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Governor Gavin Newsom left California on Tuesday to join international leaders at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Antalya, Turkey. He framed his attendance as a chance to tell the world that California climate leadership is delivering results, and criticized President Trump as a no-show for declining to send a delegation for the United States.
- Newsom is expected to meet with other world leaders and sign pacts to address climate change together
- His remarks in Antalya are framed around reducing greenhouse gases, encouraging zero-emission and electric vehicles, and increasing the state's reliance on clean energy
- The governor's envoy in Turkey includes First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot, and California Air Resources Board Chair Lauren Sanchez
Source: Los Angeles Times
As one of his final acts before his term ends, Governor Gavin Newsom on Thursday commuted the sentences of all 548 condemned California prisoners. He denounced what he called state-sanctioned killing in an open letter to the public.
- The California Supreme Court has to sign off on more than 400 of the commutations, so most of the prisoners are not yet off death row
- A crime victims advocacy group plans to challenge the order, CalMatters reporters Jeanne Kuang and Nigel Duara report
- San Luis Obispo District Attorney Dan Dow, in an October letter to the governor, called a blanket clemency order a slap in the face to murder victims and their loved ones
- Newsom issued a moratorium on executions shortly after taking office in 2019
- Pending approval from the state's high court, the action would be the largest mass commutation of death sentences in United States history
Source: CalMatters
One week after California's midterm election, the state's statewide races have largely come into focus. As of Tuesday, November 10, the Associated Press estimates that about 83 percent of votes have been counted, and news outlets are projecting winners for major offices.
- Governor: Democrat Xavier Becerra defeated Republican Steve Hilton, leading 65.8 percent to 34.2 percent as of November 10, and will be the state's first Latino governor since 1875
- Lieutenant Governor: Democrat Fiona Ma is projected to defeat Republican Gloria Romero, 65.7 percent to 34.3 percent
- Secretary of State: Democratic incumbent Shirley N. Weber is projected to win over Republican Donald P. Wagner, 66.6 percent to 33.4 percent
- Controller: Democratic incumbent Malia Cohen is expected to win over Republican Herb Morgan, 65.6 percent to 34.4 percent
- Treasurer: Democrat Eleni Kounalakis is projected to win over Republican Jennifer Hawks, 65.8 percent to 34.2 percent
- Attorney General: Democratic incumbent Rob Bonta is expected to win over Republican Michael Gates, 65.6 percent to 34.4 percent
- Insurance Commissioner: Democrat Jane Kim is projected to win over Democrat Ben Allen, 53.8 percent to 46.2 percent
- Superintendent of Public Instruction: Richard Barrera is expected to win, leading Sonja Shaw 59.1 percent to 40.9 percent, after Shaw conceded
- County election officials must certify results by Thursday, December 3, and send them to the Secretary of State by December 4, with certified results posted by Friday, December 11
Source: Palm Springs Desert Sun
Press Conferences and Media Briefings
No press conference or media briefing publicly announced in the sources checked this morning.
Inside the Legislature
The Assembly has adjourned for Final Recess, and there are no committee hearings scheduled today.
Source: California State Assembly
The Governor's Office
Governor Gavin Newsom is leading a California delegation to COP31, the United Nations climate conference in Antalya, Türkiye, held November 9 to 20, 2026. The Governor is expected to announce new climate partnerships and meet with world leaders and international partners, including Australia, which is leading this year's negotiations.
- The United States State Department has confirmed it will not send a delegation to COP31
- The delegation includes First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot, Food and Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross, California Public Utilities Commission President John Reynolds, Air Resources Board Chair Lauren Sanchez, and Samuel Assefa, Director of the Governor's Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation
- California climate pollution declined 3.9 percent in 2024 while its economy grew 3.2 percent
- Battery storage capacity has grown to more than 23,000 megawatts, up from nearly 17,000 megawatts at the time of COP30
- Californians have purchased 2.7 million zero-emission vehicles
Source: Office of the Governor
Governor Newsom announced nearly $1.3 billion to protect passenger rail service, expand clean transportation, and make everyday trips easier for Californians. The 28 awards are through the California State Transportation Agency's Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program and State Rail Assistance program.
- A $750 million investment will advance The Portal, extending Caltrain about two miles from Fourth and King streets into downtown San Francisco and connecting Caltrain to the Salesforce Transit Center
- A $20 million investment will help Metrolink avoid proposed service reductions of 29 percent on weekdays and 40 percent on weekends, maintaining service through summer 2028
- The awards will put more than 75 new zero-emission buses and microtransit vehicles into service across the state
- In the Sacramento region, 21 hydrogen fuel cell electric buses will support increased service between Sacramento and Davis
- Nearly $1.3 billion supports 19 projects through the eighth cycle of the Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program, and an additional $66.5 million in State Rail Assistance funding supports eight projects
Source: Office of the Governor
Governor Newsom highlighted state revenue and economic figures in a release on the strength of California's economy.
| Top three revenue sources above forecast since April | $7.7 billion |
|---|---|
| Size of the California economy | $4.5 trillion |
| Venture capital flowed to California companies as of August 2026 | $366 billion |
| Share of United States startup funding going to California companies this year | 75 percent |
| Payroll jobs added from September 2025 through September 2026 | 129,300 |
| Statewide minimum wage next year | $17.40 an hour |
| Manufacturing output in 2025 | $391 billion |
| Goods exports in 2025 | $188 billion |
| Small businesses in California | 4.3 million |
Source: Office of the Governor
Governor Newsom issued emergency proclamations to support recovery from the Mile Post 18 Fire in Humboldt County and the August 2026 monsoon storm in Imperial County.
The Mile Post 18 Fire burned approximately 7,600 acres in Humboldt County in August, including on the Hoopa Valley Reservation, and caused significant damage to State Route 96. The proclamation allows the California Department of Transportation to request assistance through the Federal Highway Administration's Emergency Relief Program for highway repairs.
In Imperial County, an August 12 storm brought torrential rainfall and strong winds, causing widespread flooding and debris flows and damaging electrical infrastructure. The proclamation authorizes the Governor's Office of Emergency Services to provide assistance under the California Disaster Assistance Act to support infrastructure repairs.
Source: Office of the Governor
Governor Newsom issued a proclamation declaring November 11, 2026, as Veterans Day, signed on November 5, 2026.
The proclamation cites Proposition 1 providing $1 billion for veterans through new housing and programs such as Homekey+, and recent legislation providing income tax relief for eligible military retirees and expanding property tax exemptions for disabled veterans and qualifying surviving spouses.
Source: Office of the Governor
California is making up to $4 million available for research exploring the potential of psychedelic treatments to improve veterans' health. The California Initiative for Precision Medicine is opening a Request for Applications to fund psychedelic research through partnerships between California non-profit academic research institutions and veteran communities, supporting project teams over three to four years.
Funding for the research was allocated by AB 113, a budget trailer bill that Governor Newsom signed earlier this year. Applicants must submit a non-binding Letter of Intent by December 18, 2026, followed by an initial application due February 19, 2027.
Source: California Health and Human Services Agency
Fundraising
San Diego: The California Council for Affordable Housing holds its CCAH PAC Reception on Wednesday, November 11, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Bay View Room at Paradise Point Resort, immediately following the Fall Conference Welcome Reception. The ticketed reception benefits the CCAH PAC and its work to support pro-housing leaders and policies throughout the state.
Individual tickets are $150, with sponsorship opportunities available. RSVP is highly encouraged.
Source: California Council for Affordable Housing
New Appointments
No new appointment publicly announced in the sources checked this morning.
People and Moves
No personnel move publicly announced in the sources checked this morning.
Boards and Commissions
San Francisco: The San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission Enforcement Committee meets on Wednesday, November 11, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Metro Center, 375 Beale Street, 1st Floor Board Room, San Francisco, in a hybrid meeting.
The meeting is also available via Zoom, meeting ID 872 9322 7079 and passcode 796954, and by toll-free teleconference at 1 855-758-1310.
Source: San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission
Reports and Studies
The Public Policy Institute of California published a report on participation in California prison programs amid and after the pandemic. The report covers people released from California state prisons between 2020 and 2023, and program areas ranging from education and employment to behavioral health.
| People studied, released from 2020 to 2023 | 118,052 people, released 127,133 times |
|---|---|
| Share of people released in 2023 who participated in at least one education, employment, or behavioral health program | 61 percent |
| Share of people released in 2019 who participated in at least one such program | 68 percent |
| Change in average annual releases compared with before the pandemic | About 5,000 fewer people per year |
| Share of the pandemic cohort who spent a year or less in prison | 42 percent |
Source: Public Policy Institute of California
Talks and Addresses
No talk or address publicly announced in the sources checked this morning.
Conferences and Events
San Diego: The California Council for Affordable Housing Fall 2026 Conference runs November 11 to 13, 2026, at Paradise Point Resort, Sunset Ballroom, San Diego.
On Wednesday, November 11, the CCAH Board Retreat and Meeting runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Bay View Room, for board members only.
Early conference check-in opens from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Paradise Terrace during the Welcome Reception and Cocktail Party, sponsored by PGIM Real Estate and the Northern California Women's Affordable Housing Network.
Source: California Council for Affordable Housing
Rallies and Protests
No rally or protest publicly announced in the sources checked this morning.
Lobbying and Campaign Filings
Lobbying Registration Renewal for the 2027-2028 Legislative Session is taking place from November 1 to December 31, 2026. Continuing lobbying entities must be renewed at the beginning of each legislative session, and the planned go-live date for the new CAL-ACCESS system is February 16, 2027.
Source: Secretary of State
No lobbyist registration, termination, or client deletion publicly listed in the sources checked this morning.
Campaign Notes
Nurses and Educators for Healthy CA Communities sponsored by SEIU California State Council filed a Form 496 late independent expenditure report (Amendment #1) on November 10, 2026 opposing Josh Hoover in Assembly District 7, reporting $58,854.10 in expenditures for digital ads made on October 20, 2026. The race is tracked in the Assembly District 7 district profile. Source: Secretary of State
Catherine Blakespear for Senate 2026 filed a Form 497 late contribution report (Amendment #2) on November 10, 2026 for Catherine Blakespear in State Senate District 38, reporting $32,377.27 in contributions received on October 30, 2026, all from the California Democratic Party, in amounts of $30,895.99, $1,111.48, $184.88, $112.82, and $72.10. The race is tracked in the State Senate District 38 district profile. Source: Secretary of State
Ayanna Davis for Assembly 2026 filed a Form 497 late contribution report (Amendment #1) on November 10, 2026 for Ayanna Davis in Assembly District 65, reporting $12,400.00 in contributions received on November 2, 2026, including $5,900.00 from Consumer Attorneys PAC, $2,500.00 from the American Property Casualty Insurance Association California PAC, $2,500.00 from Centene and its affiliate Health Net, and $1,500.00 from the California Family Beer Distributors Association PAC. The race is tracked in the Assembly District 65 district profile. Source: Secretary of State
Ayanna Davis for Assembly 2026 filed a Form 497 late contribution report (Amendment #1) on November 10, 2026 for Ayanna Davis in Assembly District 65, reporting $10,800.00 in contributions received on October 16, 2026, including $5,900.00 from Kalshi Inc. and $4,900.00 from the California Alliance of Family Owned Business PAC. The race is tracked in the Assembly District 65 district profile. Source: Secretary of State
Sergio Farias for Assembly 2026 filed a Form 497 late contribution report on November 10, 2026 for Sergio Farias in Assembly District 74, reporting $5,900.00 in contributions from the Service Employees International Union Local 1000 Candidate PAC received on November 5, 2026. The race is tracked in the Assembly District 74 district profile. Source: Secretary of State
Sara Deen for Assembly 2026 filed a Form 497 late contribution report on November 10, 2026 for Sara Deen in Assembly District 66, reporting $5,900.00 in contributions from Continental Development Corporation received on November 9, 2026. The race is tracked in the Assembly District 66 district profile. Source: Secretary of State
Valley Families for Melissa Hurtado for Senate 2026 filed a Form 497 late contribution report (Amendment #2) on November 10, 2026 for Melissa Hurtado in State Senate District 16, reporting $2,576.14 in contributions received on October 27, 2026 from the California Democratic Party, in amounts of $2,095.55 and $480.59. The race is tracked in the State Senate District 16 district profile. Source: Secretary of State
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