Newsom Taps California’s First Black Finance Director to Steer Troubled High-Speed Rail Project
Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed Joe Stephenshaw, director of the California Department of Finance, as interim CEO of the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) on Oct. 29, after former CEO Ian Choudri resigned abruptly.
Newsom and the CHSRA board of directors unanimously appointed Stephenshaw, and his tenure officially began on Nov. 3, 2026. He is expected to bring rigorous oversight, financial management, and accountability back to the multibillion-dollar bullet train project.
The appointment followed the sudden resignation of former CHSRA CEO Ian Choudri, who cited personal reasons. He stepped down amid intense political scrutiny and a state watchdog investigation conducted by the agency’s Office of the Inspector General.
The first African American to hold the director of finance position in state government, Stephenshaw served for over four years as Gov. Newsom’s chief fiscal policy advisor and cabinet member, managing the state’s annual budget proposals. He was appointed by the governor in July 2022.
Stephenshaw is regarded as an established fiscal expert with over two decades of public finance, infrastructure policy, and legislative budget strategy experience in California.
An Oct. 30 statement from Gov. Newsom’s office said that Stephenshaw will bring a “fresh leadership to the High-Speed Rail Authority Board.”
“Joe Stephenshaw has spent the last four years guarding the state’s budget as Director of Finance. The Governor is grateful for that service and confident Joe is the right person to oversee the Authority in the interim. With thousands of workers on the job across the Central Valley every day and major milestones ahead, this project keeps moving forward,” Newsom’s office shared.
The project is a publicly funded high-speed rail system intended to connect the major megaregions of California. Managed by the CHSRA, the system is designed to run on 100% renewable energy with electric trains capable of reaching top speeds of 220 miles per hour.
Since its approval by voters in 2008, the project has faced massive political scrutiny, severe funding shortfalls, environmental hurdles, and consecutive schedule delays.
The probe revealed that the rail authority had misused over $600,000 in taxpayer funds, paying for unauthorized or unallowable consultant travel expenses—including first-class flights and recreational trips to nightclubs, gyms, and escape rooms.
Asm. Isaac Bryan: Environmental Reparations Are Coming Soon for Some Californians
Thousands of California families have lived for generations near oil fields and industrial sites linked to serious health risks. Now, a new state law championed by Assemblymember Isaac G. Bryan (D-Ladera Heights) could provide up to $5,000 in direct compensation to some households affected by pollution near the Inglewood Oil Field.
Bryan, who represents communities surrounding the oil field, said Assembly Bill (AB) 1661 establishes a program to provide cash payments to households whose health has been affected by living near drilling operations. Bryan discussed the legislation in an interview with Capitol916, describing it as an expansion of California’s efforts to address environmental harm in Black communities.
The measure directs $5 million collected through penalties on low-producing oil wells into assistance for up to 1,000 eligible households. Under the program’s initial structure, qualifying families could receive payments of up to $5,000. Eligibility is intended for households within 2.5 miles of the oil field with residents who have experienced qualifying respiratory or reproductive health impacts.
“I knew then two years ago that the next step was to get direct cash payments out to families who have had their health impacted living next to the fields,” Bryan said.
The legislation builds on AB 2716, which Newsom signed in 2024 and requires the Inglewood Oil Field to close by 2030. That law also established a penalty structure for low-producing wells, with revenue directed toward community repair and reinvestment.
Bryan said the new compensation program draws inspiration from Chapter 24 of California’s Reparations Task Force report, which calls for closing toxic environments in Black communities and creating urban green spaces and parks.
However, he said lawmakers expanded on those recommendations by introducing direct financial compensation from polluters to families affected by environmental damage.
“It is the largest form of environmental reparations of its kind in South LA, and it’s a model that I think we can continue to build on,” Bryan said.
The program comes after decades of concerns about pollution exposure in predominantly Black neighborhoods surrounding the Inglewood Oil Field, including Inglewood, Baldwin Hills and Ladera Heights. Residents and environmental justice advocates have linked nearby oil operations to respiratory illnesses, reproductive health complications and other health concerns.
The program’s implementation will depend on how Los Angeles County establishes its application process and determines eligibility. Advocates have called for accessible requirements so families without extensive medical documentation are not excluded from receiving assistance.
Bryan said the initiative represents an opportunity to move beyond environmental cleanup and begin compensating families who have suffered the health costs of industrial pollution.
At Oakland Reception, Becerra Meets With Northern California Black Leaders
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra met with Black elected officials, faith leaders, labor representatives and civic leaders in Oakland on Oct. 27, urging them to mobilize voters ahead of California’s Nov. 3 election and warning that President Donald Trump’s policies threaten communities of color.
“In California, we don’t take a knee for Donald Trump. We’re going to stand up and fight this all through,” Becerra said. “Because we know what’s at stake. They are coming for us (people of color).”
The former U.S. secretary of Health and Human Services continued, “Donald Trump is on the ballot. You may not see his name, but his fingerprints are all over this. He is trying to change the course of democracy.”
The reception was held at Oakstop, a Black-owned co-working space founded by Trevor Parham that supports entrepreneurs, artists and community organizations.
Discussions focused on leadership, representation, economic opportunity and policies affecting Black families.
Becerra outlined commitments to expanding affordable housing, improving health care and education, supporting Black-owned businesses and defending diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee and Ken Maxey, president and CEO of the Urban League of the Greater San Francisco Bay Area, joined Becerra at the gathering.
Lee praised Becerra’s experience and longstanding ties to the region.
“I’ve known Xavier and I know what he will do as governor,” Lee said. “He’s grounded. He’s steady. He listens, and he has been to Oakland and our region several times. He knows us so well. I’m happy he’s here one week before the election.”
Becerra also emphasized the election’s implications for political representation and opportunities for communities of color.
“There’s something else on the ballot. You and me,” Becerra told the guests, most of them Black, at the Oakland reception. “If we let this guy (Trump) win, you won’t have mayors like Barbara Lee. You won’t see people who look like me having a chance because they will do everything to undermine that opportunity.”
Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA), whose members attended the reception, endorsed Becerra.
Maxey underscored the importance of leadership and community solidarity.
“We are blessed to be able to say that Xavier Becerra will be our next governor,” he said.
Election 2026: Economy, Inflation and Corruption Are Among Top Issues for Most Californians
Economic concerns, rising living costs and dissatisfaction with the direction of the country are weighing on Californians as voters prepared for the Nov. 3 general election, according to a new statewide survey by the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC).
The survey found that 45% of California adults identified the cost of living, inflation, and the economy as the most important issues facing the state. Housing costs and availability ranked second at 12%, followed by concerns about government and elected officials at 8%.
Concerns about corruption were more prominent when respondents were asked about the country’s biggest problems. Fourteen percent identified corruption as the most important problem facing the United States, behind the economy, unemployment and jobs at 26% and threats to democratic norms at 18%.
Mark Baldassare, PPIC’s statewide survey director, described the public mood as deeply pessimistic.
“If you’re looking for one word to describe Californians’ mood as they are filling out their ballots, it would be gloomy—very gloomy,” Baldassare said in a statement accompanying the survey. “Affordability continues to be a central concern, with majorities across demographic groups saying their incomes are not keeping up with inflation.”
The findings reflect widespread concerns about household finances. About 77% of California adults expect bad economic times over the next 12 months, while 76% say their incomes are not keeping up with inflation. The share reporting that their income is falling behind has increased from 71% in February.
Housing affordability is another major concern. Nearly two-thirds of respondents, 64%, said housing costs are a big problem in their part of California, while another 32% described them as somewhat of a problem. Residents in the San Francisco Bay Area were most likely to identify housing costs as a big problem, at 71%, followed by the Inland Empire at 68% and Los Angeles at 67%.
Dissatisfaction also extends to the direction of the state and country. Fifty-nine percent of adults said California is heading in the wrong direction. Nationally, 82% said the United States is on the wrong track, the highest share recorded by PPIC since it began asking the question two decades ago.
The survey was conducted Oct. 16-22 among 1,728 California adults in English and Spanish. The margin of error for the full sample is plus or minus 3 percentage points.
Bill Essayli Banned From Criminal Cases: Judge Rules Southern California Top Federal Prosecutor Is Serving Unlawfully
A federal judge has ruled that Bill Essayli, Southern California’s top federal prosecutor, is unlawfully serving as a de facto U.S. attorney and barred him from overseeing two criminal cases, delivering a setback to the Trump administration’s efforts to keep him in the position without Senate confirmation.
Senior U.S. District Judge J. Michael Seabright issued the ruling Tuesday, finding that the Justice Department’s revised arrangement did not legally authorize Essayli to exercise the powers of a U.S. attorney. However, the judge delayed the disqualifications from taking effect while the government prepares to seek a stay pending appeal.
“In sum, Essayli is unlawfully serving as a ‘de facto’ United States Attorney,” Seabright stated.
Essayli initially became interim U.S. attorney for the Central District of California in April 2025. After his 120-day appointment expired, then-Attorney General Pam Bondi appointed him as a special attorney and designated him first assistant U.S. attorney in an effort to preserve his authority.
Seabright had previously rejected the arrangement but allowed Essayli to continue supervising prosecutions under his other titles. The judge revisited the issue after the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected a similar appointment arrangement involving Nevada prosecutor Sigal Chattah.
The Justice Department subsequently revised Essayli’s delegation of authority, excluding certain powers reserved for a formally appointed U.S. attorney. Seabright found the changes did not meaningfully limit the authority being delegated.
“Withholding the three specific statutory powers mentioned in the revised designation order in reality withholds nothing,” the judge stated.
The ruling bars Essayli from participating in or supervising two criminal prosecutions involving Jaime Hector Ramirez and Tu Anh Tran. However, Seabright declined to dismiss the indictments, finding that the defendants had not demonstrated the substantial prejudice required for that relief.
H. Dean Steward, an attorney who challenged Essayli’s authority, called the decision “a victory for the rule of law and the U.S. Constitution.”
Essayli disagreed with the ruling. After learning of the decision, he told the Los Angeles Times that the case “will be decided by the Supreme Court.” He later added, “I look forward to serving in my current role until then.”
The case is part of a broader legal dispute over the Trump administration’s efforts to install federal prosecutors without Senate confirmation. The administration has asked the Supreme Court to review the separate Nevada case, but the court has not indicated whether it will take up the matter.
Gov. Newsom Announces “Record Drop” In Homeless Population
Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a second consecutive annual decline in homelessness, with preliminary state estimates showing decreases in both the unsheltered population and overall homelessness.
Across 44 local regions, unsheltered homelessness declined 6.5% in 2026 compared with 2025, while total homelessness fell 3.4%, according to the Newsom administration. Since 2024, preliminary estimates show unsheltered homelessness has dropped 12.8% and total homelessness has decreased 6%.
The administration said the latest figures mark the first consecutive annual declines in both measures since 2013 and 2014. However, the 2026 estimates are preliminary, and seven of the 44 regions did not conduct new unsheltered counts this year. Their previous figures were used in the statewide estimate.
“California is proving that homelessness is not inevitable,” said Newsom. “We’re making progress because we’re building housing, expanding treatment and shelter, and holding ourselves and local governments accountable.”
As part of the state’s response, Newsom announced the opening of the Ritter Center in San Rafael, the first behavioral health facility funded through Proposition (Prop) 1’s bond program. The facility will provide mental health care and substance use treatment, with 1,412 outpatient treatment slots projected to serve more than 7,000 people annually.
The administration also reported that Prop 1 funding has delivered 6,948 residential treatment beds, or 102% of its target, and 27,868 outpatient treatment slots, exceeding its initial goal by 4%.
The state expects 13 additional facilities funded through the Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program to open by the end of 2026, with all construction expected to be completed by 2028.
Newsom also announced that more than $146 million in bond funding would be redirected to three behavioral health projects in Los Angeles and Shasta counties. The projects include psychiatric care and crisis stabilization, peer-led support in Los Angeles’ Skid Row neighborhood, and residential and outpatient addiction treatment.
The administration attributes the decline in homelessness to investments in housing, shelters, behavioral health treatment and local accountability. Federal data previously showed unsheltered homelessness in California fell 6.77% in 2025, compared with a 2.88% decline nationwide.
While the preliminary figures suggest continued progress, they do not establish how much of the decline resulted from any single state program.
SEIU Local 1000, CalHR Set Nov. 20 Mediation After Failing to Reach Agreement
SEIU Local 1000 and the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) failed to reach an agreement during an Oct. 30 mediation session. Both sides agreed to resume negotiations on Friday, Nov. 20.
The labor dispute intensified after thousands of state workers staged a historic one-day strike Oct. 21. Tensions escalated further when union members disrupted a CalHR conference to protest alleged intimidation of employees by state managers.
SEIU Local 1000 is demanding a 20% wage increase over three years to offset rising living costs and compensate for a previous pay freeze. The state has resisted proposals that would significantly increase spending.
The union is also seeking stronger telework protections to reduce employees’ fuel and commuting expenses, putting it at odds with Gov. Gavin Newsom’s mandate requiring state workers to report to their offices four days a week.
The mandate took effect July 1.
Although the union has not ruled out another walkout, both sides say they remain committed to negotiating a fair agreement when mediation resumes Nov. 20.
