Eli Kamisher

Newsom Seeks $18 Billion for Utilities’ Wildfire Fund as California Faces Future Blazes California Governor Gavin Newsom is circulating a legislative proposal to shore up a state fund for utilities that’s at risk of being depleted following the deadly wildfires that struck Los Angeles Co...

Exclusive: Newsom proposes adding $18B—paid by ratepayers and utilities—to a wildfire fund designed to help PG&E, SoCal Edison, & SDGE avoid bankruptcy due to fire liabilities. Reporting w/ @mchediak.bsky.social www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

San Francisco’s New Mayor Woos the Rich to Revive Battered City Daniel Lurie enlists business titans and his wealthy friends to pull the tech hub out of its post-Covid slump — and restore its reputation.

Inside Daniel Lurie’s charm offensive on the rich: Lunches with billionaires at a Michelin starred restaurant, standing ovations, and an affordable housing cut. W/@bizcarson

(Read till the end for the mayor’s off-menu meal at Quince)

www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...

Edison Has Miles of Idle Power Lines in High Fire Risk Zones Edison International’s Southern California utility has 465 miles of unused power lines like the one accused of sparking January’s deadly Eaton Fire and is now weighing whether some should be removed, ...

News: Edison has 465 miles of idle power lines similar to those accused of starting the Eaton Fire. If the company is found liable for starting the blaze "the spark alone did not create the catastrophe," the CEO says. @mchediak.bsky.social
@michellema.bsky.social www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

As Trump Obsesses Over California Water, Farmers Look to Win Big Welcome to Bloomberg’s California Edition—covering all the events shaping one of the world’s biggest economies and its global influence. Join us each week as we put a unique lens on the Golden State. ...

Subscribe to Bloomberg's new newsletter on California. You'll see a lot of my reporting and deep coverage of Hollywood and tech.

This week's features the ascendant bloc of Central Valley farmers with Trump's ear on water. www.bloomberg.com/news/newslet...

Freshman congressman Vince Fong was among the group of Republicans shaping Trump’s water order. “There is a moment right now, a once-in-a-generation opportunity to move more water,” said Fong.

Trump’s California Water Order Does More for Farms Than Fires The state’s Republican farmers are an emerging force but still fear tariffs and deportations.

Trumps water order does little for fires — but it’s a win for a bloc of California’s GOP farmers & lawmakers with newfound influence. www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...

Thoughtful story that explores the tension between rebuilding safely and the core American desire to rebuild quickly.

By Eli, @toddwoody.bsky.social @michellema.bsky.social and edited by @amandakhurley.bsky.social.

Pacific Palisades was home to a lot of Teslas. Lots of folks abandoned their vehicles as they rushed to evacuate. Now those batteries are complicating the area’s clean up efforts.

Burning Teslas Add to Toxic Mix of Pollution Delaying LA Return As the smoke clears from devastating Los Angeles wildfires, efforts to clean up the affected areas are being complicated by burnt-out electric and hybrid vehicles and home-battery storage systems.

Burned out electric vehicle batteries have added to toxic hazards that are complicating LA's clean-up effort. One expert compared it to the Maui fire, but 10 times larger.

In Maui, the EPA shipped more than 30 tons of lithium batteries.

www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

Los Angeles Pushes to Rebuild Homes Fast, Despite Wildfire Danger Some rules have been waived to encourage the swift replacement of burned-out homes. Fire experts say it’s critical that new homes be resilient to future risk.

LA homeowners want to rebuild fast and politicians are waiving green construction mandates that could slow them down. But future wildfires loom. www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...

“Believe it or not there may be some things that we agree on here,” said Matt Dorsey, a member of San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors, said of the incoming administration. “Fentanyl dealing and fentanyl addiction may be an area where there is some agreement.”

DA Jenkins said in a statement that she’s willing to continue working with federal authorities to ensure “dignified, safe neighborhoods that are not held hostage by unrepentant drug traffickers” although she added any cooperation with Trump remains uncertain.

Since last year, the US Attorney's office has been prosecuting low-level drug dealing cases in SF and offering plea deals that lead to deportation. Advocates say the program circumvents sanctuary policy and “scapegoats the immigrant community” for the fentanyl crisis.

It's part of broader recalibration as cities prepare to navigate Trump’s upcoming second term. NYC Mayor Eric Adams has said he’s open to deporting immigrants accused of crimes. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has said that undocumented “violent criminals” should be deported.

San Francisco’s Fentanyl Deportations Show Rare Unity With Trump Liberal San Francisco is eyeing at least one patch of common ground with President-elect Donald Trump.

NEWS: Trump's deportation efforts could see some support in SF. Biden has already sent scores of migrants in SF to deportation under “fast track” prosecutions.

“They deport them,” said Mayor-elect Lurie. “And if they continue to do that, they have that right.

bloomberg.com/news/article...

News from Newsom's office: CA has removed college degree requirements from nearly 30k jobs and plans to double that number in 2025.

San Francisco’s Next Mayor Vows Local Focus While Trump Looms As liberal-leaning cities gird for potential antagonism from the Trump administration, San Francisco’s incoming mayor is vowing to prioritize local issues over national political battles.

First bluesky post (sky?)

My intv with incoming Mayor-elect Daniel Lurie striking a measured tone on fighting the Trump admin.
"We need to get our house in order here,” Lurie said. He is also open to tax breaks for corporations that help the arts & culture scene. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...