By Bo Tefu, California Black Media 

California Sees Surge in Gas Prices, Igniting Fresh Political Blame Game

California drivers are once again paying the highest prices at the pump in the nation, setting off a renewed clash between Democrats and Republicans over who is responsible — and what should be done.

The average price for a gallon of regular gasoline in California hovered around $5.90 this week, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA), roughly $1.70 higher than the national average. 

The spike follows a broader trend: the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that gasoline prices surged more than 20% in March, driving the largest monthly increase in the Consumer Price Index in nearly two years.

As costs climb, political leaders are sharpening their arguments.

Gov. Gavin Newsom has pointed to global instability and federal dynamics as key drivers. Last week, his office posted on X in response to a White House post celebrating falling prices for select consumer goods:

“The White House is celebrating because prices for ‘men’s underwear and accessories are down one-fifth of 1%,” Newsom’s office posted. “Sir, we just want lower gas prices. But big congrats on your underwear accessories?”

The jab underscored Newsom’s broader message: that Californians are feeling pain at the pump despite marginal declines in other consumer costs.

Republicans, however, are placing the blame squarely on state policy.

Speaking on Fox News, former California GOP Chair Jessica Milan Patterson argued that policies instituted by Newsom and the Democratic supermajority in the California Legislature have driven up costs through taxes and regulations.

“We have the highest gas prices in the nation. We pay $1.50 to $2.00 more per gallon than the rest of the country,” Patterson said. “It is because of high gas taxes… special fuel mandates… regulations here in California… real leadership would have said… I would suspend the gas tax tomorrow.”

Democrats counter, arguing that global oil markets, refinery constraints and corporate pricing practices all play a role. Some have pointed to ongoing state efforts to increase oversight of oil companies and penalize excessive profits.

Energy analysts broadly agree that California’s higher taxes and environmental standards contribute to elevated prices, but also note that refinery outages, supply limitations and international conflicts can quickly push costs higher.

With summer travel season approaching and volatility in global oil markets continuing, Californians may face sustained high prices — even as leaders in Sacramento and Washington, D.C. continue to argue over who is responsible for the pain at the pump.

A $37.2 Million Boost: California Announces New Funding for Apprenticeships and Workforce Training  

California is investing $37.2 million to expand apprenticeship and workforce training programs, aiming to support more than 60,000 residents and strengthen pathways into high-demand careers.

On April 9, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the funding through the California Apprenticeship Council Training Fund and the California Workforce Development Board’s High Road Training Partnerships. The initiative is designed to help Californians gain job skills while addressing workforce shortages across key industries.

According to Newsom’s office, the investment highlights the state’s broader effort to connect education, training, and employment. 

“Through these programs, we’re strengthening training opportunities for Californians to earn, learn, and build a future without taking on debt,” Newsom said in a statement.

About half of the funding, $18.6 million, will support 160 state-registered apprenticeship programs serving more than 55,000 workers, primarily in construction and skilled trades such as electrical work, plumbing, and HVAC. State officials say these jobs often provide stable careers with median wages above $70,000 per year.

The remaining $18.6 million will fund workforce training through High Road Training Partnerships, which will train at least 4,600 workers in industries including health care, manufacturing, and technology. Several organizations received major awards, including $3.5 million each for the Miguel Contreras Foundation to expand health care career pathways, the San Bernardino Community College District to grow regional workforce programs, and The Empowerment Center to expand mental health training in disaster-affected communities.

California Labor Secretary Stewart Knox said the effort brings together education and industry to create clearer career pathways. 

“Apprenticeships and workforce training are most effective when education, industry, and workforce systems work together,” Knox said.

State officials say the funding also supports broader economic goals, including growth in clean energy, cybersecurity, and health care. The investment is part of a long-term strategy to expand access to good-paying jobs while preparing workers for California’s evolving economy.

Under Pressure, Rep. Eric Swalwell Suspends California Governor Bid Amid Mounting SA Allegations

Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA-14) has suspended his campaign for California governor following mounting pressure from leaders within his own party, capping a tumultuous week dominated by sexual assault allegations and political fallout.

The decision came over the weekend, days after California Democratic Party (CADEM) Chair Rusty Hicks publicly rebuked the allegations as “deeply disturbing” and urged all candidates to reassess the viability of their campaigns.

Swalwell, who is seeking reelection to Congress, had been a candidate in California’s 2026 gubernatorial race. His exit follows a wave of scrutiny triggered by reports published April 10 by Politico and other outlets detailing accusations from a former staffer. The woman alleged that Swalwell engaged in sexual encounters with her while she was his subordinate and sexually assaulted her on two occasions. The allegations have not been independently confirmed.

Additional reporting cited three other women who accused Swalwell of making sexual advances and sending explicit messages and photos. Separately, documents obtained by Politico show that a former employee who settled a workplace discrimination dispute with Swalwell’s office agreed to confidentiality and non-disparagement provisions — contradicting earlier claims by his campaign that no staffers had signed such agreements.

Swalwell has denied the allegations, calling them “false” and politically motivated, and emphasizing his record of supporting women during nearly two decades in public service.

Still, the controversy quickly destabilized his campaign. Several senior staff members resigned, and some endorsers withdrew or paused their support. Hicks stopped short of explicitly calling for Swalwell to exit the race but underscored the stakes.

“First, the stories of victims and survivors should be heard and believed. Period,” Hicks said. “Second, any person engaged in misconduct must take responsibility and be held accountable for their actions — including a member of Congress and candidate for governor.”

Hicks added that his earlier directive to candidates remained in effect: “My call for all — repeat, all — candidates for governor to ‘honestly assess the viability of their candidacy and campaign’ still stands. In fact, that call is more important now than ever before.”

Calls for Swalwell to step aside intensified from within the field of candidates. Tony Thurmond, California’s Superintendent of Public Instruction and a fellow gubernatorial candidate, urged Swalwell to resign from Congress and end his campaign.

“I’m here to acknowledge the courage of the many brave women who have shared accounts of sexual assaults … it’s a sad day and it is difficult to hear these troubling accounts,” Thurmond said, adding that Swalwell should “take responsibility for your actions” and “step away from this race for governor.”

Across the aisle, Republicans failed to select a candidate they will back for governor, leaving the party without a unified standard-bearer after delegates declined to coalesce around either Chad Bianco or Steve Hilton during the California Republican Party convention held this weekend in Sacramento. That stalemate underscores divisions within the GOP field, too, as the 2026 race continues to take shape.

Who’s in Charge — Doctors or AI? Asm. Bonta’s Bills Take Aim at Health Tech

California lawmakers are weighing new limits on artificial intelligence in health care, as concerns grow over whether technology is beginning to override doctors’ judgment in patient care.

At a legislative hearing held April 7 and led by Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Alameda), chair of the Assembly Health Committee, lawmakers advanced Assembly Bill 2575. The bill, introduced by Assemblymember Liz Ortega (D-San Leandro), would require safeguards to ensure AI tools support, rather than replace, clinical decision-making.

The proposal comes as AI is rapidly being integrated into hospitals and clinics. AB 2575 would require health facilities to provide written disclosures about how AI tools function, including their risks and intended use. It also makes clear that health care workers can override AI recommendations, when necessary, based on their professional judgment.

“In health care, artificial intelligence should only support clinical judgment, not replace it,” said Ortega to lawmakers.

The bill would also prohibit employers from retaliating against workers who override or rely on AI systems in good faith. In addition, it would block developers and health care providers from avoiding liability by blaming workers who fail to override flawed AI outputs.

Supporters say the measure addresses real-world risks tied to AI errors and bias. Cathy Kennedy, president of the California Nurses Association, said many workers are required to use AI tools without understanding how they work. “When employers expect nurses to rely on this technology that we cannot meaningfully evaluate, object to, or override, then it puts our patients’ safety at risk,” she said.

Labor advocates argue the bill is part of a broader push to ensure human expertise remains central in the workplace. They say AI should enhance care, not dictate it.

But business and medical groups pushed back, warning the bill could slow innovation and add new burdens. Alexis Rodriguez, speaking in opposition at the hearing on behalf of the California Chamber of Commerce, said the proposal could limit tools already improving care. 

“AI is already helping clinicians detect sepsis sooner, improve the accuracy of cancer screenings, assist with screening patients’ medication orders, and more,” said Rodriguez.

Physician groups also raised concerns about the impact on workloads and legal risk. George Soares, representing the California Medical Association, said the bill may create unintended consequences. “This bill is overly broad and risks creating unintended consequences that could ultimately harm the very patients it seeks to protect.” said Soares.

California Gov’t: Most of the Hospices Accused of Fraud By Social Media Influencers, Officials, Receive Federal Aid – Not Medi-Cal

California officials say hospice providers accused of fraud by conservative influencers and some lawmakers are more likely billing federal programs, not the state’s Medicaid system, pushing back on claims that fraud is widespread in Medi-Cal.

The response follows a state investigation into a Los Angeles office complex highlighted in viral videos and political criticism. Influencers, some state lawmakers and federal government officials have alleged that California is failing to control fraud among hospice providers.

State health officials say the facts tell a different story. Of 48 licensed hospice businesses linked to the Van Nuys site, only 19 are eligible to bill Medi-Cal. Most rely on Medicare, a federally managed program that covers the majority of hospice spending.

The findings underscore a key divide in the debate over fraud oversight. While California licenses hospice providers, the federal government oversees Medicare billing, where state officials say much of the suspected fraud occurs.

A spokesperson for Gov. Gavin Newsom, Diana Crofts-Pelayo, said California has already taken aggressive steps to combat hospice fraud and emphasized that enforcement efforts are ongoing. She also urged federal authorities to strengthen oversight of Medicare, where most hospice reimbursements are processed, saying, “We’re doing our part to raise standards, and it’s time for Washington to step up.”

California Attorney General Rob Bonta has also underscored that while Medi-Cal fraud does occur, it is being actively investigated and prosecuted. During an April 8 news briefing, Bonta announced charges against 21 individuals and the arrest of five suspects tied to a large-scale scheme that fraudulently billed Medi-Cal for approximately $267 million using stolen identities and sham hospice companies. According to investigators, no legitimate hospice services were ever provided in the case, which involves allegations of identity theft, money laundering, and coordinated billing fraud. State officials say the case demonstrates both the existence of bad actors within the system and California’s capacity to detect, halt, and prosecute fraud, countering claims that abuse is unchecked.

Bonta’s investigation was prompted in part by claims that nearly 200 hospice businesses were operating out of a single address. State officials disputed that number, saying the building houses 48 licensed providers and is zoned for multiple office spaces.

Investigators are now reviewing whether those providers are actively operating, properly staffed, and maintaining patient records. Results from the latest inspection are expected in the coming weeks.

Federal authorities have also acted. Prosecutors recently charged eight individuals in connection with an alleged $50 million hospice fraud scheme in the Los Angeles area.

Despite disagreements over responsibility, both state and federal officials acknowledge that fraud exists. California leaders are now calling for stronger coordination with Washington to improve oversight and prevent abuse across the system.

California Assembly Republican Leader, Assemblymember Heath Flora (R-Lodi) is calling for a special legislative session on fraud. 

“Let’s be honest. This latest announcement from the Attorney General is not proactive. It shows how large this problem became before it was stopped. I’m calling for a special session on fraud in California’s state programs. Enough of the announcements while California lags behind and lets the federal government take the lead,” Flora said in a statement. 

“The question is simple: why did it take so long to get here? This is not limited to one program. We’ve seen serious concerns in hospice, Medi-Cal, high-speed rail, homelessness spending, and in-home health services, to name a few. Same pattern every time. Money goes out. Oversight doesn’t keep up,” he said. “Californians deserve to know how much was lost, who was supposed to be watching, and what is being done to make sure it never happens again.”