After two years of deficits, the California budget is in a strong position with a projected surplus of $16.5 billion, though Governor Newsom has been cautious in discussing new spending.

KP Public Affairs’ Patrick George recently caught up with POLITICO editorial director for California, Julia Marsh who shared updates, insights, and tips for working with the highly influential outlet.

Assembly Bill 347 would charge the Department of Toxic Substances Control with creating a new regulatory enforcement program for PFAS-in-consumer products bans.

If the Legislature adopts the Governor’s proposal, the Cleanup in Vulnerable Communities Initiative will see reductions of $136 million in fiscal year (FY) 2023–24 (the current fiscal year), $85 million in FY 2024–25, and $47.5 million in FY 2025-26.

Hydrogen policy is rising as a key issue legislators will debate this year, in addition to concerns about energy affordability, net energy metering, and electric utility rates as the state balances efforts to accelerate the state’s nation-leading climate and renewable energy goals despite increasing concerns about energy reliability.

Senate Bill (SB) 903 (Skinner) would ban the distribution and sale of products containing “intentionally added PFAS” beginning January 1, 2030, unless the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) determines that the use of PFAS in a product is a “currently unavoidable use,” the ban is preempted by federal law, or the product is used.

Corporations and businesses, associations, and consulting and financial entities need to keep an eye on California to not only shape policy outcomes but also to understand proposals that may be duplicated in other state capitals or feed into the D.C. political discourse.

An excerpt from a recent PR Week commentary from Patrick George, partner at KP Public Affairs, on the subject of natural disaster preparedness.

Recent commentary from Patrick George, partner at KP Public Affairs, on the subject of MBA reputation.

KP Public Affairs caught up with Yousef Baig, editor of the recently rebranded California Voices commentary section for nonpartisan and nonprofit news organization CalMatters.

The KP Public Affairs team caught up with Hannah Wiley who recently joined the Los Angeles Times – Sacramento Bureau from The Sacramento Bee.

KP Public Affairs checked in with POLITICO reporter Katy Murphy and POLITICO California Editor Kevin Yamamura to hear updates, discuss trends and issues, and learn how to work with the politically influential outlet.

KP is pleased to provide this brief information about actions and potential actions of the Governor’s Office, California Legislature, and regulatory agencies in response to the COVID-19 virus and the potential state response to the economic impacts.