governor?" -- Willie Brown in SFChronicle, always one for stirring the pot, throws out a new possibility in the governor's race: "Shriver is no longer a registered Democrat. She's among the 42 percent of California voters who are 'decline to state.' ... I don't want to make Gavin Newsom, Antonio Villaraigosa or the other hopefuls nervous. But Shriver's question got me to thinking that she may be interested in running." Story.

IN THE INBOX: @CAGOP @RepMimiWalters' cheery holiday letter to #CA-45 constituents gives a "look back at some important legislation & events" recently -- yet doesn't mention her vote for #GOPTaxBill which polls show overwhelmingly unpopular in CA.

-- "Group says Rep. Duncan Hunter is too close to the vaping industry, seeks ethics review ,'' by San Diego Union Tribune's Joshua Stewaert and Morgan Cook: "A legal advocacy group has asked the Office of Congressional Ethics to look into Rep. Duncan Hunter's "endorsement of private vaping products in blatant disregard of the House Ethics Rules" - but Hunter's office says the group is just blowing smoke. Story.

FEDERAL UPDATES

What’s happening: (CNBC)
“The Senate Budget Committee on Tuesday approved the Republican tax bill, a crucial procedural step toward a vote by the full chamber later this week. …Republican Senate leaders want to pass the plan later this week. As it holds 52 seats, the GOP can lose only two votes and still approve the bill under special budget rules, assuming all Democrats and independents oppose it.

What you can do:
✓ Call senators today. Here are three ways:

1. Use TrumpTaxToolKit.org to see if you are represented by one of the 9 key Republican votes, and find accompanying contact information and shareable resources there. The pivotal senators are Moran (KS), Collins (ME), McCain (AZ), Murkowski (AK), Corker (TN), Flake (AZ), Daines (MT), Johnson (WI), Young (IN), Heller (NV).
2. If not, use this 5calls.org tool and call both of your senators. Regardless of party, everyone should call both of their senators this week. Pressure is cumulative.
3. Use Indivisible’s peer-to-peer dialing tool to call voters in key states who are represented by swing Republicans. These voters have fought for progressive causes in the past, and you can easily connect them to their senators office.

✓ Use this tool to write to your senators today. A good topic to cover is the number of people who will receive a tax hike in your state.

✓ Find an upcoming local action with MoveOn (or create your own).From today (November 29) through December 2, there are actions taking place nationwide.

✓ Find and share resources from StopTrumpTaxCuts.org. On that link you’ll find a social media toolkit, infographics highlighting the worst features of the plan, fact sheets, and more.

✓ Graduate students: there is a nationwide walkout on Thursday. The proposed tax bill is estimated to raise taxes on graduate students by nearly 400%.

Calls and in-person actions take priority this week. After we do what we can above, we can share resources and analyses of the plan. Our friends and neighbors need to hear how directly this will impact them.

✓ Read and share. 

1. Poll: Majority of small businesses oppose GOP tax bill
   (Click to tweet) (Click to share on Facebook)
    
2. Senators Scramble to Advance Tax Bill That Increasingly Rewards Wealthy
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3. Senate GOP tax bill hurts the poor more than originally thought, CBO finds 
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4. Graduate Students Sound Alarm on Huge Increases Under GOP Tax Plan: ‘I Would Be Hopelessly Priced Out’ 
   (Click to tweet) (Click to share on Facebook)
    
5. The GOP is trading 13 million people’s health care for corporate tax cuts
   (Click to tweet) (Click to share on Facebook)

Net Neutrality

✓ Go to BattleforTheNet.com and use their simple, easy call tool that will connect you with your rep and provide you with a script. Congress can stop the FCC. 266,000+ calls have already been made. Protests are also taking place nationwide on December 7.