California's Department of Education is making moves into real estate to keep cost-burdened teachers from jumping ship to other states. This and more from your favorite weekly newsletter on what’s happening in California.

But first…

NEWSOM GETS DOWN AND DIRTY

Fresh from welcoming a pair of new Chinese pandas to the San Diego Zoo (👋 hi there, Yun Chuan 🐼 and Sin Bao! 🐼) Governor Gavin Newsom made a surprise stop in Los Angeles, flexing some political (and literal) muscle on homelessness. Newsom rolled up unannounced to two homeless encampments, put on some gloves and got to work clearing trash and debris. “People are done,” he told reporters, tearing into a rancid, garbage-strewn campsite on state property under Interstate 10 alongside a crew of state workers in orange vests. “If we don’t deal with this, we don’t deserve to be in office.” On the back of a recent Supreme Court ruling that provides more leeway to clear encampments, Newsom has pushed hard for immediate action. "If we don't see demonstrable results, I'll start to redirect money," Newsom said. “This is a sincerely held belief that we need local government to step up. This is a crisis. Act like it.”

NY TIMES

LA TIMES

🤫 Everything you should know

- The California Department of Education is taking steps to encourage more teachers to stay in the state by investing in housing projects.  While some see this as a welcome effort to reduce costs for hard-working teachers, we see it as a sad reminder of the current state of affairs. Doesn’t the Department of Education have other (rather important) responsibilities? Shouldn’t abundant, affordable housing be available for teachers (and everyone else) as a matter of course? Instead of idiosyncratic, risk-heavy approaches to what is a relatively straightforward problem (not enough housing), why not just…make it easier to build more housing? Call us crazy, but we think that bringing down the cost of housing by building enough of it for everyone would be great for teachers. KQED

- California Legislators are dusting off their desks, and the heat is on. More than 1,300 bills are lined up for a legislative marathon ending August 31. Front and center is Assembly Bill 1825, turning the page on how public libraries handle contentious books, demanding transparency but shelving bans on materials discussing race or sexuality. Meanwhile, AB 3027 gears up law enforcement with tools to tackle transnational repression, spotlighting a geopolitical thriller involving Russia, China, Iran, and India. As the clock ticks, it’s a race to the finish line for California's lawmakers — no overtime allowed! CalMatters

- Chevron's recent decision to move from California to Texas reflects growing corporate frustration with the state, according to the Wall Street Journal’s notoriously California-skeptic editorial board.  Their latest salvo highlights how California's low-carbon mandates, cap-and-trade fees, and new taxes — like Richmond's proposed $1 per barrel refinery tax — have made operations increasingly unsustainable. The state's handling of the energy sector, including proposals for state-run refineries, further signals an inhospitable environment, driving not just Chevron but potentially other businesses to reconsider their stay in the Golden State. Wall Street Journal

🌳 Beauty and engineering marvel

The Hispanic Chambers of Commerce of San Francisco is a formidable coalition of the Nicaraguan-American, Bay Area Central-American, Guatemalan-American and Latin American & Caribbean chambers. We spoke with CEO Carlos Solórzano-Cuadra about the incredible work he’s doing to inform, engage and uplift the thousands of Hispanic-owned businesses in San Francisco.

Are you optimistic about California's future?

Absolutely. Optimism is a daily priority for me. We receive so many requests from people, including those from  El Salvador, Colombia and other countries in Latin America, who want to bring their ideas to California. AndI ask them, “Why don't you call any other states or any other chambers?” Their response: Because California is where it's at. California is where we have the opportunity to be more creative.

How does the Hispanic Chambers of Commerce of San Francisco promote Latino-owned businesses?

We have united five chambers to strengthen our voice in the government and business community. We participate in various committees, everything from the BART Office of Civil Rights to the Hispanic Small Business Executive Round Table in the White House. That’s giving our members a seat at the table. We also offer access to tools, like AI-driven marketing tools, support for undocumented business owners, and ways to apply for loans. We work with the City of San Francisco so if you're starting a new business, your first year business permit is going to be paid. Our partnerships are also our strength. With the San Francisco Filipino American Chamber of Commerce, the San Francisco African American Chamber of Commerce, the San Francisco Chamber, the Council of District Merchants Associations, we are over 35,000 businesses.

What are some challenges your members face, and how can they be turned into opportunities?

Some challenges are the lack of information and education. Many businesses are not aware of the available resources, especially those not fluent in English or familiar with technology. During COVID, this issue became clear as many businesses couldn’t access available aid. We bridge this information gap by providing resources and support in multiple languages and through various cultural lenses.

What’s your pitch for people doing business in California?

I want to let everybody know that we are here to do business, and we're here to support diverse communities. The fastest growing demographic in California is our Hispanic community, and it’s also the fastest growing market. If you want to be successful, you should be here in California.

California business leaders support Governor Newsom’s executive order to address homeless encampments with compassion

Governor Newsom's new executive order, supported by California business leaders, addresses homeless encampments with a mix of urgency and compassion. It directs state agencies and local governments to collaborate on providing services to those in encampments, fuelled by substantial state investments in affordable housing and homelessness. Business leaders across sectors laud the initiative for improving public safety and the business climate while emphasizing humane and effective solutions to homelessness. New California Coalition and BizFed CEO Tracy Hernandez was featured in the announcement, saying “Now that there are ample resources and tools to humanely relocate homeless to shelter and those in special need to get services, it’s time to also consider needs of store front businesses and their employees who need clean and safe access. BizFed and New California Coalition join with Governor Newsom to urge local leaders to move quickly to take action.”

Take a hike… gladly

California has secured the second spot on GB The Green Brand’s list of top states for hiking, boasting the longest trail system in the nation at 18,467 miles. With a score of 76.9, it shines for its scenic diversity, from coastlines to mountain peaks, including a 6,656-foot climb to Mount Whitney’s summit. Renowned for landscapes that cater to every hiker’s taste, whether on the Pacific Crest Trail or amidst the redwoods, California continues to be a premier destination for outdoor enthusiasts. SacBee

🐼 Bear Necessities

Take a trip to San Diego Zoo this weekend to see Yun Chuan and Sin Bao, the newest pandas from China who are living it up in California.