Three of the most influential Democrats in the state Capitol made some bizarre announcements on Wednesday. In short, they He is working on a plan to address the state's huge budget deficit. By making some spending decisions this spring, well before the June deadline for passing a budget.

But they did not say how much of the deficit the plan would eliminate, saying only that it would be in the range of $12 billion to $18 billion, without specifying what cuts they would make.

This announcement was odd because it was clearly Deficit of at least $38 billionGovernor. Gavin Newsom Legislative leaders have discussed taking “early action” for weeks but left out the most important details. Typically, the governor and leaders of both legislative chambers issue a joint budget statement only when they have reached a substantive agreement, so this announcement was notable not for what they did not say, rather than what they did say.

“A plan to make a plan” As my colleague Taryn Luna explained:illustrates the challenges Newsom faces going forward. Speaker of the Assembly Robert Rivas (D-Hollister) and Senate President Mike Maguire (D-Healdsburg) Addressing what could be the largest budget deficit in state history. This first step was supposed to be the easy part, making some budget adjustments that would be relatively painless compared to the deep cuts coming this summer.

Check out Luna's insightful article for more details. Newsom and Democrats unveil plan to reduce massive budget deficit, but method is yet to be determined

I'm Laurel Rosenhall, Sacramento bureau chief for The Times, and I'll give you a quick program update before we get into the rest of the news this week.

My colleagues across the LA Times newsroom and I have been working on exciting plans to update our political newsletter leading up to this year's elections. Today's California Politics edition will be my last. We'll take a week off and then return to your inboxes in April with a new look and new writers. I promise it'll be great.

Now, here's what else is happening in Golden State politics this week.

Willie Brown, 90: Still a political visionary

Columnist George Skelton interviewed Willie Brown this week, a legendary figure in California politics who made history as the first black Assembly speaker and the first black mayor of San Francisco. Brown turned 90 on Wednesday.

Recalling his first meeting with Brown at the State Capitol, Skelton remembers exactly what Brown was wearing: a Nehru jacket, which Skelton writes was a sign of countercultural rebellion and “a symbol of confidence and independence.”

“Brown didn't walk into those big mahogany Capitol doors in 1965 simply to fit in. He did, but more than that, he led and became one of the most important political leaders in California history,” Skelton writes.

This is a fantastic column summarizing Brown's incredible rise from his childhood working in a racially segregated Texas barbershop to the pinnacle of power in California. It's packed with historical anecdotes that show Brown's political thinking in action, and how he achieved power by turning his enemies into his friends.

Read it: Despite being 90 years old and his eyesight failing, Willie Brown's political vision is unparalleled.

Voter fraud, reality and suspicion

On March 11, ballots are sorted by precinct at the San Joaquin County Board of Elections office in Stockton.

(Jose Luis Villegas/Courtesy of The Times)

It wasn't big news when it happened earlier this year, but former Lodi City Councilman Shakir Khan Claims “No Controversy” The San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office charged him in January with felony charges, including election fraud, after they said they found 41 sealed, completed ballots at his home and approximately 70 people who had registered to vote using his address, phone number and email.

The plan stems from Khan's 2020 run for city council. Times reporter Mackenzie Mays explains.And while there is no evidence that the incident was linked to a widespread voter fraud scheme (the local sheriff said, “To our knowledge, there was no impact on state or federal elections”), the incident has stoked widespread fears about election security.

The incident drew the attention of conservative commentators nationwide, emboldened local right-wing activist groups, sowed voter distrust in an already turbulent political landscape and prompted the county to spend thousands of dollars on election security measures, including new ballot drop boxes and surveillance cameras. Together with local activists concerned about election security I shared this interesting story on Super Tuesday.

Central Valley politician indicted for voter fraud. Right-wing conspiracies rule.

California Political Trends

Voters Approve Governor Newsom's California Mental Health Care Reform Proposition 1
A close race for governor. Gavin NewsomA $6.4 billion bond measure aimed at reforming California's mental health care system finally closed on Wednesday after more than two weeks. Primary ElectionElection officials have until April 12 to officially certify the results, but with more than 7.5 million votes counted statewide, Proposition 1 was leading with 50.2% of the vote when the race began.

Border security could destabilize some California Democrats and their control of Congress.
Earlier this month, 37 Democrats voted in favor of the Laken-Riley Act, which would require the Department of Homeland Security to detain immigrants arrested on theft-related charges. A week later, 14 Democrats voted in favor of a resolution “condemning the Biden Administration's open border policies.” The vote may reflect how vulnerable Democrats are to fend off attacks from opponents who say they are soft on immigration and the border.

In California's Central Valley, two Republican candidates are facing off to replace Kevin McCarthy.
Central Valley voters have chosen two Republicans who will face off in May to represent the San Joaquin Valley in Congress for the remainder of a former congressman's term. Kevin McCarthyDuring his term, McCarthy's chosen successor, Rep. Vince Fongwill move on to a runoff election in May. With most of the votes counted, Tulare County Sheriff Mike BoudreauA conservative who values ​​law and order, he said he expects to make inroads.

Rep. Katie Porter says she regrets calling California's Senate primary “rigged”
A member of parliament who speaks his mind frankly. Katie Porter she, Loss in California Senate Primary To my fellow Democratic congressman. Adam B. Schiff Republican Steve Garvey.

Commentary: More than 30 states have elected female governors. Will California finally join the fray?
In California's 173-year history as a state, it has had 40 governors: Democrats, Republicans, Unionists, Know-Nothings, businessmen, lawyers, and former mayors. From bodybuilder to movie star. Two movie starsIn fact, not a woman. It stands out like a half dome' wrote columnist Mark Z. Barabac.

Column: We know who Trump should pick as VP. And she's here in OC.
Columnist Gustavo Arellano said “nobody is looking beyond me” at who Trump should pick as a candidate, arguing that he would be a good choice for mayor of Huntington Beach. Gracie Van Der Mark.