By Camille von Kaenel

Presented by Heat Pump Nation Inc.

BEES IN THEIR BONNETS: California is behind other states in regulating a common insecticide linked to the death of bees despite the crucial role that the insects play in pollinating crops in the nation’s leading agricultural state.

Neonicotinoids make up a quarter of the global insecticide market and are highly effective, killing unwanted bugs by working on their central nervous system and boosting yields of grains and vegetables. But they’re trickling into ecosystems and harming other species, too, and not just honeybees, which have become a rallying cry for the public.

The U.S. EPA determined that their use would push more than 200 endangered or threatened species of butterflies, native bees, mollusks and others closer to extinction. Research also suggests problems for human health, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reporting that it found the toxins in at least half of humans in the U.S.

California carts in millions of honeybees to pollinate its orchards every year. | Rich Pedroncelli/AP Photo

The decadeslong campaign to limit their use in California has repeatedly stumbled, even as others take the plunge: The European Union has banned neonics and states including New Jersey, Maine and Nevada have limited their use.

Pollinator fans are hoping to push their cause forward this year with Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan’s Assembly Bill 363, which heads to the Senate Appropriations Committee on Sept. 1. The bill would direct the Department of Pesticide Regulation to pass rules on the use of neonics in non-agricultural settings, like golf courses, by 2026.

California’s agricultural industry and Chamber of Commerce oppose the proposal, arguing that lawmakers should let state and federal regulators set the pace.

A version of the bill was vetoed last year by Gov. Gavin Newsom, who said the Department of Pesticide Regulation was going to work on new rules. But lawmakers are skeptical.

After being prodded by a 2014 bill, the Department of Pesticide Regulation finalized rules limiting the use of neonicotinoids on crops this year, and it estimates they could bring down use of the insecticide by 45 percent when they go into effect in January.

A spokesperson for the Department, Leia Bailey, said regulating the use of the insecticide in non-agricultural settings is a “priority item” but did not provide a timeline.

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PAY UP: Los Angeles police officers will get a sizable pay hike — much to the dismay of the growing progressive bloc on the Los Angeles City Council.

The nearly $1 billion contract between the city and the police union attempts to stanch the staffing exodus on the force by giving a nearly 13 percent raise for new recruits. With backing from Mayor Karen Bass and the council leadership, the agreement easily won final approval in Council on Wednesday on a 12-3 vote.

Three progressive members mounted a campaign to block the deal, arguing it will draw money away from needed city services. This is the second big setback for the left this year; in May, the city approved a new budget that increases the size of the LAPD.

Still, Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez, one of the more vocal opponents, saw an upside to Wednesday’s proceedings: the fact that she and her allies were able to force the conversation in the first place.

Read more about what today’s vote says about the sway of the Council’s progressive faction and why they’re not picking a fight directly with Bass. — Melanie Mason

SUBSCRIBE TO CALIFORNIA CLIMATE: Climate change isn’t just about the weather. It's also about how we do business and create new policies, especially in California. So we have something cool for you: A brand-new California Climate newsletter. It's not just climate or science chat, it's your daily cheat sheet to understanding how the legislative landscape around climate change is shaking up industries across the Golden State. Cut through the jargon and get the latest developments in California as lawmakers and industry leaders adapt to the changing climate. Subscribe now to California Climate to keep up with the changes.

MAYBE DON'T CALL IT SOFTBALL: When athletes stray into politics, they’re often admonished to stick to sports. Based on the recent injury toll, lawmakers might be safer sticking to politics.

Assemblymember Damon Connolly fractured his ankle during warm-ups for this week’s legislative softball game — and then played on the broken bone, going 4-5 with a couple of RBIs as NorCal legislators defeated their SoCal rivals. Connolly‘s ankle wasn’t the only casualty: Assemblymember Matt Haney’s mighty swing dislocated his hip.

Assemblymember Damon Connolly (D-San Rafael) fractured his ankle in California's annual legislative softball game in August. | Aaron Vad / California Assembly

We’ll see if this affects Connolly’s output — it’s tougher to work the floor during the final days of session when you’re hobbling — but it’s the latest evidence of the hazards of mixing sports and public service. North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum tore his Achilles' tendon during a pickup basketball game on Tuesday and showed up for GOP presidential debate prep on crutches. — Jeremy B. White

TAX TUSSLE: The contours of an intensifying tax fight were clear on Wednesday as the Assembly advanced a constitutional amendment impeding a ballot measure that makes it tougher to raise taxes. Business groups clashed with local governments and labor over ACA-13, which would require a two-thirds vote to pass a 2024 initiative imposing that same two-thirds bar for taxes.

Business foes decried a legislative play to thwart a specific ballot initiative. “This would make it more difficult to pass the Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act. That’s why this exists. We don’t need to kid around,” said the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association’s Scott Kaufman.

Democrats and their allies countered that business interests were abusing the system — in Assemblymember Chris Ward’s words, to “extract legislative action.” Assemblymember Blanca Rubio — noting that her “phones blew up” amid a “crazy” flurry of meetings — argued that turnabout is fair play. “The gamesmanship happens all the time,” Rubio told Kaufman. “If it is gamesmanship, you’re doing the same thing.” — Jeremy B. White

COMING TO CLASSROOMS NEAR YOU: High schools across California will be required to offer ethnic studies courses by the fall of 2025, but not all curricula are created equal, the Newsom administration warned school leaders this morning. Some of the instructional materials being marketed for the classes fall short of state requirements that they not promote “bias, bigotry, or discrimination,” Newsom education adviser Brooks Allen told schools in a letter. Allen also asked administrators to “closely scrutinize” what they’re buying.

The governor’s office also today announced $91 million in grants meant to combat hate crimes and an ad blitz promoting resources for people experiencing discrimination — a campaign dubbed “CA vs Hate.” — Blake Jones

A message from Heat Pump Nation Inc.:

“San Francisco officials urge court to let homeless encampment sweeps resume,” by The San Francisco Standard’s Annie Gaus: San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu and a team of attorneys tried to persuade a three-judge panel to toss out a hotly debated injunction that restricts the city from clearing homeless encampments.

“California woman from El Dorado County is first tourist identified as Maui wildfire fatality,” by The Sacramento Bee’s Alex Muegge: Theresa Cook, 72, of Pollock Pines was staying at the Best Western Pioneer Inn in Lahaina.

“Apple lends support to California’s right-to-repair bill,” by TechCrunch’s Bryan Heater: In a surprise move, Apple this week penned a letter to California state senator Susan Talamantes Eggman, voicing support for SB 244.

GROWING IN THE GOLDEN STATE: POLITICO California is growing, reinforcing our role as the indispensable insider source for reporting on politics, policy and power. From the corridors of power in Sacramento and Los Angeles to the players and innovation hubs in Silicon Valley, we're your go-to for navigating the political landscape across the state. Exclusive scoops, essential daily newsletters, unmatched policy reporting and insights — POLITICO California is your key to unlocking Golden State politics. LEARN MORE.

“Southern California’s ‘water doctor’ pushes for transformation to adapt to climate change,” by the Los Angeles Times’ Ian James.

“California boards want to keep pandemic rules for public meetings. Critics call it bad for democracy,” by CalMatters’ Sameea Kamal.

A message from Heat Pump Nation Inc.:

Extreme heat is here to stay. California needs a statewide plan to upgrade homes and buildings with clean cooling. AB 593 ensures that Californians can create safe and healthy climate-ready homes and communities.

YES on AB 593 for:

• Relief from extreme heat
• Safeguards for low income households
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