Governor Newsom convenes a special session of the Legislature to protect California values

SACRAMENTO — Governor Gavin Newsom today issued a proclamation convening a special session of the California Legislature to safeguard California values and fundamental rights in the face of an incoming Trump administration. The special session will focus on bolstering California legal resources to protect civil rights, reproductive freedom, climate action, and immigrant families.

This is the first of several actions by the Newsom Administration, in partnership with the Legislature, as the Governor begins shoring up California’s defenses against an incoming federal administration that has threatened the State on multiple fronts.

The freedoms we hold dear in California are under attack — and we won’t sit idle. California has faced this challenge before, and we know how to respond. We are prepared, and we will do everything necessary to ensure Californians have the support and resources they need to thrive. 

“No matter what the incoming Administration has in store, California will keep moving forward,” said Attorney General Rob Bonta. “We’ve been through this before, and we stand ready to defend your rights and protect California values. We’re working closely with the Governor and the Legislature to shore up our defenses and ensure we have the resources we need to take on each fight as it comes.”

“Voters sent a clear message this election, and we need to lean-in and listen,” said Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Hollister). “But we also must be prepared to defend California values, no matter the challenges ahead, so it makes sense to consider the Governor’s proposal. I’m ready to fight harder than ever for opportunity, equality and a Golden State that works for each and every resident.”

“We learned a lot about former President Trump in his first term — he’s petty, vindictive, and will do what it takes to get his way no matter how dangerous the policy may be,” said Senate President pro Tempore Mike McGuire (D-North Coast). “California has come too far and accomplished too much to simply surrender and accept his dystopian vision for America. This is why we’re moving with speed and investing in our legal defense. This is an important first step in protecting our progress and the values that make this state great. We’ll be working with the Assembly and the Governor in the months ahead to ensure the rights of all Californians are safeguarded.”

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[OCS: Pure projection! It was the progressive communist democrats who turned California into a dystopian shithole.]

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT STATE OF CALIFORNIA
A PROCLAMATION BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

WHEREAS on November 6, 2024, it became clear that Donald J. Trump has won election as President of the United States, setting the stage for President-elect Trump to assume office for a second term on January 20, 2025; and

WHEREAS the track record of the first Trump Administration, combined with the statements made by President-Elect Trump on the campaign trail, as well as statements and policy papers issued by individuals close to his campaign and by Republican congressional leadership, indicate the consequences of his presidency for California may be significant and immediate, including:

• Continuing the assault on reproductive freedom by limiting access to medication abortion, expanding conscience objections for employers and providers, and pursuing a national abortion ban; [OCS: Abortion]
• Undoing clean vehicle policies that are critical to combating climate change and dismantling other long-standing environmental protections for clean air and clean water; [OCS: electric vehicles, natural gas bans, anti-fracking, abuse of water policies]
• Repealing Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and reinstituting immigration policies that lead to family separations; [OCS: Immigration]
• Withholding disaster response funding and individual assistance for victims of disasters as political retribution; and [OCS: Speculation]
• Politicizing grant programs to commandeer state and local governmental resources for federal purposes; and [OCS: waste, fraud, abuse, this is currently the policy of the Biden Administration]

WHEREAS during President-Elect Trump’s first term, California developed a successful roadmap for fighting back and standing up for our State’s values and our people’s constitutional rights, including filing more than 120 lawsuits challenging actions taken by the Trump Administration; and

WHEREAS lawyers from the Attorney General’s Office and my office have been preparing for a potential second Trump term for more than a year, and we are marshaling the arguments and evidence needed to be ready to challenge in court unconstitutional and unlawful federal policies, and to mount robust and vigorous defenses of California’s laws, policies and programs, on issues critical to Californians; and

WHEREAS preparing to litigate regressive potential actions on these major policy issues with the urgency and comprehensiveness called for in this moment necessitates ensuring the State’s legal apparatus is sufficiently resourced; and

WHEREAS these extraordinary circumstances require the Legislature of the State of California to be convened in a special session.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor of the State of California, in accordance with Section 3(b) of Article IV of the California Constitution, hereby convene the Legislature of the State of California to assemble in extraordinary session in Sacramento, California, on the 2nd day of December 2024, at a time to be determined, for the following purposes:

To consider and act upon legislation necessary to:

a. Provide additional funding to the California Department of Justice and other agencies, departments, boards, and offices within the Executive Branch to support the ability to immediately file affirmative litigation challenging actions taken by the incoming Trump Administration, defend against litigation or enforcement actions brought by the incoming Trump Administration, and take administrative action authorized under state law to mitigate the impacts of actions by the incoming Trump Administration.

b. Make conforming changes to existing law consistent with the preceding paragraph.

I FURTHER DIRECT that as soon as hereafter possible, this Proclamation be filed in the Office of the Secretary of State and that widespread publicity and notice be given of this Proclamation.