August is heating up in more ways than one. We’re seeing insurance rates climb and put pressure on Californians. On the upside, housing is being built on Skid Row! But first…

WHAT MADE CALIFORNIA, CALIFORNIA?

We came across a short missive from California political blogger Kevin Drum yesterday that seemed ripe for this newsletter. Riffing on a long profile of Palmer Luckey, the self-taught engineering genius who invented the Oculus Rift, Drum calls out a passage that caught his eye: “This is the region to which those hundreds of thousands of Dust Bowl migrants fled after the Depression, and where many of them then spent World War II assembling radar units and guidance controls for submarines, missiles, and fighter aircraft. After the war, it’s where a landscape of citrus groves and cattle ranches was transformed into a suburban sprawl of military bases, defense plants, malls, and swimming pools. Fantastical American curiosities like the suburban megachurch, the neo-Pentecostal ‘charismatic’ clinic, drive-thru restaurants, drive-in churches, and Disneyland were created here. It’s where a distinctive style of dress was honed— ‘shorts, colorful open-necked shirts, sandals,’ as an October 1945 feature in Life coined it. Here, where Luckey was born, is where the back of the patrician Northeastern Republican establishment was broken during the Cold War, and replaced by a new power base.” Drum punctuates the short blog post by noting his desire for a book-length treatment of this phenomenon. We put the question to you, fellow Californiaphiles: What’s the best book you’ve read that accurately and provocatively sums up our distinctive social, cultural, religious, economic and political milieu?

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🤫 Everything you should know

- New polling from the UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies and the LA Times shows that California voters are sharpening their pitchforks. Proposition 36, which would bring tougher penalties for repeat theft and fentanyl crimes, is currently sitting at 56% support, reflecting widespread frustration with organized retail theft and an implicit rejection of the state’s past leniency codified 10 years ago by Proposition 47. The poll also shows support for an $18 statewide minimum wage and an uphill battle for supporters of rent control. With ten measures on the ballot, the November election is shaping up as a battleground for the state’s future — where crime, poverty, and housing collide under the spotlight of a high-stakes presidential race. At the local level, voting in 2024 could be considered a part-time, seasonal job: San Francisco's voter guide is projected to run roughly 300 pages! There are still a few weeks of summer left; maybe a fun beach read? Los Angeles Times

- With California hitting record temperatures this July, the urgency for sustainable solutions is palpable. Here at the New California Coalition, we're channeling our efforts into championing policies that fortify our state’s defenses against droughts and wildfires. Together, we're working towards a future where California is not only safeguarded against climate extremes but also thrives as a leader in environmental resilience. By advocating for strong policies, we are not just protecting our environment; we are securing a more economically sustainable California. Los Angeles Times

- Los Angeles County's efforts on Skid Row are bringing significant changes to many lives, as seen through people like Mike Juma. A year ago, Juma lived in a tent and felt he needed to rely on a samurai sword for his personal protection. Today, he has a furnished apartment with a breathtaking view, thanks to a $280-million county initiative aimed at transforming the area and its residents' lives. This project is not just about moving people off the streets—it’s about restoring dignity and providing a foundation for a new start. The heartwarming transformation of residents like Juma, who once struggled on the streets and now find comfort in their own homes, highlights the essential human element in the fight against homelessness. Los Angeles Times

Doomsday Fish?

Turns out the only thing more unsettling than a surprise earthquake is a giant, dead oarfish showing up like an uninvited guest with ominous predictions. Southern California is really bringing the drama this summer! In a rare sighting, a 12-foot-long oarfish, often dubbed the "doomsday fish," washed up dead near La Jolla Cove. Oarfish are deep-sea dwellers and are considered by some as harbingers of natural disasters. This particular fish made its appearance just two days before a 4.4 magnitude earthquake shook the Los Angeles area, adding a hint of mystique to its legendary status. The fish will undergo a necropsy to determine its cause of death, and its remains will join Scripps’ vast collection of deep-sea curiosities.

The Latest Blow to Housing Affordability

The cost of living continues to climb.This week’s culprit? Skyrocketing insurance rates. Many insurance companies are pulling out of California due to wildfire risks and the skyrocketing costs of rebuilding after disasters. This isn’t just hitting high-risk areas — homeowners across the state are losing their coverage and are forced to rely on more expensive options like the FAIR Plan. These increasing costs are making it even harder for people to afford housing, adding to the challenges so many Californians already face. CalMatters

California Agriculture

It’s both beautiful and delicious. As the breadbasket of the country, we must secure California’s water future to continue growing crops and providing food for the U.S. and the world.