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Proposition 40, the ballot measure that would have imposed the nation's first wealth tax, appeared headed for defeat after a campaign in which its own labor backers were deeply divided. The Associated Press had not called the measure, but the sponsoring union said in a post that it appears unlikely to pass.
- Opponents spent more than $300 million against the measure
- The measure directed nearly all of its revenue to health care
- Sponsor Dave Regan vowed to keep fighting and suggested a return to the ballot in 2028
- Governor Gavin Newsom consistently opposed state level wealth taxes, and teachers and firefighters unions also resisted the measure
- Senator Bernie Sanders called Proposition 40 the most important ballot initiative in America
Source: Politico California
Governor Gavin Newsom has asked the California Supreme Court to clear the way for commuting the death sentences of all 548 people awaiting execution in California to life in prison without the possibility of parole. None of the commutations has taken effect.
- 382 of the commutations need the court's recommendation, with four justices concurring, because those people were twice convicted of a felony
- The remaining 166 do not need the court's sign-off, but the governor's office has said none will go into effect until the necessary legal steps are completed
- The commutations would not release anyone, make anyone eligible for parole, pardon anyone, or change any conviction or restitution order
- The governor asked the court to issue its recommendation by the end of the year, before his term ends
- Governor-elect Xavier Becerra takes office on January 4 and has pledged to extend the 2019 moratorium on executions
Source: San Francisco Inquirer
Jane Kim has been elected California's next insurance commissioner, defeating state Senator Ben Allen. The Associated Press called the race close to 9 p.m. on Saturday night.
- Kim will be the first woman and the first Asian American elected to the position
- The race was the first time two Democrats faced each other in a general election for insurance commissioner since voters made the office an elected position in 1988
- Kim finished first in the June top-two primary with 27.4 percent of the vote
- Kim takes office in January, replacing term-limited Commissioner Ricardo Lara
- Her signature proposal, Natural Disaster Insurance for All, would create a state-run program to cover wildfire risk
Source: The Stanford Daily
Press Conferences and Media Briefings
No press conference or media briefing publicly announced in the sources checked this morning.
Inside the Legislature
No Senate or Assembly floor sessions are scheduled for Monday, November 9. The Legislature is in final recess, which began upon adjournment on August 31.
The 2026 tentative legislative calendar lists November 30 as adjournment sine die at midnight, and December 7 at 12 noon as the convening of the 2027-28 Regular Session.
Source: California State Senate
The Governor's Office
West Sacramento: California and tribal leaders celebrated the opening of the first phase of the California Indian Heritage Center on Friday, November 6. The welcome center sits on a 51-acre property at the confluence of the American and Sacramento Rivers.
The welcome center features a large interpretive shade structure, seating areas, gathering spaces, trails, walkways, and interpretive exhibits. The site is where the Governor issued a formal apology in 2019 for the state's role in historic atrocities committed against Native Americans.
California committed $100 million to the project in the 2018-19 budget and authorized an additional $100 million through fundraising. The welcome center parking area is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., admission for California tribal members is free, and public parking is $6.
Source: Office of the Governor
Sacramento: Governor Gavin Newsom on Friday, November 6 issued a proclamation declaring November 2026 as Native American Heritage Month.
The proclamation states that the state has returned more than 100,000 acres of land, backed by over $200 million, and invested hundreds of millions more in tribal clean energy and housing.
Source: Office of the Governor
Sacramento: Governor Gavin Newsom issued a statement honoring Los Angeles Police Department Officer Thomas Denton, who lost his life on November 5, 2026 while participating in an on-duty training exercise.
Officer Denton, 46, was assigned to the Metropolitan Division and served for 20 years. He is survived by his wife and two children. In his honor, flags at the State Capitol and Capitol Annex Swing Space will be flown at half-staff.
Source: Office of the Governor
Fundraising
No fundraiser publicly posted or announced in the sources checked this morning.
New Appointments
Governor Gavin Newsom on Friday, November 6 announced the following appointments.
Abnner Olivares, of Sacramento, has been appointed Special Assistant to the Secretary at the California Housing and Homelessness Agency. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $115,008. Olivares is a Democrat.
Kacey Hadick, of Grass Valley, has been appointed to the State Historical Resources Commission. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Hadick is a Democrat.
Nathan Ballard, of Mill Valley, has been appointed to the State Historical Resources Commission. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Ballard is a Democrat.
Charmaine McDarment, of Porterville, has been appointed to the San Joaquin River Conservancy Governing Board. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $75 per diem. McDarment is a Democrat.
Source: Office of the Governor
People and Moves
No personnel move publicly announced in the sources checked this morning.
Boards and Commissions
Sacramento: The California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls and First 5 California hold a joint meeting on Monday, November 9, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at 915 Capitol Mall, Board Room 121, Sacramento, CA 95814.
The meeting is conducted in a hybrid format, with commissioners also participating from Carlsbad, City of Industry, Beverly Hills, and Santa Barbara. Members of the public attending will be given the opportunity to comment on each agenda item prior to any Commission action.
Source: California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls
Sacramento: The Underground Safety Board holds a business meeting on Monday, November 9, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., and on Tuesday, November 10, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., at the California Natural Resources Agency, 715 P Street, First Floor Auditorium, Sacramento, CA 95814.
The meeting is held in person and virtually via Microsoft Teams, and meeting materials are available on the meeting docket.
Source: Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety
Sacramento: The Sacramento Regional Transit District Board of Directors meets on Monday, November 9, 2026. The board's agenda items and combined agenda file for the meeting are posted on the district's board documents page.
Source: Sacramento Regional Transit District
Reports and Studies
The Secretary of State issued an unprocessed ballot report for the November 3, 2026 General Election on November 5, compiling estimates from county elections officials.
| Ballots processed and counted | 8,906,017 |
|---|---|
| Estimated ballots remaining to be processed and counted | 4,816,722 |
| Deadline for counties to report final results to the Secretary of State | December 4, 2026 |
| Date the Secretary of State certifies the results | December 11, 2026 |
Source: Secretary of State
Talks and Addresses
No talk or address publicly announced in the sources checked this morning.
Conferences and Events
The California Chamber of Commerce annual Public Affairs Conference runs Monday, November 9 through Tuesday, November 10, 2026. The conference kicks off at noon on Monday, November 9 and concludes on Tuesday, November 10 with an early evening reception.
The conference brings together public affairs professionals, policy specialists, elected officials, and campaign experts on the issues shaping California's business climate.
Source: California Chamber of Commerce
Rallies and Protests
No rally or protest publicly announced in the sources checked this morning.
Lobbying and Campaign Filings
The Secretary of State's Cal-Access daily campaign filings list for Monday, November 9, 2026 shows no filings found.
Source: Secretary of State
The Secretary of State's Cal-Access daily lobbying filings list for Monday, November 9, 2026 shows no filings found.
Source: Secretary of State
Campaign Notes
San Francisco: State Senator Scott Wiener has won the race for California's 11th Congressional District, according to the Associated Press, after Supervisor Connie Chan conceded on Wednesday evening. The seat has been held by Nancy Pelosi since June 1987, and Pelosi endorsed Chan.
In the Secretary of State update posted at 4:21 p.m. on Sunday, November 8, Wiener had 157,394 votes, or 53.6 percent, to Chan's 136,435 votes, or 46.4 percent. The count is not finished and the result is unofficial until certification.
If the result holds, Wiener would be sworn in with the new Congress on January 3, 2027. His move would open his seat in the state Senate, which would be filled by a special election called by the governor.
Source: San Francisco Inquirer
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