DRIVING THE DAY: HERE’S THE DEAL — After weeks of dramatic will-they-or-won’t-they negotiations, Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara came out Thursday with a plan to stabilize California’s insurance market. Read about it from our colleague Blanca Begert. THE BUZZ — GUNS AND TAXES: Gun safety activists and Democratic lawmakers are putting pressure on Gov. Gavin Newsom to sign a measure that would tax firearm and ammunition sales in California — a signal that they worry he might not sign it. The governor has long been an outspoken champion for stricter gun laws, and he’s repeatedly criticized the NRA and gun manufacturers in the wake of deadly mass shootings. But the firearm tax measure, Assembly Bill 28 by Jesse Gabriel, puts Newsom in a tougher spot because it pits two of his priorities against each other. In this case, his support for gun violence prevention is clashing with his opposition to new taxes. Ordinarily, it’s a foregone conclusion that Newsom will sign progressive gun-safety measures that make it to his desk. For example, Newsom said he would sign Senate Bill 2, state Sen. Anthony Portantino’s bill to tighten concealed-carry laws, months before lawmakers sent it to him this month. The Democratic governor, considered a future presidential contender, is typically wary of signing new taxes into law. And he’s been quiet about the gun tax measure — a fact that has made advocate groups anxious. Gun violence survivors and safety advocates rallied Thursday on the steps of the Capitol, urging Newsom to sign AB 28. The bill would create an 11 percent tax on firearms and ammunition sales, generating an estimated $159 million annually for school safety and violence prevention programs. “He's just been such a vocal leader on this issue,†Gabriel said at the rally. “This would just be so consistent with everything that he's talked about and everything that he's stood for.†A day before the rally, some of the largest national gun violence prevention groups — including the Giffords Center for Violence Intervention, Everytown for Gun Safety and March for Our Lives — sent Newsom a letter calling the bill a “top priority for our organizations and supporters.†On the national stage, Newsom is taking a massive swing at gun violence — proposing a longshot strategy to circumvent the conservative majority on the Supreme Court and change the U.S. Constitution to include gun safety measures, including an assault weapon ban. Gun safety groups have embraced Newsom, but their energy has been more focused on more incremental proposals. His constitutional push is widely seen as a long shot. California would be the first state to enact a special tax on firearms and ammo if Newsom signs the bill. Advocates say that could motivate other states to follow. Newsom’s office told us they won’t comment on pending legislation. The pressure on the governor over AB 28 is only expected to amplify in the coming weeks (he has until Oct. 14 to sign or veto bills). HAPPY FRIDAY. Thanks for waking up with Playbook. PLAYBOOK TIP LINE — What bills do you expect Newsom to sign? Or veto? Give us a ring or drop us a line. Now you can text us at ‪916-562-0685‬‪ — save it as “CA Playbook†in your contacts now. Or drop us a line at [email protected] and [email protected], or on Twitter —@DustinGardiner and @Lara_Korte WHERE’S GAVIN? Nothing official announced.
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